Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Joseph's Mom Points Him To National Duty

New England midfield ace Shalrie Joseph has revealed that it was his mother that convinced him to make his first Grenada appearance in four years on Wednesday.

Grenada will take on the U.S. Virgin Islands in an early round World Cup qualifier, and then Joseph must hurry back to Boston to prepare for the MLS season opener against Houston on the weekend.

"My calf has been tight, but if I feel good enough to play, I want to play for my country," he told the Boston Globe. "The players and coaches expressed a desire for me to play and they really want me to come back."

"I talked to my mama about it and she said it was important to represent my country."

Friday, March 21, 2008

Howard Beach Doctor Gives The Gift Of Sight

by Jillian Abbott

NEW YORK, NY, Mar 20 (Queens Chronicle) - Most people go to Grenada for the sunsets, but too many locals miss out on this world famous sight because of preventable blindness.

When Howard Beach ophthalmologist Dr. Anthony Napolitano heard this, he decided he had to do something about it.

“I did 50 operations in four days,” he said of his early March trip to the Caribbean island. He recounted the story of a 10-year-old blind boy led into the surgery by his parents. The child had been born blind in one eye, and then developed a cataract in his good eye two years ago, due to trauma. “To see him come in like that, and then later running around the hospital happy and able to see, is very gratifying,” Napolitano said.

Grenada has a local optometrist, Elliot Mc Guire, but no surgeon. It has a world famous medical school, but students only study one year on the island and then take up assignments in the United States or England.

It also has a hospital, but the hospital isn’t connected to the university. This confusing situation means that too many Grenadians with simple, preventable eye conditions such as cataracts, fall through the gap and wind up blind.

A friend and colleague of Napolitano had recently been appointed associate dean of Clinical Studies, United States, at St. George’s Medical School, Grenada. He asked Napolitano on behalf of the school if he would be interested in visiting and helping out.

Napolitano jumped at the chance but realized that performing surgery would be impossible without the necessary equipment.

He contacted his friend and business colleague, Mark Woolsey, who is a surgical sales representative with Alcon Laboratories, one of the world’s largest suppliers of equipment for eye surgery and asked if Alcon would help.

“They were marvelous,” he said. “They donated $300,000 worth of equipment.” He explained that the company has a medical missions department, and this charitable arm will support anyone who can demonstrate the benefit of a project. “They donate the equipment, all you have to do is get it shipped.

Soon his Howard Beach office began to fill with boxes of lenses, drapes, gowns, blades and post- and pre-operative medications such as antibiotics and steroid eye drops.

St. George’s agreed to pay the cost of shipping the equipment, which was sufficient for 100 surgeries.

Napolitano was excited to have the chance to do this. “This is why you study medicine to begin with — to help people.” he said.

Most of the operations he performed were on cataracts. Cataracts are the clouding of the natural human lens of the eye over time. “They are the single greatest cause of preventable vision loss.”

Patients were chosen ahead of time based on vision loss. “When I realized the seriousness of the cases — some had vision of 20/400 — that’s legally blind here, I knew we would need special equipment.”

Another case that touched Napolitano was that of an 88-year-old woman, who had made her living weaving baskets for tourists. She had been unable to work for two years. He operated on her on Monday and by Friday she returned to the office with a basket she had weaved as a thank you gift.

“It’s on display on a shelf in my apartment. I can tell you, I hold it in very high regard,” he said.

Napolitano took a nurse, Nataliya Lyman, as an assistant, and turned the trip into a philanthropic family affair by bringing two young cousins, Patrick and Maria Tempera, along with their father, Dr. Patrick Tempera to help unpack and check the equipment and set up the operating theater.

Napolitano believes that giving back is important for everyone who can. “It’s invigorating and restoring. Here you have to work for money to survive, but being able to do something like this has a wonderful effect on the way you sleep at night.”

Asked if he’d go back he said, “In a heart beat. It was never so nice to be surgically, physically and emotionally exhausted. The people were so nice and appreciative.”

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Lawyer wants updated medical report

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada - The lawyer for a prisoner, whose medical records were requested by a High Court Judge, is disappointed that the authorities have breached the Judge’s order.

Ashley Bernadine said that the Judge was presented with an outdated medical record of his client.

The medical examination of the prisoner was requested after he appeared in Court this week and believed to be a Tuberculosis patient.

