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Cut out the waste, Dr Rowley

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Published: 
Monday, June 6, 2016

It is unprecedented and outrageous that a private travel agency owned and operated by a Houston resident, Ms Juliana Fermin, is to be given TT$450,000 for a “media launch” to pay for “caterers….and other marketing paraphernalia” for a three-day carnival type all-inclusive cruise which will “sail from Miami to the Bahamas, where the party will spill onto the private Coco Cays island and may even culminate with a J’Ouvert,” says Fermin, who is allegedly in talks with The Bahamian Tourist Board.  

What does this have to do with T&T? If Ms Fermin et al decide to launch her all-inclusive Carnival cruise ship fete idea then why are we paying for it? 

Should we as a bankrupt nation be financing all-inclusive fete events based overseas? 

Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, revealed that her Ministry, together with the Ministry of Tourism, has invested TT$450,000 to support the event. Dr Dolly said “one of the expected returns from this investment is the attraction of tourists to Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival aboard the Royal Caribbean.” 

Does Minister Dr Dolly know that the three-day fete event is from Miami to The Bahamas, not T&T? Does she know that every island now has a carnival, each much safer than Trinidad’s?  

Madame Minister, are all of the islands also subsidising this event since all islands embrace the “creative” carnival culture and in theory stand to benefit equally? Are you aware that cruise tourism is statistically considered the least desirable since there is almost no money spent in the local economy and guests walk around then rush back aboard the ship for meals, never to return again? Who is advising you?

Does our Government intend to discriminate against other T&T-type carnival events, or are we soon to co-sponsor Broward One Carnival in Miami, Caribana in Toronto, Nottinghill in London, Labour Day in New York, or the Boston or Dallas Carnivals? 

Do we, as a nation facing bankruptcy and major currency devaluation, intend to subsidise the private events promoted in Calgary Carifest, the Norfolk Virginia Caribfest, the Edmonton Cariwest, the Houston Caribfest, the Ottawa Caribvibe Festival, the Charleston Carifest or the Colombia SC Caribbean Culture Festival?

Dr Rowley must lead. In the face of those who have been retrenched and in light of our life-and-death economic challenges, are we as a nation now going to sponsor all-inclusive fete events which will occur overseas? 

With respect, I ask Dr Rowley that there be public consultation before these whirlwind expenditures are whipped up, so as to air views, options and ideas and to promote the democratic principles of transparency, accountability and empowerment of the all, including the creative sector. To save our sinking ship and to avoid massive discontent, please stop the waste.

G Gary Aboud


Time for action on tourism

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Published: 
Monday, June 6, 2016

Shaliza Hassanali’s article in the May 24 T&T Guardian invites further comment. The ludicrously-high turnover of tourism ministers, and their TDC chairmen, have provoked justifiable concern amongst the industry’s stakeholders—those unfortunate souls whose business success depends upon effective tourism destination management and promotion, an obvious government responsibility. 

Their overarching concern is whether or not the government is serious about developing tourism to diversify the national economy. So far the answer appears to be a resounding no. Former minister Stephen Cadiz has called tourism the government’s bastard child, and certainly Dr Williams did everything to disown it from the very beginning. 

But a bastard child, properly cared for, could very well develop into the prodigal son! Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries with no end of that growth in sight. Tourism generates US$7.2 trillion in economic impact, and accounts for 9.8 per cent of global GDP. 

It also creates one in every 11 jobs worldwide, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Not surprisingly it is also the world’s most competitive industry, with every country across the globe aggressively competing for its share of the tourism dollar.

In the Caribbean there are many countries that have chosen to hitch their wagons to the tourism star, sometimes with few alternative. But as the industry has prospered so have they. 

The Dominican Republic, with perhaps the region’s most hospitable investment incentives, now boasts more than five million arrivals annually for their 60,000-plus rooms, and is projected to add another 18,000 more rooms over the next four years. 

Its 8 per cent GDP growth is the highest in the region, which is of course substantially fuelled by tourism. Jamaica, with a projected close to two million arrivals in 2015 now has close to 25,000 rooms, and is projected to add another 4,000 more over that same four-year period.

Together they are combining with Cuba to offer a sub-regional axis for tourism development and marketing. Cuba is already working with The Bahamas to that end, and has also had similar meetings with Aruba. 

By comparison T&T’s absence of commitment to the development of tourism is demonstrated by a stagnant inventory of less than 3,000 rooms, an outdated and uncompetitive investment incentive regime, an almost total lack of destination branding and promotion, with a consequent absence of any tourism development and growth, earning T&T its dubious reputation as the best kept secret in Caribbean tourism. 

Minister Cudjoe, in Ms Hassanali’s article, is reported to have stated she does not think that TDC’s directors need to have any knowledge of tourism to fulfill their board obligations. 

In the context of their legal mandate from the Corporation Sole she may well be right, however, this in no way prepares them for their ongoing decision-making responsibilities in the development and delivery of an effective destination tourism strategy, or in understanding the commercial dynamics of a very practical industry that cannot be learned in a classroom.

