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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 28/5/2020

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily news cap Thursday 28th May, 2020. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

PLOT TWIST – A massive effort to improve the living conditions of struggling single mother Katura Luke has taken a shocking twist. Barbados TODAY understands that the owner of the lot at Diamond Valley, St Philip where Luke lives has given no permission for cleaning or renovations to take place on his property and has enlisted the services of an attorney to resolve the matter. As social media sensation Jordan English commenced The Luke Family Home Renovation, Mervin Jones, whose uncle owns the property revealed that rent had not been paid for the last six years and the unsightly home was in fact up for sale. “Unimpressed” with the ongoing “hype” surrounding the endeavor, Jones is instead urging Barbadians to get the full story before “jumping on bandwagons”. “You can’t just go on someone else’s land and carry out renovations just because a man goes on social media saying that we have to be sympathetic. Sympathy doesn’t pay to repair a house,” Jones told Barbados TODAY. “There is more to this story than meets the eye and I can speak because I am directly involved with it and I spoke to the landowner’s attorney and told her to get her hands on this because I don’t think any renovations are going to take place at this time,” he declared. But on Wednesday afternoon, English started honoring a promise to improve the family’s deplorable condition. Photos and videos from his social media page captured a team of youngsters cleaning a massive amount of garbage from the house with help from Jose Y Jose Liquid and Solid Waste Management. The matter was thrust into the public domain on Monday, when the 23-year-old launched an appeal to assist Luke who is living in squalor as she raises four children and battles a myriad of serious health issues. On Tuesday, management of Crane Resorts facilitated a seven-day stay for Luke and her children who have been promised a newly renovated home in seven days. The young man has since launched a website and is accepting donations to aid the initiative. Up to press time, efforts to reach English and Jose Y Jose’s Managing Director, Anderson Cherry were unsuccessful. In the meantime, Jones, who is perplexed by the developments explained that a well-kept and fully furnished house with a new television, fridge and stove was offered to Luke approximately ten years ago after the death of his aunt, who previously occupied the property. The Rural Development Commission (RDC) had been paying rent on Luke’s behalf, but stopped sometime in 2014. The caretaker added that in 2013, the house had been repaired and another estimate for improvements to the tune of $7,600 had been done. However, with no rent being paid, repairs were simply not feasible. “Three offers were made to her, including one from the current Member of Parliament for the area [Indar Weir], who is being ridiculed now to go to a house in Church Village, St. Phillip and she refused,” claimed Jones, a former school teacher, well known umpire and cricket match referee. “Now you will try to stop my uncle from getting rid of that property, which is now filled with bottles and all kinds of rubbish?” he asked. “It is laudable what the gentleman is trying to do. But when he went to the house and saw the for sale sign he should have asked some questions, because everybody in Diamond Valley knows me,” he added. When contacted, Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Lands Charles Griffith admitted that the family “is known” to the RDC. He said that an officer from the commission visited the property on Tuesday to carry out an assessment. Meanwhile, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde said she received “background information” on the unfolding situation and is preparing to meet with the relevant social agencies to develop a plan to assist Katura and her family. (BT)

‘GOV’T, CAN DO BETTER’: HOWARD ON ECONOMY JOB – From getting a passing mark in the first year, the Mia Mottley has slumped to near failing grade over its handling of the economy in its second year in office, according to emeritus economics professor Michael Howard. But he gave Government “high marks” for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Howard told Barbados TODAYwhile the administration had done a satisfactory job in their first year, they had dropped the ball this time around. He made the comments just days after the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) celebrated their second year in office on May 24. Professor Howard said: “If I had to evaluate the BLP in terms of the two separate years I think the performance was different. In my opinion, if I had to grade them I would give them a B+ for the first year and a D for the second year. “In the first year they did well and they had a right to boast of having restored confidence in the Barbadian dollar, they went to the IMF [International Monetary Fund] which I felt was necessary, and it helped to raise the level of foreign reserves and I complimented Ms Mottley in the way she went about it. The way in which she brought stability to the economy was the hallmark of the first year. “In the first year even though the level of taxation rose I think that Barbados was rescued from the previous years under the DLP.” He also pointed to the debt restructuring which he deemed as necessary and which helped to reduce the level of debt. But in evaluating the Government’s second year, the Professor Emeritus in Economics at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill said Government’s performance left a lot to be desired. He told Barbados TODAY: “In the second year I think things went downhill. The economy remained in recession, there were more draconian taxation; the water tax continued, heavy taxes on tourism; there was a decline in sanitation, poor water management. “Somehow they lost track of the course and perhaps one of the main problems was the failure to restore economic growth. The taxation was very heavy and a lot of people especially the poor suffered a loss in welfare during that second year. “Despite the income tax reform people were burdened by the increase in direct taxation. But I wouldn’t give them a failure because the fact that they achieved the six per cent IMF surplus meant that something was achieved.” But on the Mottley administration’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, Professor Howard said while he did not agree with everything that had been done he was impressed by Government’s handling of the challenges it faced. He told Barbados TODAY: “I would give them some high marks, although they have been some blemishes. But I would give them some high marks for the way they approached especially the health aspect of this crisis because this was a new area and even though there were one or two slipups at first I think that they did a good job in restoring confidence in people.” (BT)

GRIM OUTLOOK ON JOB FRONT – Two of the island’s corporate representative organisations are warning the country to brace for more job losses in the private sector if business activity does not pick up quickly. Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Edward Clarke has cautioned that the country can expect companies to take some drastic measures to remain in business, including layoffs, if economic activity does not improve in the next few weeks. He warned that with revenue having dried up in some cases and being “very poor” in others, businesses will do what they have to do to survive. Clarke said while some people have gone back to work in a number of businesses which were allowed to reopen, things could take a turn for the worse if revenue remains dormant or non-existent resulting in more job losses. “What is being assessed now is what will happen if business does not pick up in the next couple weeks, next few weeks. Revenue is going to drive the decision-making. Unless businesses have revenue to support the organisational structure and staffing structure they will have to make decisions,” Clarke told Barbados TODAY this afternoon. “Once they follow the due process, you would expect people would have to make decisions for the survival of their businesses,” he added. The private sector spokesman said he hopes things would change for the better sooner than later and that Government would expand the opening hours of business and allow more retailers to resume operations where practicable. Clarke is also calling for the reopening of some restaurants in the near future while acknowledging that all this hinges on the health protocol and the continuing “good outcome” of the COVID management. “But things are slow and we are having to manage the situation day by day and hopefully things will improve…but right now it is not a good situation for businesses in Barbados at this time…very weak performance overall. Many businesses have to make some serious decisions in the next few weeks, if things don’t change,” he reiterated. And President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Trisha Tannis is also expecting more people to go home in the coming weeks and months. But while she anticipates additional layoffs, she is urging business leaders and owners to ensure they follow due process as provided for in the Employment Rights Act. “I would take the opportunity to encourage the members of the private sector, where they are contemplating or in the process of laying off, to remember to ensure they follow due process where the labour representative is concerned and the Labour Office as well,” the BCCI president told Barbados TODAY. The business sector leader disclosed that the Chamber has been getting complaints that some employers were “progressing with certain actions without due process. And I would just like to take the opportunity to remind the private sector to follow the appropriate protocol.” Tannis also warned that she expected the current bleak business conditions to continue until year-end especially if tourism remains in the doldrums. She noted that a series of major festivals which would have boosted tourism have been cancelled for this year including the United Nations’ Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Conference slated for October. “Obviously the spinnoff and trickle down benefits to the economy are going to be missed. So it remains to be seen how long…how deep, this is going to be. But we may be in for a bit of a long haul. It may not be before 2021 before we begin to see some recovery,” the Chamber head declared. “I do think there is going to be a bit of a contraction for a while. As you know, the employment levels are very high and traffic flows are still very sedate,” Tannis stated. “It is good to be able to reopen…that helps. But traffic will still be significantly down versus the prior years. I think it will be a slow and gradual climb, hopefully back to some level of buoyancy, but that timeline is likely to be protracted,” she said. Meanwhile, Government and other members of the Social Partnership are consulting on a plan proposed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley that is designed to give the political directorate more elbow room to help the economy rebound from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister has proposed what was initially termed a “forced savings plan” now known as a National Meeting Turn that offers “National Pandemic Solidarity Bonds” as part payment for salaries. The bonds are to be redeemed at the end of four years at high interest rates but can be cashed in at financial institutions before the maturity date. (BT)

DOUBLE TAX BLOW HURTING PENSION SAVINGS – Barbadians who are paying taxes on their income and are then required to pay taxes again on the money they have put aside to support them during retirement should be entitled to some relief from the double burden. The case has been made by Roger Cave, Investment Director of Fortress Fund Manager as he addressed members of the media Tuesday at the company’s virtual media briefing. Asked what Government could do to make the investing environment more appealing, he said the matter of taxation on pensions was a longstanding sore point. Noting that since Government removed registered retirement savings plans from the list of investments Barbadian could claim against the tax liabilities, they are now facing two tax hits; one at the source in the form of PAYE and another at the pension payment stage for sums over a minimum amount. “The one area from a policy point of view that we do need to relook is the taxation on pensions and it is a point that we raise repeatedly. We have a situation where contributions to pension schemes are no longer deductible but they are still taxed on retirement. “This COVID-19 situation has demonstrated even more so the importance of saving for long-term needs and that has increased rather than decreased. And further, to have a situation where there is a tax penalty, we need to reverse this where there is an incentive to put away those savings,” Cave urged. “We have a strong regulatory scheme with pensions with a number of local providers, so the environment is there but the policy needs to be revisited.” On the matter of Barbados’ blacklisting by the European Union over claims the country was not been meeting the standard for Anti-money Laundering and the Countering Financing of Terrorism, Cave said the development was “most unfortunate”. The Fortress top executive added: “We think there has been a number of initiatives and ongoing things to strengthen our AML processes and procedures. As a player in the financial system, we are very aware of them and think that that was a very unfortunate case. I know that representation has been made to have [blacklisting] revisited and we hope that we will be off that list sooner rather than later. “It is never helpful, especially in the environment that we are in,” Cave added. (BT)