Click here to listen to MTV’s Ria Murray in this report.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Grenfin win Rodney Heights invitational

CASTRIES, St Lucia, Mar 19, CMC – Grenada’s Grenfin Swim Club emerged as winners of the 2008 Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre (RHAC) Invitational Club championships which ended in St. Lucia on Sunday.

Organisers of the event issued final results and points tallies which showed the Grenfin club amassing 1,524 points, with the hosts RHAC taking the runner-up spot with 1,212 points.

Pirates Swim Club, of Barbados, placed third out of the 13 competing clubs with 902 points.

Grenfin collected a total haul of 54 gold, 64 silver and 66 bronze medals compared with 68 gold, 38 silver and 27 bronze for RHAC.

Pirates finished with 40 gold, 30 silver, and 28 bronze medals.

IAAF chief Lamine Diack for CARIFTA Games in St Kitts

Vayama.com

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Mar 19, CMC – Organisers of the 2008 CARIFTA Games this weekend in St Kitts are preparing to welcome the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack.

By virtue of its standards, the CARIFTA Games is a world-class event and Diack will be a guest of the St Kitts and Nevis Amateur Athletic Association (SKNAAA).

Click here to read more

Click here for Grenada Team

Windies Players expected to play against Aussies

Vayama.com

ST JOHN’S, Antigua - President of the West Indies Cricket Board, the Honourable Dr. Julian Hunte, who attended the ICC Board meeting earlier this week, has clarified the situation regarding the relationship between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Full Member Countries.

The IPL has given these countries its commitment that all of the players contracted to play in the IPL will require clearance or “No Objection Certificates” (NOC) from their Boards to play in the IPL.

The BCCI, owners of the IPL, confirmed that policy at a meeting of the ICC on Sunday in Dubai. It was good news for the WICB since three senior West Indies players are contracted to play with the IPL.

This renewed IPL commitment now allows the WICB to ensure that the services of their IPL players are available during the first Two Test Matches against Australia.

CEO of the WICB, Dr. Donald Peters, has indicated that he will issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to Chanderpaul, Gayle and Sarwan to play in the IPL, but the NOC will be limited to the period between the Sri Lanka and Australia tours ensuring that the West Indies will be at full strength against the formidable Australian team.

Cricket Australia is allowing its contracted star players two weeks to play in the IPL before departing for the series with the West Indies. It is anticipated therefore, that the Australians will be fielding their strongest possible team and the West Indies intends to do the same.

Commenting on the situation, the West Indies CEO said, “Our best players have a responsibility to value their commitment to West Indies Cricket and the West Indian public ahead of any relationship they have with the IPL. We fully expect them to be ready to play against Australia in all Test and ODI matches.”

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Rogge pledged IOC's support

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge ended his visit to the Caribbean with a pledged of more support for regional National Olympic Committees.

Rogge led a an IOC delegation which also included President of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO) Mario Vasquez Rana.

The delegation visited Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

The visit coincided with the opening of the new headquarters of the Barbados Olympic Association.

Click here for Stories and Photos on visit to the Caribbean

WINDIES PLAYERS WILL BE UP TO CHALLENGE - DYSON

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - Head coach of the West Indies cricket team, John Dyson, has described the upcoming Digicel Cricket Series 2008 as "hugely important" and added that his players will be up to the challenge" of facing Sri Lanka.

Speaking after arriving in Guyana, ahead of the first Digicel Test Match, Dyson noted that the series (two Tests and three One-Day Internationals), should present the players with opportunities to showcase their skills and play together as a unit.

"These two Tests and three ODIs will be hugely important for us and I know we will be up to it. The guys enjoy playing at home and will be eager to win. We had a great start in South Africa and even though the results ultimately did not go in our favour, we showed that we can be very competitive, and if conditions and fitness are right, we can win," Dyson said.

"I think our guys have the ability to show they can handle the challenges and do the job. What we have to do now and at all times, is to continue with the momentum, and actually improve on it, and prove we can do well against a quality attack. There is a lot of talent here in the Caribbean that can be nurtured to provide us with the back-up we need."

The head coach added that he believed the West Indies had a solid batting line-up and the bowlers were all showing signs of improvement. He also noted that he was pleased with the form the players showed in the recent Carib Beer Series First-Class matches.

"I think it is definitely possible for us to start becoming a more consistent team. We can't say we're going to move from Number eight to Number one in the next 12 months, but we can definitely be more competitive with the teams that are around us," Dyson said.

