ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA—Cricket West Indies (CWI) has issued the Bid Document for the historic standalone ICC Women’s World T20 2018 (ICC WWT20 2018) to its member Local Cricket Boards (LCB).

The ICC WWT20 2018 will be played in the West Indies from November 3 - 24, 2018 and is the first ICC Women’s T20 tournament to be played independently from the Men’s.

The Bid Document outlines the process for LCBs and governments to go through, in order to host this event.

There are three main opportunities for LCBs and governments to host matches:

• Warm-up matches

Two host countries where each team will play two official warm-up matches

• Group stages and

opening celebrations

Two countries will host the group stages with each group in a single country. There will be five teams and a total of 10 matches played in each group.

Countries hosting warm-up matches can also host group stages. Host countries will have the opportunity to put on an opening celebration, eg concert or street parade to start the tournament in their countries.

• Semi-finals and final

Four teams will play in the semi-final stage to advance to the final.

A host country will be chosen for these four teams; two semi-finals and the final will be played in that country.

CWI’s CEO, Johnny Grave stated, “The ICC Women’s WT20 2018 is a fantastic opportunity for the region to show the world that the West Indies is the best place to play and watch cricket.

“To host an ICC global event as the current World Champions makes it even more special and provides the perfect platform for us to transform women’s cricket in the region. The CWI Project Team, led by our Independent Board director, Jennifer Nero, has already started planning the event and we are confident that it will raise the standards for hosting events in the Caribbean.”

Once bids are received, the CWI Project Team will review all submissions and send their recommendations to the CWI board of directors before the final recommendation is submitted to the ICC.

The ICC, will make the final decision on the venues for the ICC WWT20 2018 by the end of year.

Erin FC and #9 United FC continued their march towards a ‘Big Six’ spot in the Southern Football Association Premier Division with convincing wins in Pool A on the weekend.

The pair of Darron Alexis and Rondell Reid both netted twice to lead Erin FC past Palo Seco 5-2 to carry their points total to 25 from nine matches, ten ahead of #9 United FC.

Shaquille Aguillera added the fifth item for Erin FC while Aldwyn Fergusson got both Palo Seco replies.

Distant pool challengers, #9 United went one better and trashed Siparia Angels 6-1 led by a hat-trick from Zwade Sanchez.

The trio of Akini Sylvester, Kevin Mark and Choy Collins chipped in with a goal each for #9 United while K. Harewood got Angels consolation item.

Diamond United also got a treble from Quacy Cooper in its 3-2 triumph over Santa Flora, and Serial Strikers crushed Penal All Stars 4-0 with four different players on target in the other Pool A encounters.

LATEST SFA STANDINGS

Pool A:

Teams P W D L F A Pts

Erin FC 9 8 1 0 34 12 25

#9 United FC 9 4 3 2 28 12 15

Diamond 9 4 2 3 13 13 14

Serial Strikers 9 3 3 3 12 13 12

Santa Flora 9 2 4 2 8 13 10

Siparia Angels 9 2 3 4 12 18 9

Palo Seco SC 9 1 4 4 11 18 7

Penal All Stars 9 0 4 5 11 30 4

Pool B

Giants 7 5 1 1 22 9 16

Barrackpore United 7 5 0 2 17 7 15

Union Hall United 8 5 2 1 13 8 17

Pitchment FC 7 2 4 1 13 13 10

Guapo United 7 2 1 4 10 17 7

Pele Pele 7 1 1 5 7 16 4

Club Sando FC 7 0 1 6 7 19 1

Knight To Behold could be anything, judged on his tremendous debut fifteen days ago when beaten a nose by heavily-backed favourite, White Mucha, over a mile of good Newbury ground.

A 33/1 chance this Harry Dunlop-trained Sea The Stars colt overcame a tardy start and stayed on strongly under one-time ‘computer champion’ Richard Kingscote who, apparently, thought his mount had won. Others were nigh on four lengths and upwards in arrears.

On the time-handicap this combination has an outstanding opportunity of going one better in division one of a Novice Stakes over the Rowley Mile this afternoon; it will represent major disappointment if Knight To Behold doesn’t oblige but we all know how difficult it is to win two-year-old races at Newmarket.

Nine times out of ten the time-figure achieved by Knight To Behold would indeed suffice, hopefully this effort wont come too soon but there again we might be dealing with a genuine classic prospect.

Last time out Chelmsford winner, Old Persian, will probably be favourite, with Godolphin dominating the ‘set-weight’ juvenile scene, and there are three well-bred juveniles from ‘fashionable’ HQ yards but statistics, and form, favour Knight To Behold.

Thirty go to post for the £150000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes over six furlongs, Starlight Mystery and She Believes could well dominate!

Conditions of this race are all about weight allied to yearling purchase price; Starlight Mystery carries 6lbs less than her main TH rival and Franny Norton rides Mark Johnston’s charge.

On the fairest track on this planet expect the veteran to adopt positive tactics and, hopefully, gain a third success.

