SPORTS By Curtis Morton

25th March 2010 ATHLETICS Joycelyn Liburd Primary Steals Charlestown’s joy It took an extended period of drought throughout the Caribbean for the Joycelyn Liburd Primary School to end their Championship drought at the Inter Primary schools championships held on Nevis yesterday. The former champions ended the five year reign of the Charlestown Primary School in the closest of finishes-defeating them By just two points. In front of what has been described as a record crowd for the event, the athletes were exceptional despite the dry; parch conditions and the sweltering heat. It was obvious that all of the schools had shown up at the event, fully prepared after weeks and weeks of intense training and they did not disappoint as the ‘never say die’ attitude prevailed throughout the day. The opening ceremony commenced about an hour behind its scheduled start time but was impressive and to the point. The march past was led By Cadets and the Charlestown Primary school with musical accompaniment By the Nevis Symphonic band. Among the dignitaries taking the official salute were the Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry, Patron of the event Gerard Browne (former Champion athlete at this level) and Chairman of chief sponsors Gulf Insurance, Mr. Gerard Inniss. The proceedings were ably chaired By Halstead ‘Sooty’ Byron and the invocation was done By Pastor Sandra Flemming. Among those delivering brief remarks were Principal Education Officer, Mrs. Lornette Connor, Premier Joseph Parry, Gulf Insurance Chairman, Mr. Gerard Inniss and NAAA Chief Lester Blackette. Special presentations were also made to Chairman Inniss and Patron of the day, Gerard Browne who officially declared the meet opened. The action was then concentrated on the track and what a day it was! At one point Charlestown Primary had a comfortable lead but as the meet progressed, it was obvious that the Joycelyn Liburd Primary was giving a strong challenge. Then the JLP was leading By a mere one point and then Charlestown surged back into the lead. As the meet headed to its climaxing phase, it was obvious that celebrations had already commenced within the Charlestown camp and then with the final two races of the day left, the announcement was made that the JLP was on 175 and Charleston Primary was on 170 after the 100 meter events. The folks from Gingerland were ecstatic. Frantic messages were being sent to the Charlestown athletes. The final two races in the the 4X400 meters for boys and girls would determine the eventual champions. As the athletes lined up for the final race of the day, the Gingerland camp knew according to Coach Kurvin Wallace that they just had to place high in order to win and that they did. This sparked off scenes of jubilation all over the Elquemedo Willet Park. A pink replica of a coffin was conspicuous among the sea of purple as the Gingerland athletes and their fans danced and waved to the strains of the DJ. Coach Kurvin Wallace was obviously drained but ecstatic. “We worked hard for this and we knew we could have done it”, he stated. As regards the future of his team, he stated that they would wind down with some celebrations but in the upcoming weeks, his athletes would be back in training for next year’s event. Carl Tuckett on TV Commentary sounded an ominous warning: “Elquemedo Willet and the Charlestown Primary will be back next year”. The final point standings were not available up to press time but the Joycelyn Liburd Primary School led the pack with 182 points with the Charlestown Primary in second on 180. The St.John’s Primary School won in the B division The huge crowd must be complimented for their good behaviour as they showed up in their various colours and costumes and the law enforcement officers must be congratulated for their hard work on the day. CRICKET Dillon Claxton Thanks all Youthful Nevisian Cricketer, Dillon Claxton is giving thanks and praise to God for his recovery thus far and is extending thanks to all and sundry who have assisted him during this critical time of his illness. Former West Indies Cricketer, Carl Tuckett indicated that Dillon truly made his day when he tugged at his sleeve while he was doing television Commentary during the 2010 Inter Primary sports meet on Wednesday March 24th. “Seeing