Free-for-all condoms mean free-for-all sex. It’s a loud, official endorsement of promiscuity and licentiousness. Carec has simply chosen the path of least resistance. It’s not the honest path, only the “easiest” path. This is highly irresponsible behaviour.
Two weeks ago this column sounded a warning to beware “salespersons of the safe sex product who will be busy this Carnival season trading their dubious philosophy, preying upon those who are gullible enough to patronise.” Last Monday’s announcement by the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (Carec) that it will be distributing 60,000 condoms as part of a “safe sex” drive, is one item that has validated my warning.
According to Carec’s Communications Director, Jones P Madeira, the exercise is to assist in the control of the spread of the HIV virus which causes AIDS. “We at Carec have always advocated abstinence as the best form of protection from HIV/AIDS. However, we intrinsically understand that the majority of people are sexually active. because of this we are distributing 60,000 condoms to major stakeholders of Carnival,” Madeira stated.
Sorry if I may come over a bit harsh, but Carec’s position is ridiculous to say the least. How can your preferred position be abstinence when you forever play it down to the status of a mere contemptuous token mention, while you go to the extreme of actually giving out a massive 60,000 free condoms. What you do speaks so loudly that we cannot hear what you say.
Carec’s behaviour is obviously meant to be a forceful statement on its part to distinctly emphasise where its priority and dominant philosophy is — condoms, not abstinence. Why the free condoms? Wasn’t the “safe sex” education and cautioning enough? Is it that the 50,000 foreign visitors and local revellers are so poor that they can’t buy condoms? Certainly not. But Carec appears to be determined to accentuate its condom philosophy with such intensity that there would be no doubt in the minds of the people as to which direction it is really advocating.
The abstinence message and the distribution of 60,000 condoms are complete and diametric opposites. It’s totally impossible for one person or entity to believe both ways. Any claim to embracing both would be a reflection of gross double standards and hypocrisy. Free-for-all condoms mean free-for-all sex. It’s a loud, unambiguous official endorsement of promiscuity, licentiousness and sexual abominations. In fact, it’s an extremely effective way of promoting promiscuity by formal endorsement.
From this viewpoint 60,000 free condoms can very well mean a greater spread of the HIV virus, since, with Carec’s encouragement, more people would now be focused upon making sex a central part of their Carnival activity. Carec has now formally and officially declared that sex/promiscuity is what Carnival is all about. This will definitely result in an increase in sexual activity, especially among the “more adventurous” youth population.
If Carec is so concerned — as it claims — about the AIDS epidemic being such a deadly threat to our beloved nation, especially at Carnival time, how come they never, even in the vaguest terms, suggest Carnival with all its hazards isn’t worth it? How come the caring, concerned, intelligent body never thought about educating the population on the real dangers and liabilities of Carnival, advising that people are by far safer not being involved at all in the debauchery and bacchanal? What has become of Carec’s “honest and objective” approach where this is concerned?
How come Carec has not educated the population on the failure rate of condom use in prevention of AIDS and pregnancy? Why hasn’t this “vigilant” unit ever produced the heartbreaking evidence of the trail of pain and heartaches left behind after Carnival and build a case to encourage everyone to abandon Carnival. (At least they would make Father Taylor and Pastor Cuffie happy!) I also continue to wonder why our women’s rights groups are silent at Carnival time when the dignity of womanhood is most flagrantly dragged in the mud on every side.
What does distribution of condoms to male tourists at Carnival time say about women? Isn’t this clearly stating that the Trinidad woman is some kind of loose sex-hungry slut? Is it not giving official sanction to the visitors to view our women cheap sex objects and exploit them accordingly? This is the reality of the consequences of Carec’s bright free-for-all condom crusade idea. Instead of being true to the people, (with their welfare genuinely at heart) Carec has simply chosen to take the path of least resistance. It’s not the honest path, only the “easiest” path. This is what irresponsible leadership is all about.
