12-02

Different & Dynamic. Bigga, Brighta, Betta!

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018 • Website: www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca

Tel: 647-669-9320 • Fax: 416-292-2943 • Email: graphiclyn@gmail.com

Legacy Ensured Commemorative Magazine Celebrates Lionel Bedessee’s Life!

Legacy Ensured, a forty-page, five by eight, magazine booklet has been published in celebration of the life of the Bedessee family patriarch and company founder Lionel M Bedessee, who passed away last March. The magazine, which also celebrates Bedessee Imports fortyyear company history as a major food distributor, was recently released to mark the first year anniversary of Lionel Bedessee’s March 11, 2017 passing.

Produced and edited by TeeMac’s Publisher, Tony McWatt, Legacy Ensured’s forty pages traces Lionel Bedessee’s own personal entrepreneurial development, as well as that of the Company. From his humble

beginnings as a “ Bicycle Businessman” in Guyana’s #59 Courantyne village, Lionel Bedessee together with his wife Evelyn, two daughters Pamela and Rose and five sons Verman, Ravi, Rayman, Chubb and Invor have ultra successfully transformed Bedessee Imports from its modest 1977 Queen Street, Toronto first store opening into the multi-million dollar internationally recognized entity it has long since become.

Commenting on the publication, Lionel’s spouse Evelyn has said that it is a “superbly done, nice job” booklet of which her husband would have been very proud.

Barbados To Host Historic Day Night Test West Indies will host their first day-night Test match on June 23 when they play Sri Lanka in Barbados. The game will also mark the first time Sri Lanka play long-form cricket at the iconic Kensington Oval.

The day-night fixture will be the third match of the series, which begins on June 6 at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. According to the schedule announced by Cricket West Indies in December 2017, the third Test was to be played at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia and the second at Kensington Oval. But a most recent Sri Lanka Cricket release suggested the venues have been switched. St. Lucia will now host the second Test from June 14.

This will be Sri Lanka's first Test tour of the West Indies in 10 years. The last one - in March 2008 - ended in a 1-1 draw, and was quite memorable for the visitors, who claimed their first win in the West Indies.

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Jamaica To Host 2019 Caribbean Travel Marketplace SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, The Caribbean’s largest tourism marketing event will be held in Jamaica next year.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism A s s o c i a t i o n ( C H TA ) o ff i c i a l l y announced that the 37th edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from January 29 to 31, 2019.

The event will be held in collaboration with the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, t h e J a m a i c a H o t e l & To u r i s t Association and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Produced by CHTA, Caribbean Travel Marketplace brings together hotel and destination representatives; wholesalers and tour operators; online travel agencies; Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) planners; and members of the media for several days of business meetings, including a busy program of thousands

of pre-scheduled appointments.

Chief Executive Officer and Director General of CHTA Frank Comito announced that after an incredibly successful 36th convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the trade association is delighted to return the event to Jamaica next winter. This year’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which was produced by CHTA in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Meet Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rico Hotel and To u r i s m A s s o c i a t i o n , e x c e e d e d organizers’ expectations.

The meeting received an exceptional billing and showcased the resilience of the people of Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean, in particular those destinations which are rebounding from the impact of two Category 5 hurricanes.

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Anichi Resort Destined For Dominica

ROSEAU, Dominica, the economic climate Principals of the Anichi and hope in the tourism Resort and Spa have industry in Dominica.”

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broken ground for the The project is funded 120-room property from the real estate that’s being built in the c o m p o n e n t

of

n o r t h e r n t o w n o f Dominica’s Citizenship P o r t s m o u t h . T h e by Investment (CBI) boutique property will programme. be operated by Trust Thus far, three of the Hospitality under the approved hospitality Autograph Collection projects under the real H o t e l s b r a n d o f estate component of M a r r i o t t a n d i s the CBI inititiave have expected to open in late begun construction.

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particularly relevant Spa with 120 rooms are post-Hurricane Maria, both expected to begin a s i t s h o w s t h e welcoming guests in resiliency of our people early 2019. while instilling trust in

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

Last Opportunity For Reduced St Kitts Citizenship By Investment

BASSETERRE, St Kitts — The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment (CBI) programme has released a final reminder to those interested in investing in second citizenship under the temporarily reduced investment module – the Hurricane Relief Fund – scheduled to end on 30 March 2018.

Established after a challenging hurricane season, the Hurricane Relief Fund was announced as a temporary option for prospective citizens around the world, who wish to invest in the world’s oldest economic citizenship programme.

With a booming tourism sector, the Federated island-nation in the Caribbean is enjoying unprecedented economic growth, and prestigious hotel brands are collaborating to “meet the increased demand for luxury travel offerings” – a comment shared by global brand leader for The Ritz-Carlton, Lisa Holladay.

Noting the lower investment threshold of US$150,000 for a family

of four, CEO of the CBI Unit, Les K h a n , s a i d , “ We e n c o u r a g e individuals and families to take the opportunity to invest at a lower threshold for a product that is uncompromised in its quality.”

The government also made provision for applications of more than four persons at US$25,000 per additional dependant, regardless of age.

Benefits of the programme include: Ÿ Visa-free access and visa-free on arrival to over 150 countries and territories worldwide Ÿ 60 days guaranteed citizenship with the Accelerated Application Process (AAP) Ÿ No requirement to reside in St Kitts and Nevis Ÿ Complete discretion and privacy throughout the application process and citizenship Ÿ A low tax regime, with zero taxes on worldwide income, capital gains and inheritance Ÿ Strong investment opportunities in a growing economy

www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca • Page 3

Bajan Exporters Visit Guyana BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, A group of Barbadian manufacturers and services exporters recently visited Guyana to explore trade and market opportunities there. The 10-member group which participated in a February 11-14 exploratory mission, are all recent graduates of the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation’s (BIDC) Export Readiness Training Programme. The BIDC Export Readiness Training Programme is an initiative designed to equip new and potential exporters with the knowledge, tools and strategies to successfully expand their businesses into new markets.

The BIDC in a release stated that the companies were drawn from various sectors of the island’s economy including food and beverage; information technology services (particularly for medical services); building and construction; garments and fashion; footwear; media publishing and health and wellness sectors.

