Men’s and Women’s National Senior Hockey Teams were the first teams to arrive at the Mexican host city on Tuesday night and have already had their first training session on Wednesday afternoon. Men’s Captain Darren Cowie- “Everyone seems to be keen and upbeat despite the long travel (between Trinidad and Veracuez). We’re excited to get on the pitch and get a feel... get the ball rolling. During the first session, the ball pace and intensity was really high. The communication is something we’ve been trying to work on and (one) can actually hear even the younger players being more vociferous... The camaraderie, the intensity and the momentum in the first session was really high”.

 

The hockey team are preparing for their opening game against Dominican Republic, Sunday 16th, one day after the opening ceremony.

 

Other teams to have already arrived and settle in include Women’s indoor Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Canoe/Kayak and Cycling. The reminding teams will be arriving ahead of their scheduled competition dates.

 

List of T&T teams:

 

Athletics

Badminton

Basketball

Canoe/Kayak

Cycling

Gymnastics

Hockey

Rifle

Rugby

Football

Sailing

Squash

Swimming

Table Tennis

Target Archery

Volleyball

Water Polo

If the Olympic movement does not believe deeply in what it is doing and what it stands for, then its slide into irrelevance is only a matter of time.

The Olympic movement, and I dare say the rest of sport, are eagerly anticipating the release of the 40 proposed recommendations coming out of the year-long agenda 2020 discussions and consultations following over 40,000 submissions, the final stage of the reform process started by International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach following his election in 2013.

Calls for governance reform aren’t limited to the world of sport.

Around the world people are saying governments, once elected, no longer work for the people—only for the rich and powerful. In almost every country, people want effective, efficient and accountable government. They want to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and elect governments to make their everyday life better.

The same can be said for sport in addition to the growth and development of their respective sport or organisations. Add to that the use of sport for social objectives. Sport leaders also have to focus on providing athletes with what they need to give them the best chance to be their best and to be the healthiest and fittest when it matters most.

It is therefore going to be very interesting to see what the IOC agenda 2020 will produce and how far-reaching and transformative it is.

There are many issues that the Olympic movement must address.

These include:

• How can the Olympic movement build on the foundations and make the IOC and the Olympic movement fit for purpose for a rapidly and constantly changing world

• How can the IOC and the Olympic movement be more inclusive?

• How can the IOC be more vibrant, dynamic and relevant in its efforts to propogate Olympism, Olympic values and the Olympic ideals to the youth and young people of today’s world and a projection as to what will be required in the near future.

The ongoing challenges for all Olympic sport leaders continue to be the enormous demands and changes.

The Olympic movement must ensure that all stakeholders who agree to the Olympic charter align with the charter. It can’t be one rule for some and a different rule for others.

There are too many people getting involved in the movement who don’t seem to have any sincere interest in furthering the purpose, mission and values of the Olympic movement.

Those who are seeking to be in the leadership of the Olympic movement need an increased knowledge and appreciation of the Olympic ideals. They need greater commitment to the Olympic goal of sport contributing to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport and  enthusiasm to promote equal opportunity for females in sport.

Agenda 2020 will address some core issues including finding a way to improve the attitude of the Olympic movement about the relevance of the Olympic movement.

The truth be told is that when you sit around the table at Olympic movement meetings it is clear that not everyone shares the same belief system and commitment towards the Olympic values and ideals.

The time for talk is over. Now is the time for decisions. If the Olympic movement and the IOC want to remain in the driver’s seat decisive action is required.

Brian Lewis is the president of the T&T Olympic Committee. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Olympic Committee.

Source

Dwight Yorke hopes the newly-launched British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge will provide a major boost for the country which has struggled to build upon its first-ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup in 2006.

The event, which sees 64 former English Premier League players compete in a six-a-side tournament at stadium in Tobago named after Yorke, will take place from June 15 to 22, 2015.

The former Manchester United, who also played for Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Sunderland during his illustrious career, was captain for Trinidad and Tobago's three group stage matches in Germany more than eight years ago.

The 43-year-old was recently quoted as saying that football in the country had since taken "a turn for the worst in many respects" by the Trinidad Guardian Newspaper.

Trinidad and Tobago failed to secure a spot at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively, and Yorke believes the success of 2006 led to complacency setting in.

"I think it's the mentality sometimes of our country," Yorke, Tobago's global brand ambassador, told insidethegames here.

"It was mainly our own downfall at the time.

"Our country has a population of 1.3 million people and to qualify for the World Cup was obviously a historical moment.

"I've been fortunate to play at the highest level and as a player, you will not get any higher accolade than representing your country in a World Cup.

"So that was huge and I felt that at that time, instead of embracing it and learning from it, and making sure we continued going in the right direction, I feel that we took our eye off the ball.

