Same thing over and over again

Two weeks ago I wrote that many Trinis seem unable or unwilling to plan properly even when all the information needed is in place. The recent Red Bull Flutag fiasco in Chaguaramas is a perfect example of why it seems not to matter who is in charge of what and when. It still does not happen! The joke (tragedy) is that we all know what takes place every Carnival on the same road in the same area and yet did not anticipate such a large Red Bull crowd and all the other nonsense. 

How come thousands of us who stayed at home knew exactly what would happen? Actually, the same criteria applies to all the “intelligent” citizens who thought they would arrive in Chaguaramas in ten minutes and find a prize parking place specially reserved for them. The most lamentable aspect of the event was listening to all the “Big Pappies” on TV claiming they were not involved, part of, aware of etc. I am sick and tired of people in high positions passing the buck and suggest the following approach when applying for any future major event. Next year on Carnival Monday and Tuesday I request permission to organise an overnight Caterpillar Derby at Tarouba Stadium where 20 companies will each sponsor one caterpillar. 

For this novel Wiggle for Glory event, I expect to attract a maximum of 26 cars, one maxi and one snow-cone doubles vendor, and to prevent any unexpected disaster, I request you to provide two traffic policemen and one hearse in case anyone dies of boredom watching the caterpillars wiggling around the Stadium inside the 18-hour deadline.  I also need 13 policemen to guard the car park against car thieves, a ratio of one policeman for every two cars given the ingenuity of the thieves. Thank you for noting my requirements outlined six months in advance, so your good office can also consider resources needed for traditional Carnival events in the area.” My words are light–hearted but might something like the above do the trick? Any bets?

Hangers on and public $$

On the questions of planning, accountability and transparency, I would be interested to know who approves money and on what basis, for coaches and managers etc to accompany national teams, especially to far—off, exotic countries since nothing happens in Cariacou or Tobago which we can afford. 

When I see the small number of athletes selected for the CAC Age Group Championships and the World Youth Championships and the huge number of coaches, managers, medical experts, physios and chaperones I almost have a fit.  How many of these hardly qualified “hangers on” have a conscience having a good time at taxpayers’ expense? Is the Ministry of Sport prepared to make public the total costs of all the non-athletes for these two events? Any bets? That is why the cry often is we have no money—manipulation, corruption and lack of courage up and down the line.  More proof that we like it so!

Second test memories

The Second India—WI Test match left me with five main memories. First. The near empty stands which was no different to those in Guyana, St Kitts and Jamaica and I doubt Dominica has the population to improve attendance meaningfully. 

Second. The excellent team of commentators—Tony Cozier, Jeffrey Dujon, Ian Bishop, Fazeer Mohammed and best of all Sunil Gavaskar whose cricket experience and success combined with his calm, deliberate, constructive, educational and courteous comments provided the icing on an already delicious verbal cake. Well done guys. It is a pleasure listening to you.  Third. Trying to understand why Ravi Rampaul and Suresh Raina were fined for “bringing the game into disrepute” because of a facial expression suggesting disappointment at being given out to what they thought was a wrong decision.  I accept batsmen should be fined if they threaten to kidnap the umpire’s mother or burn down his house, but to raise an eyebrow in disbelief?  

Fourth. The excellent bowling by Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards. Fifth. The value of maturity and experience as shown by batsmen VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, both in their late thirties. I did not think Sarwan displayed great maturity with his message “Miami here I come!” after being dropped! I should also add a First Test memory namely the staggering catch taken by Devenand Bishoo, diving like Olympian Greg Louganis to grasp the ball at full stretch in the air. The catch was shown countless times on TV and deservedly so, as it must rank as one of the best ever taken. It was pure magic!

Djokovic’s success

Novak Djokovic is the new Wimbledon Men’s singles champion and the new No 1 in world rankings after several years as No 3 behind Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Incredibly, in 2011 he has won 47 of 48 matches (losing to Federer), won seven “big” titles and most staggering, has beaten Nadal in five successive finals—who would have thought that possible? On Centre Court, Rafa fought like a wounded tiger as he always does, but on the day was unable to cope with the vastly improved Djokovic who returned serve better than Rafa. Serbia will celebrate Novak’s success for a long time.

Short-sighted laws

Last week the new Betting Levy Board (BLB) was appointed at last, even though the Chairman designate was out the country and apparently the law does not allow the BLB to have an appointed Deputy Chairman. Why are so many laws so short-sighted? Or is it me?  I always understood the Arima Race Club to be the Promoter of racing. The Racing Authority (TTRA) the judicial arm and BLB the funding arm. During the nine-month absence of a new BLB, it appears that TTRA has taken over some funding activities  or decisions which are certain to create problems in the short term but hopefully matters will be put right in time.   

One thing for sure is that racing will have to find ways to cut costs, and in my opinion, there has never been a need to have both a TTRA and a BLB. Racing embraces such a small part of our already tiny population, we must guard against “overkill” regarding the number of persons needed to manage the industry. Think of having ARC management committee, TTRA and BLB (about 30 persons in all) to run 40 days of racing at a cost of over $1 million in stipends. Is that overkill or is that overkill? Racing’s major focus must be owners and punters. Obviously trainers, grooms and jockeys have their roles to play, but none is needed if there are no owners. We have to find ways to attract new owners or else perish. Similarly we need to understand the enormous importance/contribution of punters without whom there would be no racing. Owners and punters—simple as that!

Congrats to teacher Kissoon

I would like to end by congratulating school teacher Mrs Neilla Kissoon, who prepared the first, second and third national winners in this year’s SEA exam as well as others in the top 20. Such an amazing achievement makes Bishoon’s First Test catch or Djokovic’s 2011 tennis record pale into insignificance and I look forward to how she might be rewarded for being such an excellent role model for all other teachers.

Incredible, fantastic, fantabulous and magnificent Mrs Kissoon, your heart must indeed be beautiful and overflowing with love. God bless you for using your talent to the full and demonstrating to us how giving oneself to others is what life is all about. I admire, congratulate and thank Jack Warner for starting a healthy scholarship fund for the future pupils of Mrs Kissoon which will be a very meaningful motivator.