Richard Fahey intends winning the £175000 Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy over six furlongs, top-rated, Crownthorpe, is one of EIGHT declared by the Malton ‘winning machine!’

In fact Fahey’s percentage record is moderate, only 11% winners but more than two-hundred winners every year looks impressive and, he’s making the game pay.

Crownthorpe, mount of Paul Hanagan, looks a solid betting proposition.

Selections

Newmarket, 1.30 Knight To Behold; 3.50 Stalight Mystery (e.w); Redcar, 3.20 Crownthorpe (e.w).

The Shaffique Khan trained Princess Suri is a confident selection to win on her debut at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The Suruj Hayban owned juvenile is expected to win for the first time out after having pleased connection on the gallop.

The daughter of Super Saver/Big Bambu will be ridden by Rico Hernandez and should prove too strong for her rivals in the feature race over 1200 metres for Horses Rated 75-50.

The field is headed by top-weight Eye See You from the Terrance Thomas barn and this horse will be partnered by Sheldon Rodrigo and this horses will find handing out weight to my selection a very tough task.

Of the others Central Square, Desert Dancer, Criminal Intent and Blue Oracle must be given consideration. But the confident vote goes to the newcomer Princess Suri.

Post time for the first event today is 1:30pm.

Presentation College of San Fernando, the new outright leaders of the 2017 Shell/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League Premier Division will look to maintain its two point lead at the top or even extend its advantage when it hosts Queen’s Royal College at Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre from 3.40pm today.

Currently, Presentation sits atop the 16-team table with 19 points from eight matches, two ahead of Naparima College and St Anthony’s College, while defending champions, Shiva Boys Hindu College is fourth, with 16,the same as St Augustine Secondary in a tight battle for top honours.

Presentation, coming off a 3-0 away win against Speyside Secondary will be brimming with confidence for today’s encounter and will also welcome back the duo of Omri Baird and Shirwin Noel, who have completed their two match suspensions for an incident during a match against Carapichaima East Secondary on September 23.

The Royalians, meanwhile, are coming off 3-1 loss to St Augustine Secondary and sit second from bottom on the standings with five points, two ahead of Speyside and will be desperate to start picking up much needed points.

Second placed Naparima College, held to a shock 3-3 draw by St Benedict’s College last time out will make the tricky journey to Tobago to face Signal Hill while free-scoring St Anthony’s College, 6-2 winners against Trinity College of Moka led by Che Benny’s treble welcomes Shiva Boys to Westmoorings in what is undoubtedly the “match of the

round”.

In the other matches, St Mary’s is at home to Speyside; Trinity College East boosted by its 3-1 defeat of Shiva Boys welcomes Fatima College to Trincity; St Benedict’s and Fyzabad face off at Debe; Carapichaima East is at home to San Juan North and St Augustine meets Trinity Moka at St Augustine. All matches kick off at 3.40 pm.

TODAY’S MATCHES

St Mary’s vs Speyside, St Mary’s Grd, Serpentine Road, St Clair

Trinity East vs Fatima, Trincity

Signal Hill vs Naparima, Signal Hill

St Anthony’s vs Shiva Boys, St Anthony’s Grd, Westmoorings

St Benedict’s vs Fyzabad, Debe

St Augustine vs Trinity Moka, Warren Street, St Augustine

Presentation vs QRC, Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre

Carapichaima East vs San Juan North

A veteran of 97 international appearances, Carlos Edwards is not yet a retired Trinidad and Tobago player. The former Sunderland and Wrexham winger would still fancy the opportunity to reach the 100 game milestone for the Red,White and Black.

While the campaign is done and dusted with T&T’s qualifying hopes already ended, Edwards, at age 38, believes the Dennis Lawrence-coached outfit can finish the the journey on a high and defy the odds by pulling off a win over the United States on Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Edwards has tasted a win over US in a competitive World Cup qualifier at home, setting up Russell Latapy’s go ahead goal in the T&T’s 2-1 win in the semi-final round of 2010 World Cup qualifying at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“Firstly, I am still available to play for the national team and I felt like I was missing out on the whole experience of being part of the team after being overlooked for these last four games but that is football and the coach knows what he would be looking for and I have the decision and support the team no matter what.

“But getting to 100 games is definitely something I would love to accomplish and so it will be part of my aim for the rest of the year and next year once I am fit and able to play,” Edwards said.

“On the topic of the game against the US, I think it is a wonderful opportunity for the team to finish on a high and dent the pride of America a bit. They will be coming here with all guns blazing. but I think we are capable of holding our own.

“I know what it is like to win a qualifier against the US and it will do the players a world of good to get a good result against the Americans under their belt,” Edwards said.

Arena anticipates no protests from US players

The US Soccer Federation confirmed this month that the policy it passed in February requiring players to stand during the national anthem remains in place, as social injustice protests became more widespread in the NFL and other sports last following critical comments from US President Donald Trump.