This is precisely what happens when the Church is left out of making major decisions. I know today is already “Carnival Sunday” but I want to encourage as many people as possible — particularly the younger population — to reject the Carec way and keep yourself truly safe — stay away from the dangers and degradation of Carnival and let abstinence be your wholehearted guiding philosophy in Christ.
JOHANNESBURG: A heroic innings by Ramnaresh Sarwan counted for nothing for three-times champions West Indies yesterday as they lost by six runs to Sri Lanka and stood on the brink of first round elimination from the Cricket World Cup.
The young batsmen was rushed to hospital after being struck by a bouncer by Dilhara Fernando just as his team, chasing a modest 228 for six, seemed on course for victory at Cape Town. There was great concern on the field as he lay with his eyes closed and had to be carried from the field on a stretcher. After X-rays and treatment to a cut head, however, the 22-year-old returned to a standing ovation from the fans with the West Indies struggling on 169 for seven after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 65 and needing an unlikely 43 off 23 balls.
Sarwan’s big hitting got his side to within 16 of victory off the last two overs in the most dramatic finish since the opening match in which the same West Indies side beat host South Africa by three runs. A tight over from spin star Muttiah Muralitharan yielded only two, however. Then an outside edge off the second ball from Pulasthi Gunaratne went for four. But Sarwan’s tailend partner, Mervyn Dillon was run out with four balls to go and the West Indies ended six runs short despite his great innings of 47 not out. The result almost certainly puts Sri Lanka into the Super Six with 16 points and one match to go against the South Africans. The West Indies, with 10 points, are almost out and only a miraculous series of results can save them.
Brian Lara was out for one, team captain Carl Hooper first ball and Wavell Hinds for two as the top order folded. “It’s a disappointing end,” Hooper said. “We’ve still got another match to look forward to. We’ve got Kenya then we wait and see. At the start of the day we had it in our hands,” he said. Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya applauded his bowlers to stop the West Indies reaching the target. “The last match in Kenya was a bit disappointing one,” he said. “This was a tight match and I think under pressure we bowled really well.” The West Indies needed to win the match but were held up by a stubborn 66 off 99 balls by opener Jayasuriya. The Sri Lankan opener was guilty of running out another team veteran, Aravinda De Silva which prompted the loss of three wickets for 26.
The match under lights in Cape Town was the first of five big showdowns to decide who gets through to the Super Six second round. Next up today is the long-awaited showdown between neighbours India and Pakistan at Centurion, and then comes Australia against England at Port Elizabeth tomorrow. South Africa and Sri Lanka face up under lights at Durban on Monday and Zimbabwe host Pakistan in Bulawayo on the final day of first round action on Tuesday.
BRIDGETOWN: Table leaders Barbados claimed first-innings points over second-placed Trinidad and Tobago before stumps were drawn on the opening day of their key fifth-round match of the Carib Beer 2003 regional cricket Series yesterday.
Sent in to bat on the newly re-laid Kensington Oval pitch, TT were dismissed for 147 in their first innings about 15 minutes before tea. Imran Jan hit the top score of 53 for the visitors, as fast bowler Tino Best and left-arm spin bowler Sulieman Benn captured four wickets apiece for the hosts. Given all of the final period to lay the groundwork for its response after Trinidad lost their last nine wickets for 51 runs, Barbados reached 148 without loss with Philo Wallace undefeated on 75 and Sherwin Campbell unbeaten on 59.
