Santa Rosa Park website(Blog)

From time to time I get information sent to me via e-mail. I received this below e-mail from an unknown source which I thought I would share with you. Rest assured that I will investigate the allegations made.

 

I would like to start by inviting the whole racing community to write that same ARC website(Blog) by logging onto www.santarosapark.com , scroll to the bottom and check out their feedback BLOG ans try to post a message on how racing can be improved. Check later again to see if you message was posted on their website or if it was “administratively deleted”.

 

Then please tell me via e-mail what your experience was…

 

 I will do so myself as well.

 

Andre Baptiste

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From: contribute all [mailto:contributeall@gmail.com]
Sent: Sat 12/20/2008 12:20 PM
To: webmaster@andrebaptiste.com
Subject: Santa Rosa Park website(Blog)

I don't know whether you have ever tried posting constuctive criticism on that site with respect to horse racing in Trinidad.

We understand that the son of the  ARC president is now acting as the administrator of this site and is systematically deleting any contribution that suggests improvement to the racing industry.

.This site was the brainchild of the last CEO Andre Cornelis and was being administered by the racing secretary and his assistant then.

Doesn't seem fright what is happening now.Shivam Maharaj does as he please with the ,deletes whatever he feels like,whenever he feels like.There is no apparent privacy policy as they keep making accusations as to the identity of contributors to the site.This needs to be addressed and brought to the attention of the entire racing fraternity and maybe the public in general.Can you help us?

Would be appreciated.

 

Stanford 20/20 announces review of cricket programme

Stanford 20/20 announces review of cricket programme

 

COOLIDGE, ANTIGUA, DECEMBER 17, 2008 – Stanford 20/20 LLC announces that, as is appropriate, a full review of the 2008 Stanford 20/20 cricket programme is being undertaken in light of the well publicised contractual issues with the West Indies Cricket Board which arose prior to the start of the Stanford Super Series.

 

The Stanford 20/20 Board was dissolved on Monday December 15^th  pending the review and Sir Allen Stanford personally thanked each of the legends of West Indies cricket for their involvement, guidance and counsel over the past three years.  The Board has been integral to Stanford 20/20’s commitment to the development of West Indies cricket and the board members continue to play an important role in the review process.

 

“Stanford 20/20 and the efforts of its board have reinvigorated widespread interest in the game throughout the Caribbean and have enhanced the image of West Indies cricket globally. The board has been instrumental in developing a whole new fan base in the region,” said Sir Allen.

 

Contrary to some recent negative press speculation, in relation to Stanford’s broader involvement with cricket and specifically the future of the Stanford 20/20 for 20, the Quadrangular Tournament at Lords and the English Premier League, Sir Allen reaffirmed his desire to continue to work with the England and Wales Cricket Board and discussions are currently ongoing between Stanford 20/20 LLC and the ECB.

 

Sir Allen confirmed that it was his intention to announce the programme for 2009 and beyond by the end of January 2009.

 

The Fearless One meets Honourable Minister of Sport Mr. Hunt

James: Take the flak and move on

James: Take the flak and move on

Issued by Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media Officer, December 9,2008

Toronto FC Rookie Julius James is one of the “Warriors” accepting responsibility for the lackluster showing by Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Footballers at the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships in Jamaica.

James played the second match of Group A which T&T won 2-1 over Barbados last Friday. He was drafted into the team earlier this year and has been in the squad for the latter part of the 2010 World Cup qualifying semi final round.

While the debate continues over T&T’s dismal showing and its failure to go through to the semi-final stages as well as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, James, also one of the younger faces in the current team, no doubt wanted better in Jamaica.

“The experience came to an end in quick time and it’s a huge disappointment to be part of this team because we are the ones that didn’t go through to the next stage,” James told TTFF Media on Monday night prior to heading off  at 2am from Montego Bay to the Norman Manley Airport for an early morning flight to Toronto.

“I hope this can propel us to a higher level in terms of our play and hopefully this shame can make us more passionate and more forceful in terms of playing the game at this regional level and getting more respect from the other Caribbean teams. It looks like because we have the World Cup to look forward to, as players we kind of took these games for granted,” James added.

“The experience for me has been a learning one being under coach Maturana as his style is different. He does it the way he wants it and it as opened my eye to a different style of the game Being around some of the older guys has its pluses too because you tend to pick up little things that can help your game.