And US head coach Bruce Arena says he does not expect it to be an issue among his players when they face T&T on Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium nor the previous qualifier against Panama yesterday.

“If we need to discuss it, we’ll discuss it,” he said. “But I don’t think that’s an issue we’re going to deal with. We’ve got enough to deal with besides kneeling and stuff.”

Arena said that up to Friday, he had not yet thought about a plan for the T&T match.

“I will be honest with you—I haven’t spent one second in preparation for the second game,” Arena said. “All of the focus has been on Panama. I cannot tell you one thing we would do in our second game in this swing.”

Mexican FF sells scarves to raise funds for quake victims

At last night’s World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago, the Mexican Football Federation sold green scarves with “Fuerza Mexico” on them for $2.70 (U.S.) outside Estadio Alfonso Lastras, with all proceeds going towards the earthquake relief fund. Fans inside the 25,000-capacity stadium would be encouraged to lift the scarves up during the playing of the Mexican national anthem.

And with the Mexican team mostly playing its World Cup qualifiers in Mexico City, it was massive attraction for the people of San Luis to have their national heroes play in that city.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, around 200 fans paid US$162 to attend the Mexico national team training session in Mexico City, with those who bought the tickets able to mingle and take photographs with the players while the funds went towards the relief fund.

“Local fans are encouraged to walk with canned items at Tuesday’s game in Couva to contribute to the Caribbean hurricane relief fund

A veteran of 97 international appearances, Carlos Edwards is not yet a retired Trinidad and Tobago player. The former Sunderland and Wrexham winger would still fancy the opportunity to reach the 100 game milestone for the Red,White and Black.

While the campaign is done and dusted with T&T’s qualifying hopes already ended, Edwards, at age 38, believes the Dennis Lawrence-coached outfit can finish the the journey on a high and defy the odds by pulling off a win over the United States on Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Edwards has tasted a win over US in a competitive World Cup qualifier at home, setting up Russell Latapy’s go ahead goal in the T&T’s 2-1 win in the semi-final round of 2010 World Cup qualifying at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“Firstly, I am still available to play for the national team and I felt like I was missing out on the whole experience of being part of the team after being overlooked for these last four games but that is football and the coach knows what he would be looking for and I have the decision and support the team no matter what.

“But getting to 100 games is definitely something I would love to accomplish and so it will be part of my aim for the rest of the year and next year once I am fit and able to play,” Edwards said.

“On the topic of the game against the US, I think it is a wonderful opportunity for the team to finish on a high and dent the pride of America a bit. They will be coming here with all guns blazing. but I think we are capable of holding our own.

“I know what it is like to win a qualifier against the US and it will do the players a world of good to get a good result against the Americans under their belt,” Edwards said.

Arena anticipates no protests from US players

The US Soccer Federation confirmed this month that the policy it passed in February requiring players to stand during the national anthem remains in place, as social injustice protests became more widespread in the NFL and other sports last following critical comments from US President Donald Trump.

And US head coach Bruce Arena says he does not expect it to be an issue among his players when they face T&T on Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium nor the previous qualifier against Panama yesterday.

“If we need to discuss it, we’ll discuss it,” he said. “But I don’t think that’s an issue we’re going to deal with. We’ve got enough to deal with besides kneeling and stuff.”

Arena said that up to Friday, he had not yet thought about a plan for the T&T match.

“I will be honest with you—I haven’t spent one second in preparation for the second game,” Arena said. “All of the focus has been on Panama. I cannot tell you one thing we would do in our second game in this swing.”

Mexican FF sells scarves to raise funds for quake victims

At last night’s World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago, the Mexican Football Federation sold green scarves with “Fuerza Mexico” on them for $2.70 (U.S.) outside Estadio Alfonso Lastras, with all proceeds going towards the earthquake relief fund. Fans inside the 25,000-capacity stadium would be encouraged to lift the scarves up during the playing of the Mexican national anthem.

And with the Mexican team mostly playing its World Cup qualifiers in Mexico City, it was massive attraction for the people of San Luis to have their national heroes play in that city.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, around 200 fans paid US$162 to attend the Mexico national team training session in Mexico City, with those who bought the tickets able to mingle and take photographs with the players while the funds went towards the relief fund.

“Local fans are encouraged to walk with canned items at Tuesday’s game in Couva to contribute to the Caribbean hurricane relief fund

T&T Pro League leaders North East Stars will look to strengthen its hold on top spot when it comes up against Defence Force at the Arima Municipal Stadium, Arima, from 4.30pm today.

Currently the Sangre Grande-based Derek King-coached Stars, unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions lead the ten-teams with 24 points from 11 matches, one point ahead of a W Connection which faces third placed Club Sando (18 points) tomorrow (Sunday) at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella from 3.30pm.

Speaking ahead of the clash, King praised the support his team gets at home saying: “Playing at home is always good especially with the support we have been receiving from the Arima people.”

“The support really helps the team as the fans really play a 12th-man and we want to maintain the good form that we have at home, not just for the team but for the supporters as well.

