Paul Wright | Renewed optimism for 2020

The crime statistics for January to December 14, 2019, is the stuff that is enough to ensure that Jamaicans face a new year in a mental state that does not augur well for the future.

States of public emergency, zones of special operation, and taxi and bus operators seemingly on the loose without the possibility of sanction, all point to a future bereft of hope. What to do, where shall we turn? Then, out of the blue, comes results and news that offer a glimmer of hope. Toni-Ann Singh, after a mind-blowing rendition of a Whitney Houston classic in the talent section of the Miss World competition, wins the coveted crown to become the fourth Jamaican beauty to bring joy to a nation thirsty for good news. The previous triumvirate of Crawford (1963), Breakspeare (1976), and Hanna (1993) now have another native of this our fair isle to motivate our girls and women.

COMEBACK QUEEN FRASER-PRYCE

Not to be outdone, our comeback queen, ‘Mommy Rocket’ Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, cops another award for her exploits in the Pan Am Games this year. She is undoubtedly the best female athlete of the year! You may ask, “What about the men?” In the first One-Day International against, arguably, the best all-round cricket playing nation in the world, India, the Windies defied the experts by chasing an imposing total of 288 and winning with 13 balls to spare! The captaincy of Kieron Pollard and ‘mental freedom’ afforded the players, who no longer have to smile and bow in the presence of executives of Cricket West Indies, are playing as their potential and obvious talent predicted.

The team has not, by any criterion, turned the corner, but at long last, cricket fans in the region no longer watch and follow a cricket match wondering when the next pathetic capitulation will occur. The naysayers and critics of bold, unforeseen moves by the new hierarchy of a game in which we once ruled the world, before sinking to the depths of having to QUALIFY to play in the World Cup, are being forced into silence as these moves are beginning to bear fruit.

Eight years of bumbling, stumbling, and humiliation after humiliation, are now statistically over. We are not near to our all-conquering best, but we compete as equals with the best in the world. Isn’t that enough?

HORSE RACING CALENDAR

In the sport of horse racing, the promoters Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) have published the racing calendar for 2020. Eighty race-days are proposed, with Wednesday racing that was introduced to provide an outlet for fans and aficionados who had Wednesday evenings off, as most business places in the Island closed early on that day, is being withdrawn from the calendar. Next year, there are only two Wednesday race-days: New Year’s Day and Ash Wednesday (February 26). To make up for the deficit, the bold move of five Friday meets are proposed, as well as 17 Sunday race-days are introduced.

This move will go a far way in encouraging more families and supporters of the sport to make the trek to Caymanas Park, satisfying one of the two mandatory moves that have to be made if racing is to become profitable once again.

The two mandatory moves are having more horses and more bettors. Every present stakeholder, punter, and fan began their affection for racing by being taken to the Park. The true fan never left. Therefore, this new and bold move by SVREL should pay off. Congratulations are in order.

Next should be a partnership with the Government, owners, and breeders to bring in horses duty-free until the horse population reaches an optimum, sustainable level. So, the new year beckons. Dare we hope? The mantra of the true sports fan has been, and always will always be: ‘Never give up’. Twenty-twenty, here we come!