“If we really love ourselves, everything in our life works” — Louise Hay

I don’t know if you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, however, for some its a day to do something special, like go to dinner, wear red, give gifts of roses or chocolates. It’s a day when we spend money to let someone close to us know that they matter to us—something we can do, and should be doing, every day with our words and actions.

For sure its a day when florists, jewellers, chocolate and card companies do a thriving trade leading up to this leading commercial day each year.

Even with the front pages of the daily papers displaying an orgy of crime and mayhem and the back pages littered with vivid headlines about poor sport governance and the unhappy consequences, one may very well feel inclined to pass on Valentine’s Day which begs the question—where’s the love?!

It now appears that it’s normal to Hate, display Anger or Mean spiritedness even as citizens look to celebrate, but will be asking—where is the love this Valentine’s Day 2017?

With so much cynicism and pessimism forming the basis for the majority of conversations, I can recall a conversation I had a few weeks ago where I was seeking to explain to someone that the goal to achieve ten or more Olympic gold medals by 2024 was more than simply an objective to win medals, but instead, a journey of self knowledge—loving yourself, your family, your community, your sport, your country and yourself.

I need not say that my renderings was received with much scorn and jocular mirth as I found myself repeating, “not really,” “I am serious,” “no... I am not joking.” But to no avail, and in the end we venture on our separate ways with me walking away shaking my head in quiet disbelief and the other with a laughing fit and hiccups.

It had me thinking about self-love and how we are socialised to believe it is selfish and narcissistic towards each other. How can you show love to anyone or anything if you are overcome by self-hate and self-contempt?

Most people are living in an illusion based on someone else’s beliefs so unless you are prepared to under take a journey of self-discovery and self-knowledge we will never be able to discover the deeper subconscious beliefs that are holding us back and blocking us from living the kind of life we would love to live. Note the use of the word love. However, we must take time to examine what are the limiting subconscious beliefs holding us back?

Also, we must ask ourselves how do you open up the space to invite the awesome beliefs and experiences that you would love to experience in your life? In addition, arrogance and conceit aren’t the same as self-love and confidence since other people’s opinions of us matter more than our opinion of ourselves. The key to being the best you you can be is to get validation from within—love and trust yourself, have a purpose and be committed to creating a reality based on your limitless potential.

So what’s the point of today’s column? It is simple, this Valentine’s Day 2017, give yourself a gift, feel comfortable loving yourself, appreciate how special you are, do things you love, don’t compare yourself to others and forgive yourself no matter what anyone else think of you.

It may make the world of positive difference to those around you and in turn be the best Valentine’s Day gift they have received from you.

#10 golds24, #futureisfemale, #TeamTTO, #nextchampion #sportindustryTT are all Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee initiatives that are about encouraging and empowering youth and young people to follow their hearts into the great unknown and to take a great leap of faith even though others may doubt or criticise you.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brian Lewis is the President of the TTOC. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Olympic Committee.

 T&T Red Force will start as favourites in their WICB Super50 semi-final clash against Jamaica tomorrow at Coolidge in Antigua.

The T&T team ended up as winners of Zone A, after their whipping of the Leewards on Sunday night. It means that they play Jamaica who finished second in Zone B. T&T pacer Ravi Rampaul is confident that his team can reach the finals and repeat as champions.

The 32-year-old had impressive figures of 10-1-27-3 as the defending beat Leeward Islands Hurricanes by five wickets.

Rampaul is now the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets (average 12.35), behind Barbados Pride off-spinner Ashley Nurse, who has 22 wickets (average 11.18).

According to Rampaul, “Jamaica has not played here so we will have the upperhand. We have played six games here so far so that should give us the edge in this encounter.”

The man from Preysal said any who his team comes up against they will perform well. “It does not matter who we play in any match, we will play well because we have worked hard as a unit and we are playing great cricket at the moment.”

Rampaul credited his excellent performances in this series to his stint in County cricket :”Playing in England has really lifted my cricket, hopefully I can continue to do well before heading back there to play again.”

He was thrilled with his performance :”Always good to have match winning performances for my team. I went out there assessed the conditions and used the pitch as necessary.

Getting Keiran Powell early was key for us and Shannon who has been bowling brilliantly did that for us.”

Leewards were bowled out for 189 in 48.1 overs after choosing to bat first. Their batting struggle was set in motion almost from the start when captain Kieran Powell, who entered the game as the tournament’s leading scorer with 509 runs, suffered his first failure of the tournament when he was caught behind off Shannon Gabriel for 1 in the third over.

Gabriel wound up taking two more to finish with 3 for 40 while fellow medium pacer Rampaul took 3 for 27 from his ten overs to keep Leewards tied down. Five batsmen crossed 20 for Leewards but none made more than Jermaine Otto’s 38.

Evin Lewis got the T&T chase off to a typically aggressive start, top-scoring with 47 off 23 balls, dominating a 57-run opening stand with Kyle Hope that spanned 7.4 overs.

Lewis fell to Rahkeem Cornwall, who did his best to slow T&T’s victory charge by taking 3 for 40 in ten overs but Denesh Ramdin (31 not out) and Imran Khan (38 not out) produced an unbeaten 54-run stand for the sixth wicket to take T&T to the target in just 34.1 overs. (CMC)

Joelisa Cooper joined the party late, but her presence was certainly felt as she piloted Police to another win in the Premiership Division of the Courts All Sectors Netball League at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua on Saturday evening.

Police’s main challenger, the University of T&T (UTT), was also on the winning end of its encounter against Fire, sealing 41-31 victory.

Goal-shooter Jeselle Navarro and goal-attack Tahirah Hollingsworth opened in the circle for the policewomen before Cooper entered and stamped her dominance in the one-sided affair.

Navarro connected seven goals off ten attempts and was later replaced by Cooper, the national senior captain, who led all scorers with 23 in 29, as Police, remains in charge of the division with nine points, from four wins and a draw in five matches. Hollingsworth added the other 11 goals from 21 tries for the grey and blue.

UWI used four shooters in the affair but trailed 11-5 in the first period, 20-11 at the half and 31-21 in the third. It opened with Cheynelle Dolland (6/12) as the goal-shooter and Tiana Dillon (2/3), the goal-attack and both were replaced by Akeela Rodriguez and Afiya Vincent, respectively.

The change was useful with Vincent, topping her team’s shooting with 13 off 20 and Rodriguez, netting ten in 14 but it was not enough for the win and their team stayed winless from its five matches.