The Ministry and the TDC have telegraphed their lack of understanding of the complex travel distribution system, and how it works, by having suggested that expert overseas representation in each of T&T’s source markets is unnecessary, and could just as well be run from the Consulates and High Commissions, or even worse, be discontinued altogether.

This would, of course, only send a message in letters of fire to the trade—those tour operators and online travel agencies which generate our business flows—that T&T was not interested in tourism, and they should transfer their interest and business elsewhere. It would also seriously undermine any negotiations that might be under way for an increase in airlift.

It is hard to believe that, in this day and age, a responsible government dealing with the fiscal challenges that T&T is faced with today, would not do everything in its power to foster the development of tourism for improved hard currency earnings, increased employment and enhanced linkages to other sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and the wider services sector.

The time for talking about tourism is long gone. We don’t need any more studies and costly long range plans. What is needed is a professionally informed, strategic action programme developed in conjunction with the industry’s stakeholders that would address such key issues as:
• Modernisation and enhancement of the existing tourism investment regime; 
• Branding Tobago and Trinidad as the two separate destinations under one flag they certainly are; 
• Provide adequate funds to aggressively promote both destinations to the travelling public;
• Re-establish ongoing contracts with our overseas reps if they are satisfactory, or go out with a new RFP if they are not;
• Undertake an audit of all existing accommodations, sites and attractions, preparatory to having them properly inspected and certified annually; 
• Co-ordinate ownership of all government hotels and properties under one purpose-designed and professionally-managed hotel ownership company, similar to The Bahamas Hotel Corporation, or Jamaica’s National Hotels and Properties.
Have that company arrange the sale of these hotels, when commercially appropriate, with the proceeds exclusively dedicated to the development of new resorts on both islands. The time for action is now!

John Bell

A healthy Clico an asset to economy

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Published: 
Monday, June 6, 2016

I wish to preface this article by stating very clearly that it is written in my personal capacity. It is not on behalf of the Clico Stakeholders Alliance or any other entity.

What is the purpose of a state bailout of the largest and most important financial institution in a country? Such a company does not achieve that status by chance. Incompetent, corrupt people do not create successful companies that generate billions annually in profits, in foreign exchange and in dividends. Such a company, contemptuously described by one of our ministers as a Ponzi scheme, does not develop diversified assets that are prized, envied and coveted by other less dynamic businesses.

That is why I disagreed with a few other commentators from the outset about the advisability of saving this company. I backed a taxpayer-funded rescue of the company on the basis of an understanding that assets would regain their “true” value as the world economy rebounded and that the company had a sound and important future within the economy of T&T.

I did not and I do not now support a nationalisation of the company facilitating naked asset stripping of the very assets the administration told us were worthless. I did not and I do not support the destruction and closure of Clico, as that is the very opposite of what was needed. If saving Clico was not at the core of what we set out to achieve then I would not have supported the expenditure of even one dollar of taxpayers’ money, never mind $20 billion and counting.

If the destruction and closure of the company was the desired outcome, it should have been stated from the outset. We would have saved the taxpayer billions of dollars. The extortionate fees paid to consultants and financial intermediaries running into hundreds of millions of dollars could have been saved. The real cost would have been known with certainty and it would have been repaid by now through an orderly disposal of assets.

The choice of a different path and its financial consequences for the nation must be laid squarely at the feet of those who have directed and managed the rescue on our behalf. Who is more culpable—is it the former management who walked into a problem we now know and always suspected to be temporary, or is it the political appointees who have transformed a large but manageable short-term problem into an enormously expensive quagmire? When apportioning blame it cannot be right for the former management to be judged based on the failings of the political directorate.

This is not to absolve the former management of blame. They must own up to the mistakes that were made in the lead-up to the crisis and face the consequences thereof including legal action if appropriate. They must also demonstrate that they have learned necessary lessons and have the ability to improve their performance in future so as to avoid a repeat. But I see that judgment being made by their customers and business associates should the company be returned to their control, not by politicians.

The State on the other hand must go back immediately to the reason for the bailout. Is it the restoration of the company to health so that it can play a most needed role in the economy? Or is it as seems to be the case, an opportunity for asset stripping designed to remove every last dollar of value from the carcass before it is wound up and buried?

I wholeheartedly endorse the call for adequate information about the state of the company both in January 2009 and now. We cannot resolve the many problems without a clear view of the company as was, the rescue, and the failings of both. I have submitted several requests for pertinent information under the Freedom of Information Act. None has generated a satisfactory response. This knee-jerk recourse to denial of information must be reversed if we are to achieve the best possible outcome. On that issue every credible commentator has agreed.

Our obsession with personalising this as a problem for which the former management is responsible makes us unable to focus adequately on the steps needed to be taken now. If we agree that a healthy Clico is an asset to the economy and that a rescue cannot be a nationalisation or free pass for asset stripping and destruction of national treasures then we must change course.

