TCIFA'S GENERAL SECRETARY, SONIA BIEN-AIME APPOINTED TO FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
Sonia Bien-Aime, The Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association's General Secretary has been appointed to the Organising Committee for the FIFA
Under 20 Women's World Cup by FIFA's President Joseph S. Blatter. This news follows on the heels of her most recent appointment to the Caribbean
Football Union Finance Task Force in December 2011, where she was charged with the preparation of Advice that would allow for continuity of the
Union, in addition to a more optimum means of functioning.
The Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, will be responsible for organizing the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, in compliance with the provisions of the regulations, applicable to this competition, the List of Requirements and the Organising Association Agreement.
Mrs. Bien-Amie said:'I am extremely honored and humbled to have been selected to serve on the Organizing Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. An appointment of this magnitude to serve on the world stage of football is incredible for me, the TCIFA and the Turks & Caicos Islands as a country. This is indeed a great opportunity for me; not only am I coming from one of the smaller countries of FIFA's members, but also being the first female from any Caribbean Football Association to serve on a FIFA Standing Committee.'
"This is indeed validation and recognition for my work and tireless contribution to the TCIFA and development of football in the Turks & Caicos. For this, I am truly grateful. It will be my privilege to serve with a distinguished panel that endeavors to make an incredible impact on Women's football. For me, there is no doubt that this appointment serves as a great start to the New Year and has sparked new energy within me, and an even greater love and appreciation for football: the worlds greatest sport, added the General Secretary.
Other members appointed to the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup include: Chairman - David Chung, Oceania Football Confederation President, Deputy Chairman Sen-es Er-zik, UEFA 1st Vice President and Honorary President Turkish FA, Bangladesh's Mah-fu-za Ak-ther. Members are Mozambiques Pal-mira Francisco, former USA national team player, April Hein-richs, Coach for South Africas Senior Women's National Team, Fran Hilton-Smith, New Zealands Shelley Mc-Meek-en, Italy's Marina Sbar-della, Colombia's Celina Sierra, Germany's head of womens soccer, Hei-ke Ull-rich, China PR, Xue Li. Advisors to the
committee are former Japanese football player, Kozo Ta-shi-ma and Canada's IOC Member, Walter Sie-ber.
American Howard appointed CONCACAF's acting general secretary
American Ted Howard will act in the post of general secretary of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF).
CONCACAF announced yesterday that Howard was officially named acting general secretary to replace compatriot Chuck Blazer in the position.
Blazer, who blew the lid off the cash-for-votes scandal that bedevilled the game in the Caribbean in the second half of last year, announced last October that he would be stepping down from the position at the end of last year.
Howard has been CONCACAF deputy general secretary over the last 13 years. He served as director and group manager of NBA Marketing from 1988 until joining CONCACAF a decade later.
He was also executive director of the North American Soccer League from 1971 until it folded in 1984.
Howard's appointment maintained the strong American influence at its corporate offices and his primary challenge will be to restore the image that was tarnished from the fallout of the cash-for-votes scandal.
CONCACAF still has to appoint a full-time president to replace Trinidad & Tobago's Austin 'Jack' Warner, since Honduran Alfredo Hawit is currently doing the job on an interim basis.
Warner resigned from the post at the height of the bribery scandal after he facilitated a meeting in Port of Spain last May at which Mohamed Bin Hammam was alleged to have offered US$1 million to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials in exchange for votes in last June's FIFA presidential candidate election.
Warner resigned all of his posts in the game, including CFU President and FIFA vice-president, and FIFA dropped their investigation into his part in the scandal on the condition that he stay away from football.
Several CFU officials were suspended, fined or reprimanded, while Asian Football Association President Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life.
Barbadian Lisle Austin, Warner's elected CONCACAF deputy, was suspended for a year after illegally trying to fire Blazer in the wake of the scandal.
Bolt tops them again...Database ranks Jamaican sprinter as No.1 in 2011
World 200m champion, Usain Bolt, was yesterday named by highly regarded international track and field website www.all-athetics.com as the top male athlete for the just-concluded year.