BRANDING KEY TO SELLING BAJAN AND CARIBBEAN PRODUCTS, SAYS CADDLE – Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, believes that more must be done to utilise the Barbados and Caribbean brand when it comes to promoting and selling local and regional commodities across the world. She made this point during a live YouTube discussion on the topic, The Future of the Caribbean: Sustainable Supply Chains, Trade, and Agriculture, hosted by the Grow Local Caribbean Team. The other participants were Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green; Jamaica’s Opposition Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Director of Lydford Logistics, Lisa Hanna; and Oneyka Akumah, Founder and CEO of Farmcrowdy from Nigeria. It was hosted by Ethnie Miller Simpson, Managing Director of Grow Local Caribbean, an entity which provides resources for Caribbean businesses. Caddle noted that within the local agricultural sector, government was focused on identifying those things that were unique to Barbados. She suggested that branding was key to standing out, especially within a niche market and where there are economies of scale. “Branding for us is extremely important. We keep talking about niche markets and the issue even with a niche market is that we still have economies of scale. Even if we have a couple of producers who are able to create a niche high value product, because of our size it is very unlikely that we will still be able to produce enough of that product to make a dent in the market, even within the region. “One of the things we have focused on doing is identifying what are uniquely Bajan things. Black belly sheep is one of those things. It is sought after all over the world; there are chefs in different restaurants who say if we have that lamb we don’t want anything else. The same for avocado and the same for aloe vera, so we are really focused on that…,” she explained. The Investment Minister also lamented that too often Caribbean products are being packaged and resold to the region and she stressed that the islands needed to do a much better job in this regard. “We can globalise even the production but we need to really brand who we are and what we are selling. This issue came up even recently with the ‘clash’ between (musicians) Bounty and Beenie. Why is it that people are selling back to us our Caribbean product? We hear all these jingles in advertising and you have a soca rhythm in the back [or] you have a reggae rhythm, because our brand is happiness, the Caribbean brand is happiness and we are not doing anything with that. So I think as part of our overall conversation, that is a huge part of what we need to do,” she emphasised. Adding to the conversation was Lisa Hanna, who pointed out that a huge part the problem with agriculture was that the youth did not see the sector as attractive. She also complained about value added products, which are grown in Jamaica, being imported and sold on the island. “I say we need to make farming ‘sexy’ because it is where the next frontier is coming from… I should not be sitting in Jamaica and buying a packaged can of coconut water. I shouldn’t be sitting in Jamaica and buying cured mangoes from Indonesia. That to me is just criminal because what we keep doing is exporting our primary products,” she argued, adding that locals must also be able to afford locally grown products. Hanna also called for more investment into the industry and the identification of what are the global competitive advantages, especially since she did not believe there would be enough prosperity generated by feeding one’s population alone. (BGIS)

COACH OWNERS MULL FERRYING COMMUTERS – With no tourists to drive their businesses, some coach owners have now said they may very well accept Government’s offer for them to join the public transport system. But for it to be a feasible option, the contract would have to make “financial sense”, said one owner. With public service vehicles and Transport Board buses only allowed to carry 60 per cent capacity for effective social distancing, Prime Minister Mia Mottley recently announced that private coaches might have to help move commuters. With Ross University temporarily closed, Mottley said the medical school’s coaches could be used, among others. Scott Davis, owner of Williams Tours Barbados, acknowledged the offer was not ideal, but he said that with few options available, coaches might have to take advantage of the offer. He told Barbados TODAY: “There is not necessarily a great excitement to integrate because of the class of vehicle. “We have to try and create the most luxury vehicle and so to convert to that style… but I believe there are many who are going to be in the situation where that will be an ultimate game-changer for them. “Take, for example, all the Ross transportation, they don’t have any Ross students to carry around anymore and I don’t know if Government is still having to honour that contract, so I believe there will be people who will definitely fill that void who are doing that type of transportation already.” With the COVID-19 pandemic having practically wiped out the tourist industry for the near future, Davis said he may have to consider accepting the Government’s offer. He said: “As the news spread about the future it’s not looking so bright so I might be willing to come on board. I’ve gone from income to zero income and so it is definitely something I would need to consider. “I believe we all will be thinking about it for sure, so we might seem reluctant now but a couple more days without a dollar a lot of us might be coming around.” Davis recalled that several months ago, Minister of Transport Dr William Duguid spoke to them regarding a similar initiative. He said at the time several concerns had been raised, including the basis on how routes would be assigned. General manager of Sun Tours Barbados Eva Marshall declined to comment, but another owner who asked to remain anonymous told Barbados TODAY the offer would have to be financially beneficial for him to consider. He said while he did not want to appear selfish, the bottom line was critical. He said: “This is something which is new and probably something we would have never contemplated before COVID-19. We are accustomed to setting our own rates so for us to operate in this fashion is a bit strange. “I’m not against having a discussion but at the end of the day it has to make financial sense for me as a business owner. It makes no sense having my vehicles working and having to service them if the money isn’t decent. “I think Government would have to offer us some form of concession maybe on diesel or something as well, because the majority of private coaches operate with air condition.” He said the loss of the tourist industry would be very hard on private coaches, as in some instances tourists accounted for 85 per cent of business. (BT)

GRADUATES OFFER BETTER CHANCE AT INNOVATION – Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, President of the Universities Caribbean and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) is predicting that there will be an increase in persons seeking higher education in the post COVID-19 period. Speaking during today’s One Caribbean Virtual Forum titled: Assessing the impacts of COVID-19 Designing the Future of the Caribbean University Sector, the historian explained that there is a historical tendency for the demand for higher education to increase during an economic recession. However, Sir Hilary stressed that while there is the expected increase in persons seeking to further develop their knowledge in skills and academic areas, it is important for governments in the region to see the importance of continuing to invest in education even though there is an unfavourable economic climate. He said members of the labour force often work towards retooling and reorganizing their skill sets, while several parents make sacrifices for their children to acquire a higher education at a moment of recession. Sir Hilary said during a recession people are focused on surviving the competition which narrows considerably against persons who are not in the higher education sector. “On the contrary, when economies are booming and there is significant growth and development people do believe that they could survive and they could do well without higher education. But, I think we will witness that as soon as the shock has been overcome we will actually see a very significant increase in our higher education within the recessionary period, the history shows that. “But at the same time, I think we should recognize that people do attend university for different reasons, and many reasons. It is not simply a matter of their employability, though I should say that the private sector has recognized that this is the age in which their businesses have to innovate and your chances of having an innovative economy, or an innovative industry or company or enterprise is increased with the employment of graduates,” he said. Sir Hilary noted that society is looking at graduates to be the innovative drivers of the future and they are sought after even in a climate where there might be an existing unemployment growth. On that note, the Vice Chancellor said the university must demonstrate to students that the content and the pedagogy of their programmes are in alignment with significant areas of development relevant to private sector growth or public sector commitment to greater service and care for communities. He added that one of the lessons of COVID-19 is that countries that have highly developed universities that have been engaged in handling the pandemic are the countries that seem to be able to better deal with the COVID-19 containment. However, he said countries that have not invested in higher education and are lacking good public healthcare systems because they have not invested in medical facilities; are having great difficulty in getting on top of COVID. “So the lesson then that we have found, certainly in the Caribbean, is that higher education, research, now more than ever, is critical in managing not only the COVID situation but post-COVID strategies will require a greater embracing of the higher education sectors. “This is a lesson that we are saying to all of our governments in the region, if you want to come out of this recession, if you need to manage post-COVID issues, this is a time when you must invest even greater resources in the higher education sector, teaching and research, and critical issues such as community empowerment and innovation,” he said. (BT)

SIR HILARY WARNS OF LOW ENROLMENT – The Caribbean has the lowest enrolment per capita in higher education throughout this hemisphere, and the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to push the region further down the scale. This is according to Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. He was speaking yesterday during a “One Caribbean” virtual forum on UWITV entitled, Assessing The Impacts Of COVID-19: Designing The Future Of The Caribbean University Sector. “If we take the age cohort 18 to 30, the Caribbean has the lowest enrolment in higher education in the hemisphere. We are less than 25 per cent in the hemisphere where the average is close to 45 per cent,” he said. “We already have an enrolment crisis. We already are suffering the consequences of low enrolment in higher education and professorial training . . . so we are likely to be experiencing a further reduction in higher education when we are already in the hemisphere at the bottom of that enrolment chart,” he said. (DN)

SCORES OF STRANDED BAJANS RETURN VIA CRUISE SHIP – Scores of once stranded Barbadians are now back home thanks to Government’s decision to allow some cruise ships to use the Bridgetown Port for repatriation. Chairman of the Barbados Port Inc Senator Lisa Cummins told Barbados TODAY that in exchange for allowing those ships to dock on the island, the chartered planes coming to take the crew home were also bringing Barbadians home. Harmony of the Seas, the world’s longest cruise ship and the second largest, became the latest vessel to dock at the Port when it arrived today carrying over 4000 crew members. “What is an important part and is not necessarily known is that we would have heard about some Barbadians, including Barbadian crew members and Barbadians who were stranded abroad being able to come home. “These ships are the reason that these Barbadians are able to come home because the cruise lines are flying the planes in. They are going to be flying them in empty and say they are Barbadians in the UK or wherever, these Barbadians have an opportunity to work with our overseas embassies and they are able to get home and then they go into quarantine here in Barbados because they are staying on the island,” Cummins said. “Because these ships are repatriating through Barbados, the planes that are taking them home are also bringing our Barbadians home.” The chairman disclosed that Barbados had been facilitating crew repatriation since March 23. Cummins said more than 25 ships had already benefited from the initiative. Speaking in relation to Harmony of the Seas, Cummins said some of the crew had been on the water for close to two months. She said those crew members would be transported to the Grantley Adams International Airport where chartered flights were waiting to take them home. “But why is the second largest cruise ship in the world in Barbados at this point? Because the cruise lines have had a number of challenges with various ports around the world not allowing the ships to disembark and to allow for the chartered planes to come in even though there are protocols in place, or you have crew members that are all healthy,” Cummins said. “In the case of this particular vessel these are crew members who have been at sea, in some instances, over 60 days and quarantine periods as we know are 14 days. “These people have been stranded at sea for close to two months and so they just want to get home. So what Royal Caribbean has done is they have consolidated their crew members across multiple ships, placed them on single ships and sailed them to different ports, “Barbados is not the only one but we are the one in this area. There are chartered flights that are flying in and the crew members are going directly from the seaport to the airport to board those chartered flights and fly out to their home countries to their families,” she added. Cummins emphasized that those crew members would not be quarantined in Barbados as they were not staying here. She said they would all be moved over the “next couple of days”. “There is no local stay here in Barbados at all and they are all not moving at the same time. They are moving over the course of a couple of days at a time, so for this particular vessel and the other vessels that are berthed here, there are maybe like 25 chartered planes that are being flown in and out of Barbados to take them to the various locations,” Cummins reiterated. She said planes would be leaving the GAIA destined for the Phillipines, Indonesia, Ukraine, South America, Canada and Europe. The chairman maintained that everything had been done under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Health. Cummins said last weekend over 700 crew members were flown out. (BT)

