CAC player and Youth Olympian unbeaten at Saith Park.

AYANA DYETTE played unbeaten and won back-to-back tournaments with a new partner when the second leg of the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation’s (TTVF) Beach Series served off over the weekend at Saith Park, Chaguanas.

After being half of the dominant pair in the country and English-speaking Caribbean last year, the 28-year-old was forced to combine with Malika Davidson when Nancy Joseph recently decided to take break because of work committments.

Davidson, who played two of the five tournaments in the first leg last month, is undoubtedly a rising star as she and Chelsi Ward flew the red, white and back flag in the World Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Croatia in 2013 and in the Youth Olympic Games in China last year.

Playing their first match together, Dyette and the 19-year-old took some time to get into stride, but managed to recover after the slow start to defeat Elki Philip and Shenelle Gordon 15-21, 21-18, 15-7.

There were just three female pairs involved in the round-robin tournament so when Dyette and Davidson trounced Apphia Glasgow and La Teisha Joseph 21-14, 21-12 they were crowned champs. What made this victory even more impressive was the fact that Glasgow and Joseph had clinched the first leg two weeks ago.

But the youngsters definitely started this one on the backfoot as they were also beaten (22-20, 21-15) by Gordon and Philip. The same three pairs entered the tournament the day after and the order of finish was unchanged. Dyette and Davidson were 21-15, 23-21 winners over Philip and Gordon and then took the title with with a commanding 21-11, 21-14 triumph over Glasgow and Joseph, who also lost (21-13, 13-21, 21-6) against Gordon and Philip.

Dyette and Nancy Joseph first combined in October 2012 and made an immediate impact when they just missed the podium with a fourth-placed effort in the Trinidad leg the NORCECA (North, Central America and the Caribbean) Beach Volleyball Tour.

In addition to competing in six of the ten NORCECA tournaments last year, the top-ranked duo also played unbeaten in nine local events, but left the best for last as they reached the quarterfinals of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mexico in late November.

It was the second straight CAC Games for Dyette and also the second for Joseph, who made her debut at this level in 2006 and was heavily favoured to make the team four years later, — with Philip — but was forced out of the qualifying series with a knee injury which eventually required surgery.

Joseph, the only beach volleyball nominee for Sportswoman of the Year, and Dyette did return together in the first leg of this year’s TTVF series, and although they were not at this best they did win two of the five tournaments and were narrowly edged by Glasgow and La Teisha Joseph for the top spot.

Both pairs earned the right to play in the first of three legs of Caribbean qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games in Brazil. but as a result of Nancy Joseph’s withdrawal, the third-placed team of Philip and Gordon will accompany La Teisha Joseph and Glasgow to Jamaica late next month.

The second leg of the TTVF series will continue on Saturday and Sunday and conclude next week Saturday. The triumphant male and female pairs will be selected to participate in the Pan American Games in Canada in July.

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Athlete welfare and preparation is a key priority of the ten or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024 vision (#10G24). In this respect, access to Housing Development Corporation (HDC) houses is an idea that can be advanced under an Elite Athlete Housing Assistance Programme. Representing T&T at the Olympic and World level is national duty and service. It is a declaration that should be meaningful with tangible measures put in place to support such a declaration.

HDC houses for national sportsmen and women with a priority on those who have represented T&T at Olympic and World level in both team and individual sports is in the opinion of the writer a powerful statement of intent that we are serious about supporting our athletes in their quest for excellence.

There are national athletes who have served this country with distinction for five years or more who need assistance to obtain HDC housing.

Just as there is a priority given to members of the national security service, it is proposed that a similar policy be implemented for national sports men and women who have given sustained and meritorious service.

Just as is done with the Elite Athlete Assistance Programme, the national sport organisations and the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) are well positioned to clarify, confirm and recommend those athletes in both team and individual sports that merit favourable consideration under the proposed Elite/High Performance Athlete Housing Assistance Programme.

My one caveat is that the criteria be transparent, fair and just and that it not be based on affiliation to any political party. Athletes, sportsmen and women, should not have to hold any particular party card or declared support.

Let me make it abundantly clear that having benefited from an expedited distribution, the recipient (athlete) must honour their mortgage obligations. At a much elevated level of achievement —an Olympic or World championship gold medal—the precedent has developed where a gift of appropriate housing may be given.

The idea of houses for national athletes, sportsmen and women is simple, athletes who dedicate years of their productive life to representing their country at Olympic and World level sport make tremendous sacrifices in respect of their careers, families, income etc.

Their choice to dedicate themselves to national duty and service through sport ostensibly place them at a significant social and economic disadvantage.

Currently, the burden is a de-motivating one for athletes who aspire to Olympic and World level.

Dedication to national duty and service through sport must no longer place our athletes at a disadvantage and compromise their constitutional and human right to the dignity of a roof over their heads.

Other issues impacting sport include:

• High crime and traffic. Both have made participating in sport and physical activity difficult. There is a pressing need to decentralize sport to the respective communities.

• There are national sport organisations dependent on funding from the Ministry of Sport and the Sport Company of T&T that haven't met their monthly salary obligation to their office staff.