"Maybe the players themselves to a certain extent are to blame with that success.

"They didn't embrace it well.

"They took it for granted.

"I always feared the worst because I could see from my own eyes that this was going to go belly up, and it did go belly up."

As well as British Airways, the Football Legends Challenge is also supported by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.

Former players from Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool will be joined by All-Star teams formed from the Caribbean and the PFA.

The eighth and final team will come from either Newcastle, Everton, Aston Villa or Leicester.

The legends will also compete in a golf tournament at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort on June 19, as a prelude to the launch of the Dwight Yorke International Golf Tournament in 2016.

The Resort is home to Tobago's 18-hole Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) designed championship course.

Sky Sports will broadcast the Football Legends Challenge in a 90-minute special.

Source

Former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board, Maureen Craig Rousseau, was elected to the Executive Board of the International Hockey Federation as an ordinary member, securing one of the two positions available for new female members on the Board.
Her election came at the 44th International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Congress, held from October 29 to Sunday in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The Congress was titled the “Hockey Revolution Congress”and the FIH revealed its new ten-year strategy set to deliver a global sport, inspiring the next generation of hockey players. The FIH laid out its goals for the next ten years for hockey based around entertainment, professionalism, image and following.
Craig Rousseau’s vast experience as an administrator has been gained from exposure over the last 30 years, including among them director and vice-president for (Pan American Hockey Federation), with responsibility for the Caribbean over the past 12 years to date.

Source

The Central American and Caribbean Games have been an integral part of my development as a shot putter. During my early career CAC Games medals were not guaranteed, as I came up against a crew, of world class Cuban throwers. However, these epic battles prepared me for the world stage. I can recall being extremely proud and excited to medal at my first CAC Games in Cartagena Columbia. At this meet I had to better the Olympic standard to medal due to the intense nature of the competition. At the Puerto Rico 2010 Games I also had to produce a big effort to walk away with the win. This year I am excited for the CAC Games, to represent T&T and hopefully inspire the next generation of female throwers.

While the CAC region is not predominantly know for producing female athletes in the throwing events, I believe that there is a lot of untapped talent in the region. I almost missed my calling, and did not really start throwing seriously until I was 18 years old. I came from the small village of Mayaro, where opportunities to throw were scarce. I did not get my chance until I migrated for College, and walked on to the Track and Field Team at Coppin State College. I had no throwing experience, but my collegiate coaches Gorden Rackley and Brian King molded me into a NCAA National Champion. As a result of my NCAA win I was encouraged to train for the 2004 Olympic Games. I moved from the lively urban setting of Baltimore, Maryland to the rural and tranquil town of Blacksburg, Virgina to work with Coach Gregory Jack. Coach Jack not only assisted me in achieving the Olympic Standard, but he accompanied me to my first CAC Games. The Games were very important to us, because as I mentioned earlier my competitors were fierce. At this time I was the only female shot putter from T&T, but I was in the company of our amazing hammer thrower Candice Scott. Together we brought some serious “girl power” to the team. Candice and I pushed each other, expecting only the best. With tons of hard work by my second CAC Games in Puerto Rico I knew I could throw over 19m and possibly win.

I am quite proud of my accomplishments at the last CAC Games, I was coaching myself at the time, and I was ready to throw far. Two thousand and ten was one of my best Track and Field seasons. The CAC Games were also very successful for Team T&T. I remember the team atmosphere being positive, and the medals coming in on a daily basis. I worked extremely hard to prepare for the 2010 Games, but it can not compare to the body of work my coach, Ismael Lopez Mastrapa and I have put in this year. Coach did not take it easy on me as we prep for the final meet of the year. As I look back on my many years as a competitor the CAC level it has never been easy. There has always been something or someone to push me to a new level. Mastrapa and I are aware that this meet falls well outside track season, but as always the CAC Games will be crucial to my success.  

The Central American and Caribbean Games team led by Annette Knott Chef de Mission can boast as being one of the strongest female contingents to participate in a multi sport Games representing the red, white and black
With 97 Female athletes from a contingent of 200 Athletes and a number of female officials on both the medical team and technical staff these Games will feel the full power of the T & T Women.
The female athletes include the Soca Princesses who will leave Ecuador on what we hope will be a successful journey to travel to the CAC games to revenge their defeat with Mexico.
Women will be represented in Five team sports, Football, Rugby ,Hockey,Volleyball both Indoor and Beach and Basketball.
Our medal prospects are boosted by the participation of Cleopatra Borel who will defend her CAC title along with Ayanna Alexander who also won Gold in CAC in 2010.

There are a few first in the young female members of the team, with open water swimming being represented for the first time by the two young David sisters, Syriah and Sania. Kelly Ann Arriandale is the first female sailor to compete at the CAC Games.

