Bolt, Fraser-Pryce named Latin America’s top sports personalities
Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been voted top sporting personalities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The announcement was made by AIPS America, the Continental arm of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) following balloting by sport journalists.
Bolt was a clear winner over Gymnast Daniel Corral of Mexico; footballers Radamel García of Mexico and Cuban Judoka, Asley González.
The Jamaican speedster, who for the fifth time in six years was named IAAF World Male Athlete of the Year, won three gold medals at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia. He was also the recipient of the AIPS America 2012 Male Athlete of the Year.
Fraser-Pryce, who was also the IAAF World Female Athlete of the Year, edged out American tennis star Serena Williams in a second round of voting following a first round tie.
Colombian jumper Catherine Ibarguen and Alexandra Escobar, the weightlifter from Ecuador were the other female nominees.
The top team for 2013 was the Dominican Republic Baseball team which won their first ever World Baseball Classic title, beating the Netherlands 3-0 in the final where former New York Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Source-CMC
New Year crisis meeting to rescue Windies cricket
Newly appointed director of cricket Richard Pybus and Coach Ottis Gibson have begun discussing plans to rebuild the stature of the regional side following a series of embarrassing defeats overseas.
Pyus, who joined the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in late October, Gibson and West Indies selectors have scheduled a crisis meeting in the Caribbean for early next year to plot the way forward ahead of their next Test series.
Four of West Indies' last five Tests have been heavy defeats undoing the strides made over the previous year where the side had strung together six-straight Test victories.
"We've had some discussions already about where we are and my thoughts on what we need to do to move forward," Gibson said.
"There's a meeting pencilled in for us when we get back, including the selectors, to try and plot the way forward. We have five months before the next Test series which gives us some time."
West Indies suffered a two nil hammering against New Zealand in the just ended three-match series after losing to India.
Reports suggest that discussions involving Gibson, Pybus and the selectors are likely to focus on the status of players such as Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards, who have doubts over their viability for Test cricket, and whether to recall other experienced figures such as Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo.
Meantime Chris Gayle is likely to be available for the two Twenty20s that round off the tour next month, following the One-Day series.
Gayle picked up a hamstring injury during the One-Day series in India and was ruled to have not recovered in time for the 50-overs segment of this trip.
He is currently in Sydney as part of his rehabilitation programme, and Gibson said the main target for him was the World Twenty20 defence in Bangladesh.
“We're in communication with him and the people he's working with in Australia," Gibson said.
"He's still injured so would be an unnecessary risk to fast track him with what lies ahead. The World T20 is coming up - a format where he is king. He should be available for the two T20s."
West Indies next Test assignment is in May when they host New Zealand in a return series.
Source-CMC
Ahmed Shehzad fined by ICC
Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been fined half of his match fee for pushing Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan during Sunday's third one-day international.
The 22-year-old Shehzad pleaded guilty to an International Cricket Council charge of "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players".
He shoved the Sri Lanka opener on the shoulder on his way to scoring 81 runs as Pakistan won by 113 runs.
Pakistan go 2-1 up in the five-match series with the win in Sharjah.
The last two games of the series will take place in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.
Toure and Aguero urge Barca star Messi to join them at Man City
Manchester City stars Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero have urged Lionel Messi to join them at the Etihad Stadium.
Speculation persists that the Argentine superstar is unsettled at Barcelona, after Messi last week publicly hit out at the club's vice-president Javier Faus, claiming that the director 'knows nothing about football'.
The problem is exacerbated by Messi's recent injury problems and the current holder of Ballon D'Or has not played since early November after breaking down with a hamstring injury against Real Betis.
And speaking to beIN Sport, Toure said: 'If Messi can leave Barca? To come to us, yes! I want to say yes! At Barcelona, there is always one star. One. Two is not possible.
'With the recent injury to Messi and the off-the-field problems that he is having at the moment, and with Neymar gradually getting promoted, it is complicated for him [Messi], for sure.'
While Messi's Argentina strike partner Aguero told the Manchester Evening News: 'Yes, he should come to City. Then we’ll definitely play together! City should buy him!'
However, Messi's father this weekend moved to quell the rumour mill, stating that Messi loves the Catalan club.