• Those involved in sport are concerned about the future of this country and their family. The young people are concerned about well-paying jobs, first world infrastructural development which will ensure them and their families a high quality of life.

Young people involved in sports aren’t any different. They have the additional worry about their future in sport and the future of sport in the country. The indifference shown to the needs and concerns of sportsmen and women is a demeaning experience that brings into question the sincerity of utterances that sport is important.

Action matters more than talk.

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Marius Vizer is set to stay at the helm of SportAccord as he remains unchallenged for the Presidential position he currently occupies ahead of the elections next month.

The deadline for candidate nominations passed on Saturday (March 21) with no-one coming forward.

As a result, Vizer, who is also the President of the International Judo Federation, will be re-elected for a four-year term in office at the SportAccord General Assembly in Sochi on April 20 during the SportAccord Convention.

"I would like to thank the member international federations for their confidence and trust in me," he said.

"Come the General Assembly, I am looking forward to presenting the current status of projects that have been developed in the last two years and the plan for the next period.

"At the same time, all members of SportAccord can be sure that I will be dedicating time and energy to further uniting and empowering the international federation family as a top priority."

Vizer was elected as the new President of SportAccord for a two-year term during the SportAccord Convention in May 2013 St Petersburg.

He polled 52 votes to his only rival Bernard Lapasset's 37 to replace Hein Verbruggen, the controversial Dutchman who had served as SportAccord President since 2004.

Vizer's election marked a new era for the umbrella organisation for all Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations, as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.

Among the items on his agenda was a new united World Championships for all SportAccord's members to be held in the same country every four years - a concept he had hoped to launch as early as 2017.

He insisted, however, that he did not want his Championships to be a rival to the Olympics.

Vizer again highlighted the potential for "joint cross-sport projects" in a statement released today.

"The work and the power of the international sports federations must be recognised," he explained.

"Being united under the umbrella of SportAccord not only protects the world of sport from monopolies, but also empowers it with the possibility to share and add value, in terms of exposure and finance, with joint cross-sport projects."

Source

Marius Vizer is set to stay at the helm of SportAccord as he remains unchallenged for the Presidential position he currently occupies ahead of the elections next month.

The deadline for candidate nominations passed on Saturday (March 21) with no-one coming forward.

As a result, Vizer, who is also the President of the International Judo Federation, will be re-elected for a four-year term in office at the SportAccord General Assembly in Sochi on April 20 during the SportAccord Convention.

"I would like to thank the member international federations for their confidence and trust in me," he said.

"Come the General Assembly, I am looking forward to presenting the current status of projects that have been developed in the last two years and the plan for the next period.

"At the same time, all members of SportAccord can be sure that I will be dedicating time and energy to further uniting and empowering the international federation family as a top priority."

Vizer was elected as the new President of SportAccord for a two-year term during the SportAccord Convention in May 2013 St Petersburg.

Marius Vizer replaced Hein Verbruggen as SportAccord President in 2013 ©Getty Images


He polled 52 votes to his only rival Bernard Lapasset's 37 to replace Hein Verbruggen, the controversial Dutchman who had served as SportAccord President since 2004.

Vizer's election marked a new era for the umbrella organisation for all Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations, as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.

Among the items on his agenda was a new united World Championships for all SportAccord's members to be held in the same country every four years - a concept he had hoped to launch as early as 2017.

He insisted, however, that he did not want his Championships to be a rival to the Olympics.

Vizer again highlighted the potential for "joint cross-sport projects" in a statement released today.

"The work and the power of the international sports federations must be recognised," he explained.

"Being united under the umbrella of SportAccord not only protects the world of sport from monopolies, but also empowers it with the possibility to share and add value, in terms of exposure and finance, with joint cross-sport projects."

Jarrin Solomon opened his 2015 outdoor campaign in fine style at the Willie Williams Classic, in Arizona, USA, on Saturday. The Trinidad and Tobago athlete captured the men’s 400 metres title with a 46.07 seconds clocking.

Central Arizona College freshman Hezekiel Romeo threw 17.30 metres to finish fifth in the men’s shot put.

At the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Springtime meet, Ayanna Alexander produced a 13.57 metres effort in the women’s triple jump to strike gold. The impressive season opener earned Alexander fifth spot on the 2015 world outdoor performance list.

Kayelle Clarke was also in winners’ row, the New Mexico Junior College sprinter topping the women’s 200m field in 24.16 seconds. Another T&T athlete, South Plains College student Domonique Williams, clocked 24.50 to secure fourth spot. UTEP’s Aeisha McDavid finished seventh in the women’s javelin with a 36.41m throw and tenth overall in the 100m hurdles in 14.72 seconds.

At the Baldy Castillo Invitational, in Arizona, Jamol James won the men’s 100m dash in 10.47 seconds. The Arizona State University student also competed in the long jump, finishin­g third with a 7.44m leap—a new personal best.

At the McMurry War Hawk Classic, in Texas, Western Texas College athlete Marissa Gale emerged victorious in the women’s 400m in 56.66 seconds. Another T&T runner, Jessica James, clocked 56.91 to finish second.

