Central FC picked up from where it left off last season as defender Andre Ettienne rewarded his new employers with a match-winning goal in a 1-0 win to dethrone three-time holders W Connection to lift the 2015/2016 season opener, Digicel Charity Shield at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Friday night.

The win handed Central, last season’s seven-title winners, their first ever Charity Shield after coming up short in the encounter against the same opponents last year, by the same 1-0 margin. It was also retribution for new Central FC coach Ross Russell, who was on the losing end as Defence Force coach, 2-0 and 4-2 in the 2012 and 2013 Charity Shield, respectively.

W Connection, who had two decent attempts in the opening moments, had an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the 24th minute after midfielder Jomal Williams was tripped in the Centr­al box by Kaydion Gabriel, forcing match referee Rodphin Harris to point to the spot, however defender and captain Alvin Jones struck over from the penalty spot, failing to trouble Central goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams,

Then Plaza, set free behind the defence by a classic Marvin Oliver pass, wasted his strike in the 34th minute with Archibald at his mercy as he fired straight at the W Connection and St Kitts/Nevis international before teammate Joseph rattled the upright from distance a minute later. Just before the interval, W Connection almost took the lead, but with Williams beaten, defender Kaydien Gabriel was on spot to make a goal line clearence.

On the resumption both teams struggled to gain the upper hand until Central FC took the lead in the 69th minute with what turned out to be the decisive item from an unlikely source. The 25-year-old Ettienne took time in settling himself before spanking a low strike from the top of a crowded 18-yard box to find Archibald’s bottom right corner following a right side corner swung in by substitute Jason Marcano.

Speaking after the match a delighted Russell said, “I feel honoured. I made it to the Charity Shield twice before and lost. Now I have won it over the same club that beat me twice. I am confident now to go forward and do my job. “I’ve adopted a winning team that won four major titles last season but lost this one. Now it’s good that the players came back this season to win it.”

Russell also made it into the history books of Central FC by kicking off his tenure with a title in his very first domestic match as coach of the “Couva Sharks” while becoming the only coach to avoid defeat in his first “Couva Clasico” against rival club W Connection – something previous Central FC coaches Graham Rix, Terry Fenwick and Zoran Vranes were unable to achieve. Fenwick and Vranes were present at the Couva venue and witnessed Russell’s win.

Central won four major titles (First Citizens Cup, Digicel Pro League, Caribbean Club Championship and Digicel Pro Bowl) and the Rawle Fletcher, Akeem Adams and Kevon Carter trophies for winning each round of the league and now their title ways have rolled over on the domestic front at the start of the 2015/2016 season.

With regards to his new signing Ettienne, Russell: “Since he arrived at the club he has been brilliant. He is a great striker of the ball and tonight he had a go at it and he scored. I am very happy for him. He got ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the match and it’s another good boost on his head. A new boy coming to the club and he is already winning stuff.”

Central and W Connection will refocus on the for their second leg matches of the 2015/2016 Concacaf Champions League before the start of the 2015/2016 Digicel Pro League later this month.

W Connection will tackle Saprissa of Costa Rica on Wednesday before wrapping up their Group A fixtures against Mexico’s Santos Laguna on September 22 while Central must host Guatemala’s Comunicaciones on Thursday then LA Galaxy of the USA September 23 to complete their Group D fixtures. All matches are hosted at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

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Botswana and the Bahamas have joined Canada and Scotland in expressing an interest in hosting the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, insidethegames has been told.

The two countries have been in contact with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) about the prospect of bringing the event to their respective countries, with both now set to hold Governmental talks to decide whether to officially enter the race.

Countries have until the end of September to express an interest before formal candidacies must be declared by the end of October.

insidethegames also understands the Canadian city being proposed as their candidate is Edmonton, who withdrew from the race for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, eventually awarded to sole bidder Durban.

A decision on the 2017 host is reportedly going to be made by the CGF at its Executive Board meeting set for January, although the official date and location is yet to be decided.

