N Touch

From slave to Trini

IF, 170 years after the abolition of slavery, Afro-Trinis want to make something significant about “emancipation” it must be more than a momentary connection with the past, a fleeting indulgence in traditional African fashion and a transient rumination on the horrors of the Slave Trade. Not that we have anything against this backward look or this ritual journey into roots, but this newspaper would like to believe that, after so many generations, TT citizens of African descent have become “Trini to the bone,” that their navel strings are now deeply and inextricably buried in the soil of this country, and that “Mother Africa” can hold nothing more than a sentimental interest for them.

If it is to be meaningful in our present age then, the observance of “emancipation” must connect with another kind of freedom, and that can only be the freedom which our country as a whole enjoys, the freedom of a democratic society, the freedom which all our citizens enjoy to pursue their own goals and aspirations. This “emancipation” presents a different kind of challenge; instead of casting off shackles or breaking the bonds of enforced labour, it is one of grasping opportunities, of joining in the nation’s march of progress. In a real sense, it is being inspired by what Afro-Trinis have already achieved and building upon the foundations that they have laid. There is no need for us to go into detail to demonstrate the enormous contribution which Afro-Trinis have made to the political, social, economic and cultural advancement of our country; they have led the movement for change; they have manned the civil establishment, they have been prominent in the professions, outstanding in the field of sport and have produced cultural, artistic and musical forms that have given our country a special status in the world. It may be considered remarkable that while the Slave Trade and long years of enforced labour and deprivation on the sugar plantations had effectively robbed their ancestors of their native African culture, Afro-Trinis were able to create cultural forms, the steelband, Carnival, Calypso, that are distinctly made-in-Trinidad yet have gained popularity throughout the world.

This, in an essential sense, is what Afro-Trinis have managed to do with their “emancipation.” They have helped to build a country and to shape a nation, they have helped to form its own cultural identity, its own social and political institutions. In this modern context what relevance could the “emancipation” of 1833 now have? Instead, they must respond to the inexorable imperatives of history which, over 170 years, has virtually reshaped them into a “different people,” citizens of a country far removed from their ancestral home. What must they do with the emancipation they now have, which, in fact, they have helped to create for themselves? Clearly they must continue to build on their and their country’s achievements. Comprising almost half of TT’s population, Afro-Trinis must be concerned about the future of Trinidad and Tobago and the vital part they must play, alongside the rest of the society, in helping to shape it. In spite of the progress TT has made, our country still struggles with a number of weaknesses and daunting problems. The removal of these weaknesses and the solution to these problems do not lie with any particular sector of our population but require the honesty, understanding, cooperation, desire and determination of all our people. In this context, Afro-Trinis, together with all other factions, must use the “emancipation” we now have to promote the development of our beloved country. In other words, we must strive to make the right choices, to be part of the solution not the problem. Happy and thoughtful Emancipation Day to all our readers.

A fox in the vineyard


Few politicians can claim to have known the ups and downs of local politics as ANR Robinson can. From being Dr Eric Williams’ heir apparent to being generally considered as a political spent-force and “has-been,” Mr Robinson on occasion, has either been the “main man” or “the cornerstone” that the political builders had apparently rejected.” At a time when Robinson seemed to be lost in the local political wilderness, so to speak — courtesy Eric Williams and his PNM, one Sean Harribance (a local soothsayer) publicly stated that, “Robinson would one day become Prime Minister.” Despite general skepticism, Harribance was prepared to stake his reputation on his “prediction.”

