Sports Day 2019 was formally opened by our Principal, Dr Michael Dowlath, Vice Principal Mr Roger Ali and special guest, the Deputy Mayor of San Fernando Vydia Mungal- Bisessar. These officials were treated to our Walk Past, where all students and teachers got in their respective houses and walked rhythmically to the scout band’s trumpets and drums. Order was a priority as the houses donned their respective colours: Flemington- yellow, Grant-green, Sammy- blue and Walls- red, as they lined up on the savannah grass. The day promised to be a good one and this promise was kept.

Sapat race champions Grant House teachers

Musical Spots, which is an adaptation to musical chairs turned out to be a crowd pleaser, as contestants had to step on the spot when the music stopped. This was a game of concentration and agility mixed with fun, with Grant house emerging as winner of this inaugural fun event. The traditional Sapat/Ski race, a teacher fun event was featured once again with the customary spills, thrills and locomotive skills of members of staff. Grant House took this tandem event with the other houses still waiting to get out of the starting blocks up to press time. Grant House certainly took the prize for fun events on the day.

After intense semi- finals, the tug-of- war came down to Sammy vs Walls. With two out of three pulls to decide the winner, each team thought they had a chance. But, there was no stopping Sammy as they pulled their own weight and the weight of the Walls house as they won the first two pulls with little difficulty.

The staff race was another highly anticipated event that saw Dr Dowlath speeding down the track only to be surpassed by Miss Sarah Toolsie 3^rd, Miss Calan Salazar 2^nd and Mr Kerry Manohar 1^st. With students shouting in support of their favourite members of staff, some teachers claimed they did not hear the whistle, which left them at the starting line waiting for next year’s race.

Victor ludorum Jeron Pantor takes the lead in the 1500m

The day belonged to Walls House’s Jeron Pantor, who was crowned Over 18 Victor Ludorum for the second year in a row. Those in attendance felt honoured to witness the grace and speed of this star footballer and national rugby player. After placing third in the marathon behind Kyle Roopchan 2^nd and Adam Francis 1^st in the previous week, Pantor looked like the proverbial ‘man on a mission.’ Cheers of  Pantor! Pantor! were heard all over the ground as he won gold in five events on the day- the coveted 100m sprint, 200m, 800m, 4×100 relay, and the 1500m. Mr Nazim Mohammed, Mathematics teacher said, “Pantor didn’t even break a sweat as he was too good for everyone.”

In an exclusive interview, Pantor was brimming with emotion as he said, “I feel really proud being able to represent such a great institution like Naps. I am happy Playing football and taking part in events to help my house come out on top for Sports Day. Growing up I’ve always had a passion for sports and in everything I do I try to put my best foot forward. Winning the Victor Ludorum back to back is great and humbling at the same time, as it serves as a bit of a motivation for me to keep excelling in life.”

Not to be left out other athletes were recognised as Victors in their age groups namely, Kern Cedeno under 18(Flemington), Reuben Ramnanansingh under 16(Sammy) and Alex Kangoo under 14(Walls).

Dr Dowlath underscored the importance of Sports Day to the students as he said, “We want them to understand that life is more than just passing an exam.” The Principal went on to say that a day like this can, “Make them more aware of the skills and abilities they have.”

Sports Master Mr Richard Nagaur was pleased with the day as he said, “It is all about participation and having fun. I would like to thank all the teachers, students, parents and administration for making today a great success. Sports Day 2020 will  be even better!”

Sachin trying to convince us to have a cooler race in 2020

Manny and Kern Cedeno

The post Walls House Runs Away With Sports Day 2019 first appeared on NAPS Alumni.

The build-up to the game was of World Cup proportions as both classes boasted of star players such as Kern Cedeno, Joshua Dowlath and Arvind Ramnarine of 3N and Marvin Waldrop, Darius Deonarine and Jkwon Bailey of 3P. A gentle shower blessed the pitch earlier that day making the playground a perfect mixture of grass, earth and moisture.

From as early as the fifth minute referee Keane Subero brandished his red card, giving Waldrop his marching orders. The triple crown champion was left regretting his repeated infringement as 3P were left with six players in this seven a side tournament.

The first goal came moments after from Cedeno as he slotted past keeper Darius Deonarine, giving 3N a 1-0 lead. However, it was Bailey’s attempted overhead kick that sent the crowd in a tizzy, just as the halftime whistle blew. The halftime chat with player/ coach Aditya Persad worked wonders as Skipper Bailey equalised with a sizzling free kick from just outside the penalty box. Bailey turned villain moments after as keeper Narad Kissondath saved his penalty attempt a la David de Gea.

With the score tied, 3N got a go ahead goal which came as Cedeno volleyed a right side cross that hit the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net. The luchtime crowd showed their appreciation with cheers from all supporters. Before the crowd could catch their breath, Bailey fired from the half line beating Kissondath to his right- score 2-2 with eight minutes remaining. Bailey lead his team admirably as one would have never guessed they were a player short. One fan shouted, “We playing better with less men.” This was probably true as with six minutes to go Bailey completed his hattrick, giving 3P the first lead of the game- 3-2.

