November 7, 2018 issue

Readers' Response

Mental preparation essential for
W.I. to move on

Dear Editor:
The second match of the India v W.I. ODI series was a tie. The W.I. won the third. In the fourth and fifth the W.I. were blown away. Those last two matches ended, for all practical purposes, after the Indians had bowled about five overs. In the 5th W.I. had great opportunities to take three quick wickets (including those of India's two best batsmen) for under 30 runs in India's chase of 104 runs, but got only one, the least dangerous of the top three. Why?
Remember shortly before the tour started the Head coach gave notice of his intention to depart before the end of the term of his contract and the preceding coach was dismissed prematurely for reasons that were incomprehensible to most observers. Remember also that about two years ago commentator Bishop, a close follower of the game, had observed that W.I. teams did not usually win successive games. Finally remember that psychologist Rudy Webster, even earlier than Bishop, had noted a tendency in the team during games that he described as a “fear of winning”. I had never heard the term before, but I knew immediately what he meant.
In an unpublished letter to the press earlier in the series I had noted how the younger batting stars were affected by milestones, apparently giving up their wickets on reaching milestones without regard to the state of the game.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, international cricket teams today are quite competitive, and given the talent available in the region the upcoming World Cup should not be seen as some kind of opportunity to learn. W.I. can win the cup. I have seen enough videos to be sure that Viv Richards was the most dominant batsman in the world for several years. In light of the attitude of cricket managers and fans in the region I was quite surprised by an interview Richards gave in an English journal about three years ago in which he said that psychologist Rudy Webster was perhaps the most important influence in turning around his early career from mediocre to phenomenal. Although Richards has been very involved in W.I. cricket after his retirement, and has been a broadcaster I have never heard him speak about the potential value of psychology in the preparation of W.I. players. That has been very disappointing, and even more perplexing, to me, especially as, for reasons difficult to articulate, modern young W.I. cricketers seem to have egos that are more fragile than the earlier conquerors.
In preparing for the World Cup next year W.I. must pay more attention to mental preparation, which, by the way is not identical to book learning. Winning at this level is not only about talent (of which there is a great deal in the region, not unlike in the arena of law where many people seem willing to remain sovereign in name only). Psychology, which would help players appreciate that winning actually brings greater pleasure than individual performance, relaxation techniques, confidence and such skills, is the missing piece.
Hetmeyer, Holder and Hope (the 3 H's) are just about ready to break out. Ambris would be good to go once he gets over the New Zealand trauma, Lewis is already as good as any, and believe me some of the young bowlers could be winners .
With serious coaching and a few veterans this kind of talent only needs thorough mental preparation.
Romain Pitt via email
 
Warning to broadcasters:
Avoid ethnic labelling
Dear Editor:
The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has observed instances of ethnic labelling, during the screening of broadcast content. More specifically, this observation was made during the Amerindian Heritage (Month) celebrations; and other ethnically focused celebrations, where ethnic groups were identified with the use of labels that are considered derogatory.
GNBA takes this opportunity to caution broadcasters to avoid such practices. Importantly, the Broadcasting Act of 2011, Section 19, subsection (f) requires broadcasters to “safeguard, enrich and strengthen the diverse ethnic, cultural, social and economic fabric of Guyanese society”; and subsection (q) requires broadcasters to “ensure compliance with the constitution and laws of Guyana and shall not incite violence, ethnic, religious or cultural hostility”.
The screening of content with ethnic or stereotypical labels may have significant implications for social cohesion and may evoke feelings of resentment. This in turn, the Authority believes, has the potential to evoke violence among those impressionable minds in our society. The fact that we reside in a multi-ethnic society, it is imperative that we abstain from such practices.
As such, GNBA calls on our valued broadcasters to be sensitive to these issues; and make a concerted effort to prevent its recurrence.
Joel Ally, Public Relations Officer
Guyana National Broadcasting Authority
 
Delinquent street vendor is an ever present danger
Dear Editor:
I would like to bring to the attention of those in authority, an untenable, exasperating and in fact very hazardous situation that exists on the East Bank Demerara highway.
For some inexplicable reason, the Eccles/Ramsburg NDC, the Government Analyst-Food and Drugs Department, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and the Guyana Police Force have decided to turn a blind eye to a pretty large bread vendor that operates on the shoulder of the eastern carriageway of the East Bank Highway just a few feet from the traffic lights that are positioned at the junction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the highway, that is if you are travelling in a north to south direction.
This itinerant vendor gives hundreds of motorists each day, traversing the East Bank Road, the opportunity to stop for a minute, to choose whether they need tennis rolls, hamburger or hotdog rolls, sliced or plait bread, white sandwich or whole wheat bread, and a selection of cheeses, sausages and condiments without ever having to park or get out of their vehicles. They just have to pull up in the eastern lane, ignore the honking vehicles behind, ignore the traffic lights and make their selection. It is like a bread vending version of the drive-thru supermarket, except drivers never have to leave the road.
To make matters even worse, this vendor becomes more industrious during the rush hour when persons are trying to get home, as clearly he places his profits much higher than road safety and the need for motorists to get where they are going in a timely manner. Just think about it, for every sixty drivers that inconsiderately stop for a minute to purchase his or her breakfast supplies, one hour is added on the travel time of those motorists behind them. This situation forces many drivers to divert to the western lane which is extremely dangerous because they are then entering the turning lane that leads to the Demerara Harbour Bridge even though it is not their intention to turn.
Sometimes the traffic police would place temporary no stopping signs in front of this delinquent bread vendor, but this is far from good enough, as he should not be allowed to squat there at any time of the day or night, and a permanent no stopping sign placed on that part of the roadway.
I hope that the authorities are not waiting for a major accident to occur at this very busy junction to do something about it.
Deodarie Putulall via email
 
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