Highlights
from the Print Newspaper edition - Issue No. 517
Updated
as of | Friday, 24 October 2003 | 4:00PM
Up Front
News
Editorial
The Last Word
News about Cayman in the Foreign Press
Sports
Sports Person of the Week
The installation of
a new computer system by the Health
Services Authority caused some headaches last Tuesday as
Glitch Pains Hospital
The Cayman Islands Hospital experienced problems with the implementation of its new computer system on Tuesday, 28 October, leading to reports of long delays and angry patients.
According to accounts from the hospital, there was considerable confusion last Tuesday with the operations of the new system, creating crowding and long waiting times for patients, causing some to become quite upset.
According to the Health Services Authority (HSA), small glitches are to be expected with technological change. They said that although training was extensive, unforeseen problems made registration for some unnecessarily long.
"I take full responsibility for not pre-announcing potential delays," said Michael Elliott, Chief Executive Officer of the HAS, "I trust that normal and reasonable waiting times will be effective next week. The first day was long, the second day was better, and I trust tomorrow and all the tomorrows will continually improve."
The Health Service Authority (HSA) introduced the Cerner "go live" patient information technology system at midnight on Tuesday morning. This system was implemented to change the way patient information is accessed by physicians and nurses, and to allow for the storing of medical information in a more secure environment. "I thank all of our patients for their consideration as we move the hospital's information system to a new level of security, confidentiality and completeness of information for our physicians," said Mr Elliott.
The Cerner system was designed to provide a degree safety measures that will ensure that health practitioners are delivering effective care. Paperwork by health service workers will also be reduced, meaning that there will be more time for treating patients.
The new technology will allow the accurate administration of diet and patient medication and enable practitioners to track the health status of the Cayman Islands' population.
The system also tracks improvements in the provision of care, which will benefit future generations and provide a prompt and reliable information storage, query and retrieval of patient information.
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Seattle
Pirates Visit Montessori Children
The Seattle Seafarer Pirates entertained the little pirates and wenches of the Montessori del Sol on Wednesday morning.
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C&W
Lends A Hand
To The Competition
Cable & Wireless completed the installation of the ISP Connect service for Weststar TV Ltd. last Tuesday evening
This was the first actual connection that Cable & Wireless had provided to enable a licensed competitor to launch service in the Cayman Islands.
This circuit provides Weststar with its connection to the Internet backbone, so that the newly licensed ISP (Internet Service Provider) can launch its Internet access service to the people of the Cayman Islands on 1 November, in keeping with the phased-in liberalisation plan agreed amongst Cable & Wireless, the Government, and the Information Communications and Technology Authority (ICTA).
"Cable & Wireless is committed to keeping its promises and realises that competition is healthy for Cayman," said C&W Chief Executive, Tim Adam.
"We realised that completing this first phase on schedule was particularly important to the credibility of everyone involved in the liberalisation process," said Mr. Adam, "In view of that importance, we took a very proactive approach to ensure that this installation could happen in a timely manner, despite very short timelines in which to get it all done."
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News
Pirates Week Float Parade participants enjoy the ride
A benevolent pirate watches the Float Parade with two wenches
Pirates Week Float
Parade participants enjoy the ride
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Special guests and world
media to descend on Quincentennial Car Show
Motor sports and car enthusiasts will be excited to hear about the staging of the Quincentennial International Car Show on 15 November at Safehaven which will feature special guests alongside a dazzling selection of new and performance cars and the technology that makes them special.
The Quincentennial Car Show will have the participation of NASCAR Busch Series driver Donnie Neuenberger, along with other celebrity guests L J Garcia and his performance car and Stephen Papdakis and his drag racing car.
It is expected that popular car model Sasha Singleton will also be on the Island to participate in the show. In addition, there will be the special attraction of an Indy 500 car and a fully equipped Eminent Audio car.
The event has attracted attention from heavyweight
media outlets in the United States, and will be broadcast live
on MSN, giving the Cayman Islands significant worldwide exposure
and marketing fillip. The show will be promoted on WantMyMusic.com.
The show is also attracting car and motor sports lovers from the
Caribbean and will feature one performance car from Jamaica.
The weekend's activities open on Friday,
14 November with a reception for visiting celebrities, participants
and sponsors at the historic Pedro Castle from 6 8:30 pm.
The Car Show, which promises to cater for all tastes, brings the
excitement to young people from 8 pm to midnight on Friday, with
a Sound Off at Cardinal Avenue, downtown George Town.
Saturday's show at Safehaven begins at 10 am and from then until closing at 6 pm the venue will sparkle and rock with the best in motorcar design, car accessories, great deals on vehicles and accessories, other exhibitors, kids attractions, live entertainment, music, prizes and giveaways.
"The Quincentennial Car Show will be another in our series of truly spectacular events," said Angela Martins, Executive Director of the Quincentennial Celebrations. We are putting together a fantastic package that everyone can enjoy and there is tremendous support and cooperation from prospective participants and celebrities who will be visiting Cayman to make this event special," she added.