We have to return to what we were sold and that which is mandated by the Central Bank Act (The Act). The Act makes clear that in the current circumstances, control is to be relinquished to the shareholders. It is the correct legal action as well as the best economic course of action for the country.

It will not be simple, but the fact that our political masters have made such an almighty mess must not give them a pass to continue with more of the same. The discussion must commence as to how the law can be complied with while protecting all affected parties from further abuse. Continuation along the current path guarantees further pain for all and is in contravention of the Act.

While the Act makes no specific demands of the owners in return for relinquishing control, the owners and managers are still bound by contractual obligations and subject to regulatory oversight. It helps that all shareholders appear to be respectful of those obligations and may not be averse to making adequate commitments with respect to the future running of the company. The administration should welcome the opportunity for such dialogue in the best interests of taxpayers and all stakeholders.

David Walker

Monday 06th June, 2016

Rude awakening

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as Windies brought down to earth by Aussies
Published: 
Monday, June 6, 2016

Wrapped in a Guyanese flag, a woman left the Providence Stadium in Georgetown saying this can’t be a Tri-series but a cry series. She was obviously disappointed after the West Indies were humiliated by World Champions Australia and given a rude awakening in the second match of the Ballr Tri-series, yesterday.

Scores: West Indies 116 all out (32.3ovs) vs Australia 117/4 (25.4ovs) - Australia won by 6 wickets.

After their four-wicket victory over South Africa on Friday night, the West Indies brought 12,000 Guyanese through the turnstiles. However, their batsmen failed to come to grips with world-class bowling from a disciplined Australian outfit. 

The regional players failed to realise they had 300 balls to negotiate and did not use 105 of them, as they were bowled out for 116 in 32.3 overs. A total of 17.3 overs of spin bowling, yielded only 63 runs at the cost of eight wickets. The only men to make an impression were Johnson Charles (22), Carlos Brathwaite (21) and Darren Bravo (20), as Nathan Lyon (3/39) and Adam Zampa (3/16) proved a handful on the slow track.

Set 117 runs for victory, the Australians duly got home, thanks to a controlled unbeaten 51 off 52 balls with three fours and a six by David Warner.

West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine scored some psychological points by grabbing 2/36 of his 10 overs. The Australians also got a bonus point which took them to five points. The West Indies has four and South Africa zero.

Australia won the toss and opted to field.  The returning Mitchell Starc went to work immediately and sent back Andre Fletcher—caught at gully for four.

Johnson Charles struggled, but added 44 runs for the second wicket with Darren Bravo who looked in great touch but fell to an off-side trap—giving Mitchell Marsh his first scalp. He faced 31 balls and struck three fours.

His dismissal opened the floodgates and Starc, bowling consistently around 145k, soon ended Charles’ misery by rearranging his stumps. His top score occupied 40 balls with a six and a four.

Bowling with tremendous guile and control, Lyon roared through the middle sending back Marlon Samuels (10) and Keiron Pollard for a first ball duck. Brathwaite was last out after facing 48 balls with a four and a six.

The West Indies head to St Kitts on Wednesday while Australia will  clash with South Africa tomorrow.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies vs Australia

WI inns

J Charles  b Starc    22

A Fletcher  c Maxwell b Starc    4

D Bravo c Zampa b Marsh    19

M Samuels  lbw Lyon    10

D Ramdin  lbw Maxwell    12

K Pollard  c Warner b Lyon    0

C Brathwaite c Finch b Zampa    21

J Holder b Zampa    1

S Benn c&b Lyon    3

S Narine st Wade b Zampa    5

J Taylor  not out    3

Extras 3lb, 9w, 2nb    14

Total all out (32.3ovs)    116

Fall of wkts: 6, 50, 59, 70, 70, 85, 88, 91, 111, 116. Bowling: M Starc 9-0-37-2, J Hazelwood 3-0-13-0, N Lyon 10-2-39-3, M Marsh 3-1-5-1, A Zampa 5.3-0-16-3, G Maxwell 2-1-3-1.

Aus Inns

D Warner not out    51

A Finch lbw Holder    19

U Kawaja c Holder b Benn    27

S Smith lbw Narine    6

G Maxwell b Narine    0

M Marsh not out    9

Extras 1lb    1

Total for 4 wkts (25.4ovs)    117

Fall of wkts: 44, 85, 92, 92.

Bowling: S Narine 10-2-36-2, J Taylor 3-0-20-0, S Benn 6-0-21-1, J Holder 3-0-21-1, C Brathwaite 3-0-14-0, A Fletcher 0.4-0-4-0. Result: Australia won by 6 wkts. Australia 5 pts, West Indies 0.

West Indies opener Johnson Charles is bowled by Australia’s Mitchell Starc during Match 2 of the Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series at Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday. Photo by WICB Media

Why does it always come down to protesting?

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Published: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

It is very disturbing to me why it is that parents and children have to protest with placards etc, to have things put in place for the Presbyterian-run primary schools in Trinidad.

