Forward Brent Sam of San Juan North Secondary School was adjudged the boys Player of the Year, while midfielder Ray-ann Montano of Fyzabad Secondary School took home the girls Player of the Year accolade when the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) held its 2015 Awards Ceremony at the Auditorium at Naparima College in San Fernando on Saturday afternoon.

The players had the honours bestowed upon them in the presence of veterans footballers who were honoured at the SSFL marked its 50th anniversary.

Also, witnessing the proceedings were of the student athletes captured the spotlight were Darryl Smith, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Anthony Creed, the SSFL president Anthony Creed, Everard “Gally” Cummings, former national coach Everard “Gally” Cummings and Angus Eve, a former national football captain and Naparima coach.

St Augustine Secondary took home the First Citizens award in the east zone league Championship Division for girls; Diego Martin Central Secondary (north zone) Fyzabad Secondary (South zone) and Scarborough Secondary (Tobago).

Meanwhile, Fyzabad Secondary lifted the Big Four title also sponsored by First Citizens. Naparima College banked the $23,000 cheque and the BGTT trophy in the Premier Division, and deposited another $8,000 as winner of the Coca-Cola Intercol National champs.

Interviewed, Sam, the Player of the Year boys said it was his first such honour under the SSFL banner and it meant a lot. “In life, when I reflect, I could show my kids that I achieved and they can better it,” he said. Interestingly, it was not an award he had set out to achieve last season. His mission back then was to surpass his 2014 rank as the top goal scorer with 22 goals.

Sam, a forward said, “I tried to achieve it, but unfortunately I fell short by seven goals. I performed well in some of the games, not as well as I wanted to perform.” Even though Sam copped this prestigious award he was hard on himself being the perfectionist he was. “I was hard on myself because I wanted to go and break my own record, however, in 2016, I will be moving on as I look to play professional football,” he said.

The Honour Roll

2015 All Star Team Girls:
Player of the Year:
Ray-Ann Montano
Goal Keepers:
Shamika Rocastle, Fyzabad Secondary
Milikah Didier, Bishop’s Anstey East
Defenders:
Tamara Johnson, Fyzabad Secondary
Jahra Thomas, Fyzabad Secondary
Jacel Forde, Bishop’s Anstey East
Lakita Halls, Scarborough Secondary
Malak Marcelle, Diego Martin Central Secondary
Ranae Ward, Bishop’s Anstey Port-of-Spain
Midfielders:
Krystal Preddie, Fyzabad Secondary
Collette Morgan, Fyzabad Secondary
Ray-Ann Montano, Fyzabad Secondary
Akila Crawford, Diego Martin Central Secondary
Jeneal Lawrence, Scarborough Secondary
Naomi Guerra, St Augustine Secondary
Forwards:
Aaliyah Charles, Scarborough Secondary
Renrique Primus, Fyzabad Secondary
Kader Louison, Fyzabad Secondary
Jalene Sobers, Bishop’s Anstey East
Kaydeen Jack, Diego Martin Central Secondary
Top Five Players:
Tamara Johnson, Fyzabad Secondary
Ray-Ann Montano, Fyzabad Secondary
Kader Louison, Fyzabad Secondary
Jacel Forde, Bishop’s Anstey East
Aaliyah Charles, Scarborough Secondary
 
2015 All Star Team Boys
Player of the Year:
Brent Sam
Goalkeepers:
Denzil Smith, Shiva Boys Hindu College
Jadel Poon Lewis, Queen’s Royal College
Defenders: 
Joshua Marshall, St Augustine Secondary
Taryll Coutou, St Benedict’s College
Nicholas Thomas, Naparima College
Keston Julien, Presentation College, San Fernando
Adrian Constantine, Queen’s Royal College
Anderson Toussaint, Naparima College
Stephon Smith, Naparima College
Midfielders:
John-Paul Rochford, Queen’s Royal College
Kareem Riley, Presentation College, San Fernando
Tryell Emmanuel, Shiva Boys Hindu College
Isaiah Hudson, Naparima College
Michael Basdeo, Naparima College
Shane Sandy, Naparima College
Jesse Joseph, St Augustine Secondary
Forwards: 
Demitri Dunkley, Queen’s Royal College
Shamar Ravello, St Benedict’s College
Kathon St Hillaire, St Anthony’s College
Brent Sam, San Juan North Secondary
Jared Dass, Naparima College
Kerri Mc Donald, Speyside High School
Top Five Players:
Tyrell Emmanuel, Shiva Boys Hindu College
Isaiah Hudson, Naparima College
Shane Sandy, Naparima College
Brent Sam, San Juan North Secondary
Jared Dass, Naparima College

Former national stand-out Leroy De Leon was named the Player of the Past Half Century in the sport of football by the Secondary Schools Football League during its 2015 awards ceremony which took place at Naparima College, Auditorium, San Fernando. 

De Leon, a former St Benedict’s College star player was joined in the spotlight by Everard “Gally” Cummings of Fatima College fame and former coach of the T&T Strike Squad, Jan Steadman (St Benedict’s) Warren Archibald (St Benedict’s) Steve David, Bobby Sookram and Wilfred Cave (ST Benedict’s College), Dr Alvin Henderson and Ian Bain (CIC) together with Roger Duprey (Fatima) and Ellis Sadaphal and Rolph Clarke of QRC were honoured for period reviewed in the SSFL’s history.

In his acceptance remarks, De Leon said, “It is with great humility that I accept this award. It was a hard road. My dad never wanted me to play sports. He wanted me to be like a doctor, whatever. That wasn’t in my DNA at all. There was an old movie, The Sound of Music and there was a line by Julie Andrews which went like this: For somewhere in my youth and childhood, I must have done something good.”

The event was to mark the SSFL 50th anniversary and De Leon used the opportunity to urge the nation’s young athletes to allow their pursuits of higher education and excellence in sport be the match made in heaven.

“Please fulfill your dreams academically. You have to marry the two: books and sports. It will never leave you. Dedication, respect for yourself, respect others and most of all enjoy what the heck you do.”

Former national skipper and ex-Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke was honour for his sterling contribution to the league in the 80s, alongside former national coach Russell Latapy, as well as retired national players Leonson Lewis, Hutson Charles and Marvin Faustin.

Clayton Morris, another former national captain was the toast for his contribution to the SSFL during the 70s under the John Donaldson Technical Institute banner, while ex-Malick Secondary Comprehensive’s Arnold Dwarika was reward as one of the star’s during the 90s. 