The two Barbados opening batsmen batted with enterprise against some TT bowling that lacked menace. Wallace has so far struck 13 fours and one six from 112 balls in two and a quarter hours, while Campbell has hit four fours and one six from 96 balls. Earlier, TT suffered an early setback when left-hander Andy Jackson was caught at short leg off Bradshaw in the second over of the day. But Jan, another left-hander, and Dwayne Bravo batted with some aplomb to carry their team to 91 for one at lunch. Jan and Bravo set upon some loose bowling from the Barbadians to gather runs at a rapid rate before the interval, but the lunch interval appeared to energise the Barbadians and they came out charging and were rewarded. Best scuppered the TT middle-order with his four wickets in the space of 18 balls to enhance his reputation as a young fast bowler of promise. He claimed Jan with the first ball of his second spell when the left-hander miscued a hook and was caught at mid-on to leave TT on 96 for two. Jan, who stroked five fours and a six from 98 balls in just over three hours, was soon followed by Bravo bowled behind his back for 31 to leave TT on 96 for three. The third over of Best’s second spell proved to be the most devastating. He had Lincoln Roberts caught behind off the second ball, then had Zaheer Ali fend the third ball, a short pitch, to short leg. Then off the last ball of the over, Navin Chan was also caught behind to leave the visitors 102 for six.
Trinidad captain Daren Ganga kept the score rolling with a few meaty strokes, but Benn and Ian Bradshaw shared the last four wickets — Ganga included — to make sure that there would be no comeback story for the visitors. Best ended with four wickets for 36 runs from nine overs, and Benn offered essential support with four for 36 from 16.4 overs. Bradshaw claimed the other two wickets for 18 runs from 14 overs. Barbados lead the eight-team Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series with 36 points, five more than Trinidad.
SUSPENSIONS imposed on 19 national footballers by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation have been lifted with immediate effect.
This follows a recommendation by a three-member arbitration committee comprising chairperson Sandra Basheer, Michael “Joey” Carew and Omar Khan. Brent Sancho, Kelvin Jack, ex-national skipper Travis Mulraine and Gary Glasgow led a walkout of players on the eve of their friendly international against Finland at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on January 29 last.
The players were clamouring for what they called “players’ rights.”
But following their walk off, the TTFF held a meeting and slapped an indefinite ban on the “striking” footballers. Joe Public players Keyeno Thomas, Hollis Brown and Jeremy Delpino were promptly fired for their involvement. The players quartet on advice received, sought a meeting with the TTFF and that’s when the three-member committee entered the fray. It was on recommendation of the Basheer committee, yesterday, the players’ suspension was rescinded. But other aspects of the recommendations made will be studied by the TTFF executive at a meeting scheduled for March 16 at their Dundonald Street, Port-of-Spain offices, starting 9.30 am, according to secretary Richard Groden.
The TTFF thanked Basheer, Carew and Khan for their services and recommendations made following their sittings. Striking players were: Travis Mulraine, Trent Noel, Gary Glasgow, Brent Sasncho, Kelvin Jack, Nigel Daniel, Cyd Gray, Ian Gray, Josh Johnson, Cornell Glen (Jabloteh), Uz Taylor (Arima Fire), Keyeno Thomas, Jeremy Delpino, Hollis Brown (Joe Public), Sean Julien (Starworld Strikers), Brian James, Silvio Spann, Lyndon Andrews (W Connection), Colin Roberts (Superstar Rangers).
BRIDGETOWN: The four-year-old colt Solid Gold is carrying Trinidad and Tobago’s hopes against the tough Barbados Sandy Lane Gold Cup field at the Garrison Savannah today.
Solid Gold, a winner of his last two races in Trinidad and Tobago, will have leading Barbados jockey Ricky Walcott aboard in a 12-horse field that includes American entry Thady Quill, and Canadians Warleigh, Waltzin Storm and Zoning. The 1800-metre race on turf has a 5.40 pm East Caribbean Time post time and with a purse of Barbados $218,000 (US$109,000), is the richest horse race in the English-speaking Caribbean. Walcott, coming off an outstanding 2002 season at Northlands Park and Stampede Park racetracks in Canada, has never won the Gold Cup, and the Ireland-bred Solid Gold, who holds the Trinidad & Tobago 1725-metre track record, gives him a live shot at the big prize. Trinidad and Tobago’s last win in the Gold Cup came in 1988 with Call to Account. Warleigh, owned by Barbados-based millionaire Eugene Melnyk, will try to improve on his runner-up finish from a year ago. The five-year-old son of Lord at War (Argentina), has made just one start since his second-place effort in the event a year ago. He finished fourth in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in his seasonal bow on February 1. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Warleigh has three wins and five placings in 12 starts. Waltzin Storm and Zoning will also carry Melnyk’s colours in the staying event today.
