N Touch

Time for changes at the top, UNC

THE EDITOR: I Bachan Pariag and other members of the constituency have been loyal and devoted supporters of the UNC political party until the last Local Government Elections when, along with some other members, we took a defiant stand just as our heroes Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Ralph Maraj and Trevor Sudama did. I want to give my total support to the sentiments expressed by St Joseph’s MP Mr Gerald Yetming in today’s copy of the Newsday (24/07/03) with respect to the UNC finding new leadership. I have the utmost respect for Mr Basdeo Panday but I have to agree with the general consensus of the UNC supporters that it is time for change at the top of the UNC’s administration. Mr Panday has given his all to the UNC and we are all grateful but we have to look forward to the future and come up with fresh new ideas to regain the position as government of Tri-nidad and Tobago and save this country from the present administration.

However from my personal experience with Mr Panday I suspect that he is not serious in allowing a new leader to take his position at the helm of the party. The party needs this change but I have to add that change should also be done at the lower levels in the UNC. The UNC has been plagued with allegations of corruption. Even though no concrete proof has been brought forward, the names of many UNC members have been tainted already. With a change of leadership, the public might view the UNC in a different light and the party will once more become a viable competitor to the PNM. The leaders of the UNC and the PNM have been in power for so long that now the public only sees a struggle between these two stalwarts of politics and not between the two political parties. When I think about the leadership of the UNC a few prominent names come to mind and I take this opportunity to recommend these individuals for the post of leader of the UNC:
(1) MP Mr Winston Dookeran
(2) Senator Robin Montano
(3) Mr Carlos John
(4) Mr Surujrattan Rambachan
(5) Mr Anand Ramlogan

These men are influential entities in the UNC party and have shown their leadership qualities in the past. Their qualifications are impeccable and are deserved of this position. Mr Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and the other Panday rejects of the UNC should be considered for this position because of their courage to defy Mr Panday. They did what they honestly thought was righteous and I agree with their actions. Therefore we decided to follow in their footsteps to let them know that they have our total support in Princes Town. They also deserve thorough consideration for the position of Leader of the UNC. It is time that all the Pandays leave the Party (Bas, Oma, Subhas!) The Party’s National Executive should get down to some serious work in the reformation of the UNC party. However, I know that no one has the courage or the “balls” to request that Mr Panday should step down to the benefit of the party’s future in Trinidad and Tobago’s politics.


BACHAN PARIAG
Secretary
Princes Town Constituency Executive

NACTA finds it also

THE FINDINGS of NACTA’s recent exit poll and post election survey that former Prime Minister and now Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has become the United National Congress’ biggest liability and a stumbling block to a regrouping of the Party, should neither be ignored nor lightly dismissed by the UNC. After all, the track record of NACTA has been quite impressive. The organisation has been undeniably correct in its election poll results since 1995. Its accuracy continued with respect to the General Elections of 2000, 2001, 2002 and also the Local Government Elections of 1999 and last month. The results of these polls, in fact, testify to the integrity and independence of NACTA and completely refute charges that it is biased towards the PNM. What the post election survey reveals about Mr Panday then must provide additional and inescapable incentive for the UNC to deal decisively with its leadership problem.

NACTA’s polls had predicted a 17-17 tie between the UNC and the then ruling People’s National Movement in 1995, with a third party, the National Alliance for Reconstruction, securing two seats; an outright win for the UNC in the 2000 General Election, an 18-18 tie between the two political principals in 2001 and the eventual eclipse of the NAR. NACTA, based in the United States has been, undoubtedly, the most on target pollster group in the history of Trinidad and Tobago elections. In light of growing calls for his resignation, it would be politic for Mr Panday to be guided by these poll results and step down, as he has, himself, more than once offered in the past to make way for a new leader. If, as the poll suggests, a United National Congress with Mr Panday as Political Leader will see its influence wane, then the issue of leadership should no longer be considered as one for him and him alone to decide, but for the party’s elected legislators, as well as its rank and file. While, admittedly, Mr Panday has achieved a lot by his regrouping of old United Labour Front links to form the United National Congress, it should now be clear even to his most ardent supporter that he has come to the end of his long and stormy political career, that he has nothing more to offer his party or the country. After long years as Opposition Leader, he led the UNC to the seat of government, becoming the nation’s first Prime Minister to come from the Indian Diaspora. He has earned his place in TT’s political history, but the drastic decline of the party, its electoral defeats, its ineffectiveness as an opposition force and now the dismal results of NACTA’s poll should provide overwhelming impetus for a change.