The Quincentennial Car Show is expected to have 10 car dealers and over 20 vendors at the show. The event will feature sections for performance vehicles, classic cars and motorbikes. There will be a competition among show vehicles, and the visiting celebrities will judge the best performance vehicle. For patrons in the market for a new vehicle, the show will have dealers' information on financing and many special deals on vehicle accessories.
Show-goers will weigh in with a "viewers choice" competition for bikes and classic cars, for which prizes will be awarded. In addition there will be a display of modified cars, various workshops and a kids arcade.
Serious car lovers will get the thrill of their lives with the line-up of celebrities from the world of motor sports, who will participate in all aspects of the show, including autograph signing for fans.
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National Day of Prayer
at Park
A National Day of Prayer as part of the Quincentennial celebrations is to be held on the steps of the Court House at Quincentennial Park on Wednesday, 5 November from 5 5:45 pm.
This is the eleventh year of the National Day of Prayer, which is sponsored by the Cayman Ministers' Association.
The George Hicks High School Choir will provide music and songs, and prayer will be offered for a wide variety of subjects.
All are invited to attend this Quincentennial event, for further information please call 949-2539 or 945-2182.
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Calling
all art mad children
Children who love art are invited to attend the Esso-sponsored Art Tr
k on Tuesday, 4 November at the South Sound
Community Centre from 6 7:30 pm.
On the Art Trek, which is free for kindergarten, primary and middle
school students, young people can learn about the history of Russia
and paint their own masterpieces.
For more information call the National Gallery at 945-8111.
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Grand
finale
Older Persons Month in the Cayman Islands officially comes to a conclusion on Friday, October 31 with a grand finale Variety Show at the Victory Tabernacle beginning at 7pm.
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Chamber
music trio for concert series at First Baptist Church
(l-r) Steven Woodham, violinist, Jose Carlos Oxamendi Vicet, cellist, and Stephen Shaw-Naar, pianist. Photo Credit: Sean Drakes
On Friday, 28 and Saturday 29 November, at the First Baptist Church on Crewe Road, classical music lovers will be able to witness the talent of Steven Woodham, Stephen Shaw-Naar and Jose Carlos Oxamendi Vicet as the trio bestow the brilliance of centuries-old scores with the talent they have been recognised for individually.
Mr Woodham a violinist, Mr Shaw-Naar a pianist and Mr Vicet a cellist, are classical musicians who bring the vibrancy of their youth, the skill of their training and the fervour of their in-born passions to the music they play to their audiences.
The concert series, entitled Romantic Excursions: Evenings Of Classical Music, is being promoted by Cayman Classical Performances (CCP), a not-for-profit company that promotes classical music in the Cayman Islands through live performances of internationally-acclaimed, world-class classical musicians and artistes, to raise charitable funds for the pursuit of the arts in the Cayman Islands.
Caroline Williams, a director of CCP, says the musicians are looking forward to staging a workshop for music students and school children in Cayman on the Thursday before the performances.
The hosting of workshops for music students and school children is sponsored by Walkers Children and the Arts Programme and meets a very important part of CCP's mission to encourage and facilitate the development and growth of classical music, dance and movement arts in all their aspects, in the Cayman Islands.
Mr Woodham, who comes from Jamaica, is a graduate in Violin Performance and Chamber Music from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary and holds a Diploma from the Boston Conservatory of Music. He has performed in the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and the United States and has appeared as soloist with university orchestras and touring chamber orchestras. He was awarded the Special Prize at the 1993 Rudolpho Lipizer International Violin Competition in Italy.
Mr Shaw-Naar, also from Jamaica, holds the first distinction awarded in the Caribbean from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Advanced Certificate in piano. He is an Honours graduate in Piano Performance from Texas Christian University where he was awarded the Chancellor's Scholarship. Stephen is the 2001 recipient of the Prime Minister's National Youth Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Hailing from Cuba, Mr Vicet began to study the piano at the age of four. Shortly after this he began studying violoncello which he studied under Anatoly Lukianenco Russiar. Mr Vicet played for 10 years with the Matanzas Symphony Orchestra and is also an accomplished contra base player. He has participated in many festivals including the Opera Festival Oviedo Asturias in Spain and has played for Prince Charles.
Suzan Merren, also a director of CCP, said: "The event is set to be the ultimate prelude for the Christmas Season. Cayman Classical Performances are pleased to record the endorsement of Cayman corporations and welcomes the financial support of sponsors of the concert, the Bank of Austria, Bank of Bermuda, Beach Club, Air Jamaica, Money Express and Close Brothers."
Tickets for the concerts will be available from 4 November from Barnett Music Store, Winners Circle Sports, BKM Limited and Sage Communications.
Further information on the event may be obtained from Mr Richard Coles at 949-6210 or Sage Communications at 946-6064.
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Port
is all done up for Pirates Week and beyond
The Port Improvement and Beautification Committee (PIBC) has painted the curbs and have cleaned up the area from Eden Rock to Rackam's Pub in time the Pirates Week celebrations.
This cleaning and painting process is part of the PIBC's ongoing commitment to beautify the waterfront area, which has included such projects as extending the pavement areas and built handicap friendly ramps.
