Time for a Professional Football League in Grenada

By Michael Bascombe

The news off the field of play have been fast developing over the past few weeks especially with the FIFA probe into alleged bribery and the eventual resignation of Jack Warner as a FIFA Vice President as well as the head of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

The Grenada Football Association is yet to provide clarity on its involvement in the ongoing probe and this could affect its future relationship with the business community.

Likewise, the feedback from my latest commentary “Some positives from the Gold Cup” has been very informative – for and against.

Let me state that I have no issues with our local football coaches but I have problems with the hypocrisy among some of the coaches when they are not in charge of the national team.

There are always suggestions about forming a coaches association whenever they are not given the nod as head coach of the national team. But then nothing happens after the dust is settled.

I am convinced that whether the team is coached by a Brazilian, German, Spaniard or even a local official, the results will be the same unless there is a change in the commitment by our players and administrators.

The time has come for a new thinking among football administrators in Grenada about their vision for the development of football. Over the years there have been sprinkled discussions about the establishment of a Professional Football League in Grenada.

The time is now

In the 1990s Grenville-based businessman Rudy Walker invested in the R.E. Walker Nationals which participated in the Caribbean Major League Football (CMLF). The likes of Steve Mark, Jason Francois, and others played against some of the top Caribbean teams including Lambada of Barbados, Hairoun Lions from St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinity Pros and Caledonia A.I.A. from Trinidad and Tobago and C.C. Lions and Harbour View of Jamaica. Spice Nationals later joined the league as another franchise from Grenada.

I am aware of two persons – Selwin Noel and Lester Smith - who have had immense experience in the Caribbean Professional League and could provide the Grenada Football Association (GFA) with valuable information about their experiences and particularly their involvement with the R.E. Walker Nationals.

R.E. Walker Nationals’ participation in the CMLF was a pilot project aimed at jump starting the process in Grenada but unfortunately no one pursued the idea. It didn’t cost Mr Walker much at the time since the team received jerseys, boots, and finance from the franchise holders. Most of the players on the team were paid a few hundred dollars per game including additional incentives for goal scorers. Importantly, a system was in place for the operation of the franchise.

Unlike, the popular Waggy-T Football Tournament where teams craved for the big dollars, the Pro League requires a proper structure administered by a separate entity under the auspices of the GFA.

The structure involves team management, technical and training committees, coach and assistant coach, team doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist and even a director of operations or tickets depending on your home field. Some of the services including medical could be contracted and required on a needs basis.

The teams in the Pro League ought to have a professional outlook – a no nonsense approach to playing football.

We can explore the possibility of businesses which have had long association with sports – C.K. Sylvester and Independence Agencies; Kent Joseph and his group of companies; Peter Andall and Andall and Associates; Tillock Distributors, and others – putting their labels behind teams as franchise holders.

The new sports policy (awaiting Parliamentary approval and enactment) provides for tax credits and other fiscal incentives to the private sector in recognition of monies spent on supporting national athletes and technical officials, including time off with pay, for duties related to national representation. This could also be extended to their involvement in the Pro League.

The players in the league are expected to be paid to train and play football with the same rules governing the public and private sectors. For example, they report for training at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 4:00 p.m. following a structured programme including physical and mental preparations.

These footballers should consider this as a career and should walk proudly in their various communities and be role models for younger footballers to aspire.

A system could be used to rate their performances after each year to see whether there’s any potential and this also means drafting in other recruits to keep a high level of competitiveness among the players.

The end product of the local Pro League should provide a feeding ground for your national senior team as well as opportunities for transfers to other professional leagues. In addition to the exposure and skill development the Pro League will present, having a Premier League, and First, Second, Youth and Women Divisions running parallel will provide for additional opportunities for a wider pool of players.

I am challenging the GFA and its affiliates to begin to think outside of the box. Be innovative and creative because that is what the football environment requires now. Consider the private sector as a partner in the development of football and not a competitor or an external football executive.