Firstly, there is the slow progress with the completion of the Woodbrook Presbyterian School which was established since 1922 and has produced many outstanding citizens of our beloved country.

Next on the list is the Eccelsville Presbyterian School where the children have to be accommodated at the nearby Presbyterian Church. Then finally, the Siparia Presbyterian Primary School. Here again, the parents and the children have to stage another protest. I am appealing to those in charge to take cognisance of the fact that this should not be happening in this day and age.

Proper funding should be allocated to Presbyterian primary schools throughout the country.

Come on, Mr Garcia, the ball is in your court, as the line minister in charge of education.

Kelvin La Roche

St James

Tuesday 7th June, 2016 Job Hunter

PIERRE, FRANCIS “SUGAR”

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Published: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

PIERRE, FRANCIS “SUGAR” formerly of Orange Field Road, Carapichaima died in London, England on Wednesday 25th May 2016. He was the husband of Janet. Father of Susan and Dorian. Grandfather of Benedict and Ellen. Brother of Baby Hakim, Chuni ( England ) and Bernard Pierre.

Pre-deceased by seven other siblings. Brother-inlaw of Kamal Hakim, Sheff and Ranky Pierre, and Sonah Di U l f h Pi Diaram. Uncle of the Pierre, Roopnarinesingh, Pargass, Peetam, Roopnarine Maharaj, Diaram, Hakim and Deonarine families. Friend of many, both in Trinidad and England where he lived for 57 years.

Funeral of the late FRANCIS “SUGAR” PIERRE takes place on Wednesday 8th June 2016  


​RAMOUTAR, JOCELYN LYDIA (NEE DE SORMEAUX)

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Published: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

RAMOUTAR, JOCELYN LYDIA (NEE DE SORMEAUX), Retired Teacher, and Principal of Upper Cumuto Government School, passed away peacefully at home on 28 May 2016, aged 80.

She was the daughter of William and Ethel De Sormeaux (both dec), Wife of Lionel Ramoutar (dec), Mother of Lynette, Gaile, Christine and Colin, Mother-in-law of Suzanne; Sister of Wilmer Barcoo, Bernard De Sormeaux, Monica De Sormeaux Mohan, Dennis De Sormeaux (dec), Kenneth De Sormeaux (dec); Aunt of Ann Marie De Sormeaux, Charles and Glen Barcoo, and of Michael, Harold and Kenneth Barcoo (all dec); Relative of the De Sormeaux, Villafanas, De Verteuils, Ramoutars, Ramdhanies, Banwaries, Sooklals, Kistows, Roopnarines, Manmohans. Relative and friend of many, Teacher and Principal to many generations.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, 7th June 2016 at 10:30a.m. at Santa Rosa R.C. Church, Woodford Street, Arima, thence to the Cumuto Cemetery. 

​MURRELL, AGNES

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Published: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

MURRELL, AGNES of 25 in London England. Sparrow Drive, Simeon Road, Petit Valley died on Wednesday 1st June, 2016. Wife of Lennard. Mother of Neilsa, Dereck, Garth and Mark. Grandmother of Jordan Rea, Christian, Dillion and Joshua. Sister of Sylvia, Cita, John (dec.), Clayton, Clyde, Princess and Victor (dec.). Mother-in-law of Nicole and Racahel. Cousin of many. Friend of many. Aunt of many.

Funeral service at 9.30 am on Wednesday 8th June at Church of Nativity, Crystal Stream, Diego Martin thence to the Crematorium, Long Circular Road, St James. For enquiries; call C&B: 625- 1170 To send condolences please visit our website www.clarkandbattoo.com 

​CHAN WAH

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Published: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

CHAN WAH, David Joseph passed away peacefully on Saturday June 4th 2016. Son of Joseph Chan Wah (dec.) and Jean Chan Wah. Husband of Sandra Chan Wah. Father of Michael and Michelle. Sonin- law of Rosemary Palmer (Warwick). Brother of Debra Gay (Lindsay), Karen Joseph Chan Wah (Steve), Anthony (Indira), Liston Palmer and Clarence Joseph (USA). Uncle of Dominic and Destine Gay, Stephen and Matthew Chan Wah. Friend of Randall, Gerry, Randy, Michael, Gregory and many, many more.

Funeral service for the late David Joseph Chan Wah takes place at 10.00 am on Thursday 9th June, 2016 at the St Anthony s Catholic Church, Morne Coco Road, Petit Valley thence to the Mucurapo Cemetery. For enquiries; call C&B: 625- 1170 To send condolences please visit our website www.clarkandbattoo.com 

​AUGUSTUS: Hyacinth

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Published: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

AUGUSTUS: Hyacinth- of Mango Trace, Cottage Road, St. John's Village, Princes Town passed away on 05th June, 2016 at the age of 90. He was the husband of Katherine Hackshaw. Father of Michael, Terrance, Stephen, Pamela, Cheryl, Bernadette, Tony, Brian, Wendell, Lennox and Maulden.