The group comprised AirtelCimTect Inc, Carepoint Solutions, Bibi’s Snacks Inc., Eve’s Creations, Locks Protector, Regal Elegance and Eastlanders Manufacturing (B’dos) Inc. The BIDC said that it has been working with the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) on the strength of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was

signed between the two agencies and which speaks to the exploration of market opportunities, agency collaboration and exchange.

It stated that the 5 year period from 2013-2017, Guyana has received on average US$23 million in exports from Barbados every year, with exports growing by some 7% since 2013. On the other hand, Guyana exports approximatelyUS$13.7 million to Barbados, with export growth estimated at 44% over the corresponding five year period.

The group will be accompanied by three BIDC Officers and they will be in Guyana for two full working days.

In recent months, a number of business and manufacturing companies from various parts of CARICOM and the Caribbean region have been collaborating with their counterparts here. Trade links have been established between Guyanese and Cubans as well as Trinidadian firms in recent months.

As Guyana’s petroleum sector evolves interest has grown international entities in doing business here. A number of partnerships and discussions were undertaken between local and international firms at the just concluded Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX) which saw participation from executives and personnel representing a large number of companies.

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Christian Charities Valentine’s Dance A Wonderful Evening!

Saturday, February 14, marked the Guyana Christian Charities Canada’s hosting of the 2018 edition of its annual Valentine’s Dinner & Dance. A sold out crowd of approximately 450 patrons, elegantly dressed in their “ Sunday best,” were in attendance at what turned out to be a delightful, thoroughly enjoyable evening.

As official guests of Fuh Fun, the Resident Love Goddess and myself were seated at the band’s table, #1. That afforded me, as Frenchman voyeur inclined as I often tend to be, with a delightful bird’s eye view of the entire, attractively Valentine’s red themed

decorated, Peter & Paul Banquet hall. It also allowed me to accurately evaluate the dance floor’s indicative response to the music provided by both Fuh Fun and the resident Deejay, the everpopular Bakes.

I am delighted to report that, as was evidenced by the dance floor being almost throughout, both were in superb form. Fuh Fun in particular got the evening’s dancing on the way with a slow reggae spiced opening set that was as ideally suited for the attendance, as it was superbly executed. Although their second set might have been arguably just a wee bit too jumpy soca

oriented, they were back to their very best in the final set. The highlight of which was a Drifters melody that had all the three steppers, myself included, in absolute ecstasy.

Apart from the outstanding music, the other most noticeable aspect of the evening that contributed to it being so outstandingly enjoyable, was the harmonic ethnic diversity of the actual attendees. The almost equal amounts of Indo, Afro and ‘Potagee” Guyanese in attendance was a most wonderful exhibition of Guyanese-Canadian Community harmony. Thanks to Malcolm Cho Kee and his family there

was also even a most impressive delegation of Chinese Guyanese. Such a wonderful representation of Guyana’s many ethnicities is sadly not often seen at other community functions, which more often than not tend rather unfortunately to be singular in their ethnic representation.

The Guyana Christian Charities’ Valentine’s Dinner & Dance organizers should now be highly commended for what was again a most wonderful evening. So too should Fuh Fun and Bakes for their respective outstanding musical contributions. Kudos to all.

Whither, West Indies Cricket? Enough Is Enough!

Tue, Feb 20, '18 - by ALBERT BALDEO “WICB needs to take responsibility for the fall for WI cricket.” - Ramnaresh Sarwan, former WI captain “The West Indies Cricket Board is the most unprofessional in the world…Cameron is 'immature', 'arrogant' and 'not having West Indies cricket at heart'…a dictator… I think we had enough as players.” - Dwayne Bravo “When is the last time a critic paid one your bills? Always remember that when you start to give them your energy.” Dave Cameron, President of WICB, now CWI (Cricket West Indies) A few years ago, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Viv Richards, Wes Hall and Andy Roberts, uniting under the umbrella banner of Cricket Legends, met with Grenada premier Keith Mitchell, chairman of the Prime Ministerial Committee on the Governance of West Indies Cricket, which had appointed the CARICOM cricket review panel in the wake of yet another crisis that emerged following the West Indies’ withdrawal from India’s tour in October 2014.

“During the last two decades, many different presidents and CEOs have led the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and yet, its performance has declined steadily with each passing year,” the Legends said in a joint media release.

“The Board is an oligarchic structure that considers itself answerable to no one but itself. It is one of the few sporting institutions that have remained virtually unchanged in attitude and structure in the last 70 years or more.” Roger Harper, Charlie Griffith, Deryck Murray, (who was also member of the CARICOM review panel), leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine, (previous president of the West Indies Players Association) and opening batsman, Desmond Haynes were only a few former stars who concurred with CARICOM’s recommendation that the WICB become accountable to CARICOM authorities, and that the board should “undergo structural adjustment.”

Recently, a CWI press release recently confirmed that off-spinner Sunil Narine, batsman Darren Bravo and all-rounders Kieron Powell and Andre Russell, all refused to proudly don their West Indies flannels, preferring to participate in the

Pakistan Super league instead of taking part in the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Bangladesh in March. The World Cup is cricket’s biggest stage. Former captains and star batsmen Chris Gayle, Ronnie Sarwan and the iconic Sir Viv Richards, Darren Sammy, and many other players have condemned similar complaints about the Board’s callous treatment of players in the past.

Not only has the WICB/CWI shown serial disrespect for great players like Sobers, Hall, Kanhai, Gibbs, Lloyd, Chanderpaul and others over the years, but their humiliation have become more pronounced with each succeeding generation of cricketers. Some quarters have complained that “some players have too much egos, and behave like mercenaries.” The grievances on both sides must be heard and addressed.

The major complaint is that “the Board has been utilizing the ‘big stick’ approach in dealing with matters, and not having proper communication with all stakeholders, including the players.”

Sarwan exposed his fallout with the WICB and Ottis Gibson, saying that Gibson verbally attacked him and dropped him, destroying him mentally.

This led to his now famous quote, “I didn't know my front foot from my back foot,” a situation that caused him to flee from the game and not leave his house or his room for days, until the point when his father had an emotional breakdown over worry for his son. “I would not answer the call of the WICB if picked now,” is reflective of a seriously broken spirit.