American 100m world champion, Carmelita Jeter, claimed the female top prize.
The awards were based on the athletics database website's overall ranking system as at December 27, 2011.
Despite failing in his bid to successfully defend his 100m world title at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Bolt returned to power his way to his second consecutive 200m world title with a strong 19.40-second run.
The 100m and 200m world record holder had gone 14 races unbeaten in 2011 and ended last season as the fastest over 100m, with his 9.76-second run in the IAAF/Samsung Diamond League curtain-closer in Brussels. Bolt, who was also named IAAF Male Athlete of the Year, tallied 1,458 points.
Bolt's training partner, Yohan Blake, who won gold in the 100m in Daegu before posting the fastest 200m (19.26) and second fastest in history - also in Brussels, finished second in the ranking, a mere seven points behind Bolt.
Double World Championships silver medallist, Walter Dix of the United States, was third in the ranking, with 800m world champion and world record holder David Rudisha and steeplechase standout Brimin Kipruto rounding off the top five.
Asafa Powell, who registered the second fastest time in the 100m last season, with 9.78 in addition to winning the event in the IAAF/Samsung Diamond League, finished in 12th position on 1,397 points.
Veronica Campbell-Brown, in third place (1,415 points), is the highest placed Jamaican on the women's overall list, which is topped by Jeter, who tallied 1,438 points.
Jeter beat Campbell-Brown into second place in the 100m in Daegu, before the Jamaican returned the favour in the 200m. Jeter was the fastest over 100m with 10.70, while Campbell-Brown was next best with 10.76.
Vivian Cheruiyot, the 10,000m and 5,000m champion is in second place, with 100m hurdles champion and Diamond League winner Sally Pearson and shot put supremo Valerie Adams completing the top five.
Interestingly, all-athletics.com has Blake (1,423) ranked above both Powell (1,397), Bolt (1,393) and Nesta Carter (1,370) in the 100m, as Jamaicans account for four of the top five spots.
Bolt (1,417), is the top 200m athlete, with Nickel Ashmeade (1,319) being the next best Jamaican in fifth place.
Like it was in Daegu, Jeter is the top-ranked 100m female athlete with 1,415 points ahead of Campbell-Brown (1,379) and Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste (1,363).
In the half-lap event, world and Olympic champion Campbell-Brown is ranked fifth with Jeter again coming out on top.
Novlene Williams-Mills is the best placed Jamaican in the women's 400m at sixth with 1,310 points, one spot ahead of Rosemarie Whyte (1,302) with Shericka Williams in ninth in 1,296 points. World champion Amantle Montsho (1,400), Allyson Felix (1,361) and Francena McCorory (1,325) are the top three in the event.
In the male equivalent, it's a Caribbean one-two with Jamaica's Jermaine Gonzales (1,346) in second place behind world champion, Grenada's Kirani James, who tallied 1,359 points. World Championships silver medallist LaShawn Merritt (1,342) is in third place.
Dwayne Bravo fails to fire
Dwayne Bravo was a bust again in his final Big Bash League match before returning home for the Caribbean Twenty20.
The Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies all-rounder made just seven and failed to take a wicket in two costly overs, as the Sydney Sixers slumped to their second defeat in the Australian domestic T20 tournament, losing to the Melbourne Renegades by eight wickets yesterday.
Bravo again opened the batting after the Sixers chose to bat at Docklands Stadium, but he was bowled by Australia left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes in the second over, as the visitors reached 161 for six from their allocation of 20 overs.
Moises Henriques led the way for the Sixers with 41 from 30 balls, Nic Maddinson scored 29, and England import Michael Lumb and Australia leg-spin all-rounder Steve Smith, the Sixers' captain, both hit 25.
Nannes and Shane Harwood collected two scalps apiece for the Renegades.
The home team then reached their target with 14 balls remaining, following an unbroken, 124-run, third-wicket stand between Australia internationals Brad Hodge and Andrew McDonald.
