India is great; but please, do not drink the local water

What do you do when you are expecting more than 12 000 athletes, administrators and media people to your capital for a Commonwealth Games?

If you are India, you waste four or more years’ preparation time, then throw the “might” of a developing nation into hasty construction and shoddy set-up, struggle with an outbreak of dengue fever (possibly deadly to visitors), endure the collapse of a major footbridge leading to the main stadium, attract increased security fears after the shooting of two tourists by a Muslim militant group (they admitted responsibility), enrage participants over the athletes’ village (including excrement in rooms, shoddy conditions and problems with plumbing, wiring and furnishings), plus other drawbacks …  just one week before the opening day?.

It sounds like the script for a film. Alas it is India at its best, or worst. Let’s hope the bowling greens (carpets) are still in one piece.
I visited India a few years (yes my brave wife came too) ago to represent South Africa in a world bridge event in Mumbai. The city sprawls across seven islands (reminiscent of Rome and its seven hills). Known as “The Gateway to India” its peoples (all 15 million of them) constitute the world’s most densely populated urban area; three million or more migrant workers sleep on the pavements in sacks.

Formerly populated mainly by fishing communities, drying, stinking fish are still to be experienced, strung out along most of the coastline.

That the Games are in Delhi makes little difference – same scenario, same problems.

Mumbai, as is Delhi, is hot, wet and noisy. Acid rain gnaws away the buildings and blackens the flora; a 24/7 traffic jam adds a pall of smoke and a never-ending cacophony of blaring taxi horns. Food stalls, water sellers and hawkers vie for attention; the gap between our seven star hotel and two paces beyond its heavily guarded gates is best described as light years.

Yet all the same it was fascinating.

All food (even the biscuits) from a Big Mac to a standard roti were curried (probably sound practice in that desperate climate) in one form or another; breakfast was no let up of the spicy flavour.

The people a colourful, white teeth flashing, smiling potpourri of humanity from countless castes, ethnic backgrounds, religions and persuasions (1 400 dialects and 1 600 religions make for difficult Indian governance) get on with life; a tough one at that.

The pavement sleepers stay in Mumbai for about six to nine months’ a year. They work for the equivalent of about R10 a day, somehow save and take a pittance back to their rural-bound families. They are replaced immediately by clones, each seeking something from an uncaring and non-giving wealthy-controlled hierarchy.

Along every inch of the bustling streets are hastily erected “dwellings” in front of houses, shops, you name it, where “bed timeshare” is the norm. Three – eight-hour shift workers take turns to use the soiled bedclothes.
Heavily armed police walk in threes – petty criminals (many hoping for foreign currency) are harshly treated when apprehended.

At a party I asked a woman dripping in jewels why nothing visible was being done to alleviate poverty.

Almost Marie Antoinette-like she replied: “They are not worth worrying about. We try, but there is just too many of them; they will die.”

Appalling indifference.

“Them” was a stern way to describe fellow humans; in India the caste system it appears is alive and well in spite of the Raj disappearing several generations ago.

I am hardly amazed at human excreta being found in athletes’ village rooms; the normally azure ea surrounding Mumbai is now a glistening, brown glutinous, foul-smelling Sargasso Sea of the raw contents of the same 14 million inhabitants’ bowels, remorselessly carried daily by vast open sewers into the Indian Ocean.

The former Bombay (until 1996), Mumbai is described by its administrators as India’s richest city, boasting the highest GDP of any  south or central Asian city, for centuries, was controlled by successive  potentates, then the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company.

Many Bombay citizens found their way to South Africa; their descendants enrich our communities today.

In spite of all the hype and moans, I’d loved to have gone to the Games.

There is something about India that is contagious (apart from the diseases that abound); perhaps next time?

Oh and by the way, never, but never, drink the water from the taps, all sorts of things wriggle out from those.

This blog was inspired by an article by RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press

The pride of Cape Town Shaun Addinall (Durbanville) is eagerly looking forward to his being re-united with ace “lefty” skip Gerry Baker (JBA) in the pairs for the Commonwealth Games.

