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Offline Deeks

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #120 on: March 17, 2017, 04:26:04 AM »
If it eh ready, doh use it.

Offline Sando prince

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #121 on: March 18, 2017, 03:59:47 PM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/4KUl6DG4rTM&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/4KUl6DG4rTM&amp;feature=youtu.be</a>

Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #122 on: April 06, 2017, 04:36:40 AM »
‘Lara’ pitch gets early pass mark.
By Garth Wattley (Express).


Monroe Road were the first winners of a cricket match at the recently-completed Brian Lara Stadium at Tarouba. But the bigger winner appeared to be the pitch itself.

For the record, Monroe Road beat Cosmos by one wicket in the Twenty20 match played under lights. It was the first of what is expected to be a series of games at the facility — initially scheduled to be opened in 2007 for that year’s ICC World Cup which was held in the Caribbean--but the completion of which has taken a further 10 years.

The scores were low, Cosmos were dismissed for 85 batting first, while Monroe Road lost nine wickets in getting to their target of 86, in 18.5 overs. However, the low totals are not being blamed on the new surface.

“It was a brand new pitch and it had some bounce and as the game went on the ball started to come through much quicker,” noted former minister of sport Manohar Ramsaran, who is the adviser on pitch and ground preparation for the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) project.

He added: “It had some pace on it and the spinners were turning the ball quickly. The quicker spinners were very effective on both sides...For a first day pitch that was never used, the fast bowlers enjoyed it.”

Monroe Road medium pacer Tishawn Castro got three wickets. Ramsaran also said there was no unusual behaviour from the pitch used, and that there was general acceptance of how it played from the players involved. “They accepted it was a new pitch but they were comfortable and at the end they were satisfied with what happened.

Asked about the low totals, Ramsaran pointed to the slow outfield. “We didn’t cut the grass (deliberately) so the grass on the outfield was very thick,” he said. The surface used Tuesday is one of five on the square and Ramsaran said, “we want to use as many as possible.”

In that regard, he said further games are planned including some day matches. And he also ventured this opinion about the ground: “My prediction is that we are going to see a good pitch,” he said.

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Offline Deeks

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #123 on: April 06, 2017, 10:38:16 PM »
final f--king ly! Long overdue!

Offline fishs

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #124 on: April 09, 2017, 05:36:21 AM »
 A reliable source tell mih that hardly any international matches will be played here because it not going to pass ICC standards.
The thing to costly to maintain for dat.
Ah want de woman on de bass

Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #125 on: April 21, 2017, 02:00:15 AM »
Batting legends to open Lara Academy
By CLINT CHAN TACK (NEWSDAY)


SPORTS Minister Daryl Smith yesterday announced that the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba will be formally opened on May 13. The facility was initially scheduled to be completed in 2007 for the ICC World Cup but lengthy delays, change of contractors, and concerns over the suitability of the soil for its construction saw costs sky-rocket and a decade elapse.

In making the announcement at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, Smith declared, “After ten long years, we have finally completed the Brian Lara Academy.” Stating that the former West Indies cricket captain is intimately involved with plans for the opening, Smith disclosed that Lara has persuaded former Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar to be part of the opening.

He said a key feature of the opening will be, “a Brian vs Sachin XI T20 game.” The minister indicated that, “a number of other star icons from the West Indies and across the globe will be participating in that game.” He said the opening will be televised worldwide and tickets for the event will soon be on sale to the public.

Smith said the stadium will be handed over to the Ministry of Sport by the Urban Development Corporation of TT (Udecott) by the end of this month. He explained in preparation for the facility’s opening, “we have been utilising the pitch with several test events to get the pitch going.” Smith added the ministry has been, “working with TT Cricket Board to have an overall test of the facility as we have done with all our national centres.” Going forward, Smith said the facility will be an academy that will target,”secondary school students from the age of ten, 11, actually living there” with the best cricket coaches and other qualified personnel. The Minister said the academy will not be restricted to students from TT but will be open to students from the region and internationally.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia, who was also at the conference, welcomed this initiative and said he has been having discussions with Smith about it.