An effete Opposition, whether United National Congress or what have you, particularly if this weakness is forecast to get worse if certain conditions persist, does little for the democratic process. No country, subscribing to the form of Westminster style government as we do, can ignore the lessons of history and the well known maxim about the corrupting influence of power. That is why an alert, virile and respected opposition is vital to our politics and the proper conduct of the people’s affairs and that is why the UNC, in its current distress, is a liability to the country’s administration and progress. Also, under the Westminster system of Government, which this country has inherited, the Opposition and its leader are considered as an alternative government and an alternative Prime Minister. The results of the NACTA poll which, in our view, correctly reflects a majority opinion, show that the present UNC under its present leadership has little or no chance of ever attaining that alternative status.

Gay Bishop-elect wins votes

MINNEAPOLIS: A New Hampshire clergyman moved a step closer Sunday to becoming the first openly gay elected bishop in the Episcopal Church, winning one of two final votes required to be confirmed. The House of Deputies, a legislative body composed of clergy and lay people, voted to approve the Rev V Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. He faces a final vote tomorrow in the House of Bishops. The House of Deputies voted by delegation, with 128 delegations voting yes and 63 voting no. The votes of 25 delegations were not counted because their members were divided. The American Anglican Council, which represents conservative bishops and parishes, said it was “deeply grieved” by the results. “It is a tragic decision that leads the Episcopal Church to the brink of shattering the Anglican Communion,” the council said in a statement. Episcopalians form the US branch of the 77-million-member communion. Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has lived with his partner, Mark Andrew, for 13 years. If he is confirmed at this week’s Episcopal General Convention, it will have an impact far beyond his diocese. Bishops who believe gay sex is a sin contend that allowing him to serve is a tacit endorsement of ordaining homosexuals. These conservatives said it would force them to consider leaving the church, weakening the denomination and sparking a bitter fight over parish property and funds.

Like-minded bishops in the Anglican Communion have said they, too, would consider severing ties with the American church over Robinson. But liberals said the threat has been exaggerated, and note that many conservatives had pledged to break ties before over issues such as ordaining women but did not follow through. Robinson was elected by his diocese in June, but the church requires that a majority of convention delegates ratify his election. It is rare for the General Convention to reject a diocese’s choice of bishop. The vote by the House of Deputies, representing dioceses nationwide, came after about an hour of emotional but polite debate. Bonnie Anderson, a parishioner from the Diocese of Michigan, said deputies should not be swayed by warnings about a potential split in the church. “You may be afraid — afraid of schism and afraid it will hurt your church budget. Don’t be afraid,” she said. “The power behind you and within you is far greater than the resistance before you.”

George Marshall, a parishioner from the Diocese of Albany, NY, said confirming Robinson would send a damaging message that Episcopalians are guided by shifting cultural attitudes, not by Scripture. “It will prove once again that our church doesn’t have the confidence to proclaim the Gospel,” Marshall said. “Do not do this thing.” A chaplain led the deputies in prayer before their vote. The president of the legislative body had asked them to remain quiet when the results were announced and they complied. Robinson has served as assistant to the retiring New Hampshire bishop. He has repeatedly rejected calls from opponents to withdraw his candidacy to prevent a breakup of the church, as a gay clergyman in England did recently. A final vote in favour of Robinson could build momentum for approving blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, Episcopalians on both sides of the issue say. A decision on the proposed ceremony is expected later in the meeting, which runs through Friday.