The six-year-old Zoning, to be ridden by Slade Callaghan, is coming off a seventh-place finish in an allowance race at Gulfstream on January 29, in which Waltzin Storm finished third. Barbadian Patrick Husbands, Canada’s Sovereign Award jockey-of-the-year, will take Waltzin Storm to the post. Bobby Frankel, the Eclipse Award winner as champion trainer in United States horse racing last year, will be represented by Thady Quill, a six-year-old son of Nureyev. The Kentucky-bred finished fifth in the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes (G1) at Hollywood Park in May and opened 2003 with a fourth-place finish in the Turf Paradise Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Turfway Park on February 1. Thady Quill, to be ridden by Sandy Lane Gold Cup record-breaking jockey Jono Jones, has five wins and three placings in 14 starts over five years. Jones completed three consecutive Gold Cup wins last year aboard Blast of Storm, the first rider in the history of the event to win three years in a row.
Also entered in the Sandy Lane are 1999 winner Peace Envoy, with Andy Ward riding, Firewon, with Trinidadian jockey Dale Whittaker, and 2002 Barbados horse of the year Talkaboutlucky, under Quincy Welch, champion jockey at Northlands Park in Canada last year. The Barbados $81,900 (US$40,950) Tanglewood Stakes, the secondary feature on the nine-race programme, has 13 starters, including two entries from Trinidad and Tobago — Carnival Messiah (Whittaker) and Barbados-bred Smooth Operator, with Trinidadian Rajpaul Rajkumar riding. Jamaican Ricardo Hibbert, the reigning Barbados champion jockey who does not have a ride in the Gold Cup, partners Alaska Pete in the Tanglewood.
CAPE TOWN: Muttiah Muralitharan has hailed Brian Lara as his toughest opponent on the eve of Sri Lanka’s World Cup match against West Indies.
“I think Lara is the key. He played against me in Sri Lanka and he did very well,” the off spinner said on Thursday. “I think, of all the batsmen in the world, he plays my bowling better than anyone else, including Sachin Tendulkar. “His eyesight and hand co-ordination is very good and he’s able to adjust very quickly to very good deliveries.” Yesterday’s match was hugely important to both sides as they try to qualify from Group “B”. Both teams were among five in the group who can still reach the Super Six stage. Lara had a staggering 2001 tour to Sri Lanka, hitting a century in the first Test before scoring 221 and 130 in the third, becoming the first player for almost three decades to make a century and double century in the same Test but still lose. He averaged 114.66 for the series, won 3-0 by Sri Lanka.
BULAWAYO: Andy Flower put his troubles behind him by hitting a brisk 71 at Queens Sports Club yesterday, setting up a 99-run win for Zimbabwe over the Netherlands in their Cricket World Cup Group “A” match.
The left-handed Flower, who has been criticised by cricketing authorities for his on-field protests against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, only passed a fitness test on a groin strain 24 hours before the match. But his controlled 72-ball knock, backed by a whirlwind 58 from Andy Blignaut and a late blast by captain Heath Streak, guided Zimbabwe to 301 for eight from their 50 overs to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Super Sixes. The target was always going to be too stiff for the Dutch part-timers, despite a positive approach by their openers that was maintained by Luuk van Troost (26 off 25 balls), Daan van Bunge (37) and skipper Roland Lefebvre (30).
The Netherlands posted their highest total of the tournament, batting through the full 50 overs to finish on 202 for nine. “I think it was a pretty positive effort by us,” said Lefebvre. “Unfortunately, the Zim score was a few too many runs for us, even though it was the best wicket I’ve seen so far in the tournament. “It was a tough day for us in the field, but I think we showed our fighting spirit. But all credit to them, they played very well. Streak, named “Man of the Match” for his 22-ball 44 and a bowling return of one for 36 in 10 overs, was delighted with his team’s performance. Zimbabwe have to beat Pakistan in their final group match in Bulawayo on Tuesday if they are to qualify for the Super Sixes for the second World Cup in a row.