The funeral service of the late Augustus Hyacinth will take place on Wednesday 8th June, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at J.E. Guide Funeral Home & Crematorium Limited, #120 Coffee Street, San Fernando followed by burial at Roodal Public Cemetery. Enquires can be made to J. E. Guide Funeral Home & Crematorium Ltd., #120 Coffee Street, San Fernando (652-4261 or 657-5465).  

Sunday 5th June, 2016 WoW

Vacancy

How is this $2.5 Billion to be replaced?

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Published: 
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

As the nation stands divided on the decision by Minister of Finance Colm Imbert to withdraw $2.5 billion from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF), no doubt with the backing of the cabinet, I wish to offer my perspective on the issue at hand. 

The Opposition Leader correctly expressed the fact that though the Prime Minister saw nothing wrong with the withdrawal, it was wrong not to properly inform the country of its true purpose.

The current explanation can be likened to a child asking his father for $250 to go to the shop. Obviously this is not $25, and the father would want to know why a child would want such a sizable amount when he had already received his usual allowance (budget). 

As such, the nation needs to know the exact purpose of this withdrawal. Is it that after months of waiting, the public servants and protective services will be paid all or just part of their back pay? Or is it that this money is to be invested in the development and stimulation of the local industry? As of yesterday, there seemed no clear answer and reasonable people in society have been left guessing.

I have read with great concern, and with much thought provocation, the opposing views of renowned economists Hosein and Dookeran. I believe there is a more pertinent question to be asked as, how is this $2.5 billion to be replaced?

Simply, if we as a country are about to jeopardise our collateral, as the HSF is used for credit ratings by the IDB etc, in a bid to stimulate the economy, then the Minister of Finance and by extension the Prime Minister, must move to assure the nation that a percentage of the revenue is to be returned to the HSF. This cannot be a case of “well we need the money” or “this is what the fund is for,” but rather should be viewed as an investment to be returned with interest to self. 

In keeping with suggestions from Senator Dhanayshar Mahabir, if the budget were to be pegged on the oil price of $45/barrel, anything above that should be placed into the HSF, especially as T&T’s oil receives an average $60/barrel when last I checked, due to quality.

This move, if a mere withdrawal, is wrong. But if it were an investment with returns pledged to the HSF and the nation, with proper monitoring and evaluation through transparency then it may fulfill the purpose of the fund in the first place. And, if it is hopefully so, then what are the measures being used to get value for money? How are we as a nation going to ensure that the difference promised in the build up to September 2015 is realised and not just an empty promise?

Devant Maharaj,

Former Minister of Government


There was no need for PM to go Jamaica

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Published: 
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

It is important that we stay focused on the relevant issue when looking at the present “feud” between T&T and Jamaica. Yes, that is how far it has reached. And I believe it should have been handled by other parties and not our Prime Minister and the Jamaican Prime Minister. 

Tell me something, is our level of maturity as a nation so low that everything has to involve the Prime Minister? Are there not other competent people to handle these matters?

T&T has much more pressing issues that need more urgent attention, for example the ills of the recession, job losses, growing crime, the influx of Venezuelans, just to name a few. It is here where the PM should be focusing. 

The fact is that there are rules and regulations and we ought to follow the policies that are in place. It is simple as that. Why do we need the Prime Minister in this scenario? Just do what the laws of T&T state concerning detainees who have overstayed their time. 

Let those detainees know that breaking the law does not entitle them to a room in Hyatt. Believe me, they are fortunate that they are in this country. There are countries that would have dealt with them differently, and I mean really different.

So to my Prime Minister, you really did not have to make that trip, there are ministers in place to handle such matters. It would be nice if you put your efforts to more pressing issues.

Arnold Gopeesing,

San Juan

Wednesday 08th June, 2016

'Iceman' Narine holds key to Windies chances says coach

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Published: 
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Sunil Narine has a big role to play in the current Ballr Tri-Series among West Indies, Australia and South Africa and bowling consultant Roddy Estwick is thrilled by the prospects he brings.

Speaking at the Providence Stadium in Guyana yesterday, Estwick who is new to the role said: “I have nicknamed Sunil Narine ‘Iceman’, I cannot understand how this man can be under so much pressure and still be cool. He has come back from real difficulties and is bowling so well. He is key for us and has bowled brilliantly this series and we hope this continues.” 

Narine picked up career best figures of 6/27 against South Africa in the opening match which West Indies won by four wickets while he took 2/36, as the home team went under by six wickets to Australia in the second match.

Looking ahead Estwick said: “We did not play well as a team in the last game. We need to get partnerships and somebody in the top four can get a big score, we will turn it around. St Kitts is a different pitch and the guys have to rise to the challenge as a team and collectively as a unit. 

“Length has to change at different venues and we have to look at par scores and stuff, at certain venues before setting our targets. Certain things we can work on that will work anywhere and one of that is cutting out the extras and boundary balls. I have stressed big on extras and cutting out boundary balls those are areas where we can improve.”