Probably second best pair in the world (silver medal at World Bowls 2000, Johannesburg; bronze at the Commonwealth Games 2002, Manchester) they lost each time to England’s gold medallists Marshall/Sneddon (not at India 2010), but outclassed all other.

“Gerry and I play well together. I feel this is a major chance for a gold medal; trouble is good players come from nowhere, it will be tough.”

Addinall, the most decorated of all Cape Town’s men bowlers has been hard at work honing his unbelievable skills.

“With suspect weather and many clubs closed it has been a job to find venues. But I have put in the long yards and I hear the green (carpet) in India will run around 14 seconds … slower than in Spain, but certainly a speed we will appreciate.”

But there is all sorts of chat about the Games being cancelled.

The Games, which bring together more than 7 000 athletes from the 71 countries and territories from the former British empire every four years, was supposed to showcase India as an emerging power in the international community. Instead, it has become a major embarrassment

Alleged irregularities with security, athletes’ accommodation and travel arrangements are clouding issues. At home nothing is known about fixtures, draw etc, according to sources in India because of security fears.

Unfinished buildings and the athletes’ village soiled with human excrement, construction collapses and an outbreak of dengue fever make it touch and go..

Moreover it is raining heavily (a la Pakistan) and that is a problem even larger than security; believe me, when it rains there it rains!

Sounds as though it should never have been allotted to the sub-continent in the first place? Perhaps it will be sorted out; the South African team is scheduled to fly out today (Sunday).

SA side: Women: Tracy-Lee Botha (Johannesburg Bowling Association), Helen Grundlingh (Port Natal), Susan Nel (Sables), Colleen Piketh (JBA), Brunhilde Gerber (Southern Free State), Susanna Steyn,. Men: Shaun Addinall (WP) Gerry Baker (JBA), Bobby Donnelly (JBA), Johann du Plessis (JBA), Wayne Perry (Southern Free State), Gippo Vermeulen (Port Natal); support staff: Theuns Fraser (head coach), Dr Simon Botha, Jessica Henderson, Ron Weddell.

Bowls SA President, Debra Ferguson, past president Piet Breitenbach, Kallie Haupt (SA executive), guest speakers and presidents and district NSCD development convenors (all districts attended) indicated unity of intent and spirit at the National Standing Committee for Development indaba held at Potchefstroom University under the scrutiny of NSCD’s convenor, Fonny Meyeridricks (JBA), Leon Meyer (Boland), Anina Black (WP), Henk Prinsloo (NW) and Aloma Smith (WP). Key issues included: a district marketing and development steering committee established and fully functional by November 30, to assist clubs have marketing/development steering committees fully functional by March 21, to study the new Department of Sport and Recreation White Paper. Delegates were informed 100 development bowls sets were available. A 16 point declaration, while full of good intent and ideas, failed again to insist each club had a development officer … perhaps a glaring omission? After all district development standing committees are doing a great job, but the clubs must be brought into line. For Awareness Day – April 27, – bowlers and non-bowlers participation would be marketed via various fun games and colourful posters and a world record attempted for bowls played simultaneously at all SA clubs between noon and 1pm that day.

 

Notices:

• R30 000 Warwick/ Edgemead Motors/ Scottish Leader Scotch Whisky Edgemead Classic;; February 18-20; 1st prize R12 000; mixed fours (any format); entry: R1 200 a side (am tea/coffee/rusks/teas sandwiches/lunches/green fees); Saturday night dinner/dance with live band; Entrance includes ticket for each member of your team in a R1000 draw; 8×15 ends; 9am; entry by December 31 in full or deposit of R500 by cheque or eft to: Edgemead Bowling Club; FNB A/c No. 62011268332; code: (N1 City) 200410. Contact: Graeme Kemp, 078 792 -8438; skip’s name as reference and fax payment proof to 021 558 4057/ e-mail: ebclub@telkomsa.net

• Pick n’ Pay Old Oak Tournament; Nov 11; 9am; open fours; R220 ENTRY; 1st prize R1 200; indicate catering; Nick du Preez 021 919 2218/ 083 455 5297; oldoakbc@gmail.com WP Bowls have commissioned flip-boards to be used at district/national finals. To defray costs, all are invited to sponsor a board (R500). The board will carry logo and details permanently attached in a 755mm x 230mm area with WP blue lettering on a white background. Inquiries: Doreen de Power: 021 423 7672/ 082 742 4945