SARGASSUM HARVESTER TO START WORK ON BEACH CLEAN UP – A new harvester to reap sargassum seaweed, which clogs beaches nationwide each year is set to get to work, Minister of Maritime Affairs Kirk Humphrey has announced. He said he expected the new equipment to significantly boost efforts to clean up the country. Addressing the launch at the Barbados Coast Guard base HMBS Pelican, the Minister recalled that the sargassum seaweed was among the challenges Government faced two years ago and a plan had to be put in place. As a result, Government spent almost $300,000 to acquire the seaweed harvester, a tractor and conveyor, Humphrey said, suggesting it would help transform Barbados. He said: “I think it is important for us to recognize that there are a few things we have to do right now. If COVID-19 hasn’t taught us anything then nothing will. We cannot continue with business as usual. So the first thing Barbados has to do is clean. And, the seaweed harvester is part of our cleaning up programme and we are going to deploy the seaweed harvester mostly along the early west coast and the south coast. “Ón the east coast we are going to continue to use mostly manual labour. We have about 75 people who are trained in how to handle the seaweed and we are about to deploy another 50, if not 75, to be able to start cleaning the seaweed [there].” Humphrey said the ministry has been very conscious about removing the seaweed in a responsible way so as not to take all the sand, adding it was “more about respecting one ecosystem, not trying to advance one at the detriment of another”. He said: “ I think we have been able to do that fairly well. We moved a significant amount of tonnage of seaweed over the last year. Certainly, with this [the seaweed harvester] we will be able to move even more seaweed. So, we are going to keep Barbados clean. Humphrey also stressed the need for much more innovation in the use of the seaweed. While noting there had already been a lot of scientific work and studies on sargassum, he added Barbadians have shown how innovative they can be through the making of fertilizers, soaps and the ministry’s own work on making energy. Humphrey said: “Fishermen, for example when they were dealing with the seaweed they made adjustments to their fishing vessels. So, instead of throwing the net on top of the water; they put the net so that it floats just below the seaweed so that they could still catch the fish below the seaweed. They have also been able to do things to protect the propellers on the boats so it does not destroy their vessels. “All of these things without anybody showing them…just innovating and responding, in a way, to issues and problems. So, I believe we are going to be able to be transformative. I think this part of our programme is going to be transformative.” (BT)

CDEMA TWEAKS DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLANS – Days away from the start of a likely above-average Atlantic hurricane season, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the regional disaster management agency to revise its preparedness protocols. Acting Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley said: “We have modified the regional plans based on COVID-19 public health protocols from both the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and from national health authorities in our member states. “Since we could not do face-to-face training this year, we are drawing upon people trained in previous years to conduct refresher courses in June. “We realise that as a result of the protocols we are committed to following from our health sector partners, there may be a lag time in terms of getting a physcial presence on the ground, so we are looking at remote support to our states and we have discussed that with national disaster coordinators.” Riley said one of the areas that needs special attention this year is shelter management. She said: “In treating to physical distancing requirements we have to explore options for additional spaces, as well as the necessary physical resources and human and financial resources at shelters, for example supplying personal protective equipment, respecting physical distance guidelines, and having adequate water supplies as well as other solutions to ensure hygiene practices are adhered to.” Experts have also focused on changes to the way shelters are to be used in the time of COVID-19. Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, said: “Shelters can be relatively cluttered in a normal situation, but with coronavirus now and social distancing we have been identifying additional centres and plans to minimise the number of people allocated to centres. “There is usually a medical person at the shelters in case of emergency, but in this instance, some have said they have identified a medical doctor, others are training medical people already in the shelters on this, and in some cases, they are setting up stations for people who may have been evacuated and are showing signs of the illness so they can be isolated from other people. “Since February the regional disaster management agencies have been amending and reviewing their guidelines with respect to coronavirus.” Dr Laura Lee Boodram, director of Vector Control Surveillance with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), said that apart from COVID-19, the region should ensure it does not face any of the other health issues that might emerge in the aftermath of storms, such as water and foodborne illnesses. She said: “Our recommendations are that we may have to source alternative additional shelters, not only because of physical distancing, but people in the shelter will have to wear protective gear and masks, and once we have that in place, we won’t be able to accommodate the same number of persons as in the past, so we would have to assign people to places where there is enough space for that. “Apart from COVID-19, there are other potential diseases that can break out in shelters, like food and water-borne diseases and these have to be constantly monitored, and medications kept on hand for those with preexisting health conditions. Yes, extra resources will be required but once we are aware of these, advance planning will go a long way to mitigate these scenarios if they occur.” (BT)

LOCKDOWN COULD AFFECT PLAYERS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY – West Indies tour to England will be tough during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but it is good to get the game back in the middle, says former Barbados all-rounder Franklyn Stephenson. Whether the three-match Test series scheduled for July 8-28 at the Ageas Bowl in Hampshire will take place is an ongoing debate as there are concerns about the safety of players travelling to England. That country has one of the highest death rates because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Stephenson during a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, said once the authorities in England put the relevant safety precautions in place to protect the players, then he was all for cricket being played when that time comes. “Anything to get the game back on the field of play is of help and taking a lead from other countries around the world is a step in that direction,” Stephenson said. He added that with the amount of testing players were going to be subjected to and their privacy invaded, this was the time for the players to remain positive in what is being referred to as the new norm. “Anything for cricket. It is going to be tough. The authorities are putting so much in place; they are sacrificing so much; it is all for the sport and I am all for it. I am sure they will be safe; I am sure that they are going to take all precautions to make sure that they put strategies in place. It will be great to see cricket being played. I think that is some of the fastest progress we can make actually to inspire the people to get their sport back. “We need to look at the other countries to see how they implement breakout strategies safely and that is going to help, anything to help the game go forward will help. Unless there are breakouts and I do not see that happening because the players are going to be tested so often, their privacy is going to be invaded big time, but these are different times. But they just have to stay positive,” Stephenson said. Playing without spectators is also going to be a challenge but Stevenson insisted that going forward this will be the new norm. He said: “These are new times and I am sure they are practising for all those scenarios. They have to be less audible with their banter, they have to be careful about that because they would not have any crowds to drown out what they say to each other. But they are not dead men out there, things are going to be said and it is going to be a big loss not having the spectators. It is almost like a trial basis and I am sure we will see some new norms coming out of that without spectators.” Head of the Franklyn Stephenson Academy located at Bennetts, St. Thomas, the man considered by many the best regional first-class cricketer never to play Test cricket, offered words of encouragement to players during this time especially the young ones who are eager to get back out and play the sport they love. While Stephenson advised the players to be proactive and positive as they navigate through these unprecedented times, he also urged local authorities to observe closely the impact this lockdown could have on the mental health of players. Therefore, Stephenson, an outstanding cricket on the England and South African circuits, advocated for the current restrictions put in place by the Government to be relaxed further to allow young people the opportunity to train with their clubs. “The youngsters are going to be wondering why they are on lockdown, they can’t leave the house, they can’t play the sport, it is going to be messing with their lives for sure. I think we have to act as soon as possible to give them that outlet. I mean they say ‘no’ to playing the sport, but why not allow the youngsters to get supervision under their normal clubs. I am sure the clubs would be instrumental in keeping the youngsters (training). They cannot do it every day, but you have small groups in the evening, and I am sure the clubs would put in that sacrifice. “This will help their bodies and mind develop. We do not know what damage it is doing to them to have to sit at home all day with all that energy and all that focus on the disciplines they are normally good at. So I think the authorities have got to look at that and get together with the sporting bodies and get the youngsters out on those big wide-open playing fields to do some running around and help to develop their bodies and minds,” Stephenson said. (BT)

NEW ZEALAND BOARD CUTTING JOBS - New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will cut up to 15 per cent of staff and look to shave NZ$6 million (BDS$7.45 million) in operating costs as part of proposals to cope with “challenging” conditions brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, chief executive David White said. He told New Zealand media he had informed NZC’s 80 staff on Wednesday about the planned cuts, which would allow the board to maintain funding levels at provincial and district levels, and avoid shrinking the domestic schedule. “We have our priorities for the year, which we’re not compromising and we’re investing in those,” he told Stuff Media. “The cuts are coming from NZC, NZ$6 million, of which NZ$1.5 million is staff.”Players and staff for the national men’s Black Caps and women’s White Ferns teams would not be affected by the cost-cutting measures. Players’ annual retainers would remain as forecast for the coming season, White said. (DN)

SEARCH ON FOR GUNMAN WHO SHOT OFFICER – ‘District C’ Police were tonight hunting an unidentified gunman who shot and wounded a police officer while he was on duty in central St John. The officer, a male, who has not been named, was shot in the area of Henley Plantation around 11.45 am when police challenged a man who opened fire on them. The officer received a gunshot wound in his left forearm and he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said Sergeant Michael Blackman. It was not thought that the injury was life-threatening but police released no further details on the officer’s condition. Police have launched an appeal to the public for information that can help them track down the assailant. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the District ‘C’ Police Station at 416-8200, Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800 (TIPS) 8477 or any police station. (BT)

GUILTY PLEA OFFERED ON GUN CHARGES – A young man has pleaded guilty to firearm and ammunition charges in the High Court. Jamar Julien Ricardo Proverbs, a first time offender, from Crawford Road, Ellerton, St George offered the plea today after originally being arrested on August 25, 2017. Lawmen were on mobile patrol that afternoon travelling along Kendal Hill, Christ Church when the noticed a motorcycle with two men on board. Proverbs was the pillion rider. When officers got the driver to stop the motorcycle, Proverbs, who was wearing a backpack, jumped off and fled. He was seen throwing the backpack into a bushy area before police caught him. Senior Crown Counsel Olivia Davis said when the bag was retrieved a small revolver, five rounds of ammunition and four empty shells were found. “Sir don’t charge me for the gun, give me a break,” he told police on his arrest. He was taken to the Oistins Police Station and told of his rights to an attorney. ”I don’t want any so go ahead and talk to me,” he told the police. He was then cautioned and asked about the firearm. He told police that while they had held him with the gun he was holding the bag for another man so he could be comfortable on the motorcycle. Proverbs also admitted that he had seen the gun the night before when he was at a “birthday bash”. He said he subsequently held it and fired two shots. “When I fired the gun it was so loud it ring my ears,” said the then 21-year-old coconut vendor who added that he gave the weapon back to his friend. The prosecutor said police investigations showed that the gun, a .32 long caliber revolver, belonged to another man and was last registered in 2005. The four shells, found in Proverbs’ possession, were fired from the weapon. The trial of the now convicted man, who was represented by attorney-at-law Krystal Fenty will continue on Tuesday, June 2 via Zoom before Justice Randall Worrell who is presiding over the No. 2 Supreme Court. The time he has spent on remand at Dodds will be detailed to the court at that time. A presentencing report has been ordered in the meantime in preparation for sentencing. (BT)