In the other premiership match, goal-shooter Anastascia Wilson and goal-attack Kernesha Greenidge put in the work and their efforts led the UTT to the ten-goal victory.

Wilson produced 25 from 35 and Greenidge 19 in 29 for UTT, who sits second with six points from three wins and two losses.

Shooting for Fire (5 points), who is third with two victories, a draw and a loss, were Aquila Blugh (20/32), Jamilia McCarthy (16/24) and Simone Morgan but she was goalless from two attempts.

In the Championship Division, Unit Trust Corporation defeated Defence Force, 39-34, UTT edged Bermudez, 39-38 and Jabloteh also claimed a narrow 37-36 win over Las Lomas.

SATURDAY

Premiership Division

Fire 36 (Aquila Blugh 20/32, Simone Morgan 0/2, Jamilia McCarthy 16/24) vs UTT 42 (Anastascia Wilson 23/35, Kernesha Greenidge 19/29). Quarter scores: 9-7, 20-14, 31-24 (All in favour of UTT).

UWI 31 (Cheynelle Dolland 6/12, Tiana Dillon 2/3, Akeela Rodriguez 10/14, Afiya Vincent 13/20) vs Police 41 (Jeselle Navarro 7/10, Tahirah Hollingsworth 11/21, Joelisa Cooper 23/29). Quarter scores: 11-5, 20-11, 31-21 (All in favour of Police).

Championship Division

Defence Force 34 (Karlene Sylvester 24/35, Jody Sprott 2/3, Kemaria James 8/13) vs UTC 39 (Roannta Dalrymple 10/19, Ayanna Peters 29/39). Quarter scores: 8-8, 18-15 (UTC), 30-24 (UTC).

Bermudez 38 (Makeda DeFreitas 35/40, Indra Anderson 2/2, Kurtisha Hoyce 1/1) vs UTT 39 (Akeilah Alexander 16/22, Oprah Douglas 18/29, Aeisha Collins 5/8). Quarter scores: 11-8 (UTT), 19-15 (Bermudez), 30-26 (Bermudez).

Jabloteh 37 (Giselle Hobson 25/40, Lilia Cameron 9/14, Samantha James Lewis 3/4) vs Las Lomas 36 (Raquel Russell 20, Anita Pitt Russell 16/31). Quarter scores: 12-9, 22-18, 30-25 (All in favour of Las Lomas).

Today’s matches

Alternative Division

Fire vs UWI, 5.30 pm

Police vs USC, 6.45 pm

Bloomin Lovely is good enough to win a race, perhaps this Helmet filly will make it eighth time lucky in the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of Newcastle tapeta today; thirteen days ago John Quinn’s charge was caught in the last strides over seven on this picturesque Gosforth Park all-weather course.

Jason Hart rode superbly, did everything right, he must have been extremely disappointed to see Elusive Olivia join issue close home and beat his mount a neck.

Doubtless Jason advised his guv’nor to drop back in trip, that’s not at issue because I’ve always believed, earnestly, that a thoroughbred capable of achieving half-decent time-handicap marks over seven can perform adequately at any distance up to and including a mile.

This a serious game, your ‘ard earned money is at stake and throughout my long career the needs of readers have been my priority; no guessing is ever involved, views are based on colossal experience, amazing to think I’m still here, loving the involvement of compiling a daily column and delivering good-priced winners regularly.

Earlier this AWR season the TH rattled up SEVEN consecutive winners, my best-ever, but we hit the buffers during December/January and only in the last week or so have we resumed ‘normal service’ with results.

Bloomin Lovely is no ‘cert’ and at forecast odds of about 7/4 doesn’t appeal as a single wager; there are three newcomers from respected yards, including David ‘King of the sand’ Barron, and so despite her obvious chance 5/2 is a more realistic betting price.

Hopefully Jason will let his partner stride on from the outset, thus sorting out the wheat from the chaff, but the pre-race exchange market will be a fascinating pre-cursor to what promises to be an intriguing spectacle.

Incidentally most staying steeplechasers, entered for grade one action at Cheltenham, have had their final outings; opinions are fiercely divided for the Gold Cup and yet I’m totally convinced what beats Cue Card will win it, and so is trainer Colin Tizzard!

Cue Card on course for Ascot Cue Card will face a maximum of six rivals when bidding for a second victory in Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase.

Colin Tizzard’s 11-year-old claimed this Grade One prize in 2013 on his way to landing the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

The popular veteran was a brilliant winner of his third Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, but proved no match for stable companion Thistlecrack when bidding for back-to-back victories in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Cue Card is set to come back in trip for this weekend’s two-mile-five-furlong Grade One feature before a potential second tilt at Cheltenham Gold Cup glory.

Perhaps the biggest threat to Cue Card on Saturday could be Jonjo O’Neill’s Taquin Du Seuil. He won a big handicap at Cheltenham in December before seemingly failing to get home over three miles in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

The Philip Hobbs-trained Royal Regatta, who won the 1965 Chase over this course and distance, and Gary Moore’s Traffic Fluide, who was a distant fourth behind Altior at Newbury on Saturday, complete the acceptors.

<Juddmonte International worth £1m>

This year’s Group One Juddmonte International will have a prize fund of £1million, making it the richest-ever race run at York.

The 10-furlong contest, won in recent years by the likes of Frankel and Sea The Stars, is Britain’s highest rated race according to the average three-year rating by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Last season Europe’s highest-rated older horse Postponed got the better of Highland Reel, winner of the King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The Juddmonte International is the day one highlight of York’s Ebor Festival and two of the other feature races of the week, Thursday’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Friday’s Coolmore Nunthorpe, will both see prize-money increases this year making them worth £350,000.

Completing the feature race set in August is Saturday’s Betfred Ebor, with Europe’s richest flat handicap of 2016, increased again to £285,000.

Speaking about the injection of funds, York Racecourse Chairman Lord Grimthorpe said, “Attracting the best horses to run in competitive races on the Knavesmire is what we are all about; so I am pleased that the unstinting support from long standing sponsors has allowed us to increase prize money for our feature races again this year.

Selections Newcastle, 12.10 Zakatal (e.w) 1.10 Suzi’s Connoisseur (e.w) 1.40 Bloomin Lovely (nap).

National goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams of Central FC and Defence Force’s Jamille Boatswain were the standout performers for their respective clubs to set up a meeting the 2017 T&T Pro League Digicel Pro Bowl final at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Sunday from 6pm.