him just made my day’, said Tuckett who would have been one of the Coaches for the youngster. Dillon recently returned to Nevis from Puerto Rico where he has been convalescing for the past six months due to a severe illness. He indicated that he would be on Nevis for another week and a half and then he would have to return to Puerto Rico for another six months of treatment. It is his understanding that after that final six months of treatment, he would be able to return to Nevis for his final recuperation phase. He thanked God for bringing him thus far and though just a frail replica of the lively young cricketer of a year ago, he still managed a smile as he indicated that he was happy to be back among family and friends, albeit for a short time. Asked if he would like to play Cricket again, his eyes lit up as he said: “Of course!” He however indicated that his Doctor has indicated that there will be definitely no cricket for him for the next four years. He however has pledged that he will be watching as much of his beloved sport on television and DVDS, as often as possible. It is a known fact that his recuperation thus far has been a financial strain on his family and any assistance provided By members of the general public towards his future care, would be highly appreciated. TRAINING STARTS FOR ICC WT20 MATCHES IN ST KITTS A dedicated pool of volunteers will undergo extensive training this weekend in preparation for ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010 – where once again volunteers are expected to be a shining example of Caribbean hospitality. Known this time around as the WT20 X-TRAS, volunteers from different walks of life will gather at Warner Park on Saturday to be trained as St. Kitts gets ready to stage first-round matches in the women’s tournament from May 5-10 In outlining the program, Volunteer Coordinator Shirley Adams indicated that presentations will be made on customer service, communication, attitude, assertiveness, rights, and responsibilities. These topics will be presented By a host of competent and highly skilled individuals such as Julie Charles and Creighton Pencheon. ICC WT20 WI 2010 Event Manager in St Kitts, Val Henry, will give an overview of the tournament while Steve Saunders – in charge of Cricket Operations – will update participants on the event format and WT20 cricket terminologies which volunteers may encounter from patrons. Event Branding and Sponsorship will be covered By Promotions and Corporate Services Officer, Clement Ogarro. Adams concluded ‘the session starts at 8.30am on Saturday 27th, March and all volunteers are asked to ensure that special attention is paid to the details of the training as it is imperative to know how to deal with spectators, players, and officials during the six day event.” She also appealed for individuals who are still interested in serving as X-TRAS to register with the ICC Venue Office located upstairs at Warner Park. Persons are needed to volunteer as ushers as well as to assist with ticketing, parking, media management, and meeting and greeting fans and VIPs. Registration will be done prior to Saturday’s training session. Persons are asked to call 869-466-8713 for further information. Nevis Triathlon Results (M) Olympic Overall 24th march 2010 ATHLETICS The Chatter is over-it’s action time Lights, camera-action! After months of preparation and weeks of chatter and unofficial banter, today is when the rubber meets the road. It’s the much anticipated Inter Primary sports meet on Nevis appropriately dubbed ‘the mini Olympics’. The action is set to commence at 12.00 noon sharp at the Elquemedo Willet Park and with the Nevis Island Administration yesterday making the welcome announcement of what has become the expected half holiday, the Elquemedo Willet Park is expected to be bursting at its seams By 3pm. The meet will be streamed live compliments o