SSFL 50th ANNIVERSARY AWARDS

Female Players from 2000 to 2014

Kerdie Johnson (St. Aug), Kayla Taylor (Debe), Maria Shade (Debe) Karyn Forbes (Signal H), Avanell Isaac (St. Aug), Nadia James, (Malick) Anastasia Prescott, (Malick) Maylee Attin Johnson, (D/Martin C) Allana Burgen, (Malick) Ayans Ruussell, (El Do E) Dernell Mascall (Moruga) Cecile Hinds (P/ville), Stephinie Beam (Debe), Ahkeela Mollon, (UCB) Analise Cummings (ST. Aug), Naomi Guerra (ST. Aug), Patrice Superville (P/ville), Patrice Campbell (Eldo), Kennya Cordener (Signal Hill)

Goalkeepers—Linfah Jones (Debe), Candice Edwards, (Signal Hill) Kimika Forbes (Scarborough),

BOY COACHES OF THE 50 YEAR PERIOD

Bertile St. Clair Signal Hill Secondary—14 titles

Nigel Grosvenor St. Anthony’s College—12 titles

Muhammad Isa San Fernando Technical Institute—9 titles

Kenneth Franco Malick Secondary 9 titles

Kenny Thomas St Augustine 6 titles

Leonard Curtain Queen’s Royal College 5 titles

Michael Grayson St. Augustine 5 titles

GIRL COACHES OF THE 30 YEAR PERIOD

Stephen Smart Malick Secondary 15 titles

Arnold Murphy Debe Secondary 12 titles

Desiree Sargeant St. Augustine 6 titles

Six Pioneer Schools who started the Colleges League which became the Secondary Schools Football League in 1976 are:

North South

St. Mary’s College St. Benedict’s College

Queen’s Royal College Naparima College

Fatima College Presentation College

SSFL NATIONAL OFFICERS LONG SERVICE AWARDS

Roy Jagroopsingh—President, & Vice President —eight years (posthumous)

Ormond Gabriel—General Secretary Treasurer —20 years (posthumous)

Ewing Davis—President—17)years (longest serving president)

Azaad Mohammed Khan—General Secretary Treasurer twenty 23 years

Anthony Creed—President & Vice President—19 years

1960s: Leroy De Leon (St. Ben), Warren Archibald (St. Ben), Steve David (St Ben),Bobby Sookram (St. Ben), Wilfred Cave (St. Ben) Dr. Alvin Henderson (CIC), Ian Bain (CIC), Everard Cummings (Fat), Roger Duprey (Fat Col), Ellis Sadaphal (QRC), Jan Steadman (ST. Ben) Rolph Clarke (QRC)

1970s: Richard Chinapoo (Trin Col), Wayne Lewis (Belmont BS), Ron La Forest (Belmont BS), Garnet Craig (Fat Col), Leroy Spann (Sando Tech), Vernon Skinner (Trin Col), Ian Clauzel (E. Mucurapo S), Luciano Woodley (CIC), Clayton Morris ( John Don Inst), Peter Mitchell (Sando Tech) Neil Williams (CIC).

1980s: Russell Latapy (Tranquility Government/ San Fernando Tech), Garth Pollonais (St. Aug S), Dwight Yorke (Signal Hill S), Timothy Haynes (Arima Sec), David Nakid (CIC), Angus Eve (E Muc Sec), Clint Marcelle (E Muc Sec), Hutson Charles (E Muc Sec), Marvin Faustin (San Fern Tech), Leonson lewis 

(San Fern Tech),

1990s: Arnold Dwarika (Malick S), Mickey Trotman (Arima S), Carlos Edwards (St. Anth), Anthony Sherwood (Pres S/F), Wesley Webb (St Ben), Shawn David (Malick), Jeron Nixon (St Aug), Ivan Sampson (St Ben), Shaun Boney (El Do E), Marvin Oliver (San Juan N), Cornell Glenn (E Muc), Gary Glasgow (Malick) Kerwyn Jermott (Malick) Stern John (El Do E) 

2000s: Ataullah Guerra (E Muc), Shahdon Winchester (Naparima Coll), Devorn Jorsling (Malick Secondary), Kenwyn Jones (St Anth), Nkosi Blackman (St Benedict’s), Jerol Forbes (Naparima College), Kevin Molino (East Mucurapo Secondary), Elijah Manners (San Juan North), Jamal Gay (El Dorado East), Elton John (St Augustine), Kevon Neaves 

(St Anthony’s)

The Central Bank has no evidence of counterfeit $50 bills being circulated in the country. Alister Noel, senior manager of operations, said although a video is being circulated which claims to show a counterfeit $50 polymer bill in circulation and there have been media reports about it, the Central Bank has no such information.

Responding to questions during a Know Your Money seminar in Port-of-Spain, Noel said: “Just like you, we would have read these things in the newspapers and saw some of the things on social media. We were never in possession of a counterfeit bill.”

He added: “We are not saying there can never be a counterfeit polymer note, we are saying some may try, but from our end and as part of risk management of the country from our end, it is in our interest as users of the currency that we get familiar with the currency.”

Noel said citizens who came into possession of fake currency should make a report to the Fraud Squad Division of the T&T Police Service, the authority to deal such incidents. 

Barnaby Dicks, regional manager of currency at London-based De La Rue and facilitator of the seminar, said it was not enough for citizens to just put money in their wallets or purses and not know whether the notes were authentic. He said knowing the feel, look and tilt of money in hand was the sure way for citizens to be assured that their wealth had not been compromised.

Seminar participants were told that while polymer was the new material on which money was printed, cotton was still popular on the world market. They were provided with specimen $50 and $100 bills and, using magnifying glasses and ultraviolet lights, were shown techniques to identify whether the currencywas of value or worthless.

“More and more central banks are taking up polymer (notes). The main benefit of polymer is that it is very durable. If you look at the United Kingdom you will see that this year they are moving the five pound note to polymer and they have announced they will be introducing the ten pound note. You look at Asian countries, they are doing the same. There are certain Asian countries that have a whole family of polymer (notes),” Dicks said.

“There is no set requirement. It is about what the country feels is the best at that particular time. There are certain countries that have their lower currencies in polymer and there are countries that have their higher currencies in polymer.”

President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) Lutalo “Brother Resistance” Masimba is lobbying for the Kaiso House Calypso Tent at the Queen’s Park Savannah for Carnival to remain as a credible entertainment space throughout the year.

He made the call yesterday at the draw for tomorrow’s Calypso Fiesta at Skinner Park, San Fernando, from which 11 finalists would advance and seek to dethrone reigning National Calypso Monarch Roderick “Chucky” Gordon. 

“We have the most prestigious title in the Carnival because since 1969 we have been competing for the National Calypso Monarch. 

