Girl With a Purpose (GWAP)

The Windies Cricket Team Strike and Why Women are Needed on the WICB!

The Windies players hail their fans
Originally uploaded by caribbeancricket

"Oh no, not again!", might have been the retort of some West Indian cricket fans, when they heard the news of the West Indian Cricket team strike, for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

But unfortunately, it's deja vu again!

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) are at an impasse over unpaid monies to the West Indian players who toured England in April-June 2009.

(The WICB is the governing body for West Indies cricket, while WIPA is the union representing West Indian players).

The WICB has said that it has offered to pay the players, five (5) times their regular salaries...

But WIPA is claiming that:

1) It's more than just salaries that's at issue, it's the proper insurance coverage for players when they're injured.

2) It has no contract with the WICB for this upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Well, whatever the reasons, it seems that tomorrow's match against Bangladesh might be in jeopardy, unless the WICB and WIPA can iron out their differences.

(Bangladesh is in the Caribbean for  its upcoming series against the West Indies. The tour schedule for Bangladesh vs West Indies can be found, here).

The interesting thing to note is that if the West Indian players forfeit the match, then the West Indies Cricket Board will have to compensate Bangladesh to the tune of US $2 million, as per International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket rules.

(The ICC is the governing Board for cricket, internationally).

Well, we hope that the WICB and WIPA can reach an amicable agreement, so that the WICB won't be fined that amount.

But one wonders why both parties can't seem to have a standard contract in place, that's suitable to both of them.

...Is it so hard for the WICB to be fair to WIPA and vice versa?

It's a real disgrace that for almost every other major tour, these two organizations seem to be at logger-heads over standard contracts.

But I blame the WICB...they have delayed implementing a Pay-by-Performance contract and their procrastination has been like a noose around their neck.

Players should never be paid five (5) times their standard salaries, unless their performance individually and as a team is excellent!

And the West Indies' results on their recent tour in England, was a downright disgrace!

[We lost the test series 0-2,the One Day Internationals 0-2 and just managed to make the semi-finals of the ICC twenty20 (20/20) tournament].

...with all sorts of excuses made about the weather impeding performance.

I think that it's now time for a new WICB to be established, with fresh ideas, guts and business savvy, who can negotiate in the best interest of West Indies cricket: the fans, the players, the sponsors and the West Indian governments, who by mandate, have to pump money into the management of West Indies Cricket.

Until then, we will forever be having this tug-of-war between the WICB and WIPA.

My humble suggestion - the WICB needs to include at least three (3) women, who are prudent, business and financially savvy, with guts, and who can get things done, on that Board!...

(Presently, there are no women on the WICB...just take a look at the names of all the Directors on the Board - all men!)

WICB...you need the balance of women on that Board, to help you to think straight!...

Your high testosterone levels (hence, huge egos), are interfering with effective decision-making!

Nuff said! (Jamaican, meaning, enough has been said :)).

(I would like to thank  caribbeancricket for the use of their Flickr inset picture above, of the Windies Cricket team hailing their fans).

Gillian

Sources Include

1) Article, "West Indies players threaten boycott", by Cricinfo staff -Cricinfo.com, July 8,2009

2) Power 106FM 5:00 p.m. news, July 7,2009

3) Nationwide Radio's Evening Programme - "Cover Story", July 7,2009

4) Television Jamaica News at 7:00 p.m., July 7,2009

Asafa Powell Will Pose Challenge to Bolt and Gay in Berlin

Asafa Powell Bonita Jamaica Fastest
Originally uploaded by Bonita Jamaica

Ok friends, you may be saying that I'm crazy, but I believe that 2009 will be the year for Asafa Powell.

[Asafa Powell  is the former World recorder holder in the 100 metres(m), having set the record of 9.74 seconds in 2007. This record was subsequently broken by Usain Bolt (9.69 seconds) in the 2008 Beijing Olympics].

I saw him at the Jamaica Amateur Athletic (JAAA) Championships - on Saturday, which was the Jamaica National Trials for Berlin World Championships and the CAC Games in Cuba and he gave Usain Bolt a good run for his money!

Bolt had to get into 3rd gear to pass Asafa at the 70 metre line mark in the 100m.

Usain Bolt won the race in 9.86 seconds (secs), Powell came in second at 9.97 secs and Michael Frater came in third at 10.02 secs.

Thus all three (3) have qualified to represent Jamaica in the 100m in the Berlin, Germany, in August.

Most of Jamaica's senior athletes are currently on the European IAAF Golden League Tour and there is an expected showdown between Bolt and Tyson Gay at these games.

(Tyson Gay is the world's third fastest man in the 100m, having run 9.77 secs in June 2008).

However, I feel Asafa will be the dark horse, if not at the Golden Leagues, at the Berlin World Championships, for the 100m.

He seems to mean business this time around, having rebounded from months of injury.