Flower, who wore a white wristband symbolising peace for the second match in a row, might have gone for four in the 13th over, but van Bunge at slip could not hold on to a sharp chance to his left off seamer Tim de Leede. Mark Vermeulen and Flower shared in a second-wicket stand of 58 before Vermeulen dragged a wide delivery from seamer Feiko Kloppenburg on to his stumps to be bowled for 27. Guy Whittall helped Flower add a further 53 for the third wicket before hoisting a ball from Kloppenburg to mid-wicket, where Zuiderent made good ground to scoop the catch centimeters above the turf. Opening bowler Edgar Schiferli returned to remove Flower, whose loose drive went straight to backward point in the 35th over. Flower faced 72 balls and hit seven fours but, after reaching his second fifty of the tournament, he seemed hampered by his groin problem.
Defending NSL champions Red Devils Cricket Club received their first major upset of the 2003 season when they went under to Clarke Rochard by just four runs in the latest round of matches last weekend.
After recording a modest total of just 108 for nine wickets in their innings, Clarke Rochard must have thought they were on course for victory but Dave Ramsawak had other ideas. The right-arm spinner grabbed a hat-trick and finished with the excellent figures off 5/23, as Red Devils were humbled for 104 runs. At Golconda United the home team got over a spirited performance from All Apaches who went under by one wicket. All Apaches batting first made 196/7 with Harrinarine Ganga getting 61. Kirtis Mahabir then scored 54 to lead Golconda United to 200/9 and a close one wicket win.
NSL CRICKET SCORES
T-Birds 218 (Riad Reingo 79, I Razack 5/64) def Starwars 220/2 (Rodney Gangoo 138 n.o., S Ramsingh 2/36) — By 8 wkts
Petrotrin Penal 136 (M GangaPersad 41, Ramjass Nagessar 3/23) lost to Spoilers 137/7 (Rishi Boodoo 42, P Popo 2/22) — By 3 wkts
Knockers 218/1 (M Rambaran 126 n.o.) def Hardbargain 91/8 (Frankie Williams 24) by 127 runs
Sunday Knockout series:
T-Birds 208/9 (Riad Reingo 77, I Dookie 6/44) def Surprise 77 (S Persad 4/22) — By 131 runs
Reform Young Guns 154/4 def Surprise 147/6 — By 7 runs
Golconda Utd 234/2 Kenrick Chanan 111) def Starwars 216/7 (R Maharaj 66, E Kanhai 3/43) — By 18 runs
STLE 265/5 (S Ramthalal 112) def St Croix 153 (D Lall 5/13) — By 112 runs
Sunday Premier Division:
Clarke Rochard 108/9 def Red Devils 104 (Dave Ramsawak 5/23) — By 4 runs
City Boys 199/6 (I Rasheed 58, R Maharaj 3/44) def Starwars 114 (J Vialva 4/26) —- By 85 runs
Brothers United 93 (Roger Boodoo 5/19) lost to Spoilers 95/7 (S Mohammed 28, I Ali 4/31) —- By 3 wkts
All Apaches 196 (Harnarine Ganga 61) lost to Golconda Utd 200/9 (Kirtis Mahabir 54) —- By 1 wkt.
Gandi Utd 137/8 (Navin Singh 57) def Kroisee Utd 132 —-By 5 runs
CASTRIES: Left-handed opener Devon Smith continued to press for a West Indies pick with a century for the Windward Islands on the opening day of the team’s Carib Beer Series regional cricket match against India “A” yesterday.