Hodge struck five fours and three sixes in the top score of an unbeaten 72 from 51 balls, and McDonald smote an incredible seven sixes in 60 not out from just 37 balls.
Bravo leaves this week to return home to be part of the T&T side that will try to regain the CT20 title when the tournament opens next Monday in Antigua.
Beckham to remain in L.A. and sign with Galaxy
David Beckham is set to stay with the Los Angeles Galaxy after turning down a chance to join Paris Saint-Germain, the French club said Tuesday.
After weeks of negotiations with PSG, the 36-year-old midfielder and former England captain decided he doesn't want to move his family from the United States.
"David Beckham is not coming,'' PSG President Nasser al-Khelaifi said at the Qatar Open tennis tournament. "We feel a little disappointed. But both sides agreed it would be better that we not do the deal ... maybe in the future.''
Beckham's five-year contract with the Galaxy ended after he won his first MLS Cup in November. He was wooed by several clubs across Europe.
"David Beckham is in Los Angeles,'' al-Khelaifi said. "And he's going to stay there.''
Beckham will try to finalize a new deal this week with the Galaxy, which was paying him an annual base salary of $6.5 million.
French media had reported Beckham would have been paid almost double that at PSG, whose Qatari owners have spent more than $100 million on players during six months in charge.
Beckham and wife Victoria, a former member of the "Spice Girls,'' moved to California in 2007 after he left Real Madrid.
The celebrity couple now have four children and decided during a Christmas break in England that they did not want to move back to Europe permanently.
The Galaxy's recent success and the signing of Ireland captain Robbie Keane have shown Beckham that the LA club can meet his ambitions for the final years of his career, which began at Manchester United.
Beckham also has expressed hope of playing for Britain's soccer team at the London Olympics.
The new MLS season starts in March.
SI
TEENAGE ESSAY WRITERS WIN UK FACT-FINDING TRIP
Ten (10) lucky teens from the various high schools throughout the islands, will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the sights and sounds of the mother country Britain.
Ten top teenage TCI essay writers are off on a ten day trip of a lifetime to the UK after winning the Governor's annual essay writing competition it was announced today, Tuesday, 3 Jan 2012.
Six students from Providenciales, three from Grand Turk and one from North Caicos were chosen by the judges from 19 entries received from across the TCI.
They each had to write on the topic of: "A 21st Century relationship between the UK and the TCI. Discuss."
Governors spokesperson, Neil Smith, said in a press release that the competition was developed as a means of satisfying the appetite of the TCI's young people to find out more about the UK and how the countries can further benefit each other by promoting serious discussion among secondary and tertiary level students about the nature of the modern relationship between the UK and the TCI.
The 10 winners are:-
* Rashunda Campbell of the TCI Community College, Grand Turk Campus and
* Phildreka Mayham of the TCI Community College, Providenciales Campus
* Samuel Cantos of the British West Indies Collegiate, Providenciales
* Candre Skippings of the HJ Robinson High School, Grand Turk
* Leyshan Grant of the Champions for Christ International School of
Excellence, Providenciales
* Kevin Downer of the TCIPS Comprehensive High School, Providenciales
* Lemelko Missick of the Raymond Gardiner High School, North Caicos
* Stephen U-lysse of Clement Howell High School, Providenciales
* Chal-si-anna Missick of the Maranatha High School, Providenciales and
* Samell Harvey of the Wesleyan Methodist High School, Providenciales
Explaining the criteria for the Governor's annual essay-writing-competition, Mr. Smith said that each contestant had to compose an original, un-published essay of between 1,000-1,500 words. It was open to all students 16-19 years of age, who are registered in a secondary or tertiary level institution in the TCI. Points were awarded for understanding of the topic, originality of the author's ideas, coherence of the case made and clarity of style.