On the other hand, Marvin Gordon, coach of Defence Force, fourth on the table with 15 points said his team was not afraid of going into the “Velodrome”.

Gordon’s Army/Coast-Guard combination has struck recent form, amassing four straight wins in all competitions and unbeaten in five, including a 10-0 thrashing of Eastern Football Association side Trinity Rangers in T&T Football Association FA Trophy play last Sunday and he says he expects to continue that form.

2017 T&T Pro League matches

Today

N/East Stars vs Defence Force, Arima Municipal Stadium, Arima, 4pm

Jabloteh vs Morvant Caledonia United,Barataria Oval, Barataria, 4pm

Pt Fortin Civic vs Central FC, Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin, 6pm

Tomorrow

Club Sando vs W Connection, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, 3.30 pm

St Ann’s Rangers vs Police, St. Augustine Sec. Grd, Warren Street, 3.30pm.

T&T PRO LEAGUE STANDINGS

Teams P W D L F A Pts

North East Stars 11 7 3 1 21 9 24

W Connection 11 7 2 2 23 12 23

Club Sando 11 5 3 3 15 11 18

Defence Force 11 4 3 4 13 14 15

Jabloteh 9 4 2 3 9 8 14

Morvant Caledonia 11 3 4 4 7 8 13

Central FC 10 2 4 4 11 14 10

Police FC 10 2 4 4 11 14 10

Pt Fortin Civic 11 2 3 6 6 16 9

St Ann’s Rangers 11 2 2 7 8 18 8

Guaya United remained intent on wrestling the T&T Super League’s, League One title away from holders FC Santa Rosa when the South Easterners beat Tobago’s Bethel United at their Newlands, Guayaguayare home ground yesterday.

Forward Carlon ‘Judgement’ Hughes continued his hot form for Guaya’s Green Army with a hat-trick while Leroy Jones, Shaquille Ferrier, Beville Joseph, and Jody Allsop all scored one goal each in the rout over the visitors. That result took them to 40 points from 17 games played, a two point lead of second placed Santa Rosa which also turned back a Tobago team with a 3-0 win over 1976 Phoenix FC.

Through two points back in the standings, Santa Rosa as a game in hand. Playing before a typically vibrant home crowd, Jones would open the scoring for Guaya in the 24th minute to get them started on piling up the goals. Hughes got his first of the match in the 28th as the home team went to the interval with a 1-nil lead.

Guaya’s appetite did not abate in the second half and they went to work as early as four minutes in when Ferrier added his name to the score sheet. Following further goals by Joseph and Allsop in he 64th and 79th minutes, Hughes returned to round off scoring with two goals in two minutes.

The speedy front-man score in the 84th and 85th to cap a fine days work and propel him further away from the rest at the top of the TTSL League One scorers’ charts with 21 goals. His nearest rival is Santa Rosa’s Keron Clarke (13) who will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a broken ankle last month.

At the Arima Velodrome, the ‘Big Cannons’ got all of their goals in the second half as Phoenix held firm during the first 45 minute period. Nathan Julien opened the scoring for the home team in the 52nd minute before returning to make it 2-0 to Santa Rosa in the 77th. Santa Rosa’s final goal was netted by former Joe Public attacker Rashad Griffith who scored one minute into added on time to ensure that Santa Rosa remain within touching distance of the former champions Guaya United.

SCORES/ TTSL LEAGUE ONE

Club Sando Moruga 5 (Marcus John 39th, Amin Julien 52th & 55th, Kyle Morgan 88th, Andy London 90th+2) vs WASA FC 0
Police FC 2 (Akiba Peters 31st, Ishmael Sawyer 55th) vs UTT 0
Siparia Spurs 0 vs Cunupia FC 7 (Hakeem Legall 43rd, Kevon Woodlley 48th, 77th & 89th, Michael Darko 57th & 70th, Stevon Stoute 75th)
QPCC 1 (Shomarie Antoine) vs Defence Force 3 (Dexter Thornhill 3rd, Keston Williams 37th, Dominic Hutchinson 70th)

Aquaholics Dragon Boat Club copped five of the six premier titles at the Chinese Bicentennial Limited’s 12th annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday at the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas.

They topped the Premier Small Boat 2,000m, Premier Small Boat Open 500m, Premier Small Boat Mixed 500m, Premier Small Boat Mixed 200m and the Premier Standard Boat Mixed 200m. Peeking Ducks won the Premier Small Boat All Female 200m in a time of 2:04.30, while Oceanus beat Titans and Trailblazers in the Premier Small Boat Open 200m.

Among the schools, St Joseph’s Convent (SJC) Port-of-Spain’s Wave Breakers dominated both the Under-16 and Under-21 divisions.

In the Under 16 Small Boat All Female 200m, the Wave Breakers beat their namesake from San Fernando by .30 seconds to win. Then, in the Under 21 Small Boat All Female 200m, the senior Wave Breakers was over a minute faster than the second placed school, meaning the SJC Port-of-Spain did the double in the 200m events.