"Sri Lanka is a very good team, so there will be challenges for our batsmen and there are challenges for our bowlers. But that is what cricket at this level is all about."

The first Digicel Test Match bowls off on Saturday at the National Stadium, Providence.

SCHEDULE

March 17-19: Sri Lanka vs Guyana Cricket Board President's XI - National Stadium, Providence

March 22-26: 1st Digicel Test - National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

March 29-31 Sri Lanka vs West Indies "A" Team - Shaw Park, Tobago

April 3-7: 2nd Digicel Test - Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad

April 10: 1st Digicel One-Day International - Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad

April 12: 2nd Digicel One-Day International - Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad

April 15: 3rd Digicel One-Day International - Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia (day/night)

Board agrees policy on Indian Premier League; 14-team format for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 agreed

The ICC Board met in Dubai on Monday and Tuesday. Among the issues discussed and decisions taken were the following:

Indian Premier League (IPL)

The ICC Board has agreed upon an official policy regarding the IPL. In general terms, it was agreed that the IPL was a good concept and although the introduction of privately owned franchises introduced risks to the game, it also provided possible benefits.

The Board stressed that the concept of nation-versus-nation cricket was the lifeblood of Members and this must always be given the highest possible priority. In order to maintain that position, the ICC Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed that the BCCI, as the owner of the IPL, would sign a standard-form contract with all of the ICC Members reflecting the following principles:

• Each ICC Member will have an unfettered right in its absolute discretion to lodge an objection to a player from its country playing in the IPL

• This objection can be lodged up to two years after that player’s retirement

• All such objections will be respected by the IPL and its various franchises and the player in question will not be selected to play

• Bilateral commitments of Members will take precedence over IPL fixtures

• IPL will introduce a code of conduct, an anti-corruption code and an anti-doping code that comply with ICC regulations

No request has been made by the IPL or BCCI to adjust the ICC Future Tours Programme to accommodate IPL matches. The ICC will monitor IPL’s progress over the next few years and work with the BCCI to ensure that it works in harmony with international cricket.

Zimbabwe

A detailed forensic report was produced by KPMG South Africa and KPMG Zimbabwe regarding the 2005-06 accounts of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

This report was considered by the ICC Audit Committee which reported to the ICC Board. In its review of the ICC Audit Committee report, the ICC Board accepted that the KPMG report had found no evidence of criminality and that no individuals had gained financially.

The Board noted, however, that the report highlighted serious financial irregularities. ZC reported to the ICC Board that it had taken substantial remedial action to correct these irregularities and would continue to do so.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 format

The ICC Board has decided upon a 14-team format for the next ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 which will be held in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The event will be held over a significantly shorter period than the previous one. The detailed format, venues and schedule will be finalised in due course.

The 10 Full Members qualify automatically for the event with the remaining four places going to the semi-finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which will take place in Dubai in 2009.

Technology

The ICC Board approved the trialing of the increased use of technology by umpires. The trial will involve a system whereby players can request that umpiring decisions be reviewed by the TV umpire. Subject to the consent of the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa, the trial will be conducted during the Test series between those two Members in England this year.

The ICC Cricket Committee will be charged with determining and finalising the playing conditions for the trial subject to the proviso that the method of review should incorporate the principle of consultation with, rather than referral to, the TV umpire.

Darrell Hair

The ICC Board resolved that Darrell Hair would remain on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and would be appointed to umpire matches involving Full Member teams. This position will be reviewed at the end of March 2009.

ICC Champions Trophy 2008

The Board discussed the details of this year’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. As it stands, the event will go ahead as planned from 11 to 28 September in three venues across the country, which will be finalised in due course. A full independent security assessment of the situation in Pakistan will be conducted in June.

Appointment of the next ICC CEO

As announced on Monday the ICC Board has selected South African Imtiaz Patel as its preferred candidate for the position of Chief Executive. Pending negotiations with Mr Patel it is hoped that he will take over from Malcolm Speed during the ICC’s annual conference at the end of June. Mr Speed has been ICC Chief Executive since 2001.

For more details on this refer to Monday’s media release or go to www.icc-cricket.com.

New ICC Director

The Board welcomed Arjuna Ranatunga to his first meeting as an ICC Director – Mr Ranatunga is the newly appointed chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket and before the meeting started he received his ICC Director’s tie from ICC President Ray Mali.