Undertake an immediate feasibility study of the Pro Leagues within the CONCACAF region at various levels and put a blue print in place to present to the business community tailored to economy of scale. This will present a clear picture from which these businesses can develop a business plan for fiscal budgeting based on capital investment and Return on Investment (ROI).

I hope there isn’t a repeat of the drama between the GFA and R.E. Walker Nationals in the 1990s when the association refused to approve the team’s request to participate in the CMLF. It took the intervention of CFU’s Harold Taylor to settle the matter.

Grenada's U-23 prepare for Olympic qualifiers

David Cyrus

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 29, 2011 – The Grenada Football Association (GFA) has called up four players from the 2011 Gold Cup to join the training squad of the National Under-23 Team.

Goalkeeper Shemel Louison, midfielder Moron Phillip, striker Clive Murray and defender David Cyrus are among the 22 players announced by the GFA on Tuesday.

The other players called up are Nicko Williams, Danelle Brathwaite, Daryl Jeffrey, Irvine Smith, Shevon Sampson, Raymond Alleyne, Rickel Augustine, Kimo Sampson, Kevon Edwards, Josh Charles, Alec Jones, Kade Wellington, Oswald Phillips, Daniel Toussaint, Carl Raeburn, Lydon Lewis, Jason Belfon, Rondel Bertrand.

Louison was the custodian in all three of Grenada’s 2011 Gold Cup games and despite conceding 15 goals he was praised for his determination and outstanding saves. Phillip played the full 90 minutes in Grenada’s final game against Guatemala, Murray scored Grenada’s first and only goal (against Honduras) in its two appearances in Gold Cup while the UK-based Cyrus, who played against Jamaica and a second half substitute against Guatemala, is considered a quality defender that could create problems for his opponents in his age group.

The team, which is preparing for Group B of the Caribbean Olympic Qualifying round, will have a training session at the National Stadium on Wednesday. Grenada is grouped along with Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago and host Dominica for the July 20-24 qualifiers.

Alister De Bellotte has been named coach with Carlyle Fraser as assistant.

Grenadian athletes prepare for CAC Champs

File photo

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, June 28, 2011 - The St George's University is host to a two-week training camp for Grenadian athletes preparing for the Central American and Caribbean Senior Athletics Championships in Puerto Rico next month.

Three US-based athletes have joined another three at home for the camp which began on Monday and runs until July 13. Coach Albert Joseph is overseeing the athletes who are preparing for July 15-17 championships at the Estadio Jose Antonio Figueroa in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Olympians Trish Bartholomew and Allison George as well as Kansas-based quarter-miler Keron Toussaint have joined local athletes Kemon Herry, Devon St Paul and Josh Charles for the training camp.

The athletes are being accommodated at the St George's University for the duration of the camp. The SGU is among private sector organisations which have expressed support for Grenada's preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games. 

Grenville Project continues government’s job creation, infrastructural development

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 25, 2011 – Government has commenced the first phase of the Greater Grenville Project, calling it the continuation of a series of job-creation and infrastructural development initiatives that has been taking place in the last three years.

Works Minister Joseph Gilbert has dismissed as “old talk,’’ suggestions that “nothing’’ has been happening in the country.

“Perhaps things have not been implemented as quickly as we would have liked, but be assured that we have not forgotten the promises we made in our campaign. We intend to continue to work with you, the people, to deliver on those promises and to continue the infrastructural, socio and economic development of Grenada,’’ Mr. Gilbert said June 24 in St. Andrew.

He was speaking at a sod-turning ceremony to mark the commencement of work on the Grenville Market Development Project.

The first component of the project is the construction of an abattoir. The contract for building the abattoir has been awarded to Classic Designs and Construction, a St. Andrew-based company.

Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas, who turned the sod to market the official start of the project, joined Mr. Gilbert and other speakers in celebrating the occasion.

The event was also attended by scores of St. Andrew residents, including the three NDC MPs for the parish, and many of their cabinet colleagues.

“This is your government at work, developing the nation community by community; investing your money wisely; and trying its utmost to put its people to work despite extremely difficult economic times,’’ said Mr. Gilbert, who is also Minister of Physical Development and Public Utilities.