One Ton Warriors also enjoyed a successful day. In the Under 21 Small Boat Open 200m, One Ton Warriors – Steamed won the race while the other team One Ton Warriors won the Under 21 Small Boat Mixed 200m.

Delsheer will be the focus of ‘each-way thieves’ in the nine-runner Novice Stakes over a mile of ‘good to soft’ Windsor today when there will be nine other juvenile races spread over five fixtures; two-year-old aficionados will liken it to ‘manna from heaven!’

They are my speciality, the fascination of watching them progress throughout the year totally captivating, also a good way of making betting pay!

Youngsters have no vices, which come with experience of life; thoroughbreds are no different and bad habits stem from treatment and lack of care at home.

Hugo Palmer has quickly become a trainer to follow and respect with his handling of first-season racehorses, I’m always delighted to analyse a race and find one of his top-rated on my time-handicap.

Twice-raced Delsheer is ‘best-in’ judged on his third to Kitaabaat (beaten by four lengths!) over a similar distance at Sandown nineteen days ago, mount of Frankie Dettori replaced, on this occasion by James Doyle, none better.

This is not cut ‘n dried because White Feather and Celestin’s are certain to be ‘on the premises’ and four ‘fashionable’ trainer introduce newcomers; from experience however I’ve often backed two-year-old winners from a couple of starts, especially when they improve considerably, and I’ll be amazed if Delsheer doesn’t occupy one of three placings.

Few trainers want, or need, to have winners first-up!

‘Soft’ ground is forecast for Pontefract, Salisbury and Musselburgh a reason why we’re more interested in two divisions of a Novice Stakes over six furlongs of Kempton polytrack; Sergio Leone and By Royal Approval are my strong each-way fancies.

Sergio Leone hails from the yard of Richard Hannon, often prolific during Autumn in this age bracket; significantly he has booked ‘top jock’ Andrea Atzeni.

Despite their country being devastated by the passage of Hurricane Maria last month, Dominica’s senior women’s volleyball team has been confirmed to participate in the third round of the 2018 FIVB World

Championship qualification, at the National Cycling Centre, in Balmain, Couva, from October 13 to 15.The Dominicans, who will ferry to St Lucia before travelling to T&T by plane, come up against host T&T in their opening Pool C match of the NORCECA Continental Women’s tournament from 7pm on Friday, two hours after Costa Rica and Mexico serve off the four-team competition.

A day later, T&T will do battle with Costa Rica and then face Mexico to close out the tournament from which the top two teams will qualify to the FIVB World Championship next year.

According to Mushtaque Mohammed, President of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) and a former T&T Vollleyball Federation boss as well, the Dominicans will be travelling with a team of ten players, two coaches and a manager.

Mohammed admitted that it was very commendable on the part of the Dominicans considering what has transpired on the island and all efforts will be made by CAZOVA and NORCECA, to assist them in any was possible.

So far, Cuba and Canada have already earned their spots to the World Championship while Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Guatemala will contest Pool A from October 11 to 16 from which two other teams will qualify.

Top-ranked NORCECA team, USA has already qualified to the World Championships in Japan next year from September 29 to October 20, as the reigning champions and will be joined by the six other regional qualifiers at the finals.

The tournament at Couva will conclude a very hectic second part to the year for the Francisco Cruz-coached ‘Calypso Spikers’ who participated at the 16th Pan American Women’s Championship in Lima, Peru in June as well as the first two weeks of the 2017 FIVB Women’s Grand Prix, away in Mexico and then at home, a historic first ever hosting of the competition in July followed by the 16th Senior CAZOVA Women’s Championship in Jamaica where they claimed a record sixth straight crown and historic seventh overall under the captaincy of Sweden-based setter Renele Forde.

T&T team

Krystle Esdelle (captain), Jalicia Ross-Kydd (vice-captain), Renele Forde, Sinead Jack, Darlene Ramdin, Channon Thompson, Afeisha Olton, Kelly-Anne Billingy, Kiune Fletcher, Mikela Mc Gillvery, Latisha Morain, Afiya Alexander.

Tournament schedule: Friday, October 13:Mexico vs Costa Rica, 5pm
T&T vs Dominica, 7pm

Saturday October 14:Dominica vs Mexico, 5pm
T&T vs Costa Rica, 7pm

Sunday, October 15:Dominica vs Costa Rica, 5pm
T&T vs Mexico, 7pm

After an appalling campaign at the 2016 ICC World Cup, the WI women cricketers begin their Australia World Cup 2021 qualification campaign against Sri Lanka at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on October 11, 13 and 15.

The 2017 World Cup campaign was symptomatic of the deep structural problems identified by the Caricom Cricket Review Panel (CCRP) 2015:

• Lack of financial and infrastructural support and commitment to the sustainable development of women’s cricket” (p 5). In 2015 women cricketers received match fees for the annual regional tournament for the first time.