Botswana’s capital Gabarone recently hosted the African Youth Games, where around 2,000 athletes from 51 countries competed in 21 sports.

Bahamas meanwhile also has a history of staging major sporting competitions as capital city Nassau played host to the 2014 and 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays.

St Lucia, awarded the event in November 2011, decided they were not in a fit state to bring the Games to the Carribbean in two years’ time due to doubts over venues and financial concerns, particularly over the lack of a stadium to host athletics.

A fire had caused severe damage to a hospital in the south of the island, meaning the George Odlum Stadium in Vieux-Fort, which contained the country's only IAAF-accredited track, had been adapted into a temporary medical facility.

“On the back of a hugely successful Youth Games in Samoa we are in positive preliminary discussions with a number of members about hosting future editions of the Games,” CGF spokesperson said.

“Importantly, any aspiring host will need to undertake detailed engagement with respective partners and governments before confirming their intention.

“The formal call for bids for 2017 will commence shortly as agreed at last week's General Assembly.”

The news comes following the conclusion of the 2015 Games here, the success of which prompted newly-elected CGF President Louise Martin to claim that the event had "got everyone talking" about the Commonwealth Youth Games as a concept.

Around 900 athletes competed for 107 medals in nine sports at Samoa 2015, which has yielded positive reaction from participants and delegates alike, particularly due to the impressive set of venues which were used for the Games.

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National sporting organisations the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the National Association of Athletic Administrations (NAAA) have all congratulated newly-appointed Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith and are looking forward to working with him.
TTOC president Brian Lewis said the Minister will have to hit the ground running as there are a number of pressing issues in the in tray. “With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games less than a year away. There is no margin for error. The National Anti-Doping Organisation is still to be established. The Elite Athlete Assistance Programme requires attention,” Lewis outlined.
“Given the economic realities, important but hard decisions will have to be made. “The TTOC looks forward to meeting with the Minister to discuss Rio 2016 and 10 or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024 among other aspects in respect of Olympic sports in Trinidad and Tobago,” Lewis added.
Meanwhile, TTCB president Azim Bassarath has high expectations for Smith, saying that after a tumultuous five-year period at the Ministry of Sport-- under three different ministers-- his organisation is looking forward to working with the new appointee for the benefit of the cricket community and the nation at large.

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…wants mini-stadium for Caledonia

Former national coach and current technical director of Morvant Caledonia United Jamaal Shabazz says he is hopeful that things will improve for his community and club with the coming of the People’s National Movement into power.

Speaking on the eve of yet another Digicel T&T Pro League season as head of the Morvant/Laventille club coaching staff, Shabazz said, “The PNM knows that our mothers and fathers have been loyal to the party and while we are not asking for hand-outs, we need for them to remember who has stood with them, during the darkest days of the party.”

“If we get a mini stadium, a cultural facility, a top class library and even our own hospital and mall in Morvant we will be able to change our condition on our feet than instead of on our knees.”

“Is that really too much to ask of a party that has never lost this constituency?” Questioned Shabazz.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Shabazz has an ambition to ensure Morvant Caledonia United continue to be a factor for progress and development. “I live in Morvant, I went to school here and I stand for a united community; football by in its nature, is a factor that can bring the people together.”

“Once we get the necessary resources and the facilities, we are going to address this foolish gang violence in our community.

Because our players come from all parts of Morvant and Caledonia and I am not accepting any borderlines,” he ended.

With regards to the his club Shabazz stated that Caledonia will continue to play our part in the national and regional development of football.”

He added, “In the 36 years of our existence while I am proud of some of our achievements on the field.

I am more happy for the avenue we have been able to create for young people to develop themselves in a disciplined environment.”

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Expect a united Morvant and Caledonia this 2014/2015 T&T Digicel Pro League season as Caledonia AIA FC has rebranded itself to Morvant Caledonia United.

