JCSA holds off challenge to INSPORTS board
Tensions appeared to have calmed somewhat at the government-run sporting agency, the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS), after the Don Anderson-led board was reinstated, virtually en bloc, by the Office of the Prime Minister last month.This move, according to Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) vice -president, Robert Chung, has basically nullified their efforts to have the former board dissolved.However, all parties appear to be satisfied as according to Chung, administrative director Ian Andrews had his signing powers restored and, so far, the board has shown no malice towards him.”The board has been reinstated, and we never got a chance to respond to the reinstatement because we thought that with the elections, it would have been put off.They have made some changes, but the board has been reinstated, and Don Anderson is still the chairman of the board,” Chung told The Gleaner.”What we are not understanding is if this move means hostility to Mr Andrews has ceased. Since the new board has been appointed, there has been no hostility towards him, and we see us getting no mileage out of this by saying the board has been inappropriate, because there is a new board in place,” he explained.He noted that with the board’s reappointment, all their previous plans to have it dissolved have been shelved because there is no case against their operations. However, he said they will watch and see if tensions are still brewing.”If you understand what is happening here now, they have put us in a null position. We can’t complain about a board that is no longer there, and this new board has shown no hostility or done anything towards our member. But, we are waiting to see as, if anything should happen it will happen after election,” Chung pointed out.”But, as far as we know, that (signing power) has been returned, and we don’t think it has been disturbed now that the new board is in place. A few of them (board members) have been replaced, about three, but it’s a huge board, and I don’t know how much that will change what is happening. But Mr Andrews has no complaints.”So we no longer have a claim against the board because the board has changed, and the new board has not shown any hostility towards Mr Andrews.”
Mussenden charts course for CONCACAF presidency
Rocked by the recent FIFA corruption scandal, regional football authority, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), will continue its push towards turning a new page with upcoming elections for a new president.Long-time Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden is looking to be the man to lead the confederation into a new age of transparency, credibility and growth and has been taking this message across the region as he drums up support ahead of the May 12 presidential election.CONCACAF has long held significance in FIFA’s corridors of power, but as a wide-ranging investigation revealed, many within the organisation played major roles in under-the-table operations.The organisation’s last three presidents, Austin ‘Jack’ Warner, Jeffrey Webb and Alfredo Hawit, have all been indicted by the US Department of Justice. Webb has since pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering and racketeering charges.Mussenden, who distanced himself from the culture that clearly existed in the previous dispensation of regional football leadership, believes his experience in football administration, coupled with his base as a former Bermudian attorney general, would serve the region well.”I have been the president of the Bermuda Football Association for a number of years, so I have been around a number of years, and I have been encouraged by presidents of other countries, who have asked me to consider running,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.GREAT CONSIDERATION”I have given it great consideration, and I have seen how the previous presidents and general secretaries operate and I thought that with the right effort, the right support and with my background in legal affairs and football, that I could be an effective leader,” added Mussenden.”We took some serious damage, but from the bottom, there is only one way to go and that is up. CONCACAF has started the process with the reform package that we have been through over the past few months. We have been working on changes to our statutes to bring in greater checks and balances,” he said. “That is the first and early step in us working hard to demonstrate that CONCACAF can be one of the greatest confederations in FIFA, but also that we could be a credible organisation in the eyes of the people in our 41 countries.”Mussenden, an attorney-at- law, promises, if elected, to transform the organisation into an effectively run body with strong marketing, communications and tech-driven execution, while crucially committing to put into good use some US$10 million, which is being withheld as part of the ongoing corruption investigations.”Funds that have been seized and due to be returned … I understand that a significant amount of that will be due to CONCACAF as the victim and the money that comes back to CONCACAF, whatever it is, I think it should be used for development,” he said, before outlining his planned breakdown.”Thirty per cent should be used to develop various programmes, 20 per cent should be divided on a needs basis between the three unions, and the other 50 per cent should be divided equally among the 41 countries of CONCACAF because it should have been delivered to those countries in any event, and I will pledge to put this forward if elected,” noted Mussenden.COACHING EDUCATIONMussenden is also hoping to improve coaching education across the region and outlined plans to introduce a multi-tiered licensing system similar to that which exists at UEFA.He is also promising to work to ensure that the region continues to produce top-class referees and assistant referees, even as he underlined the need to pay close and immediate attention to bringing the confederation in line with best practices.The candidate says he has received encouraging reception from the various associations and believes he will get their support when voting begins.”I have had great encouragement from countries across the board and I feel very confident about the support … I have a good plan, I think I can get the respect of our member associations, I can get the respect of the people that we have to do business with and the region on a whole,” Mussenden noted.The CONCACAF presidential election will take place in Mexico City on May 12.