It is the second time a contract for a major project has been given to a local company. The first, to Kenny’s Trucking, was for Brizan/Perseverance Rockfall and Landslip Project.

Mr. Gilbert described the award of the two contracts as a demonstration of government’s confidence in the “growing competence of our local labour force.’’

“This government,’’ the Minister said, “Unlike those who are seeking to return to office, believes in the competence, skill and resilience of our local contractors. When this government came into office, the criteria for bidding for projects funded by the Caribbean Development Bank were so high, that it excluded most local contractors from the bidding process.’’

In response to the situation, “the Ministries of Works and Finance negotiated with CDB for adjustment in the criteria which resulted in more local contractors being able to bid for CDB projects, not just locally, bur in other CDB member-states,’’ Minister Gilbert said.

The project commencement in Grenville, he explained, is the continuation of initiatives such as the CDB-funded schools’ rehabilitation that involves classroom and laboratory construction, and the building of sewage and water storage facilities.

Other project that have led to infrastructural improvement and provided jobs, to the tune of several million dollars, include the rebuilding of the Youth and Cultural Development Centre at Morne Rouge; the refurbishing of several government offices; the successful completion of the Southern Grenada Water Supply Project; and the Ministry of Works’ Concrete Program.

Starting this month, government has also expanded its Road Maintenance Program. “A total of 380 crews and 126 supervisors are now dispersed throughout the country,’’ Mr. Gilbert said. “This phase will continue until the end of July and will cost approximately $2.9 million.’’ Another phase of the Road Maintenance Program will begin in October.

“This, ladies and gentlemen, is a vast improvement to what existed prior to us assuming office, when the program was a mere one fortnight before or after carnival, and two fortnights in November/December,’’ said Minister Gilbert.

“This government, your government, has extended the program to three fortnights in this period and four fortnights in November/December. It means, therefore, that more persons can find jobs on a rotation basis. This is in addition to the regular program which is implemented continuously throughout the year.’’

The Grenville Project has long been delayed with claims by the former administration that it was set to commence when the then government was ousted from office in general elections in 2008.

Minister Gilbert flatly denied the claims of the previous government, labeling the allegations as “election gimmick.’’

“The previous sod-turning which took place here in 2008 will go down in history as the start of the NNP’s campaign for a fourth term in office,’’ Mr. Gilbert charged.

“That is what it truly was – an election gimmick,’’ the Minister said. “Was a contract awarded at the time? No! Was the construction design completed? No! Was the drainage study that would advise on how the project should treat with the flooding problem in the Town of Grenville undertaken? No! Luckily for Grenada, the people of Grenville did not take the bait.’’

                                                                         

Photos:

Housing Minister and MP for St. Andrew North-West, Alleyne Walker (left), and Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, turning the sod to mark the commencement of the Grenville Market Development Project.

(left - right) are Works Minister Joseph Gilbert; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Dennis Clarke; Prime Minister Tillman Thomas; MP for St. Andrew South-West and Social Development Minister, Sylvester Quarless; and Kenrick Fullerton, who served as MC at the sod-turning ceremony

Grenadian students graduate in China

BEIJING, China, June 24, 2011 -- Six Grenadian students recently earned bachelor’s degrees from four Chinese Universities after completing studies in different fields.  

The students were all recipients of scholarships under a Scholarship Agreement between the Grenada Government and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The Embassy of Grenada hosted a dinner for the six graduating students in recognition of their accomplishments.  

Grenada’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Marcelle Gairy, Mr. Richard Nixon, Counsellor and Ms. Kisha Gellineau, First Secretary in the Grenada Embassy were all present at the event.

Ambassador Gairy congratulated the students on their hard earned success, noting that their achievements were even more special because they had successfully overcome the disadvantage of studying in a language which is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in the world.   

She also stated that in addition to their degree certificates, they would leave China with an invaluable and much envied asset – a proficiency in written and spoken Mandarin and knowledge of Chinese culture at a time when China is rising to a dominant position in world affairs. 