It has all come to pass, and more. ANR has been through a number of crucial tests and trials. Perhaps one of his more crucial tests was when it fell to him to cut the Gordian knot after the 18-18 deadlock. Selwyn Ryan had publicly advised, on the eve of the general election, that President Arthur NR Robinson should not go to bed the night before the election without having a clear plan of how he would deal with an 18-18 election result. In which event, could the President bring to bear the wisdom of a Solomon and the patience of a Job? President Robinson called in PM Basdeo Panday and Opposition leader Patrick Manning and tossed the ball into their court to come up with some, hopefully, statesmanlike solution. Some hope! Patrick Manning stated publicly that the trio (Robinson, Panday and himself) had among them (collectively) a century or so of parliamentary experience and he couldn’t think of a group more equal to the task. Now it’s not unknown for the “mountain to labour” and produce the proverbial mouse — even when two “Bo-rats” are involved. To cut a long story short, after much “negotiation” Manning and Panday emerged from Crowne Plaza hotel to take questions from the press and inform them and, by extension, the wider public that they had an amicable “limited agreement” which would hereafter be known as “the Crowne Plaza Accord” and would presumably carry the status of “a solemn gentleman’s agreement” or some such thing. Some agreement, some gentlemen!

Panday all but “hugged and kissed” Manning as the Bas waved away the members of the press with the seemingly patronising words to Manning: “Come on, kid, let’s go home,” or words to that effect. As the Chinese say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” But it wasn’t long before one fellow was describing the other as “a born-again demon” and was himself being characterised as exhibiting “the machinations of a demented mind.” But I’m getting ahead of my story. The country must have breathed a sigh of relief when the political deadlock appeared to have been resolved. As I watched those two “would-be world class statesmen in apparent agreement and warm embrace,” I simply couldn’t avoid a somewhat financial extravagance as I committed myself to, “A penny for their thoughts” — no matter that the penny should be shared between the two — based on my evaluation on possible quality of effort. The two “seasoned politicians” appeared to have reached agreement on the choice of Speaker of the House and that they would accept whoever was the President’s choice of Prime Minister. “Bingo!” I blurted, “Wonders never cease,” and there can be no objection to a “new beginning” even if, in the short run, “it’s better to bramble you, my dears.”

Now, did the President really have a plan or was he just hoping that “good sense would prevail?” We shall never know for sure. Did the President, in his deliberate constitutional discretion pass the mantle on to Mr Manning or was it a case of “divine intervention?” as has been suggested. According to the constitution, as I understand it, it was the President’s prerogative “to appoint, as Prime Minister the person who in his judgment could command a majority in the House.” The President had this constitutional prerogative and could simply have stated his decision. I know that I sound naive here and seem insensitive to the delicate and far-reaching political and social ramifications, having regard to the “ethnic polarisation: and the history of the awkward relationship and “pitched battles” between Mr Robinson and Mr Panday over a long period, even preceding the Presidential/Prime Ministerial contretemps. The president accused the Panday administration of “a creeping dictatorship” What he did not say is that it was a “A kleptocracy in full gallop.”

Of course, the President didn’t help matters by couching the reason for deselecting Mr Panday in favour of Mr Manning with his personal interpretation of the preamble to the constitution and “moral and spiritual values.” Panday’s supporters were quick to assume and/or pretend that the President was casting aspersion on other people’s “moral and spiritual values.” Incidentally, there was no dearth of unsolicited advice as to what decision the President should make or not make and the basis on which he should act. Some suggested that the President should summon the two gentlemen concerned and knock their heads together until they reached at a feasible political arrangement. Personally, I wouldn’t have expected anything more dramatic than “a loud hollow sound,” from that exercise. Panday favoured a coalition government with presumably co-prime ministers. Manning dismissed that as “wishful thinking.”

Although Panday publicly claimed that whoever reneged on the Crowne Plaza Accord would “pay a heavy political price,” he, aided and abetted by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, used the bogus excuse that the proposed Speaker was closely aligned to the PNM and had actually appeared on their platform. All that is now purely academic but the President subsequently, in a speech, told Manning that, “we were once on the same side, then on opposite sides and are now on the same side.” Of course, one cannot read too much into this outside of the context in which it was said. If John Humphrey is to be believed, President Robinson might have, at least, unwittingly led Panday to feel that he was “a shoo-in” Prime Ministerial choice. If so, then the “Silver Fox” might well have been out-foxed or, perhaps, outfoxed himself and a seemingly disoriented fox is not only content to shout “sour grapes” but has vowed to “destroy the vineyard” that probably explains all that claptrap about “civil disobedience and non-cooperation. Nuff said!