Spencer signs PUMA deal
PUMA today announced it has signed an endorsement deal with Jamaican hurdler Kaliese Spencer. The 28 year-old 400m hurdles standout will join PUMA’s roster of athletes as they prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Kaliese joins the Global Sport brand’s growing female portfolio that includes 2015 US NCAA 100m Champion, Jenna Prandini and Australian sprint hurdler, Michelle Jenneke. Kaliese has been at the top of the game for years, with an impressive and lengthy list of personal achievements. Her 400m hurdles career highlights include gold at the World Junior Championships in 2006 and fourth place at the 2012 Olympics Games in London six years later. As the fastest performer in the world coming out of 2014, Spencer is only getting started; and will push for gold this summer. Talking about the signing, Kaliese Spencer said, “I have known PUMA for many years throughout their partnership with the JAAA, I like them and their people; they are great support to have around, more like a family really! I am excited to be a part of PUMA as it increases its focus on women, and I hope that involving female athletes in the campaign will inspire young girls to hit the track. I look forward to doing great things with my new PUMA family.” Pascal Rolling, Head of Sports Marketing, Running at PUMA added, “Kaliese is another great addition to PUMA as she embodies the brand’s distinctive attitude, especially through her determination to succeed. She has been competing internationally for 10 years now and is at the top of her game. This combined with her likeable nature and personality make her a perfect fit for PUMA.”
Man City, Chelsea in big clash
CECH IN SPOTLIGHT EARLY START LEICESTER CONTROVERSY LONDON (AP): How José Mourinho must long for the days last season when Chelsea was being goaded for being “boring”. The start to the new campaign has been anything but mundane at Stamford Bridge. Tumult has replaced apparent tranquility after losing the Community Shield to Arsenal and starting the Premier League title defence with a draw to Swansea. A victory over Manchester City on Sunday, though, would quickly transform the mood surrounding the champions. Perhaps that is why Mourinho has shielded his players from criticism even though goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the trip to Manchester after being sent off against Swansea, with new signing Asmir Begovic taking his place. Instead, it’s the Chelsea medical staff in Mourinho’s firing line. By publicly criticising his medical staff and removing doctor Eva Carneiro from her match-day role, Mourinho has generated a new wave of damaging headlines for the club. But Mourinho’s failure to strengthen the squad is now biting, with a couple of weeks remaining in the summer transfer window. First-choice striker Diego Costa is not fully fit and new backup Radamel Falcao has much to prove after a lacklustre season at Manchester United. Mourinho wants to strengthen a defence that was exposed against Swansea with the addition of John Stones but Everton is rebuffing Chelsea’s pursuit of the centre back. Manchester City, meanwhile, face Chelsea on a high after starting their quest to regain the trophy from the London club with a victory at West Bromwich Albion. Unlike Chelsea, City made a high-profile addition to their squad by signing Raheem Sterling from Liverpool for 49 million pounds (US$76 million). “It’s going to be a really tough season,” Sterling said. “With it being our first home game of the season, we want to get off on the right foot.” Leicester striker Jamie Vardy will not be sacked over a racial slur captured on camera at a casino, manager Claudio Ranieri said Thursday. “Jamie apologised to everyone; it was a mistake,” Ranieri said. “The club has said it is OK.” There’s an early opening to the second round of Premier League, with Manchester United facing Aston Villa tonight. Although Friday night games will feature more regularly from next season, this is a one-off due to a march by the far-right English Defence League group in the Birmingham area tomorrow and United being unable to play the following day due to their Champions League playoff against Bruges on Tuesday. David de Gea was dropped from United’s opening-day win over Tottenham and the goalkeeper will be left out of the team again. Manager Louis van Gaal is concerned that the Spaniard is not mentally fit as he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid. Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero will instead seek another clean sheet at the start of his United career. The pre-season optimism at Arsenal was quickly deflated by losing to West Ham at the start of its search for a first league title since 2004. There’s another London derby for Arsenal on Sunday against Crystal Palace and goalkeeper Petr Cech will want to avoid a repeat of the mistakes that contributed to a 2-0 collapse to West Ham.