This after both teams won their semifinal matches at the same venue in contrasting fashion.

A two-time winner and reigning champion, Defence Force stormed into the winner-take-all $100,000 finale with a convincing 4-0 bashing of Police FC led by a treble from January transfer window acquisition Boastwain from Pt Fortin Civic.

Police, coming off a quarterfinal win over four-time winners W Connection enjoyed a good start to the contest and was denied going ahead by Defence Force goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke, who kept out on target efforts from Christon Thomas and Elijah Belgrave as the first-half ended 0-0.

Seven minutes into the second-half, former T&T defender Aklie Edwards came close to giving the “Teteron Men” the lead, but he was twice denied from point-blank range by goalkeeper, Adrian Foncette.

However, eight minutes later 23-year-old Boatswain, broke the deadlock when he ran unchallenged at the back post to head powerfully past Police goalkeeper Adrian Foncette off a perfectly placed Marvin Jones right sided centre.

T&T international Hashim Arcia then made it 2-0 in the 68th with a long range free-kick as the Marvin Gordon coached Army/Coast-Guard looked to put the contest beyond doubt, with a first win over their rivals this season.

Foncette then kept his team’s faint hopes of turning the match around in the 72nd minute when he pulled off a diving save to deny Kerry Joseph, but six minutes later, the lanky national team goalkeeper could do little to stop a 25-yard rocket from Boatswain, who then completed his hat-trick with his 14th goal in all competitions this season – six of them for Defence Force, with a composed finish past Foncette, after Christopher Durity’s through-pass.

Williams saves, then score deciding penalty

Goalkeeper Williams earlier in the first semifinal, produced a save in sudden-death penalty-kicks, and on the very next kick, scored the winner after eight rounds to send Central FC into the final, 5-4 over a stubborn Club Sando following a 0-0 deadlock.

During regulation time Club Sando created the best chance of the first-half through striker Kevon Piper, but he fired into the side netting with four team-mates waiting across the goal while Central FC defender Keston George fired of goalkeeper Kelvin Henry’s target.

Central FC forward Johan Peltier also muffed two excellent scoring opportunities on the resumption and George again fired off the mark in the second-half as the the “Couva Sharks” tried to up the team as Club Sando which was without main striker Akeem Roach, who left for trials US Major League Soccer outfits Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire.

With the minutes ticking away, Central FC’s Rundell Winchester headed inches overbar off a deep Kaydion Gabriel cross in the 78th-minute and a minute from the final whistle Central FC captain Darren Mitchell fired a weak effort on goal from inside the 18-yard box.

The Dale Saunders-coached Central FC which won a historic third straight league crown last week had a bother chance to snatch a late win, but substitute Tyrik John fired inches wide of the upright.

In the penalty-kicks shoot-out, Club Sando had the chance to celebrate their first ever win against Central since joining the league last season, after Kemuel Rivers, Keron Cornwall, Akeem Humphrey and Nical Stephens buried their kicks from the spot and goalkeeper Henry blanked Central’s Jason Marcano on the Sharks first attempt, but Trevin Latapy thumped his effort aimlessly high.

It was the start of the end for coach Angus Eve’s men with Piper and Leslie Joel Russell joining Latapy in entirely missing the target and Shaquille Holder having his shot denied by Williams, who then added insult to injury, when he stepped up and scored the winning kick past a wrong-sided Henry.

Jan joined Central team-mates Mitchell, Leston Paul, George and Winchester all converted their attempts, while Keron Cummings and substitute John joined Marcano in failing to hit the back of the net.

T&T’s Beach Soccer men played to a creditable 3-3 draw with England in the final match of the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase.

The trio of Kevon Woodley, Shallun Bobb and stand-in captain Zane Coker were the players on target for T&T to end the three-match series unbeaten following a 5-2 win over Guyana on Friday and a 6-2 defeat of host Barbados on Saturday.

The matches were part of coach Benny Astorga’s preparations for the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship and World Cup qualifiers in Bahamas later this month.

They kick off against Antigua/Barbuda on February 19 at the Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility.

Commenting on his Facebook page, Coker said, “Even though in our hearts we know we deserved the victory over England it wasn’t meant to be and that’s how football goes sometimes.

He added, “Playing without our captain due to a minor injury in Saturday’s game I was called upon to lead our team into battle. Another obstacle crossed, another opportunity to represent the red/white/black and another goal for my country.”

Coker also paid special thanks to the Barbados Football Association for making these games possible leading into the World Cup qualifiers in Bahamas.

“Now it’s back to the training pitch over the next week to sharpen up for the world cup qualifiers.”

From Barbados, the team will also visit Guadeloupe for another training camp before heading to Bahamas where they will come up against USA, Antigua & Barbuda and US Virgin Islands in Group C.

By virtue of hosting the tournament, the Bahamas will be the top seed in Group A. The champion and the runner-up will join Bahamas as the three Concacaf representatives in the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2017.

Tournament host Bahamas, who was seeded into Group A will face Jamaica, Belize and Guyana.

In Group B, defending Concacaf Beach Soccer champion Mexico was joined by Guatemala, Canada and Guadeloupe. El Salvador will be in Group D with Costa Rica, Panama and Turks & Caicos Islands.

Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship Bahamas 2017 Groups

Group A: Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, Guyana

Group B: Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Guadeloupe

Group C: USA, T&T, Antigua & Barbuda, US Virgin Islands

Group D: El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Turks & Caicos Islands

T&T 15-man squad

Goalkeepers: Zane Coker, Victor Thomas

Defensive Players: Ryan Augustine (c), Shallun Bobb, Lemuel Lyons, Jesse Bailey

Wingers: Chad Appoo, Hakeem King, Shane Hospedales, Kerwin Stafford, Kelvon Charles

Pivots: Kevon Woodley, David McDougall, Makan Hislop, Jared Bennett

Claude Noel, the country’s first World boxing champion, faces another major bout in the coming weeks, but it will be for his comfort, rather than a title.

On Thursday medical officials will tell him if his chances of another operation on his right eye will be his best option. Noel 68, has absolutely no sight in his left eye after surgery eight years ago and can only see images or shadows in his right.

On Sunday he told Guardian Media Sports that the surgery is intended to make him see better. “I am a bit concerned about the surgery because it will be a 50-50 chance. The last time I did a surgery like that was on my left eye and now I cannot see in it at all, but to tell you the truth, I really would like to see better,” Noel explained.