'Leo has grown up at Barca and he loves this club,' said Jorge Messi, 'There is no problem at all between Leo and the club's management. Over the last few month, the President Sandro Rosell has offered his full support and we appreciate these kind of gestures from Barcelona.
'In times like this (his injury), we need them more than ever. This support shows the esteem in which they hold Lionel. Their aims are the same as ours: to win as many titles as possible for the institution that we represent.'
Messi has been training the Ezeiza base of the Argentine national team and a medical report released by the Argentine Football Association on Friday stated that Messi was close to recovering from the hamstring injury and he is now to undergo the third stage of his recuperation process in his hometown Rosario.
Messi is expected to rejoin his Barcelona team-mates on January 2 ahead of a return to first-team football in early 2014.
These comments from Toure and Aguero only add to the speculation that a move could happen after Blues defender Pablo Zabaleta, another Argentina team-mate of the Barca No 10, revealed recently that Messi had repeatedly quizzed him about life at City.
'He asked me a lot about City,' said Zabaleta. 'It's something we often talk about'.
Source—Daily Mail
David Moyes says Wayne Rooney is a "team player" at Man Utd
Manchester United manager David Moyes says striker Wayne Rooney has become a "real team player" at Old Trafford.
Rooney's future at United came under scrutiny in the summer when he was linked with a move away from the club.
The 28-year-old has scored 10 goals so far this season and Moyes has also been impressed with his wider contribution.
"What Wayne is doing is making the others play well because he is playing well. He has turned himself into a real team player," Moyes said.
With the assists for the team and the goals, his all-round contribution has been fantastic."
Moyes also wants England international Rooney to become a mentor for the younger players at Old Trafford in the same way Ryan Giggs acted as a role model for him.
The Scot is particularly keen for Rooney to assist with the development of teenager Adnan Januzaj, who signed a new five-year contract in October.
"He (Rooney) needs to show the young players," Moyes said. "He has a big responsibility to show the next generation the standards that Manchester United set.
"You go through the years and look at people like Ryan Giggs and the advice he gave to Wayne Rooney. Wayne has now to give it to Adnan Januzaj and the new players coming up."
France 'to avoid double-dip recession'
France will avoid a recession this year, according to the country's statistics body.
INSEE said the economy will grow 0.4% in the last three months of the year, after contracting 0.1% in the third quarter.
President Francois Hollande has been under pressure to revive the economy as other eurozone nations start growing and show signs of recovery.
The body predicted growth of 0.2% for the whole of 2013.
France was last in recession in the first quarter of this year.
A recession is when an economy shrinks for two consecutive quarters. There were fears of a French "double-dip" recession, where an economy returns to recession after experiencing a short-lived recovery, but the country's statistics agency thinks this will now be avoided.
Europe's largest economy, Germany, has seen much of its economic success during the debt crisis driven by exports. By contrast, INSEE said French exports fell by 1.3% in the third quarter.
French household spending rose by 0.1% in the third quarter.
The government forecasts economic growth of 0.9% in 2014, lowered from a previous 1.2% forecast, with just 0.1% in growth forecast for this year.
France has not had a year of negative growth since 2009.
Source-BBC
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE DESK OF THE PREMIER HON. DR. RUFUS EWING
All across our country, families are gathering to share this joyous time and to give thanks for the good things in our lives. This holiday season, one of the greatest blessings of all, is that our Government has met its one year commitment to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands given the many challenges faced following the re-instatement of Elected Government.
Our Government remains committed to continuing our mandate: ”To protect the vulnerable, balance the budget, grow our economy and ensure that jobs are provided for all”. I am also proud of the continuous efforts of our hardworking citizens who despite all odds, work tirelessly to turn conflict into cooperation, transform fear into security and to replace hatred with hope. The Christmas season serves to remind us that we must all set aside contentious thoughts and acts and resolve to honor the true spirit of Christmas not merely at this time but throughout the year. May the joy of the holidays renew our commitment to working together for a future of peace, opportunity, and prosperity.
Let us also remember our responsibility and calling, to freely and reverently serve our fellow man as this is our charge and our purpose.