Sports Briefs
Amateur boxing show cancelled Tropical Storm Erika, which struck the Eastern Caribbean on Thursday, has caused the cancellation of the international boxing show between Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands that was scheduled for tonight at the Olympia Crown Hotel. Two of the six-man team of boxers from the Virgin Islands arrived on Wednesday, and the other four were scheduled to come in yesterday. Because of the storm, all flights were cancelled, so the remaining boxers were unable to get to Jamaica. The Boxing Board, under whose auspices the show was being held, told The Gleaner yesterday that arrangements will be made to hold the show later in the year. Yaya Toure opts out ABIDJAN (AP): Yaya Toure asked not to be included in CÙte d’Ivoire’s squad for its first 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier, and coach Michel Dussuyer says the midfielder is in a “period of reflection” over his international career. Dussuyer met with Toure in London recently over his future with the national team and said in comments published by the Ivorian federation “I hope he will continue his adventure” with national team. “I told him that I was counting on him. He is a great player and is the captain of the team,” Dussuyer said. Now 32, Toure led CÙte d’Ivoire to their first continental title in 25 years in February, his first international trophy. He said in March he was considering whether to continue his international career. CÙte d’Ivoire open their qualifying campaign for 2017 against Sierra Leone next weekend. Robben now Netherlands captain THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP): Arjen Robben replaced striker Robin van Persie as captain of the Netherlands yesterday in Danny Blind’s first squad since taking over from Guus Hiddink as national coach. Blind said he needs a captain with more on-field presence as his team heads into two crucial European Championship qualifiers against Group A leader Iceland and Turkey. “It’s a great honour that the coach asked me to captain Oranje,” Robben said in a written statement. Robben was the undisputed star of the Dutch team that reached the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup in Brazil, but the Bayern Munich winger has struggled with injuries for much of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. Van Persie, the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 49 goals in 98 internationals, said he respected Blind’s decision and accepted the role of vice-captain. Spain coach calls up David de Gea MADRID (AP): Spain coach Vicente del Bosque yesterday included goalkeeper David de Gea, Diego Costa, and Juan Mata in his squad to take on Slovakia and Macedonia in qualifying matches for next year’s European Championship. Del Bosque called up De Gea, even though he has not played for Manchester United so far this season amid speculation over a possible move to Real Madrid. Former Madrid keeper Iker Casillas is also included in the squad. “It’s true he hasn’t been in official competitions, which is a requirement, but we are in the early part of the season,” Del Bosque said of De Gea’s inclusion, explaining that the player has trained and is ready to play. Del Bosque said he expected De Gea’s club situation was only “temporary” and would be resolved by September 1, when the transfer window will have closed. “He is a goalkeeper that, like Casillas, we think will defend Spain’s goal for many years.”
Schalke win, Tottenham draw in Europa League
BERLIN (AP):Franco Di Santo claimed a 17-minute hat-trick yesterday as Schalke beat Asteras Tripoli 4-0 in the Europa League, while Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Tottenham, Ajax and Celtic were held to draws.Di Santo completed his feat with a penalty before half-time and Klaas Jan Huntelaar rounded off the scoring in the 84th with his 49th goal in UEFA competitions for Schalke to take charge of Group K with seven goals scored and none conceded in two games.Sparta Prague defeated APOEL 2-0 to stay two points behind the Gelsenkirchen-based side.Dortmund drew 1-1 at PAOK despite dominating possession. Robert Mak put the Greek side ahead in the 34th, before Gonzalo Castro equalised in the 72nd when Jonas Hoffman’s dummy deceived goalkeeper Robin Olsen. It was Dortmund’s third consecutive draw after starting the season with 11 straight wins across all competitions.Despite Adam Lallana’s fourth-minute opener, Liverpool could only draw 1-1 with visiting FC Sion thanks to Ebenezer Assifuah’s equaliser in the 11th. Rubin Kazan drew 0-0 with Bordeaux in the other group game.Late goalStephan El Shaarawy scored late for Monaco to snatch a 1-1 draw against Tottenham. Azerbaijani side Qarabag defeated Anderlecht 1-0 in the other Group J match.Ajax were held to a 1-1 draw at Molde in Norway. Molde’s 40-year-old captain Daniel Hestad became the Europa League’s oldest goalscorer when he converted from close range in the eighth minute, only for Viktor Fischer to equalise 11 minutes later.Molde leads Group A two points ahead of Celtic, which was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Fenerbahce after substitute Fernandao struck twice for the visitors.Leo Baptistao’s brilliant 54th-minute goal was enough for Spanish league leaders Villarreal to defeat Viktoria Plzen 1-0 at home for their first win. Rapid Vienna lead Group E after their 1-0 win at Dinamo Minsk.