Argentina swamp women 9-0

SANTO DOMINGO: Defending women’s field hockey world champions Argentina opened the XIV Pan American Games here yesterday, with a ruthless 9-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. And the Trinidad and Tobago men team was edged 3-2 by Cuba on Saturday night. But Argentina coach Sergio Vigil said his team’s biggest accomplishment couldn’t be seen on the scoreboard. “The most important thing was we survived the heat,” Vigil said. “That was our biggest worry.” The heavily favoured Argentines have been holding early morning training sessions to get  used to the 32-degree Celcius temperatures and humidity as they work to clinch the gold and add to their fast-growing title collection. Alejandra Gulla and Cecilia Rognoni scored two goals apiece for the Lionesses while Magdalena Aicega, Cecilia del Carril, Natali Doreski, Maria Paz Ferrari and Maria De la Paz Fernandez scored one each. Despite the lop-sided margin, Gulla insisted the match proved a bigger challenge than the final result showed. “We’re very happy,” she said. “Getting over the heat and playing well despite an early start time meant a great start for us.”

On Saturday night, the TT men hockey team lost to Cuba despite a double by skipper Kwandwane Browne. The men would be looking for their first success today when they face Canada, while the women will square off against Chile tomorrow. In the men’s trap shooting event, Trevor Lall who shot rounds of 17, 22 and 21 on Saturday, recorded scores of 19 and 23 yesterday. But his total of 101 consigned him to the 23rd and last position, while Cheryl-Ann Logie finished 22nd in the women’s 10-metre air pistol with a tally of 359 points. Soldier Roger Daniel, who placed seventh in the men’s 10-metre air pistol, will return to the range to compete in the 50-metre air pistol, while in tennis, top national player Shane Stone will battle Gerold Gellizeaux of St Vincent in the first round, with the winner meeting former World No 1 Chile’s Marcelo Rios in the next phase. Commonwealth Games heavyweight boxing  silver medallist Kerston Manswell, joined the Trinidad and Tobago contingent here yesterday and, according to chef-de-mission Brian Lewis, “he looks in good shape and is raring to go.” Also expected to join the team tomorrow are teenage sprint sensation Darrel Brown and boxing coach Gordon Hoyte.

TT hold off St Kitts 2-1

TRINIDAD and Tobago senior footballers completed the round-robin Sugarbowl Festival tournament with a 2-1 victory over hosts St Kitts at Warner Park, Charlestown, on Saturday night. Joe Public striker and 2002 TT Pro League “Player of the Year” Andre Toussaint gave Trinidad and Tobago a 5th minute lead while recalled 33-year-old Peter Prosper of SWIF doubled the advantage in the 35th.

The hosts narrowed the gap with a 55th minute goal, but the Trinidad and Tobago squad, who were beaten 2-0 against Haiti on Thursday night, held out for the win, giving Stuart Charles-Fevrier his first triumph as TT coach. The 18-man squad were expected to return home last night.

Jabloteh, Connection draw 0-0

FOUR days after they contested the final of the First Citizens’ Bank (FCB) Cup, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection played to a goalless draw in their rescheduled 11th round TT Pro League match yesterday. Watched by a sparse crowd at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, both teams failed to capitalise on their numerous goalscoring chances. At the end of the 90 minutes, Jabloteh remained atop the standings with 29 points, five ahead of Connection. The teams are expected to face each other in another rescheduled fixture on Sunday. Jabloteh edged Connection 2-1 in the FCB final at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Wednesday night. Defence Force remained in third place in the ten-team standings after a 2-2 draw against Arima Fire at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. Striker Balondemu Julius scored for the Army-Coast Guard combination before Dwane Ellis equalised for Fire minutes later.

