‘Frog’ Holmes set for big leap in Contender semi-final showdown

Last year’s beaten finalist Richard “Frog” Holmes and Canadian boxer Phil Rose are set to trade punches in the semi-final of the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Series at the Mico University grounds today, starting at 8:30 pm.

Holmes, Team Jamaica’s number two seed, and Team Canada’s number one seed Rose will vie for the final spot in this year’s Contender Series for the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender.

And from all indications, they look in fine trim for a blockbuster semi-final clash at the weigh-in with Holmes touching the scales at 153lbs and Rose at 152lbs.

Both men promised fireworks as they seek to move into the championship match.

“My intention is to go into the ring to get the job of winning done. I have been training hard for this fight. I am not one to underestimate my opponents, but I am in very good shape to fight,” Holmes said.

Rose has nothing but victory on his mind.

“I am in good shape for this fight and my intention going there is to come away a winner,” said the Canadian.

In the profesional under card, defending Contender champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley will take on Ramel “Sub Zero” over five rounds. An amateur fight completes the three-fight card.

— Hurbun Williams

Saint Teresa’s mission happy with work in Jamaica

SISTER Mary Prema, superior general of Saint Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity in India, and Sister Ronald Mc, regional superior of the charity, say they are happy with the work being done at their mission here in Jamaica.

Sister Prema, who was yesterday on her first trip to Jamaica, visited the mission located at 73 – 75 Tower Street in Kingston.

“I am very happy to see how well kept the home is and I’m very happy to see that the residents are all smiling and they are very happy. The sisters (assigned to mission) are also very happy to be here serving,” Sister Prema told the Jamaica Observer. The service, she said, is for the poorest of the poor regardless of colour or class.

“We serve the elderly and on Saturdays we have a meal service where we serve about 300 people. We also have the sitting family (residents at the home) and during the week we distribute bread and pastry to the people. We also do meal studies with the people,” explained Sister Ronald Mc.

And despite its location and the recent spate of violence rocking sections of Kingston, the sisters said the mission remains undisturbed by the violence, for the most part. Sister Ronald said the home is not directly affected by violence; however, from time to time gunshots from surrounding communities create quite a scare.

“We hear the gunshots. I always have the courage. We pray for those in the situations and we pray for the people. The community has never been subjected to violence. The people come to us when they are in need so they are very protective, and the gunmen don’t give us any trouble.”

Sister Prema said she has no fears while performing acts of charity, as her love for the poor helps to conquer all.

“My desire is much greater than fear to serve those who don’t have anybody else to serve them. I have a desire and love for the poor,” she said. “You must face them (your fears) one at a time, when you take them all on, that’s when it becomes overwhelming. When you take them one at a time, the grace and the help is there.”

A German by birth, Sister Prema said she joined the India-based Sisters of Charity in 1980, after she read a book, Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge. Muggeridge wrote the book after he conducted an interview with Mother Teresa.

“As a young woman I had a great desire to be a missionary. I wanted to serve not too close to my own home, but far away. One day, I came across the book and it served as a pre-invitation to my soul that I wanted to serve,” she said.

Yesterday, Sister Prema bemoaned what she said was a decline in the number of young people who are committed to serving as missionaries.

“We still have young women who are joining and we still have young people who are very much interested in helping and volunteering. The numbers of young sisters have diminished over the years, but still we are grateful that we are able to continue the work.”

She added: “Young people find it very difficult to commit to a life of radical living. Most are still coming from India. Mother Teresa didn’t call young people to live this life. It is Jesus. Mother was definitely guiding them, but it’s Jesus that calls and he never stops calling.”

The low-profile Sister Prema is one of the most senior nuns in the order, serving as third superior general. Sister Prema, who is known for her work among the poor, was first elected in 2009 and was re-elected in March 2015.

The Sisters of Charity operates in some 760 communities in approximately 139 countries, with missions also in Haiti, Trinidad and Cuba.