West Indies have been very good in the extras column, giving away only five against South Africa and one against Australia.

Estwick said: “We are trying to stop the opposition’s momentum, not giving them that first ball four and that last ball four, where they can gain momentum. Looking at the bowling I think we are 75 per cent there, we have to keep working and keeping passing on ideas. Keep learning and I always say if teaching takes place, then learning will take place.”

Estwick replaced the legendary former West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose. He described his short stint as very good. 

“The stint has been great so far, having worked at the under-19 level for many years, I have worked with these guys, so it was not difficult making the transition. 

“As a matter of fact It goes way back to 2006 with players like (Keiron) Pollard and Narine. I have never found any challenges working with young people. You have to be honest and get their trust. 

“So far we have put some systems in place and once they continue to follow it and work hard, things will be fine. It is not going to be easy but the discipline and work ethic is there so the improvement will come.

“When you play at the international level, you have those little technical changes that come into play and of course patience is key. It’s a test of your character and I have already stressed to the players that patience and hard work is so vital.”

Yesterday, the West Indies cancelled their 9.30 am practice session at the National Stadium and moved it to the afternoon period and will leave Guyana today at 12.30 pm for St Kitts. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has chartered a flight on Caribbean Airlines direct from Guyana to St Kitts to ease the team’s travel woes from Island to Island.

WELL DONE: Windies players congratulate Sunil Narine, third right, after he took a wicket during Match 2 of the Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series against Australia at Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Sunday. Photo: WICB Media

SA bounces back to whip Aussies

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Published: 
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

South Africa bounced back from their opening match loss to the West Indies when they defended a modest 189 against World champions Australia as the Ballr Tri-series continued at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, yesterday.

 Aaron Finch’s 72, which included six fours and three sixes, was the only defiance, as the South African bowlers manfully stuck to their guns to bowled the champions out for 142 in 34.2  overs, to give their team victory by 47 runs.

 Finch, Nathan Lyons (30), batting at 10, and last man Josh Hazelwood (11), were the only Australian batsmen to get into double figures.

South Africa quickies Wayne Parnell and Kagiso Rabada put Australia under early pressure, removing David Warner (1), Usman Khajawa (2) and skipper Steve Smith (8), to leave the top order in tatters at 21-3.

Debutant Tabraiz Shamshi then removed Glen Maxwell (3) to get his first international wicket, before Imran Tahir added Mitchell Marsh (8) to leave half the Australian batsmen in the pavilion with just 72 runs on the board.  Rabada added Mathew Wade (2) and Nathan Couter-Nile (0) before Tahir removed Adam Zampa (0) as Australia plunged to 90-8. 

Finch and Lyons added 23 for the ninth wicket before the opener’s inning was ended by Phangiso as he drove straight to de Villiers at cover.

Lyons and Hazelwood keep Australia alive in a last wicket partnership of 29, before Lyons played across the line to Phangiso and was adjudged lbw to give South Africa victory.

  Earlier, fast bowlers Hazelwood and Nathan Coulter-Nile showed the virtue of good line and length and were rewarded with four wickets, as South Africa found batting tough.

 Openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock posted 29 runs before being separated. The next best partnership was between top scorer Farhaan Behardien and Phangiso who added 37 for the seventh wicket. 

 Amla was run out for 35 looking well set. He faced 46 balls and struck two fours while skipper AB de Villiers (22) received a  quick delivery from Coulter-Nile that sent his stumps cartwheeling. He faced 38 balls and did not hit a boundary. He has now faced 87 balls without hitting a boundary in this series.

Behardien was watchful and contributed a priceless 62 of 82 balls with four fours and a six.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa vs Australia

South Africa inns

H Amla run out    35

Q de Kock lbw Hazelwood    18

R Rosseuw lbw Lyon    7

AB de Villiers b Coulter-Nile    22

JP Duminy  b Coulter-Nile    13

F Behardein   b Maxwell    62

W Parnell b Hazelwood    2

A Phangiso c Hazelwood b Zampa    9

K Rabada not out    15

I Tahir c Coulter-Nile b Maxwell    0

T Shamsi not out    0

Extras 1lb, 5w    6

Total for 9 wkts    189

Fall of wkts: 29, 41, 81, 97, 104, 112, 149, 188, 188.

Bowling: J Hazelwood 10-3-20-2, N Coulter-Nile 10-2-38-2, N Lyon 10-0-40-1, N Lyon 10-0-46-1, M Marsh 4-0-18-0, A Finch 3-0-11-0, G Maxwell 3-0-15-2.