Sarwan’s disgust that “The CWI or WICB whatever name y’all come under, all the administrators, from 1990 onwards should go and play now and help the team qualify for the next World Cup,” is symptomatic of the fact that West Indies cricket is imploding, and not keeping, consolidating, unifying and managing its individual talents. His complaint that, “Now imagine the great WICB asking players to play. I would like to laugh but out of respect for the Caribbean people I won’t,” demands immediate action by CARICOM governments to address the problems in our cricket.

CARICOM will do well to remind itself

what cricket supremacy means in a global context to all Caribbean brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. It is best summarized by the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Michael Manley, “The West Indies are Third World countries, but we belong and are in the first World of Cricket.” Cricket is not only a religion in the Caribbean, but it best defines the region in the highest context. Regional political integration has followed cricket as a unifying and defining force.

In a deeper psychological and historical context, a West Indian cricketer’s artistry and flamboyance is the product of the post-colonial era, where the psyche is the celebration and liberation from the bondages of imperialism and colonialism.

It is a celebration of freedom. Our glorious successes lift marginalized people from our daily burdens, and takes us to flights of pride over our collective achievements, living in the ecstatic comfort of the superlatives that always follow.

What cricket means to the typical Caribbean kid is best summarized by Nobel Laureate, Sir V. S. Naipaul, in The Middle Passage, pg. 44, “Cricket has always been more than a game in Trinidad. In a society which demanded no skills and offered no rewards to merit, cricket was the only activity which permitted a man to grow to his full stature and to be measured against international standards... The cricketer was our only hero-figure.”

Cricket is simply the lifeblood of the Caribbean, and our greatest adhesive force. C.L.R. James, the renowned cricket scholar, in his work Cricket in West Indian Culture, at pg. 119 aptly noted, “From its beginning to this day cricket in the West Indies has expressed with astonishing fidelity the social relations of the islands.”

In his seminal work, Beyond a Boundary, James puts cricket in perspective when he wrote, “Cricket is first and foremost a dramatic spectacle. It belongs with the theatre, ballet, opera and the dance.”

Caribbean kids are still inspired to become world famous like Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Learie Constantine, George Headley, Sir Frank Worrell, Brian Lara, Sir Viv Richards, Rohan Kanhai and other enduring West Indian icons so revered

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC The People’s Paper, daring to be different.

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around the cricketing globe. They are the very embodiment of the West Indian dream, and inspirational figures.

In fact, sportsmanship and professionalism were intrinsic parts of a cricketer’s development as his ability to flick the ball off the legs, late cut or hook a bouncer off the eyebrows. They prepared the Caribbean person to take his or her place amongst the best in the world, as so many have done academically, in sports, and in every facet of life and endeavor itself.

Sarwan has called on the administrators of Cricket West Indies (CWI) to “pad up” and take the field to help the West Indies qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup. While they may not take up that challenge, CARICOM must do so now to save West Indies cricket! We do not need another King Louis XIV, who, in tyrannical stupor, claimed, “the state is myself!” We must lower the curtains on this Shakespearian tragedy, or hit Cameron out of the ground, and usher in a new era, reminiscent of the golden years of West Indian cricket.

CWI has failed miserably to fulfil its Vision Statement “to establish and sustain West Indies cricket as the sporting symbol of the West Indies, and the West Indies team as the dominant team in international cricket,” and its Mission Statement, “to develop and promote West Indies cricket for the benefit and enjoyment of the West Indian people, its clients and other stakeholders by procuring a consistently high-quality, successful and international West Indian product.”

Time to walk, Cameron!

Albert Baldeo is a civil rights activist and community advocate, and his political efforts placed previously ignored minority communities like Richmond Hill and Ozone Park firmly on the political and economic map. As the President of the Baldeo Foundation and Queens Justice Center, he has continued to fight for equal rights, dignity and inclusion in the decision making process. He can be contacted at the Baldeo Foundation: AlBaldeo@aol.com.

Tony McWatt Selwyn Baboolal, Chef Phillip Hendricks, Dr. George Traitses, Mala Rambharose, Rudy Lochan, Sanjay Patel, Cherry Khan Oumarally and Baboolal Haroon Gafur Julie Rambali, infiniteLinx.ca

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

The Ontario Hindu Cultural Association’s Grand Holi Samaalan Ontario’s Hindu Cultural Association will host its annual Grand Holi Samaalan on Saturday, February 24, 2017 at the Mississaugua Hindu Heritage Centre, 6300 Mississauga Road. The afternoon’s festivities, which will include entertainment performances by representatives of several Greater Toronto mandirs and cultural groups will commence at 1:00 pm sharp.

Samaalan is a Hindu word meaning Festival. The Holi Festival, often referred to as Phagwah is celebrated by Hindu’s globally to mark the arrival of spring. Also known

as the Festival of Colour, it usually takes place over two days and is a celebration of fertility, colour and love, as well as the triumph of good over evil.

The newly formed Ontario Hindu Cultural Association’s mission is to restore the way of life, thinking and worship of Hindu culture. In the belief that the restoration of any culture requires an associated search for its behavior and language, the Association intends to propagate Hinduism its culture and religious philosophy within the community, largely through education. Its members are also bent on providing essential services to the community, as a means of addressing its spiritual, social, and cultural needs and by way of promoting harmony and respect for all cultures within our society.

Over the years, Hindus from all walks of life, especially youths, have been drawn to the simple, yet most practical methods of practicing Hinduism, by the quality of knowledge expounded, and by the various services offered. These will be the guiding principles of the Ontario Hindu Cultural Association as it pursues its mission.

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca • Page 7

Major Airlines Still Interested In Guyana GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Air Canada, Delta and JetBlue are still interested in the Guyana market and the government has been engaging them in ongoing discussions to add Georgetown(GEO) to their route map, especially that Guyana will finally complete the expansion and modernization of the Cheddi Jagan Airport (CJIA) this year. The government is keen to have at least two big-name airlines land at the new airport before the end of 2018 to commemorate the opening.

One of the biggest concerns these airlines have had with Guyana in the past has been the high cost of jet fuel. Jet fuel at the CJIA was one of the most expensive in the region but has been reduced since the government broke the oil monopoly at CJIA. It has been confirmed by two airlines operating out of CJIA that the cost of jet fuel at the airport has been reduced.

