If sports history could be changed...

IT IS A warm, breezy, palm-flapping evening in South America, and Dancing Brave  (on a  holiday) is listening to relentless singing of “Guan-tan-a-mera ... guajira... Guan-tan-a-mera” and watching some pretty women swathed in hip-hugging skirts, blowing whistles while gyrating their glistening bodies into an erotic frenzy.                     
               
In that atmosphere, Dancing Brave could only dream pleasant thoughts and here goes. Nobody asked me but if history changed as follows:
A) On November 19, 1989, Trinidad and Tobago defeated the United States to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Today:  There is a professional league in Trinidad, but none in the United States, and FIFA and all their executives make much less money, resulting in Jack Warner losing his office, when Sepp Blatter is defeated by a Swede.
B) Blaze of Glory wins the 1980 Trinidad Derby with a late stretch run to blow past a tired Beheaded.
Today: Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj owns a floor-tile establishment and is president of the Arima Race Club, while nobody knows where Joe Hadeed has gone. Maharaj now trains over 90 percent of the horses in training as well, putting him in a can’t lose situation.
C) Michael Johnson was told before the Olympics 200 metres final in Atlanta in 1996, that he would be drug tested.
Today: There was no world record, Johnson is a commentator, and Ato Boldon won the silver medal behind Frankie Fredericks in the final.
D) Brian Lara never became a father in 1996.
Today: He would have married already, he would have been made West Indies captain faster, and he would have had more Test centuries to his name.
E) The in-famous Dwight Yorke video shot in 1997 was done in the United States, not England.
Today: Dwight Yorke has just been signed to take over from Jerry Springer in hosting the daily sex-oriented talk show, when his career with Manchester United is over in four years. Yorke’s appearance on the Springer show accompanied by footage from the video has made him an instant star in the United States.
F) In 1996, Pat Rousseau did not accept his nomination to be West Indies Cricket Board president.
Today: Tony Marshall of Barbados would be ruling cricket and things would be much worse, with no immediate signs of any improvement. Darren Millen would have already lost his job as Chief Marketing Executive Officer, and the WICB headquarters in Antigua would be closed down, and the offices returned to Barbados.
G) In the 1970s, Jack Warner fails the teaching exams at training college, and has to repeat or find another profession, this time one with work from 8 to 4.30 pm on a full time basis.
Today: Warner would be in contention for the post of President of TTUTA and we would have reached World Cup finals.
H) In 1998, Pam Nicholson rescinded her resignation letter to the government of the day.
Today: Trinidad and Tobago would have been spared the ramblings of several errant sports ministers on topics they clearly will never be qualified for, even if he knows the difference between a bat and a ball (albeit just barely).
I) In 1979, Claude Noel retains his  World Boxing title in his first defence. 
Today: Noel would have been an inspiration to a lot of young boxers, and we would have heard more about boxers in the sport in Trinidad and Tobago, rather than officials earning appointments to various world boxing organisations, while boxing is out for the count. Noel would own property in Trincity and be a member of the Tobago House of Assembly.
J) In 1998, the Arima Race Club is serious about persons accepting betting on the track, rather than through their system and avoids all the jockeys sneaking in bets with heavy fines and bans.
Today: Several leading jockeys would be honest and trainers would desist from ordering jockeys to sell races.
K) In 1998, cycling sent their management on some training on the rules and regulations of world body.
Today: Ian Atherly as manager of the cycling team would have been able to give better advice to Tyson Alfred and this may have prevented his problem with the drugs ban following the Commonwealth Games. Failure for which Atherly would hide in shame and never is seen in public again.
L) In 1998, Leslie “Tiger” Stewart does not win a free trip to the World Cup Finals in France.
Today: He would not have been short of funds and forced to fight again, although he has not had enough time to train and then be sentenced to jail time. He would have trained hard and easily won his fight and pleased the expectant crowd.
M) In 1998, the West Indies Players’ Association adopts a strong militant leader with no connections to the OWTU.
Today: Players would have been better paid, there would have been retainers in place and everyone would have been happier.
N) In 1980, Hasely Crawford retires from the sport of athletics and is given a position on the executive of the NAAA.
Today: There would be unity in athletics and Trinidad and Tobago would have won two more gold medals already. Crawford would have acquired his house since 1990 and be brave enough to appear on I95.5 FM Isports Saturday evening programme.
O) From 1990 to 2003, publishers and editors recognise just how important sport is for everyone and that more time, space and money  need to be spent in its coverage.
Today: Advertisers finally do some work in Trinidad and Tobago and instead of just churning out everything and nothing at the same time, they get innovative in their sponsors’ work, and show them, just how instrumental and influential sport is on the society.
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