He added, “It will depend on what the doctors tell me on Thursday. If they feel that I should do it after considering all the factors, then I will.” Noel’s last surgery was done at the North West Regional Health Authority in Port-of-Spain, but he said he will be doing his next surgery at the Eastern Regional Health Authority in Sangre Grande.

Noel, who resides in Malabar, Arima, shut to fame as a Lightweight boxer when he won the World Boxing Association (WBA) and Commonweath titles in that division during his career which spanned from 1973 to 1984. He defeated Mexican Elgato Gonzales for the World Title in 1982.

Due to his condition, the former boxer has been attempting to retrieve monies owed to him in the sum of $55,000 from the T&T Boxing Board for work he did as an employee there, many years ago.

He was initially owed $60,000 but after his story was highlighted in the media, he told us he was given a further $5, 000. He said he has now given up hope of receiving the remaining amount. He said he is now grappling with concerns that an employee from the Social Services of the Ministry of Social Development has quit her job to provide daily assistance to him.

The employee, whose name he cannot remember, walked off the job last year. “She was very useful to me because she would prepare meals for me as well as help me clean the house. She also gave me my medication daily. She was appointed last year but she left in December 2016 after we had a minor disagreement and she said she could not work with me again” Noel explained.

He is unsure if the ministry is aware of her decision to quit but said he needs someone to provide similar services, as her exit has left him paying a whopping $1,300 from his pension to a helper monthly, an amount he said he cannot afford as his pension is already a small amount.

“This is very difficult for me because I am not working and have been dependant on my pension to survive, so it’s hard to give $1,300 from it when it’s already a small amount” Noel said. Because of his failing sight, he intends to visit the ministry to get someone to help him again.

Noel’s only comfort has been a group of former boxers known as the “Friends of Claude” that pays him regular visits. The group comprises Michael Paul, Isaac Thomas, Ralph Peterkin, Ramsome Flemming, Michael Williams, Walter Peters, Keith Aberdeen, Nathaniel Jones and Winston Cox. They also supply him with foodstuff when they can.

On behalf of Coral Gouveia, Tony’s wife, and his seven children, I would like to express our wholehearted gratitude to the management and staff of the Trinidad Guardian for publishing two tributes to my father; one penned by Alvin Corneal, the other the eulogy read at Papa’s funeral by his “third son”, Everard “Gally” Cummings.

Friends, neighbours and parishioners have prayed, comforted, visited, called, emailed and fed us. So much food appeared every day! Others provided transport for those who wanted to attend prayers or the funeral but had no way of getting there. The love and respect for Papa was palpable.

My father loved T&T and was involved in many aspects of life on our islands; church, education, sports, the arts, mentoring our youth. This was manifested in his leadership roles at St Theresa’s RC Parish (Barataria), Paragon Sports Club, Fatima College, Malick Senior Comprehensive, Malick Folk Performers and Engage Encounter, among others.

Over the past two weeks and during my Christmas visit home, I saw Trinidad through the eyes of my father. As a nation grappling with growing pains, we are habitually remiss about articulating and highlighting all that is good about our Republic. While running errands with my mom during the Christmas vacation, we had a flat on the Beetham Highway. Two groups of citizens came to our assistance; one a truck carrying men from our military. Thank you.

But, most especially, the love and support of neighbours and friends as our family begins the agonizing process of learning to live without our beloved Papa is immeasurable. THIS is the essence of Trinidad and Tobago: Faith, unity, warmth, sense of humour, kindness, graciousness, generosity, and willingness to be each other’s keepers. Thank you.

Dr Patty Gouveia Marks New Jersey, USA

Six-time Juvenile champion of T&T, Cougars track and field club, made a triumphant return to Barbados on Saturday when it dominated the Barbados Relay Fair which was staged at the National Stadium in St Michael.

Cougars, which were the defending champion, showed to all and sundry that victory last year was no fluke.

There was no stopping Cougars who led from the first event to the last, winning a majority of the boys’ and girls categories and the Championship trophy in the process.

On their second appearance in “Bimshire”, Cougars did not disappoint, impressing with their accurate baton passes and the patrons loved it.

However, on this occasion Cougars only broke one record, and now hold 10 records at the international meet. The club’s only record came when it obliterated the field to win the Under-17 girls 1,600 metres sprint medley. The Cougars “Dream Team” as they called by its coach Kelvin Nancoo crossed the line first in four minutes, 17.10 seconds, smashing the old record of 4:17.39 set in 2006 by the Lodge School. A very distant second were Foundation in 4:27.75 while Springer Memorial were third in 4:47.53.

Another exciting race came in the U–17 girls 4x100m relay between Cougars and Foundation. Foundation looked set to upset the Cougars when Leilani Haddock received the baton three metres ahead of Caliyah Wallace and the crowd roared their approval but their celebration was shortlived as Wallace went into overdrive and blew past her rival to the joy of the 50 Cougars supporters. Cougars won in 50.03 seconds with Foundation second in 50.26 and Springer Memorial third in 51.37.

Cougars’ had the stands jumping as they reeled off wins in the U-11, U-13 and U-15 boys and girls 4x100m relays.

Nancoo said that the team had been training for the past five months for the Relay Fair and have all intentions of returning next year to defend its title for the second time.

“We had a wonderful preparation that ended with two two-day live-in camp at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium (Marabella) and after the training there, I thought we were ready. From the results and performances, it looked like were ready. We were on fire,” said Nancoo.

“I must commend the coaches Abeyola Akowe, Rawle Phillips and Ashton Gill for a tremendous job. Special commendations are in order for physiotherapist Richard Clarke, Nigel Forde and Elizabeth Griffith for ensuring that all was well with the entries and making sure that all our athletes were focussed.

“This was really a team effort but some athletes deserve special commendation like Diamond Paul, Shikyla Walcott, Natasha Fox, Vanessa Stephens, Jaycel Bailey, Timothy Frederick, Terry Frederick and were simply superb.”

Head coach of Cougars Abeyola Akowe commented on the success of the team saying, “This was a great victory. We did what we set out to do and did it in style. They performed like true champions. You can feel nothing but pride for the young athletes and this will only spur them on to better as the season progresses.

“We being the first local club to travel and compete at an international meet and win for the second time, is worth savouring. I am very happy for the club, the athletes and T&T, we made everyone proud. When it is nice you do it twice, now it is up to coach Nancoo to decide if we will win the hattrick,” said Akowe.