LAWYER MAKES CASE FOR CONVICT’S RELEASE – Attorney-at-law Sian Lange today urged a High Court judge to impose a sentence of time served on her client who apologised for having in his possession, a loaded gun he had “found”. The defence attorney made the submission today in her remarks on behalf of convicted man David Wayne Harper, a Bibby’s Lane, St Michael resident. Last week he pleaded guilty, via Zoom from his location at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds, to having the illegal firearm and seven rounds of ammunition in his possession on May 26, 2017. On that day police doing traffic checks along Jack-in-the-box Gully stopped the vehicle in which he was travelling. His actions during that time caused lawmen to become suspicious and a search was conducted with his consent. A silver and black 9mm semi automatic pistol along with several paint brushes were found in his haversack. “The gun is mine I find it,” he said when asked to account for it. A further check discovered that the gun was equipped with a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition. He told police on his arrest that he was walking through a track near Ellerton Pasture in St George when he found the loaded weapon and decided to keep it. Addressing Justice Randall Worrell via Zoom again today the first time offender said: “ I apologise for the offence.” His lawyer then acknowledged that he had committed a serious offence and under the circumstances a custodial sentence was merited as the gun was loaded and was capable of taking a life. But, in her client’s case, she said, the gun was not used although the No. 2 Supreme Court could find it “passing strange” that he had simply found the firearm while passing through a track. While Harper had made a “bad choice”, she said, there was “no sophistication” on his part to having the weapon as he had found it, took it home, stashed it, then removed it when it began to rain, and put it in his bag. She pointed to his clean record and the fact that he had never been involved in any criminal activity before that charge. All of those factors she said should go in Harper’s favour and the court should consider a starting sentence of six years in prison. A third discount she said should then be credited for his guilty plea bringing the sentence down to four years. According to her, Harper’s previously good record should get him a further discount and the fact that the mitigating factors of his case “overwhelmed” the aggravating factors, another year should be shaved off the sentence. “That should bring it very close to the time that he has spent on remand, being time served,” Lange added. The convicted man, who is in his late 40s, has been at Dodds for 1,094 days. Crown Counsel Oliver Thomas will respond to the sentencing submissions on June 9. (BT)

BUNNY WAILER’S WIFE MISSING – The search is continuing for Jean Watt, the 70-year-old wife of musical icon, Neville “Bunny Wailer” Livingstone, who has been reported missing since last Saturday. Relatives said the dreadlocked Watt, who is also known as “Sister Jean”, was last seen in Washington Gardens, St Andrew. In a message posted on Facebook on Wednesday, relatives said they were “starting the day with a prayer for the Livingston family that Sister Jean is found”. “Meditating positively that she is being cared for by ones who don’t know who she is, but will by the outpouring of support and interest for the Hon Bunny Wailer that it will all come together. “Hail Jah Rastafari, someone I love is missing and my thoughts are racing into fear and panic. I surrender all of my fearful thoughts to you. I call upon your perfect wisdom to guide everything to ensure the complete safety and protection of my loved one. Please take my fearful thoughts from me and heal them for me. “I am willing to trust that your love ensures our safety and well-being, and there is nothing to fear. In the presence of your light, there is no darkness. No one can be harmed, threatened or in danger when they are surrounded by the light and protection of your love. “Please take my fears and replace them with your certainty of a peaceful outcome. I place my loved one in your capable hands and trust, with all my heart, that they are safe and secure. Thank you, in advance, for their safe and immediate return. Thy will be done. Amen.” Livingston is a singer/songwriter and former member of the Wailers that included the late Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. (BT)

MORE THAN 100 000 DIE FROM COVID-19 IN USA – The novel coronavirus has killed more than 100 000 people in the United States, according to a Reuters tally on Wednesday, even as the slowdown in deaths encouraged businesses to reopen and Americans to emerge from more than two months of lockdowns. About 1 400 Americans have died on average each day in May, down from a peak of 2 000 in April, according to the tally of state and county data on COVID-19 deaths. In about three months, more Americans have died from COVID-19 than during the Korean War, Vietnam War and the U.S. conflict in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 combined. The new respiratory disease has also killed more people than the AIDS epidemic did from 1981 through 1989, and it is far deadlier than the seasonal flu has been in decades. The last time the flu killed as many people in the United States was in the 1957 to 1958 season, when 116 000 died. Total U.S. coronavirus cases are over 1.7 million with some southern states seeing new cases rising in the past week, according to a Reuters analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to track the outbreak. Globally, coronavirus cases have topped 5.6 million with over 350 000 deaths since the outbreak began in China late last year and then arrived in Europe and the United States. South America is now bearing the brunt of the outbreak, with Brazil having the second-highest number of cases in the world. Of the top 20 most severely affected countries, the United States ranks eighth based on deaths per capita, according to a Reuters tally. The United States has three fatalities per 10 000 people. Belgium is first with eight deaths per 10 000, followed by Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy, according to the Reuters analysis. (BT)

PAT SYMMONDS, VETERAN OF EDUCATION AND PUBLIC LIFE, DIES – Renowned educator, former senator and privy councillor Dame Olga Patricia “Pat” Symmonds GCM, DBE died today at age 94. The iconic principal of The St Michael School began her 40-year teaching career there in 1945, becoming deputy principal in 1963 and ultimately principal from 1976 until her retirement in 1985. She was also one of the first part-time tutors and lecturers at the College of Arts and Sciences in 1963 that later became the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. Dame Patricia, a stalwart of the Barbados Labour Party, served as a senator for 13 years from 1994. She also sat on several public commissions and was a member of the Privy Council from 1997 to 2000. For her long and distinguished service to education, Dame Patricia received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. In 1985, the Barbados Government awarded the country’s second-highest honour, the Gold Crown of Merit (GCM). In 2000, Symmonds was knighted as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in recognition of her life in public service and contribution to education. She is survived by her brother, the retired diplomat Algernon “Algie” Symmonds. (BT)

PM REMEMBERS RENOWNED EDUCATOR PAT SYMMONDS – A lady of great poise and impeccable manners, who mastered the English Language, and made indelible accomplishments in education, community service and politics, is how Dame Patricia Symmonds has been remembered by Prime Minister Mia Mottley. She said the renowned educator, former senator and privy councillor, who died today at age 94, lived an extraordinary life and left Barbados much better than she found it. Mottley said the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), of which she was a long-standing member, was saddened by her passing. She said that the educator was the best and probably is the last, of a unique classical group that represented the best of Barbados, exuding and instilling the importance of character and civil conduct while encouraging achievement and personally assisting and influencing hundreds as a result of a modern view of personal and national development. The Prime Minister said: “Her life was one of dedication, exemplified by long service to every institution in which she was involved. She had a historic and much loved tour de force of a career at the St Michael School, where she taught for all of her teaching career. That career began in 1945 and ended in 1985, with Dame Patricia as Principal from 1976-1985. “Her tenure remains one of the most storied in education in Barbados, and was illustrative of another central aspect of her life that she always, on merit, rose to the top and broke new ground. Her pioneering work at The St Michael School forged an education developmental nexus that was very much ahead of its time. “It included strengthening religious principles to encourage discipline, personal responsibility, humility and leadership; expansion of the school orchestra and the enlargement of the school curriculum to include sports and other extracurricular activities.” Mottley indicated that what can never be captured adequately is how Dame Patricia put a new sheen on The St Michael School as an enviable institution, nor the confidence and pride she instilled in hundreds of students’ circumstances and potential that meant the difference between failure and success. No wonder she was universally revered by those who had the good fortune to be tutored and guided by Dame Patricia, Mottley said. Dame Patricia was also a part-time lecturer at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill and gave free tutorials, but her work in promoting and developing English as a subject of study and language, also occupies a special lofty place. She was a founding member and president of the Barbados Association of Teachers of English for 22 years from 1967, leading work that evaluated external examinations and English curricula and, in a watershed achievement, secured the separation and independent grading of English Literature from English Language. Mottley said: “It goes without saying that Dame Patricia, who was also a member of the International Federation for the Teaching of English, conducted numerous training sessions in writing and speaking English across the board. Many also in conversations with her would also get a gentle reminder of the correct construction of a sentence or correct pronunciation. Simply, there was no greater proponent in Barbados of the English Language. “Dame Patricia also had a range of interest that included Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, President of the Friends of St John Ambulance Brigade, of which she was also a member, the National Trust, Barbados Family Planning Association, among others. “An avid cricket fan, she was also a life member of the Barbados Cricket Association. And, of course, the Barbados Labour Party will always be deeply grateful for the gift that was Dame Patricia. “Her devotion to our party is legendary, demonstrated not only in tireless work in numerous areas but in attending almost every possible meeting, branch or national, even in later years when she had to be assisted.” The Prime Minister recalled Dame Patricia would invite budding politicians to her Strathclyde home and treated them to a taste of her delectable cooking, in the most unobtrusive way dispensing advice so that at the end of it all, they only remembered a delightful occasion. Dame Patricia served in the Senate for 13 years, becoming the first female Deputy President and was a member of the Privy Council. She was General Secretary of the BLP between 1986 and 1994 and was a President of the Women’s League. She was also a Deputy Chair of the Commission on Social Justice, Deputy Chair of the National Commission on the Status of Women. Dame Patricia received numerous awards for her powerful contributions to education, civil life and politics, crowned with her appointment as Dame Commander of the British Empire by the Queen, in 2000. (BT)

PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN – It is most regrettable that for the second time today I feel duty-bound to issue a statement on the passing of another builder of Barbados — this time Ralph “Bruggadung” Johnson. He was a very successful post-Independence industrialist of Barbados and would have led the way in exporting locally-made products into the Eastern Caribbean and beyond, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Harris Group of Companies. Certainly, thanks to his creativity, leadership and hard work, Harris Paints is today a household name, not just in Barbados, but across the Eastern Caribbean. But for all his successes as a manufacturer, you cannot chronicle his life’s journey without pausing to consider his considerable achievements in, and contribution to, sports in this country. For more than two decades, starting in 1986, he sat as a member of the board of the National Olympic Committee and was a principal architect in the founding of the local lottery, from which sports was always a major beneficiary. Bruggadung has also been president of the Barbados Yachting Association, the Barbados Squash Rackets Association, the Caribbean Area Squash Rackets Association and the Caribbean Yachting Association. In his younger days, he played basketball, football, water polo and squash and was also known as an avid motor racing competitor, with his colleagues in the Barbados Rally Club describing him as a spectacular driver. His business success and love for sports no doubt contributed to the name Harris Paints being associated with several teams in a variety of sports as the sponsor. It was this long and distinguished contribution to sports and business that led to him being awarded the Gold Crown of Merit in 1997. Above all those though, Bruggadung was Bajan — and you could not miss it in the way he interacted with others. He was Bajan by name and by nature and anyone who knew him knew that what you saw was what you got with him. I extend deepest sympathy to the Johnson and Straker families — his wife Isabelle; children Jason, Jade, James, Tracy and Amanda; brother Paul Johnson and sisters Lady Straker, Rosemarie Smith and Diane Primo. May his soul rest in peace. (Prime Minister’s Office) (BT)

The world is facing the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. As we continue to do our part in Barbados please remember to stay home but on the days you have to go out wear your masks, practice social distancing (stand 6-10 feet away from each other), practice good daily hygiene, eat healthy, exercise and keep your mind active. There are 218 days left in the year Shalom! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell #coronavirusinbarbados #nationalresponse #dailynews #thechasefilesblog

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vsplusonline · 4 years

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On this day: Brendon McCullum slams 158* vs RCB to kick-start IPL's inaugural edition

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/on-this-day-brendon-mccullum-slams-158-vs-rcb-to-kick-start-ipls-inaugural-edition/

On this day: Brendon McCullum slams 158* vs RCB to kick-start IPL's inaugural edition

The 2020 edition of the IPL remains indefinitely suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic but 12 years ago on this day, Indian Premier League’s inaugural match took place.