f Caribbean Cable Communications and also brought live on local television and By at least three local radio stations: VON radio, Choice FM and WINN Fm. Main sponsors Gulf Insurance will have no less a person than their Chairman Mr. Inniss out of Trinidad viewing the meet for the first time and as was the case last year; has invested $35,000.00 towards the event this year. There is an air of anticipation. Will Charlestown Primary make another successful defense of their title and complete the unprecedented six peat-or will a brand new champion school be crowned today? Whatever the end results it is guaranteed that the spectators will be thrilled from start to finish. Lyn Jeffers host Sports meet The Lyn Jeffers Primary School created history on Monday 22nd March when they became the first school to host a Sports meet at the Ramsbury grounds or the unofficial Meritzer Williams Park. The meet was held under the patronage of Mrs. Nelcia Daniel and saw representation from two competing houses viz Green and Yellow. The school which caters for Pre schoolers, Primary school students, right up to Secondary students, featured many of the traditional races from the socks and shoes, fill the bucket, 1500 meters, 100, 200 and 400 meters but included at least one activity which is a definite novelty to Nevis in the Archery competition. There was much excitement and more than a little trepidation as the youthful Archers bent their bows and released their speeding arrows towards the target. Some of them were spot on, while others were way off course. At the end of the very competitive meet, the results proved that the athletes on both houses had all performed exceptionally well. Green emerged winners with 558 points and Yellow house was close behind on 553 points. Rams Primary School Track & Field Championship The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Information Technology, Telecommunications & Posts in partnership with Rams Group of Companies (Sponsor), The Ministry of Education and The SKNAAA Cordially invites one and all to witness the 2010 Rams Primary School Track & Field Championship to be held on Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th March, 2010 At the Silver Jubilee Athletics Stadium from 2.00p.m. Come see over 19 Primary Schools compete to dethrone the 2009 Winner St. Paul’s Primary Children under 12 accompanied By their parents free $5.00 Temporary Stands and grounds – Unaccompanied Children Under 12yrs $10.00 – Temporary Stands and grounds – Adults $20.00 – Kim Collins Pavilion – Adult/Child CRICKET Four Nevisians in Under 15 squad Four young Nevisian cricketers left the Vance Amory Int Airport yesterday afternoon, en route to Trinidad where they will join their other Leeward Island counterparts in representing the Leewards Islands under 15 team in this year’s West Indies under 15 tournament. The four cricketers, who were seen off By President of the Nevis Cricket Association Ronald Powell, are: Hakeem Harvey, Diamond Parris, Bervis Burke and Ronald Powell Jr. Local Cricket pundits are still astonished that Saeed Williams and Kezron Archibald who participated and performed creditably in the Barbados Invitational, which was played at the same time as the Leeward Islands under 15 tournament, were not included in the squad. The regional tournament is set to run over the period 29th March to April 6th in Trinidad. The Leewards team is set to play its first match versus the local home team on Monday 29th March commencing at 9.30 am. The full squad reads: Worrell Smith, Tristan Hanley, Shaka Sobers, Oliver Meade, A.J Abrams, Shawn Tuitt, Ronald Powell Jr, Carlos Powell, Bervis Burke, Diamond Parris, Avier Christian, Le-Tanio Ferdinand, Shane Venner, Hakeem Harvey Digicel Second Division Tournament delicately poised The Nevis Cricket Association has revealed the updated point standings in the Digicel sponsored second division cricket tournament presently ongoing. The point standings in both zones make interesting reading and except for a few of the teams which have demonstrated a lack of interest in even fielding a full team, the situation is wide open as they head into the next round of matches. The point standings after last weekend’s round of matches are: Zone/Team/Matches played/Wins/Losses/Rained out/Points A All stars 5 4 – 1 9 A South Warriors 6 3 2 1 7 A Calypso 4 2 1 1 5 A SDA JETS 4 2 1 1 5 A GSS 3 2 1 – 4 A Easterns 4 1 3 – 2 B Highlights 4 3 – 1 7 B Big Rock 4 3 – 1 7 B CSS 4 3 1 – 6 B Jessups 5 3 2 – 6 B Brown Hill 5 2 3 – 4 B Tuberose 5 – 4 1 1 B Four Seasons 5 – 4 1 1 Coaching Clinic Set for April 3rd Nevis’ Cricket Chief Ronald Powell has revealed that all is in place for the now annual Coaching Clinic hosted By his