The Sports Minister divulged that discussions are ongoing regarding the hosting the semi-finals and final of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2017 here. He also gave the assurance that the opening of the Brian Lara Academy does not mean a shift of cricket away from the Queens Park Oval.

Saying he is a member of the Oval, Smith said, “The Oval is a private entity and we are thankful for the Oval for being an iconic venue for the world.” He explained that the Oval is a private entity while the Academy will be a government entity.

Smith was confident that the Oval and the Academy, “could live and work hand in hand in the future.” Describing competition as “good and healthy,” Smith said, “We have no animosity with anybody.” He said the objective is to ensure that fans get the best value for their dollar in going to watch cricket.

After lamenting that a generation of cricketers was lost, Smith was confident the stadium would get “a clean bill of health” went it is handed over by Udecott. On previous concerns about tendering issues regarding the stadium’s construction, Smith said 19 contractors were hired to complete work on the facility. “The budget was $90 million, I think they came in under,” he said.

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Offline Deeks

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #126 on: April 21, 2017, 04:33:59 AM »
I can understand the way QPCC feels, but is time we have another world class cricket ground in the country. I am glad it was built in the South-Central area. QPCC really can't complain because the public support that facility to the max.in the past. All those great football matches(North-South, Inter-Col, WC and Olympic football matches) to name a few.

All them rich Trinis should form a Trini only franchise in the CPL. They should play at Lara. Bring back the RED STEEL. What allyuh think about that.

Offline Sando prince

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #127 on: April 21, 2017, 01:39:20 PM »


T20 Festival to be 1st at 'Lara'


The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) NGC Twenty20 Festival will be the first major tournament to be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

This was confirmed by chairman of the TTCB National League Patrick Rampersad yesterday following the announcement by Minister of Sport Darryl Smith that the long-awaited venue was finally completed and that it would be handed over to the Ministry of Sport in the next few weeks.

The T20 Festival, which is the climax of the domestic TTCB season and features the top clubs from the Premier Division One and Two and will be played from April 29 to May 5.

Queen's Park Cricket Club are the defending Premiership T20 champions and will start their T20 campaign today against their Premier Division Two counterparts QPCC II in Group 1 action.

The Premiership T20 bowled off yesterday with 2015 champions Merry Boys whipping HKL Aranjuez Sports by nine wickets in Santa Cruz and 2013 winners PowerGen Penal Sports defeating Caldrac Club by seven runs in Penal.

Aranjuez made 111 for two in their 20 overs with Kadeem Williams hitting 50 not out.

Merry Boys replied with 112 for one off 9.3 overs with Rishaad Harris hitting an unbeaten 69 off 35 balls. Harris smacked four sixes and nine fours.

At Syne Village in Penal, PowerGen batted first and made 189 for seven and Caldrac came close, replying with 182 for eight when the overs ran out.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170420/sports/t20-festival-to-be-1st-at-lara
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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #128 on: April 23, 2017, 03:27:02 AM »
Tendulkar gets stand at Lara Stadium
T&T Guardian Reports.


Curtis Williams The North West Stand of the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium will be named after Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. But the move is not sitting well with the president of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Azim Bassarath, who is asking what has Tendulkar ever done for T&T or West Indies cricket.

Chairman of the Sports Company of T&T Michael Phillips confirmed to Guardian Media Limited that the stand would be named after Tendulkar when the facility is officially opened next month and insisted that the decision was one that was made after consultation with Brian Lara.

“Our decision to name the stand after Mr Tendulkar was done on the advice of Mr Brian Lara. We have included Mr Lara in our decision making process in terms of how we roll out the launch and management of both the stadium and the academy,” Phillips said.

Phillips said it was also one of the reasons that they were able to convince Tendulkar to attend the opening and play in the match carded for the opening.

But Bassarath said he felt it would have been more appropriate to name the stands after T&T players who have excelled for the West Indies or T&T.

He said, “India have so many stadia and I don’t know any of them have stands named after any of our West Indian greats so why must we name a stand after Tendulkar. I thought there would be stands named after Ian Bishop, or Larry Gomes or Gus Logie or even the late Rangie Nanan. Not Tendulkar.”