Other successful undertakings within the harbour area include the repainting and beautification of the Port Buildings, which was funded and co-ordinated by the Port Authority. Guy Harvey donated tile murals for the Port Terminals and Island Companies removed a tree and planter box that was on Cardinal Avenue to gain more pavement space. Pavers have also been donated by C L Flowers & Sons, and Watler's Metal Products provided the roofing of the canteen area of the Port Authority.
The PIBC comprises of Chairman Robert Hamaty, Paul Hurlston, Renard Moxam, Gerry Kirkconnell, Handel Whittaker and Noel March Jr. These men created an account with Cayman National Bank (CNB) and all of them have donated funds toward the beautification projects.
Mr Hamaty said, "To date the committee has not received any other donations or funds other than those made by the committee members. We are making a strong appeal to the business community to help contribute towards the ongoing maintenance of the waterfront area."
"Anyone who would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, and to keep our waterfront looking beautiful can make a contribution at CNB to the account name, Port Improvement and Beautification," said Mr Hamaty.
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Brother
of local businessman honoured
Mr Fredrick Clive Hamaty accepts
his award from Governor General His Excellency Sir Howard Cooke
at Kings House in Jamaica.
Fredrick Clive Hamaty, Attorney at Law, QC, brother of local businessman Robert Hamaty, President of Tortuga Rum Company, was given an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander in a ceremony in Jamaica.
The ceremony was held on Monday, 20 October which was also National Heroes Day.
This honour was given to Mr Fredrick Hamaty for his outstanding contribution in the field of law and public service in the senate of which he was a member from 1994 until earlier this year.
He is an attorney at law and practises at the family's 65-year-old law firm which is based in Westmoreland. Mr Hamaty took over the practice when his father passed away in 1988. Both Mr Frederick Hamaty's children, Neil and Gail, are attorneys. Gail graduated as an attorney from the local Cayman Islands law school.
The late Honourable Munair Hamaty, Fredrick and Robert's father, was custos of the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, in 1974 and held this title until 1981. The Governor General appoints custodies of each parish in Jamaica and many years ago Grand Cayman was administered by the Parish of Westmoreland as it is situated on the most western point of Jamaica. The Parish of Westmoreland and the parish council distributed funds and public works allotments to Grand Cayman.
Mr Robert Hamaty said, "All of our family attended the investiture ceremony in Jamaica. They had travelled from all over to attend, from Canada to Miami. The ceremony was a presentation of national honour."
In 1992 Mr Robert Hamaty opened the first Consul office in Cayman. Located at Eastern Avenue it is open five days a week from 8 am until 2 pm. Mrs Gillian Harvey and Mrs Elaine Harris staff the office. The Consul provides a service for all Jamaicans living here on the Island.
"The office is open to all Jamaicans and will assist them with any problems that they may have on the Island. The service also provides information on immigration and working on the Island," said Mr Hamaty.
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People
need to work and save more
People need to save more during their working lives, and extend the number of years they work if they expect to support themselves financially during their retirement, this is the harsh reality of many societies where the life expectancy has risen according to the Director of Children & Family Services, Deanna Look Loy.
The amount saved by the ageing society in the UK is a topic for much discussion and has been dubbed the "pension crisis." Are we also experiencing such a crisis in the Cayman Islands?
In our still largely youth-oriented society, we occasionally hear mention around town and in the Legislature of people being made to leave the labour market years before reaching retirement age. Without any factual study being carried out, the gut feeling of social workers at the Department of Children & Family Services indicates that this is becoming fairly commonplace amongst clients in their late 40s, even among skilled workers.
In February 2003, a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the U.K. on 600 working and retired persons found that two in five believed they had suffered from discrimination in the labour market. As much as one third of the group claimed to have experienced age discrimination.
Based on the number of people in their fifties and sixties who seek various forms of social assistance at the Department of Children & Family Services, we must also wonder whether age discrimination is also creeping into the Cayman labour force, according to Ms Look Loy.
"While we can gather our own statistics, a more realistic picture could be obtained if the Employee Relations Department were to gather such information on their older clients. The Chamber of Commerce may also want to carry out such a survey," she said.
Although employers are aware of potential drawbacks, agencies like the CIPD strongly support legal protection for older workers. In anticipation of coming legislation, it is sending practical advice and guidance to its members and is suggesting ways of dealing with age discrimination. The CIPD for example has outlined the benefits of fostering a skilled and experienced workforce.
It may suit Cayman to follow the example of the CIPD and urge organisations to think creatively about the employment and retention of older workers. Their suggestions include bringing in flexible or phased retirement, part time working or job sharing and the rather radical suggestion of abandoning a mandatory retirement age.
According to John Philpott, Chief Economist of the CIPD: "Backed up by the forthcoming legislation, measures such as these offer a solution to what has been an age-old form of discrimination."
On a lighter note however, research entitled The New Old: Why The Baby Boomers Won't Be Pensioned Off, shows that if the retirement age in the workplace in Britain is increased as the government wants, facilities such as "granny crèches" would be required for various reasons, including the fact that older people become more likely to have caring responsibilities.