“I want to say thanks to the Ministry of Sport for all that was done to facilitate our preparation and the trip to Barbados.

Thanks to to Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith for his support and assistance, we know we have done you proud. Thanks to the private sector for their assistance and support. Thank you for making Cougars the ‘Champions’ that we are.”

A confident T&T Red Force will come up against the Jamaica Scorpions in the semifinals of the West Indies Regional Super50 Cricket Tournament at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua at 1.30 pm today.

Yesterday, the players went through their final paces at the facility and coach Gus Logie is reporting that all is well within the camp and that they are ready for battle.

Logie said: “We have been playing really well and the build-up has been very good. We are preparing in every way possible, all the players are comfortable. The confidence level has always been high and we are really looking forward to the semifinal against the Jamaicans.”

T&T Red Force topped Zone A and will meet the Jamaicans who finished second in Zone B that was played in Barbados.

Logie says that his team is at a good point right now: “All players are running into some kind of form at the moment and this is good going into the semifinals.”

Red Force’s trump card has been the opening bowlers Ravi Rampaul and Shannon Gabriel.

“We can’t bemoan the fact that Rampaul has been one of the more experienced bowlers around and he is still producing the goods. Gabriel is showing that he is not only a Test bowler but can be a force to be reckon with in the limited overs game as well. He has been bowling with pace an accuracy and this has worked well for him,” Logie said.

The former West Indies middle order batsman was high in praise of the leadership of Denesh Ramdin,

“The players have really responded well to him and he is responsible for taking us to this position at the moment. His leadership has been good and it augers well for T&T and West Indies cricket,” he said.

Jamaica did not play any matches at Coolidge during the prelims but Logie thinks this is not a big advantage.

“Experienced players who can adjust can deal with change in conditions, so the fact that the Jamaicans have not played here is not much of an advantage but it is good that we have played six games. We know that the Jamaicans are dangerous but we are looking forward to the clash,” said Logie.

Jamaican coach Robert Samuels acknowledges the tough task ahead.

“I think we have two big dates coming up. It is championship stage now, so I’m looking to have two tough days. We’re happy coming here, from Barbados, and we’re looking forward to the semifinal and them the final,” the former West Indies opening batsman said.

Teams

T&T Red Force—Denesh Ramdin (Captain), Nicholas Alexis, Sheldon Cottrell, Rayad Emrit, Shannon Gabriel, Kyle Hope, Jon-Russ Jagessar, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kjorn Ottley, Khary Pierre, Roshon Primus, Ravi Rampaul; Gus Logie (Head Coach)

Jamaica Scorpions—Nikita Miller (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Gavon Brown, John Campbell, Andre McCarthy, Damion Jacobs, Reynard Leveridge, Paul Palmer, Rovman Powell, Damani Sewell, Jerome Taylor, Steven Taylor, Devon Thomas, Chadwick Walton; Robert Samuels (Head Coach)

Manager Arsene Wenger must leave Arsenal at the end of the English Premier season in May 2017.

There is no doubt, that if Arsenal is to progress and to have a chance to win the English Premiership again, then Wenger cannot be the coach. His methods and his thinking are clearly not working. And while there is no doubt about the consistency of the team and the healthy financial state of the club, there must be the objective of having a realistic chance to win the title, which for yet another year in February, we can say is almost impossible.

There is no doubt, as well that some of the players have become far too comfortable under Wenger and love to be treated as children rather than as men, and this is impacting on the players’ performances and overall affecting the play.

Sadly, this is revealed constantly, when Arsenal oppose the stronger teams in the league and many times, it is both mentally and physically that they fall short. It appears that the Arsenal Players are not willing to battle with other players for a ball, in a tackle, it just seems many of the players are content with being in the top four.

There is a lack of fight, a lack of intensity from the team at crucial periods, which must be reflective of the manager as he appears to accept certain players, or should I say certain style of players. The toughness in the centre of the midfield is non-existent and this season German Mezut Ozil seems to have taken few steps backwards.

Whether or not, the problem is that both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have not decided to sign long term contracts with the club or not, and this is affecting the entire dressing room, that is a matter that the Arsenal hierarchy needs to resolve as soon as possible .

There are players like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and now Santi Cazorla who have all experienced long term injuries, and now have recovered and just are falling short, or getting injured again, it is time for Arsenal to bite the bullet in this regard.

The Champions League is upon us again, and whether it is Bayern Munich or Barcelona, Arsenal has a tendency to falter at this stage of the knockout tournament and the omens leading into these next rounds are not good.

As to the vexing question posed by those myopic Arsenal fans, whenever, it is mentioned that Wenger must leave for there to be success, about Who will replace him?. The Answer is someone with a winning philosophy and with the thinking to enhance that.

We have watched as a number of Italian born managers are making a name for themselves all over the world including the English Premiership, such as the performance of Leicester winning the league and this season, the efforts of Chelsea in standing tall and leading from the front under their new Italian manager Antonio Conte.

Arsenal will forever be known as the “Nearly Men” once Arsene Wenger remains in charge and this certainly cannot be the sort of future that Arsenal management will want going forward.

A new manager will bring a lot of positives to Arsenal football team, not least will be the impact of a change in attitude and with it most likely a good shake up in the squad. If Ozil and Sanchez want to leave, we must allow them to move on, unless we can show them both a pathway to success in the future.

So while, we can thank Arsene Wenger for his yeoman service to the Club, it is time to move on and evolve without him.

Salt Whistle Bay looks a tasty each-way proposition for an ‘aged’ Maiden Stakes over nine furlongs of Kempton polytrack this evening, ability to act effectively on this surface is an edge for the twice-raced Royal Applause colt.

Rae Guest’s charge improved considerably for debut experience on a similar surface around Lingfield nigh on six weeks ago, over a mile!

One man never to question is this particular Newmarket-based trainer, Rae will be convinced stamina wont be at issue and the time-handicap mark for Salt Whistle Bay is definitely right up to scratch.

Peaceful Passage, rated 73 judged on three efforts, is the likely favourite, especially being trained by John Gosden but the ex-champion trainer will be aware the BHA mark of this War Front filly is too high.

Big John usually likes to have maiden runners testing opposition with front-running tactics, you can bet Nicky Mackay will be positive and Martin Dwyer tracking on Salt Whistle Bay, waiting to pounce at the ‘cut-out’ two furlongs from home, along with Tomorrow Mystery, mount of ‘crack’ apprentice, Hollie Doyle.