The ICC Board, which meets three times a year, is made up of the following Directors:

Ray Mali (Chairman) – ICC President

Malcolm Speed – ICC Chief Executive Officer

David Morgan – ICC President-Elect

Full Members

Creagh O’Connor – Australia

Major General Sina Ibn Jamali – Bangladesh

Giles Clarke – England

Sharad Pawar – ICC Vice-President, India (IS Bindra and Shashank Manohar attended parts of the meeting as alternates in the absence of Mr Pawar)

Sir John Anderson KBE – New Zealand

Dr Nasim Ashraf – Pakistan

Arjuna Ranatunga – Sri Lanka

Norman Arendse – South Africa

Dr Julian Hunte OBE – West Indies

Peter Chingoka – Zimbabwe

Associate Members

Samir Inamdar – Kenya

Stanley Perlman – Israel

HRH Tunku Imran – Malaysia

University sports to be broadcast to worldwide audience

BRUSSELS, March 18 (AIPS) - International university sporting competitions will now be broadcast live to the world thanks to a new deal with Russian television channel “SPORT”.

The university sport federation FISU's Secretary-General Eric Saintrond and the CEO of the All-Russian TV Channel ‘SPORT’, Mr. Vasily Kiknadze have signed a contract which will see the world of university sports broadcast to millions around the globe. The training ground of University sport is often the precursor to some of the greatest Olympic moments.

The agreement means that the channel will broadcast the next two Winter and Summer Universiades (2009 and 2011) not only in Russia and all other Russian speaking countries, but internationally via the satellite channel ‘Planeta Sport’.

A spokesman for FISU said the deal is an important one for the federation; one which confirms FISU’s important progress in the world of sports media.

Bidding closed for 2013 Universiades

Meanwhile, FISU has closed the bidding period for the 2013 Universiades.

The following cities have officially entered their candidature within the deadline: 2013 Summer Universiade - Gwangju, Korea - Kazan, Russian Federation - Vigo, Spain 2013 Winter Universiade - Maribor, Slovenia In the coming weeks between now and May 31, 2008 the FISU Evaluation Committees will travel to the candidate cities for inspection visits.

Spice Boyz fate still in limbo

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada - There are unconfirmed reports that the Grenada Football Association (GFA) is awaiting a decision about the availability of the National Stadium for a practice session for the World Cup squad preparing for next week’s clash against the United States Virgin Islands.

GFA officials last week confirmed comments by opposition senator Arley Gill that the national team is unable to prepare on the grounds of the National Stadium at Queen’s Park.

The Spice Boyz played to a 1-1 draw against Barbados in an international friendly at the Tanteen Recreation Ground on Saturday.

However, with a week before a Group 3 First Round single elimination game between Grenada and the USVI, there is no official word on whether the team will be allowed to hold a session on the ground before match-day.

There appears to be a dispute between the Ministry of Sports and the Stadium Authority over the use of the stadium and the GFA continues to wait for the green-light.

Attempts to reach officials of the GFA, the Ministry of Sports and the Stadium Authority on Tuesday proved futile but a source indicated that a cricket match involving a county team from the United Kingdom appears to be the contentious issue.

National team coach Norris ‘Bouza’ Wilson said that the team is yet to acclimatise to the stadium.

PROGRESS SLOW IN GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS, SAYS UN REPORT

NEW YORK, Mar 17 - A new publication by the United Nations health agency finds that the pace of global efforts to control the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic slowed slightly in 2006, as did progress in diagnosing people with the airborne infectious disease that is both preventable and curable.

Global Tuberculosis Control 2008, released Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO), reports there were 9.2 million new cases of TB in 2006, including 700,000 cases among people living with HIV, and 500,000 cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).

In addition, an estimated 1.5 million people died from TB in 2006, while another 200,000 people with HIV died from HIV-associated TB.

The 12th annual report, which contains data up to 2006 provided by 202 countries and territories, cites several reasons for the slowdown in progress, including that some successful programmes at the national level have not been able to maintain their efforts at the same pace in recent years. There has also been no increase in the detection of TB cases through national programmes in a number of African countries.

In addition, the public programmes did not take into account many patients that are being treated by private care providers, and by non-governmental (NGOs), faith-based and community organizations.

“We’ve entered a new era,” said Margaret Chan, who stressed the need to strengthen public programmes and to partners with other service providers to step up efforts to combat TB. “Enlisting these other providers, working in partnership with national programmes, will markedly increase diagnosis and treatment for people in need,” the WHO Director-General stated.