Brendon McCullum set the stage on fire in first-ever IPL match.(Twitter Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

12 years ago on this day, BCCI gave birth to Indian Premier League

Mumbai Indians have won four titles, the most, with Chennai Super Kings having three

Brendon McCullum kick-started IPL with maiden T20 century vs RCB at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Exactly 12 years ago, the cricketing world saw the inception of a new league which went on to become the biggest and most extravagant private cricket tournament the world had seen since Kerry Packer’s World Series of Cricket in 1977.

Dazzling fireworks that lit up the sky and a glittering opening ceremony attended by the top brass of the ICC and the BCCI kicked off the Indian Premier League (IPL)’s inaugural edition on April 18, 2008.

The Indian Premier League, popularly known as the IPL, kick-started a revolution in India and thus, T20 cricket got a new lease of life. The 2020 edition of the IPL remains indefinitely suspended at this stage because of the Covid-19 pandemic but April 18, 2020 marks the 13th anniversary of Indian Premier League’s first match.

In 2008, if the IPL opening ceremony stunned the world, it was Brendon McCullum’s blitzkrieg in the inaugural match which gave T20 cricket a new dimension.

Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and invited the Kolkata Knight Riders to bat first. In walked McCullum with captain Sourav Ganguly as his opening partner.

12 years ago on this day, Brendon McCullum played one of the most destructive knocks of T20 cricket when he blasted his way to an unbeaten 158 off just 73 balls to give Indian Premier League a rollicking start.

It was the first-ever match of the much-awaited Twenty20 league in India and McCullum came out all guns blazing to give a perfect start to the cash-rich league at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Brendon McCullum’s century helped Kolkata Knight Riders register a thumping 140-run win over the home side. Knight Riders posted 222 for three in 20 overs and in reply Royal Challengers mustered only 82 in 15.1 overs.

Rajasthan Royals, led by the legendary Shane Warne, picked up the trophy in the first year followed by Deccan Charges (2009), Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011 and 2018), Kolkata Knight Riders (2012 & 2014), Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016).

For sports news, updates, live scores and cricket fixtures, log on to indiatoday.in/sports. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for Sports news, scores and updates.

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toldnews-blog · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/sports/everyone-loves-kohli-because-hes-always-honest-warne/

Everyone loves Kohli because he's always honest: Warne

MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals are ready with a makeover. The franchise is turning all ‘pink’ this season with a change in the colour of their apparels and will have it as the official colour in line with the city of Jaipur. As RR goes about reinventing itself in its 10th year of IPL (having missed out two years), Shane Warne – their first captain who led RR to victory in the inaugural year of the IPL – is once again the face driving that change. On Sunday, the legendary leg-spinner sat with TOI for an extensive interview.

Excerpts…

Ten years with Rajasthan Royals. What does it take to have so much of Shane Warne’s attention?

I think the people. There’s a loyalty factor attached to club sport (cricket) and I like that. I’ve always only played for one team. Australia, Victoria, St Kilda and Rajasthan Royals (in context of IPL). In County cricket, it was Hampshire. I’ve had many roles here (at RR) but what really drove me was the people of Jaipur. There wasn’t much expectation, they just wanted their team to do well. There was a feeling of appreciation and I felt they took me for who I was. They gave me the space. I want to pay back that loyalty.

You talk about space. When this kind of space is given to Shane Warne, does it tend to bring the best out of him?

Yes, absolutely. Firstly, there’s a huge difference between being liked and being respected. I got both in plenty with RR. Today, franchises have a bowling coach, a batting coach, physios, mentors, team managers – there are so many people around the team now doling out advice. In my case, it was a one-stop shop. That helped. Being honest with the players helped. If a player wanted to know why he was in the team, or why he wasn’t, all he had to do is come to me and I always kept that door open. All of that resulted in a nice build-up and we could create an amazing team. It’s the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done in cricket – help create everybody’s favourite underdog in IPL. And everybody loves an underdog.

What’s been IPL’s biggest takeaway? Some other leagues have sprouted across the world and they’re doing pretty well for themselves. But IPL continues to be the flagbearer…

There are a couple of things that stand out. Indian cricket has been the biggest benefactor. Go back 11 years, cricketers lacked in confidence, there was an underlying (albeit unnecessary) sense of inferiority. And now, look at them. Training with international players, sharing dressing rooms, sharing knowledge have all contributed so immensely. Today, if India is the Number One team in the world, a lot of credit goes to the IPL for it. Because, it’s been a great learning curve. The league added a new dimension to India’s first class circuit. What the BCCI has now is something every international team wants to copy. India now are leading the way and the force that the IPL has become has a huge role to play in it. Who would’ve thought that India would be the world’s best fielding unit or who’d have thought India would have the world’s best pace attack? In the nets, the Indians were bowling alongside Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, some of the world’s best fast bowlers. Practising with them, interacting with them has helped. Simple conversations – be it in the team bus, at dinner, changing room discussions. All those bits have helped. The opportunity that a league like the IPL gives to youngsters is incredible. That has resulted in a huge change in attitude. Positivity has seeped in.

And fans…

Nobody can match the passion of Indian fans. Yes, they love cricket in Australia, England, South Africa, Caribbean. But there’s no place in the world like India when it comes to following the game with so much passion. You can’t create that kind of energy.

Is IPL doing enough today to keep innovating? Or is it stuck in some sort of a time warp?

There are administrators who’ve had foresight to make way for a property like this. I’m sure there’ll be equally efficient individuals in the future. But if there’s a change, it has to be for the better.

Rajasthan Royals and controversies have walked hand in hand – like a couple in love.

I think it hurt everybody. It made people realise that you’ve to do more to regulate the game. It made people realise that there are things happening in your own backyard and can happen again. So, make sure you have your things in order. I’m happy the way Rajasthan Royals have come back – better and stronger.

Was the two-year ban a bit harsh?

Yes, I think it was a bit too harsh. Royals have always been treated a bit too harshly and to their misery, they’ve found themselves on the wrong side of the fence a bit too often. But a few bad eggs in the basket don’t define the ecosystem. I’m not sure if all other franchises are treated the same as Royals and I sense a bit of jealousy there.

The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) chief recently said that a study tells them India is the hub for illegal bookies in cricket. Where’s the rocket science in it? It will be because gambling in India is illegal. That didn’t make much sense. But apropos of ACU’s view, how does one curb this menace?

The government of India is clearly missing a trick here. They should have legalised gambling a long time back. That’s the only way you can keep things in perspective. Look, everybody loves a good punt. If you legalise gambling here, just the way it is in other countries, won’t it help you figure who does big bets and who doesn’t? And the money the government would make, my goodness. If someone wants to gamble, then it doesn’t matter whether you legalise it or you don’t, they’ll still do it. So might as well benefit from it. I think legalising gambling will help. There’s nothing wrong with a bet as long as it is tracked properly.

Cricket Australia’s culture change – has it worked? Or is it working?

I really don’t know if there was a problem with the culture. But what I do know is after Sandpapergate, how many people loved seeing the Australians in trouble and how many people sunk their boot in. How many people kicked them when they were down. There might have been an issue because every team did not like the Australians and that’s okay. You don’t have to be liked but you need to be respected. And there are a few things the Australian team did (to lose that respect). They need to earn back that respect.

Signing autographs will help do that?

The Australian way of playing cricket is tough, uncompromising but above all, fair. Maybe that’s where the Australians weren’t doing it right, pushing it too far and this time (with the culture change policy), they’ve gone too far the other way. Now I think everything they’re doing is for public image. As soon as the last ball is bowled in a game, they’re all (players) signing autographs near the fence. Now, people should sign autographs if they want to. I was one of the guys who signed all the time, took pictures and I think all cricketers should. But, there’s a time when it should hurt. You may not want to speak to anyone if you’ve lost. You need your own time to get into the dressing room and get over it. Why would you want them to sign autographs?

Is CA trying to fix something that’s not broken?

CA needs to work out what’s important to them. I can understand why they’re (CA) doing this (read: Trying to improve image in public). But it should happen because they (players) want to (do it), not because they have to. Steve Smith made a huge error in judgement, but Steve Smith is not a bad person. But it is the punishment that has amplified the problem. A 12-month ban? Really? Think about some of the other teams and individuals and what they’ve done. Let’s say a $10m fine could’ve been levied. He (Smith) made a mistake but I think he has been punished very harshly.

In today’s social media scene, opinions are dime a dozen and get inflated pretty easily. So, authorities seem to be under some kind of pressure to be seen as doing the right thing…

I think too many people worry about what people say. It’s about being true to yourself and standing for what you believe in – to do the right thing. For instance, the Australian cricket team – they want to play tough, aggressive, uncompromising cricket but it has to be fair. As simple as that. There are too many people in the world, not just cricketers, that get on their phone and create something that isn’t real. They try and portray a life that isn’t real. That’s unnecessary.

For years now, what Australia’s done has been the blueprint for others to follow. So, while others have been playing catch-up and trying to match steps, Australia now want to go back from there and start afresh…

For 25-odd years now – probably from the 1980s to, let’s say, around 2010-11 – everyone watched what Australia did. How we prepared to how our first class cricket was doing. The same mantle has been taken over by India now. They’ve created a platform that others are looking up to. I guess that’s how it works. Someone is always waiting to take over.

Too much restriction for cricketers – in terms of what they say, do, what and where they speak. Too much rule-setting can result in dumbing down of expression?

We live in a world that’s increasingly becoming politically correct. And what we want to see from sportspersons is them being real. We want to see their emotions, see them playing with freedom, expressing themselves. We don’t want to see them conforming. For instance, most player interviews these days go like this: Question: Well, that was a fantastic result today. How do you feel? Answer: Well, it was a great team effort. Everybody played well and did their part. I’m just trying my best and happy to contribute to the team – That’s what everyone says. Guys have to get more real.

Is that why Virat Kohli comes as a breath of fresh air? Speaks his mind…

He��s fantastic. I love watching him bat and I love listening to him. I am a big fan.

One of the things he doesn’t do is he doesn’t take things lying down…

You know what he does? He stands up for what he believes in. He speaks how he feels and he’s real. He’s emotional, a bit too emotional sometimes on the field. But that’s the part of the charm.