• Blog news: Alan Simmonds’ blog: warwickbowls.com see thebowlsblog.com

• Pinewood: off-season tabs-in: Wednesday pm/Fridays am: Superb green, Wed: tabs-in by 1.45; Fri 9.15am; green fee: R10 (tea); prize draw daily.R20 000 Personal Trust/Peter Grant Fund/Shoprite Checkers/Helderberg Mixed Sixes, Friday/Saturday April 14/15 2011. Mixed teams of 6, 3 x 15 ends a day in 6 trips, 3 pairs, 3 fours; first 18 teams accepted; prizes for 10; Entry R900 a team. Pieter Human: 0218528368/0828712162/Joe Hodge 0218520436/0833080390.

• 10TH Réhle Slabber Strand Classic; March 10/11, 2011; mixed fours; any club; entry R600 (includes light breakfast, teas/snacks, lunch/supper on Thursday night; closes Feb 23 3 x 15 ends, 2 x 21; open draws then s v s; many prizes; Contact: Gerrie van Vuuren, 021 853 6693/ 071 354 1211; (accommodation), Sussie Boonzaier, 021 854 7720/076 036 7286; club, 021 853 6625 for payment details.

If you go down to Avenue de Mist, Rondebosch, this weekend you may be in for a big surprise.

No it’s not The Teddy Bears’ Picnic, just the never-stop WP Development Standing Committee presenting one of their outstanding coaching clinics, this one at WPCC.

WP woman’s convener of selectors, Rehle Slabber, and other gurus such as Dr Doug Coghlan, Brian Avery, Brian Smith, Louise Roediger, and Anmar Koegelenberg are putting 14 candidates, including a couple of provincial players, through their paces.

“They are a good group and last weekend was positive,” says Coghlan.

WP president, Ron Delport, welcomed the squad, saying WP considered coaching a priority.

He was concerned there were delinquent clubs still without a coach and clubs admitting people into tabs games after a “roll up with a friend” even before the newies has gone through the Novices’ Clinic (beginners coaching clinic).

Go down today and watch the novices (some supplied by Paul Cohen of Helderberg); might the next bunch include you?

The World Disabled Bowls Championship, scheduled for Bloemfontein from May 2-13 next year has been moved Wingate Park Country Club, Pretoria. More than 120 players from 10 nations are involved. Reason given is the lack of facilities for the disabled which would hamper the entire operation. Says Graham Ward, secretary/treasurer of the South African Disabled Bowlers Association:”We must comply with certain regulations. Since the discipline is to be a core sport at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, we certainly must abide by global demands. We were given a great deal of R 300 a night (dinner, bed and breakfast) by Protea Hotels; now we had to find a similar deal elsewhere. Our DBSA president, Brian Sneag, had Wanderers, Killarney or Wingate in mind and we have been saved again by Protea who have given us a similar deal at a Pretoria branch (60 rooms) and the Midrand branch (45 rooms) of their hotels. With the highway wok completed, coaches will not take too long daily to Wingate. To assist with the hilly nature of the Wingate layout, golf carts will be used to convey players up and down the steep hill into which the greens are cut. We used the club last year for our nationals and it worked. A special deal for transporting about 20 “wheelies” is also in place. Wingate, with the help of additional golf carts (they used such at our highly successful nNationals) worked extremely well.”