While Guyana has been mostly an ethnic market, with few business travellers, this will change because business travel to Guyana is expected to triple by 2020 with the growth of the oil and gas sector.

This will inevitably grow the aviation industry and will contribute additional revenue to these airlines. Business travellers are an important factor that airlines look at in choosing destinations.

There will be more business travellers connecting via New York, Miami, Toronto and Panama City to Guyana and if they offer a good product, it will eat into the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) market. CAL’s business class service is very “poor”, remarked several diplomats who often travel the NYC, Georgetown and Paramaribo route.

Meanwhile, many Guyanese are already using JetBlue and Air Canada/Rouge service to Barbados and Port of Spain to get to Guyana.

They fly via those cities and connect with CAL or LIAT to be certain that they will get to their destinations without cancellations and delays they have often faced from ‘fly by night airlines’. Travellers to Suriname also used the Delta/GEO service and travel by land to Paramaribo when the airline flew to GEO. These airlines are looking to fly to GEO two to three times weekly. Air Canada’s Rouge, its budget subsidiary, recently commenced service to Port of Spain. Guyana and Canada have a new bilateral air agreement and over a decade ago there were unconfirmed reports that Air Canada would fly to Guyana.

Since the foreign minister of Guyana, Carl Greenidge, held talks with JetBlue officials two years ago, the government hasn’t made any public statements on the subject. Two statements were issued in 2017 that North American and regional airlines were in negotiations to enter the Guyana market.

“JetBlue has indicated its interest in providing service to Guyana and I have indicated to the airline that Guyana is ready to welcome them,” Greenidge said after discussions with JetBlue’s vice president for network planning, Dave Clark, in September 2015.

“There are some specific issues such as fuel costs in Guyana and others that have to be addressed, but I would say they now have a clear indication that they are welcome and we are prepared to examine and seek to resolve the issues about which they have concerns,” he noted at the time.

The government and civil aviation authority in Guyana have been muted in giving any idea about ongoing negotiations with airlines. There

are talks of incentives, fuel, security and drug smuggling issues.

A new concept airline, Guyana Airways 2018 based at CJIA, plans to commence services to Cuba, New York, Miami, Toronto and Brazil.

They are looking to forge cooperation agreements with other airlines to survive.

While Guyana has signed many air agreements with various countries — the latest being Singapore — it hasn’t resulted in lower airfares, improved connectivity or attracted foreign carriers. This is because the country is in violation of FAA and ICAO rules (CAT2) and as a result, Guyana based carriers can’t fly to the US or enter into code-share agreement with US based airlines.

With all these agreements with Qatar, the UAE, Turkey, Panama or Singapore, there is still no direct connection with luggage checked through to final destinations from Guyana to Dubai, Istanbul, Beijing, New Delhi, Nairobi or Buenos Aires via Panama City using Copa, the only international airline that serve Guyana. This will require that Guyana concludes agreements with many other countries in order to offer passengers seamless travel from GEO to these destinations.

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Carnival: Guyana Carnival: Joining A Truly Global Phenomenon

From Samba blockos in Brazil to masked balls in Italy, Carnival is a truly global phenomenon. Carnival is now celebrated in over 50 countries around the world.

Carnival originated as a pagan festival in ancient Egypt to usher out winter and celebrate the beginning of spring. When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, the ancient Greeks adopted the Festival. The Romans assimilated the Festival from the Greeks and it was later overlaid with Christian meaning to become the festival of “carne vale.”

The word “carne” means meat in Latin and “vale” means “farewell.” In the Catholic calendar “carne vale,” farewell to meat, is a feast before the fast of Lent. In 18th century Italy, people preparing for Lent would throw indulgent fancy-dress parties and gorge before the fast.

As Christianity spread across Europe, so too did the celebration of carnival. Colonization exported it across the world. Portuguese colonists took Lent to the shores of Brazil, where they had also taken an estimated 4 million African slaves.

Over time European rituals fused with African ones, to create Brazil’s now world-famous Carnival.

The flamboyant street parties are a celebration of Brazil’s mixed heritage and it’s big business. In 2016 the city of Rio alone welcomes 1.1 million tourists during Carnival, contributing around $900 million to the city’s economy.

On the Caribbean island of Trinidad, the festival of Lent was introduced

by French colonists. Slaves excluded from these celebrations, created their own parties to the soundtracks of calypso music, which mocked the French. This is now an integral part of Trinidad’s carnival.

In India Carnival is only celebrated in the southern state of Goa, where Portuguese colonists ruled for over four centuries. Parades occur throughout the state with bands, dances and floats.

Carnival is known as Mardi Gras in the American City of New Orleans and contributes over 2% to the City’s GDP. Carnival is not just a party in the sun.

Quebec holds the third-biggest carnival celebration in the world.

From humble beginnings carnival has become a truly global celebration, with millions of revelers all over the world contributing billions of dollars to the party.

Roraima Designer – Shawn Dhanraj | Photographer – iKenna Douglas | Marketed by SCORCH Withstood the test of time and still standing strong. A true definition of endurance and perseverance.

Costume Prices Frontline – USD $650.00 Includes: Monokini with necklace, huge backpack, tiara, thigh pieces, foot pieces, cuffs Backline – USD $400.00 Includes: Monokini with necklace, tiara, foot pieces Add-ons – USD $50.00 Male – USD $350.00 Includes: board shorts, head band, belt, chest piece, arm pieces, leg pieces

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca • Page 9

Lionel M. Bedessee Sunrise: 11/11/1933 - Sunset: 11/03/2017

Often On Our Minds Forever In Our Hearts

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Bedessee February 17, 2018 Family Sraddha Paying homage to the life and memory of Lionel M Bedessee.

Evelyn (Spouse): “At the end it was actually a huge relief for me that he was at peace and no longer pain. In the past year since his passing our kids have really looked after me very well, especially Rayman and Invor.”

Chubb (Son): “What I now miss the most is hearing my Dad tell his old time stories.

Especially at family gatherings, when we all used to be seated at the dinner tables.

Those gatherings are now not quite the same with him no longer there!”