The Grenadian scored 101 —- his first century of the season —- to lead the Windwards to a close of play score of 283 for six wickets after they were put in to bat by the Indian captain Vangipurappu Laxman. It was a welcome knock by Smith, who has had four half centuries so far in this year’s competition with a previous top score of 86 against Barbados. Smith, who has long been trying for a spot on the West Indies team, featured in an opening partnership of 158 with Rommel Currency that set the basis for a huge first innings score. But once the opening stand was broken, they faltered and lost four wickets for 13 runs as the middle order started to collapse. But skipper Junior Murray led the recovery with a fine undefeated half-century by the close.
Other scores:
IN GEORGETOWN: Jamaica, electing to bat against Guyana, were 236 for four at the close of the rain-affected opening day yesterday.
Rain stopped play at 11.32 a.m. and forced an early lunch. They resumed at 1.45 p.m.
Jamaica 236-4 (Brenton Parchment 95, Leon Garrick 74, Mario Ventura 33; Mahendra Nagamootoo 2-71).
IN MONTSERRAT: The Leeward Islands, replying to the West Indies “B” team’s first innings score of 191, were four without loss at the close of the rain-affected opening day yesterday.
Seepage under the covers from early morning rain, delayed the start of play until 1.00 p.m.
West Indies “B” 191 (Carlton Baugh 61, Patrick Browne 45; Kerry Jeremy 5-34, Gavin Tonge 3-40) vs Leewards 4-0.
(AP)
WHEN 17-YEAR-OLD Aarita Hosein started getting labour pains on Wednesday, her mother rushed her to the San Fernando General Hospital thinking that the teenager was going to deliver her first baby.
But, to their surprise and that of the attending medical staff, the teenager gave birth to a healthy set of triplets — one girl and two boys. The babies, who each weighed 1.3 kilogrammes, were born three weeks premature. Hosein, who delivered the first set of triplets for the year, has also made history being the youngest woman to give birth to triplets in the country, according to Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Jehan Ali. The birth was described as an exciting and wonderful experience for both the mother and the medical team, since they only realised she was having triplets after she gave birth to her first baby and the nurses realised there was still movement. An ultrasound was immediately performed and it revealed there were two babies waiting to be born. The three babies were successfully delivered without complications within an hour and five minutes.
“The first thing I said when they told me I had two more to deliver was ‘Oh God’. But it was a wonderful surprise and I thank God for them,” the relaxed and energetic looking Hosein told reporters from her bed at the maternity ward yesterday. A beaming Hosein, of St John Road, St Margarets Village, Claxton Bay, who seemed to be the youngest in the ward, said she had no clue that she was going to have more than one child. She said she had a normal pregnancy but felt “endless movement.” She said she attended the neighbourhood clinic and the doctor told her she was hearing one heart beat and she was having one baby. Saying that she was not scared or nervous about having three babies, Hosein added: “I am really shocked and very happy.” Hosein, who lives with her 25-year-old husband, Ravi, and his parents, said she was confident she will be a good mother.
Her own mother Pamela Mohammed said these three babies were her first grandchildren and she felt “proud and anxious”. She said her daughter got married at such a young age because she was in love. “I intend to play an active role in the lives of my grandchildren,” the smiling woman said. She thanked the medical team who included Doctors Natasha Mohammed, Bernard Sinanan, nurses Mohanee, Daniel and Dickie. It was a first time experience for Dr Mohammed who said she felt elated about the delivery. She admitted she was confused for the first two or three seconds when they realised she was having triplets.
Describing the mother as a co-operative and nice patient, an emotional nurse Daniel said she felt as though she was actually having the babies. Ali assured that even though the tiny babies were three weeks premature, they were born healthy and were being kept in a single incubator. He said the triplets would not be discharged soon because the doctors have to closely monitor the babies’ development. Without an ultrasound being performed, Ali said it was not unusual for a doctor not to detect a multiple pregnancy because babies do not have a constant heartbeat. He said the rate at which babies’ hearts beat can fluctuate. Saying that the babies’ father, Ravi, did not have a permanent job, he called on corporate businessmen to assist the young couple in this “special and wonderful time”.
