...22 medals at Carifta Games

Basseterre

Tyriq Horsford produced one of the most outstanding performances at Carifta 2015 here in Basseterre, St Kitts. The 15-year-old Trinidad and Tobago athlete established a new record in the boys’ under-18 javelin, his 70.73 metres monster throw earning him gold and the admiration of all who witnessed the Sunday morning feat.

Horsford was among the contenders for the Austin Sealy Award, presented to the most outstanding performer at the Games. The eventual recipient was triple gold medallist Mary Fraser. The Barbadian won the girls’ under-18 800 metres and 1500m events, as well as the girls’ open 3,000m.

Horsford was one of six T&T gold medallists at the 44th Carifta Games. Isaiah Taylor (boys’ under-18 shot put), Portious Warren (girls’ under-20 shot put), Andwuelle Wright (boys’ under-20 long jump), Kayelle Clarke (girls’ under-20 200m) and Akanni Hislop (boys’ under-18 200m) were also in winners’ row.

Jonathan Farinha looked a good bet for another gold, but pulled up lame in Monday’s boys’ under-20 200m final.

In addition to the six gold medals, T&T bagged eight silver and eight bronze, for a total of 22. T&T finished fourth on the medal table, behind perennial champions Jamaica (41 gold, 25 silver, 19 bronze), Bahamas (8 gold, 13 silver, 10 bronze), and Barbados (7 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze).

Hislop secured his gold medal on Monday, scorching the track in a personal best 20.91 seconds.

“I knew from the start,” Hislop told the Express, “I had to catch my two opponents outside of me. Once I did that I knew I was going to win.”

T&T head coach Reynold Porter-Lee named Hislop among the team’s standout athletes. His list also included Taylor, Horsford, Warren and girls’ under-20 high jump silver medallist Khemani Roberts.

“It’s a satisfactory performance,” Porter-Lee declared, “because most of the athletes lifted their game.”

National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) president Ephraim Serrette was very impressed with Horsford, whose 70.73m throw signalled to the world that another “Keshorn Walcott” is in the making.

“We would have identified that two years ago,” Serrette told the Express, “from our age-group championships. Last year he was here as a 14-year-old, and was fourth. In the ball throw at the age-group championships, they could not measure his throw.

“We want to encourage and support him, and other athletes where we see the talent. We need to have some fund where we would be able to assist those athletes to continue to train, assist them medically and nutrition-wise.”

Horsford told the Express that Walcott, T&T’s reigning Olympic men’s javelin champion, is a source of inspiration.

“Since I was growing up, I was seeing him throwing great distances for his age, and I was amazed.”

Horsford is producing amazing feats as well, and has his sights set on the 74.78m world under-16 record, held by Australian Luke Cann.

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As the drama that is general elections in T&T begins in earnest, there are calls for a greater quality of public engagement. Concerns have been expressed in many quarters. There is a pervading sense of frustration and anger as the populace seeks answers to the fundamental question—what will the future hold for the twin island republic?

The very same concerns have been expressed within sport about sport in T&T. The perception of uncertainty is dominating mind space. People have negative emotions–they are in fight or flight mode. They are anxious and insecure. Uncertainty is stifling confidence, notwithstanding the fact that many people are feeling beleaguered and angry. The nation building process is at work.

Somewhat hesitantly our society is waking up to the reality and challenge of shaping the country and society it wants.

Some people and organisations will buckle under the pressure sinking into despair losing confidence, while others will bend and bounce back.

Changing from negative to positive emotions about the situation will require resilience as distinct from optimism.

Without denying the facts, resilience is needed. Resilient people possess three defining characteristics; they accept the harsh realities facing them. They find meaning and purpose in difficult times. And they find a way to innovate, create and be inventive making do with the resources that are available. Right now in T&T resilience and learning to be resilient is important.

We have to build the bridge to a better future by facing up to the reality of our situation. Wishful thinking and denial will not wipe our problems and issues away. We have to get out of the victim mode and thinking.

This is not to say that being optimistic should be used to distort reality. By the same token optimism can be turned into denial with dire consequences. Optimism has its place and should be encouraged.

Resilience on the other hand is pragmatic about the reality.

National Sport Organisations (NSOs) can’t remain on the periphery of the dialogue and discussions. Sport must play a key role in articulating the role sport can and must play in the immediate, near and long term future of T&T.

Facing and confronting reality can be unpleasant but it allows us to prepare for the challenges that must be overcome.

Organisational resilience requires having strong value systems. Strong value systems allow an organisation to share a common set of values that are core and that can be used to hold an organisation together in hard times. Important decisions are shaped by the value system. In the main strategy and mission may change but values remain constant.

Recently while browsing through two books—A History of Modern Trinidad 1783-1962 by Bridget Brereton and Inward Hunger by Dr Eric Williams—history provided compelling clues and lessons.

Making sense of what’s happening currently in T&T when looked through the prism of history is easier. There are deep historical and social dimensions and constructs that shape the response of our society.

There are subtleties at play that aren’t obvious and the natural consequence is a lack of context and understanding.

T&T is entering a new and different dynamic. Our society is evolving and wrestling with the issues of nation building.

Every aspect of T&T life is being challenged—old and existing value systems, norms and cultures. Nothing is sacrosanct.