Australia Inns

D A Warner lbw b Parnell     1

AJ Finch  c de Villiers b Phangiso     72 

U T Khawaja  b K. Rabada     2

S.P.D. Smith  lbw  b Parnell    8

G.J. Maxwell  lbw  b T. Shamsi    3

M R Marsh c de Kock  b M I T Tahir    8

M S Wade c de Kock b K. Rabada    2

N.M. Coulter-Nile  b Rabada      0  

A. Zampa lbw Tahir    0     

N Lyons lbw Phangiso    30

J R Hazlewood n.o.    11     

Extras (lb5)    5

TOTAL     142

Fall of wkts: 1, 10, 21, 47, 72, 83, 85, 90, 113, 142

Bowling: Rabada  7-1-13-3, Parnell 6-1-23-2, Tahir 8-0-39-2, Phangiso 5.2-0-26-2, Shamshi 8-1-36-1.South Africa bounced back from their opening match loss to the West Indies when they defended a modest 189 against World champions Australia as the Ballr Tri-series continued at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, yesterday.

 Aaron Finch’s 72, which included six fours and three sixes, was the only defiance, as the South African bowlers manfully stuck to their guns to bowled the champions out for 142 in 34.2  overs, to give their team victory by 47 runs.

 Finch, Nathan Lyons (30), batting at 10, and last man Josh Hazelwood (11), were the only Australian batsmen to get into double figures.

South Africa quickies Wayne Parnell and Kagiso Rabada put Australia under early pressure, removing David Warner (1), Usman Khajawa (2) and skipper Steve Smith (8), to leave the top order in tatters at 21-3.

Debutant Tabraiz Shamshi then removed Glen Maxwell (3) to get his first international wicket, before Imran Tahir added Mitchell Marsh (8) to leave half the Australian batsmen in the pavilion with just 72 runs on the board.  Rabada added Mathew Wade (2) and Nathan Couter-Nile (0) before Tahir removed Adam Zampa (0) as Australia plunged to 90-8. 

Finch and Lyons added 23 for the ninth wicket before the opener’s inning was ended by Phangiso as he drove straight to de Villiers at cover.

Lyons and Hazelwood keep Australia alive in a last wicket partnership of 29, before Lyons played across the line to Phangiso and was adjudged lbw to give South Africa victory.

  Earlier, fast bowlers Hazelwood and Nathan Coulter-Nile showed the virtue of good line and length and were rewarded with four wickets, as South Africa found batting tough.

 Openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock posted 29 runs before being separated. The next best partnership was between top scorer Farhaan Behardien and Phangiso who added 37 for the seventh wicket. 

 Amla was run out for 35 looking well set. He faced 46 balls and struck two fours while skipper AB de Villiers (22) received a  quick delivery from Coulter-Nile that sent his stumps cartwheeling. He faced 38 balls and did not hit a boundary. He has now faced 87 balls without hitting a boundary in this series.

Behardien was watchful and contributed a priceless 62 of 82 balls with four fours and a six.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa vs Australia

South Africa inns

H Amla run out    35

Q de Kock lbw Hazelwood    18

R Rosseuw lbw Lyon    7

AB de Villiers b Coulter-Nile    22

JP Duminy  b Coulter-Nile    13

F Behardein   b Maxwell    62

W Parnell b Hazelwood    2

A Phangiso c Hazelwood b Zampa    9

K Rabada not out    15

I Tahir c Coulter-Nile b Maxwell    0

T Shamsi not out    0

Extras 1lb, 5w    6

Total for 9 wkts    189

Fall of wkts: 29, 41, 81, 97, 104, 112, 149, 188, 188.

Bowling: J Hazelwood 10-3-20-2, N Coulter-Nile 10-2-38-2, N Lyon 10-0-40-1, N Lyon 10-0-46-1, M Marsh 4-0-18-0, A Finch 3-0-11-0, G Maxwell 3-0-15-2.

Australia Inns

D A Warner lbw b Parnell     1

AJ Finch  c de Villiers b Phangiso     72 

U T Khawaja  b K. Rabada     2

S.P.D. Smith  lbw  b Parnell    8

G.J. Maxwell  lbw  b T. Shamsi    3

M R Marsh c de Kock  b M I T Tahir    8

M S Wade c de Kock b K. Rabada    2

N.M. Coulter-Nile  b Rabada      0  

A. Zampa lbw Tahir    0     

N Lyons lbw Phangiso    30

J R Hazlewood n.o.    11     

Extras (lb5)    5

TOTAL     142

Fall of wkts: 1, 10, 21, 47, 72, 83, 85, 90, 113, 142

Bowling: Rabada  7-1-13-3, Parnell 6-1-23-2, Tahir 8-0-39-2, Phangiso 5.2-0-26-2, Shamshi 8-1-36-1.

South African batsman Farhaan Behardien on the go during his top score of 62 during Match 3 of the Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series against Australia at Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday. Photo: Windiescricket.com

The rejection of ‘slave name’ Cassius Clay

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Published: 
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

In “Muhammad Ali: Athlete of the Century,” a collection of Associated Press stories and visuals, AP reporters and photographers captured the life of the boxing champion as he made news in the sports world and far beyond. Here are two excerpts from the book.