The study warns that Ministers need to look at such measures if they are to encourage people to continue working late in life or risk suffering a negative reaction among the "baby boomer" generation, born between 1945 and 1965.
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Ana
Fidelia (Quirot) inspires athletes at Red Bay Primary
Athlete Ana Fidelia
gets her message over to the pupils via interpreter Dalton Watler.
Proud youngsters from Red Bay pose with Ana Fidelia.
As part of her whirlwind sporting and social activites, Ana Fidelia the Cuban former Olympic and World Champion of 400m and 800m breezed into Red Bay and left in her path a trail of highly inspired athletes eager to follow her footsteps.
Her message was short, spoken in her native language, Spanish, and translated into English by the Director of Sports Dalton Watler. Her short message was simple, yet powerful and long on impression.
Ana introduced herself as being from a country which looked just like the Cayman Islands but was inhabited by 11 million people. She knows first hand that dreams become reality. She trained hard and became successful at the Olympic and World Games. And she was confident she was addressing a group of potential world champions.
Many of the athletes, when questioned about what they had learned from Ana's speech made reference to the same points. Ana said athletes "have to be dedicated, disciplined and show respect to all adults, parents, teachers, coaches. With that and love for the sport of track and field you can win medals just like me."
What stuck in Dajsha Samuel's (division
champ for the past three years at Inter Primary Sports) mind was
that you have to listen to and obey your parents and coaches.
What made an impression on another athlete, Nassaria Thompson
(silver medalist in division four long jump) was "to put
every effort into whatever you do."
Wesley Robinson (division three champ) remembered "you need
a good education to succeed as an athlete."
Kenrick Williams, National Coach of Track and Field asked how hard it was for her to compete after her accident. Mr Watler translated that she was the victim of a house fire, which left her with severe 30 percent burns.
Ana explained that it was very hard for her initially to walk much less to run, but she trained constantly, persevered and won a gold medal at the World Games three years later.
Cydonne Mothersill, Cayman's Senior Sportswoman for 2002 - 2003 and aunt of Marlon Mothersill, Red Bay's footballer of the 'A' league Inter Primary competition, also made a guest appearance.
She impressed upon the athletes that they must start training early to reach their goals for the Inter Primary set for March 2004. She emphasised that they must show initiative and get their parents involved, to take them for training at the Sports Complex.
She added "Don't wait for your school
coaches, you must be dedicated."
Jorel Bellafonte, division champ for two years, was overheard
after Cydonnie's speech to say, "Cydonnie rocks."
One bold athlete, Sashawnna Greaves, dared to ask Ana how old she was when she started training. Ana replied that she started at the age of 11-12, which is the age of the oldest athletes at the annual Inter Primary Sports.
Both Ana and Cydonnie enjoyed meeting the athletes who participated in the InterPrimary Sports held earlier this year. They were photographed with the athletes and presented later with copies.
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Editorial
Cruising for a Bruising
Over two years after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, most business people and the general public alike would agree the Cayman Islands has not been the same since.
Many businesses have not rebounded to pre-9/11 revenue levels, and indeed, some are struggling just to survive.
On a social level, people seem to be working harder these days, enjoying life less and worrying about the future a lot more. Smiles seem less frequent, charity less forthcoming, and the effects of increasing tensions can be noticed everywhere from our roadways to supermarket checkout lines.
Although many are tired of hearing of the "9/11 excuse," Department of Tourism statistics provide a chilling correlation between life in the Cayman Islands before and after the events of two Septembers ago.
Through August of 2001, tourist air arrivals had generally been on an upward swing, with the country roughly averaging 30,000 stay-over visitors per month. In the time since the US terrorist attacks, that figure has dropped over 15 percent, to average of about 25,000 stay-over visitors each month.
Even more telling is the fact that the tourism figures for every single month over the past two years have been less than the corresponding monthly figures for the year before 9/11.
Cruise arrivals, on the other hand, are
a completely different story.
Averaging roughly 100,000 per month before September 2001, this
year's average will probably surpass 140,000 per month, an enormous
40 percent increase in just two years.
In an interesting correlation, the cruise passenger arrival figures for every single month since 9/11 have surpassed the corresponding figures posted in the 12 months preceding the terrorist attacks.
Whether the Government wants to admit it or not, the trend of the Cayman Islands becoming increasingly dependent on cruise ship tourism seems inescapable, as we now find ourselves in a Catch-22 situation with no way out.
For the overall health of our economy, a proper balance of cruise tourism and stay-over tourism must be attained. However, by opting for the quick cruise ship fix after 9/11, more and more long-time visitors have become disenchanted with the Island, precisely because of the increase in cruise ship tourism, leaving us losing a portion of what was traditionally our bread and butter tourist: the return visitor.
With masses of cruise passengers clogging streets and sidewalks in George Town and swarming to the already stressed Sting Ray City, our main national attraction, and crowding sections of what remains of Seven Mile Beach to make it look like Miami Beach on a holiday weekend, it is really no wonder that some of our old friends would rather not come back to such a dismal contrast to the way it was before.