Threatening a further slowdown in progress is the fact that rates of MDR-TB, which takes longer to treat and requires more expensive drugs, are at an all-time high, according to WHO, which added that the response to this epidemic has been inadequate.

The deadly combination of TB and HIV, which is fuelling the TB epidemic in many parts of the world, especially Africa, is also posing a threat to global anti-TB efforts. “Clear progress has been made but we must all do more to make a joint approach to reducing TB deaths among people with HIV a reality,” said Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Ahead of World TB Day, observed annually on March 24, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Stop TB, has called for enhanced leadership to address TB and HIV, which is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS.

“Several countries have shown that targets relating to TB/HIV are achievable and have put in place measures that will have an impact on the lives of those at most risk. But this is a restless battle. We still need to do much more and much better,” stated Dr. Jorge Sampaio, former President of Portugal.

The shortage in funding is another factor. Although there has been an increase in resources, particularly from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, TB budgets are not expected to rise this year in nearly all of the most heavily-affected countries, says WHO.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Coach Wilson is encouraged

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Coach of Grenada’s World Cup Football Team, Norris Wilson is encouraged by the performance of his team ahead of its opening qualifier against the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) on March 26.

Wilson, speaking on Sunday Sports with Harold Pysadee from New York, said that despite the 1-1 draw against Barbados in an International friendly at the Tanteen Recreation Ground on Saturday, the national team is improving.

“The team performance wasn’t as a good as previous games but it was a competitive game and Grenada should have come out with a better score line,” he said.

“Our bench was very weak and Barbados capitalised on that,” Wilson added.

However, Wilson who coaches Hurricane FC in the local Premier League, is expecting a strengthen team with the addition of key players including Shalrie Joseph, Jason Roberts and Anthony Modeste who is expected to captain the team.

The coach has acknowledged little knowledge of his opponent, USVI but expects a competitive match-up when both teams clash.

However, Wilson has expressed disappointment with the level of promotion for the upcoming World Cup game but was encouraged with the public support for Saturday’s friendly against Barbados.

Grenada plays the USVI in a single elimination match-up at the National Stadium (Cricket) in St. George’s on Wednesday March 26.

Click here to listen to national coach, Norris Wilson

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Bartholomew & Phillip win NCAA Medals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Trish Bartholomew and Joel Phillip finished with medals on the final day of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships here on Saturday.

Bartholomew of Alabama University was second in the women’s 400 metres with Phillip of Arizona State University also copping second place in the men’s 400 metres.

Bartholomew, formerly of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS), finished behind Krista Simkins of Miami (52.16) while Andretti Bain of Oral Roberts (46.19) won over Phillip.

» Media Info

Heat Sheets

Schedule of Events

Live Results

Full Results

Live Video

Photos

TV: ESPN2 Mar 20 4pm EDT

Kirani James Leads Grenada's CARIFTA Team

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – World Youth silver medalist Kirani James is leading a 18-member Grenada team for the Junior CARIFTA Games in St. Kitts, March 21-24.

The Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) announced the final team following the Inter-Collegiate Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium this week.

James is expected to lead Grenada’s charge at the Games where he defends his 400 metres title in the Boys’ Under-17 division.

The 15 year-old has already sent a message of his intention to break Jamaican Usain Bolt’s 400m Games’ record of 47.33 seconds. James ran 46.96 secs to finish second in last year’s 5th IAAF World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Other medal hopefuls are Shakir Simmons in the boys’ Under-20 Shot Put, who has improved this year, and is highly favoured to medal; and Wendell Modeste in the Heptathlon, who should keep the island’s rich tradition in this event alive.

Grenada has won the Heptathlon five times in the last seven years.

Both Emron Gibbs and Carron Isaac should regain Grenada’s dominance in the boys’ Under-17 Javelin.

In the girls’ division, medal hopes rest on the performances of Colleen Felix in the Pentathlon and Javelin events and Antonia Wilson in the 3000 metres.

Team officials believe the team could win a total of 15 medals, its best chances since 2002 when Grenada won 22 medals in the Bahamas.

The team, which leaves here on March 18 for Basseterre, will be accompanied by Denise Williams as manager and Albert Joseph and Kerlon Peters as coaches.

Click here for Full Team

Click here for CARIFTA Schedule

Friday, March 14, 2008

IOC President to Visit

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - A delegation of international sports administrators led by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mr. Jacques Rogge, will pay a one-day visit to Grenada on Sunday March 16th.