ALI-LISTON FIGHT

On February 25, 1964, a brash young fighter named Cassius Clay stunned the experts by beating Sonny Liston at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, was a new breed of champion.

“Ali changed the perception of what a sports hero was,” said Ferdie Pacheco, the fighter’s longtime physician and one of his cornermen for the Liston bout.

“Back then, sports heroes had to be self-effacing, ‘aw-shucks’ kind of guys. Now here was a guy who told everybody he was the greatest and backed it up. But he did it with such spontaneity and childlike glee that people accepted it.”

Pacheco was co-host of an NBC special commemorating the silver anniversary of the Clay-Liston bout, which aired in 1989. 

The show included the original closed-circuit telecast of the fight and rare footage of the press conferences before and after the bout.

Liston was an ex-convict with a devastating left jab, a surly demeanor and a baleful stare that scared most opponents before he ever threw a punch.

“To say Liston was the Tyson of his day is to understate it,” Pacheco said. “Everybody they put in front of him, he knocked out. It didn’t seem like there was a human being on earth who could beat him.”

At times, people wondered whether Ali was from this planet. At the weigh-in, he screamed at Liston and became so excited that his blood pressure soared to a dangerous level.

“He wanted to convince Liston that he was fighting a lunatic,” Pacheco said, “because a bully doesn’t know what to do with a crazy man.”

That was an act.

It was no act, however, when Ali tried to quit in his corner following the fourth round. Liniment that had been rubbed on a Liston cut somehow got into Ali’s eyes and practically blinded him. Ali tried to convince his handlers to stop the fight but his manager, Angelo Dundee, refused to throw in the towel.

“Angelo saved Ali’s crown,” Pacheco said. “If he doesn’t send him out for the fifth round, the fight is over.”

With Ali struggling to see, Liston quickly cornered his opponent and began pounding him with vicious body shots. But Ali staved off the attack, eventually regained his vision and went on to win when Liston failed to answer the bell for the seventh round.

“I knew Ali had the fight won after he made it through the fifth round,” Pacheco said. “Liston hit him with everything he had, the kind of shots that knocked everyone else out, but they didn’t have any effect on Ali.”

BLACK MUSLIM

The new heavyweight champion, Cassius Clay, said Thursday, February 27, 1964, he had adopted the Islam religion. He called Islam the best way to bring about lasting peace.

“They call it the Black Muslims,” the 22-year-old Clay said. “This is a press word. It is not a legitimate name. But Islam is a religion and there are 750 million people all over the world who believe in it, and I am one of them.”

He said he had made an extended study of the religion over a period of months and had become convinced it was “the truth and the light.”

“A rooster crows only when it sees the light,” he said. “Put him in the dark and he’ll never crow. I have seen the light and I’m crowing.”

“Clay, who stopped Sonny Liston in their 15-round title fight in Miami, Tuesday night, was relaxing at his temporary quarters when he was told that the leader of the black supremacy sect, Elijah Muhammad, had told a meeting in Chicago that the new ring champion was a disciple.

“That is true, and I am proud of it,” Clay said. “But what is all the commotion about? Nobody asks other people about their religion. But now I am the champion, I am the king, so it seems the world is all shook up about what I believe.

“You call it Black Muslims, I don’t. The real name is Islam. That means peace. Yet people brand us a hate group.

They say we want to take over the country. They say we’re Communists. “That is not true. Followers of Allah are the sweetest people in the world.

They don’t carry knives. They don’t tote weapons. They pray five times a day.

“The women wear dresses that come all the way to the floor and they don’t commit adultery. The men don’t marry white women.”

Clay said that his religion, which had brought him “inner peace,” was responsible for his sensational upset victory over Liston, an 8-to-1 favourite.

“All they want to do is live in peace with the world. They don’t hate anybody. They don’t want to stir up any kind of trouble. All the meetings are held in secret, without any fuss or hate-mongering.”

“God was with me—I couldn’t have done it without God,” he added.

The new champion said he as disturbed to find that the Islam group had drawn the fire of intregrationist forces among the Negro people.

“We believe that forced and token integration is but a temporary and not an everlasting solution to the Negro problem.” he added. “It is merely a pacifier.

We don’t think one people should force its culture upon another.

“I get telephone calls every day. They want me to carry signs. They want me to picket. They tell me it would be a wonderful thing if I married a white woman because this would be good for the brotherhood.

“I don’t want to be blown up. I don’t want to be washed down sewers. I just want to be happy with my own kind.”

Clay said it was only natural that people of the same culture and heritage should live together.

“Animals in the jungle flock together,” he said. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Chinese and Japanese all live better if they are together.

“I don’t like hot Mexican food and I would be unhappy if somebody made me eat it. At the same time, you may not like what I like—turnip greens and hominy grits, or country music. If you don’t like it you shouldn’t have to accept it.” (AP)

In this February 24, 1965, file photo, Muhammad Ali arrives at the home of Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam, in Chicago. Person at left is unidentified. AP Photo
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