(Apparently he's upset over the flack he's been getting in the Jamaican media and from Jamaicans, re his inability to perform at major events like the World Championships and the Olympics and is determined to prove that he's still the greatest at the 100m).

He told the media that he's going on the Golden League Tour to recover his gold medal and I believe him.

I think Jamaicans should too...what about you...do you think it's Asafa's time to shine?

(I would like to thank Bonita Jamaica for the use of her Flickr inset photo of Asafa Powell at the end of his world record run in June 2006 of 9.77 secs).

Gillian

Sources Include

1) Television Jamaica June 27-29,2009

2) Asafa Powell biography- Wikipedia.org

3) Michael Frater biography- Wikipedia.org

4) Tyson Gay biography - Wikpedia.org

Gregory Mair Wins North East St. Catherine Seat

Please read this post for a background to the following:

Today, was the day for the slated By-Election for the North East St.Catherine constituency in Jamaica.

The two gentlemen contesting this seat were the JLP's Gregory Mair and the PNP's Granville Valentine.

However, this by-election was low-keyed in comparison to the West-Portland by election won by Daryl Vaz in March...so much so that the Prime Minister is presently in Geneva, at the ILO Summit on the Global Jobs Crisis, due to his commitment to make a presentation at this Summit..

According to Nationwide Radio:

The Electoral Office reports that 10,041 voters (representing 53% of voters in the constituency) turned out today, in comparison to 61.4% in the 2007 General Election.

6,374 votes went to the JLP's Mr. Gregory Mair, whilst 3,667 votes went to newcomer to politics, and the PNP's representative, Mr. Granville Valentine.

Hence Mr. Mair got 63% of the votes and Mr. Valentine got 36% of the votes.

What this means is that Mr. Mair continues to be the Member of Parliament for this constituency.

Hence the seat count in our 60-member Parliament is now:

JLP: 32 seats

PNP: 28 seats.

What's interesting about this by-election is that the JLP's victory increased from 54% in 2007 to 63% today, whilst the PNP's share of vote decreased from 46% in 2007 to 37% today.

Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog congratulates Mr. Mair on his victory today.

Gillian

Source:

Nationwide Radio's "Cover Story", June 16, 2009

Jamaican DJ, 'Poor and Boasy' Turns Himself In

Please see our previous post, here, for a background to this post.

I am very happy to report that Jamaican DJ, 'Poor and Boasy', along with his lawyer, has turned himself in to the police.

His lawyer is renown criminal lawyer, Valerie Neita-Robertson.

We will keep you updated re the progress of the investigation involving this beloved DJ.

Gillian

Source:

Television Jamaica's "News at 10:00 p.m." Programme, June 15, 2009

Jamaican DJ, 'Poor and Boasy', Succumbs to Jamaican Malady

When 'Poor and Boasy' was crowned Magnum King of Dancehall in April 2009, I was overjoyed...not only because this young man is a good DJ, but because he's coming from literally nothing.

["Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall" is an annual dancehall DJ competition that exposes Jamaican dancehall (singing) talent to Jamaica and the rest of the world. It's main sponsor is Magnum Tonic Wine.

NB: This is not an endorsement of Magnum Tonic Wine...but of their ability to propel poor Jamaican youths to stardom...which results in a better standard of living for these youths].

'Poor and Boasy' (Omar Johnson) stood out in this competition because he was:

1) A street-boy...living on the streets of Kingston and making his living by cleaning the windscreens of cars that stopped at the intersection of Hagley Park Road and Eastwood Park Road.

2) He's a really good DJ.

His main prize from the competition was Jamaican (JMD) $1 million (US $11,226).

Poor and Boasy's being sought by the police

Now he's being sought by the police for a stabbing incident that occurred during a card match, last week.

'Poor and Boasy' is still on the run and his lawyer is apparently waiting for the right moment to let him turn himself in to the police.

When I heard this news...I shook my head in disappointment.

I was sad that this young man with so much promise, allowed himself to succumb to the common Jamaican malady that affects young and old alike - our inability to resolve conflicts, peacefully.

Every day for the past four (4) days, the news has been awash with murders by the gun and knife, with the perpetrators, oftentimes being members of the victim's own family.

Jamaicans die, due to our inability to effectively deal with conflict

Jamaicans die, due to our inability to effectively deal with conflict.

This is a big problem in Jamaica and needs urgent attention by our churches, government, community groups and individuals who know better and do better.

As Jamaicans, we need to learn that:

1) The knife and gun are deadly instruments, more-so in the hands of people who are angry

2) Arguments will occur, but we must be able to "talk it out" or "walk it out".

What this means is:

a) We must learn that people can disagree with our viewpoints..they have a right to think differently than we do.

• We must be able to tolerate differences of opinions and listen to the other person's point of view.

  
  

• We must listen and then speak. God gave us two ears and one mouth, we must use them in that proportion.

  
  

• When "talking it out" - (having discussions when we disagree), we must have our facts...if we have none...then we need to forget about the discussion, for we are basing our argument on emotions and not facts.