Earlier Danny Tudhope is back on Mime Dance for a tough-looking Classified Selling Stakes over seven furlongs of Wolverhampton tapeta.

Tudhope, ‘computer champion’ for 2017, was aboard this David O’Meara-trained Notnowcato gelding when he achieved a ‘career-best’ over a mile at Pontefract last August, good, fast ground is similar to tapeta which indeed has been described as firm around Dunstall Park by several senior jockeys.

Mime Dance is worth a speculative place punt but these ‘aged’ sellers take some winning, often tougher than handicaps and the form of this race could be worth following. They wont be hanging about!

Doyle sidelined by fracture James Doyle is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hairline fracture in his wrist in a fall at Randwick on Monday.

Doyle, who is currently filling the role as Godolphin’s retained rider in Australia, fell from Pearls in the Group Three Triscay Stakes at the Sydney track.

He will now miss part of the Sydney Autumn racing carnival but is hoping to be back within the next few weeks.

Godolphin has confirmed no replacement for Doyle is immediately being sought, with head Australian trainer John O’Shea likely to select riders from those already used throughout the course of the season.

Currency on course for festival

Martin Keighley expects Any Currency to be much more competitive on his next start in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although pulling up over regulation fences at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day, the 14-year-old showed that he still retains plenty of enthusiasm when finishing third on his switch back to cross country obstacles at the end of last month.

The veteran chaser, who finished second in both the 2014 and 2015 renewal of the race, was stripped of his win in the three-mile-seven-furlong conditions event 12 months ago after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

South will come up against North today in the first semifinal of the 2017 Shell Under-15 cricket series, at the National Cricket Centre in Couva at 9.30 am.

South has so far played unbeaten in the tournament with three wins and will play North, who came in second in Group A. Tomorrow the other semifinal will be played at the same venue with defending champions East Zone battling Central, who came in second in Group B.

In the last round, South Zone was also indebted to an impressive all-round batting and bowling performance to keep an unblemished record, crushing South West by 145 runs after being dismissed for 246 in 42 overs thanks to solid knocks from Kyle Roopchand (43), Darren Samlal (43) and Ryall Narine (35). Kerron Rampersad snatched three wickets for 50 runs in ten overs and Christopher Singh returned figures of 5.2-0-24-0 to top the bowling effort.

But South West’s miserable run in the tournament continued when they were reduced to 81 for eight in 38 overs with only Rampersad showing any fight in his undefeated 26, while South’s Narine took three for six in seven overs, and Liam Mamchan getting into the act with three of his own for 12 runs in eight overs.

Meanwhile, Central Zone’s Aaron Banky hit the highest score of the third round, slamming 76 to propel his team to 190 for nine in their 50 overs against South East.

Nicholas Jalim had excellent figures of four wickets for 45 runs in eight overs, and Isaiah Gomez took two for 31 in his allotted ten to give South East a gettable total. But it was not to be, as they were rattled out for 103 all out in 39.3 overs.

East Zone stormed into the semis with a 115-run thrashing of North Zone in the third round at Moosai Ground in El Dorado. East kept their unbeaten record intact to advance to their eighth successive Under-15 semifinal when scoring 206 in 46.2 overs with Sion Hackett making 56. Good contributions also came from Andrew Rambaran (23) and Alexander Kassiram (17).

Best of the North bowlers were Matthew Gittens who took three wickets for 37 runs from 7.1 overs, while Chadeon Raymond grabbed two for 41 from his ten-over allocation.

In reply, their batsmen failed to come to terms with the East Zone’s penetrative bowling headed by Jabari Phillip (6-0-15-4) and Giovanni Gajadhar (8-2-16-2) and were routed for just 89 in 35.2 overs with only Matthew Gittens (14) getting into double figures.

The introduction of goal-shooter Aviann Archie in the circle for Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) was key to her team overpowering Police, 28-18, to advance to the final of the Jean Pierre Challenge final in the Courts All Sectors Netball League.

This was on Monday evening in the feature match of a triple-header at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua. Earlier in the Retro Division, TSTT topped Carib Senators, 21-19 and Les Enfants defeated Harlem, 31-19.

The last the two teams met, the match ended in a stalemate, 42-42, in the league competition on February 2.

It was Archie debuting with a brisk 20 goals from 25 tries for UTC after replacing opening goal-shooter Roannta Dalrymple, who was way off her best hitting a mere four in 14 attempts in a match their team was down 10-8 at the halfway mark.

Police got vital contributions from goal-shooter Patrice Goring and goal-attack Gurshier Grant down the other end of the court as it looked set to advance out of the semifinal round in the knockout for teams in the Championship Division.

However, the momentum changed in the second half in favour of UTC. The newcomers went on to outscore Police, 20-8 and progressed to the final carded for March 13.

UTC now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Bermudez and the University of T&T (UTT) which takes place after the Carnival break (February 17-March 1) on March 6.

TSTT’s narrow three-goal victory moved them up the standings into third place with three wins and two losses in five matches. Debra Alie netted the bulk of TSTT’s goals with 16 in 25. A good shooting partnership between Joanne Payne (18/27) and Michelle Hutchins (13/20) helped Les Enfants, who remain second on the table behind leader Bermudez, to the easy win over Harlem.

Denise Rose was best for the losing side with 13 off 22.

results, standings & matches

Monday

Jean Pierre Knockout Challenge (Championship Division)

UTC 28 (Roannta Dalrymple 4/14, Ayanna Peters 4/12, Aviann Archie 20/25, Crystal Noel 0/2) vs Police 18 (Patrice Goring 13/18, Gurshier Grant 5/7, Kaysha Duncan 0/2). Halftime: 10-8 (Police).

Retro Division

Carib Senators 19 (Julia Britto 13/24, Terry Jeremiah 6/11) vs TSTT 21(Olivia Le Platte 5/6, Debra Alie 16/25). Quarter scores: 5-4 (Senators), 11-8 (Senators), 15-12 (TSTT).

Les Enfants 31 (Joanne Payne 18/27, Michelle Hutchins 13/20) vs Harlem 19 (Denise Rose 13/22, Michelle Sylvester 6/10). Quarter scores:6-4, 16-6, 22-12 (Les Enfants).