Notices:

• WP Bowls have commissioned flip-boards to be used at district/national finals. To defray costs, all are invited to sponsor a board (R500). The board will carry logo and details permanently attached in a 755mm x 230mm area with WP blue lettering on a white background. Inquiries: Doreen de Power: 021 423 7672/ 082 742 4945

• Blog news: Alan Simmonds’ blog: warwickbowls.com see thebowlsblog.com

• Stellenbosch/Van Der Stel Warwick all day Mixed Trips: September 28; 9am; R150 a team (tea/lunch); 3 X 14; Marlene: 0218865158/0827291730/Lmarlene@telkomsa.net

• Pinewood: off-season tabs-in: Wednesday pm/Fridays am: Superb green, Wed: tabs-in by 1.45; Fri 9.15am; green fee: R10 (tea); prize draw daily.R20 000 Personal Trust/Peter Grant Fund/Shoprite Checkers/Helderberg Mixed Sixes, Friday/Saturday April 14/15 2011. Mixed teams of 6, 3 x 15 ends a day in 6 trips, 3 pairs, 3 fours; first 18 teams accepted; prizes for 10; Entry R900 a team. Pieter Human: 0218528368/0828712162/Joe Hodge 0218520436/0833080390.

• 10TH Réhle Slabber Strand Classic; March 10/11, 2011; mixed fours; any club; entry R600 (includes light breakfast, teas/snacks, lunch/supper on Thursday night; closes Feb 23 3 x 15 ends, 2 x 21; open draws then s v s; many prizes; Contact: Gerrie van Vuuren, 021 853 6693/ 071 354 1211; (accommodation), Sussie Boonzaier, 021 854 7720/076 036 7286; club, 021 853 6625 for payment details.

• R8 000 Rooiberg Winery Fours (at WPCC); Wednesdays, September 29 to Wednesday October 19; Ave de Mist, Rondebosch;; 21; skins format;; field split after two rounds; R2400 first prize; weekly wine donations; R400 a team, payable (tea/free table wine) 1.20pm for 2pm; cheques to WPCC; eft: FNB Claremont Branch IBT: 200109; 50152662331; ref: Rooiberg + skip’s name; inquiries: George Dommisse 0828994352

I am skeptical of “set pattern assessments,” both the mental and physical variety. But after watching WP’s Bowls SA squads’ hopefuls put through their paces at WPCC last weekend I may change tune.

Under the scrutiny of Bowls SA head coach Theuns Fraser, assistant coach Jessica Henderson and national men’s selector Bobby Cron (Constantia), 16 of our finest were put through what appeared to be an exhaustive and exhausting series of assessments with eagle-eyed assessors noting every roll of every bowl.

Moreover, three WP women’s selectors, (what a wonderful job they have done with our champion districts side) Rèhle Slabber, Jo Peacock and Maureen Mcleod, were also putting in the long hours.

Assessment has no favourites. Indeed it was world champion (Trish Steyn) on one rink and next door a comparative newcomer; each had to overcome their demons; must say though, Steyn was chirpy and as accurate as ever.

Fraser wants more exposure for coastal players.

“We will run talent identification (TDI) throughout the coastal regions until we have a nucleus of 48. Then a similar number from inland will be named; eventually both groups assessed and re-assessed until we get down to 12 men and 12 women in each of the gold, green, silver, and ruby squads.

“It is only fair that inland and coastal squads ‘exchange’ comfort zones which will show us those who are adaptable and consistent under adverse or unused to conditions.”

There were no complaints from contestants at the weekend. Instead, steely-eyed, flushed of face, but utterly committed, the 16 aspirants toiled as a mean tricky cross wind made life tough at WPCC; what an opportunity.

Squad: C Kotze (Constantia), M Van Zyl (Durbanville), S Sabatti (Durbanville), R Swanepoel (Durbanville), G Kent-Brown (Durbanville), A Groenewald (Edgemead), R Cruywagen (Goodwood), M Brink (Gordons Bay), R Crous (Glen CC), L Roediger (Strand), M Soji (Helderberg), P Steyn (WPCC), L Arnolds (Strand), S Elliott (WPCC), E Ferreira (WPCC), J Roebert (WPCC)

In an enterprising and proactive move, Bowls SA council have given a green light to districts “loaning” Under-19 and Under-25 players to other districts whenever a shortage of players is experienced. Says Bowls SA president Debra Ferguson: “This is to ensure as many youngsters as possible are given an opportunity to

take part.” A most sound move; well done.