“Today, congratulations go out to each and every one of you, all contestants who will be heading to Skinner Park to make their statement in their own way. In moving forward we know there is a lot of work for us to do as artistes,” he said. Masimba added: “We feel sad that this same venue that we are in to celebrate will have to be torn down Ash Wednesday. It says how far (behind) we are as entertainers in T&T. So when you are vying for your million dollars, when you are singing for your crown, remember there is so much to be done.”

Former culture minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters, who is also a former National Calypso Monarch, will appear in position number 30 at tomorrow’s competition, while previous title holder Karene Asche and Duane O’Connor have drawn to appear in position three and nine respectively.

ORDER OF APPEARANCE

1 Ife Alleyne

2 Steve Pascall (Ras Kommanda)

3 Duane O’Connor

4 Sean Daniel (The Psalmist)

5 Tameka Darius

6 Karen Eccles Thomas

7 Selvon Noel (Mistah Shak)

8 Myron Bruce (The Incredible Myron Bruce)

9 Karene Asche

10 Michael Legerton (Protector)

11 Vivian Lockhart (Young Poser)

12 Heather Mc Intosh

13 Alana Sinnette Khan

14 Diane Hendrickson (Lady Wonder)

15 Kurt Allen (Last Badjon of Calypso)

16 Devon Seale

17 Henson Wright

18 Morel Peters (Luta)

19 Joanne Rowley (Tigress)

20 Kizzie Ruiz

21 Hammond Bruce

22 Eulith Woods (Macomere Fifi)

23 Brian London

24 Stephen Marcelle

25 Sandra Des Vignes Millington

26 Marsha Clifton

27 Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust)

28 Helon Francis

29 Georgia Mc Intyre (The Messenger)

30 Winston Peters (Gypsy)

31 Stacey Sobers Abraham

32 Victoria Cooper–Rahim (Queen Victoria)

33 Joanne Foster

34 Tammico Moore (Spicey)

35 Alicia Richards

36 Lesley Ann Ellis

37 Michelle Henry

38 Kerine Williams

39 Gilbert O’Connor (Happy)

40 Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro)

The local cocoa industry has been through too many cycles of neglect to generate the billions of dollars in revenue and crucial foreign exchange T&T needs at this time, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat has admitted.

The minister, who was interviewed by the T&T Guardian at the launch of the Cocoa Pod, an exclusive chocolate shop located on Gordon Street, Port-of-Spain, said while research by the University of the West Indies indicates that conditions are prime in T&T to rejuvenate the sector it was left behind because oil and gas drove the economy.

At present, he revealed, T&T produces just 500 tonnes of cocoa annually—the lowest level of production in the history of the local industry. To resuscitate the sector, he added, producers will have move away from the export of all the beans, and boost production, while manufacturing new products for local consumption and export.

Rambharat said there is great potential for cocoa to contribute to the economy but in the absence of a well constituted sector, Government will almost have to start from scratch to bring about its revival.

“I have given the mandate to the Cocoa Development Company. Government is about to appoint a new board and I feel given the names I have put forward for that board, with the right mix of farmers, experts and academics—people who understand the sector—I expect that the Cocoa Development Company will drive the process,” the minister said. 

“What we need in T&T is a mix of the small farmers and small producers. We also need to have large acreages under cultivation which may mean working a combination of local farmers and non-Trinidadian investors who have looked at cocoa and T&T and wish to make an investment.”

Rambharat added: “Lands are definitely available based on the research I have seen out of the University of the West Indies. North east and south east Trinidad remain prime areas for cocoa cultivation because of temperature and rainfall and a variety of factors. 

“We have land available. I believe we have the right amount of acreage. I believe the time is right. What we need is the political will and the support of the farming community to get it going. It will not bring the $10 billion over night. We have to rebuild the sector on the basis of a fantastic product which is the local cocoa.”

Commenting on claims by cocoa farmers that they are not being paid enough for their produce, Rambharat said the issue of price is not a local matter, but  is determined by world commodity prices.

“We have fine cocoa which fetches a premium price and the regular cocoa which is used for market type chocolate. I have challenged the sector to go into the niche (market) where our products from cocoa could fetch the best prices in the world,” he said.

“I don’t think we should be in the supermarket trade. I think we should be working to develop fine chocolate. We should also be working to develop the other products. T&T is too small to influence price.”

Rambharat added: “We are also too small to influence the price of the fine cocoa. We know that there is demand for it, but we should be looking inward to see how much we can produce value added products in the country.”

Sounds of victory filled the cool night air in Malick, Barataria, on Friday when joint Single Pan Band winners Trinidad East Side Symphony rolled out the welcome wagon for a much deserved victory party.

Proud members of the community joined invited guests for the occasion which featured sumptuous cuisine, celebratory drinks and, above all, fun vibes.

Playing a Carlon Harewood arrangement of Total Disorder from the songbook of the late Kelvin “Mighty Duke” Pope, the band was adjudged joint winners in the finals of the Single Pan Band held at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on Carnival Thursday. They tied with Marsicans.

It was the first victory for the band which was formed 16 years ago. Harewood has been at the helm of the band for the past 11 years.

Officials of the T&T Music Festival Association are appealing to the corporate sector to help ensure that this year’s 31st edition of the biennial event takes place as planned over the next three weeks.

The festival which began on Monday was scheduled to take place at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain; Naparima Bowl, San Fernando; and Shaw Park Cultural Centre, Tobago, through March 12, under the patronage of Culture and Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly. 

The production which catered to children and amateur adults was still in need of almost $250,000.

Victor Prescod, chairman of the association, disclosed the executive committee’s dilemma at Sunday’s launch which took the form of a concert held at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

Even though Scotiabank has signed as the Diamond sponsor for the event and the Ministry of Education, Cher-Mere, Imagine Media, the Tobago House of Assembly and the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts were also on board, the organising committee was still struggling to cover its operational expenses.

Prescod lauded the decision of Scotiabank (through the Scotiabank Foundation) to return as a Diamond sponsor and expressed delight that the bank’s contribution did not take the form of a cash injection alone.

“We are appealing to you to not only publicise the festival over the next three weeks. We have already cut the festival (programme). We have already cut our budget to the bone. If we get any further we will be cutting into the tendons and crippling the association even further. But we are appealing to you not just to publicise the festival, but to help financially. We need more corporate sponsors. We have been searching for persons to come on board to assist. Looking at the numbers right now, we are looking at a deficit of $200,000 and if we can find 1,000 persons to contribute $100 we would have raised $100,000,” he said.

Prescod continued, “The music festival is on, but we have no money to advertise. We cannot put a single ad in the newspaper. We literally have no money. I have a treasurer who has threatened to resign because she cannot operate like this. And, we have young people to serve. We have amateur musicians to serve.”