“As a group of individuals we needed to step it up and I think we could have played differently against Grenada because the way things happened in that game is the reason we are out of the tournament now. Whatever the problem was in that game should never have been and we need to take the flak and get on with it.”

James is heading into the second year of his three-year contract with Toronto FC in the MLS and says that his time there has brought about a huge difference to the way he sees the game… the way of being an outright professional.

“Playing in Toronto is a really a great experience even though I didn’t achieve some of my goals in my first season because I had problems with injuries at the start of it. As a rookie I needed to be playing more. But what the football at that level made me realize is that when you are injured or down, there  is always someone there to take your spot. I was forced to learn that the  right away You always need to be fit and on top of your game. The experiences there have been very enriching to me as a professional because the other players at my club are mostly seasoned pros who have played all over the world.

He mentioned Jamaican captain and Toronto FC teammate Tyrone Marshall as one of them who has had a massive influence on him since going to Toronto and thanked local coach Nigel Grosvenor for his advice before taking up his move to University of Connecticut.

“A lot of players rush into moving into College in the US especially when they hear about scholarships and I was one of them. But ‘Grovey’ advised me to wait until something better came up and fortunately I was able to end up at UCONN.”

“At Toronto Tyrone has had a very,very big effect on me. My playing and my mental strength has come a long way because of his positive mind. He’s a testament on how a professional footballer should live and play the game,” James said.

Nash happy in WI colours

Nash happy in West Indies colours

 

West Indies allrounder Brendan Nash is “totally enjoying” his time in the West Indies team and is also embracing Caribbean culture.

 

“My family has a very strong Jamaican heritage. I wanted to experience the culture as well as play cricket so I made the decision to return. My sister and myself had glimpses of it when we went there for holidays so I knew quite a bit of what to expect when I made the move to go there,” the soft-spoken 30-year-old said.

 

Nash was born in Perth after his father Paul – a former Jamaica Olympic swimmer – and mother Andrea moved to Western Australia. His older sister Candice was born in Jamaica. He grew up in Queensland and went on to represent the state team. While representing Queensland, Nash once served as emergency fielder for Australia in a Test match against West Indies.

 

“I went to watch the World Cup in 2007 and decided at that point that I would make a move to return to Jamaica. I moved around the middle of last year and since then I managed to work my way into the Jamaica team and now the West Indies side. I enjoy my cricket and I’m totally enjoying my time in the side and among a great bunch of team-mates.”

 

Nash was speaking on the eve of the first Test against New Zealand at the University Oval which bowls off on Thursday at noon (7 pm Eastern Caribbean Time/6 pm Jamaica Time).

 

As a boy growing up he was exposed to Jamaican culture and explained: “I love the culture. I love reggae music and I’m getting used to jerk chicken” but admitted, “the dancing side of things I’m still not that good.”

 

Nash played well for Jamaica and earned selection to the West Indies team for the tri-nation series against Canada and Bermuda in Toronto five months ago, where he made his One-Day International debut.

 

He said the hallmark of his game is his tenacity and willingness to work hard.

“I am a consistent player, I’m not a flashy type of player. You know what you are going to get with me. I am someone with a bit of experience, which I gained from playing in Australia as well as playing for Jamaica. I am primarily a batsman, so that is my strength. I can bowl a bit and I always like to make a contribution in the field. Whatever I can do to help I am willing to do,” he said.

 

Looking forward to the upcoming two-Test series, he noted: “I think it is going to be a very competitive series. Both captains have said that. Both teams are slightly new in terms of some of the players – they have a few and we have a few who have not played a Test yet like myself – so you could say it is pretty even at this stage.”

Chanderpaul gets ready

Chanderpaul wants to get better and better

 

West Indies star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is working overtime to get ready for the upcoming Test Series against New Zealand. The champion left-hander said he is looking to achieve his personal goals as well as overall team success. He is of the firm belief the Windies have the ability to win the series and move up the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rankings.

 

“I want to improve all the time. I try harder, I work harder and I try to eliminate any mistakes. I just try to get better. The aim is to improve my skills. You never know what will happen on the cricket field, but you know once you prepare properly you give yourself every chance to play well,” he said.

 

In September, the 34-year-old was named the ICC’s International Cricketer of the Year. He is the Number 1 batsman in the latest Test match rankings, published earlier this week.