Defender Claude Adams restored the lead for the Teteron Bay-based lads but a Dale Simon penalty ensured that both teams shared  the points. Meanwhile, national midfielder Leslie-Ann James converted a penalty to give Jane Public a 1-0 win over Petrotrin, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya on Saturday as the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Football Association (TTWFA) 2003 season kicked off.
Under-20 results: DEFENCE FORCE (3) Kerry Joseph, Kieron Edwards, Clevon George vs ARIMA FIRE (1) Sadiki Stewart; SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (2) vs W CONNECTION (1).

TCL U-19 cricket bowl off in Guyana

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA: OVER the last 20 years, the annual West Indies Youth Cricket championship has become one of the most important competitions on the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) annual calendar. This year, the championship, renamed the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge, opens tomorrow in Guyana, said the WICB. No doubt the participants will look forward to this event with much enthusiasm and great expectations. For many young cricketers in the Caribbean, the annual West Indies youth championship is a launching pad for their dreams of some day representing not only their country at first-class level, but also wearing the “maroon cap” for the senior West Indies team. In setting goals for the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge, the players will have before them the example of Jerome Taylor.

The young fast bowler was identified as a future prospect in last year’s youth championship in his native Jamaica and was soon playing in the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series before gaining selection to the Test team against Sri Lanka in the Cable & Wireless 2003 home series. This is what the youth championship does for West Indies cricket, and the WICB has long accepted that if the West Indies is to again become the leading light in world cricket, then a strong development programme for our young players must be in place. That’s why the WICB has been working hard over the last few years to strengthen its junior cricket programmes, since it is from this pool of talent that we will discover the next Brian Lara and Courtney Walsh, both of whom ironically are graduates of the West Indies youth cricket system.

We also recognise that competitions like the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge are important in giving our young players a meaningful outlet to test their skills against their peers from the rest of the region. Therefore, the Trinidad and Tobago-based TCL Group, the new title sponsor of the championships, can feel very proud that they are making a substantial contribution to the strengthening and development of West Indies cricket. We offer a heartfelt thanks to Chetram Singh, president of the Guyana Cricket Board, and the rest of his team for accepting the responsibility of hosting the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge this year, and for all the hard work and long hours they shall put into making it a success over the next three weeks or so. We look forward to the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge providing exciting competition and that the matches will be played in the best traditions of West Indies cricket.

Blatter, Warner called for hands

MEXICO: An unusual call for “hands” was made on FIFA president Joseph S Blatter and CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president Trinidadian Jack Austin Warner before they left Mexico City, following the host nation’s victory over Brazil in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2003 final recently. The result was not a free-kick but a place in posterity, in the museum of Mexican football and the national museum. Both of the world football leaders were required to leave behind their hand prints, pressed firmly into a tray of plaster for 15 minutes, and then to be properly prepared before being permanently displayed at the museums.

O’Brien runners impress Santa Rosa railbirds

HORSES trained by John O’Brien were firing on all cylinders on the gallops course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The champion trainer, who by normal standards has been experiencing a lean spell, seemingly  picked up the pace with his runners in  the hope of bridging the four-win gap opened up by Glenn Mendez, current leader in the race for the trainers championship title. The threat to his title saw O’Brien, raising the bar a notch with his juveniles, an indication that they will get their baptism soon. He also has his older runners sparking, posting some spectacular times on the morning for the 1000 metres trip. Creating good impressions over 600 metres were Altlantic Breeze, French Academy and Jay Low. This unraced trio, working the trip as a team, was clocked in 36.80 seconds to attain “good” in the remarks column of the Arima Race Club official clockers’ report. His older runners Isle Be There and Due Dilligence literally flew up the stretch leaving the lesser experienced Fresh Mandate and Bound To Come in their wake.