The purpose of Christmas is celebration as this time of year we commemorate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people", was the message brought unto the shepherds of Bethlehem by the angels and to this day, we continue to rejoice God’s everlasting gift of his only begotten son. The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating because through his eternal presence, Christ inspires us with the promise of a better future despite our struggles, with the hope for progress and change despite the presence of obstacles set before us. Through our faith in him all things are possible and with his guidance all good works are achievable.
Together as a Nation, let us give thanks for God's gift of love and mercy as we also give thanks for his many blessings bestowed upon us this past year and pray that these blessings continue to shine upon us in the coming year.
On behalf of my Family and the Government and myself, I would like wish you a Merry Christmas, good health and a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
May God Bless you and May God bless our beautiful by Nature - Turks & Caicos Islands.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE DESK OF THE PREMIER HON. DR. RUFUS EWING
All across our country, families are gathering to share this joyous time and to give thanks for the good things in our lives. This holiday season, one of the greatest blessings of all, is that our Government has met its one year commitment to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands given the many challenges faced following the re-instatement of Elected Government.
Our Government remains committed to continuing our mandate: ”To protect the vulnerable, balance the budget, grow our economy and ensure that jobs are provided for all”. I am also proud of the continuous efforts of our hardworking citizens who despite all odds, work tirelessly to turn conflict into cooperation, transform fear into security and to replace hatred with hope. The Christmas season serves to remind us that we must all set aside contentious thoughts and acts and resolve to honor the true spirit of Christmas not merely at this time but throughout the year. May the joy of the holidays renew our commitment to working together for a future of peace, opportunity, and prosperity.
Let us also remember our responsibility and calling, to freely and reverently serve our fellow man as this is our charge and our purpose.
The purpose of Christmas is celebration as this time of year we commemorate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people", was the message brought unto the shepherds of Bethlehem by the angels and to this day, we continue to rejoice God’s everlasting gift of his only begotten son. The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating because through his eternal presence, Christ inspires us with the promise of a better future despite our struggles, with the hope for progress and change despite the presence of obstacles set before us. Through our faith in him all things are possible and with his guidance all good works are achievable.
Together as a Nation, let us give thanks for God's gift of love and mercy as we also give thanks for his many blessings bestowed upon us this past year and pray that these blessings continue to shine upon us in the coming year.
On behalf of my Family and the Government and myself, I would like wish you a Merry Christmas, good health and a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
May God Bless you and May God bless our beautiful by Nature - Turks & Caicos Islands.
Christmas Message from the Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
Another year has passed and this year like before has had its challenges, loss, disappointments, but also its joys and celebrations. Despite it all, God in His mercy continues to bless us with the gift of life and with that continued gift comes hope.
This year as we enter the festive season and approach the closing of a year, automatically we are flung into a period of reflection and introspection. We begin to think of the events of the year now ending and the aspirations for the New Year.
As I address you, my mind is bombarded with three words: gratitude, peace and hope. As I think of the difficult year that is fast approaching its end, I have purposefully abandoned the unfortunate human tendency to focus on all that has perhaps gone wrong in this year not in an effort to dismiss the challenges that remain or those whose effect linger but to honor the Christ of Christmas by choosing instead with a heart of gratitude to focus on the blessings that found its way to our country, our homes and our lives. I sincerely believe that if we were to stop and look through the lens of life with a grateful heart, we will see that things could have been worse and that the blessings still far outweigh the challenges and troubles. We as a people must be careful to not become habitual complainers and frown in the face of God’s many blessings. We still enjoy a peaceful existence and God continues to be faithful from generation to generation. I charge us to focus on the blessings and begin to develop a culture of thanksgiving and gratitude.
And then as we think of Christ and the message of the true reason for the season, we must think of the peace born on that Christmas morn. We know that there remain difficult times ahead for us as a country and as individuals, let us face those challenges with a peace that only comes from God above. Let us in our own way and in our singular efforts seek to reconcile and live at peace with one another and seek after true unity on issues of grave national importance if only for our survival as a people. Let us seek to see the beauty and strengths in our diversity and then to peaceably and respectfully differ without the war of words or other forms of destructive actions. We need each other and going forward let us be slow to create mischief, incite hate and stifle hope among ourselves by our actions. Let us in all sincerity wish each other and work towards peace and goodwill. Let us birth anew a new nation and give God the greatest gift of all as a people: our Nation, remembering that a people whose God is the Lord will rejoice. In that same spirit, let us share even from the little that we have and watch God miraculously and in covenant principles, increase our very own.