Tendulkar is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. He played 200 Test matches, the most by any player in the history of the game, he scored 15,921 Test runs, at an average of 53.78. He holds the record for the most number of runs in Test cricket and the most number of centuries. For most of his career he was in competition with Lara for the accolade of the best batsman in the world. Lara is the holder for the most runs in a single Test Innings 400 not out and the highest individual score in cricket of 501 not out.

Bassarath said he was concerned that the TTCB had not been consulted on the operations of the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium and said it was “passing strange” since the racket centre, the cycling and aquatic centres were all opened in the last 12 months and all with input from the representative governing bodies.

He was also surprised to learn that a separate board would be established to run the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and not the TTCB.

Phillips said the decision was in no way political interference in the operations of cricket in T&T but SPORTT had a responsibility to ensure that it encouraged the development of talent throughout the country.

He said, “We have no intentions of running cricket. The fact is any organisation can set up a cricket academy or provide training for cricketers so we are not usurping the functions of the TTCB.

“What I will also say is if you look at many of the sporting bodies in T&To you realise there is a need for greater balance and there are times when they are accused of having a vested interest in certain athletes and not others. We want to ensure all talent rises to the top.”

Phillips also told GML that consideration is being given to the construction of living quarters in the vicinity of the stadium.

He said, “The idea is being considered. It will not be as grand as say the hotel at the National Academy for the performing arts but it will be more like dorms.”

He said the academy will be marketed both locally and internationally with both academic and cricketing programmes.


The north west pavilion of the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba which will be dedicated Indian Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. A match between a Brian Lara eleven and a Sachin Tendulkar eleven will open the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Saturday May 13th.

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Offline rotatopoti3

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #129 on: April 23, 2017, 03:48:57 AM »
I dont get this.... Tendulkar isnt a man of the soil. 


This really ...nice..
Phillips said it was also one of the reasons that they were able to convince Tendulkar to attend the opening and play in the match carded for the opening.


I suggest Mr. Phillips stick to cycling...


I can even understand if you placed a distinguised politician name like the Honourable PM Keith Rowley or the late PM Manning....but Tendulkar doesn't deserve any of these accolades since it was these gentlemen that got the stadium completed from the beginning to the end under there leadership and that speaks VOLUMES!

 
« Last Edit: April 23, 2017, 07:21:50 AM by rotatopoti3 »
Ah say it, how ah see it

Offline Sando prince

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #130 on: April 23, 2017, 10:20:27 AM »
Why Tendulkar name for a stand in Brian Lara stadium? Where in T&T is Tendulkar from? Once again the old men who are corrupt inept leaders making decisions that does not reflect public opinion
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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #131 on: April 23, 2017, 12:03:47 PM »
I dont get this.... Tendulkar isnt a man of the soil. 


This really ...nice..
Phillips said it was also one of the reasons that they were able to convince Tendulkar to attend the opening and play in the match carded for the opening.


I suggest Mr. Phillips stick to cycling...


I can even understand if you placed a distinguised politician name like the Honourable PM Keith Rowley or the late PM Manning....but Tendulkar doesn't deserve any of these accolades since it was these gentlemen that got the stadium completed from the beginning to the end under there leadership and that speaks VOLUMES!

This is a bad idea. Nothing good would become of further politicizing the issue.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #132 on: April 23, 2017, 12:22:52 PM »
Why Tendulkar name for a stand in Brian Lara stadium? Where in T&T is Tendulkar from? Once again the old men who are corrupt inept leaders making decisions that does not reflect public opinion
.

This is a nonsense position. What does that have to do with anything? Get a grip. Where in T&T is Nelson Mandela from? You know how many places across the planet are named after Martin Luther King or Arthur Ashe? There's not merely a singular criterion for coming to decisions of this nature. More than that, why are you so disturbed by it when Lara is at ease with it? One great honouring the other doesn't sit well?

When UWI decided to name the sporting facility in Barbados the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, there were many voices in opposition on grounds similar to yours. Most with emotive and seemingly compelling arguments all rooted in insularity and close-mindedness. Some very easy to buy-in to without scrutiny.