Fredericks pips Brown for 100m gold

LINZ: Frankie Fredericks of Namibia defeated 18-year-old Trinidad sprint phenom Darrel Brown to win the 100-metre sprint gold in Linz, Austria, at the 16th Gugl Meeting yesterday.

The 35-year-old Fredericks crossed the line in 10.14 seconds, with Brown, preparing for this weekend’s Pan Am Games in  the Dominican Republic, and Great Britain’s Jason Gardner both timed in 10.17. But Gardner was awarded the silver medal after race officials had a closer look at the photo-finish. Fredericks later returned to the track to take the gold in the 200m in 20.38 seconds, for a notable double.

In the women’s competition, Austria’s Karin Mayr-Krifka surprisingly defeated Olympic and world championships medallist Merlene Ottey, who was born in Jamaica but now runs for Slovenia. Mayr-Krifka clocked 11.25 seconds while the 41-year-old Ottey followed in 11.28.
Later in the event, Under 23 European champion Martin Proell of Austria, who had surprised the athletics world coming second in Linz last season, managed to top his previous best, winning the 3,000-metre steeplechase race in eight minutes 21.75 seconds, ahead of African runner Leuelseged Walle of Ethiopia (8:22.37) and Kenyan Ronald Kipchumba (8:24.54).

Proell’s countrywomen, 5,000-metre speciallist Susanne Pumper and 800-metre top runner Stefanie Graf, completed the Austrian triumph, also celebrating wins in their respective disciplines. Winning the 5,000 metres in 15:18.79 minutes, Pumper qualified for the World Championships in Paris from August 23-31. Jamaica’s Maurice Wignall recorded a personal best of 13.28 seconds, outpacing Austrian Elmar Lichtenegger and US sprinter Duane Ross in the men’s 110m hurdles races who came in a disappointed third in 13.43. In a thriller finish pole vault, Bulgaria’s Ilian Efremov shocked favourites Tim Lobinger of Germany and Dutchman Rens Blom, who all crossed the 5.70 metre mark. However, Efremov managed to do so an attempt earlier.

Seaton’s goal gives Jabloteh FCB Cup

OTIS SEATON made sure that CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh would extend their unbeaten run in the 2003 local football season to 15 matches. His goal, in the fourth minute of sudden death extra-time on Wednesday night, gave Jabloteh victory over W Connection in a nerve-wracking final — after both teams played to a 1-1 fulltime result — of the First Citizens Bank (FCB) Cup at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

The game was filled with both tension and controversy in front of a crowd numbering 4,000 before the 26-year-old Seaton, sent through by substitute striker Devon Mitchell, wrong-footed stopper Rawle Fletcher before slamming his left footer past the reach of Connection goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa. That goal was a deserved reward for the temperamental Seaton, also known as Aurtis Whitley, who was the only player who showed any enterprise for Jabloteh who, playing with their backs to the wall, were surprisingly tentative for most of the game. Connection dominated the first half but their strikers Earl Jean and Kendall Davis, were thwarted by a series of point-blank saves from Jabloteh captain Kelvin Jack. A 13th minute move between Lyndon “Chubby” Andrews and Ronaldo Viana on the right flank saw Viana sending a cross to Gefferson Goulart whose header was held by Jack. Three minutes afterwards, a one-two between Jose Luiz Seabra and Goulart was followed by a pass from Andrews to Davis, who saw his shot deflected wide by Jack. Davis, from a feed by Jean, squeezed between Jabloteh defenders Nigel Daniel and Ronald Primus but had his shot tipped wide by the muscular Jack in the 24th while, three minutes later, Goulart sent Davis clear, past Ian Gray, but Jack blocked Davis’ meek attempt.

