The best of 2012: Lady PM goes Ga Ga, Warner’s excellent lie and T&T football under siege

Wired868 continues its look at 2012 with months April to June sees controversial Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner star in a bizarre Cabinet reshuffle and almost everything else while Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar lets the dogs out at her two-year anniversary party and ends up short of one coalition partner.

While local football is buffeted from all sides but benefits through Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA’s unprecedented success:

April:
(Sport)

Another anti-climax in High Court as TTFF refused to sue its former special advisor and then Works Minister Jack Warner on the grounds that it would leave body open to counter-suit, despite threat of contempt charge.


Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC refused to act as mediator between 2006 World Cup players and Warner. Former World Cup 2006 goalkeeper Kelvin Jack took the PM to task for ignoring their letters on the subject in a scathing blog.

Clashes between José Mourinho’s Real Madrid and Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona were global events and the June 2012 “El Clásico” found ex-Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid and England World Cup defender Terry Fenwick in different camps.

Fenwick celebrated a Madrid win while Nakhid insisted Barcelona remained ideologically better. Guardiola announced his resignation from the Barcelona post soon after and Nakhid paid him a glowing tribute.

In domestic competition, Neal & Massy Caledonia lifted its third title for the season by beating Defence Force to the Lucozade Cup to go along with the TTFF FA Trophy and First Citizens Cup.


Photo: Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA enjoyed a bumper 2011/12 season with three domestic trophies to go with the CFU crown.
(Courtesy Njisane Best)

And the Wired868 editor took aim at Crime Watch after an unfortunate incident at a popular supermarket.

(Satire)

EMA promised to investigate foul stench that spoiled opening at St Barbara’s Primary School; maybe they will discover the chicken farm next door.

Police promised to start work on sexual offenders’ database but will not share information with public; feel safer yet?

Bandit robs fashion icon Claudia Pegus and then asks her for a lift to St James.

Crime Watch provokes the police service into its most high-profile arrest yet but Ian Alleyne is not pleased this time.

AG declared Dangerous Dog Act, which is set for proclamation on August 1, but was immediately chewed out by aggressive and unleashed dog owners.

Then Public Utilities Minister “Hurricane” George signed off on roughly $10 million for foreign consultancy; and then threatened to retrench more than half of WASA.

Talking about value for money, PM revealed to have spent over $860,000 in taxpayers’ money to take her sister on 11 State trips. It cost $233,645 to take Nurse Newton to India, which was more than Brian Lara and Daren Ganga combined.

May:

(Sport)

It’s hard to say goodbye. After allegedly leaving the TTFF bankrupt, mired in court action and suspended from FIFA funding, Jack Warner wrote Sport Minister Anil Roberts and demanded that local football body is denied State funding too.

Regardless, Caribbean football moved on as Antiguan Gordon Derrick defeated Warner’s friend and compatriot, Harold Taylor, to become the new CFU president.

Jack Warner denied ownership of Centre of Excellence and immediately proven, by Wired868, to be a liar.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago MP and ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner.

DPP contradicted Warner’s assertion that the police case into his role in an international bribery scandal is closed. Wired868 examines the behaviour of Police Commissioner and PSC in the matter.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar shuffled her Cabinet and Jacks were wild as Warner was named as new National Security Minister. The move was immediately slammed by Transparency Institute and Fixin’ T&T.

There was some reason to smile, though, as Candice Worrell, fiancée of national footballer Jan-Michael Williams, spoke for the first time since a brutal assault in January. The Chaguanas police arrested a former boxer for the assault.

A friend of Candice Worrell pleaded for a media blackout on news of her progress; Wired868 responded along with several letter writers.

Defence Force lifted the last domestic title of the season after spanking Caledonia in the Digicel Pro Bowl.

T&T U-17 women end CONCACAF campaign with tame goalless draw against Bahamas.

And Chelsea’s unexpected European triumph provided a bittersweet parting gift to deceased Trinidad and Tobago fan, Krystal.

Photo: Krystal Mitchell visited Chelsea’s Stamford Bride home three months before her death.

(Satire)

Police declared war on Facebook “taggers”; maybe dangerous criminals would be next

Trinidad Express scooped on shocking robbery involving two media workers, their ace crime reporter was detained at time

Queen’s English left breathless in CLICO enquiry as Harry Harnarine is captured in a classic turn of phrase.

Olympic fever took an unexpected casualty in Jamaica as track star Usain Bolt broke up with Slovakian-born girlfriend after outrage by locals.

Gov’t ordered probe after radiation scare at Cancer Centre and Wired868 guesses the possible location of a passive lump.

Warner tried to take the high-road against critics of his new Cabinet post; but who can help him find it?

PM admitted that her two-year-old coalition still can’t walk properly but throws it a massive party anyway

And Wired868 revealed the only four-letter word that can silence Sport Minister Anil Roberts.

June:

(Sport)

Wired868 looks in as Jeffrey Webb takes over from Warner as CONCACAF president.

Caledonia coach Jamaal Shabazz made history as he led Guyana to its CONCACAF semi-final round debut at the Azteca Stadium.

Photo: Jamaal Shabazz made history with Guyana and Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA in 2012.

A historic year for Shabazz continued as Caledonia beat W Connection to the Caribbean title on penalties.

TTFF revealed it had not been paid by the Sport Ministry since Warner’s controversial letter in April and its coaches were unpaid and debts rising.

More High Court drama, TTFF decided not to tackle Warner and accused Judge of bias instead to secure another adjournment.

The Euro 2012 tournament neared its finale and Wired868 sees only one possible winner as Spain faced Italy

(Satire)

Filbert Street debuted with a hilarious take on an imagined meeting between the Sport Minister and TTFF Marketing Manager Anthony Harford over funding.

“Police investigations” redefined as oxymoron after ACP Joanne Archie called Warner’s case thoroughly investigated despite not interviewing witnesses

Lady PM went Ga Ga with Cabinet reshuffle and Prakash Ramadhar dropped pokerface as COP benefited.

Warner promised new Flying Squad and got off to a flier himself by arresting activist Wayne Kublalsingh after just hours on the job as National Security Minister.

Prime Minister reached for the Adele CD and wrote an unforgettable break-up letter after trade unionist David Abdullah said goodbye

 

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