Formed in 1979 by a group of school boys from Morvant, Laventille and environs Caledonia AIA has emerged as one of the top clubs not only in T&T, but in the Caribbean region as well, being crowned Caribbean Football Union Club Championship winners in 2012 and representing the Caribbean at the Concacaf Champions League, both in 2012 and 2013. Now they have branded to Morvant Caledonia United, with a mission to strategically unify the community.

Speaking about the club’s rebranding, the founder and technical director Jamaal Shabazz explained that it’s five years now they’ve been discussing rebranding since Caledonia is a small part of the bigger entity which is Morvant.

The emergence of gang related activity, divisive politics and the like has rendered our community into sectors and borderlines.”

Over the years Caledonia has contributed towards the successful development of many notable players like: Russell

Latapy, Dennis Lawrence (both of whom are now practicing coaches), Stokely Mason, Shurland David, Densill Theobald, Conrad Smith and Radanfah Abu Bakr just to name a few.

In addition, the club has also been an avenue for Caribbean players to gain opportunities as well. With players like Charles Pollard, Walter Moore (Guyana), Kendal Velox, Wesley John (St. Vincent and The Grenadines), Franklyn Drayton, Franklyn Baptiste (Grenada), Titus Elva and Valencius Joseph ( St Lucia ) all passing through the “Caledonia” ranks.

While they have not won a National league or the T&T Pro a League title, Caledonia has won the  FA Trophy on three  occasions and several cup competitions in the Pro League including the First Citizens Cup, Digicel Pro Bowl and the Lucozade Shield.

However for Shabazz, the trophy that he covets the most is winning the most disciplined team title in 2011/12 Pro League season.

“Discipline and the way we carry ourselves on and off the pitch is so important to us at the club. We strive for order and discipline in an environment where mob rule, chaos and disorder stares us in the face.”

“I have been motivated by the likes of Desperadoes, Massy All Stars, Solo Harmonites and Malick Folk Performers as good organisations coming out of our communities.”

“I hate it when our players get a yellow or red card and I cannot see anything that will make me as a coach get ejected from a game. The example we set to our communities is what keeps us in the game and in the battle for the minds of our young people.” “That’s why that the Most Disciplined Trophy meant so much to us,” he added.

Shabazz has admitted however that it has been an uphill task over the years as often times the club has lost battles but he remains hopeful in the war.

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With the right sport policy, Tobago can consistently compete with larger countries on the world stage. That’s the view of Annette Knott, Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee. Knott was speaking during last week’s stakeholder consultation on the review of the Tobago Sport Policy, which took place from August 27-28 at the Lowlands Community Centre, Tobago.

The consultation, hosted by the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport, featured several key interest groups, including the Ministry of Sport, sporting organisations and personnel across the island. Knott said Tobago has shown tremendous athletic potential despite having a small population of 60,000.

The event atracted over five dozen participants from a large cross-section of sporting disciplines from the sister isle which include - the Paradise hockey Club, Tobago Hotel Association, Soren Bishop of SSFL,  FCB sports Foundation—Catherine Forde, Ainsly King of the YMCA, Brandon Gray—Leeward Golf Association, Tobago Netball League—Ruthlyn Antoine and Kieron McDougal of the Tobago Basketball Association.

Technical Director of the Division’s Department of Sport Justin Latapy-George called for a collaborative approach to take Tobago forward. “The consultation speaks to where we want to go, to have critical feedback from the stakeholders and to guide the process forward inclusive of implementation and periodic evaluation,” Latapy-George stated.

Tyrone J Marcus, the attoney for the Ministry of Sport and facilitator of the event acknowledged that the Sport policy needs to deal with the Tobago-specific issues, to ensure the desired development takes place.

Assistant Secretary with direct responsibility for Sports, Assemblyman Jomo Pitt during the consultation voiced that the “ideal pathway for Tobago athletes to perform at the national and international level has to be predictable and transparent. This leads to better accountability of both the local and national governing bodies.”  

The current draft of the policy includes four areas; development, community participation, facility management and the link between the Tobago Sport Policy and the National Sport Policy. Implementation of the policy is expected to begin next year.

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