In California, Theon Lewis was the class of the Hornet Invitational men’s 400m field, the College of the Sequoias freshman winning in 47.83 seconds. Another T&T/Sequoias athlete, Ohdel James finished sixth overall in 48.47. Academy of Art University freshman Asa Guevara was seventh fastest in 48.67. And in the men’s 100m dash, Sequoias sprinter Ashron Sobers was 19th overall in 10.94 seconds.

At the Wake Forest Open, in North Carolina, Emmanuel Stewart snatched silver in the men’s discus with a 53.41m throw. In the hammer throw, he produced a 47.52m effort to finish 10th.

At the Texas Christian University (TCU) Invitational, Baylor University senior Dannielle Davis was second in the women’s long jump with a 5.37m leap. She finished fifth in the 100m hurdles in a wind-assisted 14.40 second­s.

Abilene Christian University (ACU) sophomore Sterlen Paul returned a time of four minutes, 09.66 seconds for 15th spot overall in the men’s 1,500m. Aaron Leung Woo-Gabriel was 19th in the men’s 100m, the University of Texas at Arlington senior clocking 11.16. And Paul’s ACU teammate, Osei Alleyne-Forte was 24th in the men’s 200m in 23.38.

In Pennsylvania, Kiersten LaRoche bagged Philadelphia Classic women’s 200m bronze with a 25.81 seconds run. In the javelin, the Temple University student threw 32.65m to finish 16th.

At the Texas Southern University (TSU) Relays, Wiley College athletes, Quinn-Lee Ralph and Dan-Neil Telesford finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in the men’s 200m finals, clocking 21.70 seconds and 21.72.

Ralph was fourth fastest in the 100m preliminaries, getting to the line in 10.99. However, the meet was halted prematurely on Saturday due to inclement weather, and the championship race was not contested. In the men’s 400m, Wiley College’s Justin Maloney finished 10th overall in 49.40 seconds, while Telesford was 11th in 49.60.

At the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Ram Invite, University of Delaware junior Chelsi Campbell finished second in heat two and seventh overall in the women’s 400m in 58.04 seconds.

In Florida, Trishelle Leacock clocked a wind-aided 25.23 seconds for eighth spot overall in the Hurricane Invitational women’s 200m event. The University of Miami freshman was ninth in the 100m in 12.18.

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Football clubs which supply squad members for teams qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups can look forward to a share of a massively increased pot of $209 million (£140 million/€193 million) per tournament, FIFA disclosed in Zurich today.

The sum represents three times the $70 million (£47 million/€65 million) that was made available to employers of players at last summer's World Cup in Brazil and five times the $40 million (£27 million/€37 million) paid out for those involved in the 2010 competition in South Africa.

If the basic structure of the programme remains otherwise unchanged from prior years, the announcement suggests that clubs could obtain in the region of $8,400 a day for each of their players involved.

In 2014, 396 clubs affiliated to 57 national associations were allocated a share of the benefits - very similar to the 400 clubs from 55 national associations who got money in 2010.

Last year, Bayern Munich, the leading club in world champions Germany, ran out as much the biggest recipient, earning $1,734,367 (£1,160,013/€1,603,029), well over $400,000 (£268,000/€370,000) clear of Spanish giant Real Madrid in second place.

In 2018, the top earning club or clubs can now expect to receive in the region of $5 million (£3.5 million/€4.5 million) in total.

The big increase in club distributions was agreed as part of an extension of a collaboration agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) which has been signed by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, secretary general Jérôme Valcke and ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

European clubs, as employers of most of the world's leading players, will assuredly once again receive the biggest payouts.

FIFA said this agreement "includes provisions governing adherence to the international match calendar until 2018, and to the effect that the international match calendar for the following period (2019-2022) will be based on the same principles as the one currently applicable".

The decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in November and December to avoid the searing summer heat in Qatar will necessitate a substantial rejig of the traditional European club season.

FIFA said a working group would meet "in due course" to finalise the international match calendar for the 2019-2022 cycle.

Rummenigge said last month that leagues and clubs could not be expected to bear the costs for such rescheduling and that the clubs "expect to be compensated for the damage" that a break with tradition would cause.

A later meeting between Blatter and Rummenigge was reported to have led to a softening of the clubs' stance.

Clubs would be advised to scrutinise the fine print of eventual 2018 and 2022 undertakings: the application form for the 2014 payments committed prospective recipients to a number of undertakings, besides respecting the international match calendar.

These included: not to be a party to legal proceedings against FIFA as regards the governing body's regulations on the status and transfer of players and the FIFA statutes; to recognise the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as sole competent body to decide on disputes between the club and FIFA; not to be a member of any association or grouping involving clubs from more than one country (with the exception, for Europeans, of the ECA); and to use the payments "at least partly" for youth and development programmes.

According to Valcke, the $209 million figure is the same as the sum paid each four-year cycle to FIFA's 209 member associations under the governing body's basic Financial Assistance Programme.

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