Citing that the festival groomed so many of the nation’s young people, he lamented the difficulty corporate T&T found when asked to invest in the production.

Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre says all but one of the 137 service stations in this country are operating illegally and the state will give operators of these businesses six months to regularise their status.

Speaking at yesterday’s official opening of the NP St Christopher’s Service Station on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, the minister said the situation was one for serious concern.

“For the past five years service stations have been allowed to operate without valid retail marketing licences. Right now as I stand here, I can say without fear or contradiction that of the 137 service stations currently operating in T&T, this St Christopher Taxi Cab Co-Operative Service Station is the only one that is operating with a valid retail marketing licence,” she said.

“The fact that all of other service stations are operating without a licence is an untenable situation which has been allowed to continue for far too long. Today’s ceremony signals that the situation will persist no more. This government has begun to bring to an end this undesirable and unsafe state of affairs. As minister, I will ensure that this sector operates according to the clearly defined rules and regulations which are applicable to all.”

Olivierre said before the approval given recently to the NP St Christopher Service Station, the last time a licence—which has a life of one year—was issued to a local service station was in February 2010 under the Patrick Manning-led PNM government.

“The ministry is aggressively seeking to bring all service stations under the regulations and is working with the individual service station owners, and the operators NP and Petrotrin, as well as, the petroleum dealers association to ensure full compliance,” she said.

“The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries has given careful consideration to our role in the management and regulation of the petroleum sector. The umbrella legislation governing the petroleum sector is the Petroleum Act 1969 Chapter 62:01. The regulations which govern petroleum operations were developed under Section 29 of the Act and provide for inter alia the granting of a marketing licence with respect of the conduct of retail transactions at petro filled stations.”

The wondrous aesthetics that constitutes the genre of parang music has wowed Professor David Hoult, music adjudicator presiding over the northern segment of the Scotiabank sponsored 31st Biennial T&T Music Festival now taking place at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain.

Sweet serenal filled the precincts of the entertainment space at Wednesday night’s presentation of Class OP-C14 featuring parang for groups of not less than seven members, but no more than 15. The audience heard performances from Azucar—doing El Angel Gabriel–and Voces de Promesa which chose Allegria. 

Hoult admitted to the audience, “The great experience I get to take home from this trip with me is parang. Parang is new to me. We have other traditions of T&T music back in the UK, particularly steelpan, which we don’t do it nearly as well as it’s done here. Parang is new to us. I had two classes today. I had one earlier on (with the children) and I have fallen for it in a big way. I’m going to read about it off Wikipedia and get to know more.”

He added, “I find it quite infectious. Particularly, I am struck by the costumes, the combination of straight forward performance folk music-like enthusiasm, but (with) great musical polish and finesse. It’s beautifully done. The voices are always beautifully blended and balanced. It’s really quite refined music making, and yet it comes from a folk tradition. So, that fact is very interesting to me.”

He described both groups as very accomplished and well prepared. Of Azucar, Hoult urged the soloist to project her voice more to generate a bigger sound, but lauded the chorale singing, however. In the case of Vocas de Promesa the adjudicator identified an imbalance between the accompanying musicians and the singers. At times, said Hoult, the instrumentalist over powered the vocalists.

Even so, Hoult did not allow the contestants to leave the hall without knowing that their performances were enjoyable and brought a fitting end to the day’s programme. Patrons turning out for the night’s showcase were treated to a delightful mix of pan, parang, gospel solo and church choir performances.

Class OP-A9 which saw the final of the women gospel solo featured 12 out of 19 registered competitors. Given the liberty to perform selections of their own choice, vocalists belted out their most loved gospel hits before an appreciative audience. 

RESULTS
1 Sabrina Marks and Tova Miller, 87
2 Nakita Gadsby and Marielle Cooper-Leach, 86
3 Alethea Beharry and Nyleesia Nicome, 84
Gospel Solo Ladies (Class OP-A9) Final
1 Mahalia Curry Medina, 90
2 Jeannine Clarke-Jackson, 89
3 Nakita Gadsby, 87

Parang (Class OP-C14) Final
1 Azucar, 86
2 Vocas de Promesa, 85
Chamber Music Ensemble: Steel Pan Final (Class OP-E3)
1 All Saints Pan Ensemble, 81
2 RIPE Ensemble, 80

Church Choir Final (Class OP-C7)
1 Stanmore Avenue SDA Choir, 84
2 St Mary’s Chorale, Tacarigua, 83
Class OP-A6 Bass Solo–Open Final
Lioba Duncan

Music adjudicator Professor David Hoult paid gospel singer Justin Zephrine one of the greatest complements an amateur performer could receive, telling him his cool style of performing was reminiscent of listening to the music of Nina Simone.

“Such a soulful performance! I almost thought I was listening to Nina Simone,” he said of Zephrine at Scotiabank sponsored 31st Biennial T&T Music Festival at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain, last Tuesday.

The late Nina Simone—born Eunice Kathleen Waymon—was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist who worked in a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel and pop.

One of eight contestants appearing in the Gents Gospel Solo Class OP-A10, Zephrine took the spotlight performing the selection Yes, God Is Real, by Kenneth Morris. His performance was scintillating. 

The Queen’s Hall audience came alive in response to Hoult’s likening of Zephrine to Simone. Patrons offered lusty applause and cheers in support of the adjudicator’s remarks. The vibrant atmosphere accompanied the blushing Zephrine as he took the stage to accept his first place certificate.

Hoult said, “Make sure you really project your tone to the back of the hall, without in anyway forcing it. It’s intensity just like in any other spirituals. It’s presentation. You’ve got to look as though you mean it and making sure the tone is really strong enough to carry it to the back of the hall. The best of these performances certainly did achieve that. A lot of this music does require a fair amount of vocal tone and when you are in a hall this size, you do have to project your tone.”

To contestants not making the cut, he added, “You do need to make a bit more tone in here. Sometimes, it wasn’t very easy to hear you. Of course, if you can’t hear the melody, then you can’t hear the words either. It’s a matter of adjusting, even when you are singing piano in a place like this, you have really got to make it a healthy piano.” 

In the Negro Spiritual category it was Maxine Greaves’ ability to bring the right mix of audible lyrics, good tone and wondrous expression to the stage that saw her win the solo category. Rendering the selection titled You Can Tell the World, the charmed entertainer won favour with Hoult to get the better of her nine rivals. 

Christiana Lemessy, Chena Roberts, Atiba Perouze, Kory Mendez, Nakita Gadsby, Mahalia Curry Medina, David Springer, Wayne Sealey and Candice Sylvester were her musical opponents. But competition in this mixed class was dominated by women. Hoult called it, “Ladies night in the Negro Spiritual.” 