• “There is no organised, official programmes and policies in place by the CWI (WICB) to develop women’s cricket” (p 5).

• “CWI management looks towards the Territorial Boards and Governments to take the lead in the area of cricket development for women, while it accepts the responsibility for the development of cricket skills for the men’s teams” (p 5).

• Whereas there are annual U15, U17, U19 and A Team cricket for men, the women players are restricted to playing one round of 50 overs and T20 matches every year.

• “There are no organised, consistent set of structures in place by the Territorial Boards. Some Boards do have clubs, do not encourage the development of clubs and do not organise national/territorial competitions” (p 5).

The following is required urgently:

• An assessment of the CCRP issues as well as the suggestions of the Pybus Report 2014.

• The establishment of a practical strategic plan for the development of the women’s game over a five to ten year period.

• Recognising that by 2021, 15 of the current core of 20 players will be 29 years and over including Taylor and Dottin. Therefore, age group development has to be on the front burner of the development programme for future teams! Women cricketers have to be part of the Academy system.

• Ensure that territorial boards implement strategies that are consistent across the region. Build on existing programs for men’s game. Set targets and report on their successes on a yearly basis.

• The regional tournament should include more cricket and efforts should to strengthen some of the ‘weaker’ teams with players from more established countries so as to maintain an overall standard of performance while the benefits of the development programs kick-in.

If the structural development of the women’s game does not have strategic direction, the gap between the WI and Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa will continue to widen and Sri Lanka and Pakistan, will eventually begin to fancy their chances. Additionally, the onus is on the CWI to ensure that the 2016 ICC T20 title is not remembered by history as an aberration of the norm!

The proposed Sandals Resort for Tobago will help promote Tobago as an international tourism destination said Dr Anthony Birchwood, University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer.

“Sandals Resort is important as a marketing tool for Tobago. We need large international brands in Tobago.”

Birchwood spoke on Thursday night at a post budget forum at the UWI Campus in St Augustine.

Dr Marlene Attzs, another economist who also spoke at the forum said she has her “reservations” about the Sandals Resort but did say if the authorities go ahead with it, there could be potential benefits.

“If they go ahead with the Sandals Resort, it can be linked to the agriculture sector. There are opportunities for linkages.”

Birchwood also expressed his dissatisfaction with how Tobago was treated in the budget.

“I do not think that the budget gave Tobago justice in how it addressed Tobago.”

He also complained that unlike Trinidad, Tobago does not have a world class port.

“You all have three international ports in Trinidad, we do not have one in Tobago. That is terrible. We want to develop our industrial estates but no international ports. Therefore, the Cove Industrial Estate is falling by the wayside. If Tobago can develop these things they can add to the diversification of T&T.”

He called the ANR Robinson Airport “dilapidated.”

“There are a few visiting airlines. But really we still do not have a large catchments of international airlines. We have a big Piarco Airport but Tobago has a little airport. It was described as a cowshed. We still do not have a true international airport.”

He said there is a private sector in Tobago that is working hard but it is “ignored.”

“Everyone thinks that employment in Tobago is through the Government but the truth is we have a private sector that is growing. People think Tobago is only about tourism. Tobago is a growing economy"

Government is not backing down on the taxation measures for the gambling industry according Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis.

This comes as the T&T Members Club Association (TTMCA) last Tuesday signalled that the new tax measures would lead to the immediate closure of some of the casino establishments which would result in job losses.

Robinson-Regis was speaking to reporters after a post-budget conference hosted by the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce last week which was held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

Stakeholders in the Gaming industry stated that the industry employs 9,000 directly and 30,000 indirectly.

The group is planning to take legal action as they say they were not consulted.

Last Friday, along with members from various maxi taxi associations and the trade union movement, a number of casino workers gathered outside of Parliament in protest against the proposed tax measures.

Stating that the Government has to act in the interest of the people, Robinson-Regis said, “if we were to consult them (the gambling institutions), they would say don’t tax us. We also have to look at what is best for T&T. All industries have been examined and the gambling and gaming industry has been examined, and that is the decision that we have taken.”

During his budget presentation, Finance Minister Colm Imbert had announced a slew of new taxation measures for the industry.

Addressing the issue of job losses in the industry, Robinson-Regis said, “we have heard that before (thousands of job losses when measures are introduced for the Gambling industry).

“You would recall when the Gaming and Gambling legislation was brought before the Parliament under the previous regime, there has not been any kind of job losses.”

On the issue of efficient collection of taxes, she admitted that the Government needs to make sure that its collection regime is improved and is already making steps to do that.

In a statement last Tuesday, Sean Clarke, President of the Union of Members Clubs and Lottery Workers wrote to the General Secretary, National Trade Union Centre seeking support from Michael Annisette to assist with preventing job losses.

In his letter Clarke stated, “the punitive income taxes that have been unilaterally imposed upon the Gaming Industry by Imbert in the 2017/2018 Budget will have an immediate downsizing and reduction in staffing requirements.”