The Ambassador offered special congratulations to Lendon Bullen who has been awarded an “Outstanding Foreign Student” Award.  

The students were each presented with a gift of a Chinese painting in which their respective Chinese name was incorporated.
Mr. Ian Marshall, earned a B.Sc. in Logistics Management

Mr. Lendon Bullen earned a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

Mr. Riffie Raye earned a B.Sc. in Software Engineering

Ms. Sharlene Modeste earned a B.Sc. in Business Administration

Ms. Krystel Peters earned a B.Sc. in Geology

Ms. Tricia Bethel earned a B.Sc. in Diplomacy

These six students are now are preparing to return home to make their contributions to the development of Grenada.

In 2010, Mr. Richard McQuilkin, 25, from Windward, Carriacou, became the first Grenadian student to graduate having obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Electronic Engineering.

Photo Caption:

Ambassador Gairy and First Secretary Kisha Gellineau with graduating students (L to R) Charlene Modeste, Riffie Ray and Lendon Bullen.

Grenadian Ricky Charles quits international football

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 22, 2011 - Another stalwart in Grenadian football has announced his retirement at the international level.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Midfielder Ricky “Curry” Charles thanked all those who have assisted him in his football career spanning about two decades.

Charles’ announcement follows that of his long-standing captain Anthony “Nixon” Modeste who informed peers and officials about his retirement from international football after playing against Guatemala in Grenada’s final group stage game in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup last Monday.

“I finally decided to call it a day at the international level. I just needed some time to think about it,” said Charles.

Charles, who turned 36 last Sunday, played high school football for the Happy Hill Secondary School under coach Franklyn “Nat” Simpson and continued playing club football for Queen’s Park Rangers.

The stylish midfielder also played college football in the United States for Bryant & Stratton and the University of South Carolina-Spantanburg, and was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007. He also played for the then New Hampshire Phantoms and the Brooklyn Knights in the Premier Development League.

In 2001, he won the Most Valuable Player Award when Bryant & Stratton defeated Yavapai College 3-2 to win the NJCAA Division 1 Championship.

The Grenadian international also played semi-professional football in Trinidad and Tobago (St Ann’s Rangers) and in Antigua (Parham FC).

Charles, who also had a trial with English team West Bromwich Albion in 1996, has played in 12 qualifying matches for various FIFA World Cups, scoring eight goals.

Charles said that he will continue to play a role in developing football in his country and is prepared to assist if called upon.

“It was a great 20 years of representing my country to the best of my ability and I’ll continue to do so in any way possible,” he said.

PM Thomas seeks trade and investment opportunities

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011 - Prime Minister Tillman Thomas believes that Grenada could benefit in economic and technical areas from New York City.

The Grenadian leader expressed these sentiments as he held discussions on Monday in New York with City Comptroller John Liu and his Deputy Eric Eve.

Prime Minister Thomas, who was accompanied by Consul General Derrick James and President of the New York-based Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Grenadian-born Dr Roy Hastick, discussed areas of cooperation between New York City and Grenada including agriculture, education, health, technology, tourism, trade and alternative sources of energy.

“Government is continuing to explore new opportunities with investors especially in the productive sectors,” said Prime Minister Thomas.

The Prime Minister spoke about the initiative by the Grenada Southern Fishermen’s Association to launch its all-natural, smoked fish product, Bacon of the Sea. He suggested similar investments in these areas as well as markets for local products, especially among West Indians in the New York Diaspora.

“Investments like these especially in the productive sector provide sustainable jobs for the population and government will continue to create the enabling environment,” he told Comptroller Liu.

Comptroller Liu, in noting the delegation’s request for technical assistance, said that the discussions are not open-ended and his office will examine specific investment opportunities.

The two delegations also discussed assistance for Grenada in cancer screening and research and possible twinning arrangements between Grenada and Brooklyn, noting the cultural and historical ties between both places.