During this season, perhaps the single greatest message is hope. Christ’s birth signified hope – hope for a dying world and an ability through his birth and eventual death to be reconciled unto God. That hope is still available and it is the truest source of hope. Let us not hope in man but in the God that gives this hope and in hoping we can rest on his promise that he desires that we prosper as a people and individually.
We are a great people in a great nation. We have so much to be thankful for and a Great God in which we can find peace and hope. Let us with grateful hearts celebrate his birth by ensuring that he remains the welcomed guest at all our celebrations. Let us remember all of our brothers and sisters during this time of year. Let us especially remember those who lost loved ones this year, our elderly, our children, our relatives and friends in Prison, those with special needs, the less fortunate and all those that live among us. I ask us to allow ourselves to be guided by our hopes and not fears and let us share the message of gratitude, peace and hope.
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On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Movement: the Official Opposition and our families; and from our home to yours, from our heart to yours, I wish for you a Christ centered Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
Christmas Message from the Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
Another year has passed and this year like before has had its challenges, loss, disappointments, but also its joys and celebrations. Despite it all, God in His mercy continues to bless us with the gift of life and with that continued gift comes hope.
This year as we enter the festive season and approach the closing of a year, automatically we are flung into a period of reflection and introspection. We begin to think of the events of the year now ending and the aspirations for the New Year.
As I address you, my mind is bombarded with three words: gratitude, peace and hope. As I think of the difficult year that is fast approaching its end, I have purposefully abandoned the unfortunate human tendency to focus on all that has perhaps gone wrong in this year not in an effort to dismiss the challenges that remain or those whose effect linger but to honor the Christ of Christmas by choosing instead with a heart of gratitude to focus on the blessings that found its way to our country, our homes and our lives. I sincerely believe that if we were to stop and look through the lens of life with a grateful heart, we will see that things could have been worse and that the blessings still far outweigh the challenges and troubles. We as a people must be careful to not become habitual complainers and frown in the face of God’s many blessings. We still enjoy a peaceful existence and God continues to be faithful from generation to generation. I charge us to focus on the blessings and begin to develop a culture of thanksgiving and gratitude.
And then as we think of Christ and the message of the true reason for the season, we must think of the peace born on that Christmas morn. We know that there remain difficult times ahead for us as a country and as individuals, let us face those challenges with a peace that only comes from God above. Let us in our own way and in our singular efforts seek to reconcile and live at peace with one another and seek after true unity on issues of grave national importance if only for our survival as a people. Let us seek to see the beauty and strengths in our diversity and then to peaceably and respectfully differ without the war of words or other forms of destructive actions. We need each other and going forward let us be slow to create mischief, incite hate and stifle hope among ourselves by our actions. Let us in all sincerity wish each other and work towards peace and goodwill. Let us birth anew a new nation and give God the greatest gift of all as a people: our Nation, remembering that a people whose God is the Lord will rejoice. In that same spirit, let us share even from the little that we have and watch God miraculously and in covenant principles, increase our very own.
During this season, perhaps the single greatest message is hope. Christ’s birth signified hope – hope for a dying world and an ability through his birth and eventual death to be reconciled unto God. That hope is still available and it is the truest source of hope. Let us not hope in man but in the God that gives this hope and in hoping we can rest on his promise that he desires that we prosper as a people and individually.
We are a great people in a great nation. We have so much to be thankful for and a Great God in which we can find peace and hope. Let us with grateful hearts celebrate his birth by ensuring that he remains the welcomed guest at all our celebrations. Let us remember all of our brothers and sisters during this time of year. Let us especially remember those who lost loved ones this year, our elderly, our children, our relatives and friends in Prison, those with special needs, the less fortunate and all those that live among us. I ask us to allow ourselves to be guided by our hopes and not fears and let us share the message of gratitude, peace and hope.
On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Movement: the Official Opposition and our families; and from our home to yours, from our heart to yours, I wish for you a Christ centered Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.