Ravi (Son) (Right) “Whenever he was around he made you feel alive. He was always so full of life, ever smiling. He never ever had a bad word to say about anyone!”

Uncle Clement (Left) "He (Lionel) thought me everything I now know about cooking!. He was a kind, wonderful person, who was always willing to share!"

Jenna (Granddaughter): “I now miss my Granddad’s sage advice the most.

He was always telling me to stay focused on what I want most in life and to not allow myself to be distracted.’Don’t worry about problems’he would say, ‘Everything will be okay!’

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Our heartfelt thanks to our families, friends, employees, customers and suppliers for your amazing support over the last forty years and your wonderfully supportive kindness during the loss of our Dad.

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

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Guyana Carnival: Kaieteur

Designer – Sandra Hordatt | Photographer – iKenna Douglas Marketed by Queen of Bacchanal | Destra Garcia Breathtaking. Majestic. Jaw Dropping. This remarkable costume signifies the spectacular phenomenon that is Kaieteur Falls nestled within the pristine rainforest of Guyana.

Costume Prices Frontline – USD $650.00 Includes: Bra with arm pieces, bikini bottom,huge backpack with wings, tiara, high waist belt and thighs Add-ons – Feathered legs, USD $75.00 Backline – USD $400.00 Includes: Bra, bikini bottom, necklace, tiara, high waist belt and thighs Add-ons – Wings, USD $50.00

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Solar Farm For Mabaruma GEORGETOWN, Work on Guyana’s first ever Solar Farm in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) has begun. The construction of the $264M mega solar farm is being executed in three phases.

The first phase will see the extension of the distribution network from its endpoint to a new location in Khan’s Hill.

The second stage, according to a Government statement, caters for site preparation and construction of the fence, while the third phase involves the actual construction of the solar farm.

Electrical Engineer for Region One, Frederick Cort, in updating the Department of Public Information on the project’s status, explained that “so far we’ve completed the extension of the network and the preparation of the site. We’re currently in preparation for the fence, which is

expected to be completed by the end of February.”

Cort explained that inclement weather has delayed the shipping of the material to the North West district, resulting in the late start of the project. He said there have been other challenges, however, the Ministry remains focused on its objective to complete the project in a timely manner.

Currently, the Mabaruma Power Company provides an electrical supply for nine hours daily to approximately ten communities across the Mabaruma sub-district. Cort said that when completed, the solar farm will be handed over to the power company.

The solar farm is being constructed by German company Meeco and will result in over 700 residents and commercial consumers benefitting from increased hours of electricity service – from 16 hours in Phase One, initially, and eventually to 24 hours.

Other benefits include “the reduction of the fossil fuels for the generation of electricity. The solar farm should be able to power threequarter of the community and the remaining quarter will be powered by fossil fuel or diesel which is the main usage in the Mabaruma subdistrict,” the Electrical Engineer underlined.

The initiative is part of the government’s plan to move Guyana towards becoming a ‘Green State’ and will serve as a medium to reduce the country’s fossil fuel bill and prevent carbon emissions.

Other solar farms at Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and at Bartica in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) will be pursued.

These farms are anticipated to generate 800, 400, and 1.5 kilowatts of electricity respectively.

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca • Page 15

Indo Caribbean Golden Age Association 25+ Years Of Outstanding Community Service Co-founded in 1992 by Leila Daljit and Ronica Jaipershad, the Indo Caribbean Golden Age Association (ICGAA) is a community based organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life, well being and independence of its members, who are seniors, through programs, participation and education. The ICGAA serves to meet the leisure, physical and intellectual needs of its members while equipping them to become active contributors and participants in Canadian society.

Specifically the purpose of the ICGAA is to provide opportunities to seniors of Indo Caribbean background to celebrate the heritage of their country of origin while encouraging their awareness, understanding, inclusion and participation in their local Canadian communities and customs. The ICGAA promotes the growth, development and aging in place of seniors by providing information, publications and seminars on topics of interest to seniors relating to health and health care, senior housing and assisted living, travel and transportation; promoting participation in community, cultural and religious activities; facilitating networking opportunities for the seniors; encouraging physical, social and creative wellness through participation in Association activities; fostering the personal skill and creativity through recreational, artistic, cultural and entertainment activities; providing the forum for meaningful dialogue within the membership and with other like-minded senior organizations in Canada and by raising funds to promote the objectives of the Association.

In alignment with the organization's mission six annually recurring indoor events, one summer outdoor event and one international trip are held every year. Three of these events showcase the cultural diversity and religious observances of this interfaith group of IndoCaribbean members.

They are celebrations of Holi, a Hindu festival which marks the arrival of spring; Eid al-Fitr which is an important Islamic holiday for the Muslim community in Canada and Diwali - known as "the festival of lights," which is important to the Hindu religion because it signifies the victory of good over evil and light over dark.

In addition there are three secular holidays which are also celebrated by the membership which are 4) Valentine's Day, 5) Mother's Day and 6) Father's Day. At these events members are encouraged to engage their artistic and creative outlets.

Through poetry and short plays the members convey the cultural customs involved in the celebration of these holidays. Additionally members share their musical talents through culturally specific language and through musical instruments unique to their culture of origin.

An outdoor picnic is held every summer with ICGAA members and other seniors' groups and organizations. This promotes inter-organizational camaraderie and facilitates the opportunity for members to broaden their social networks. Lastly, as part of core programming one international travel trip is organized for the ICGAA seniors to travel with companionship and camaraderie to explore and enjoy international vacation destinations.

This core programming provides a balance of activities that preserve the diverse cultural heritage of the membership, embrace their religious celebrations while weaving their diversity into the fabric to their Canadian home, community and country.

The ICGAA also provides responsive programming to the needs, demands and interests of the members as they arise. Some examples of the Association’s responsive programming include games days, heart and stroke awareness, bereavement/grief counseling, volunteering, health education, dance, music, youth strategies and intergenerational planning. The Association’s members have also taken an active involvement in some community events including the Caribbean Health Fair and the annual Guyana Festival.