These positions hit home as comparatively utter nonsense when at the German federation they cyah stop referencing Usain Bolt when discussing a range of items related to football. You know what using Bolt as a benchmark gets them? Steps towards excellence.

Lehwe deal with that.

Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #133 on: April 24, 2017, 12:12:56 PM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ExzzfLflxlw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ExzzfLflxlw</a>
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Offline Deeks

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #134 on: April 24, 2017, 11:15:52 PM »
The MoS is a poser. Always posing. Nice stadium. Of course most new stadium are nice. It reminds me a bit of the cricket stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Only the covered stands are designed different.  Allyuh don't think we should have an all TT team in the CPL. Red Steel, in addition to KRs?

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #135 on: April 25, 2017, 12:22:07 AM »
Why Tendulkar name for a stand in Brian Lara stadium? Where in T&T is Tendulkar from? Once again the old men who are corrupt inept leaders making decisions that does not reflect public opinion
.

This is a nonsense position. What does that have to do with anything? Get a grip. Where in T&T is Nelson Mandela from? You know how many places across the planet are named after Martin Luther King or Arthur Ashe? There's not merely a singular criterion for coming to decisions of this nature. More than that, why are you so disturbed by it when Lara is at ease with it? One great honouring the other doesn't sit well?

When UWI decided to name the sporting facility in Barbados the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, there were many voices in opposition on grounds similar to yours. Most with emotive and seemingly compelling arguments all rooted in insularity and close-mindedness. Some very easy to buy-in to without scrutiny.

These positions hit home as comparatively utter nonsense when at the German federation they cyah stop referencing Usain Bolt when discussing a range of items related to football. You know what using Bolt as a benchmark gets them? Steps towards excellence.

Lehwe deal with that.

I've tried to come up with a valid reason for this Tendulkar thing and I can't.

I did think of Nelosn Mandela and Ghandi but these men literally changed the process of human thought, they influenced millions around the world. Ah sorry but 15 000 Test runs don't BEGIN to equate to that.

You just don't compare Tendulkar to Mandela, Ghandi or Martin Luther King.

The fact that Lara supports this (or so we are told) can only be reflective of their friendship.

ST is a legend but this is wrong.

It should have been used to reference TT legends and one or two from South especially.

This leaves a bad taste in my mouth, to the point where when I visit the BLS for the first time, I will try not to sit in that particular stand.

VITAMIN V...KEEPS THE LADIES HEALTHY...:-)

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #136 on: April 25, 2017, 02:37:52 AM »
vb, like yuh eh understand de Mandela reference at all. It's in no way a comparison of accomplishments.


Offline Deeks

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #137 on: April 25, 2017, 03:41:05 AM »
Man, nothing in TT can ever get done if there is no controversey. This facility has been mired in friggin delays and bakanal, and right before it open is a next set of bakanal. Lawd, Socorro!

Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #138 on: April 26, 2017, 01:42:46 AM »
15,000 LIVES AT RISK
By SEAN DOUGLAS (NEWSDAY).


PRINCES Town MP Barry Padarath yesterday warned that as many as 15,000 lives could be at risk at a star-studded T20 match on May 13, to formally open the billion-dollar Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

Padarath said major questions remain outstanding on the safety of the structure, a decade after its original planned completion date.

On May 13, retired TT and West Indies batting star Brian Lara himself will lead a team against an invitational side led by retired Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar, in a T20 match, to formally open the stadium. Minister Smith announced the sale of tickets for this match during last Thursday’s post-Cabinet news conference.

Several efforts to reach Smith for comment yesterday proved futile.

Opposition MP Padarath questioned the structural integrity of the stadium saying a full assessment, under the former People’s Partnership government, identified significant structural, drainage and design flaws.

He called on Government to, “make public, all relevant documentation that the stadium and grounds were assessed and deemed safe and fit for public use.” Padarath asked whether or not the stadium met international safety standards, claiming Government was silent on what was done to address significant and hazardous structural defects identified by construction expert Gerry McCaffrey in 2009.