Association. The Clinic which was experimented with for the first time last year, proved to be a huge success as many of the former outstanding cricketers of Nevis, showed up to assist the current Nevis cricketers to enhance their basic skills. The Coaching clinic is set for Saturday April 3rd at the Elquemedo Willet Park and will be a virtual all day affair. This year, in addition to the former Nevis players who were invited last year, special invitees will include: Bertram Roach, Augustine Merchant and Earl ‘Jimmy Swing’ Parris. According to Powell most of the letters of invitation have already gone out to those concerned. He is appealing to all teams and clubs on Nevis to ensure that they send at least four players for each of five disciplines: Batting, wicketkeeping, fast bowling, leg spin and off spin. Each team or club would therefore be able to send up to twenty individuals: Four batsmen, four wicketkeepers, four off spinners, four leg spinners and four fast bowlers. A special invitation is also being extended to interested female cricketers who want to learn the basic skills of hard ball cricket. Shahid Afridi named Pakistan captain The Pakistan Cricket Board ended weeks of uncertainty, By appointing Shahid Afridi to lead the country’s campaign to defend the World Twenty20 title in the Caribbean from the end of next month. Afridi will once again take up the role he was given last year, after Younis Khan stepped away from the format, though he has for now only been handed the role for the duration of the tournament. “It’s a challenge for me and I accept it,” Afridi said. “We are going to the West Indies with only one aim and that is to defend our title.” The limit on the tenure appears to be a result of the disciplinary action Afridi has faced since he was found guilty of ball-tampering – biting the ball repeatedly – in an ODI in Perth where he was captain 23rd March 2010 ATHLETICS Nevis Crowns New Triathlon Champs Reggie Douglas has been officially dethroned and James Weekes has replaced him as the new National Triathlon Champion. In the female category, Miranda Fellows has achived the status of new National Female Triathlon champion. These positions were determined on Sunday 21st March as the annual Nevis Triathlon was held. The action commenced at Gallows Bay at around 1pm after a briefing done By Chief organizer Winston Crooke at the TDC car park where all of the athletes, foreign and local alike received their final orientation exercises and official marching orders. Some 87 athletes participated in the event with 24 in the Olympic category; 37 in the Sprint and 26 in the Tri-Tri. Quite a number of countries were represented and these included the USA, the UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, St.Maarten, and Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis and there was one athlete from Zimbabwe. There was also fair representation By the students at the Ross University in St.Kitts and the MUA in Nevis. Despite the best efforts of the local athletes, the athletes from Trinidad and Tobago were dominant on the day. After the competitors had completed the swim phase at Gallows bay, they ran to the TDC car park and mounted their bikes. They then biked to Cotton Ground to the clearly demarcated turn around point. On completion of the biking they were then required to run to as far as Four Seasons to yet another turn around point before completing the race. The overall results are: Sprint under 24 Males 1st Ramna
rine Chanderpaul-T&T 2nd Jonathan Paul-T&T Steven Keller-SKB Sprint-under 24 Females 1st Maria Gooding-USA 2nd Anna Hackenberg-USA 3rd Panthea Heydari Sprint-25-39 Males 1st Greg Pigeon 2nd Mark Theriault-USA 3rd Phil Smith-SKB Sprint 25-39 females 1st Alexandra Fox-USA 2nd Kristilec Stewart- SKB 3rd Sarah Petre Mayers-Nev Sprint 40-59 Males 1st Juan Pablo Piscione-SM 2nd Paul Drury-UK 3rd Richard Fields-USA Sprint 40-59 Females 1st Lindray Duffy-ANU 2. Heidi Ficher-USA 3rd Tracy Rig – By Nev Sprint over 60 Males 1st David Armentrout-Nev 2nd Gordon Avery-Nev Sprint over 60 Females Leslie Armentrout-Nev Sprint Relays 1st Team Lotto Olympic Relay 1st Team Nevis (young Assim along with Maria and Rhian) Overall Winners Males 1st Marcus Dodd -UK in a time of 2:10:55 2nd Aneil Greene -T&T 3rd Clarance Tobias-T&T 6th James