Earlier in the year, the Director of Tourism, Mrs Lania Rittenhouse, stated the need to find a balance in cruise ship versus stay-over tourism, but it seems as if she was ignored.
Recent arrival figures only demonstrate an escalating imbalance in Cayman's two types of tourism, and with the recent port-improvement financing deal signed with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, it appears this country is firmly committed to cruise ships.
The problem with that is, of course, that only a small number of businesses benefit from cruise tourism, while shops, and restaurants and hotels along Seven Mile Beach and elsewhere outside of George Town will continue to suffer.
On 16 December, when up to 20,000 cruise passengers can come ashore from eight different ships in a single day, those with businesses that cater to anyone but that crowd will take little solace in the fact that our overall tourism figures will undoubtedly break a record for that day.
The legacy that will linger thereafter though, as we tighten our tourism noose, could be 'how long is a piece of string?'
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The
Last Word
If you are going to say anything say what you really mean
Barrie Quappe
by Barrie Quappe
Freedom of expression is not a popular concept in Cayman, it seems, especially if you are expressing an opposing position to the objector.
Hosting a talk show I have found that most of our callers, fax writers, e-mailers all say what they really feel. Problem is, there is also a penchant to threaten to sue almost as a knee-jerk reaction.
As we become more open in our media and other forms of communication, perhaps people needs to step up to the plate and express their opposing side and not hide behind threatening the media outlet and talk show hosts. Intimidation is dirty pool. It's the old proverbial Godfather approach.
Why can't these folk simply say what they really mean? For example: 'Dear Talk show Host, if you read or take a call that speaks against me watch out, I'm coming after you!' Isn't that what they mean?
It's time people stopped the backroom approach to issues and learned to express himself or herself clearly. If an opinion is far off base, take the opportunity to say this and why. It could turn out to create better understanding that wasn't there before.
People assume all kinds of stuff, but if their assumptions are never addressed, they will fester and grow. Communicate, communicate and communicate. It's magic and it can foster increased tolerance of different positions instead of increasing the gap between different opinions.
This is especially important with regard to public office. I have invited people in public office who refuse to come on.
Now wait a minute if they are serving the public, what possible reason could they have for not wanting to talk with the public? Hmmmmm. The marl road was started for a reason, possibly to fill in gaps when information was not accessible. Let's then point out what to me seems to be the obvious. If you communicate, you kill the marl rumours before they start and avoid unnecessary tensions in cases where the facts would prevent rumours.
It seems that even with the increase in
media outlets, we are generally still inclined to operate in quiet
dark corners and ignore public unrest. This could be so easily
resolved with open communication and a Freedom of Information
Act.
I will always support freedom of expression. Will you?
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News
about Cayman in the Foreign Press
News about Cayman in the Foreign Press
US judge sets amount Argentina must pay Cayman bondholder
NEW YORK, USA According to Reuters, A US trial
judge has set a precise figure of over US$724.8 million that Argentina
must pay to EM Ltd, a Cayman Islands company owned by Kenneth
Dart in a lawsuit over the country's defaulted bonds.
Cayman hedge fund administrator is third largest
NEW YORK, USA In its annual survey of offshore hedge funds administrators, Hedge Fund News reports that the Cayman office of Goldman Sachs is the third largest, with a market share of 10.3 percent in terms of net assets. UBS Cayman came in sixth.
Halliburton's Cayman subsidiary in the news again
PETROLIA, USA According to Counter Punch, Halliburton Corp won't scale back its business dealings in Iran through its Cayman subsidiary even though the New York City Police and Fire Department pension fund could pull a $23 million investment in the company.
Bank takeover may mean Cayman job losses
HAMILTON, Bermuda The Royal Gazette reports that the Bank of Bermuda's recently announced takeover by multinational bank HSBC will result in an unspecified number of job losses across the group's offices, including the Cayman Islands.
Governor's Cricket Match brings leaders together
The lineup of stars of
the Green and Yellow Teams at the Governor's Cricket Match last
Sunday
His Excellency the Governor
Bruce Dinwiddy (left) and Leader of Opposition Kurt Tibbetts shake
hands after the coin toss under the auspices of Cayman Islands
Cricket Association President Courtney Myles
This year's Governor's Match at the Jimmy Powell Oval, West Bay, brought together Members of Cabinet and Legislature, the Commissioner of Police and cricket veterans for a day of fun and camaraderie.
The 26 October game proved that our opposing leaders can play together. The Green Team lead by the Leader of Government Business the Hon McKeeva Bush and His Excellency the Governor Bruce Dinwiddy opposed the Yellow Team headed by Leader of the Opposition Kurt Tibbetts and the Minister for Community Services, Youth, Sports and Gender Affairs, Dr the Hon Frank McField.
The Green Team batted first and in the first overs three boundaries were hit setting the tempo for the rest of the match. So the game proved to be a high scoring one with the Green Team innings reaching 166 for 5 in 26 overs.
Top scorers for the Green Team were Ricky Sealy (28, retired) and Ken Downey (25, retired). The Governor delighted the spectators with his deft touches placing the ball delicately between fielders and running smartly between the wickets before retiring on 15.