Mr. Rogge, who is on a swing through the Caribbean where he is expected to officially open the Headquarters of the Barbados Olympic Association, will arrive here on Sunday morning where he will be introduced to the executive of the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC).

The delegation, which also includes the President of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO), Mario Vazquez Rana, will also meet with Governor General Sir Daniel Williams and a special meeting with the Minister of Sports, Presidents and General Secretaries of National Sport Organisations, the Media and Sports Enthusiasts at the Grenada National Stadium.

The IOC’s President, who is visiting Grenada for the first time, is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell at a special luncheon in his honour at the Rex Grenadian Hotel shortly before his departure.

Mr. Rogge will be also be accompanied by his wife, Anne Rogge, and his Personal Assistant Ms. Yasmine Braeckevelt, among others.

Jacques Rogge is the eighth IOC President, elected on July 16, 2001 at the 112th IOC Session in Moscow.

Born on May 2, 1942 in Ghent, Belgium, Jacques Rogge is married and has two children. By profession, he is an orthopaedic surgeon. In the course of his sports career, he competed in the yachting competitions at the Games of the Olympiad in Mexico in 1968, Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976. He was also a member of the Belgian national rugby team.

Jacques Rogge served as President of the Belgian National Olympic Committee from 1989 to 1992. He became President of the European Olympic Committees in 1989, IOC member in 1991 and Executive Board member in 1998.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

SAASS Dethrones MDC, SDCSS Wins Again

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) regained the boys’ title while St. David’s Catholic Secondary School (SDCSS) retained the girls’ division of the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Track and Field Championships for a 10th consecutive year on Thursday at the National Stadium.

SAASS, led by a strong field-event effort, scored 148 points, 35 more than former champions, McDonald College. The Telescope-based school also took three of the four divisional titles to spread their domination.

But it was easier for SDCSS to retain the girls’ championship with 116 points. St. Joseph’s Convent St. Andrew’s (73) and SAASS (64) were the only schools putting up a challenge.

Six records including two by World Junior 400 metres silver medalist, Kirani James and Rondel Bartholomew were broken during the two-day event.

James of the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School broke the Junior boys’ 200 and 400m while Shakir Simmon of SAASS (Senior boys’ Shot Put), Rondel Bartholomew of SAASS (Senior boys’ 200 and 400m), Kellon Alexis of Westerhall Secondary School (Junior boys’ Shot Put), Jayon Creedland of Westerhall Secondary School (Junior boys’ Shot Put), and McDonald College (Boys’ 4x400m Relay).

Click here for Full Results

Click here for Team Scores

Click here for Records

Click here for Individual Scores

Click here for Divisional Scores

Click here for Photos

Senator amazed Grenada football team not able to use stadium

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - National Democratic Congress Senator, Arley Gill, says it's incomprehensible that with an important World Cup Qualifier scheduled for Grenada this month, the national football team is not able to prepare on the grounds of the National Stadium at Queen's Park, according to the party’s web site.

In a Group 3 First Round Qualifying Game, Grenada will play the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Stadium on March 26. But, as part of its warm up for the U.S. V.I. encounter, the Grenada football team will not be able to use the Stadium to play Barbados in a friendly this Saturday, March 15.

The web site quoted Senator Gill as saying that one reason the footballers are unable to play Barbados at the Stadium is due to the "alarming costs for the football association and other sporting organizations to use the Grenada National Stadium.''

He added: "We now need to ask ourselves whether the National Stadium stands as an ornament and awaits international cricket games once or twice a year, rather than being used by our sportsmen and sportswomen.''

Gill, a lawyer, also wonders at the silence and lack of effort on the part of the Sports Minister in assisting the Grenada Football Association in getting to utilize the Stadium.

"We are amazed that the Minister of Sports has not step in as yet to ensure that the National Stadium is accessible to the Grenada Football Association as it prepares for the World Cup Qualifiers,'' said Gill.

"We believe that if we are to get good home advantage, then it is only fair and proper for the players of the football team to play on the National Stadium surface before they meet the Virgin Islands.'

Grenada will be playing its warm up game against Barbados at the Tanteen Recreation Ground.

The Opposition Senator says Tanteen has its own problems.

"The Tanteen Recreation Ground, since the passage of Hurricane Ivan, has been woefully inadequate to host proper sporting events due to the lack of facilities, such as toilet facilities and other facilities for patrons,'' Gill said. "For years we have campaigned with regards to the improvement of the facilities at Tanteen Ground.''