The Sisters of Charity is the religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa — now Saint Teresa — of Calcutta, India.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/saint-teresa-8217-s-mission-happy-with-work-in-jamaica_104622?profile=1373

Caribbean Carnival atmosphere comes to Hero CPL ticket outlets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lauderhill, Florida, 12 July 2017

In the lead up to the 2017 CPL20 USA matches, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Carib Beer are working together to give a small taste of the Carnival Atmosphere that we will be bringing to South Florida when the Hero CPL arrives, delivering world class cricket at The Biggest Party in Sport!

Come and meet the Carib Girls, take advantage of the night’s special offers and you could be walking away with unique CPLT20 Carib merchandise and possibly a pair of tickets to either of the matches on the 5th and 6th August at; Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill.

These exciting events will be taking place at six locations in the South Florida area, five of which are also selling tickets for the event which are going fast, so don’t forget to pick yours up while you’re there.

The events will be taking place at the following locations:

Joy’s Roti Delight, 1205 NW 40 Avenue, Lauderhill FL 33313

Friday July 14th 6pm-8pm

Friday July 21st 6pm-8pm

Friday July 28th 6pm-8pm

Singh’s, 4244 N State Road 7, Lauderhill Lakes, FL 33319

 Saturday July 22nd 1pm-3pm

Bedessee West Indian Foods, 4000 NW 12 Street, Lauderhill, FL 33313

 Saturday July 29th 1pm-3pm

Hibiscus Restaurant, 6289 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation, FL 33313

 Saturday July 22nd, 6pm-8pm

LC Roti Shop, 19505 NW 2nd Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33169

 Saturday July 21st, 6pm-8pm

Caribbean Delite Restaurant, 9491 SW 160th St, Pametto Bay, FL 33157

Saturday July 22nd, 1pm-3pm (Not a ticket outlet)

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Since its inception in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season, combining broadcast and digital viewership, to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders. The 2017 tournament will run from 4 August – 9 September 2017. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.

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For further information please contact:

Peter Miller

Mobile: +447769119636

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League

Basic school gets its own building

Students and teachers at the Disciples of Christ Basic School have finally received their own building.

The school, which was previously located at the Hope Bay United Church facility, posed many challenges for students and teachers, including a shortage of classrooms, poor ventilation, overcrowding, and a deplorable structure.

The school building and its facility comprise four classrooms, a bathroom, a sick bay, kitchen, principal’s office, lunch room, and a play station area.

The school was officially opened on Sunday. The school was also constructed by Food for the Poor (FFP) with the help of a team of volunteers from Helping Hand Jamaica Foundation.

FFP executive director, David Mair, spoke about the agency’s commitment in building alliances and relationships, which has resulted in the upliftment of the poor, while impacting the lives of hundreds of students and other residents.

He said that since the launch of FFP’s Jamaica 50 campaign in 2012, which sought to build or refurbish 50 basic schools in a 50-month period, FFP had constructed 90 islandwide.

“Disciples of Christ Basic School is now officially our 91st. I want to commend our donor, Orlando Franklin and his family, who contributed heavily towards the success of this school. Without continuous generosity from our donors, the school would never have been completed. This structure is built to accommodate approximately 50 students and is retrofitted with the basic amenities,” he said.

West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz lauded FFP for its commitment towards nation building and its life-changing initiatives.

He especially thanked the organisation for its work in his constituency

“The lives of many community residents have been impacted positively, and if it weren’t for the FFP, I would never have achieved that much in terms of providing quality housing assistance to the people and also to construct basic schools to assist those at the kindergarten level,” he said.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170711/basic-school-gets-its-own-building

‘Concrete’ regains his passion

Former Contender Series champion Devon ‘Concrete’ Moncrieffe has said that he has regained his passion for boxing after Wednesday night’s win over Canadian Winston Matthews at the Mico University College.