The winners will travel as a group on a 10-day visit to the UK in February of this year (2012), and will be involved in a number of activities, arrangements for which are now being finalized. These include:-
*Sightseeing in London, including a bus tour of the London sights such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Metropolitan Police Museum, the London Eye, the Tower of London and the famous London Parks; * Seeing UK Government ministries in action - meeting Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development (DFID) Ministers; other Ministers in the Overseas Territories Department, the Cabinet Office and No. 10 Downing Street;
* Visiting both the House of Commons and House of Lords - the Houses, meeting members of the Foreign affairs Committee, and receiving a presentation from the British Youth Council on the UK Youth Parliament * Spending a day in a London school and possibly week ending with British families.
His Excellency the Governor Ric Todd, said QUOTE:- "All of the essays were extremely interesting, with some very supportive of the existing relationship between TCI and the UK; others much more ready to move towards independence for the territory.
"What was encouraging was the range of ideas and suggestions on offer - it bodes very well for the future of democracy here that a wide range of ideas and beliefs can co-exist. Well done to everyone who entered and I hope that you have a terrific trip."
Twelve Haitian migrants escape from detention centre
It has not yet been disclosed whether any of the twelve illegal Haitian migrants, who escaped from the detention centre at South Dock, have been recaptured.
The twelve were among the 139 illegal Haitian migrants who were towed to South Dock and placed into custody at the detention centre last Friday morning after their vessel was intercepted two miles off French Cay.
A multi-agency statement released by the governments press office this morning, said immigration authorities have completed the repatriation of the passengers on the two sloops intercepted in the territorial waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands last Wednesday and Friday.
The Police reported that Fridays sloop carried 139 prospective irregular immigrants; 115 males and 24 females. No children were identified. The 45 foot wooden sloop was intercepted two miles off French Cay and towed to South Dock.
Wednesdays sloop, intercepted seven miles north-east of French Cay, carried 117 persons, including 90 males, 21 females and ten children.
"In line with the TCI National Contingency Plan all subjects were brought ashore by the Police on other vessels and handed over to Immigration Officials for detention, processing and repatriation as appropriate, via the Detention Centre at Five Cays.
Twelve of the persons held on Wednesday were reported to have escaped from the Centre and are being sought by the police.
Repatriation began with the children who were received on Friday by IoM officials in Haiti to be looked after in safety while their families are traced.
The repatriation to Haiti is undertaken in conjunction with the Haitian authorities to ensure that proper arrangements are made to receive and resettle the would-be migrants, especially the children and otherwise vulnerable migrants.
Meanwhile in an updated release this afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that "Last night (Monday), it rescued approximately 125 individuals from a grossly overloaded vessel transiting in international waters off the north coast of Haiti.
The U.S. Coast Guard says it continues to work closely with TCI Marine Division and Police Force personnel while continuing patrols in the waters between the Turks and Caicos, and Haiti and the Windward Passage in order to protect life at sea."
Teenager battles for life after accident in Bahamas
A Unites States teenager with Turks and Caicos roots is battling for his life after sustaining serious injuries in a tragic accident in Nassau Bahamas, while his sister nurses a few broken bones.
The community of the Turks and Caicos Islands and abroad, have been called upon to offer prayers for a teen, with Turks and Caicos roots, who has been left battling for his life after being involved in a tragic accident in the Bahamas.
The social networks have been bombarded with prayer requests for Cameron Clemens a.k.a. Squally who was critically injured in a road traffic accident in Nassau.
According to information reaching our news desk, and confirmed by a family member, Squally suffered several broken bones throughout his body and face, including a broken back; a punctured kidney; the collapse of both lungs; and is reportedly in a coma and on life support.
Squally is also reportedly suffering severe hemorrhaging of the brain. Doctors are trying to stabilize Squally before transferring him to the Childrens hospital in Miami, possibly this evening for specialist medical attention.
One family member told RTC News that Squally, age 16, who lives in Tennessee, was visiting with family members in Nassau for the Christmas holiday. At the time of the accident, he was accompanied in the vehicle that he was driving by his 13 year old sister Sanadia Hall, when, in an attempt to avoid hitting a child who pulled out in front of him, he struck a tree, sustaining the serious injuries.