Is that why Australia loves him?

I think world cricket loves him. Everyone loves Virat Kohli because it’s refreshing to hear him talk so honestly and openly. He loves confrontation. That’s why he has those 100s in chases. How many? 23? 24? It’s unbelievable. The next best is how much? I can’t remember who’s second. That’s phenomenal. That’s something inbuilt into you. That’s not skill or talent. He’s got a lot of that. That is just pure competitiveness and pure desire – to get the job done.

Virat’s the kind of guy who’ll survive at MCG’s Bay 13…

You’ve got to be pretty tough-skinned to survive that. I guess if Virat wants to try that out, that’s good.

Lot of comparisons happen these days and they’ve become fashionable. Is Sachin better than Virat, or is Virat better than Sachin? Is Virat the best ever? You’ve seen Sachin so closely. Where do you put that in perspective?

Very hard to judge when someone is playing and very hard to judge eras. Think about the bowlers in the 90s. Different surfaces that seamed. Now they’re a lot flatter. The ball swung more. So many invariables. But to think that someone was better than Brian Lara and Sachin – in those mid-90s – against Wasim, Waqar etc; Curtly, Courtney, etc; McGrath, Donald, Saqlain, Mushy, Vettori, Murali, myself. You can go on. (Pauses) Virat is breaking all the records, which is great but I want to wait. See, what people miss is this: You can set benchmarks, score those many centuries, average that high, score a lot many runs. But what people are going to remember you for is the way you played the game. Someone should run down the street and ask fans, how many runs did Mark Waugh make or what his average was? They wouldn’t have a clue but chances are, here’s what they’ll say: I loved watching him play. To my mind, what’s already evident is that Virat is one of the best players of all time. In one-day team, he probably has to go down with Viv Richards as the greatest ever, not so much for the record but for the way he plays his game. But I’ll judge him at the end of his career.

Shouldn’t Australia stop look for the next Shane Warne?

England, for a very long time, were looking for the next Ian Botham. India kept looking for the next Sachin for a long time. Let people be themselves. I think Australia have a very good spinner in Nathan Lyon. He’s doing a great job. When people say things like that – looking for the next Warne – what they actually mean is: “We want a character. We want somebody who brings fun to the game, makes it entertaining”. I always wanted to do that – be an entertainer.

A bowler like Jasprit Bumrah can be a biomechanic’s research work. You’ve seen him up & close?

I’ve heard comments like ‘he’s a freak of nature’ which I don’t think is the case. He’s Bumrah – simple as that. He’s got his own style. The same as Glenn McGrath had his own style. I think you can’t recreate things that Bumrah does. Things like how fast his arm is, his wrist position, how accurate he can be. I think he’s fantastic and he’s clearly good with his basics – except that he’s good in his own way.

DRS – you’re clearly not a fan…

Hang on. I think any improvement to the game that can help us get to the right decision is fine. I don’t mind. I’m a fan of DRS only if it is used right. And at the moment, I don’t think it is used right. It’s simple: Take away the original umpire’s decision. You can’t have exactly the same ball being given out and not out depending on what the on-field decision was. Identical deliveries: one results in ‘out’ and the other results in ‘not out’. That can’t be the case. It’s either out or not out, but because of what the on-field decision is, there can’t be two alternatives to the same delivery. If I bowl a ball and it hits the guy in front of the stumps, and the umpire says not out. I review and it says: The ball would’ve gone to hit the stumps. But it says ‘umpire’s call’. The next ball, I bowl exactly the same one, and the umpire says ‘it’s out’ – that’s wrong. The same ball can’t be out and not out. The simpler way to do it is ‘take away the original decision of the umpire. If its hitting in line and hitting the stumps, it’s out – no matter what the umpire says.

So, you’re saying only keep the human element in the game or go completely with the technology…

Keep DRS exactly the same. Just remove the umpire’s original on-field decision. It doesn’t matter what the on-field umpire feels. Let’s just see what the DRS says. It’s simple. Then you’ll never have the same ball being given ‘out’ and ‘not out’.

DRS takes into account that once the ball is pitched on the surface, it tends to get slower. You agree with that?

Probably yes. (Pauses) I think so. (Pauses again).

Can it be applied against the force of nature?

I don’t know. I’m sure most deliveries are faster through the air. If it hits the pitch, it has to take off some pace. But if I think of Perth in the late 80s & early 90s, the ball seemed to always gather pace off the pitch. Maybe that was the swiftness from the bounce, I don’t know. But you’ve got to rely on science and they’ll have to tell whether that’s the case.

Another thing about the DRS is that those who operate it during a match sit in the broadcast room, the TV umpire sits elsewhere, the match-referee sits elsewhere…

The DRS should be on their own, sitting alone, and maybe the fourth umpire should sit with them, to see they’re hitting the right button (laughs). But because of the telecast, you get to see all of that on the live feed. So, it’s pretty hard for anyone here to make a mistake. But yes, those who operate the DRS should be sitting alone so that you’re not influenced by anyone.

What’s that one rule you want changed in cricket?

1) Take away the on-field umpire’s decision on DRS; 2) If you don’t bowl your overs in time, the captain misses two games. (Introduce it). You’ve got 90 overs in a day, if you miss them, the captain misses the next two games after that one.

What if the game finishes in under-three days, like in the case of West Indies versus England?

Yes, (above should apply) unless the game finishes in less than 225 overs. Five days make way for 450 overs. So, if the match has lasted less than 225 overs, it’s okay. But there has to be a clampdown on overrates. The flat rule should be that a team cannot bowl less than 90 overs in a day. If it’s a half-day’s play we’re talking about, do a pro-rata calculation.

Recently, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were in news for all the wrong reasons. Not related to cricket of course. A huge controversy erupted. Did you hear about it?

Yes. Good lord. As I said earlier, it’s all about political correctness these days. If a player steps out of line, everybody has an opinion and I thought that this particular thing was ridiculous. Just let them be.

Cricketers from the last decade can thank their stars there was no Twitter back then. Imagine the Sourav Ganguly-Greg Chappell saga being played on Twitter. That would’ve been something. So, this generation doesn’t have it so easy…

(Laughs). I agree. But there are advantages of Twitter too. If something is said or written incorrectly, it’s a medium that can be used to point things out immediately. It’s a good platform to have a voice.

One Australian cricketer you have set high hopes on…

From all forms of cricket I see back in Australia, the one player I really admire is Pat Cummins. I love the way he goes about and he’s a great story in the way he’s come back from injuries. So, the hard work is paying off.

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hsrsports · 4 years

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PCB reprimands Saqlain Mushtaq for praising MS Dhoni - Click on link to subscribe my channel https://ift.tt/34vXvMA Facebook - https://ift.tt/2Vjiyz6 Twitter - https://twitter.com/HsrSports Pinterest - https://ift.tt/2ywdZIH Tumblr - https://ift.tt/2z5qwmL Blog - https://ift.tt/2VlBDRu #Sports #Sports_News #Tournament KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB) has reprimanded former Test spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq for praising just-retired Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a video posted on his Youtube channel. According to details, the PCB has reminded Saqlain, who is the head of international players development at the High Performance Centre, that he is a board employee and can't post videos on Youtube. "The PCB was not impressed by Saqlain for over the board praise of Dhoni and his obvious interference in Indian cricket affairs when he criticised the BCCI for not giving Dhoni a proper farewell match," a well-informed source said. In the past also, the PCB had advised national team players to avoid making comments on Indian cricket or players due to the tense relations between the two countries. He said due to the video posted by Saqlain, the PCB has now reminded all other coaches at the High Performance Centre and of the provincial teams to refrain from any such act. "Many of these coaches were managing their channels on Youtube but have now been told clearly that since they are employees of the board they can't work on Youtube and secondly even while giving interviews in the media they have to first seek clear permission from the board," the source said. He said all the coaches, including Saqlain had been warned that if any of them breaches the PCB's service rules, they could face disciplinary action. Top Comment Zero sporting spirit in PCB PCB should praise Osama Bin Laden See All Comments Add comment Besides Saqlain, other former Test players like Basit Ali, Faisal Iqbal, Atiq uz Zaman, Muhammad Wasim and Abdul Razzaq have been very active on Youtube cricket channels. "Obviously they are employed with the board and they have been told they have to either follow terms of their contract and service rules or decide what they want to do," the source said. Credit : Times of India Source: https://ift.tt/34y533t

#Sports

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kalsisports · 4 years

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Live: Warne picks Sourav as captain, no Laxman in India Test XI | Best Indian XI

Download Ballebaazi app : https://ift.tt/2PZMwFn Australian spin legend Shane Warne has named former skipper and current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly as the captain of his all time India XI, which includes master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Warne said he ignored former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and current captain Virat Kohli because he picked only those Indian players against whom he had played. कृपया इस लिंक पर क्लिक करें और TAK ऐप डाउनलोड करें https://bit.ly/33A6Scr For Advertising queries, please give us a missed call on +917827000333 Or mail us at [email protected] If you want to buy any product related to sports, you can visit our storefront on Amazon.in Click on the link given below to visit Sports Tak's store front. https://ift.tt/2YxTfch ---------- About Sports Tak: स्पोर्ट्स तक (Sports Tak) खेल की दुनिया की हर छोटी-बड़ी खबर आपके लिए लाता है। स्पोर्ट्स You Tube पर आपको मिलेगी हर ब्रेकिंग न्यूज, विश्लेशण और बड़े-बड़े खिलाड़ियों के Exclusive इंटरव्यू। साथ ही सुनील गावस्कर, हरभजन सिंह, मोहम्मद अजहरूद्दीन, मदनलाल, आकाश चोपड़ा और निखिल चोपड़ा जैसे क्रिकेट दिग्गज आपके लिए खेल पर चर्चा करेंगे और आपके सवालों के जवाब भी देंगे। खेल जगत की हर खबर से रूबरू होने के लिए सब्सक्राइब/Subscribe कीजिए स्पोर्ट्स तक (Sports Tak)। You can follow स्पोर्ट्स तक (Sports Tak) on: Sports Tak Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sportstak Sports Tak Facebook: https://ift.tt/2jeKLUe Sports Tak Twitter: https://twitter.com/sports_tak SportsTak Instagram: https://ift.tt/2BwV8te Sports Tak, as the name suggests, is all about sports. You can find all the latest sports news from around the world here. Not just that, we bring to you exclusive interviews, live chats with players - past and present - and also the top journalists from sports journalism. It is an exclusive platform for sports news updates for the fans, not just from the sub-continent but the world over from Blogger https://ift.tt/2QWzQzB

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boloorsportsmania · 4 years

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#796 Nostalgic Flashback moments- Celebration post famous India-Australia match on 15th March 2001 ... :-)

With almost all sporting events cancelled or postponed due to Corona virus, it’s time to reflect some events which changed the way a specific sport was envisioned. For cricket in this century that moment came exactly 19 years ago (15-Mat-2001). Lot has been said and written about the way Rahul and David batted for the entire day on 14-Mar. Bhajji and Sachin bamboozled Australia’s possibly best XI in the EDEN of cricket. Series was levelled. Australia were beaten in their own game. VVS became short form for Very Very Special. Rahul got the nickname of Wall. Bhajji became overnight star. Sachin’s leg spin was actually better than what Warne bowled earlier in the match. I managed to watch the entire final day in office. This was the first series when BCCI had done live webcast in their website. I was elated and so were my friends. Just as I left office, other office associates were also speaking about the match in the lift. Their smile were almost getting as wide as the width of the lift !!! I picked up my Kinetic Honda scooter. Even watchman of the building was listening to the commentary. He looked elated as well. I met the guy who served us Coffee/tea and Samosa/kachori outside the office. He was a cricket fanatic as well. He knew how each player scored in a match almost a decade back. I almost felt like I was looking at a mirror when I spoke about cricket with him. He was not even educated and didn’t know English. He just watched cricket on TV and followed via paper. This was all in an era when internet was not as close to a citizen like it is today.