In the 52nd, and against the run of play, Jabloteh got the ball to the back of the net. But Kerry Baptiste’s header, from a right-side centre from Josh Johnson, was ruled offside by assistant referee Solomon Brewster. Referee Richard Piper, back from his stint at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup, drew the ire of the Jabloteh players in the 56th. After Cyd Gray brought down Andrews, who was seemingly offside on a one-and-one, Jack was cautioned for dissent when he vented his fury at linesman Haseem McLean. And, after an agonising wait, Viana delicately placed his freekick past Jack. The Connection squad would later get the wrong end of the stick six minutes later, when a left-side corner from Cornell Glen was found by striker Kerry Noray whose header was parried by Goulart. But Goulart was behind the goalline and the ball apparently hit the net but the controversial Piper, while lawfully awarding the goal to Jabloteh, gave Goulart marching orders, which was his second bookable offence. With the one-man advantage, Jabloteh failed to get the go-ahead goal in the remaining 28 minutes, as Connection retreated into a defensive mode. But Seaton’s vision and speed paid dividends when they needed most.

Teams:
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH: Kelvin Jack (capt); Ian Gray, Ronald Primus, Cyd Gray (Ansil Elcock 78th), Nigel Daniel; Trent Noel, Kerry Baptiste, Josh Johnson, Otis Seaton; Cornell Glen (Devon Mitchell 75th), Kerry Noray.
WE CONNECTION: Alejandro Figueroa; Reynold Carrington (capt), Rawle Fletcher, Kenwyne Jones, Jose Luiz Seabra; Elijah Joseph, Lyndon Andrews (Stokely Mason 73rd), Gefferson Goulart, Ronaldo Viana; Earl Jean, Kendall Davis (Titus Elva 67th).

Yorke escapes speeding charge

LONDON: A speeding conviction against soccer star Dwight Yorke has been overturned by the High Court.

Yesterday judges sitting in London, ruled the case against the Blackburn Rover striker had been “fatally flawed.” Yorke had told the court he should be acquitted because a police form used as evidence did not have his signature on it. The case will have implications for drivers in the UK because of the increase in the use of speed camera evidence in court. Yesterday Mr Justice Owen, sitting in London, agreed a prime facie case against Yorke was set up on an “erroneous basis.” The 31-year-old was convicted by magistrates in Manchester of driving his Porsche 911 at 61mph in Princess Road, Withington, Manchester, in May 2001. However, Mr Justice Owen said because there was no signature on the form to prove the identity of Yorke as the driver the conviction should be set aside. The judge had been told similar cases were spreading “like a virus” to magistrates courts up and down the country. Yorke, who used to play for Aston Villa and Manchester United, had been fined ?350 and ordered to pay ?1,000 costs after his conviction.

Cricket centre gets $175,000 scoreboard

THE National Cricket Centre at Balmain, Couva, got a new scoreboard, valued approximately $175,000 yesterday.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Alloy Lequay was pleased to receive the scoreboard which was donated by SM Jaleel and Company Limited, manufacturers of Busta soft drinks and Fruta at a formal and simple ceremony. The president said he was happy with the relationship developed between SM Jaleel and his board.  And he pointed out, “It went a long way towards developing the game, both in Trinidad and the region as a whole.” Lequay thanked the company for their involvement and said, “It helped in developing the social fabric of the society.”

Anna Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the company said her company was “extremely pleased to be associated with the TTCB over the years.” She said SM Jaleel applauded the efforts of the board with respect to what they were doing in improving facilities at the NCC. Mohammed said her company was deeply interested in being involved in the game because it assisted in the development of youths in the country. And she pledged SM Jaleel’s future commitment to the board and said, “we  hope in the future, we’ll be able to sponsor other things.”