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Baby Boy From Grenada Comes To Jax For Life-Saving Surgery

by News4Jax.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 3-month-old boy and his family recently flew from Grenada to Jacksonville's Wolfson Children's Hospital for a critical surgery to correct the boy's severe heart defect.

"I come to do a heart surgery for my son. As far I know, the doctors say everything is going fine," said Andrew Harris' mother, Antoinette Harris.

She sat anxiously, waiting for her son to get out of open-heart surgery. Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Robert Dabal and a team of doctors and nurses were the miracle workers responsible for saving Andrew's life.

"We're going to close the hole that he has in his heart, and that's going to be a rather straight-forward part of the operation," Dabal said.

Andrew's blue appearance caused by a lack of oxygen immediately tipped off his mother about her son's condition.

"I know he had a problem," Harris said.

"He's not getting enough oxygen, so eventually it would damage his brain and all of his vital organs would be damaged by the lack of oxygen," Dabal explained.

The family's trip to the U.S. was made possible by a nonprofit organization called Patrons of the Hearts.

The mission to save the boy's life was a success.

"We were so glad that Grenada had the foundation and that America had this program for us," Harris said.

It is expected to take about a week or so for Andrew to recover at the hospital. After that, the boy will stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

Doctors said they expect Andrew to live a full, normal and active life.

SDCSS & SAASS take first day honours

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, March 12 – St. David’s Catholic Secondary School (SDCSS) is on course to win their 10th consecutive Inter-Secondary School Track and Field Championships.

SDCSS ended the first day of competition on 65 points to lead the female division while former champions the St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) leads the male division with 76.66 points.

Both schools fared well at the Cable & Wireless National Championships two weekends ago and set the tone for an exciting finish to the school championships on Thursday.

Individually, Kirani James of the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS) was ablaze over the 200 metres in the junior division with a record-breaking performance. He won that event in 20.60 seconds to better his 21.34 seconds posted last year.

Also erasing records were Rondel Bartholomew of McDonald College in the 400 metres senior boys in 47.70 seconds and Shakir Simmons of SAASS in the senior boys shot put with a distance of 16.02 metres.

Click here for Results

Click here for Team Scores

THREATS TO WI CRICKET ON THE AGENDA - WICB President Attends ICC Board Meeting

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - With three of the top West Indies players involved in the Indian Board’s International Premier League (IPL) which takes place during the Sri Lanka – Australia Tours of the Caribbean, what is the impact of the IPL on the future of West Indies Cricket?

This and other key issues including the use of technology to review umpires’ decisions and the “Bucknor” matter are on the agenda of the next ICC Executive Board Meeting which takes place in Dubai on March 16 – 18, 2008.

The President of the West Indies Cricket Board, the Honourable Dr. Julian R. Hunte, who leaves on Thursday, March 13, 2008 for the meeting, said, “We are deeply concerned about the future impact of leagues like the IPL on our cricket particularly when their seasons are in direct competition with our tours or our domestic season. We and New Zealand will be the big losers. Already it is clear that three of our players will have to choose between representing teams in the IPL or representing their region. Given the amount of money at stake, it already seems to be a foregone conclusion. We also have the ICL and again the dilemma faced by our players. We just had an example of a player who would have been selected for the WI team but who went to the ICL.”

At the most recent meeting of Chief Executive Officers of ICC Member Countries, the CEO of the WICB, Dr. Donald Peters raised the question of a window for the IPL and a similar window for Stanford 20/20 with which the WICB is negotiating a license for the Regional 20/20 event. Dr. Peters commented, “The IPL is the second biggest threat facing West Indies. There is an even bigger one. There is a move to limit the first tier of Test Playing countries to the top seven which will then leave the West Indies with only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to play.”

Commenting on this attempt to marginalise West Indies Cricket, Dr. Hunte said, “The WICB will never allow this to happen. In most of the cricket playing countries of the world, we are the team they like most after their national team. However, we have to use this as motivation to get back to the top of world cricket. Our players must be mindful of this when they go out to play since if our standing in world cricket does not improve we might find our options and opportunities severely limited.”

Dr. Hunte also spoke of the “Bucknor” matter. He explained, “When Steve Bucknor, our premier regional umpire, was removed and replaced during the IndiaAustralia series, I wrote to the ICC asking for information, essentially the reasons why the ICC acted as it did. I said at the time that the ICC was setting a dangerous precedent but that before we took a decision on the matter we needed to know more. So far, I have not received the information I sought and I consider this an insult to the WICB which is a full-member of the ICC.”