All through my drive to my room in T. Nagar in Bangalore, I just kept recalling key moments of the match. Almost most defining moment was the way VVS was getting outside the crease and hitting dangerous Warner against the turn to midwicket and extra cover. That was pure class. Dravid used the depth of the crease instead. He was as effective. But VVS approach just toppled Australia’s think tank. They had no answers against him in probably the best innings ever played on cricket pitch. Mind you, this 281 was not scored on opening day. It was hit between last session of day 3 and first session of day 5. Wisden had later rated 3 other innings as better than this. But for me this was the best. Sachin’s 155 in Chennai and Dravid’s double century in Adelaide were 2 other innings of Indian batsmen which was right up there.

I just didn’t want to go home. I went to APS ground where I played cricket in late 80s. I found a few friends there. We just kept on chatting about the match. We walked to a near by snack shop . We had a spree of eating variety of Indian CHATS. I almost had 2 bhelpuri, 2 masala puri, 3 pani puri, 2 dahi puri and 1 samosa chat. We never felt we had so much as we kept talking about the match. We started at 8 PM and almost ate till 9 PM. We had masala soda later too. The owner of the shop even gave discount. I asked for the reason. He was ecstatic about India’s victory as well. It just showed that cricket was more of a religion in India and not just sport. From there, I went to a browsing centre where I went through the cricket website ball to ball commentary of the match. Match was just not getting out of my head. I reached home finally at 10 PM. As I switched on the TV, repeat telecast was coming up. I actually watched it till 2 AM. Madness had reached it’s highest peak.

Just as I was having lunch next day with my colleagues, I made a promise that if India wins the series, I would take them to a lunch treat. A week later, India won the series. Sachin- Bhajji-VVS-Dravid combo shined again in Chennai. As promised, I took my colleagues to a treat in Yatri nivas. This treat costed me a whopping Rs 800. My salary was just 12K those days !!. It was a big amount but I was so thrilled that I just had to give it.

Nadal-Federer Wimbledon match in 2008 finals, Djokovic-Federer finals in 2019 Wimbledon, 2019 world cup cricket finals, 1995 Augusta Masters final day, 2005 Ashes and 2011 cricket world cup are few of the other moments which had a similar impact on me and in general on sport. I can watch these moments even by keeping alarm in midnight.

Events come and go but such sporting nostalgic moments are one for the ages !!! Cheeers !!!

#boloorsportsmania

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cricmain · 5 years

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Dhoni Receives a Rare 'Mankad' Warning From Krunal Pandya and Fans are Not Amused #ChennaiSuperKings #MumbaiIndians #CSK #IPL #IndianPremierLeague #Cricket #MSDhoni #RunOut #PandyanDynasty #Batting #Crease #PrimeNumber #Allrounder #KingsXIPunjab #PunjabIndia #Captain #RavichandranAshwin #RajasthanRoyals #JosButtler #FraternitiesAndSororities #WankhedeStadium #Willow #BCCI #BoardOfControlForCricketInIndia #SanjayManjrekar #Bat #Fireworks #KieronPollard #LasithMalinga #Dugout #Over Earlier, Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya earned a lot of praise for sparing Kings XI Punjab's Mayank Agarwal from 'Mankading' him when he had an opportunity to, slyly reminding the Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin how ' Mankading' is done, who had dismissed Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler without giving him a prior warning, causing a huge uproar within the cricket fraternity. https://cricmain.com/2019/04/04/dhoni-receives-a-rare-mankad-warning-from-krunal-pandya-and-fans-are-not-amused/

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thehowtostuff-blog · 5 years

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Even as cricket fraternity and stakeholders await the precise dates and schedule for the Indian Premier League 2019, the organisers have announced the upcoming season as the biggest IPL ever.

March 23 is confirmed as the start date for the league, laying to rest the confusion over dates as the IPL 2019 Wikipedia page still mentioned the league dates from March 29 to May 19.

The upcoming general elections and the ICC World Cup give brands other marketing options, Vivo IPL has over 20 brands on-board in various sponsorship categories in addition to the IPL title sponsors Vivo. The Chinese smartphone brand had bagged the IPL title sponsorship rights in a ₹ 2,199 crore, five year deal before the IPL Season 10 in 2017.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2019: Full schedule, live streaming, live telecast & TV channel, broadcasting…

IPL 2019: Netflix to stream documentary – Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians

Shastri not for all IPL 2019 matches to World Cup-bound players: Report

IPL 2019: Shah Rukh lends voice to new KKR anthem

The general elections will coincide with the IPL, while the World Cup is scheduled to start from May 20 in England and Wales within a fortnight after the league final.

Vivo has also been among the key broadcast and live streaming sponsors on Star Sports and Hotstar last year. The brand and the broadcaster are yet to agree on the terms to extend their understading for the upcoming season.

The IPL 2019, in addition to title holders Vivo, have also on board Harrier, fashion brand FBB and Hotstar Specials are official partners. Paytm and Ceat continue to be the Umpire Partner and Official Strategic Time Out partners respectively.

On the broadcast front, Star Sports so far has 12 brands on board across three sponsorship categories. PhonePe joins Coca-Cola Company’s brand Thums Up in the co-presenting category. Coca-Cola was one of the three presenting partners last season. The company this year has replaced with brand with Thums Up. But to prominent brands whose IPL investments over the years have been exorbitant – Vivo and Jio – have not confirmed their deals so far.

The growing list of the broadcast Associate Sponsors so far includes Asian Paints, Maruti Suzuki, Swiggy, Big Bazar, Polycab wires, Dream11, MakeMyTrip, Voltas, MRF and Samsung QLED television.

Dream11, Swiggy and the Coca-Cola Company with its key brand Coca-Cola have also confirmed their presence as Co-Presenting Sponsors during the digital streaming of the IPL 2019 . Amazon Pay is the other brand in the same category. Associate streaming sponsors include Flipkart, Maruti Suzuki and Nestle company’s noodles brand Maggi.

Also Read: IPL 2019: Warne brand ambassador, Pink the colour for Rajasthan Royals

IPL 2019: Guru Gary, Nehra conduct pre-season camp for RCB

IPL 2019: BBCI issues RFP for Stadium Branding Services

IPL 2019: BCCI considering women’s exhibition T20 games

The post IPL 2019: Dates awaited, but brands rain for broadcast, streaming sponsorship appeared first on InsideSport.

from InsideSport http://bit.ly/2IgbcI6

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thechasefiles · 5 years

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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 9/15/2019

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Sunday, September 15th, 2019. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Sunday Sun Nation Newspaper (SS).

HEATWAVE COMING – Barbados is about to face another heatwave. This week could bring even higher temperatures, as most of the Eastern Caribbean islands continue to deal with extremely light north-east trade winds, which are usually responsible for cooling breezes at this time of year. Meteorologist David Best told the THE NATION that though it would be hot at this stage of the summer season anyway, Barbadians should brace for more stifling heat for “all of next week”.For most of last week, temperatures hovered around a steamy 30 degrees Celsius, with highs of 32 degrees late in the week, but this week, the average daily temperature could rise above 32 degrees in the daytime, and hold at a warm 26 at night.“It could be dire this week in terms of heat. Right now, we have very light winds, and the speed hasn’t even been in double digits. The speed today (yesterday) is nine knots, which is only about 16 kilometres per hour. Even at this time of the year, that is very light,” Best explained. (SS)

SUGAR LOW –Barbados has produced only 7 800 tonnes of sugar from about 93 600 tonnes of cane this year, one of the most disappointing harvests in the last decade. And while the only poorer year was 2016’s yield of less than 7 000, it was a big drop from the 10 961 tonnes in 2018, and fell well below official expectations.In January, general manager of the Government-owned Barbados Agricultural Management Company (BAMC), Leslie Parris, predicted 11 000 tonnes of sugar would be produced from 146 000 tonnes of cane. Two months later, he revised those numbers to 136 000 tonnes of cane and 9 000 tonnes of sugar. Harvesting began in early March.Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir, while admitting this year’s output was a disappointment, told THE NATION the ongoing drought was partly to blame.(SS)

CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT READY TO ASSIST – The Customs Department stands ready to assist any of its stakeholders who are experiencing challenges with the recently implemented ASYCUDA World system. This assurance came from Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, who said the department was working to address some post implementation technical issues.Speaking at a press conference at Government Headquarters on Thursday, Straughn indicated that the project team of the Customs Department would continue to support the stakeholders.“The Customs Department has done a lot of work over the last few months, and certainly in the run up to September, supported by the Barbados Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, in readying itself to be able to help facilitate business….“As we go through this modernization of Customs, the upgrade to ASYCUDA World is critical to Barbados’ competitiveness. We do not want people waiting in the port for…Customs to process goods for any extended period of time, unless there is a particular reason, based on the risk management protocols that are established,” he stated.ASYCUDA World was to have been rolled out since 2014, and Straughn said that because of the many delays, it seemed many persons did not believe it would be introduced this time around.“And I accept that the week’s postponement from September 1 to 9 might have given persons the impression that ‘here we go again’, and it is not going to happen. Unfortunately, it meant that persons were not as prepared as they ought to have been, in terms of the reengagement of the system,” he explained.He assured non-commercial individuals, namely those individuals who would have to clear barrels from time to time, that the new system would not affect them, as was being suggested in a social media circular.“The technical specifications and all of that relates to the various stakeholders. So, whoever is your customs broker or whoever you ship with, these are the persons who are required to engage the ASYCUDA World system on your behalf, so you can feel the benefits with respect to clearing your items from the port,” the Minister insisted.Comptroller of Customs, Owen Holder, who has overseen the implementation of ASYCUDA World in several countries, said his department was working with the various stakeholders, and some issues had already been solved and others were engaging their attention.Holder continued: “I am very familiar with implementing these systems. I understand the teething issues that will develop and…from what we are seeing here in Barbados currently, I can say this is a normal process of implementing the system.“I wish to assure the public that within probably a week’s time, it would definitely settle down….So, just give us some time. I am sure that we will be able to sort out the issues that are there…. The advantages that you would get from implementing ASYCUDA World are numerous, and you would see a major change in how things are done.”He stressed that a consultant with the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development was working with Customs to iron out challenges. He urged those persons who had not yet collected their new passwords to access AYCUDA World, to do so immediately.In addition, the Comptroller stated that boat agents should contact their IT persons to ensure they were following the correct XML format, so they could be uploaded in the system.He also reminded stakeholders that the Java version must be 8.15. Holder gave the assurance that the Customs Department was willing to work with all stakeholders.“We are here to solve problems, facilitate trade and ensure we bring Barbados back to the point where we can be proud of the economic growth within the country,” he stated.(BT)