Moncriffe, who won the tournament in 2013, was knocked out of this year’s competition after a first-round defeat to Canadian Larone Whyte in May. His last time competing before then was in October of 2015 when he had a win against Renan St Juste in his hometown of Montreal, Canada.

Moncriffe, who is now 40 years old, said that getting a unanimous decision win against Matthews made him feel confident about being in the ring once more.

“Right now, mi feel good,” he told STAR Sports.

He added that he was eager to get back in the ring and that he would take any opportunities placed in front of him to do so.

“Mi nuh have nuhbody fi link up wid right now. Mi nuh suh young, but at di same time, mi still a do good. Any fight mi get right now, mi a tek it. Mi cyaan stop train. When mi stop train, mi a go tek too long fi get back fitness suh if mi continue train, it better fi mi,” Moncriffe said.

Reflecting on his loss to Whyte two months ago, Moncriffe said that that he was pleased with the showing he put up despite losing. He added that it showed him that as long as he continued to work hard, he could still be competitive.

“Honestly, deh one deh weh mi lose, mi naa lie, yuh nuh. Di amount mi put out inna dat fight di night and mi lose, pon di split decision, mi know seh a nuh beat up mi get. Mi just tell miself seh right now, mi just a gwaan train hard. Mi naa hold back,” he said.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/sports/20170708/concrete-regains-his-passion

Samsung Smart Skills Transforms Education In Latin America

Children and teenagers between the ages of five and 14 years old are benefiting from the Samsung Smart Skills programme, launched in 2016, which the company is promoting in some Latin American countries.

This year, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador had local editions of the initiative. Held in partnership with Glasswing International, the project aims to foster the development of students’ skills and competences using technology and information through pedagogical and technological resources.

Smart Skills has a portfolio of activities ranging from English clubs, robotics and communication to competitions and conferences, which are passed on to students in a playful way with Samsung tablets, laptops and smart TVs. At the start of the programme, students are faced with fun lessons, where technological tools allow learning motivated by creativity.

“The inclusion of 21st-century skills into our current Corporate Citizenship programmes in the region will be an important contribution to enhance students’ learning process in preparation for their lives and careers,” said Helvio Kanamaru, Latin America Corporate Citizenship senior manager at Samsung Electronics.

“This new initiative reinforces our commitment to innovation and education in the region,” he added.

Teachers from the Smart Skills-participating schools also benefit from the courses through capacity development in order to improve students’ education and prepare them for the future. The Samsung Smart Skills strategy involves volunteers, students and teachers engaged in extra-curricular activities such as tutoring, practice and training in different areas.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170707/samsung-smart-skills-transforms-education-latin-america

Mullings marches into Contender final after win over vexed Davis

Former champion Sakima Mullings marched into the final of the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series for the second time in three seasons following a blow-filled split decision win over Tsetsi Davis in the first semi-final at the Mico University Grounds on Wednesday night.

In the under card pro-fight, Devon Moncriffe of Jamaica defeated Winston Matthews of Canada by a popular majority decision after all three judges — Brian Beauchamp, Clifford Brown and Ransford Burton — scored the bout in favour of the Jamaican.

Action continues at the same venue next week Wednesday when DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley faces Ramel Lewis in the pro-under card over five rounds.

In the night’s feature, Richard “Frog” Holmes, the Team Jamaica number two seed, comes up against Team Canada’s number one seed Phil Rose in the second semi-final over seven rounds.

On Wednesday night Mullings earned the decision to be the first to qualify for the 2017 Contender “Best Of The Best” series final for the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender.

This followed an action-filled seven rounds after which two of the three judges — Brian Beauchamp and Keith Brown — scored the bout 68-65 and 67-66, respectively, in favour of the former champion. The other judge, Lindell Allen, scored it 67- 66 in favour of Davis, who also lost to Mullings in the 2014 final by a unanimous decision.

The win increases Mullings’ ring record to 22 wins, three losses, and 14 knockouts from 25 fights.