Second place went to Curry Medina doing the selection Deep River, while Nakita Gadsby placed third. Come Down Angels was her tune of choice. Citing that many of the contestants appearing in this class had taken the spotlight at the festival, the adjudicator underscored the need for contestants to embrace the different conventions as it relates to performing. 

“You can be a bit extreme in a Negro spiritual. There is nothing wrong in letting it all pour out in a really passionate way. If it’s joyful, it’s exuberantly over the top joyful. If it’s tragic, make it impossibly melancholy and really, really down. If you try and find those extremes of mood that would help you. If you stand up and sing an operatic aria or a song by Schubert, or you sing a folk song or you sing a Negro spiritual, the performing conventions are completely different. So that’s a challenge. Some of them rose to it very, very well. Some of them need to loosen up their presentations. 

“On the whole, no type of folk music is sung standing still. You have to move a bit, but you have to move in a natural way. And you’ve got to move in a way that is motivated by the song. Think about the words. Think about really projecting the words and get inside the character and live it,” said Hoult. 

Using his experiences as an educator Hoult communicated to the contestants and the audience that Negro Spirituals were in essence folk in genre, that was, music that was never originally notated but over time was.

“Because of that, there is an expectation that it is performed within the folk music tradition informally, apart from anything else and I think that means that the style of presentation needs to be relaxed but intense. Above all, you look as if you mean it and you sound as if you mean it. Those things are really, really important. In other kinds of singing there is a completely different style of presentation. One of the interesting challenge of being a singer is you have to switch from one performing convention into another and do it painfully well,” he said. 

The philosophy of the Scotiabank-sponsored 31st Biennial T&T Music Festival is based on a famous quote by late British music adjudicator Sir H Walford Davies: “The object is not to gain a prize or defeat a rival, but to pace one another on the road to excellence.” 

Monday’s morning session of the festival’s Championship Week held at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain, saw these qualities in there richest form when young saxophonist Jdani Williams from Tobago found himself in difficulty. 

Appearing in Class JR-D9 Woodwind Solo for competitor 15 years and under, playing the test piece Air, Suite No 3 by JS Bach, it quickly became evident that the contestant and festival accompanist Enrique Ali were not together. That’s when co-adjudicator Bryan Husband called out to Williams to cut the performance. 

By this time flautist Khai Alcantara had already taken the stage and delivered his interpretation of the test piece Le Cygne from Carnival of the Animals. Alcantara and Williams were vying for the Marion Osborne Memorial Trophy. 

Husband and co-adjudicator Prof David Hoult began to confer. Husband asked the accompanist to compare his score with the performers as they seemed to be playing in different musical keys. But on realising that the exchanges were too open, Hoult rose to his feet, trotted down the stairs onto the stage to try and work it out. 

On chatting with Williams and Ali, Hoult returned to the performer and could be heard asking if he was willing to transpose the piece while in the spotlight. 

Seemingly confused by the happenings at centre-stage, the expression of the young entertainer suggested he did not favour that option having rehearsed his version of the song to perfection. 

Hoult returned to Ali and asked him to transpose the accompaniment in the musical key Williams might have grown accustomed to. The talented pianist had no objection to this. 

Hoult then communicated to the audience that they were working on, a solution to the on-stage dilemma and believing they had arrived at one, said, “Let’s give it a try and hope it works.”

It turned out that when Williams rendered his performance during the qualifying round in Tobago, he did the piece unaccompanied. 

When the performance began, it was impossible to recall all that went before. Williams played the melody that he had worked on so diligently with his music teacher, while Ali, sat at the piano transposing, yet playing as though what was unfolding in the spotlight was planned.

Diversification is the best way to deal with the negatively changing economic fortunes across the Caribbean, says Republic Bank executive director Roopnarine Oumade Singh.

“Diversification is the only way that modern economies can hope to survive. But it is not enough to simply say or admit that. Coupled with the need for increased diversification in the face of prevailing economic trends, there has never been a more pressing need for greater connectivity among our leaders, particularly in the fields of power generation, water, energy and manufacturing,” he said.

Singh added: “In January, the United States exported natural gas for the first time, with a shipment of liquefied natural gas dispatched to Europe, resuming oil exports after a 40-year hiatus. On the other side of the world, reports come in that Iran is preparing to ramp up their oil production and exports by an estimated 500,000 barrels per day, following the lifting of sanctions.”

He said ripple effects of these events have been noticeable as energy prices remain depressed because supply out strips demand. Singh citied a recent International Monetary Fund Economic Outlook Report which is forecasting that global growth will dip to 3.1 per cent from 3.4 per cent.

Speaking at the Republic Bank-sponsored CEOs Forum hosted by the Caribbean Business Leadership Forum and held Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port-of-Spain, on Tuesday, Singh urged business leaders to become more circumspect in the way they operate and be more responsive, while staying in touch with the markets and the people they serve.

“Republic Bank stands ready and willing to partner with you. We will continue to leverage the strong market positions we enjoy in T&T, Guyana, Grenada, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Suriname and Ghana to serve you and open up markets for you. Serving the region for over 178 years, we know full well of the benefits of economic diversification, expanding our operations and further diversifying our economic base from oil and gas and manufacturing, to mineral economies like bauxite and gold, and service economies to include tourism,” he said.

“This is not to say that we have turned our backs on the energy sector. In fact, it is the opposite. We have enjoyed a long history of providing financing to the local energy sector.”

Singh said one of the bank’s greatest hopes, in the context of leadership, is for business executives to place greater emphasis on valuing diversity within their respective organisations.

“With so much on the line there may in fact be no greater time than now to explore innovative ways of doing business. We must each share a vision of a country and a region where opportunities are open to those of us ready to seize them,” he said.

“We must share a vision of a dynamic environment where it is the norm and not the exception to think beyond the short term and think about long-term investments in power generation; water, energy and manufacturing that must yield new jobs and new sustainable industries.”

Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon says this country’s credible reputation in the global energy sector is an ideal platform for local energy services companies seeking opportunities aboard to generate much needed foreign exchange for the economy.

Speaking at the recent Republic Bank sponsored CEOs Forum hosted by the Caribbean Business Leadership Forum (CBLF) at La Boucan, Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Port-of-Spain, she said the operations of Methonal Holdings Ltd, Yara and PCS Nitrogen Trinidad in the petro-chemical sector helped solidify this country’s position among the largest exporter of products of this class in the world.

Gopee-Scoon said in the wider energy sector, stalwarts such as bpTT, Shell, BHP Billiton, Repsol and majority state-owned National Gas Corporation (NGC) are adding value to the T&T brand. 