As its Silver Jubilee anniversary 2017 was of course a marquee year for the Association with all of its scheduled events having been hosted successfully. The March 4, 10th Annual Holi and Chowtal Festival was just one of the many ultra successful events 2017 hosted by the ICGAA. The festival featured participation by nine chowtal groups and several additional performers. Several countries and a wide cross section of Canada’s ethnocultural communities were represented at the Festival, which has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings in 2007. The Festival’s Organizers were extremely pleased by the outstanding participation by children, as passing the cultural heritage from one generation to the next has always been one of the Association’s primary objectives.

As successful as it was, the Annual Holi Festival was rendered back seat status by the Association’s hosting of its marquee 2017 event, its May 7 Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebration. Held at Scarborough’s St Peter & Paul Banquet Hall, the Silver Jubilee attracted a sold out crowd of 450.

Commencing with goose bump renditions of the Canadian national anthem and Heal The World, by a Jennifer Sohan led children’s choir, the evening’s programme reflected on the

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ICGAA’s 25-year legacy, which has now been handed down to the next generation.

All of the organization’s accomplishments were featured in a video, which showcased many of its hosted events, including the York University visit by Guyana’s former President, the late Cheddi Jagan.

Sadly during 2017, the Association also bade farewell to its former initial Vi c e P r e s i d e n t a n d subsequent President, Oodit Narain who, surrounded by h i s f a m i l y, p a s s e d peacefully on October 23. During his six-year term as President, Oodit Narain had been instrumental in establishing the Association’s operational guidelines. He’d earned the respect and admiration of all members as a fun-loving individual, who was young at heart, energetic and highly motivated.

On a much happier note, in addition to its Valentine’s Day celebration, which was hosted on Sunday, February 11 at the Agincourt Recreation Centre, the Association will also host five more events this year. These are as follows; Phagwah (Holi) - March 4, Mother’s Day – May 6, Father’s Day – June 10, Diwali – November 11 and finally its December 9 Christmas Social.

The ICGAA’s 2018 events and activities will be governed by its 12 member Board of Directors. Leila Daljit, the Association’s Co Founder will continue as Chair. She will be ably assisted by the following Executive Members: Dilip Chetram, Vice Chair; Karam Daljit, Advisor; Karna Persuad, President, Gopee Singh, Vice President, Marilyn Sukhnandan, Secretarry, Barb Nandlall, Tresurer and Asst. Secretary Treasurer. Tulsi Persaud, Indra Masihlall, Shaw Jaundoo and Patrick George will also all serve on the Board as Directors.

Photo Caption: ICGAA’s March 5 Holi Celebration Execs: Front Row, Sitting L-R: Soorajanie Jaundoo (blue top ) Barb Nandlall Marilyn Sukhnandan Indra Masihlall Back Row, Standing L-R: Tulsi Persaud (Brown Jacket) Karna Persaud Shaw Jaundoo Leila Daljit Patrick George.

Do you want to help your family members migrate to Canada, but don’t know where to start?

Nadine is a weekly guest on “Immigration Mondays” on Nationwide 90FM in Jamaica Monday mornings at 10am - streaming live on the Internet.

Facebook: Nadine Mahabeer www.cdnintl.com

Please note that we go by appointments only.

Page 16 • www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

GUYALICIOUS

Mango A Must For Any Seven Curry In honor of the Bedessee family’s February 17 Sraddha, which paid homage to the one year anniversary of their family patriarch and Company Founder Lionel M Bedessee’s passing last March, this month’s Guyalcious recipe is for Mango Curry. Needless to say it was one of the seven curries served at the Bedessee Sraddha.

Mango curry is usually enjoyed in seven curry but can stand on its own with either a side of rice or puri. Here's a simple recipe to make the perfect Guyanese style mango curry:

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

5 mangoes (half-ripe) 5 leaves of cilantro (chadon beni) 1 hot pepper (habanero, chili, etc.)

2 cloves garlic (chopped) 3 tbsp curry 2 tbsp water (for curry) 1 tsp saffron powder 1 tsp cumin (geera powder) 2 tbsp salt 2 tbsp oil sugar (to taste) black pepper (to taste)

Directions: 1.Cut up the mango and remove the inner lining that holds the seed and the seed itself.

2. Add salt and boil the mangoes.

3. Drain and set aside.

4. Mix the curry, saffron, cumin, black pepper, and water together.

5. Saute the garlic and hot pepper in a pot.

6. Add sugar to the mangoes that have been set aside.

7. Add mangoes to the sauteed pot of garlic and hot pepper.

8. Then pour curry mix into pot distributing evenly.

9. Add a little water and sprinkle the cilantro in.

10. Cook for about 5 -7 minutes to allow the curry to infiltrate and the water to evaporate. The mango should have a pasty consistency when cool. Season to taste and serve.

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

Twitchin Case Study Rudy LOCHAN

As a realtor who has been in the industry for many years, I have had the pleasure of meeting and doing business with many wonderful people from all walks of life. I enjoy helping people reach their goals and needs in the shortest possible time.

Joanna and Michael Twitchin lived in the neighbourhood of Thistletown for many years. They were privileged to be a part of the development of the rich culture of our neighbourhood.

I was over at the Twitchin’s house enjoying a lovely summer afternoon when they mentioned their retirement dreams of owning a piece of paradise in prestigious Muskoka, Ontario. Although it seemed difficult to achieve I knew that I could assist them in making their dreams a reality.

I assured them that this is something I can make happen and after gaining their confidence I immediately engaged my team to pursue this goal.

After extensive research and much work I was able to find the right home for them within a relatively short period of time. I then listed their former home and with extensive marketing, hard work and determination we were able to sell their home within a month. This was great news for both the Twitchins and me because we had achieved the goal within the time frame and stayed within the budget.

The Twitchins are currently enjoying the good life on their tranquil estate in Muskoka and

always remember to stay in touch.

Anything in life is achievable as long as you believe and are prepared to put in the necessary work. I have helped many of my friends achieve their personal and financial goals and I can help you too.

Determining the price of your home is both an art and a science and I think I do it better than anyone.

Understanding the value of your home is a crucial step in determining if it is the right time to sell your home. I provide detailed, comprehensive, free home evaluations. These complimentary evaluations can help you determine how much equity you have in your home, the appreciation trends in your neighbourhood and other important statistics. I believe even if you are not considering selling your home today, that an annual market evaluation is an important undertaking in understanding your most significant financial asset.