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley asked us to stop hoarding US dollars. What is less clear is where these US dollars we are supposed to be hoarding are coming from.

If from the official foreign currency system, via the Central Bank and its authorised agents, it must be easy for the Government to spot where it is being hoarded. If not, it’s likely to be unlawful and, if the

Government is aware of activities with illegally obtained hard currency, it should be bringing those responsible to justice.

The problem is that these calls hide the real problem we face. The fact is, for as long as the economy remains unbalanced and confidence remains low, there will be continued pressure on foreign currency. It doesn’t matter if you are a big financial player or a pensioner planning to visit a relative in Miami; when the expectation is that the economy won’t get better soon, we cling on to what feels safer, like US dollars.

This newspaper does not envy the Government’s position. Given the state of our economy, our dollar is overvalued in relation to major international currencies. But letting the TT dollar float freely against them right now would be a challenge, as we risk seeing a sharp devaluation - effectively the market putting ourselves in our place - with a traumatic economic impact.

The dilemma for the Government is that, by preserving the exchange rate, is does little to deal with the international trade imbalance, as it remains relatively cheap to import goods and relatively expensive to export them.

We are lucky that our currency is not on the radar of investors who bet on devaluations. But luck is not good enough. The Budget proposed last week fell short when it comes to dealing with the root causes of our foreign exchange woes. Generic talk about hoarders isn’t a solution either.

Viva Espana!

There is no doubt that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s approach to tackling the independence referendum last week in Catalonia backfired. Even if the referendum was considered illegal by Spain’ courts, it was wrong to use such a level of violence to try and stop it from happening.
The events over the weekend were a lot more encouraging, with pro-unity marches in Madrid and in the Catalan capital, Barcelona, attracting hundreds of thousands of people.

Europe’s history is complex, with its boundaries changing considerably every century. It shouldn’t be surprising to see more changes in our lifetime.

Before they head their way, though, a moment of pause is important. Pro-independence leaders tend to gloss over the challenges and the disadvantages of going alone. And, as like any divorce, it is easy to forget the good things of a relationship when the focus is on the bad things.

We hope the two sides will see sense. For Spain’s future and also for a much needed time of global stability; we can all do without a hostile independence bid by Catalonia.

Inspirational

One of our pages on Sunday carried the beaming picture of Trini-born Judaline Cassidy. A truly inspirational story: the girl from Diego Martin has been smashing stereotypes and breaking new grounds since she started working as a plumber in the US.

She went on to be the first black woman allowed into her Plumbers’ Union and one of the few women to reach a position of leadership in the organisation. Not small feats and an inspirational story of someone who refused to turn the word ‘no’ into ‘yes’ every single time.

Sextapes just aren’t news. I made that point when I returned to these pages ten months ago. I want to try to make it again.

As many people began their sentences this week, I am no fan of Shamfa Cudjoe. But, had she actually made a sextape that went public, I would have been rushing to the front of the line to defend her.

Simply put, how politicians behave sexually—unless it involves violence, harassment, or favouritism with State resources—ought to have almost nothing to do with governance.

I won’t say their sexuality is not my business; I’m as much a maco as the next. But it just has nothing to do with political performance or capability. It’s merely one of a legion of areas of life where people—including politicians—can exercise bad judgment.

As everyone who knows Cudjoe’s face knew immediately, she is not the woman actually in a video circulated online coupled to a still image of her. Therefore I found her response to not being in the tape—as well as the response of the PNM Women’s League—to be indefensibly harmful.

Imagine if she’d been witty, lighthearted or smart-mouthed—like her political leader not too long ago, warning the media about an image circulating of him—and effectively dismissed the matter.

Cudjoe rejected that course of action as obscene. Instead, she decided to get on. She deemed what happened wicked, vile, inhumane and a malignant plot. Though, strangely, she had nothing to say in solidarity with the actual woman in the video which, it’s alleged online, was part of an effort to blackmail a political figure. made the woman’s video into her own news headline.

She even asked local police to investigate the post as a cybercrime. She claimed it was a political attack. And a dastardly one, said the Women’s League.

What confused and dismayed me isn’t that she gave an evident sham so much energy and public attention. What she ended up doing by wrapping her reputation around a sextape reinforces the toxic culture and politics that enable women to be demeaned as jamettes, the rapeshaming of Keith Rowley her former teacher engaged in, the same teacher who called her a Bethel badjohn in the same chamber. She continued the old hypocritical PNM morality that makes one’s sexuality a matter of deep political and public concern. That good-and-nasty is incompatible with leadership or womanhood—with one’s “good name.”

It’s not just women who are the victims of this. I wish I’d spoken up when we all let Hafeez Mohammed be shamed into resigning the PNM’s Senate bench, with the understanding pats-on-the-back from his fellow male colleagues. When none of them stood up for his right to remain in office. When Khadijah Ameen slutshamed him across the aisle—the same woman whose medical files Jack Warner purported to wave on a campaign platform—and none of us cried shame on her.