“Our success in the energy sector is internationally recognised and the government is committed to supporting and encouraging local professionals—and service companies as well—to export our energy services to new and emerging oil and gas producing countries within Caricom, Africa and elsewhere. The majority of our oil and gas and petro-chemicals go to the US. Our geographical proximity to North America and Latin America makes us the preferred location for businesses that are exporting, expanding or seeking out sourcing activity,” she said.

Gopee-Scoon boasted about the dynamic airlift options available from T&T, connecting travellers to numerous international destinations. She also hinted at the possibility of talks regarding flights from Piarco International Airport to Africa, would be explored.

The minister said having one of the highest levels of GDP per capita among Caribbean countries at US$21,023, according to the World Bank Report 2014, is indicative of a thriving domestic economy that could sustain a favourable investment climate. She added that this is complemented by a stable democratic system of government and a highly educated English-speaking workforce.

Between the well capitalised and profitable commercial banking and an equally strong domestic insurance industry, Gopee-Scoon said, the foundation has been laid for an attractive investment climate.

She lauded the robust nature of the local manufacturing sector which spawned success stories from Angostura, Bermudez, KC Confectionary Ltd and Associated Brand Industries Ltd (ABIL) with products known across the globe.

“It’s an opportune time in this nation’s development, as Government seeks to build the economy and get us back on a path of sustainable development and growth. Such efforts will not be successful without a dynamic and proactive private sector. Government’s clear focus is on implementing appropriate reforms to improve business fundamentals and to ensure that our local economy is more diverse. We believe that the foundation of our competitiveness is being able to produce new, better quality product and services as well as greater quantities of them, all while using fewer resources,” said Gopee-Scoon.

“And in this respect, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has prioritorised specific improvements in strategic areas, highlighted by the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, so that the cost and time it takes to do business is reduced. That sends a clear signal to investors that we are very serious about our competitiveness. The government is committed to ensuring that the business environment is transparent, is predictable and welcoming to new and existing businesses.” 

Officials in the local insurance industry are eagerly awaiting word on implementation of new legislation to govern the sector, says Andre Goindoo, managing director and CEO of CUNA Caribbean Insurance. 

He said six months have passed since the Keith Rowley-led PNM administration took office and there has been no word on the status of the draft Bill brought to Parliament by the previous government.

Speaking during a function to mark the re-branding of CUNA Insurance as CUNA Caribbean Insurance at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port-of-Spain, Goindoo said: “We’ve been operating for too long under out dated legislation. The industry along with the regulators have worked a long time modernising the legislation and getting it to a point where we think it would assist insurance companies and the broader insurance market, so we are anxious for the legislation to come to fruition.

He said the re-branding of CUNA is part of a deliberate regional transformation strategy aimed at strengthening the company’s presence in the markets in which it operates.

Goindoo said although CUNA Mutual Group has operated in the Caribbean for over six-and-a-half decades, the company did not leverage the strength of one unified brand. 

“We have taken that decision to do that today with the strength of our parent company, so as we move forward throughout the Caribbean, we will be known by that one name: CUNA Caribbean Insurance which will stand for financial accessibility for all people and we will continue to be supported by our parent company. 

“We are not a credit union. We are a multinational insurance company that in 1935 in the US was formed by the credit union movement, due to the unique needs of credit unions in the US that other providers were not servicing. So CUNA Mutual Group was formed in 1935 and in 1950 made the journey to Jamaica being that first country outside of North America, and since then we have grown by leaps and bounds.”

Goindoo said the company now serves most of the English speaking Caribbean. 

“The people in the Caribbean didn’t understand how large we were and the strength of our parent company, so, we thought it was an appropriate time to re-establish our presence in the Caribbean, but unifying our businesses across the region under one brand and that brand signifies financial accessibility for all people. We plan to be that organisation that anyone could come to and find financial security by virtue of the products and services and most importantly the cost point of those products and services.”

Goindoo said CUNA introduced the ground breaking family indemnity plan into the Caribbean—the first product that allowed a person to pay one premium that covers up to six members of a family. 

“Every time we launch a new feature of the plan it sells like hot bread. So we have some plans to bring some extensions to that. We recently launched a critical illness plan associated with that and we have some plans to bring some more products along those lines, because we believe the market needs it. We believe based on our research that critical illness is a big concern for Caribbean persons and we believe that product would do extremely well.”

Questioned about the timing of the launch in the current a gloomy economic environment, Goindoo said: “What better time to say that we are here to help? That is our position on the timing. You could never plan too far ahead and you could never know what the future holds. We have to be clear about who we are and what we plan to do and who we serve and that’s what this rebranding was about.” 

He added: “Person losing their jobs will affect the entire economy. We are part of the economy so we are not going to let that deter us from the value we bring to the people that we serve. At the end of the day, our products are value added products. They are products that anyone could get access to notwithstanding the economy. We are going to be the company that provides products that even the person with the humblest of means could afford.”

“I am incredibly honoured to have received this nomination. It’s definitely a nice feeling to be in the same company with some of the best athletes in T&T.”

That’s how T&T and West Indies left-handed batsman Darren Bravo responded to news that he was the T&T Cricket Board of Control’s (TTCB) choice for the First Citizens Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year Award 2015.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, at Queen’s Hall.

Bravo was unclear how he should react to the news since this is his first nomination. “It’s my first nomination. I think it’s a huge honour and privilege. I’m very thankful to my family, friends, coaches, teammates and everyone else who played a part in ensuring that I was able to achieve most of my goals for 2015.

I was actually driving when I got the call,” said Bravo.

He continued: “When I look back at the 2015 season, I must say it was challenging both on and off the field. I think now, I’ve reached the stage where I understand my game inside out and hopefully moving forward I can really and truly realise my full potential. The main lesson I learnt was that you can’t achieve anything without putting in the hard work, as well as having dedication and commitment. At times we tend to take the little things for granted and that’s a big no. I will like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and everyone who have been nominated for this prestigious award and hopefully we can continue to make our country proud in our respective fields.”

In the TTCB’s nomination biography of Bravo, he was described as “a game changer for his teams at different levels during 2015”, and that he consistently rose in the top order with a series of spectacular and trophy-winning displays.

During the home test series against England held between April-May last year, he scored 237 runs. His knocks of 69 and 82 against the tourists at St. George’s and Bridgetown, respectively, were all part of a surprising 1-1 draw earned by West Indies. Bravo also enjoyed a brief, but solid ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where he scored an unbeaten 49 in a 150-run victory over Pakistan at Christchurch.