The family source told RTC News that Nadia received a broken arm, a fractured shoulder on the other arm and broke two of her ankles. She is expected to return to the TCI tomorrow to be with family members.
Squally and Nadia are the great-grand children of Mr. Oscar and Mrs.Mercedes Harvey of South Caicos.
Wind-song Resort in Providenciales in the TCI the backdrop for two Caribbean vacation episodes of Baseball Wives
TV fans of the reality TV show Baseball Wives,, would be delighted when they see scenes of the Turks Caicos depicted in two of the episodes; thats because the Vh1 Reality Television show, Baseball Wives went way outta the ballpark, shooting two Caribbean vacation episodes at the luxurious, Wind-song Resort in Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The cast of seven attractive baseball wives was filmed against a panoramic backdrop of gorgeous turquoise sea from atop one of Windsongs posh penthouse suites, as well as on the resorts pristine white sandy beach in the heart of world famous Grace Bay.
With views almost as expansive as the outrageous drama of the colorful cast, Windsong was considered a welcome diversion for cast and crew from the series regular shooting location in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Major League Baseball Spring Training is held.
The reality series follows five wives, ex-wives and girlfriends of Major League Baseball players and veterans of various teams as they face the challenges of coping with marriage, gossip, fame and each other.
The cast includes Anna Benson (wife of retired Arizona DiamondbacksPitcher Kris Benson), Tanya Grace (ex-wife of retired Chicago Cubs First Baseman Mark Grace), Chantel Kendall (ex-wife of Kansas City Royals Jason Kendall), Brook Villone (wife of Ron Villone) and Jordana Lenz.
Baseball Wives airs Wednesdays at 9PM Eastern Standard Time, and the episodes filmed at Windsong will air in early this month.
The Windsong Resort is a boutique, luxury oceanfront Caribbean resort on 435 feet of Grace Bay in Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, overlooking the islands best coral reef. Amenities include an oceanfront pool and spa, Jojos Café, fitness center & spa, complimentary non-motorized watersports, and lively evening entertainment at the Havana Club.
For more information, call 1-800-WINDSONG (946-3766), or (649) 333-7700, or visit www.windsongresort.com.
Brits look to Caribbean for pension property
A surge in interest has been reported for Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) approved property in the Caribbean from disgruntled Brits unhappy with their pensions.
It's not hard to see why the Caribbean is becoming a real draw not just for investors looking further afield for growth potential beyond European borders but also a relatively safe haven for their cash.
There are some fantastic deals available on Caribbean property, which allow even those on average incomes to invest in property in prime locations on the Caribbean islands. It is even possible to use a SIPP to fund the entire purchase and benefit from guaranteed rental.
Developers of 5-star resorts on Islands such as St Vincent are reporting occupancy levels of between 80 and 90% in 2011, with 40% occupancy already secured for 2012. This compares to this time last year where no advance bookings had been made.
This spectacular improvement is largely down to endorsements from sporting celebrities and the opening up of resort holiday agencies in the US. Buccament Bay on St Vincent has also just been awarded PADI 5-Star status by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors adding to its appeal for holiday makers.
The Caribbean has also been one of the world's major recipients of foreign direct investment, alongside this the recently announced $45m airport terminal in Antigua will bring jobs growth and tourists in even greater numbers. To cater for the expected increase in tourism, the Caribbean is undergoing a period of major modernisation of infrastructure to cope with the developing needs of an economy that has boomed despite the slowdown being experienced in the US and Europe.
Jon Ainge Director of International Property Success commented, "I believe Caribbean property offers investors an unprecedented opportunity to benefit not only from great mortgage deals, but also another place to invest hard earned cash sitting in a pension and earning very little. In the current climate the Caribbean offers far more than sun, sea and sand to those seeking to get away from it all -- and that includes the gloom in Europe at the moment."