 

“I have been playing for so long and I want to win. As much as I do well personally I want to win as a team as well. That would be good for everyone. We have an opportunity here to start winning some games and make some steps up the rankings.”

 

The West Indies will have their final training session on Thursday morning before they face Auckland in a warm-up match at the Eden Park Outer Oval from Friday to Sunday. The first Test will be at the University Oval in Dunedin (December 11-15) and the second Test at McLean Park, Napier (December 19-23)

 

“We have a young team, guys who have not experienced these kinds of conditions before. It comes back to how well we can get acclimatized to the conditions out here and get accustomed to the pitches. It is obvious, they all have talent, in the Caribbean we are full of talent but it is how well we can perform in each department,” Chanderpaul said.

 

“It depends on how well we play and I know we can play well. I know we are capable. Once we perform in all departments it would make for a very good Christmas.”

 

FIXTURES

Friday, Dec 5 to Sunday, Dec 7: vs Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Thursday, Dec 11 to Monday, Dec 15: 1^st Test at University Oval, Dunedin

Friday Dec 19 to Tuesday, Dec 23: 2^nd Test at McLean Park, Napier

Friday, Dec 26: 1^st T20 International at Eden Park, Auckland

Sunday, Dec 28: 2^nd T20 International at Seddon Park, Hamilton

Wednesday, Dec 31: 1^st ODI at Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown

Saturday, Jan 3: 2^nd ODI at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Wednesday, Jan 7: 3^rd ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday Jan 10: 4^th ODI at Eden Park, Auckland

Tuesday, Jan 13: 5^th ODI at McLean Park, Napier

 

SQUAD: Chris Gayle (Captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Vice Captain), Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh Jnr, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.

 

STAFF: Omar Khan (Team Manager), John Dyson (Head Coach), David Williams (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Steve Folkes (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Richard Berridge (Analyst), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist), Philip Spooner (Media Officer)

 

TTFF NEWS - T&T Seniors begin quest for ninth regional title

T&T Seniors begin quest for ninth regional title

Issued by Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media Officer in New Kingston, December 2,2008

Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Footballers will begin their hunt for a ninth regional title when they kick off the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships against Grenada at the National Stadium, Kingston from 5pm (6pm T&T time) on Wednesday.

The T&T team, under head coach Francisco Maturana, arrived in New Kingston on Monday afternoon and underwent a one-hour session at the St George’s College Ground where they are carded to train again on the eve of the opening match.

T&T, winners of the regional crown in 1989,1992, 1994-97, 1999 and 2001 while hosts Jamaica  won it in 1991, 1998 and 2005. Martinique, absent from this year’s finals won it in 1993 while Haiti which faces Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday are the defending champions after defeating T&T 2-1 in the 2007 Final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The Jamaicans, out of the 2010 World Cup race are keen on success in front of their home fans and head coach John Barnes wants nothing but success. Barnes made a late addition to his squad, bringing in Demar Phillips of Premiership club Stoke City. Phillips was instrumental in Jamaica’s 3-0 win over Canada last month.  They are eager to make up for their World Cup disappointment and have added several overseas-based players to their squad, including midfielders Andy Williams and Joe Public’s Wolry Wolfe as well as US-based  defender Tyrone Marshall, who arrived yesterday afternoon

But Grenada are not intent on making it easy for T&T nor Jamaica to advance to the semi-finals.

The Grenadines, who are ranked at 139 in the world, defeated the Reggae Boyz 2-1 in a friendly international in June. Their team will be at full strength for the tournament, with the addition of the of their overseas-based players, including their captain Anthony Modeste, midfielder, Shalrie Joseph of New England Revolution (USA) and Junior Rudolph Williams.
Modeste told reporters here that his team is going to put on a good show.

"We are very optimistic about our chances because we know the opponents ahead of us and we are coming here to play good football and we are going to take it one game at a time and hopefully we can qualify for the semi-finals," said Modeste.

"We are very confident going up against the Jamaicans because our last result against them was a good one. But Jamaica is a quality opponent, but hopefully we can transform the same game that we played in Grenada and get the result that we want here," Modeste added.

While their focus seems to be on the “Reggae Boyz”  first they must over some the “Soca Warriors.”