With four minutes to go some supporters started to leave the playground, thinking it was all over for 3N. Cedeno asked the crowd to stay, when he equalised with a rocket of a free kick that left Deonarine puzzled as to what just passed him. The crowd obliged. Ramnarine and Dowlath pressured 3P’s defence, but the final pass was elusive. Penalty kicks must have been on the minds of everyone but 3P would have none of it. With seconds left, Bailey’s shot hit the crossbar and rebounded to striker Vishwesh Pattanaik who rose to the occasion and nodded the ball in the corner of the goal, leaving the goalkeeper wishing he was elastic. The enthusiastic crowd stormed the field momentarily as assistant P.E teacher Stephen Harripersad called the crowd to order. Just after the restart referee Subero blew his whistle, giving 3P a 4-3 victory over rivals 3N.

At the post- match conference Bailey said, “As a footballer you always dream of scoring a hattrick and it was my honour to help my class in winning this championship.”

Pattanaik who is well known for his cricket talent, was humble as he said, “ I’m just happy to be part of a winning team.” The under 14 fast bowler also added, “My cricket training and fitness helped me a lot in this tournament.”

3N’s captain Cedeno said, “It is a difficult loss but that’s the game of football. I look forward to next year’s tournament, when hopefully we can win.”

Mr. Richard Nagaur P.E. teacher also gave a brief comment on this year’s tournament, he said, “I would like to thank my assistant Stephen Harripersad for his support throughout the tournament. With him we were able to implement a successful programme as the hosting of the games was part of the School Based Assessment for the students studying Physical Education at the CSEC level.” He went on to give thanks to the Principal, Dr. Dowlath for supporting the competitive nature of the boys at the interclass level as well as facilitating Physical Education at both Ordinary and Advanced levels.

Photo Credit: Pete Sankar (3N)

The post 3P Crowned Interclass 2019 Champs in Seven Goal Thriller first appeared on NAPS Alumni.

Bailey scored ninety goals for WJU over a four-year period, a record that is hardly likely to be broken. He was All-American from2000-2002 and lead his team to a Great Lakes Championship in 2000, finishing fifth in the nation.

Not only was he named Rookie of the year at WJU 1999, he was also named the Secondary School’s Football League Most Valuable Player in 1998, where he played alongside other Naps greats such as Leon Brown, Sanjeev Katwaroo and Erasto Neptune.

Upon completion of university, Bailey realized his dream of playing pro-football for teams in North America such as the Montreal Impact and the Baltimore Blast (indoor).

He has the unique achievement of winning a championship in both outdoor soccer as well as an indoor.

Our football manager Percy Samlalsingh describes Bailey as, “A consummate professional and a perfect role model to his players, as he balanced his academia and football with great success. It was rare in that time for players to complete university and go on to play professional football.” Former goalkeeper at Naps, Sunil Ramdial says, “Joel is as dedicated as they get and he never ceased to amaze us on the football field.”

Bailey just missed out on the Soca Warriors 2006 World Cup campaign, but represented the red, white and black five times in 2007. After hanging up his white boots he obtained a Master’s degree in Sport Management, and was once the Director of Football Operations with TTEC Professional Team.

In the 2017 season he and his assistant Ronnie Hunte took Naps U-14 team to the South League and Knockout Championship and to the semi- finals of the National League. This year is proving to be a more challenging one, but there is still the knockout to come.

Bailey is proud to be a Naparima College alumnus, class of 1999, and is even more proud of being one of our youth coaches. He says, “I see coaching as a way of giving back to Naps, as it was through Naps that I achieved so many of my goals.” He was in high praise of our Principal, Dr. Dowlath and Percy Samlalsingh for their belief in the positive role that football plays in the lives of students. Bailey also paid homage to our late sports master, Mr. Roy Jagroopsingh whom he described as being, “a very influential figure in his life.”

Outside of football Bailey is quite the family man. He takes joy in spending time with his wife Sharon and his three sons Gianluca, Dario and Donato.

The post Naps Under-14 Coach Bailey in Wheeling University’s Hall of Fame first appeared on NAPS Alumni.

My jaw dropped (it really did), as I saw the most amazing sight ever, a sight I have seen before many times on TV and youtube.
There he was lying on the sand next to a leatherback turtle. Cameras were rolling, director was directing and I was disbelieving.
His grey hair shone in the morning sun and he seemed to be having a conversation with the turtle.
It seemed forever, like the length of a Bollywood film before he finished his take and lumbered towards us. At 91 he wasn’t graceful but grace does not make class.
My heart raced like a thousand African drums (my form 1 students never fail to use this simile).
“Good day Sir. I brought the family to meet you, can I please have your autograph?”
“Good day”, he replied.
Yes! Eat your hearts out people, Sir David Attenborough spoke to me. We shook hands too, imagine that.
“Sure”, he said as I pulled out my sharpie marker pen and hallmark card that I had in pocket since I left home.
He bent his head, pressed the card on his upper thigh and signed his name.
“Thank you Sir”, I said, but he was too tired to respond. He ambled away to his hotel and I walked away with the honour of having met the world’s greatest naturalist. We did meet again at breakfast by the way, check out the pics.
Before I go, remember the part where I was with the wife and baby on the beach at 630 am? Well, upon his arrival back to jolly old England, the BBC headline read, “Sir David Attenborough regrets missed family time”. It’s good to know my family and I could inspire a man who has inspired millions across the globe.

Sir David in his element

Family Portrait

 

Getting that elusive autograph

The post The Hunt For Sir David Attenborough first appeared on NAPS Alumni.