As a neighbourhood specialist, I know the market and always have buyers looking in the area.

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I look forward to hearing from you call me at 416 830 1510 or send me an email to rudylochan@gmail.com Actual Client Testimonial Rudy Lochan is a complete agent.

Rudy managed to find the home of our dreams and sell our existing home. Rudy took care of all the details and was very p r o f e s s i o n a l . We h i g h l y recommend Rudy for the purchase or sale of your home – Joanna and Michael Twitchin

www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca • Page 17

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme – Foreign Worker - Employer Job Offer – International Students Stream Ÿ Their business must have been

active for at least the past three years Ÿ Have a business premises in Ontario

where the applicant will be working Ÿ Be in compliance with the Ontario Ÿ Employment Standards Act and the

Occupational Health and Safety Act The Ontario Immigration Nominee Programme (OINP) is now accepting applications from students who have completed at least two years of studies in the Province and have a job offer from an eligible Ontario employer, that meets certain requirements.

The International student should have completed a degree or diploma from an eligible institution in Canada, that takes at least two years to complete, if studies were done on a full-time basis OR, they completed a one-year degree/diploma/certificate that required the completion of a degree as a pre-requisite for said programme.

The Foreign Worker should have a full-time indeterminate job offer in a Job title that falls under NOC O, A or B of the NOC listing and meets the low wage level requirements in Ontario. Please note that seasonal, part-time, contract or agency positions do not qualify under this stream.

The Ontario employer must meet the following requirements:

Ÿ If you are working in the Greater

Toronto Area, the employer must have a minimum of $1,000,000 in gross annual revenue for the most recent fiscal year and have five fulltime employees who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, at the location where you will be working Ÿ If you will be working outside of the GTA, the employer must have a minimum of $500,000 in gross annual revenue for the most recent financial year and have three fulltime employees who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents, at the location where you will be working.

Before submitting an application, ensure that you and your employer meet the necessary requirements.

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Page 18 • www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

4 Mistakes That Contribute To Longer Sales Cycles Robin SINGH

David Sandler use to say, “If your foot is hurting, you’re probably standing on your own toe.” I hear a lot of complaints from sales management that sales cycles are getting longer and it has become more difficult to predict when deals close. Is it at all possible that sales people contribute or in some cases actually cause longer sales cycles?

How can that be? We hire these people to be deal makers- how can they be the problem? I see at least four consistent themes where salespeople are standing on their own toe creating longer sales cycles.

1. They Are Afraid to Ask the Difficult Question- Most salespeople have the mindset of show up, ask some initial questions, and present a solution.

What they fail to do in the most critical time is ask the tough question and as a result they don’t get to the truth and hope the sale will close as opposed to knowing the sale will close. For example: “Mr. Smith, I realize you’ve had a relationship with XYZ for the past 7 years. My sense is that the problems you’ve mentioned are not severe enough to go through the pain of change. Is that the case here?” One of Sandler’s rules is “If you feel it, say it (with a nurturing tone, of course)”. Often time’s the salesperson is afraid of the answer, so they never ask the question.

2. They Fail To Qualify Budget Before Giving A Proposal- How many times have you seen a sales rep send a quote over by email and the first time the prospect sees the budget number is when the prospect opens the quote. If the quote is outside of the expectation of the prospect and they’re surprised at the number, how likely are they to pursue the deal? Not very likely. What they do, however, is go dark! They don’t return calls.

They don’t reply to emails and the rep can’t find them with a search warrant. Meanwhile, they go back to management saying, “I’ve got calls into them. They haven’t gotten back with me.” The sale stagnates, forecasts are missed and nobody wins!

3. The Salesperson’s Own ‘Buy Cycle’ Causes the Delay- I often do ride-a-longs with my clients. I

have seen countless situations where the client/prospect seems ready to make a commitment, but the salesperson is not ready. How can that be? The best salespeople are good, fast decision makers. I’ve seen reps who when they go to buy something for their personal lives shop for the best price endlessly!

What happens to the salesperson who is told, “I want to think it over?” They think that makes sense because they would do the same thing and they fail to ask any more questions. This is true of both short and long sales cycles.

4. They Give, Give, Give and Ask for Nothing In Return- How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m a people person”? Could that get in the way of the sales cycle? If a sales rep has to have others like them, they tend to not ask for anything in exchange when a prospect/client asks something of them. They want the prospect to ‘like’ them more than they want to do business. The rep often feels that if the prospect just likes me enough- the business will close. When reps are asked to do something for their client/prospect, they should often ask themselves, what can I get in return? Sometimes the answer is access to decision makers or commitments to do business. Giving is a great thing, but if the rep doesn’t know “What happens next?” sales cycles can drag on and we all know that time kills deals. One of my favorite Sandler rules is “You can’t lose anything you never had.” Shorten the sales cycle by asking the difficult question and ensuring that your people are in front of qualified (Pain-Budget- Decision Process) prospect. Getting sales closed is a process of many ‘mini-closes’ that bring buyer and seller together…sooner!

One of my favorite Sandler rules is “You can’t lose anything you never had.” Shorten the sales cycle by asking the difficult question and ensuring that your people are in front of qualified (Pain-BudgetDecision Process) prospect.

Getting sales closed is a process of many ‘mini-closes’ that bring buyer and seller together…sooner!

C o n t a c t m e a t robin.singh@sandler.com or 647988-1037 if you would like to find a way to avoid these common sales pitfalls.

You might also be interested in uncovering sales opportunities by taking this 5minute self-assessment: www.singh.sandler.com/saleseffectiveness.

Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

Retire Happy, Stay Healthy

How to include health and dental benefits in your overall retirement plan.

RETIREMENT IS A MILESTONE that many Canadians build towards for a large portion of their adulthood, making it a highly anticipated transition when the time finally comes. When preparing for that long awaited goal of life after work, a priority for many is to ensure they have sufficient financial resources to replace income and maintain a desirable lifestyle. But some may not realize that it’s also important to consider potential health care needs and costs. For those leaving a workplace wellness insurance plan, having an effective and affordable replacement can lessen the financial burden of outof-pocket health costs.