Retro Standings

Place Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts

1 Bermudez 4 4 0 0 115 78 37 8

2 Les Enfants 5 3 0 2 146 103 43 6

3 TSTT 5 3 0 2 104 101 3 6

4 Carib Senators 5 2 0 3 114 106 8 4

5 Harlem 5 0 0 5 94 185 -91 0

Tomorrow matches

Championship Division

Jabloteh vs TSTT, 5.30 pm

Las Lomas vs Police, 6.45 pm

There’s no denying these are difficult times. Yet, most people have lived with some level of struggle so it’s important that when we measure personal trials those are not heightened by or pooled with the troubles occurring in the wider society.

That’s not to say that societal ills such as the incidence of crime and violence should not affect you. Rather, this is about defining and designing individual headspace to treat with those issues/problems common to us all while cultivating self-preservation.

It is important to remind ourselves each day of the pricelessness of life. That entails setting aside the day’s troubles and creating sufficient opportunities to reflect on the blessings of being alive, which easily can be overlooked. It requires treating with the mental exercise of self-awareness in our everyday attempt at propagating self-love.

For me, I try to enjoy the life I have. Sometimes the “hand dealt” seems so unfair, useless, so out of the game, yet learning to manage such challenges is essential to capturing the favour of each day, each situation, each moment.

Contentment is accepting today’s version of yourself as the best for today and leaving the focus on tomorrow’s improvement for tomorrow. Reminding yourself to embrace all the good of the universe as one deserving of such richness is essential to the process. For those reasons, I’m in constant awe of how much I possess, even while contemplating the lack of some rudimentary things in my life.

Some people never have to think of lack or wanting. They live in comfort, if not luxury, their needs being reasonably met; others exist in simple oblivion to cares. God bless them both. For the rest, we have to signpost our progress carefully, taking watchful stock of everything – time, money, friends, family, et al.

Self-love and the art of living and remaining positive have been the focus of much literature aimed at teaching or helping us to harness the best of each day. These come with sufficiently meaningful instructions to help us through almost every difficulty.

In the middle of crisis, however, we are often hard-pressed to recall the necessary teachings for an optimistic mind frame. I have learned over the years to write my chosen guiding principles on index cards or Post-It Notes and keep them before me for quick reference.

These I have placed on bathroom or dressing room mirrors, refrigerators, on walls and on phones. I remember a particular reminder on the inside of the bathroom door, which provided opportunity for contemplation each day. Whatever works for you as a prompt to focus your development of self-love and self-preservation can be employed.

Today, I am offering my best tips from over the years, as my post-Valentine’s gift of love to you. They come not a day too late and, I guarantee, they would outlast the roses, stuffed toys, and especially the chocolates that “keep on giving” long after February.

1. On forgiveness: 2. On loving others: 3. On hurt: 4. On regular exercise: 5. On creation:

 
 It’s amazing, in the midst of the Carnival season, with fete after fete after fete, the Napari­ma Bowl was packed to capacity for the staging of the well loved musical, The Sound of Music.

Seven shows later, including an impromptu Saturday morning per­formance, over a four day period, patrons were still expressing regret at not getting an opportunity to see the Naparima Girls’ High School production. Primary and secondary schools from around San Fernando were also part of the cast.

Director Victor Edwards had reservations when he was initially approached by the Principal Carolyn Bally-Gosine to do this play, as he was not sure it still had the power to attract such large audiences, es­pecially in the midst of the Carnival season. Man was he wrong.

From the introduction of the cast doing a ribbon dance to a medley of the memorable original soundtrack in the opening scene, to the end when the von Trapp family disap­peared into the seating area of the theatre, the audience remained mesmerised.

When the final curtains fell, they remain seated for the principal’s acknowledgement and joined with the cast in the singing every word of Edleweiss, in and out of tune.

Considering it is a production that was originally staged in 1959 and has been seen all over the world in different configurations, it took some brainstorming and innova­tion by Edwards, musical director Bernadette Roberts, choreographer Beverly Hinds-George, costume de­signer Lyanna Nichelle Brown, as well as set designers Creative Spec­tacle, to pull off this outstanding production.

What was most striking was the prominent use of the steelband in the live orchestra, ringing out sweetly and in harmony with the other traditional instruments, for the Do-Re-Mi, My Favourite Things, The Sound of Music, Six­teen Going on Seventeen, and all the other sing-a-long tracks, just adding that local touch.

The use of the red, white and black in the costuming, designed in a flower and also a book marker given to guests, was not lost, but re­latable in the play set in 1938 Austria which delved into the love between a novitiate Maria and Captain von Trapp during a period of resistance.

Director Edwards explained that while he is aware the appeal of the musicals lies in the familiarity of the music and songs, the opulence of the setting, the enchanting dances, the impressive costumes and in this case the pride of parents identifying with their child on stage, his the­atrical background never allows him forget that theatre must have a social function.

“That an audience’s interaction with its presentation should create levels of catharsis within the body politic that in some way changes social behaviour.”

For this reason he said, “We sought to transmit the power of the Edelweiss flower, the national sym­bol of Austria, into a memento as a reminder of the possibilities we all possess as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago… to not be less than who we are… to not ask someone to be less than who they are… to stand up for the collective good of the Republic.”

He noted that apart from the loveliness of the musical, the under­lying political reality that the period represents and the want he charac­ters handle and resolve its impact, is as important since we too seem to be living a country controlled by a privileged few who would impose their will on us.

While Edwards tried to adapt the production locals could identify it, for the most part the traditional script was maintained with a Julie Andrews look and sound alike in Marina Mohan who creditably executed the role of Maria. Marina was one of two Ma­ria’s who alternated between shows. The other was Sydney Mohan.

The wedding scene, not in the original script, between Cap­tain Georg von Trapp, portrayed by gifted singer, actor and musi­cian Rondell Mun­gal, stirred all kinds of emotion as the bridal party jour­neyed through the aisles of the the­atre on the way to their honeymoon.

The charming multitalented chil­dren von Trapp, who demonstrated skills in not only acting, but singing and dancing, also won the hearts of the audience.

At the end of the show, there was only positive feedback. Behind the scenes, tears rolled down the eyes of cast members as they expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in them to play the parts they did.

One cast member also allowed her tears to flow, having postponed her grief of her father’s death just before the show.