It’s an exciting time for T&T.

The debate and discussions are necessary and should be encouraged. Now is not the time for intolerance. We must welcome and embrace the diversity of views, values, lifestyles and opinions.

We are defining what we want social progress to look like. Reaching our full potential individually and collectively demands that we welcome the current convulsions and not be afraid or traumatised by them.

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…opens season with windy 200 win

FIFA Presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein today published his manifesto to reform football's world governing body, with the establishment of a formal continental rotation system for the World Cup among its key elements.

Entitled A FIFA Worthy of the World's Game the document details specific pledges to transform FIFA into a service organisation that is a model of good governance and ethical conduct.

Prince Ali said he envisages a "virtuous circle which will take the beautiful game of football to new and unprecedented levels all over the world".

The manifesto is the result of an extensive international consultation process involving National Association leaders, players, coaches, sponsors, fans and other stakeholders, he claimed.

The Jordanian foresees the World Cup being played in different countries, in a similar way to Euro 2020, but believes all stakeholders should be consulted before making a decision on expanding the tournament from its current 32 team make-up.

"My manifesto for reforming FIFA reflects my discussions with National Associations around the world and the priorities that they have expressed to me," said Prince Ali, President of the Jordan Football Association and vice-president of FIFA.

"They have told me that they want a FIFA Development Programme which is transparent, fair, generous and flexible - and which delivers tailored support where it is most needed, so that the level of the game rises for all."

Prince Ali claimed there was a "culture of intimidation" within football's governing body at the launch of his campaign in February and insisted he cannot be a part of FIFA if incumbent President Sepp Blatter is re-elected.

The 39-year-old has promised greater transparency by making public the salaries of the FIFA President and Executive Committee members, as well as the minutes from Executive Committee meetings.

Ensuring commmerical success is also high on Prince Ali's list of priorities to increase the funds available to invest in football around the world.

"It is clear to me that FIFA currently rides rather than drives the success of the beautiful game of football," he added.

"With good governance, targeted development, and growth in the game around the world, there is a great deal of room for improvement in FIFA's commercial performance, and National Associations around the world would benefit from a more commercially savvy and successful FIFA capable of generating more money to invest in them and in football.

"I will lead by example and I have a clear vision to accelerate a long-term plan for football development.

"I am committed to a programme of reform for FIFA that has football's best interests at heart and I want the game to flourish for generations to come.

"With a new culture of democracy and with leadership that promotes accountability, transparency and integrity, the global football community can unite to form a new FIFA that National Associations, players, fans and all our stakeholders can all be proud to belong to and own."

The evaluation and optimisation of the international match calendar is another prominent pledge, with a review of the world ranking system and a full and open debate about the place of technology in football also proposed.

Additionally, a detailed 10-point proposal for development has been drawn up, including providing more support for National Associations who need it most and more investment in women's football.

Prince Ali is aiming to ensure that every Football Association in the world will have what it needs to play the game, including basic infrastructure and equipment, within four years.

Despite the endless amount of corruption allegations made towards FIFA and the fact that he could face three different challengers to his Presidency - with The Netherlands' Michael van Praag and Portugal's Luis Figo the other two candidates - Blatter remains the firm favourite to continue in a role he has held since 1998.

The National Associations are due to vote to decide the winning candidate at the FIFA Congress on May 29 in Zurich.

To view the full manifesto, click here.

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Five gold medals, one silver and two bronze, were on the cards for the Trinidad and Tobago swim team on the opening night of the 2015 Carifta Championships at the Barbados Aquatic Centre Friday night. The effort in the pool was boosted in the Boys’ 15-17 4x100m relay, where the T&T team won gold, clocking three minutes, 36.50 seconds. Currently, the national team stands at third on the overall standings after the first day of competition.
Jeron Thompson, Kael Yorke, Racine Ross and Tyla Martin were the other swimmers who got to the wall first in their individual events.
Thompson won the Boys 13-14 50m backstroke, clocking 28.47 seconds. Yorke got home first in the 100m butterfly in 58.17. Racine Ross (13-14) and Tyla Martin (15-17) both won the 100m butterfly Girls events, clocking 1:04.78 and 1:04.82 respectively. Meanwhile, the 15-17 boys were able to clock 3:36.50 on the way to victory in the Boys 4x100m relay.
Other athletes to cop precious metal included Aquel Joseph, who came second in the Boys 11-12 100m butterfly, clocking 1:05.82. Jahmia Harley placed third in the Girls 11-12 100m butterfly in 1:10.53, and Emil Goin with 57.23, won bronze in the same event in the Boys 15-17 division.
Graham Chatoor may not have medalled last night, but he did have a reason to be satisfied, shaving 33 seconds off his personal best when he clocked 17:36.31, finishing fifth in the Boys 13-14 1500m freestyle.
The four-day competition features junior swimmers from across the region and is but a small portion of the overall action. The event also includes the already completed water polo and synchronized swimming events from March 27-29, while the open water event will conclude the championships on April 8.

Team standings:
1.Bahamas 209.
2.Barbados 149.50.
3.Trinidad and Tobago 128.
4.Guadeloupe 117.
5.Jamaica 112.
6.Suriname 73.
7.Aruba 72.
8.Cayman Islands 64.
9.Bermuda 61.
10.Martinique 57.

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