“Mc Caffrey indicated that on two separate occasions, independent testing was done to the welds on the stadium and (they) failed the required standard,” Padarath said.

In addition, the structural steelwork was, “effectively condemned”, in the Uff Commission of Inquiry report yet Government has not stated what remedies were effected. “In yet another attempt to distract from the important issue of safety, Government announces a celebrity match to mark the opening of the refurbished stadium. But citizens remain in the dark as to whether the venue has met internationally accepted standards for public safety,” Padarath said.

The findings of construction expert Gerald Mc Caffrey of the British firm Acutus was reported in Newsday on March 22, 2009, in a story headlined, Tarouba Stadium Steel ‘Condemned’.

State enterprise Udecott (Urban Development Company of TT), which oversaw refurbishment of the stadium, yesterday indicated in a press release that a news conference will be held today at 11 am the TT Cricket Board office in Balmain, Couva to, “inform of the rigorous preparation and ongoing testing of the pitches and players’ facilities at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, in accordance with requirements set by the WIBC (West Indies Cricket Board) and the ICC (International Cricket Council).” UDECOTT: STADIUM SAFE Udecott chairman Noel Garcia, in a second press release issued just before 6 pm yesterday, attacked comments which questioned the safety and structural integrity of the stadium.

And while not calling any names, Garcia demanded “individuals” making these statements withdraw them and apologise to the nation.

Udecott “categorically refutes statements that the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is not safe and fit for use,” the release stated. Garcia, in the release, said it was “passing strange” that individuals would make “irresponsible” statements after extensive remedial work was undertaken at the Academy over the past nine months to deal with issues outlined in the Uff report. Garcia said that the comments were mischievous and designed to create fear and panic especially since Udecott conducted all remedial work to ensure the facility conforms to current international codes governing sporting facilities. In addition, the release stated, Udecott commissioned a number of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and civil surveys.

And the findings, as tabled in these reports with supporting documentation, found the Academy to be safe for use, the release added. “I call on the irresponsible individuals to withdraw such statements and apologise to the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Garcia said in the release.

In a separate statement, Naparima MP Rodney Charles questioned government’s priorities hitting the planned opening of the stadium when students of the Reform Hindu School “remain neglected by Government” and are housed in the “worst conditions”, while the over 90 percent complete new school languishes, unopened due to a, “lack of funding.” Charles said the Prime Minister and his Cabinet should be ashamed to come to the opening ceremony of the stadium with the unopened Reform Hindu School mere metres away.

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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #139 on: April 27, 2017, 01:38:09 AM »
Smith clears air on Lara Stadium
T&T Guardian Reports.


Sports Minister Darryl Smith yesterday cleared the air on several issues relating to the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium and Academy, among them the fact the the T&T Cricket Board of Control will not be left out of its development plans going ahead.

“In terms of the construction and completion, for the very first time the TTCB was finally part of that process. Even though the facility has not been handed over to us yet, we have allowed the TTCB to host the very first event there—a T20 event on the 4th and 5th of May,” Smith said at a press conference called to address, among other things, the TTCB’s concern about being snubbed during the decision-making process for the setting up and running the Brian Lara Academy.

“Whereas we have housed cycling, swimming and tennis at their respective facilities, the Brian Lara Academy is different. Brian’s vision for it to be a school not just for persons from Trinidad and Tobago but also the region and internationally, to come there and live there as we develop not only players but umpires, coaches and other professionals.”

Smith also addressed the issue of a stand at the stadium being named after Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar. He called the matter a total misunderstanding which has been blown out of proportion and somewhat premature, as the matter was still being discussed. He added that any area named after Tendukar was likely to be one of many named after different sporting personalities at the venue, but it was not a done deal yet because the details were still being finalised.

“For the first time in the history of T&T, we are going to have naming rights. However, it is not a part of our legislation so we are taking a note to Cabinet to address that.

“There will be corporate boxes, conference rooms, classrooms, gyms, training rooms; all that we do plan to cut up and sell and or honour Trinidadians, Tobagonians, regional and international icons.