Within the space of three hours, two men, one of whom is a State witness, were gunned down in separate incidents in San Fernando and Pleasantville yesterday.
Taxi driver Samuel Rampersad, 44, who was kidnapped following a robbery in 2012, was killed execution-style shortly before 6 am at his Palmiste Bend, Coconut Drive, San Fernando home.
Rampersad was asleep in his bed, in the same room with his 11-year-old daughter when the gunmen barged in. Upon recognizing him, the men fired three shots, one of which struck him in the head.
They ran off while the child and other relatives began screaming. Before killing Rampersad, the assailants broke down a door of a house situated next to the Rampersad's residence as they searched for him. Investigators believe his killing was linked to a robbery and kidnapping which occurred in December 2012 in which Rampersad was the main witness.
Three men were charged and the case is pending at the San Fernando Magistrates Court.

Meanwhile, truck driver Kern Joseph, 35, of Parakeet Boulevard, Pleasantville was also killed and then robbed of his gold earrings around 9:40 am yesterday.
Joseph who works for a private contractor was reportedly walking towards his truck along the Boulevard when a man wearing a hat, black tee-shirt and blue -three-quarter jeans began hassling him for his earrings.
When the man pulled out the gun, Joseph began to run. The assailant fired three shots, one of which killed Joseph instantly. The killer then stooped, pulled off Joseph's earrings, took his money and then fled through a track. Several people witnessed the cold-blooded killing.
Police have obtained video footage of the suspects in both murders. Investigators said arrests are imminent. Officers from the San Fernando CID and Homicide Region 111 responded. Actg Insp Don Gajadhar from the Operations Unit is spearheading investigations.

Music group Ultimate Rejects have entered their song Full Extreme in the Road March competition for Carnival 2017.

The entry comes after an outpouring of comments from soca lovers, asking for the popular song Full Extreme to be entered the competition.

In a release yesterday, the group said it recognised how much it meant to fans to experience the song on the road.

The Road March rewards the musical composition played the most along the parade route during Carnival celebrations.

See full release:

"Your overwhelming support and love continues to pour in and tryst us when we say it has not gone unnoticed. We recognize how much it means to you and that your experience on the road will be the icing on the cake, Your voices have been heard. 

The Ibis Ensemble of UTT will perform a free concert of early calypsos by Roaring Lion, Growling Tiger, Houdini and Atilla the Hun as well as early instrumental pieces by Lionel Belasco and Lovey’s Band. This concert titled Capturing Calypso, takes place tomorrow at the UTT Campus Theatre 1, at Napa from 7 pm.

Capturing Calypso is part of the ongoing work of violinist Simon Browne who has spent the last few years creating string band arrangements of early Trinidad music that has not been performed live in many decades.

Browne has become obsessed with transcribing performing these early classics. “When I first came to Trinidad, I loved to listen to classic Calypso - lots of Kitch, Sparrow, Lord Melody and Lord Invader. But when Bear Family Records released Lovey’s Band’s recordings from 1912, I was struck by the use of violins, clarinet and flute, and the lively cuatro, mandolin and guitar strumming. So different from the jaunty jazz combos of the 50s and 60s,” he said.

“I sought out as much music from the intervening years as I could. Naturally, as a violinist, I was itching to play those fantastic melodies. Transcribing the music from the original recordings was a mix of artistic selfishness and a desire to find a new audience for this much-neglected music. Extending the scope to include the first Golden Age of Calypso in the 1930s - Lion, Atilla, Tiger, and others- seemed a natural progression.”

The musicians include Eleanor Ryan (violin), Yevgeny Dokshansky (clarinet), Katy Gainham (flute), Aidan Chamberlain (trombone), Caitlyn Kamminga (double bass), Theron Shaw (guitar), Michael Chapman (guitar), Desmond Waite (cuatro), and Josh Watkins (percussion). Their featured vocalist is baritone Krisson Joseph, who is the programme coordinator at UTT’s Academy of Performing Arts. Son of the late master calypsonian Seadley “Penguin” Joseph and has been involved in prior programs. The show will also feature Edric Connor’s Animal Party in a Cemetery previously featured at the Edric Connor tribute at last year’s T&T Film Festival.

“It’s great music,” Simon Browne notes, “as fun to play as it is to hear and a joy to get this music back to live performance. The Ibis Ensemble really loves to play them.”

This concert is not the end by any means. It will be just one of many ongoing such free events at UTT. “There are so many great calypsos from that era now available to hear on disc (or online). I never tire of them, and it will be a very long time before I run out of tunes to transcribe and perform.”

Penguin Random House The Writers’ Academy has just published its choice of the best literary festivals around the world and included the NGC Bocas Lit Fest—the most dynamic and prestigious annual literary festival in the region.

According to Penguin Random House, the world’s largest seller of non-educational books with revenue of more than US$4 billion per annum: “There are so many literary festivals taking place around the globe that finding the best ones might seem like an impossible task... we’ve taken that challenge on. We searched high and low through endless lists of events to narrow down the top 20 worldwide book festivals and fairs that you need to know about.”

Marina Salandy-Brown, founder and director of the festival remarks, “We know we have a gem on our hands and people here and abroad who have been to Bocas love it and keep coming back but to be counted alongside touchstone festivals such as Hay, Edinburgh, Berlin, FLIP and Jaipur, makes me proud of what we have achieved. I want to thank my excellent team who pull rabbits out of hats every year and to thank our sponsors who make it possible. I hope still more Trinis will come to our seventh festival, 26-30 April in Port-of-Spain.”

A release said the National Gas Company of T&T, title sponsor of the festival, was quick to applaud the Bocas team, “NGC is proud and honoured to be associated with the Bocas Lit Fest crew and programmes. International recognition of our signature NGC Bocas Lit Fest honours the many Trinidad and Tobago and regional writers who are impacting the international literacy scene.”

Congratulations have been quick to come in for the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, among them from the British Council which recognises that being cited by Penguin Random House as among the best literature festivals in the world is a significant accolade.

David Codling, the British Council Head of Arts Americas, writes, “It is a splendid and richly deserved acknowledgement of what Bocas has achieved in a remarkably short time. We are proud of the British Council’s partnership with Bocas and what we have done alongside Bocas to promote the Caribbean on the world stage, to strengthen the literary and publishing ecosystem and the wider creative economy in the Caribbean, and boldly and confidently bring culture to the political debate about development.”

The “best literary festival” is one in a series of Penguin Random House “Best of” lists of 2017. Their Best Creative Writing Blogs and Best Writing Competitions have driven thousands of people to take part, and so the people of T&T can look forward to even greater interest in this country’s first-class international festival.