BCCI STATEMENT REGARDING ASYCUDA WORLD IMPLEMENTATION- The Barbados chamber of commerce (BCCI) has issued the following statement regarding ASYCUDA World Implementation and its impact on the Business SectorPresently, the transition from ASYCUDA++ to ASYCUDA World has been resulting in significant loss of revenue for businesses in the retail and distribution sector. This has been occasioned by the inability of some businesses to replenish their stock in a timely manner. Additionally, the increased costs that businesses are incurring in demurrage and storage costs can trickle down to consumers of affected goods if incurred for a protracted period of time. We are cognizant that the migration process will result in some levels of delays and challenges to the business community. The Barbados Chamber of Commerce (BCCI) has been in continuous dialogue with the Customs & Excise Department and the ASYCUDA World (AW) Project team with a view to bringing to their attention the issues, concerns and challenges being experienced by our members during the migration from ASYCUDA ++ to ASYCUDA World. Responses from the Customs & Excise Department and new Comptroller of Customs have been positive. As part of our mandate to serve as a liaison between the government and the business community, the Executive Committee of the BCCI and the Chair of our Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee met with the new Comptroller and Deputies on Friday September 06, 2019. The areas discussed at the meeting included, inter alia:

Access to ASYCUDA Portal;

Warehousing Concerns;

Lack of Communication; and

Tariff Concerns

The Comptroller of Customs has also designated a member of the ASYCUDA World Project team to serve as liaison with the BCCI to respond to the issues, challenges and concerns raised by members to the BCCI Secretariat. However, while these efforts to ensure regular communication with the business community are positive, the business community continues to be severely and negatively impacted by issues arising during the transition. It is hoped that the shipping companies and the Barbados Port relax some of the associated costs during the transition to AW given the impact to the business sector and the potential impact on the cost of goods.(BT)

BOARD: CUT IN WAIT FOR BUSES – In the wake of complaints from commuters of having to wait hours to get a bus, the Transport Board is reporting that passengers spent less time waiting last week. With the new school term beginning either last Monday or Wednesday for almost all public schools, the state-run agency said it was able to stabilise its fleet following an extensive maintenance and upgrades programme.“We have been able to cut the wait time and commuters are saying they have seen an improvement. It is not yet ideal, as it is continuous process but we are working on it,” chief operations officer Lynda Holder told THE NATION by telephone.“They also noted the fact that you are not seeing buses broken down as you were seeing before, so we are putting our systems in place and we have been working with a plan. I think persons are now saying to us that they are seeing the results of it.” (SS)

NOTICE TO BARBADIANS TRAVELLING TO MIAMI – Barbadians travelling to Miami for business or pleasure have been reminded of the importance of securing their travel documents. Consul General in Miami, Neval Greenidge, pointed out today that in recent weeks there has been an unusually high number of thefts of passports, particularly from cars of persons shopping in the Hialeah area.He has noted that in several instances the culprits appeared to have targeted rented cars, which are easily identifiable, after the occupants parked them to go shopping or conduct other business.Greenidge, a former veteran policeman and long-standing detective, warned that leaving passports under the seats in locked cars was not enough to guarantee they would not be stolen.The process of replacing passports after a theft can be costly, the Consul General warned, and when the inconvenience is added, it very often leads to a spoilt holiday or business trip.“Please take the necessary precaution upfront to safeguard your travel documents to avoid all the problems that will result if they are stolen,” Greenidge said.“And remember, the same should also apply to items you have bought. Don’t expose the items you have bought, especially if they are known to be expensive, in plain view in unattended vehicles.”(BT)

MUGABE FAMILY ENDS FUNERAL ROW WITH GOVT –Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe will be buried in the National Heroes Acre monument in the capital, his family says, ending a row with the government over his final resting site. Family spokesman and nephew Leo Mugabe says the date is yet to be determined.Before that, there will be a public memorial service at the shrine in the capital today followed by a ceremony at the late leader’s home village.The decision to inter Mugabe, 95, at the state burial site is the latest turn in the tussle between his family and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s once-trusted deputy who helped remove him from power in late 2017. Mugabe fired Mnangagwa in 2017, in what many believed was a way to prepare for his wife, Grace, to succeed him.On Thursday, the family had said that the former president, whose body was flown back from Singapore where he was being treated on Wednesday, would be buried in his home town in a private ceremony.But yesterday, family spokesman Leo said it had been decided the deceased would be buried at Heroes Acre after consultations with traditional chiefs.(SS)

TROPICAL STORM HUMBERTO LASHES BAHAMAS, FORECAST TO BECOME HURRICANE – Tropical Storm Humberto lashed already devastated parts of the Bahamas with heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday, and forecasters said it was likely to become a hurricane before the end of the weekend. The storm is expected to leave the northwestern Bahamas later on Saturday and then will move well offshore of the east coast of Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean through early next week, according to the US National Hurricane Center.Humberto had maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km per hour) with higher gusts, and was expected to become a hurricane by Sunday night, the Miami-based NHC said on Saturday.It barely moved during Saturday morning, the NHC said, and was located about 30 miles (45 km) east-northeast of Great Abaco Island. It was forecast to resume a slow motion toward the northwest and north later in the day.Forecasters said the storm could drop up to six inches (15.24 cm) of rain in some areas but that it was not expected to produce significant storm surge in the northwestern Bahamas, which were hammered earlier this month by Hurricane Dorian.Humberto could, however, hamper relief efforts in the area where thousands of structures were flattened and 70 000 people were left needing shelter, food and water and medical aid.Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on September 1 as a Category 5 hurricane, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever to hit land, packing top sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (298 km per hour).Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has said the official death toll from Dorian stands at 50 but that hundreds of people are missing and it is expected to rise.United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in Nassau on Friday in a show of international support. He met with evacuees at a shelter and told reporters Dorian should be a wake-up call for the world about the dangers of climate change.“If we don’t reverse the situation we’ll see tragedies like this one multiplying and becoming more and more intense, more frequent,” Guterres said. “Climate change is running faster than what we are. We need to reverse this trend.”(SS)

DOMINICAN LEGISLATOR ARRESTED –An opposition legislator was on Friday arrested by police over statements he allegedly made during a recent public meeting of the United Workers Party (UWP), a senior official of the party has said. UWP deputy political leader, Joshua Francis, told the Dominica New Online publication that Hector John, the parliamentary representative for the Salisbury Constituency on the island’s west coast, is being questioned by police for alleged incitement.Francis said John’s arrest is related to a statement which he made at a recent meeting of the UWP in Roseau and that the party was moving to secure legal representation for John who is currently in police custody.Last week, John told party supporters that the government should not think about calling general elections “without electoral reform, you will have civil unrest on your hands”.The police have so far not issued any statement on the matter.(SS)

BARBADOS BOW TO BRAZIL – Barbados lost their Davis Cup battle with Brazil 1-3 after a disappointing second day in Criciuma, Brazil, yesterday. Beginning the morning with the rubber tied 1-1, the doubles pair of Darian King and Haydn Lewis stumbled to the much higher ranked duo of Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares 6-7, 5-7.King, who has a doubles ranking of 182, along with the unranked Lewis seriously challenged Melo, ranked at No. 5, and Soares who has a doubles ranking of 22. The Bajans were able to battle back from 2-4 in the opening game to lock at five and six, forcing the tie-break.Once again the Bajans battled from behind after trailing 0-4. They levelled at four, five and six but the hosts controlled the net and took that decider 7-6 after 47 minutes. (SS)

NIGHT BELONGS TO NIGHT RIDERS – Reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders smashed the highest total in T20 franchise cricket on the way to inflicting a fourth successive defeat for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League on Friday night. Unbeaten Trinbago Knight Riders galloped to a massive 267 for two off their 20 overs – the highest-ever total in T20 franchise cricket and the third highest-ever across all T20s before restricting the Tallawahs to 226 for five to complete victory by 41 runs at Sabina Park.Tallawahs were in the hunt when opener Glenn Phillips (62) and Chris Gayle (39) provided a sizzling start of 88 off 44 deliveries.Once that partnership was broken, however, the innings lost the momentum required and a last ditch effort from Ramaal Lewis (37 not out) and Javelle Glen (34 not out) provided only fireworks but not the miracle needed.(SS)

ALLEYNE SCHOOL APPOINTS PREFECTS TO LEAD STUDENT DISCIPLINE– Alleyne School continues to produce young leaders equipped to excel positively in varying spheres of life, within their communities and beyond. In keeping with the school’s organization of discipline and student leadership, 42 prefects from the fifth and sixth forms were installed on Friday during morning assembly.The leaders will serve for the duration of the academic year 2019 – 2020.Prefects at the Alleyne School are part of a core group of student leaders, held in very high esteem among staff and students. The leaders will assist the staff with enforcing the high disciplinary standards at the school.The candidates short-listed for the role of head-prefects were recently taken through a rigorous interview and selection process, during which each must demonstrate their suitability for the top leadership positions. The interviewing panel, made up of principal, deputy principal and other faculty members decided on those who best match the selection criteria.Chief among the leaders installed are Head Boy, Shem White; Head Girl, Ria Greene; Deputy Head Boy, Antwone Holder; along with Deputy Head Girl, Alyssa Hall.Principal Julia Beckles, Deputy Principal Troy Phillips and Faculty leader Deborah Bascombe joined other staff and students in welcoming the newly installed leaders to their new role.Principal Beckles, while addressing the student population, congratulated the team and pledged the full support of her office and that of her staff in ensuring the prefects have all that is necessary to succeed.Beckles further reminded the full assembly of students that prefects are indeed a part of the structure of discipline at the school and their authority and instructions must always be respected.Alleyne School aims to become the most disciplined school in Barbados with a high performance culture, where all staff are engaged in lifelong learning and students leave with at least five CXCs and/or CVQs.The 234 years old co-ed school is located in Belleplaine St Andrew and has a student roll of approximately 814 students at Forms 1 – 6. It is the fourth oldest secondary school in Barbados. (BT)

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