It was action from the opening gong. And even with a feeling out period where the boxers started slowly in the first half of the round, the heat went up for the remainder as Mullings went for the body from early.

And from the end on the first round on, even though Davis showed a much improved approach to his craft, Mullings took control of the first four rounds by using his heavy body-punching technique to good effect.

Davis, who was in great shape for the first five rounds, came into his own for most of the fifth, which he took. However, from thence he failed to reproduce the mesmeric industry that he displayed in his quarter-final match against his Team Canada number one challenger Ryan Young, and he wilted for the next two rounds as Mullings stepped up his body blows.

“I felt great mentally and physically going into the fight. We were working assiduously in the gym as we knew that Davis was in great shape. We both have the same attributes, but what I used as a major tool was my desire and that iron will to overcome and succeed,” said Mullings.

Asked about the possibility of facing Richard Holmes in the final, Mullings responded: “Both he and Davis are my friends, so it gives me no pleasure to go into the ring to fight guys that I know. But in the end of it all, it is business as usual,” he added.

Davis, failing to accept the decision of the judges once again, declared in his post-match comments that he was finished competing in the Contender series.

“I done with Contender. Seriously to God, I done with it,” he said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/mullings-marches-into-contender-final-after-win-over-vexed-davis_104163?profile=1511

Mullings Edges Davis After Exciting Contest

Sakima Mullings the No. 1-rated boxer in the Wray and Nephew Contender 2017 competition, had to fight off a stiff challenge from arch-rival Tsetsi Davis at The Mico University College on Wednesday night to book his place in the final, scheduled for July 26.

After seven pulsating rounds of boxing, there was a split decision, as judges Brian Beauchamp 68-65 and Keith Brown 67-66 voted for Mullings, while judge Lindell Allen voted 67-66 for Davis. The second semi-final between Canadian Phil Rose and Jamaica’s Richard ‘Frog” Holmes will take place next Wednesday at the same venue.

An exciting fight between these two rivals was expected, and it lived up to expectations. When they met in the 2014 finals, Mullings, who now has a 22-3 record, came out the winner when Davis retired in the seventh round of their 10- round bout. Davis, who is now18-6, did not flinch on Wednesday night, however, and took the fight to Mullings. Both men sent out early signals that they meant business, because, after a brief period of throwing tentative jabs, they started hurling ‘bombs’ at each other.

Davis usually came in behind a straight jab, and followed this up with right hooks to both the head and body. Fortunately for Mullings, only a few of the head shots found the mark, and he was able to work his way out of trouble repeatedly. He, in turn, concentrated on flurries, particularly to the body, and scored a lot of points this way.

He conceded after the fight that Davis was “a very difficult opponent and he really surprised me. His tactics were hard to read, as he changed repeatedly, and I just had to concentrate on my own plan of attack”.

One of the things that he tried was to use the ropes to his advantage. He repeatedly backed into the ropes to entice Davis to come forward, and it worked.

CRITICAL ROUND

The only problem for Mullings was that Davis got the better of the early exchanges. The fight was close all the way and at the end of six rounds, two scorecards had the fight even. This meant that the final round would be critical. It was also a close round, and came down to the last 30 seconds. Both men worked hard, despite being obviously tired, and kept the action going to the last bell, after which they both raised their hands as a sign of victory. Mullings did get the nod, but just barely.

Although he was disappointed, Davis managed to smile when he spoke with The Gleaner after the fight. He said that he was pleased with his performance, and hoped that it would have been enough for him to win.

“I really wanted to win and take the title this year, but it did not happen” he said. He confessed that he was not able to put in as much work as he would have liked, and thought that it was unfair for him to have been put into the first semi-final after fighting on June 21.

“It is what it is, however. I came out and gave him a good fight and it seems as if the spectators were happy. My job is to please the crowd and I think that I did that.