Health needs in retirement Longevity and wellness are top of mind for many Canadians, but we may be more prone to health issues as we age.

Among Canadians aged 65 and older, almost 90 per cent have one or more chronic conditions, such as arthritis, osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease.1These conditions may require everything from accessibility equipment to physiotherapy to nursing care.

Canadian seniors generally spend more on health care than younger Canadians. A 2014 survey found that households headed by a person aged 65 and over spent 6.1 per cent of their goods and services budget on health care, whereas households headed by someone under 30 spent 2.8 per cent.2 It may not come as a surprise to learn that prescription drugs are one of the largest health care expenses for Canadians over 65, accounting for almost 30 per cent of their out-of pocket health spending.3Those fortunate enough to enjoy group health benefits during their working years may not be fully aware of the true costs of health care.

Plan for expenses Understanding potential healthcare needs is only one piece of the puzzle – knowing how you will pay for it all during your retirement years is another. A beneficial first step is determining whether your employer offers

continued coverage for retirees.

Then, if it applies to your situation, consider your spouse’s coverage – will it be enough for your needs, and how long will it be in effect?

If your circumstances dictate shopping for a new plan, there are a range of options to consider.

Some of the common health services covered are prescription drugs, hospital stays, nursing and home care, vision care, and medical equipment, as well as dental services such as exams, cleanings, fillings and root canals.

Look for plans that offer a variety of levels, enabling you to choose one that most closely aligns with your needs and budget. Many plans also offer coverage for spouses and children, add-ons such as travel insurance, and supplementary features like special rates for couples and families with multiple children.

Be proactive Securing health and dental insurance ahead of retirement can be beneficial for a few reasons.

Not only will this prevent a gap in coverage, but certain plans feature guaranteed acceptance and no medical questionnaire if you apply within a specific time after your group plan ends.

Throughout the process, your advisor is the person with the best expertise to help you understand the different plans available and to assist in deciding what options fit your needs. Having the right health care plan in place can help alleviate concerns about paying for future medical requirements and put more focus where it should be – on enjoying retirement to its fullest.

Isa Rahamat is a Financial Advisor with Manulife Securities inc. This content is provided courtesy of Solutions from Manulife. © 2017 Manulife. The persons and situations depicted are fictional and their resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

This media is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide specific financial, tax, legal, accounting or other advice and should not be relied upon in that regard. Many of the issues discussed will vary by province. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals to ensure that any action taken with respect to this information is appropriate to their specific situation. E & O E. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments.

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Volume 12 • Number 02 • February 22, 2018

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca • Page 19

Alfonso Thomas Named CWI Ostracizes Former Players Says Richards Windies New Bowling Coach

West Indies batting legend cricket. Most of the former S i r Vi v R i c h a r d s h a s p l a y e r s h a v e b e e n a c c u s e d t h e c u r r e n t ostracised. Constructive a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f criticism is not much continuing to sideline the accepted in the Caribbean,” sport’s former players, Richards told Reuters.

Other former players like stifling an overall inability Joel Garner have, however, to make a meaningful found a home within the contribution.

Richards a former West current dispensation as a Indies captain and one of team manager and member t h e w o r l d ’ s m o s t of the board.

"I would love to take a role recognized batsmen, freely like Greg Chappell did for admitted that he has long Australia," The Antiguan coveted a position working added. to help develop the sport "I think I have a good eye regionally as a part of the for talent and this is regional board. He pointed something that we have to the example of other never taken on board in the players like Australian Caribbean." great Greg Chappell who is The West Indies once the now a full-time national world’s most dominant selector and talent manager force have struggled to impress in recent years, for Australia.

"Lots of work needs to be with the exception of the done to get it to the right T20 format where they are prominence and to where one of the world’s top folks would believe where teams. we should be. I am not at all involved in West Indian

Cricket West Indies has appointed former South African fast bowler Alfonso Thomas as the bowling coach of the senior men's team.

The board made a number of changes to the coaching and support staff for the current squads keeping in mind the World Cup Qualifiers and the Women's World T20 scheduled for later this year.

Former West Indies legspinner Rawl Lewis, who previously worked with the side as team operations manager during their successful World T20 campaign in 2016, was named the team manager.

Thomas, who represented South Africa in a sole T20I in 2007, has held specialist roles in Championship cricket in the UK. The former Somerset limitedovers captain, who is ninth on the list of most successful T20 bowlers, has also played in the IPL, BBL and the BPL, with 263 T20 wickets to his name.

We are focused on improving team performance, as well as broadening and deepening the coaching expertise in the region," CWI director Jimmy Adams said.

"We know we've got vital games and tournaments this year and we're confident that these appointments will strengthen the Windies squads for this year and our future plans."

The other new inclusions in head coach Stuart Law's crop are team physio David Kershaw and strength and conditioning coach Corey Bocking.

In relation to specific changes, CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said, "Joel Garner has agreed to become an Ambassador, supporting the fundraising IT20 match at Lord's at the end of May and helping us launch the Windies Foundation planned for later this year. Ronald Rogers will remain in

the region working with Alzarri Joseph on his rehabilitation programme following his stress fracture."

Cricket Canada Responds To Media Articles Touring New T20 Canadian Premier League Via its http://gocricketgocanada.com website, Cricket Canada has proactively responded to a number of recent articles, largely in the Indian press, regarding plans for a “Canadian Premier League” to be established. Cricket Canada indicated that it wishes to make it clear that this proposed league will require sanction from Cricket Canada, and that no application has been made.

Cricket Canada continues to progress plans with Mercuri Talent Management (Pvt) Ltd. (Part of the Mercuri group, an India based media company) to bring professional cricket to Canada.

The group has complied with all aspects of Cricket Canada’s sanction policy, and the two parties have now entered into a 25 year Master Licensing Agreement are now working towards seeking ICC approval.

The agreement includes extended off shore training for Canadian players and investment capital for development of elite players and cricket infrastructure.

The Mercuri proposal involves franchise-based teams involving high-level cricketers from across the world competing in a twenty over league in Canada, starting in 2018. Each team will be required to include Canadian qualified players in their squads.

It is planned that initially games will be played in the Toronto area.

Cricket Canada is pleased have Mercuri as our partner for facilitating future growth of Canadian cricket.