“The Caribbean, like other parts of the world, has provided New York with an abundance of gifted personalities in various areas and we now need to find avenues to re-invest some of these talents into the region,” said Dr Hastick.

The Prime Minister suggested that a New York Trade and Investment mission to visit Grenada where potential investors could meet and discuss with Grenadian officials. He said that the mission could be a collaborative effort involving the Office of the City Comptroller, the Grenada Consulate in New York and CACCI.

The meeting between Prime Minister Thomas and Comptroller Liu was coordinated by Councilman Jumaane Williams, whose parents are Grenadians and Dr Hastick of CACCI.

Comptroller Liu is the first Asian American to be elected to a city-wide office in New York City and has been credited for making government more efficient and accountable after only a few months in office.

James denies reports he has turned "PRO"

TUSCALOOSA, June 17, 2011 - One of Grenada’s top quarter-miler Kirani James has denied reports that he has turned professional.

A report in an Alabama-based sports web portal claimed that James, who won his second NCAA championship in the 400m last weekend, is turning professional.

However, James said that he has not turned professional and is still a student-athlete at the University of Alabama.

“I have not turned professional yet and as long as you don’t hear it directly from me, I am a student-athlete at the University of Alabama,” James said in a brief statement.

REDJet CEO holds prelim talks with representatives of Grenada’s Airlift Committee

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 17, 2011 - Chairman and CEO of REDjet, Ian Burns, on Friday held preliminary discussions with representatives of the Grenada Airlift Committee as a first step to making an official application for a license to service the Grenada route.

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Peter David, described the discussions as "only preliminary,'' saying government will be prepared to consider all factors in the interest of the tourism sector and the Grenada economy.

“We are interested in increasing travel within the region, both in terms of tourism and the integration movement,” David said following Friday’s meeting.

When asked about the likely impact of REDjet on longtime regional carrier LIAT, the Tourism Minister said government is supportive of the sustainability of LIAT. But government also has a responsibility to restore the declining numbers of persons traveling within the region, he added. 

Burns said the REDjet's goal is to provide low fares to the Caribbean.

“We want to be able to help everyone to fly. Our objective is to stimulate travel and growth within the region and not to take business from anyone,” he said. 

In response to queries that previous airlines once had the same approach and are now out of existence, the REDjet CEO remarked that their business model has been tried and tested and has sustainable potential.

It can possibly take up to 12 weeks for all the pieces to fall into place from Friday's preliminary round of talks before the airline actually commences operations.

Both parties are expected to meet prior to the application for an air transport license, and the submission of a proposal and recommendation to Cabinet by the Grenada Airlift Committee.

SOURCE: Betty Ann Lazarus

Olympic Day Run & Fun Day 2011

ST GEORGE’S, June 15, 2011 – The Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) will be staging the International Olympic Day Run and Fun Day on Sunday June 26, 2011 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The activities include a Fun Run from the Grand Anse Roundabout (Wall Street) to the Maurice Bishop International Airport and returning to the Morne Rouge Playing Field. The run starts at 3:30 p.m. There will also be games for the children including bouncing castle and face painting.

The Olympic Day Run was first launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1987 with a view to encouraging all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to celebrate 'Olympic Day' – the anniversary of the founding of the IOC on 23 June 1894.

The Olympic Day Run concept was originally proposed by the IOC's Sport for All Commission, whose specific aim is to encourage mass participation in sport. 

The Olympic Day Run started in Grenada in 1996 with the aim of encouraging participation in sports and a healthy and active lifestyle for all. 

All National Associations, Schools and interested persons are invited to participate. Entry is free with the first 200 registrants receiving an Olympic Day Run T-shirt and all finishers will receive a certificate as provided by the IOC.

GOC’s General Secretary, Veda Bruno-Victor said the run will be Grenada’s contribution to the worldwide annual celebration of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Day.

“The GOC is encouraging everyone to participate in this activity where you could run, jog or walk and also support the ideals of the Olympic movement,” she said.

“This is also an opportunity to show your support for “On the Road to the Podium for 2012” campaign”.