MBU outpower Waterhouse
MBU put the game to bed in the 85th minute when Williams netted, his 10th goal so far, from the top of the area and for the 3-1 lead. “The result sounds right, but the way we play doesn’t look as good as the score. I thought we were very tired today, very sluggish in the first half. I think our last game against Arnett Gardens on Monday took a lot out of our legs,” said Tim Hankinson, the MBU coach. “We have Rivoli on Sunday, and we are aware that Williams needs some rest, but he is in form, so he will play. Overall, I think it was a decent game. They made it hard for us in midfield at times, but we did well to overcome that. So I am pleased with the result we got,” he stated. 3-1 lead Western Bureau: Montego Bay United continued their merry march at the top of the Red Stripe Premier League with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over struggling Waterhouse FC at their Wespow Field yesterday. Donovan Carey, Owayne Gordon, and Dino Williams all got on to the score sheet, while Kenroy Howell scored the only goal of the match for Waterhouse, who were losing a third straight game to MBU, going back to last season. Waterhouse remain stuck at the foot of the standings on seven points and left many questions unanswered for their coach, Anthony Patrick. But while they battled hard in midfield, it was clear the problems were on the two ends of the spectrum as defensively, they looked weak, and even more worrying, they were unable to threaten Romaine Bowers in goal for this match instead of regular Jacomeno Barrett. Carey, who has been outstanding on either wing for MBU, got the opener in the 19th minute, with Williams providing the assist and Gordon doubling the lead with a clinical finish in the 32nd, his sixth of the campaign. But Waterhouse did make a game of it by pulling a goal back on the strike of half-time when Howell found just enough room to shoot beyond Bowers.
Dyke pleased with Edwin Allen’s early showing
AFTER two years of success, defending Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association girls champions Edwin Allen High will be hoping to make it three in March, and following his team’s opening at Saturday’s Purewater JC Invitational Michael Dyke is predicting just that. “I am extremely pleased with the overall performance,” said an upbeat Dyke. Despite losing two of his top Class One throwers – Janelle Fullerton, who transferred to St Jago, and Paul Ann Gayle, who has gone overseas – Dyke is not deterred. “It would have been good to have them back in the team, but their departure will not affect the performance as other girls in their shadows over the years have stepped up,” he said. Saturday was an indicator of this as Bristol O’Connor threw 43.72 metres to finish behind Fullerton, who won with the Class One discus in 47.54m. The defending champions had a solid start in the middle and long distance events where they had top three finishes in all classes. Dyke singled out the performance of young Cemore Donald, who clocked the fastest time of all three classes (2:19.30), to win the Class Three 800m. “Cemore is the defending champion at Champs and what she did was awesome and I am confident that she is going to break the record at Champs,” said Dyke. Over the last three years Edwin Allen’s jumpers have been the most impressive at Champs. Dyke thinks his rivals are doomed again this year. “Our jumpers were of high standard on Saturday and nothing will change for the remainder of the season.” The only members of this team yet to taste success are in Class Four, but Dyke is unconcerned about the present crop. “Despite this going to be their first time competing I think the group is much stronger than last year,” he said. Dyke could be right as the Class Four girls dominated the 100 metres. Bethany Bridge led the way with 11.99 seconds. Patrece Clarke (12.51), Selieci Myles (12.66), and Jessica McLean (12.71) finished in the top eight overall.
Ja to host Carib Volleyball Champs
Jamaica has won the bid to host the 2016 Caribbean Volleyball Senior Men and Women Championship to be held in July of this year.Jamaica had been in contention to host the championships that will feature eight male and a similar number of female teams from across the region battling for the right be called Caribbean champions. Trinidad and Tobago are the defending male and female champions.Martinique had also expressed an interest in hosting the championships, but following a visit here late last year by president of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), Mushtaque Mohammed, it was decided that Jamaica was the better option. During his visit Mohammed conducted site inspections and looked at hotels in Kingston. He also met with athletes and officials before making his decision.”From my inspection visit, it was evident that you and your team have the enthusiasm and drive necessary to provide the best conditions for the hosting of our major tournaments,” Mohammed told Jamaica Volleyball Association president Rudolph Speid in a letter communicating the good news.This will be the second occasion this year that Jamaica will be hosting a major international volleyball tournament as the island is set to host the second round of Women’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualifiers in Ocho Rios, at the end of January.
