March 29 - April 4, 2014
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Sports National Josh for Sports
When will we ever learn? “Hard head birds don’t make good soup”
THE older I get the less I know. The double column that appeared in this newspaper last week alludes to the organisation/proficiency/ accomplishments of the Education and Sports departments under the guidance of Acting Sports Director of the TCI Ms. Judith Robinson. The praises were not extended to the incompetent, disarrayed TCAAA, for they were in no way responsible for the success of the championships. Forever, a year and a day, I’ve been appealing to the so-called executives of this body to step up to the plate, to become modernised and truly nationalistic. Until this happens, I shall not relent. The TCAAA need to do that which is right in the interest and for the benefit of our country, for it’s I who created this association and it was not for me, but for the benefit
By Joshua Gardiner
of the TCI. There have been times when I have written to the government to express my utter displeasure about their nationalistic abuse of their established constitution—which I wrote. UNCONSTITUTIONALLY It is time that things of national interest come to the head of this country. I’ve said in the past and now I’m emphatically reiterating that the
Ifeanyi Otuonye’s 4X400M relay team darted to their third win this season.
government should put its feet down before it is too late. The executive of the TCAAA is supposed to have included all past presidents. No decision can/should be made contrary to the constitutional charter accepted by the IAAF which governs the functional process of this body. I have the intestinal fortitude and am willing to file a writ of mandamus through the Supreme Court. This is no idle threat. Furthermore I shall, forthwith lobby for the suspension of our charter as a member of the IAAF. WHY NO CARIFTA TRIALS? It is impossible for a country to choose a national team without holding trials. By any other name, grave injustice has been perpetrated against the athletes of this country. It is impossible to choose a national team without at least three trials to select the squad. The National High Schools Track and Field Championships were
not designed as a CARIFTA trial. Furthermore, the athletes were not informed as such. Again, this practise is unheard of all over the world. The TCAAA are only destroying the athletes in this country by their unethical practices and can do nothing but harm to our nation.
GIVE CREDIT/MERIT WHERE IT IS DUE There are athletes who are not in school who can make our national CARIFTA team. Our first CARIFTA medallist Andre Taylor and Stanly Carter were not students but they still went to CARIFTA 1978. OTHER SHORTCOMING Furthermore there are no named jump coaches appointed to this team. Also there has not been a trainer or doctor appointed to the squad. Without vision the people perish. Finally the TCAAA represents itself as a national joke, laughing stock and disaster in the annals of national,
regional and international sports. I’m personally calling for their immediate resignation. Stop the madness or it will stop you. There are so much that I know and can expose, but easy does it. THE KIVARNO HANDFIELD SAGA Do you remember Kivarno Handfield? Last year, I acquired a $100,000 full scholarship for Kivarno to attend the University of Tennessee as a student athlete. There were those who sabotaged his scholarship by discouraging him. Eventually he ended up at Lincoln University in Missouri on a oneyear grant sponsored by the elected government. Kivarno is a B+ student and a potential world champion high jumper (time will tell). The TCAAA did not help him. Finally I’m calling on the TCAAA to all resign forthwith.
Flashback: Members of the St. Monica’s Anglican Church with their spoils after winning last season’s league.
Otuonye instrumental in Wildcats 2014 Church Co-ed Softball League: Defending champs open season with big win 4X400M outdoor opening win IFEANYI Otuonye has become an integral part of his Kansas State University Wildcats team. The national athlete who has made his mark in the long jump, the 400M, the triple jump and the high jump (mostly in his high school years), has become well respected relay runner. In the K-State Track and Field
outdoor season opener at the TCU Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas last week Otuonye was a part of a victorious 4X400M relay team. The TCI long jump record holder ran the third leg for the ‘A’ team—it was their third victory this season. The opening outdoor win happened in a time of 3:10.55.
ST. MONICA’S Anglican Church were without their beloved coach this year and they (and other teams) paid homage. After an opening prayer and moment of silence for Mr. Robbie Been, the defending champions continued right where they left off—victory over last season’s runner’s up Jericho
Baptist Church. The 2014 Provo Church Co-ed Slow Pitch Softball League which started last Thursday at the National Stadium is expected to run for a few months. In the opening game St. Monica’s Church won 13-4 with Marcus hitting a home run and two RBIs
while Damon scored three runs. In the second clash former champions Bethany Baptist defeated the Prophecy Church 12-9. On Monday last Methodist Church beat Paradise Church 14-9 while Abundant Life Ministries won their game by forfeit after their opponents failed to show.