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• Hadad happy to pass the reins; says TTFA in good place to move forward

  Robert Hadad, chairman of the Normalisation Committee, expressed satisfaction with the way in which they steered the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), and is now happy that they turned over the reins to newly-elected president Kieron Edwards and his administration.

  Hadad, who was on hand when Edwards and his Team Progressive topped Colin Wharfe 38-19 at the recent TTFA's elections and Extraordinary Congress in Couva, is now delighted to move on with his personal life, having done enough for football in the twin island republic for the past four years.

  Edward's administration is the first self-governed TTFA in more than four years. This as William Wallace's administration was removed months after being elected in November 2019, as FIFA intervened and installed the Hadad-chaired Normalisation Committee in March 2020, citing financial concerns.

  “I have no intention of doing anything more. I am quite happy to move on with my personal life. I love fishing, I love the outdoors, and I’m going to continue in my quest for some personal, private time, without anything hanging over my head, like football," Hadad declared.

  That said, the local businessman, whose four years in charge was to oversee the liquidation of a multi-million TTFA debt that stood for decades, believed he did his best to complete the mandate given to him by FIFA.

  “I was very satisfied with what we were able to achieve. I think that the last four years have brought us (to) a better place and I’m content with that. I don’t think I can please everybody, and I don’t think I will ever please everybody," he said.

  “The Association, I would think, they are in a pretty good place. The Association is debt free, save an except for the financial arrangement with FIFA which will be paid off over the next ten years. The rest of it is up to Mr Edwards now and the membership, to take football forward,” Hadad added.

  While applauding the large turnout of TTFA delegates at Saturday's elections, Hadad, whose four years in charge was to oversee the liquidation of a multi-million TTFA debt that stood for decades, expressed optimism that football will not only move forward, but more importantly, impact lives enough to assist in decreasing the crime rate.

  “I’d like to congratulate the TTFA members. I think they were very professional coming out in their numbers, 100% attendance. The normalisation process is completed," Hadad said, adding that debtors had been paid, with the exception of disputed matters involving Englishmen Terry Fenwick and Peter Miller, which are before the local courts.

  “There are two matters before the court and those matters have to be resolved. The trustee Maria Daniel will continue working to bring those matters to a close,” he noted.

  Meanwhile, Edwards praised Hadad and his Normalisation Committee for the work done.

  “The Normalisation Committee played a crucial role in Trinidad and Tobago football. We need to understand that, and we need to acknowledge the service they would have given to Trinidad and Tobago football," the new TTFA president shared.

• Winless T&T bow out of Concacaf Futsal Champs after 11-1 hammering by Dom Rep

  Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors bowed out of the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship, after another disappointing loss in a dismal campaign that never really got going in Managua, Nicaragua.

  Following 4-7 and 3-5 defeats to United States and Guatemala in their first two encounters, Paul Decle's Soca Warriors required a victory in their final group encounter against Dominican Republic to keep their hopes of progressing to the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams, alive.

  However, it was not to be, as their Spanish-speaking Caribbean counterparts showed no mercy in a lopsided 11-1 romp at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello, on Monday. The win by Dominican Republic saw them join United States, Guatemala, Cuba, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico and Panama in the knockout stage, which kicks off on Wednesday.

  Trinidad and Tobago had no response to the onslaught of Dominican Republic in their final Group C contest. David Rondon opened the scoring in the 10th, Jose Belliard struck in the 13th, and Marco Gomez added a third in the 14th to put Dominican Republic 3-0 up at half-time.

  In the second half, Rondon secured his brace in the 23rd, and Belliard followed suit in the 25th. Hector Perez penned his name on the scoresheet in the 29th, before Jameel Neptune got the twin island republic's consolation in the 30th. Rondon completed his hat-trick in the 31st and then added a fourth in the 39th, while Guillermo Lopez (33rd), Ricardo Alvarez (35th), and Christian Gardelli (40th), also got on the scoresheet for Dominican Republic.

  Meanwhile, the feature contest was a more mouthwatering affair, as Guatemala rallied for a 3-3 stalemate with United States.

  United States scored three unanswered goals courtesy of Luciano Gonzalez (14th), Nilton de Andrade (20th), and Franck Tayou (21st), before Guatemala got into their rhythm and responded through Marvin Sandoval (31st and 33rd), and Patrick Ruiz (38th).

  With the draw, Guatemala topped Group C, ahead of Dominican Republic, with United States securing one of the best third-place spots.

   

  The four quarterfinal winners will not only progress to the semi-finals, but also secure qualification to the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

• Sunshine Girl Shimona Jok promoted to active-player role with Melbourne Mavericks

  Former Collingwood shooter Shimona Jok has been elevated from her training partner role to the active roster of the Melbourne Mavericks in the Suncorp Super Netball League. This promotion comes as the Mavericks face the loss of Sasha Glasgow, who has been sidelined for the season due to a fractured leg.

  The decision to bring the Jamaican into the 11th player position, a tactical addition introduced this season, reflects the team's confidence in her abilities. Shae Bolton-Brown, Mavericks' head coach, expressed enthusiasm about the development, emphasizing the value that Jok brings to the team's attacking strategy.

  "Elevating a player of Shimona's class into our 11th player is huge for us," said Bolton-Brown. "Shimona offers a whole new style of play in our attack end, creating a layer of depth that is critical to our game plan."

  Jok joined the Mavericks as a training partner following the conclusion of the 2023 season after Collingwood's netball operations ceased. The Mavericks, under the new ownership of SEN, welcomed Jok and other former Magpies players into their ranks.