Foster’s Fairplay | Farewell Usain Bolt!
It was a scintillating performance – adding to her more likely 100m gold – Jamaica’s first in Rio. It spoke eloquently to the inestimable value of guru coach of a multiplicity of skill sets, Stephen Francis, seen by many with expertise as the world’s best. More will be told of the Wolmerian, turned ace accountant, whose craft, cunning and competence is on course with his calculus. There should be no talk of the seemingly shy miss from the mid-island district of Banana Ground replacing the outstanding Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in her queenly status, but that is for another place and another time. For now, let the new champion be commended and celebrated for her Olympic double sprint gold – the first in 28 years for a woman. Year 2016 has been literally an up-and-down season for another Manchester High product, coached there by former high-school sprint standout Carlos Samuels. From there, Omar McLeod moved, or, better put, was attracted to Kingston College where Raymond ‘KC’ Graham, not unknown in the country’s hurdling culture, saw to his conditioning. The World indoor 60mh champion from Portland, Oregon, took on and bested the world in the opening Diamond League exercises, winning in Doha, Shanghai and the Pre Classic in Eugene. Then followed falls in Monaco and the Hengelo in Belgium. In true Fortis style, he did not yield, but rose again for the Olympic gold. The mettle of the 22-year-old, together with timely coaching acumen, won out for his country. If ever a top-of-the-podium finish can be predicted, the traditional 4x100m relay for men is it. The expected quartet of Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Nickel Ashmeade and the farewell man, Bolt – in his Olympics finale – got the equally expected result. Goodbye to Rio, and the same to Usain. For feedback, email lauriefoster2012@gmail.com. The shades have been drawn on Rio 2016 and this blessed nation is left with memories, some sweet, others not so. Clearly, the world has seen the last Olympic act of the grandmaster of track and field, Usain Bolt. Give him any title imaginable, but let it speak to the way he performed on a grandiose scale for the multitude of fans, encompassing both genders, who warmed to and reached fever-pitch excitement and ecstasy levels in response to his entertaining antics, victory after victory. From the moment he took off his running shoes in the Beijing Bird’s Nest after the 2008 Olympics 100m world record triumph, he has been imposing and impressive, instantly initiating the worldwide acclaim that rose to a pinnacle in the Olympic Stadium in Rio. With an admirable display of poise and panache, garnished by a substantial helping of flamboyance and flair, the sport’s sensational superstar has captured the hearts and minds of those who crammed into the world’s stadia to see him live, as well as the wider throng watching on television or other available video-imaging devices. The Brazilians, already nurtured on and nourished by their hero, race car driver – the late Ayrton Senna – and the institution in PelÈ, had found in this phenomenal athlete another idol at whose feet to kneel. His final tally of gold medals over the three Games where he shone, beacon-style, was a stunning nine. They were comprised of the triple-triple of sprint titles, never before accomplished. At the end of the action, with the closing ceremony to come, most appropriately on the big man’s birthday, the people from Brazil, with their tumultuous cheers, spoke for the entire Olympic movement, in saying, “Thank you, Usain”. Foster’s Fairplay, trapped in the afterglow of Jamaica’s nine medals, would take pleasure in keeping the tributes and show of appreciation at the level stimulated by the Bolt magnificence. No such luck, as the journey through one’s existence will always toss up the excellent and that of lesser brilliance. However, they must all be recognised, respected and accorded the relevance that is deserving. Not all will make the Bolt cut or trod the paths that he has so attractively traversed. In that regard, one must, in the first instance, revisit the outstanding showing of the country’s new queen of the sprints, Elaine Thompson, the girl out of the Manchester High School programme, astutely handled by senior coach Jerry Holness. She has stunned a phalanx of critics by reversing the 2015 Beijing World Championship triumph by the reigning 200m World champion, the Dutch former multi-eventer, Dafne Schippers. NEW CHAMPION