Dressed in the yellow strip of his club, SA legend Neil Burkett overcame a stiff draw to triumph in the Park Beach Ford Open Singles title after defeating Engadine’s Nathan Wise 25-17 in a thrilling final; he won a car. Earlier, Burkett saw off two of the nation’s most exciting young talents in Jason Carpenter and Mat Pietersen in the quarter and semi-finals respectively, ending the latter’s title defence in the process. Burkett added his name to an impressive winners’ list that includes Steve Glasson, Tom Ellem and Rowan Brassey. Now the playing coach at Merrylands, New South Wales, Burkett’s latest victory accompanies his win in the men’s pairs at last year’s Janome NSW Open.

Notices:

• WP Bowls have commissioned flip-boards to be used at district/national finals. To defray costs, all are invited to sponsor a board (R500). The board will carry logo and details permanently attached in a 755mm x 230mm area with WP blue lettering on a white background. Inquiries: Doreen de Power: 021 423 7672/ 082 742 4945.

• Blog news: Alan Simmonds’ blog: WWW.warwickbowls.com see thebowlsblog.com

• Pinewood: off-season tabs-in: Wednesday pm/Fridays am: Superb green, Wed: tabs-in by 1.45; Fri 9.15am; green fee: R10 (tea); prize draw daily.R20 000 Personal Trust/Peter Grant Fund/Shoprite Checkers/Helderberg Mixed Sixes, Friday/Saturday April 14/15 2011. Mixed teams of 6, 3 x 15 ends a day in 6 trips, 3 pairs, 3 fours; first 18 teams accepted; prizes for 10; Entry R900 a team. Pieter Human: 0218528368/0828712162/Joe Hodge 0218520436/0833080390.

• R10 000 10TH Réhle Slabber Strand Classic; March 10/11, 2011; mixed fours; any club; entry R600 (includes light breakfast, teas/snacks, lunch/supper on Thursday night; closes Feb 23 3 x 15 ends, 2 x 21; open draws then s v s; many prizes; Contact: Gerrie van Vuuren

• R10 000 10TH Réhle Slabber Strand Classic; March 10/11, 2011; mixed fours; any club; entry R600 (includes light breakfast, teas/snacks, lunch/supper on Thursday night; closes Feb 23 3 x 15 ends, 2 x 21; open draws then s v s; many prizes; Contact: Gerrie van Vuuren, 021 853 6693/ 071 354 1211; (accommodation), Sussie Boonzaier, 021 854 7720/076 036 7286; club, 021 853 6625 for payment details.

Blinkin Blog

The secret or trick about finding a subject to BLOG about is to listen and look around you. The subjects are there, starring you in the face- so THEY say.

What stared at me this week was – tweet. What the heck is a tweet?

Well it was something that a South African cricketer who now plays for England used, to insult with foul language, the English selectors. The Perfidious Albion had dropped him from the team.

Which is ridiculous because this certain player says he is the best player in the world.

Anyway, let’s get back to this tweet thingy.

With a birth year of 1937 I am ALWAYS in the mode of “catch up “ in this world of new technology. I do my very best and feel quite proud at times with my progress. Until, that is, when a new fangled word or phrase is uttered.

Tweet was the latest in the line of communication between humans. I have pondered face book – then Twitter ( is this a relation of tweet?) – then blog (why blog of all words ?)

We also have e mail (pretty good on that) and something called, IPods, which I have yet to explore.

My wife and I have just had SKYPE installed in the Computer and went out to tell the world ALL about it. Only to discover that we were the last pair in SA to use it.

Yesterday I had a request on my computer – from a chap who wanted me to join him on his face book – I think that’s how he put, because it was all in Afrikaans.

Now come on you IT wizards, just give me ONE sensible reason why I should want to speak and give details to someone I have never met. It’s plain stupid even to consider it surely.

I have just returned from a quick tour of JBG –Durban- PE, bowling clubs, and oh boy, do those greens look brown and FAST in most clubs visited. The greens at the Wanderers looked like glass.

Is it any wonder that the Northern based bowlers have such a good advantage over the Southern players, when it comes around to the BSA Masters competition, held in most cases in JBG or Pretoria.

The greens at my club Constantia look like lovely English green meadows by comparison – albeit in fabulous condition.

Just had an idea – it was staring me in the face again – how to liven up the bowling image. I’m now working on it for next time.

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