The GOC recently launched its Olympic campaign to raise awareness of the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games which includes a budget of approximately EC$500,000.00.

"Nixon" Modeste announces retirement from international football

NEW JERSEY, USA, June 13, 2011 - One of the game’s longest serving national senior captains has announced his retirement from international football.

Anthony “Nixon” Modeste told teammates and coaching staff that Monday’s game against Guatemala in the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be his final appearance in national colours, pending his team’s advancing to the quarter-final round.

Both Grenada and Guatemala are facing elimination from Group B but a victory for either team could put them in position for one of the two third placed qualifying berths in the group of eight.

Modeste, 35, has had more than 100 international caps during a 20-year career. He had been team captain for the past 12 years.

The Grenada captain has had trial with Dublin’s Longford FC. However, change of management was a key factor in Modeste not signing a two-year contract.

He also played semi-professional football in Jamaica and Antigua. Modeste joined Portmore United, then Hazzard United, in 2002. He was captain for six (6) of the eight (8) years he played with the team which copped multiple championships in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Among the many awards he received, the Tony Burrows Player Personality of the Year Award in Jamaica and was the first recipient of the Jason Roberts Foundation Award.

In Antigua, he successfully captained ASOT ARCADE PARHAM for one season in 2010-11, while in the local championships he led GBSS FC and Queen’s Park Rangers FC.

Modeste described his most memorable moments during his football tenure as carrying the national team to its first ever berths in the Gold Cup as a player/coach in the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup and which ensured Grenada’s highest ever FIFA Coca-Cola rankings.

As for his future, Modeste plans to coach possibly at the national level.

The tall lanky figure was also a competitive quarter-miler who competed for his High School.

“I am happy to have served my country over the years and special thanks to the people who have assisted me along the way,” he said.

Injury sidelines Rocastle from Grenada's Gold Cup team

By Michael Bascombe

MIAMI, Florida, June 10, 2011 - The national football team suffered another setback in the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the loss of central midfielder Craig Rocastle. Rocastle, who suffered a first half injury in his team's 4-0 loss to Jamaica on Monday, has been flown back to his MLS base in Kansas to seek medical attention.

An initial prognosis reveals that the player suffered some form of ligament damage in his right knee.

"The team physio assessed it here but unfortunately I have to return to my club (Kansas City Sporting) and get it scan and see what the actual damage is and get it treated," he said.

Rocastle expressed disappointment in having to leave the team after only one game. "I am very disappointed. I have been waiting for this tournament ever since we qualified and I wanted to do well for the team and the boys were looking forward for me coming here, and it's a very sad moment for me."

His return to competitive football depends on the result of the scan which will determine the extent of his injury.

"Hopefully, I've not torn it which means it could just be rehab but if it's torn then I'll have to do surgery," he said.

Suriname-based company interested in investing in Grenada

By Nekoyan Bain

ST. GEORGE, Grenada, JUNE 06^TH, 2011 - A Surinamese-based Engineering and Investment Company has expressed interest in working on the National Athletics Stadium and Grenville Port, as well as getting involved in housing and agricultural development.  

News of the company’s interest came following a two-day fact-finding visit to Grenada by officials of the company, Nish & Vish Ltd.  

“We have a strong finance background so we can support all our projects on our own,’’ said Avinaash Bisnajak, Senior Engineer with Nish & Vish.

He and other company team members met with officials from the Ministry of Housing, Lands & Community Development; Ministry of Sports; Ministry of Tourism; Ministry of Works; and the Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs.

In terms of housing, Bisnajak said Nish & Vish “came to a point that we will go for two of the housing sites that are comfortable in our mind.”  

The two housing sites proposed for development by the company are Grand Bacolet and La Force, which are both in St. Andrew.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Lands & Community Development, Sen. Glen Noel, said he is comfortable with the sites chosen by the company.

Attempts to meet the housing needs of Grenadians, including those from the middle- and upper-income brackets, are channelled primarily through the Ministry and Housing Authority of Grenada.