The first two flashed past the post in 1:00.64 seconds, with the other pair about three lengths adrift. The dust had not quite settled when Chanticleer followed up with another grand performance over the same acreage. The Iron Horse who is closing in on the $1 million earnings mark, showed that he still has an appetite to compete by registering 1:00.94 seconds on the clock over 1000 metres. Also showing up well on the gallops were Duchess Trembly over 400 metres, Return To Sender, Affirm Decision and Ballybunion, over 600 metres, and El Presidente, Ruby Scores, Lady Honoree, Morgan Heritage, Fromnowuntil, Maracas Bay,  X To Board and Cyber Five over 800 metres.
Following are gallops recorded yesterday:


400 METRES: Duchess Trembly – 24.22, good. Lovely Pearl – 25.02, handily. Tribal Place – 25.15, handily. Tactical Bid – 26.75, easy. Ex If I Do, Fabulous Risk and Smark and Lucky – 26.01, handily. Misty Rose – 26.84, handily. Blue Reign 25.83, handily. Ex Little Rose – 29.72, pacing. Ex Narciss Toi – 29.88, pacing. First Time – 29.03, pacing. Ex Rhythmic Dancer – 29.09, pacing.


600 METRES: Affirm Decision – 34.92, good. Ballybunion – 36.09, good. Return To Sender – 36.18, good. Atlantic Breeze, French Academy and Jay Low – 36.80, good. Dancz With Class – 38.10, handily. Hundred Percent – 43.97, pacing. Storiming Wind – 41.77, easy. Preffered Share – 38.62, easy. Twist N’Turn – 39.15 easy. Winning Trick – 38.77, handily. Ex Honour And Glory – 38.12, handily. Over And Above – 44.99, pacing. El Gringo, Sou Sou Moni and Ex Coo – 37.77, handily (Boxes). Ex Roulette and Ex Moonlight – 44.30, pacing. Ex Caribbean Princess and Bold Fapp – 41.00, easy. Undercover Angel – 37.17, ridden out. Mir On Fire – 38.51, handily.


800 METRES: El Presidente and Ruby Scores – 49.93, good, El Presidente better. Lady Honoree – 48.67, good. Morgan Heritage and Fromnowuntil – 49.48, good. Cyber Five – 49.45, good. Maracas Bay and X To Board – 49.68, good. Peace Consort – 55.22, pacing. Dunsborough and Peace Majesty – 54.58, handily.


1000 METRES: Due Dilligence, Isle Be There, Fresh Mandate and Bound To Dot Com – 1:00.64. Due Dilligence and Isle Be There better. Chanticleer – 1:00.94 good. Phantom Menace – 1:04.39, handily. Cold Risk – 1:03.79, good. Estilon – 1:07.16, handily. Miss Beautiful – 1:04.70, handily. Canaima – 1:06.16, handily. Daurian – 1:09.56, handily.


1200 METRES: Miss Emma – 1:23.06, handily.

TT junior sailors impress in BVI

FOR the first time in its five-year history, St Thomas beat St Croix at the Chief Minister’s Trophy sailing regatta at Nanny Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. St Croix had won the first four editions of the race up to last year, but St Thomas halted their smooth run, beating them into second in this year’s  staging of the regatta, with Anguilla in third and Trinidad and Tobago fourth. The two-day regatta featured teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Antigua, Bequia, St Croix, St Thomas, St John, St Lucia, Tortola and Virgin Gorda, competing in J-24 keelboats in the Rotary Club of Tortola and Tortola “Kids of the Sea” programme.

With only five keel boats available the 10 teams had to rotate use of the boats and participate in  20-25 minute races along a sausage shaped course in 12-18 knots winds. Teams had to be accompanied by an older, experienced sailor to ensure proper safety precautions but who was not allowed to participate in any way. With the use of only one J-24 and a solitary practice race before their departure for Tortola, coach Simon Farrington was full of praise for his charges Michael Awai, Phillip De Gannes (skipper), Daniel Stollmeyer, Allan Alkins, Christianne Farah and Diva Ammon. All performed considerably well beside their peers in the competition. Farrington said that his young team showed a keen interest in learning before the races and despite their lack of experience in J-24’s, they showed great initiative and promise for the future.