I am tired and need some rest now ” he ended.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170707/mullings-edges-davis-after-exciting-contest

Tickets for Hero CPL finals in Trinidad are on sale and going fast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port of Spain, Trinidad 8 July 2017

Ticket for the finals of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad are now on sale and available to buy through the Hero CPL website – www.cplt20.com. The four matches will take place between 5th & 9th September and will be the thrilling conclusion of Hero CPL 2017.

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy is a state-of-the-art 100,000sqft training and competition venue with a capacity of 15,000-seats. This fantastic facility will be hosting its first Hero CPL matches and the teams will be able to make use of the world-class outdoor nets and training complex while fans will be able to watch at the most modern cricket stadium in the Caribbean.

Tickets for the finals week of the biggest sporting event in the Caribbean start from just $30US for the eliminators, $35US for the Play-off and $40US for the finals.

The colour, vibrancy and excitement of the Hero CPL finals can’t be matched, and tickets should be picked up fast before they sell out.

Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Hero CPL, said: “We are delighted to be in Trinidad for the finals week this year, it is the vibrant hub of Caribbean cricket. The Biggest Party in Sport finishing at the wonderful stadium at the Brian Lara Academy will be a perfect end to the tournament, and what better name for the matches to be associated with than Brian Charles Lara!”

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Since its inception in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season, combining broadcast and digital viewership, to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders. The 2017 tournament will run from 4 August – 9 September 2017. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.

-End-

For further information please contact:

Peter Miller

Mobile: +447769119636

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League

‘Mr Special Olympics’ – August Town Resident Soaring In Spite Of Challenges

When Nigel Davis, 40, stepped up to claim the coveted Coach of the Year Award last Friday, during the 34th staging of the Jamaica Special Olympics National Summer Games, it was the culmination of years of hard work through trying circumstances.

“Being a slow learner means you’ll have to work harder to realise your dreams, but hard work usually pays,” declared the August Town resident, who in his formative years attended Mico Practising Primary and Junior High School, and later Randolph Lopez School of Hope.

“Growing up, persons in the community would tease me because I went to a special school, and people had it that only handicaps go there. Financially, my mother didn’t have it while I was growing up, but she always tried. My father would always help me out with snacks or a lunch money in my teenage years as well.”

Davis’ silver lining came in the 1980s upon a visit to the national arena, where he observed men roller-skating and developed a love affair he has described as “life changing”.

“I was so amazed with their energy and the engine-like sound that the shoes made that I approached them and asked how I could join, and that was it. At first, I wasn’t able to balance so well, but I eventually got better.”

Davis would later be selected to compete at a number of Special Olympics around the world in several sports and would launch his Special Olympian coaching career in the early 2000s.

As a coach, Davis’ greatest achievement is having conditioned Romaine Austin and Dave Oddman to historic gold-medal successes at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz, Austria, in March.

However, his fondest memory on the journey thus far is having started his own skating school in August Town in 2006.

Living his dream

“Nigel Davis Foundation Skating School is me living my dream. I would love the help from some companies to expand it to all parishes. As a result of my development and recognition, the treatment in my community is good now, no trouble. For others like myself I just want to say, don’t give up, don’t shy away from followering your dreams,” stated Davis, who is also formally employed to Parang Industries Limited.

Dane Richardson, chief executive officer of Digicel Foundation, the main sponsors of the Jamaica Special Olympics, declared that Special Olympics continued to inspire persons across the island, with and without disabilities, to give in to a higher calling both for themselves and the country.

In heaping praises upon the sportsman-turned-coach, Executive Director of Special Olympics Jamaica, Lorna Bell, stated that Davis was truly “phenomenal”.

“He’s Mr Special Olympics. Most persons are not so open to telling others that they’re special; he has no problem in admitting to you that he has a disability. There is nothing like acceptance. He has represented Jamaica in every single sport that we offer and he was the torch runner at the 2015 Los Angeles Special Olympics World Summer Games, alongside our local police officers. He’s very deserving.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170705/mr-special-olympics-august-town-resident-soaring-spite-challenges