“This will be done for two reasons — to honour and respect (these icons) but moreso to bring in income.”

However, Smith said he wanted to wipe the slate clean as his aim was to ensure sport in this country moves forward.

“I’m not holding any animosity. Let’s work together with Mr Lara to ensure that cricket reaches the pinnacle that it once was.”

Also at the press conference was chairman of the Urban Development Company of T&T Noel Garcia, who fended off claims by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath that the facility was unfit for usage.

In a release on Tuesday, Padarath questioned the safety and readiness of the stadium ahead of the proposed May 13 gala opening featuring teams captained by Brian Lara and Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.

Yesterday, however, Garcia said: “I find the statement made by Mr Padarath to be reckless and irresponsible and I say this based on the Arun Buch report of a structural survey and assessment which was commissioned in 2012 on the Brian Lara Stadium.”

Garcia said the Arun Buch report was in fact commissioned by the previous People’s Partnership government and resulted in a document 19 volumes long giving the controversial venue a stamp of approval.

He said he expects the International Cricket Council will also approve the venue for international use by July 2017.

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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #140 on: April 27, 2017, 01:43:36 AM »
Minister: Sachin Stand not confirmed
By Mark Pouchet (Express)


Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith said the naming of all areas of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is still under discussion.

The Minister would neither confirm nor deny whether the North West Stand would be named after legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar as had been identified by Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago chairman Michael Phillips on Sunday. Also on Sunday Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath had questioned the choice of Tendulkar, stating that other local cricketers were more deserving.

However, the Express yesterday confirmed that TTCB representatives Baldath Mahabir and Sukesh Maniam attended Friday’s local organising committee (LOC) meeting at which the naming of the stand after Tendulkar was discussed.

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #141 on: May 01, 2017, 05:03:22 AM »
Central Sports humble Parkites at Lara Stadium
By Vinode Mamchan (Guardian).


Defending champion team Queen’s Park Cricket club has been knocked out of the 2017 T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) T20 tournament at the hands of Central Sports at the quarter final stage.

Queen’s Park fell to Richard Ramkissoon’s men by two wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium in South Trinidad, which hosted its first official match.

Batting first, the champion posted 156 for seven in their 20 overs with Tion Webster getting a typically hard hit 64 and Akeal Hosein 34. Rakesh Maharaj continued his good bowling form this season with 3/25 for Central Sports.

The veteran Shazan Babwah who has been a real standout in domestic cricket this season then scored 25 and together with Kamil Pooran 23 and contributions down the order from other batsmen pushed the unfancied Central Sports team to victory at 157 for eight with two balls to spare.

In the earlier game, Merryboys cricket club moved easily into the semi-finals with a 48-run victory over Cane Farm.

Batting first on a slow pitch, Merryboys got to 148 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Leading the way with the bat were Mario Belcon and the veteran Lincoln Roberts. Belcon belted 40 of 40 balls with five fours, while Roberts made 32 of 29 balls with a four and two sixes.

Anthony Simmons grabbed two wickets for nine runs, while Devon Clement scalped two but was costly at 41 runs. In reply, Cane Farm struggled and lost early wickets, which affected them from mounting a meaningful challenge.

A lot was expected of former Barbados player Alcindo Holder who ironically played for Merryboys up to a couple season ago but all he got was a single. Cane Farm was restricted to 100 for seven of their 20 overs. Top scorer was Shakeel Allick who made 33 not out of 31 balls with four fours. There were two wickets apiece for Marlon Richards, Keon Isaac and Rishard Harris.

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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #142 on: May 03, 2017, 04:01:30 AM »
SACHIN OUT
Indian cricket legend not coming for friendly match with Lara at Tarouba
By Asha Javeed (Express).


India's batting legend Sachin Tendulkar will not be attending or playing a friendly match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy when it opens on May 13.

The Express understands that Tendulkar never confirmed his attendance at the event before it was announced by Sport Minister Darryl Smith at the post-Cabinet media briefing on April 20.

The Express was told that it was former West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara who had invited Tendulkar and Australian Shane Warne to be part of the opening and it was Lara's request to have the North West Stand at the stadium named after Tendulkar.