Pannist enjoys Grenada, grandfather’s homeland

Keina Calliste

By Lincoln Depradine

St. George’s, June 5, 2011 – Trinidadian Keina Calliste is the daughter of one of the Caribbean’s greatest calypsonians and she has familial ties to Grenada.

Calliste has just completed her first visit to Grenada and felt right at home.

“I like it. It’s not that much different from Trinidad. We have a lot of similarities,’’ said Calliste, daughter of Leroy Calliste who is popularly known as Black Stalin.

A five-time winner of the Calypso Monarch competition of Trinidad & Tobago, as well as the I999 Calypso King of the World, Black Stalin was born 1941 in San Fernando to George and Elcina Calliste.  His father was Grenadian.

Black Stalin became Dr. Leroy Calliste in 2008 after the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, recognized his contribution to calypso music and culture by awarding him an honourary doctorate.

Among his well known hits are “Black Man Feeling to Party,’’ “The Caribbean Man,’’ “Wait Dorothy Wait,’’ and “Bun Dem.’’

Black Stalin was a limbo dancer before turning his attention and energy to calypso singing. His daughter chose to pursue neither singing nor dancing the limbo.

She became a pannist almost accidently, and now performs with her hometown steel orchestra, TCL Skiffle Bunch of San Fernando.

It started 19 years when Keina Calliste was still a young school student. Initially, Calliste admitted, she “really didn’t like pan much.’’ However, all that was soon to change.

“We had a school band so I decided to just fool around after school and I liked it and I stuck with it,’’ she said in an interview. “I was still going to school when I joined Skiffle Bunch and I never left since then.’’

Skiffle Bunch, who gave two public performances in Grenada on the weekend, visited under an arrangement involving the Grenada Carnival Committee, the Grenada Steelbands’ Association and George F. Huggins Grenada Ltd.

Calliste, who holds a degree in business management from the School of Business and Computer Science in Trinidad, has toured places such as Antigua and Barbados with Skiffle Bunch.

She is impressed with the performance of Grenadian pannists, as well as their knowledge of the pan movement in T&T.

“The standard here and the passion are very high,’’ Calliste said. “It was really amazing also that people here know so much about pan in Trinidad. People in Grenada really keep up to date on the pan movement.’’

Skiffle Bunch has never won a national panorama championship in Trinidad. But Calliste believes it’s only a matter of time.

“We have everything that it takes. Every year we just seem to the missing one element. I think we’re going to get it,’’ a confident Calliste said.

Ambassador Fletcher accredited to Germany

Amb. Fletcher & President Wulff

BERLIN, Germany, June 2, 2011 - Grenada’s Ambassador to the European Union, Stephen Fletcher, presented his credentials to the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany, President Christian Wulff on Thursday.

During the ceremony Ambassador Fletcher and President Wulff discussed a number of key international, regional and national issues of mutual interest between both countries, particularly issues pertaining to the development of Grenada.  

Overall, President Wulff expressed Germany’s deep gratitude for the support which Grenada has being providing his country at various international forums, and highlighted the long standing good friendship which always existed between the both countries.

In response Ambassador Fletcher, recalled the historical relationship between the two countries which was established on March 3, 1974. Ambassador Fletcher highlighted the FDR assistance to the government of Grenada through the European Development Fund, support for small projects such as the installation of Solar System at the T.A. Marryshow Community College and sewing machines which were donated to GRENCASE.

Additionally, Ambassador Fletcher, conveyed deep appreciation for technical support in the area of climate change, and highlighted some of the key development areas which Grenada is seeking the Government of Germany support.

President Wulff pledged the FDR support for Grenada in its efforts to mobilise assistance for the further development of Grenada.

Prior to Ambassador Fletcher presenting his credentials to President Wulff, he met and held discussions on matters pertaining to the development of Grenada with eight Ministries and Departments of the German Government, including the Ministries of Economics & Technology; Environment, Nature Conservation & Nuclear Safety; Economic Cooperation and the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ). He also paid a courtesy visit to the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Archbishop Dr. Jean-Claude Perisset, who is also Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Berlin.