  
  

• During an argument, we need to learn to calm ourselves down (by counting to 10 or to even 40) and mutually agree to hold the discussion at some other time, when we are calmer.

  
  

• Continuing a heated argument is futile and results in both parties saying and doing things they'll both regret, later.

  
  

• We must know the point at which an argument is getting very heated, and if this is so, then point b), below, follows:

If someone irritates us to the point of extreme anger - it's best to just walk away

b) If someone irritates us to the point of extreme anger - it's best to just walk away from the argument...

...Don't try to win points - yes we may feel that we are less of girl, woman, boy, or man, when we walk away, but we are greater men and women...

...For we live to see another day and we leave our would-be-opponent in a quandary (confused), as he/she doesn't know how to respond when we just walk away.

Walking away also gives us the opportunity to calm down and to face the person, anew and refreshed, some other day.

3) We must only attempt to "talk it out" with someone who's reasonable...if the person is not (from our previous knowledge of the person, or from what the person has been saying)...walk!

(The unfortunate thing in Jamaica, is that even when you walk away, there are people who still seek you out to kill you, just because you and them had an argument).

4) No one, no one is worth going to prison over...no one is worth your upsetting yourself to the point of extreme anger...not even your relatives or girlfriend, boyfriend, wife or husband.

Sure, you may want to defend a family member, but this goes so far and no more...

Sometimes we try to defend family members who are wrong and have done wrong...this is wrong.

We must be able to differentiate wrong from right and encourage our family members to do the same.

If you can't do this, then you need to find a Bible-believing church to go to, where you can be instructed in what is right and wrong in God's eyes.

Leave revenge to God

5) Leave revenge to God...He will judge that person and his/her relatives to their fourth generation (Deuteronomy 5:9)...

When He is finished judging that person and his/her family, that person will be well-dealt with. (Judging here means punishing someone for his/her bad behaviour).

When God says, "vengeance is mine, I will repay" (Romans 12:18-20)...He means it.. He will sort that person out better than you could...leave vengeance/revenge to God.

6) Every argument can be resolved peacefully...find that route to peacefully coming to a conclusion about that disagreement).

7) Do not argue with people with short tempers...even in jest (joke)...these people are like time bombs...stay away from them!

The Bible even warns us against befriending angry people (Provers 22:24-25)...because we, ourselves, become angry, when we associate with them..

===========

It is my hope that 'Poor and Boasy' will in fact turn himself in and allow a court of justice to judge this case.

He needs to set an example to other young men, that, when they are being sought by the police, they must, with their lawyer, turn themselves in and allow lady justice to take her full course!

(I would like to thank kibwemcgann for the use of his YouTube inset video above, of 'Poor and Boasy's' winning performance at the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition, this year).

Sources Include

1) Power 106 FM, June 7-June 12,2009

2) Article, "Poor and Boasy to turn self in" by Sadeke Brooks, Jamaica Star Online, June 13, 2009

Jamaica's Response to WHO's Declaration of the H1N1 Flu Pandemic

H1N1 is Serious Business
Originally uploaded by niobite

Today, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Margaret Chang, declared the Influenza A (H1N1) virus (formerly called the Swine Flu), a pandemic.

This means that it has spread to more than two (2) regions of the world, with rising cases in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile. 

This makes the H1N1 flu pandemic, the first pandemic in 40 years.

The virus has spread to 74 countries and over 30,000 persons are infected. 140 people have died, worldwide.

NB:Those especially at risk of death are those who have respiratory illnesses like pneumonia or emphysema.

There are currently 11 persons affected in Jamaica. Ten (10) got it whilst travelling to New York while the other person contracted it from being in contact with an infected person who had travelled to New York.

The Jamaican Ministry of Health (MOH) has stepped up its mechanisms to contract the spread of the virus, locally.  

In addition to:

• Persons who have travelled and who have flu symptoms being asked to check in with their doctor or heath centre 

  
  

• The constant surveillance and presence of a nurse's station at the island's ports of entry...

Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester, Chief Medical Officer, MOH, stated that:

1. Two following local testing centres have been established:

   
   

   a) The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre

   b) The University of the West Indies

   
   

2. Additional equipment has been received, on island this week, to increase the turnaround time for identification of the disease. This means that 96 samples per time, can be tested.

   
   

3. GPS mapping is being done of infected cases and those they may have come into contact with them

   
   

4. So far four hundred (400) cases have been tested, with eleven (11) persons confirmed.

   
   

5. Ensuring the proper working condition of Isolation rooms in all public hospitals. (That they are self-contained with a bathroom and bed and have proper lighting and ventillation).

(I would like to thank for niobite for the use of his Flickr inset photo, "H1N1 is Serious Business", above).

Please visit the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more detailed information on the H1N1 virus.

Gillian

Source Includes

Programme - Cover Story, on Nationwide Radio, June 11, 2009