After a lunch of curry goat the Green Team took the pitch to defend their score. Top scorer for the Yellow Team was Commissioner Buel Braggs with 27, who danced off the pitch after having been retired. Another retired batsman was Alva Suckoo who was later recalled to the wicket with George Town MLA Alden McLaughlin and they sealed the victory for the Yellow Team hitting 11 runs in 6 balls.
Mention must be made of the show put on by Ken Downey of the Green Team and Alva Suckoo of the Yellow Team who both displayed their batting skills having reached 25 runs each before retiring to ensure that everyone got to bat Junior Jennings showed what he still has it as a wicketkeeper having stumped four batsmen out of the eight wickets taken off the Yellow Team.
His Excellency the Governor
gave brief remarks commenting on the day's activities expressing
his enjoyment in this traditional match. Cayman Islands Cricket
Association President Courtney Myles commended the Cayman Islands
Masters Cricket Club (CIMCC) for not only its support during the
day but also for its efforts made in organising the event and
ensuring that the grounds were in top condition.
Debbie Ebanks, Chairperson of the IMCC said: "It was a pleasure
to organise such an event and to see those that had built the
foundation for the cricket programme still able to come out and
have perhaps one of the most enjoyable day's of cricket."
She also commended Technical Director Theo Cuffy and Coach Andy Myles for their commitment to the Cayman Islands cricket programme and hoped that others would offer their support even if it was no more than to come out and support the game and in particular the youth players.
Not to be left out, the Green Team has already requested a rematch and Leader of the Opposition Kurt Tibbetts said his team was ready whenever the Green Team had recovered. Plans are being made for an early rematch, probably in January.
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Gooding
comes good for West Bay
Match winning innings:
Walton Gooding
A bold counter attacking innings by Walton Gooding lifted West Bay from a perilous position into the final of the twenty 20 cricket tournament after a competitive semi-final tussle at the Jimmy Powell Oval last Saturday, 25 October.
Gooding marched to the crease with the West Bayers desperately poised at 16 for four, chasing a score of 68 for seven made by Esso in 18 overs.
hree of the four wickets had fallen to Matthew Rose in the course of a hostile spell of fast bowling. Rose dismissed Ugal Sicard, Sydney Moore and Terrence Timoll, all without troubling the scorers.
The most spectacular dismissal was that of Moore whose stumps went flying as he was yorked first ball. The previous delivery had seen the downfall of key batsman Nazir Mohammad who was run out.
Gooding opted for attack almost immediately. A slower ball from the dangerous Rose was hoisted straight overhead for six. He added another six in his innings of 25 as he got excellent support from Zitroy Robertson who went for a more cautious approach.
The pair put on 39 for the fifth wicket to take West Bay within sight of victory but the dismissal of both batsmen as well as captain Marvan Brooks gave Esso faint hope towards the end.
Gooding was run out with the score on 55 and one run later Robertson was smartly stumped by Antonio Chase off left arm orthodox spinner Tony Higgins for 20. Brooks was brilliantly caught by Sylvester Suberan running back from mid wicket, but Derek Williams and Edel Harris steered West Bay to a three wicket victory without further alarms. Rose had the impressive figures of three for 16 from four overs.
Earlier Esso had struggled badly after losing early wickets and despite a fighting 31 run third wicket stand between Alvan Babb and Milton Johnson, the innings never picked up momentum. Babb top-scored with 35 while Johnson made 15.
Medium pacer Brooks took two for nine from four overs and off-spinner Kenneth "Teach" Miller, who has been in superb form recently, took two for 14.
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The
Cricket World Cup journey begins
Cayman Islands Senior Cricket Team will travelling to Miami, Florida to engage their USA counterparts in a Goodwill series from 6-10 November.
The purpose of the tour is to allow a relationship to begin between the cricketing
ssociations and start the journey for the
Cayman national team to World Cup 2007.
To help pay of the cost of the trip the senior players have organised
two fund raising ventures, a $5 raffle and $15 buffet dinner at
Sunshine Suites Hotel. The dinner is scheduled to be held on Saturday,
1 November at 6 pm and the raffle will be drawn at 0 pm.
The national select team is: Franklin Hinds, Phillip Wight, Larry Cunningham, Steve Gordon, Pearson Best, Ryan Bovell, Gary Tulloch, David Wight, Oscar Owen, Ryan Ebanks, Omar Bryan, Dwight Rivers, Daniel Morris, Jalon Linton, Troy Taylor and Andy Myles (Cricket Manager).
Code of Conduct is now a necessary tool for progress
Philip Hackett
Jimmy Powell Oval has enormous potential for development
The Governor's cricket match was so enjoyable that the teams are already planning a rematch.
Unfortunately the joy and excitement of the afternoon was only shared with a modest crowd that turned out to support the event at the Jimmy Powell Oval, West Best, last Sunday.
The fact that the President's XI held on for a one wicket victory over the Governor's Xl may have influenced the call for a rematch, but whatever the result, there was no doubt the players, including HE the Governor Bruce Dinwiddy included, had a great time.