Weekes-Nev 2:25:50 7th Reggie Douglas-Nev 2: 29:12 Females 1st Hannah Barnes- Scotland 2nd Miranda Fellows-Nev 3rd Laura Talaga-SKB James Weekes -New national Male champion Miranda Fellows-New national Female champion TriTri Juniour Females: 1st Sasha Lloyd-Nev 2nd Adjua Lloyd-Nev 3rd Damali Lawrence-Nev Juniour Males 1st Jose Garcia-PR 2nd Duryan Cozier-Nev Tri-Tri Relay Winner: Team Panda-(comprising of the Lawrence family: Robin, Adanda and Kie) Junior Bike/run 1st Akeem Nisbett 2nd Trifan Simmonds 3rd Prince Leader Tri Tri Females 1st Carrie Shirley-USA 2nd Jennifer Carter-SKB Hilary Francis -SKB Tri Tri Males 1st Paul Skiler 2nd Carlos Chapman-UK 3rd Duncan Peters FOOTBALL Schedule Set for Final four President of the Nevis Football club, Raybo Smith is convinced that the crowds will return to the Elquemedo Willet, as the final four Football season gets on the way, this coming Saturday-March 27th. This was revealed during a draw for the scheduled games By all four top teams, yesterday at the NTV studios. Representing the teams were: Sheldon ‘Dapper’ Lawrence-BA Slybo Stoney Grove Strikers Mario Parry-CCC Bath United Leroy ‘Jun-Jun’ Sweeney-Combined Schools and Delroy ‘Ras Iroy’ Pinney for the SL Horsfords Highlights Also present was Brian Dowe-Vice President and PRO to the Association. The schedule reads SATURDAY 27TH SLH HIGHLIGHTS INT’L. VS BA SSG STRIKERS 6PM CCC BATH UNITED VS COMBIME SCHOOL 8PM SUNDAY 28TH COMBINED SCHOOLS VS SLH HIGHLIGHTS INT’L. 6PM CCC BATH UNITED VS BA SSG STRIKERS 8PM TUESDAY 30TH BA SSG STRIKERS VS COMBINE SCHOOLS 7 PM APRIL 2010 THURSDAY 1ST CCC BATH UNITED VS SLH HIGHLIGHTS INT’L 7PM FINALS SATURDAY 2ND TWO (2) GAMES 6 & 8 PM SUNDAY 3TH TWO (2) GAMES 6 & 8 PM SATURDAY 10TH ONE (1) GAME IF NECESSARY 7 PM CRICKET WICB Under-15 Tournament details Match schedules and squads for the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under-15 Tournament to be played in Trinidad. All matches are 50-overs per side and start at 9.30 am (8.30 am Jamaica Time): Monday, March 29 Barbados vs Jamaica at Inshan Ali Park Windward Islands vs Guyana at Gilbert Park Leeward Islands vs Trinidad and Tobago at National Cricket Centre Tuesday, March 30 Windward Islands vs Trinidad and Tobago at Munroe Road Leeward Islands vs Barbados at Clarke Road Jamaica vs Guyana at Kennedy Park Thursday, April 1 Windward Islands vs Jamaica at Gilbert Park Guyana vs Leeward Islands at Inshan Ali Park Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados at National Cricket Centre Saturday, April 3 Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at Kennedy Park Barbados vs Guyana at Munroe Road Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica at Clarke Road Sunday, April 4 Jamaica vs Leeward Islands at Gilbert Park Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana at Inshan Ali Park Windward Islands vs Barbados at National Cricket Centre SQUADS Barbados: Dario Boyce, Jonathan Drakes, Craig Holder, Aaron Jones, Jerome Jones, Daniel Jordan, Neil Persaud, Shane Proverbs, Jameel Stuart, Shomario Taylor, Demar Roach, Jaffari Toppin, Tevin Walcott, Chad Williams Guyana: Shawn Perreira, Bryan Sattaur, Quacy McPherson, Romario DeJonge, Shalandra Shameer, Parmanand Narine, Ricardo Adams, Kamesh Yadran, Prince Roberts, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai, Dexter George, Hassan Mohammed, Devon Lord, Vishaal Narayan Jamaica: Aldane Thomas, Brandon King, Sadique Henry, Christopher Powell, Shawn Lodge, Tristan Coleman, Maquino Mindley, Devon Spencer, Kevon Williams, Roshane Manning, Keneil Anniford, Fabian Allen, Nicholas Hamilton, Tezwayne Creary Leeward Islands: Worrell Smith, Tristan Hanley, Shaka Sobers, Oliver Meade, A.J Abrams, Shawn Tuitt, Ronald Powell Jr, Carlos Powell, Bervis Burke, Diamond Parris, Avier Christian, Le-Tanio Ferdinand, Shane Venner, Hakeem Harvey Trinidad and Tobago: Vikash Mohan, Andy Gobin, Al Small, Jeremy Solozano, Brandon Ramdial, Brandon Ramdial, Nicolas Pooran, Aleem Khan, Jovan Ali, Brian Charles, Jesse Bootan, Justin Joseph, Brian Christmas, Varindra Jagroop, Jonathan Hirst Windward Islands: Larry Edward, Tarrych Gabriel, Curtney Louis, Vince Smith, Troy John, Otis Matthews, Ray Jordan, Preston McSween, Keone George, Kelton Cadoo, Gian Benjamin, Dylan Joseph, Briel Thomas, Aljai Liverpool