In the Team Sports Women's Hockey will also defend their title .

Mrs Knott who has arrived in Veracruz ahead of the team is optimistic that the women will produce their best at the Games that will inspire the team to have the best performances in 2014.  We must believe and have faith in our Athletes.

 

22ND CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN GAMES, VERACRUZ 2014

TEAM LIST

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATION  4

Chef de Mission

Annette Knott

Assistant to CDM

Wendell Labastide

Administrative Assistant

Lovie Santana

Press Personnel

Allan Crane

 

 

MEDICAL    12

Doctors

Dr Ramsawak

 

Dr Khan

 

Karielle De bique

 

Kern Roberts

 

Verne Alleyne

 

Kemba London

 

June Durham

 

Brent Elder

 

Kevin Macintyre

 

Derek Ashby

 

Nicole Fuentes

 

Zeph Nicholas

Athletics  11 AT  /6 AO

Manager - 1

George Comissiong

17 Total

Coaches - 5

Wade Franklyn

 

Gerard Franklyn

 

Ismael Lopez

 

 

Michelle Pennie

 

Paul Voisin

Athletes - 11

Emmanuel Callendar

 

Kyle Greaux

 

Kendis Bullard

 

Jamal James

 

Mikel Thomas

 

Quincy Wilson

 

Akeem Stewart

 

Tonya Nero

 

Josanne Lucas

 

Ayanna Alexannder

 

Cleopatra Borel

Archery              6 AT/2AO

Manager - 1

Gregory Quesnel

8

Coach - 1

Colvin Chin

Athletes - 6

George  Vire

 

Hasmath Ali

 

Amrit Siew

 

Neela Cezair

 

Jean-Luc Espinet

 

Sonia Thompson

Aquatics   10AT/2AO

 

 

Total 12

Coach - 1

Paul Newallo

Athletes - 6

George Bovell

 

Joshua McLeod

Pool swim

 

Abraham McLeod

 

David McLeod

 

Kristin Julien

 

Cherelle Thompson

Open water Swim

Coach –  1

Hazel Haynes

Athletes - 4

Christian Marsden

 

Sachin Sankar

 

Syriah David

 

Shania David

Water polo 12AT/2AO

Manager - 1

Marsha Bhawanie

Total 14

Coach - 1

Andrew Francis

Athletes - 12

Gregory Joseph

 

Daniel Alvarez

 

Justin Bodden

 

Matthew George

 

Jake Gillette

 

Kieron Emmanuel

 

Russell Ferreira

 

Christopher Forte

 

Alec Chin Lee

 

John Littlepage

 

Daniel Abraham

 

Ryan West

Badminton 6AT/2AO

Manager – 1

Ronald Clarke

Total 8

Coach - 1

Solangel Guzman

Athletes - 6

Nekeisha Blake

 

Jada Renales

 

Kerwyn Pantin

 

Will Lee

 

Kerian Quan Chee

 

Alistair Espinoza

Basketball 12AT /4AO

Manager - 1

Arnold Thomas

TOTAL 16

Coaches - 2

Christopher Jackson Charles

 

Clair Mitchell (Official)

 

Shawn Ryan

Athletes - 12

Rhea Codio

 

Jowan Ortega

 

Jellene Richardson

 

Kielle Connelly

 

Alicia Cumberbatch

 

Samantha Wallace

 

Doursiel Moore

 

Trecha  Jackson-Kennedy

 

Patrice Edwards

 

Allison Young

 

Aneicia Baptiste

 

Afeisha Noel

Boxing  5AT/2AO

Manager

Reynold cox

Total 7

Coach

Floyd Trumpet

Athletes - 5

Anthony Joseph

 

Michael Alexander

 

Stephen Charles

 

Aaron Prince

 

Andrew Fermin

 

 

Canoe/Kayak 4AT/1AO

Coach - 1

Merryl See Tai

TOTAL 5

Athletes - 4

Satyam Maharaj

 

Sherlon Pierre

 

Matthew Robinson

 

Keian Huggins

Cycling 5AT/3AO

Manager

Joel Browne

Total 8

Coach

Desmond Dickie

Mechanic

Kevin Tinto

 

Quincy Alexander

 

Kwesi Browne

 

Jude Codrington

 

Emile Abraham

 

Varun Maharajh

REPlACMENT Players

Arin King

 

Tasha St Louis

 

Maylee Attin Johnson

 

Afiyah Matthias

 

Kennya Cordner

 

Annalis Cummings

 

Gymnastics 2AT/2AO

Coaches -2

Benjamin Kenetelsen

4

 

Clifton Mc Dowell

Athletes - 2

William Albert

 

Thema Williams

Hockey  32AT/8A)

Managers - 2

Christabella George-Ford

TOTAL 40

 