Such an occasion highlights the potential for cricket as a means of social interaction, particularly in a heavily commercial society where such simple pleasures often be overlooked.
The fixture, which originated last year and will become an annual event, provides the opportunity for the involvement of those who have contributed over the years but who are no longer interested in serious competition..
Just a few months ago the Smith Road Oval
hosted what was believed to be the biggest crowd to attend a cricket
event on the island. While I am not suggesting there be a duplication
of the Crazy Cricket concept and while I accept that local celebrities
can hardly be expected to create the same cricketing euphoria
as cricketing icons such as Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Courtney
Walsh and Ramnaresh Sarwan, I am convinced that such a match is
worthy of a more high profile status.
Last year the attendance at the Governor's match, which was played
at Smith Road, was far better than last weekend's edition.
Unlike the Smith Road Oval, the Jimmy Powell Oval is not a very central location. It is still in the process of development and those of us familiar with some of the facilities that pass for First Class grounds in the Caribbean would agree that when completed, it will compare favourably with other First Class venues in the region.
Matches played at this West Bay venue tend not to attract as large a crowd as Smith Road, but a more aggressive promotional strategy by the local cricket association may produce surprisingly pleasing results.
Effective marketing can open numerous possibilities some of which will produce financial benefits to assist the development of the sport on these islands while at the same time contributing to sports tourism.
It can be an attractive venue for professional
clubs on pre-season programmes and provides an opportunity to
entertain international teams on tour in the Caribbean.
The players' pavilion, when completed, will provide comfortable
accommodation for the cricketers and excellent elevated viewing
for spectators. The absence of stands around the ground is not
a major limitation and is an aspect which can be included in a
long-term development plan.
The population of the Cayman Islands makes it unnecessary for this facility to accommodate massive crowds but, as is done even at international venues, temporary seating could be employed when hosting major engagements.
There is little doubt that any effort to maximise the resources of these islands for the benefit of cricket and the wider goal of providing opportunities for excellence for our youth, will require hard work to be successful. Cricket is a team sport. The attributes needed for any successful team, must also be activated in the boardroom.
CIFA Youth Football Leagues kick off
The CIFA Queensgate under 14 and under 17 youth leagues are scheduled to kick off the week of 17 November.
CIFA is inviting all interested teams to complete registration no later than 5 pm on Friday, 7 November, by either faxing registration forms and supporting documents to 945-7673 or delivering the information to the CIFA office.
Players born after 1 January, 1989 are eligible for the Under-14 league while those born after 1 January 1, 1986 are eligible for the U-17.
For further information contact the CIFA office at 949-5775. Registration forms are available on the CIFA website www.caymanfootball.ky
Cayman Islands Softball Association is hosting a grand softball tournament featuring both male and female teams from Bahamas, Jamaica, Miami and Cayman on 8 and 9 November. This will also be the first time that Bahamas will have competed in the Islands. Games will be played at the Field of Dreams (Little League) starting on the Saturday morning at 9 am through until Sunday evening. Everyone is being encouraged to come out and support their favourite team.
Neil Walker, a highly decorated, multiple World and Olympic champion.
Woody Foster of Fosters Food Fair was able to get up close to Olympic Gold with medallists Brooke Bennett and Tom Malchow at last year's swim meet. Brooke and Tom also took time out to meet and greet swim kids and parents. The tradition continues again this weekend at the Lions Pool The Stingray Swim Club (SSC), is hosting The Mike Lockwood Memorial Swim Meet this coming weekend at The Lions Aquatic Centre.
Swimming gets under way on Thursday evening at 5 pm with the holding of the long distance events, the 800m freestyle for women and the 1500m freestyle for men. The sessions continue on Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
The meet, sponsored by Foster's Food Fair, and new sponsor Visine Eye Care, promises to be both fun and competitive, as the talented swimmers from the Tornados Swim Club of Jamaica will be swimming against local swimmers. Adding to the excitement will be the presence of two World and Olympic Champions, Neil Walker from the United States and Batiste Levaillant of France.
Neil Walker has just won his eighth US National title, taking the 50m free at the CP Summer Nationals, and was also second in the 100m free and fifth in the 100m back. At the World Championships in Barcelona this past summer, he earned a gold medal swimming on the 400m medley relay, and silver on the 400m free relay. In the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, he won gold on the 400m-medley relay, silver on 400m free relay, was fifth in 100m free, and sixth in 100m back.
At the World Short Course Championships that same year, he won seven medals and broke five world records and 10 American records (gold: 50m back WR, 100m back WR, 100m IM - WR, 800m FR WR, 400m MR; silver: 50m fly, 400m FR) and was named Short Course World Performer of the Meet. Neil is the fourth person ever to win seven medals at a World championships or Olympics, joining legends and phenoms Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi, and Michael Phelps
Batiste Levaillant Batiste is a multiple World Cup medallist and champion from France. He has been a member of the French National Team since 1995, and a Senior Team member since 2000. At the 2002 Melbourne Swimming World Cup Championships, he gave France its first medal of any colour when he won gold in the 400m individual medley from a brace of Australians.