He also played major roles in this country’s Nagico Super50 tournament triumph at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, back in February, scoring 109 runs, including 55 in a 17-run first round victory versus Jamaica–as well as hitting 291 runs to help the T&T Red Steel capture the Caribbean Premier League title.

No new sporting facilities will be constructed during this term of the Keith Rowley-administration sports minister Darryl Smith has said.

Speaking at the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) inaugural Sports Marketing and Business of Sport Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Dock Road, Port-of-Spain, with the theme Towards Economic Growth and Diversification–T&T Sport Rising to the Challenge, he said priority, however, would be given to the completion of major projects, which have already started.

The National Tennis Centre, the National Aquatic Centre, the Brian Lara Stadium and the Cycling Velodrome were major projects started under the Patrick Manning-led PNM administration that were yet to be completed.

“I am cool with passing through this five-year term and not building anything, finishing what we have, maintaining what we have and let the development fund pump into the young people of T&T,” he said.

The minister continued, “We have to move forward with one plan to put T&T on the map. Even the national sporting centres, the planning in terms of programmes. 

“There is no way we going to full up that cycling track every weekend. There is no way we going have that (National) Tennis Centre filled to capacity every weekend. We know that. Just like the other stadias that we have now. And that is the problem. Every politician that comes in, because there is no data to guide them, infrastructure and development is the way forward to leave a legacy: ‘I build that!’”

Smith also addressed the issues related to multiple government ministries duplicating the role of sport ministry, which possessed the core competency in this field and declared that practice was at an end.

The minister said: “I was blown away when I met with the minister of education and the minister of culture to hear they also have sporting departments and sporting bodies doing the same thing we (are) doing and we have never met. There are people in all different sections, doing and fighting for the same thing. Why don’t we pool our resources so we could propel and do four or five things? 

Smith added: “That is something we have been working on. Minister (of Education) Garcia and I have been having fantastic discussions so far, not only with UTT, with UWI and the primary and secondary schools, because benchmarking is something the chairman (SporTT) and I are trying to do. And so far, what we’ve been seeing are the models in terms of development in Australia, in Cuba and to our colleagues in Jamaica are obviously doing something right.”

But the absence of quality data, he lamented, remained the ministry’s biggest bugbear.

The TTOC initiative generated wide-spread support from national sporting organisations and sponsors representative and feature presentations from Jason Julien, deputy CEO for business generation at majority state owned bank First Citizens, Michael Phillip, chairman of the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT) former government ministry Conrad Enill and Racquel Moses, president at InvesTT. 

TTOC president Brian Lewis, in his welcome remarks underscored the need for national governing bodies “to stop depending on state financing. There is a big wide world out there that we need to tap into. How do we make sport in Trinidad attractive to investors?"

Meanwhile, Ephraim Serrette, president of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA) cited the absence of policy in sport and said: “In T&T we tend to just look at the social aspect of sport. We don't look at the economic aspect. The Global Sport Industry, however, is worth an estimated $500-600 billion USD, which is approximately 1.5 per cent of Global GDP.”

Like Smith, Serrette pointed to the data dilemma which impaired the innate willingness of administrators to succeed. 

The foreign exchange pressures confronting T&T at this time could have been a lot worse had there not been a buoyant manufacturing sector.

That is the view of Arthur Lok Jack, executive chairman of Associated Brands Industries Limited (ABIL), who said the progressive nature of the sector and the willingness of governments to work with the industry to revise and agree appropriate measures for its growth had nourished its export potential, which helped to protect this country’s foreign reserves.

“If we were not manufacturing products and T&T had to import it, my group alone would have to find over US$250 million (annually) to import goods. But we supply the nation with all the goods we have from breakfast cereals, chocolate, snack foods…whatever people want to eat, we supply the nation with that.

“We do not access one dollar of foreign exchange, because we export the products that we make. And, when we export the products that we make, our export revenue is greater that our (cost of) importing raw materials. So we contribute to the foreign exchange earnings. The country gets a free ride in foreign exchange,” he said.

He continued, “There was a newspaper editorial (that said) about $5 billion in food coming into this country. Oh my God! Who believes that? Is not $5 billion dollars worth of raw materials coming into the country! Not food on the supermarkets shelves. Go through the supermarkets and look. All those products are locally produced. So, it’s the raw materials that come into the country.

Lok Jack said the vision of the nation’s manufacturers added considerable value and the sector had been the strength of the economy, helping to ensure that citizens continued to enjoy a good standard of living. Having consumer goods readily available to everyone, without a tremendous cost with regards to foreign exchange was a blessing to the economy, he said.

Lok Jack said it was an error not to classify the petrochemicals sector as part of manufacturing.

“Methanol is not oil. Methanol is not gas. Methanol is methanol, Ammonia is ammonia. These are manufacturing industries. We need to understand how we put these things together,” he said.

The veteran businessman said that to deal with the labour shortage affecting the sector, rather than increase the workforce his company is paying existing staff overtime.

“We (are) struggling in trying to get the whole thing to gain more production. We are here today and manufacturing is one of the industries that hire, I think, a lot of people, about 60,000 people. And, added to that we have a lot of indirect (employment)...the truckers, the raw materials coming in, it  is a tremendous amount of activity.

“We have manufacturers who are exporting to all different parts of the world and Africa is one place that we will now be targeting,” Lok Jack said.

Laws governing T&TEC and the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) will be amended to facilitate Government’s renewable energy agenda, says Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre.

“Despite lower global energy prices, energy efficiency continues to be prioritised. Our government is committed to a development strategy which fosters the promotion of conservation and efficiency in the manner in which they are managed. This will ensure that the life of our resources will be extended to meet the needs of future generations,” she said.

“Government has set a target that by the year 2030, ten per cent of our electricity generation will come from renewable sources. 

“In demonstration of our commitment to sustainable development objectives, T&T became a full member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in February 2014. With the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank we successfully completed a report for the development of a Sustainable Energy Programme. 

“Where it is feasible, we intend to maximise the use of renewable energy (such as solar and wind) through incentives, concessions and enabling legislation and make the reduction of T&T’s carbon footprint a priority by setting appropriate renewable production targets.”

Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony for winners of the local leg of the 2015 Caricom Energy Week Art and Photo Competition at the ministry’s offices at the Waterfront Complex in Port-of-Spain, Olivierre said there are plans to continue collaborating with stakeholders on projects for capacity building and awareness creation. 

These include the Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) Schools Education Project which targets the 14-16 age groups and has trained 85 teachers. In addition, off-grid solar photovoltaic (PC) systems and solar distillation units have been installed in 21 schools. 

They are believed to promote a more-effective learning environment for students, while affording them the opportunity to interact with technology related applications. 