Morality in public office is about accountability and economic justice, inclusion and respect for difference, resource sustainability and truthfulness. Stealing, waste, arrogance and racism are happy handmaidens to performances of sexual piety.

When are we going to take the sex out of politics? Shamfa Cudjoe and the PNM Women’s League blew a golden opportunity to move the country to a space where that video did not matter. But moral panics are the age-old circus that distract the voters from the shortage of bread.
 

Government's new National Crime Prevention Plan (NCCP) will involve communities conveying information on crime to local government councils and the Tobago House of Assembly with further assistance from an inter-ministerial team, says National Security Minister Edmund Dillon.

"We gonna see a difference, we're gonna pull it back," Dillon declared of "game changers" for 2018 to deal with crime.

"There are weapons of war out there and we have to deal with criminality. We all have a role to play," he said.

Citing the NCCP as a "game changer" he said this will empower communities to link with the 14 corporations and THA in treating with crime issues. The inter-ministerial team will handle issues which corporation crime councils won't be able to address.

Out of 4,000 applications for municipal police, he said 130 were short-listed.

The ministerial team comprises National Security, the Office of the Prime Minister, Health, Education, Sports, Public Utilities and Works. This will provide solutions for communities that could halt potential crime.

A 24-month operational plan by his Ministry is being finalised for Cabinet. Other strategic plans (2018- 2023) are also being done by the police, Defence Force, Security Services Agency, Prisons and other agencies.

Dillon said the new police Organised Crime and Intelligence Unit focusing on certain targets will also "make a difference." As will the new US traveller identification system and automated fingerprint format linked with Interpol.

Priority 2018 legislation includes regulating private security firms, child rehabilitation centres, new prison rules and the implementation of the electronic monitoring of offenders via ankle bracelets.

Anti-terrorism training was done by security forces. Police have started using drone technology and a Canadian team has been training prison officers how to deal with prison riots. The Golden Grove video court conferencing facility is 75 per cent completed, he said.

Trinidadian nationals are among women and children from 12 territories who surrendered with Islamic State (Isis) fighters to Iraqi authorities in late August, a recent Human Rights Watch report has stated.

UNC MP Rodney Charles caused an uproar from Government in yesterday's Budget debate in Parliament when he alluded to the discovery of the TT nationals being held abroad and his refusal to disclose the source of his information.

After debate yesterday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi who was asked about T&T families who went overseas to join Isis in recent years, confirmed, "We have a number of matters that are on track with several of our foreign partners. We'll report on these as and when we're in a position to."

Charles raised the issue of T&T terrorist fighters overseas during the debate and added T&T citizens — women and children — were recently captured in Iraq.

He didn't immediately give the source of that information saying he didn't have it. Government MPs protested. Charles subsequently produced the source and Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde allowed him to state it.

But Charles was hit by Government roars when he attempted to give the information. Opposition MPs shouted back.

Charles started reading the report with some PNM MPs saying "That's not so." Prime Minister Keith Rowley protested Charles "introducing new information."

UNC MPs again objected, continuing as Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi attempted to halt Charles. Both sides continued quarrelling during the lunch break.

Minister in the Attorney General's office, Fitzgerald Hinds who spoke after Charles, said Charles had tarnished T&T's reputation.

Hinds said 180 people were recorded going to fight overseas — men, women and children — "all between 2013 to 2014."

Al-Rawi told T&T Guardian that Government was tracking the families. He said Charles was reckless to quote information without the source.

"Also, there's a penchant from the international community to push out information that's unverified, to tarnish our information. This form of reckless communication from the UNC constantly lands in international papers, tarnishing our reputation," he said.

Al-Rawi said until National Security and international partners deal with the matter "in an evidential way, there'll be no ole talk on this. The reason T&T survived international scrutiny is because it was taken in a strict way."

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said Charles' information "was unverified". He said he hadn't seen the report.

Details of report

The Human Rights Watch report, which was compiled last month, by Bill Van Esveld states Iraqi authorities are holding 1,400 foreign women and their children who surrendered with Isis fighters in late August, fleeing a military offensive that re-took a town from Isis. They were placed at a detention site, north of Mosul.

The human rights group which visited the camp on September 10 - 11, stated, "The women and international humanitarian staff there said they include Afghan, Azerbaijani, Chinese, Chechen, Iranian, Russian, Syrian, Tajik, Trinidadian and Turkish nationals. Reuters reported they also include Algerian, French and German nationals."

Reuters was told the Iraqi army was holding the women and children "under tight security measures" while awaiting orders how to deal with them — including women described as being "deluded by vicious Isis propaganda."

The report stated on September 16, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said most of the women and children weren't guilty of a crime and his Government was in "full communication" with their home countries to "find a way to hand them over."

Human Rights Watch is a non-profit, non-governmental human rights organisation which publishes reports on human rights conditions in 90 countries.