“We aren’t particular worried but we want to show the rest of the Caribbean that we are the powerhouse of the region and it begins from tomorrow against Grenada,” Clico San Juan Jabloteh striker Cornell Glen told TTFF Media on Tuesday.

“This tournament can decide the future for a lot of  players in the team and in a sense it’s good chance for us to improve as a team seeing that the final round of the World Cup qualifiers is right around the corner. But it’s also a tournament we want to go out and win.”

Glen said T&T would not underestimate its opponents.

“The good thing about this team is that it has a lot of young players who are hungry for success. We are not going to take any of these teams lightly and we intend to win every match,” Glen added.

Recalled T&T striker, Errol McFarlane, said he is looking forward for the challenge.

"I hope my inclusion in the team will a positive one," he told the Gleaner upon arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport.

"I hope to add more depth to this already talented bunch of players. This is an opportunity for me to impress the new coach because this is the first time I am playing with him," he said.
T&T captain Aurtis Whitley showed no signs of discomfort, taking full part  in Monday’s session. Toronto FC defender Julius James joined the team on Monday night and will have his first run out on Tuesday.

T&T 20-man squad

1. MARVIN PHILLP
2. JAN MICHAEL WILLIAMS
3. SEON POWER
4. CYD GRAY
5. MAKAN HISLOP
6. KARLON MURRAY
7, JULIUS JAMES
8. KEYENO THOMAS
9. AKLIE EDWARDS
10. AVERY JOHN
1I. AURTIS WHITLEY
12. CLYDE LEON
13. OSEI TALESFORD
14. KHALEEM HYLAND
15. ARNOLD DWARIKA
16. KEON DANIEL
17. ANTHONY WOLFE
18. ANDRE TOUSSAINT
19. CORNELL GLEN
20. ERROL MCFARLANE

West Indies in New Zealand

Gayle set for battle against New Zealand

 

West Indies Captain Chris Gayle is prepared for the big role he has to play in the upcoming Test Series against New Zealand. The powerful left-hander said that, looking at the opponents, he anticipates a keenly-contested series.

 

“The battle is going to be a very competitive one. New Zealand have some inexperienced batsmen who will be looking to prove a point. We have some new players who will be looking for opportunities to make a name on the international stage. I’m feeling confident. Whenever the first match comes we will be ready for the main assignment,” Gayle said.

“I have a big part to play as a senior player. I have been here before and I will be doing all I can to help the new players and also to make a big contribution to the team. The build-up has been good. I am hitting the ball very well. We have a match coming up against Auckland where we will look to use to get fully ready for the Test matches.”

 

The Windies continued their preparation on Tuesday with a three-hour net session in the morning and gym work-outs in the evening. They will have another full session in the nets on Wednesday.

They will face the Auckland team in an official First-Class match from Friday to Sunday at the Eden Park Outer Oval. The first Test will be at the University Oval in Dunedin and the second Test at McLean Park, Napier.

 

Gayle said he and other team-mates have been monitoring the New Zealand players in the recent series defeat against Australia.

 

“We have been looking at New Zealand in Australia. We watched the matches and also looked at clips to see what the New Zealand players are all about. Australia beat then, but they will be coming back here, on home soil, and will be looking to hit back at us. We will have to counter that. We have a good idea what will be required,” he said.

 

FIXTURES

Friday, Dec 5 to Sunday, Dec 7: vs Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Thursday, Dec 11 to Monday, Dec 15: 1^st Test at University Oval, Dunedin

Friday Dec 19 to Tuesday, Dec 23: 2^nd Test at McLean Park, Napier

Friday, Dec 26: 1^st T20 International at Eden Park, Auckland

Sunday, Dec 28: 2^nd T20 International at Seddon Park, Hamilton

Wednesday, Dec 31: 1^st ODI at Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown

Saturday, Jan 3: 2^nd ODI at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Wednesday, Jan 7: 3^rd ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday Jan 10: 4^th ODI at Eden Park, Auckland

Tuesday, Jan 13: 5^th ODI at McLean Park, Napier

 

SQUAD: Chris Gayle (Captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Vice Captain), Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh Jnr, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.

 

STAFF: Omar Khan (Team Manager), John Dyson (Head Coach), David Williams (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Steve Folkes (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Richard Berridge (Analyst), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist), Philip Spooner (Media Officer)