The Best of CariFin 2009

Mc Leish makes it three in a row while Awai steals the spotlight at CariFin cross country at Sevilla, Couva.

The 18th Edition of CariFin Cross Country and Family Fun Day took place on Sunday May 31, 2009 at Sevilla Golf Course – Couva. Here the members of the CariFin Family came together to celebrate – “Fun, Fitness and Friendship” – the trade mark of CariFin.
Cross country running continues to be the main event of CariFin to really test and promote personal fitness and the male and female cross country races continue to be the heart of the Games.

Nikosi Mc Leish of RBTT Bank continued his dominance from the CariFin Urban Challenge where he won all 3 running events to culminate with a hatrick of wins in the 3 lap cross country race at Sevilla in a time of 25.31.
Crystal-Ann Awai stole the spotlight in female two lap’s version of the cross country event and it was the first time for her participating in this event and she breast the finish line tape in first place in a time of 25.01.

Mc Leish took control of the race very early in the first lap and never looked back; he continued to leave the

following pack behind increasing his lead lap after lap. The following pack which included former top road runners Gilford Mornix and Ian Gibbs of GHL, John Donaldson of GRACE KENNEDY and the up and coming Jean Marc De Boulet provided very little of a challenge to Mc Leish as he cross the finish line a minute before the second place Mornix was in sight. Mornix finished in 26.36, Ian Gibbs third in 28.12, John Donaldson came in 28.13 in fourth place with Jean Marc De Boulet finishing fifth with a time of 31.35.
 
Crystal-Ann Awai said on the finish line, “I felt great, I accomplish what I set out to do” this was a confident Awia sharing her feeling after winning the toughest race in her career in which it call on her to give her all to ensure success.
Angela Parris of CLICO 2008 winner came in second in a time of 26.05, when asked about her experience running the race, she smiled and said, “If winning means doing ones best, then I am a winner.”
In third place was Mumtaz Amarali of Republic Bank in a time of 26.33. Then in fourth we got Candice Rollock of GHL with a time 27.24 with Hazel Tywang-Maharaj of RBTT Bank taking fifth spot in 27.37

Walking
The walking event for the men was won for another year by Hollis Granville of GHL in time of 17.59. He was followed by Stephen Samuel and Clem Jubrajsingh of RBTT Bank in 18.42 and 18.48 respectively.
Hazel Tywang-Maharaj won the women’s walk for another year straight in 18.50, with her colleague, Sharon Alleyne in 20.57 followed by Aretha Alleyne of First Citizens in 21.01.
The walking had the highest level of participation with 52 finishers in this event

Fun Run
The fun run was the only one of the athletic events open to spouses and other family members and 25 participants entered with Husayn Alfayed winning with a time of 10.33, Biro Phillip in second place with a time of 12.08 and third place is Ashe Holder of Republic Bank with 12.41. In the female category we have Alicia Stewart of First Citizens finishing first in 16.51, followed by Jeneen Salim of GHL in 17.28 and filling third spot is Melissa Mc McAllister of Central Bank with 17.45.

Dance Off
This second year we are having this competition and it has gain enormous traction with the crowd, it’s really a fun

things and every company is represented. This year we are please to announce the winner is Dale Mohammed and his dance partner Michellene Griffith of First Citizens taking second place was another First Citizens entrant Stacy Edmond and partner and third place went to Central Bank’s Sharon Le Maitre and her dancing partner Ronald Phillip.

Ms. CariFin 2009
Melissa McAlister of Central Bank outshone the other girls in the aerobic contest and went on to answer her question quite intelligently to win Ms. CariFin 2009. Denise Weeks of GRACE KENNEDY was first runner up, second runner up is Joelle – Ann Mollineau of GHL and third runner up is Christine Bhatto of First Citizens.

Tug of war
Winners of the Tug of War was Central Bank, in second place was Grace Kennedy and filling third spot is First Citizens.

Novelty Champions went to First Citizens, Central Bank took second place Central Bank and  Grace Kennedy fill third spot.

Best Tent
The best decorated tent was won by Intercommercial Bank; they won hands down with a design that stood

apart from the rest. Grace Kennedy was second with their flaming red theme and the green of First Citizens took third place. GHL had a somewhat local original design concept that had coconut branches as part of the set up.

The Team Captain of the CariFin Games 2009.
To be able to lead your team confidently through out the CariFin Urban Challenge, then have them well represented at cricket, football and all fours. And without fail mount a massive display of team spirit, cohesiveness, passion and energy to be able to inspire your troops to participate in every event and try to win.
That and more is what leadership means as a CariFin Team Captain.
And without a doubt and with the numbers to prove and the victories to show – Dale Mohammed – The First Citizens team captain is the – Team Captain of CariFin Games 2009.