Batiste and his Coach, Didier Seyfreid, are good friends of the Cayman swim community. Earlier this year, they hosted the CIASA Senior Swim Team of Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Shaune Fraser, Andrew Mackay, and Heather Roffey at the prestigious INSEP swim facility in France. The Senior Team swim training at INSEP was not only a critical part of their preparation for the Pan Am Games, but it was instrumental to their record medal haul at the 2003 Island Games in June.
The performance of Cayman's Senior Team athletes at the 2003 Islands Games was so impressive that it has also attracted 14-year-old Gareth Roberts and his coach to travel to compete in this weekend's meet. Gareth and his coach are from Ynys Mon (also called the Isle Anglesey), the largest island off the coast of England and Wales, and one of the members of the Islands Games Association (IGA).
Gareth and his coach are on a formal training visit funded by the IGA and NatWest Bank to allow them train with Cayman swimmers and learn from Coach Dave's internationally acclaimed program. They are hoping to take away some fundamental learning that may allow Ynys Mon to someday parallel the much-heralded success of Cayman Swimming.
National Coach Dave Kelsheimer commented: "We are thrilled that we can continue to attract the world's best swimmers to visit our swim programme. Neil and Batiste exemplify the 24/7 work ethic of an elite swimmer and their presence is a wonderful opportunity for our kids, and a bonus for Gareth and his coach to see, hear and feel the determination and dedication required of a world-class athlete."
He added, "I want to thank the Hyatt for assisting the visits of our special guests and also emphasise that this weekend's swim meet is a special spectator opportunity that no person in Cayman should miss."
All residents and visitors are welcome to visit the Lions Pool and watch the excitement unfold this weekend.
Gillian Allan of Beacon Realty (second from right) with overseas award winners, James Woods, Diane Korn and Peter Moody.
Members of the Stafford family celebrate after the Beacon Realty 5K. Heidi, Peter, Gigi and Laura (pictured left to right) were also joined by Ashley, Claire, John and Anne.
The Beacon Realty 5K International Sea Swim
saw 81 registered swimmers vie for bragging rights in Cayman's
oldest and longest (3.1 miles) aquatic competition.
The race combined both the elite and age group swimmers over a
loop course that began and finished at the Holiday Inn Beach.
The growing international component of the
race was evident with 10 per cent of the swimmers having traveled
from overseas. Even though the 5K length of the swim appears
daunting, participation from swimmers with ages ranging from 10
through 61 years continues to reinforce the wide appeal of Cayman's
truly natural sport.
While Shaune Fraser and Andrew Mackay waged another epic battle
to the finish for the men's elite division and overall titles,
it was youngsters Jodie Foster (13) and Brigitte Tomascik (14)
that stole the elite show.
This year's course featured a slight chop that slowed most of the times from last year and where flat water prevailed. On Saturday, Shaune edged Andrew by a mere 17 seconds over a course that required slightly more than one hour to complete. While Andrew improved his prior personal best by three minutes, Shaune's winning time was approximately one-half minute slower than his 2002 effort.
This contrasts this with the efforts of Jodie and Brigitte. Jodie also finished better than three minutes faster than her time in 2002 and set a new Cayman women's course record. Adding to the excitement was Brigitte Tomascik who took a staggering 17 minutes off of her time of 2002.
Not to be outdone by the elite, it was the young female swimmers visiting from Mississippi who won top honors in the women's age group segment of the race. Hannah Wilson (11) finished first followed closely by Madison Parker (13), while local favorites Andrea Balderamos and Jennifer Powell rounded out the top four. Local stalwarts Brett Fraser, Taylor Foster, Cueme Parker and Joel Rombough finished first through fourth respectively in the men's age group segment.
Overseas competitors of all ages joined the duo from Mississippi to claim hardware at the event. Diane Korn, Jane Kurran, Peter Voss, James Woods, Lester Lawas, and Peter Moody each finished within the top three of their age groups. Results are now available on-line at www.caymanswimming.com, Cayman Swimming's website hosted by Internet Financial Services.
On Saturday, 15 November when CIASA and Caribbean Utilities host the CUC 15th Annual 800m Sea Swim.
Return
Sports
Person of the Week
Amanda Mclean
Having just started teaching this year, Amanda Mclean, 24, teaches physical education for George Town Primary School. "I love to teach, I also help coach the George Town B team, it's great to be around kids," she said.
Amanda graduated from John Gray High School in 1998 and began teaching at George Town Primary. "I knew teaching was something I wanted to do, but I soon realised I wanted to do teaching outdoors," she said.
She went to college in Jamaica after a year and attended G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sports. She attended the college for three years, studying how to teach, some sports medicine, along with other various courses.
Another love Amanda has is football, which she has been playing for six years. She first played for Naya while she was teaching at George Town before she left for college. She then played for the G C Foster school team for the three years she was there, and currently she is playing for Future, which she says she enjoys a lot.
Future plans for Amanda are to maybe receive a government scholarship for either sports medicine or physiotherapy, enabling her to accompany several teams when they travel abroad.
"I just love sports and I just want to help people at the same time," she said.
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