The ICC meeting will also look at the use of technology to review the decisions of umpires and how that will operate. The WICB fully supports any innovations in the game that will ensure fairness and improved decision-making.

Kirani, Wendell & Marty Take Top Honours at Nat Champs

by Michael Bascombe

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Kirani James, Wendell Modeste and Marty Phillip starred at the just concluded Cable & Wireless National Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium.

James, the IAAF World Youth 400-metre silver medalist, powered his way to record-breaking performances in both the 400m and 200m.

It was a good start for the 15 year-old who is expected to be the main contender for the quarter-mile at the Junior CARIFTA Games in Basseterre over the Easter weekend.

James, of Speed Zone, won the 400m in 47.10 seconds, to better Rodney George’s previous mark of 51.10 secs set in 2001.

He also sped to victory over the 200m in 21.00 secs to erase the 10 year-old record of 22.10 secs held by Sean Lambert.

But Modeste of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) also put himself in the spotlight with an “iron-man” performance by winning the combined seven-event Heptathlon with 4164 points and then added victories in the long jump, triple jump and high jump events.

But the surprised package came from Marty Phillip, formerly of St. Mark’s Secondary School.

Phillip, who is a triple Junior CARIFTA Games’ medalist, won the women’s 100m (11.80secs), the 400m (57.30secs) and was the runner-up in the 200m (24.70secs).

Phillip, who runs for Speed Zone, had abandoned the track after winning CARIFTA Games medals in the hurdles in Barbados in 2001 and in the Bahamas in 2002.

But her performance at the National Stadium last weekend is an indication that “Marty is Back with a Bang”.

Ten records were broken and one equaled at the two-day event with St. David’s Track Blazers taking the team championship with 188 points, followed by SAASS with 169 points and Speed Zone with 140 points.

Click here for full results. Records are highlighted in Red.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Bruce Swan wins 100m at National Champs

In this amateur video submitted by Lester Smith, veteran sprinter Bruce Swan wins the 100m comfortably in 10.4 seconds (hand timed) at the National Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium on Sunday March 2, 2008.

Port of Spain geared up for 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualifier

PORT-OF-SPAIN, T&T, March 10, 2008 - Trinidad and Tobago turned on a warm welcome on Monday to the athletes and officials who have arrived on the eve of the 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament in the capital Port of Spain.

A total of 163 boxers from more than 25 countries are expected to participate in what is the fifth of 10 AIBA Olympic qualifying events and the first on the Americas continent. The second and final Americas qualifying tournament will be held in Guatemala from April 24-29.

After missing the opening Olympic qualification event - the AIBA World Championships Chicago 2007 - boxing heavyweights Cuba have sent a full line-up of 11 boxers to Trinidad and Tobago. Brazil and Ecuador are expected to be the only other two nations to also boast a full complement of boxers.

The 60kg division looks to be the toughest of the 11 different classes with 2005 world champion and 2007 Pan American Games winner Hernandez Yordanis Ugas (CUB) expected to face 2007 Pan Am Games silver and bronze medallists Everton Lopez (BRA) and Jose Pedraza (PUR) respectively.

The full list of competitors will not be confirmed until the official weigh-in and draw takes place on Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m.The opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. while the opening bouts will start at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

A total of 23 Olympic vacancies are on offer at this tournament followed by a further 23 in Guatemala.

Total Olympic Qualification vacancies for the Americas (46)

Weight in kg

1st Qualifying Tournament

2nd Qualifying Tournament

Light Flyweight Up to 48kg

Gold, Silver

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Flyweight Over 48 to 51kg

Gold, Silver

Gold, Silver

Bantamweight Over 51 to 54kg

Gold, Silver

Featherweight Over 54 to 57kg

Gold, Silver,

Gold, Silver

Lightweight Over 57 to 60kg

Gold, Silver

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Light Welterweight Over 60 to 64kg

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Welterweight Over 64 to 69kg

Gold, Silver

Gold, Silver

Middleweight Over 69 to 75kg

Gold, Silver

Gold, Silve

Light Heavyweight Over 75 to 81kg

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Heavyweight Over 81 to 91kg

Gold, Silver

Gold

Super Heavyweight +91kg

Gold

Gold, Silver

Total

23 Places

23 Places