TT golfers ready for championships

WITH Diana Torry, Arjoon Samlal and Shane Costelloe joining the ranks and extensive training over a six-week period, the Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association team is expected by all in their camp to give a good showing at the 47th edition of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (Hoerman Cup).

The competition in existence since 1956 will tee off on Sunday and end on  August 10 at the Tobago Plantations Golf and Country Club and was well timed by the coach and team administrators, who can attest to the exceptional mental and physical preparedness that the team is in. Speaking on Wednesday Lee Vannet, coach of the Trinidad and Tobago team says a greater portion of the five to six weeks was spent strategising and helping his players to believe in their ability to shoot a low score during the competition. The coach also a Scottish PGA Player was confident of a good result from his team against the Caribbean’s best teams and says that due to their close quarters in recent times that the group has bonded and has become a cohesive unit with a good attitude.

Firstly played at the Constant Spring Golf Course, Jamaica between the host country and Trinidad and Tobago the competition has grown to include all other Caribbean islands, a concept which was adopted in 1957 along the vision of Englishman Dr Eric Hoerman for whom the Hoerman Caribbean Cup is named. Along with the Hoerman Cup there a four other trophies at stake; the Francis and Steele-Perkins Cup donated by Mr Francis of the Bahamas, the Higgs and Higgs Trophy donated by Fred and Vic Higgs of the Bahamas and Jamaica respectively, the George Teale Memorial Cup donated by George Teale of Puerto Rico and the Ramon Baez Figueroa Trophy named for Figueroa of the Dominican Republic. The Francis and Steele-Perkins Cup will be sought after by the Seniors, the Super Seniors (60 and over) will play for the Higgs and Higgs accolade, the women play for the George Teale Memorial Cup and the mid-amateur men between 35 and 50 will contest the Ramon Baez Figueroa Trophy.

Seepaul, Cassie lead TT to Pan-Am

NATIONAL champions Anil Seepaul and Sabrina Cassie will lead Trinidad and Tobago’s challenge for medals at the Pan-American Games which gets underway tomorrow in the Dominican Republic.

Three-time champion Seepaul and nine-time Cassie were part of the successful team at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games last year. And both played significant roles in helping TT win the recently-concluded Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) senior team championship at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex. Seepaul won two bronze medals at the CAC Games. He won the men’s singles bronze and men’s doubles bronze with new partner Kerwyn Pantin who is also on the ten-member squad selection to participate in the quadrennial championships. It was the Seepaul/Pantin tandem which proved decisive in TT securing their fourth lien on the CAREBACO title.

Cassie copped the ladies singles bronze at the CAC Games but was handicapped during the CAREBACO series. She has since reached full recovery following an ankle (right) injury sustained in training at the Jean Pierrre Complex one week prior to the CAREBACO series. Much will depend on her overall fitness and form as she will team up national ten-times doubles partner Zeudi Mack for the ladies doubles contest. Together they claimed bronze at the CAC Games and once they reproduce that type of form and combinations, TT should be vying for one of the coveted medals in Santo Domingo.Former national champion Daron Charles, who is based in Cuba and Glendon Thomas will be the other men’s doubles pair. They will also feature in the mixed doubles competition with Charles teaming up with former junior champion Nadine Julien while Thomas could be battling alongside Cassie or Stephanie Mitchell.

Seepaul feels confident of their chances and said that: “We are better prepared than any other time and this is the strongest team leaving for a regional competition. Having played against the world class players in the CAREBACO International  tournament helped us lift our game to another level. We are prepared to give of our best and we will be fighting hard to win some  medals. All our players are now ranked and having participated in Peru, Cuba, Santo Domingo and the CAREBACO, I got a lot of exposure to world class players. I did not beat them but my form got better and better. Presently, I am very fit. I really want to do well and win something for my country. We will face tough competitors, especially from Canada, Brazil, United States, Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico.” The four male are Seepaul, Pantin, Charles and Thomas and the women are  Cassie, Mack, Julien and Stephanie Mitchell, together with national senior coach Daren Dasent and manager Ronald Clarke will depart on Tuesday for Santo Domingo.