Cindy Martin-Faustin

MALE

Coach - 1

Raphael Govia

IT/Videographer - 1

Nicholas Baldeosingh

Athletes -16

Darren Cowie

 

Solomon Eccles

 

Shaquille Daniel

 

Mickell Pierre

 

Akim Toussaint

 

Kwandwayne Browne

 

Dwain Quan Chan

 

Dillet Glikes

 

Jordan Reynos

 

Aidan De Gannes

 

Kiel Murray

 

Stefan Mouttet

 

Tariq Marcano

 

Michael O’Connor

 

Andrey Rocke

 

Marcus James

Female

Managers - 1

Valisha Sylvester

Coach - 2

Anthony Marcano

 

Stacey Siu Butt

IT/Videographer - 1

Natalie Nieves

Athletes -

Alanna Lewis

 

Avion Ashton

 

Brianna Govia

 

Dana-Lee De Gannes

 

Kayla Brathwaite

 

Patricia Wright-Alexis

 

Petal Derry

 

Amie Olton

 

Elise Olton

 

Krizia Layne

 

Sekayi Liburd

 

Kristin Thopson

 

Tamia Roach

 

Oire Trotman

 

Blair Wyne

Judo 5AT/2AO

Manager – 1

Joel Bernard

Coach - 1

Jesus Chavez Ramirez

Athletes - 5

Christopher George

 

Devon Brito

 

Jelanie Boyce

 

Sean Lawrence

 

Khaliqa Mohammed

Rugby 24AT/6AT

Officials -6

Curtis Nero

 

Larry Mendez

 

Dale Trotman

Men

Athletes – 12

Agboola Silverthorn

 

 

Darrel Scott

 

 

 

Shakir Flemming

 

 

Rowell Gordon

 

Aasan Lewis

 

Joseph Quashie

 

 

Keishon Walker

 

 

Christopher Hudson

 

 

Jesse  Richards

 

James Phillip

 

 

Anthony Forde

 

 

David Gokool

 

Women

Team Coach

Ebony Young

 

Carlton Felix

 

Jenilee Limada

Athletes - 12

Akelar George

 

 

Sara Griffith

 

 

Kerchelle Hinkson

 

 

Dalia Jordan-Brown

 

 

Marika Mendez

 

 

Vanicia Mootoo

 

 

Nicolette Pantor

 

 

La Shaun Sandy

 

 

Ayana Skeete

 

 

 

Kathleen Stephen

 

 

Blossom Stewart

 

 

Kanisha Vincen

Sailing

Manager - 1

Kairon Serrette

Chaperone - 1

Jennifer Arrindell

Athletes - 2

Andrew Lewis

 

Kelly-Ann Arrindell

Shooting

Manager - 1

Carl Tang

Athletes - 4

Roger Daniel

 

Rhodney Allen

 

Clement Marshall

 

Marlon Moses

Squash

Manager/Coach - 1

Ryan Jagerssar

Athletes  - 3

Colin Ramasra

 

Kale Wilson

 

Nku Patrick

Table Tennis

Manager/Coach - 1

Reeza Burke

Athletes - 6

Dexter St. Louis

 

Curtis Humphreys

 

Aaron Wilson

 

Rheann Chung

 

Ashley Quashie

 

Catherine Spicer

Taekwondo

Coach - 1

Cheryl Sankar

Athletes - 2

Lenn Hypolite

 

Dorian Alexander

Volleyball

 

 

Beach

Manager - 1

Colin Charles

Coach - 1

David Thomas

Athletes -4

Daneil Williams

 

Fabien Whitfield

 

Nancy Joseph

 

Ayanna Dyette

Women Indoor

Manager - 1

Peer Nasseir

Coaches - 2

Nicholson Drakes

 

Macsood Ali

Athletes - 12

Jalicia Ross-Kydd

 

Channon Thompson

 

Kelly Anne Billingy

 

Sinead Jack

 

Marisha Herbert

 

Darlene Ramdin

 

Rheeza Grant

 

Courtnee Mae Clifford

 

Makila York

 

Sakile Grannum

 

Maya Roberts

 

Kaylon Cruickshank

Men Indoor

Manager- 1

Lyndon Simmons

Coaches -2

Gideon Dickson

 

David Camacho

Statistician - 1

Arthur Robinson

Athletes - 12

Kevin Nimrod

 

Ryan Mahadeo

 

Nolan Tash

 

Darnel David

 

Sean Miguel Morrison

 

Simon Blake

 

Ryan Stewart

 

Joshua Mohammed

 

Kwesi Daniel

 

Brandon Legall

 

Colin Bernard

 

Saleem Ali

 

Admin:                                 4

 

Medical:                               12

 

Athletes:                             197

 

Managers/Coaches:       59

 

Total:                                    272