At the post-Cabinet briefing after Cabinet approved the request, Smith told media that Lara had persuaded Tendulkar to be part of the opening.

He had said a key feature of the opening would be a T20 match with Lara expected to lead a team against a team led by Tendulkar.

Smith had said “a number of other star icons from the West Indies and across the globe will be participating in that game” and the opening will be televised worldwide. He also said tickets for the event would have been available soon for sale to the public.

Informed sources yesterday confirmed that Tendulkar would not be part of the opening.


ONE OF MY dearest FRIENDS: An undated image of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara which was posted on Tendulkar's Twitter account yesterday with the words “One of my dearest friends celebrates his birthday today. Not just a great friend but one of the greatest cricketers too. Happy birthday @BrianLara”. The retired star West Indies batsman turned 48 yesterday.

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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #143 on: May 04, 2017, 12:04:30 PM »
Phillips quits SPORTT; chairman walks in wake of Tendulkar Stand furore
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) will soon be in the market for a new chairman after former Trinidad and Tobago international cyclist Michael Phillips quit the post yesterday afternoon.

In a public statement today—sent out via email—Phillips, who runs his own bike store, conceptualises and manages various sport events and is a professional artist, said his duties as SPORTT chairman had affected his business outside of government service and severely taxed his time.

“Regrettably, I have found the requirements and time needed to effectively remain as Chairman is more than I am able to extend at this time,” stated Phillips. “[…] Presently, there are items that I need to dedicate my attention to which do not permit the additional responsibility of SPORTT.

“I have given an undertaking to the Minister of Sport and to the sporting fraternity that I will make myself available where possible in the interests of creating a vibrant sporting industry for Trinidad and Tobago…”

The timing of Phillips’ departure means he will not be present when the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba is unveiled on 13 May 2017.

According to sources, this might not be by accident.

Just over a week ago, Phillips confirmed to the Trinidad Guardian that a stand at the Tarouba venue would be named after iconic former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is also a friend of former West Indies cricket great and Trinidad and Tobago legend Brian Lara.

“Our decision to name the stand after Mr Tendulkar was done on the advice of Mr Brian Lara,” said Phillips. “We have included Mr Lara in our decision making process in terms of how we roll out the launch and management of both the stadium and the academy.”

The story and subsequent public backlash allegedly provoked a furious reaction from Sport Minister Darryl Smith, who is said to have blamed the SPORTT chairman for the furore.

In correspondence copied to the Phillips’ colleagues and subordinates, Smith allegedly told him that only he, as Sport Minister, would be allowed to comment on the Tarouba stadium from then on.

Sources say that the strained relationship between the two men was already strained for several reasons and the Tendulkar stand incident was the last straw.

First, the Brian Lara Stadium fell under SPORTT and Phillips felt that, as chairman, he was well placed to discuss the project publicly. However, the different way in which each of the two men responded to the furore further widened an ideological gap between the pair.

According to sources, Lara’s proposal for a Tendulkar stand was felt to be a sound sport tourism initiative. Lara hoped to involve Tendulkar directly in the staging of events—like a cricket masters’ competition—at the venue and the naming of the stand was felt to be a gesture that could further solidify the co-operation.

India is a cricket-mad nation with over 1.3 billion people and getting Tendulkar on board was seen to be a good business strategy, as SPORTT considered ways to make the Tarouba venue self-sufficient.

However, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Azim Bassarath described the idea as an insult to the former cricket stars of the two- island republic and the nation responded in accordance with that stance.

Phillips allegedly felt SPORTT should explain the thinking behind the Tendulkar stand to the public. But Smith, as he is prone to do, insisted on total silence or diversions from the main talking point instead with the aim of merely riding out the storm.

“We had a reaction [to the Tendulkar stand proposal] that was territorial due to patriotism,” said a source. “You can understand the base response but we needed to explain it from a business perspective. Sachin has 28 million followers on Twitter. The actor Tom Cruise has 10 million. So anything that involves Tendulkar immediately gets more eyeballs than the number of people who have ever lived in Trinidad and Tobago…

“Lara is our most recognisable brand export to India while we send cricketers to the IPL every year to become millionaires. So we should be looking at things to strengthen ties between the two nations.