Phantom Bidder for President’s Cup

CHAMPION trainer John O’Brien’s charge Phantom Bidder can take honours in the President’s Cup, the first of two feature events on a classy 11-race programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on today’s Emancipation Day holiday.

The Bidder will face just five rivals in the $75,000 staying event, and the American-bred colt who carries the colours of popular owner Nazir Ahamed has outstanding claims in the intriguing 1900 metres test. But claims could be made out for the majority of runners in this race, depending on the angles from which the race is being assessed. The son of Indian Charlie won his first two starts over a distance of ground before his colours were lowered for the first time this season. But although Phantom Bidder’s winning sequence was broken he still appears not to have reached full potential, and seems to be getting better with every race. He was possibly a shade unlucky in being denied a hat-trick when going under to stablemate Millenium Reign, but could not be faulted for his effort, as he was forced into a situation  he was not fully prepared for then. By not allowing frontrunner Outswinger to have his own way, jockey Nobel Abrego took on the the Jack Debideen-trained colt from the off, harrassing him throughout the 1750 metres contest.

Phantom Bidder showed better staying qualities in the closing stages but the early effort took its toll up the stretch, and he succumbed to the strong finish of last year’s Royal Oak Derby winner, going under by two and a half lengths. In that race earlier this month, Phantom Bidder looked a bit heavy returning from a four-month lay off,  but will strip much fitter for today’s battle and can prove too strong for his battle-hardened rivals. Carnival Messiah is expected to set the arly fractions with Ricardo Jadoo, and if not tackled early the 2001 triple crown winner who seems back to his best could provide a major upset. On the other hand, connections of top weight Sugar Mike who has made his mark sprinting, will be hoping for slow early fractions, so he would have enough in the storage tank to be around at the finish. Dottie’s Way, Millenium Reign and Golden Shufleur are not blessed with tactical speed and will only be in with a chance if Invincibility is used up early to ensure the early pace is not false and to keep tabs on Carnival Messiah.

The Oaks Stakes which will be run off  two races later, is another intriguing race. The renewal of this year’s co-feature for West Indian bred three-year-old fillies has a number of class acts entered, among them Firestorm, Sweet Tempo, Golden Honour, Cornerstone and the late developing Millenium Dancer. Firestorm has shown she has the ability to make all the running and enough heart to be there at the end. The Jack Debideen inmate in her last start over 1750 metres posted 1:52.41 to better the 1:53.06 recorded by Midsummer Classic runner-up Celebration Time one race earlier. While it was said that the early half of her race was fast she finished strongly and is napped to record a memorable victory for owner Bernard Dulal-Whiteway.

St Clair’s girls win Tobago Republic Cup

SISTER Island Tobago joined the Republic Cup football fray at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.

And St Clair’s Coaching School girls whipped Phoenix 2-1 in the best-of-three finale in that category on Sunday last. The Coaching School girls will now travel to Port-of-Spain to play in the Under-17 girls national final series on August 9 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Later, Kenya Cordner of Coaching School was named Player of the Day and was presented with a RightStart gift certificate. In Under-13 boys action, Stokelyvale made it to the finals, while Scarborough Secondary edged St Clair’s Coaching School 3-2 on penalty kicks to advance to the under-15 age-group finals, while Leeds defeated Scarborough Secondary 1-0, also on penalties to move into the finals in the under-17 category. The Under-15 Player of the Day was Nyron Orr of Scarborough Secondary. There were 18 teams vying for honours in the Tobago leg of the Republic Cup Action in the series continues today, Emancipation Day, at the UWI ground, St Augustine, and will culminate at Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, tomorrow.