The minister said the Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) in the Community Project is aimed at educating the population about energy sustainability, through installation of solar induction lighting around 13 community centres. 

A solar house has been established on the campus of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and is used for teaching and public display purposes.

“Government will expand on current initiatives to promote or scale up local renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives and, where necessary, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries will be equipped with the requisite resources to manage and regulate the developments taking place in this important area,” Olivierre said.

“Over the short term, the government will subsidise and promote the use of renewable energy sources in the residential and commercial sectors for heating and lighting. We are currently exploring the feasibility of establishing a local solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility,” she said.

The minister said the feasibility of a waste to energy (WTE) plant is being explored. 

“This has gained the interest of the Organisation of American States (OAS) who has indicated an interest to provide technical assistance in this initiative. 

“The government has also been receiving technical assistance from the OAS under the Sustainable Energy Capacity Building Initiative (SECBI) by the Department of Sustainable Development. 

Currently, the OAS is assisting with the design of a toolkit for the development or renewable energy power purchase agreements and contracts,” she said.

Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott created history on Saturday, becoming the country’s only Olympian to develop a commercial apparel brand.

Walcott launched his four lines of T-shirts at The Fan Club,  Trincity Mall, in the presence of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith, T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis, his manager Sean Roach and scores of fans. 

The country’s second Olympic gold medallist expressed relief that brand was finally on the market after so much time on the drawing board.

The major challenge in advancing the project, said Walcott, was settling on the design to garner widespread public appeal. 

Eventually, he explained, the decision was taken to use his logo and include the T&T wording, which would ensure not only his brand would be in focus, but the people of this country, too.

“I think we hit it on the head. We did a few first—white and red —to start off and hopefully we will soon launch a lot more colours,” he said.

Asked if he was feeling the energy of the populace, Walcott replied, “I’m always feeling the energy when it comes to the people, whether it be live or whether it be on social network. It’s always good to know people are supporting you and this year, leading up to the Olympics, it’s good to know that in a few days you can post something on social media and so many people come out to support. It’s good to know that the people (are) not just supporting me, but the entire T&T athletics system.”

Over the past few weeks, calls have been made for athletes to become creative in finding ways to raise their own funds to prepare for competition.

Walcott said while this may be one of the reasons for launching his own line of T-shirts, he was conscious of the fact that it was also a means of connecting with the fans. “The fans are out there, looking for ways to connect with the athletes and I am sure that having something that has an athlete’s brand attached, will be something that they would feel happy to have.”

Walcott spent the afternoon at The Fan Club, meeting and greeting fans as well as posing for photographs and signing autographs with his fans.  

One fan, Adinah Welsh said she left Matelot to be part of the occasion. 

“I was at the airport when Keshorn came back from London with his gold medal. He is such a simple young man, easy to talk to and very charming. I bought one of each of his four lines of T-shirts. We all need to support people like Keshorn, who are not depending on anybody but wants to do it himself. Every Trini should purchase at least one. And the price is just right.”

In his address, Sean Roach, who is Walcott’s manager, noted that fans have been calling for local athletes to start marketing and branding themselves. “The fans want to connect with the athletes and be part of what they do. This is Kehsorn’s response. They can now have a piece of him,” he noted. 

Minister Smith described the move as the right way to go, noting that the days of waiting for government and corporate T&T to fund an athlete were becoming increasingly difficult, given the economy. “I applaud Keshorn and his team on this initiative. It shows why they are winners and why they are leaders. Every citizen should ensure that they purchase one of these shirts, not only because it’s a wonder souvenir, but also because it will assist Keshorn in his pursuit of another medal for T&T.”

Olympic president Brian Lewis, whose TTOC pioneered the move to have local  branded merchandise on sale, was especially proud of the Walcott team and their initiative. “This is a big move and one which all athletes should be aiming to make. 

“The days of going cap in hand and begging for help are over. Athletes have to start thinking big and this is big,” noted Lewis.

Info

• Available at 

The Fan Club

MovieTowne, PoS 290-1846

Gulf City Mall 290 -1840

Trincity Mall 289 -0378

Aboutique Mall  298- 5750 

Price $175.

President of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce Robert Trestail has given the assurance that members of that organisation will not be rushing to downsize their workforces because of the recession. He said putting people on the breadline is not a priority for T&T Chamber members and appealed to companies that might be forced to lay off workers to honour their obligations to pay severance benefits.

In his address at the T&T Chamber’s Annual Meeting Business Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port-of-Spain, Trestrail said when the employer/employee relationship comes to an end, full compensation and all entitlements must always be the operating standard.

“I would like to assure the powers that be that with business it is never the first option to relieve workers of their jobs. In fact, that comes only after exhausting all measures to ensure the business can survive,” he said.

”In several media reports, much has been ventilated about the actions of business and the need to treat workers with respect, ensuring that what is legally due is paid to them. I emphatically endorse those sentiments and remind our member and all businesses that your employees are one of your greatest assets. We need to treat them with respect, not only during their tenure, but also when the relationship of employer and employee has come to an end.”

Trestrail said he was mindful of call by Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus for the re-employment of displaced ArcelorMittal workers. He said the T&T Chamber membership is in great need of employees and those “willing to adjust their expectations” can enter new areas of employment. 

“It is not merely about hiring vacancies but it is, too, about opportunities to fund new investment. On any given day, a casual drive through our towns and districts reveal numerous signs encouraging people to apply within. As such, we believe that there is ample opportunity to find employment,” Trestrail said.

He further stated that during an economic downturn, the private sector must balance reductions in government expenditure, while ensuring that the country benefits from value added development. 

Trestail said the T&T Chamber, as a member of the private sector/civil society group (PSCSG), participated and presented recommendation to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill 2015. 

“This Bill outlines mandatory compliance with the principles of good governance: accountability, transparency and value for money–and elements of ethics, efficiency and fairness for all parties involved in any public procurement process. The JSC has endorsed most of our recommendations and the Bill is now due to be debated in Parliament.

“With the other members of the PSCSG, the T&T Chamber will continue to lobby for key public procurement legislation. All government contracts to the private sector must be able to withstand the stringent scrutiny of a legislative framework that fosters an environment of transparency and accountability. This is of paramount importance as we make strides as a society in curbing corruption,” he said.

“While we continue to cut cost and keep our margins ups, we ought not to descend into a chasm of doom and gloom. On the contrary! We must know that the investments we make today are the ones that will pay off as the economy rebounds. We must know that the very challenges we face at present, serve to heighten the need and the demand for increased partnerships between public and private sector leaders. Those collaborations are invariably the forerunner to the implementation of critical plans and policies needed to navigate the path towards long-term sustainability and recovery.”