“[…] So while there may not be a stand in India named after Lara, why not be the first [between the two nations] to make the gesture?”

Wired868 asked Smith to respond to rumours of tension between him and his former chairman, who was allegedly considered for the Sport Minister portfolio before the last Cabinet reshuffle. However, up to the time of publication, Smith had not replied.

Phillips’ exit continues a striking spell of instability at SPORTT, which has had 11 different CEOs in the past decade and three chairmen in the last two and a half years.

Wired868 understands, although the post of SPORTT chairman is not full-time and only comes with a stipend, Phillips’ duties increasingly encroached upon his business hours to the extent that sport stakeholders began to turn up at his business with the hope of discussing government business.

The strained working relationship with his line minister allegedly did not help matters.

Now, it will be someone else’s mountain to climb.

(Michael Phillips’ statement on his SPORTT exit)

“I would like to take the opportunity to notify the public that I have tendered my resignation as Chairman of SPORTT. I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to the development of sport in Trinidad and Tobago in this capacity.

“I thank the Prime Minister, Corporation Sole and the Minister of Sport for having the confidence in me, to lead this organisation.

“Regrettably, I have found the requirements and time needed to effectively remain as Chairman is more than I am able to extend at this time.  However, I will continue to engage in the community programmes and activities that I have established in my personal capacity.

“Presently, there are items that I need to dedicate my attention to which do not permit the additional responsibility of SPORTT. I have given an undertaking to the Minister of Sport and to the sporting fraternity that I will make myself available where possible in the interests of creating a vibrant sporting industry for Trinidad and Tobago.

“A great deal of positive in sport has occurred over the last year and a half and I am confident that the trend will continue. There are many people working in the best interest of sport and SPORTT and it was a pleasure to have the chance to lend some of my personal experience to its growth.

“I wish the Ministry of Sport, SPORTT and the Board of Directors continued success as they move forward.”

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Offline Jumbie

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #144 on: May 06, 2017, 07:41:45 AM »
Does anyone know how to secure tickets for the opening game?

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #145 on: May 13, 2017, 01:33:06 AM »
Lara explains Sachin’s no show.
By Vinode Mamchan (Guardian).


West Indies legend Brian Lara cleared the air yesterday as to why his great friend Sachin Tendulkar was not able to make the trip for the opening of his Stadium this evening at Tarouba.

Initially it was announced that the Indian master was coming to T&T for the opening of the Brian Lara Academy which will have a stand named in his honour.

Recently, it was reported that the batting maestro will not be here and Lara at a press briefing at his Lady Chancellor home explained: “After 13 years the structure has been handed back to the government of the day and I was contacted to be involved in the opening ceremony and a date for it. January was talked about, then April and May.

“I suggested my birthday May 2nd, which with preliminary inquiry sat well with a number of international players including Sachin Tendulkar my very good friend. May 2nd was a Tuesday and it stood for a while as the date until I was asked to consider a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

First, I contacted Sachin and he was okay with the date but could only squeeze in one day on his busy schedule. The numbers decreased with the other players for various reasons, main one being Mother’s day and plans already made.

Unfortunately, after further inspection of his schedule Sachin messaged me to say he couldn’t come as his schedule was too tight and he wants to come and spend more time in T&T.

He said, “let’s work on dates that he is free and he will be there.” I felt that proceedings were well on the way and with my schedule restrictions as well that it was best to stick to the date and arrange something with Sachin and other contemporaries of mine at a later date.”

This evening at 6pm the Stadium will be officially opened by the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, and at 7pm, there will be a clash featuring a Brian Lara XI against a World XI. Some of the foreign players coming are Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lankan World Cup winning captain of 1996. Herschelle Gibbs, a former South African batsman, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Browne, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Corey Collymore, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher and Ricardo Powell.

Lara, who holds the Test batting record of 400 runs will lead a team packed with local stars like Dwayne Bravo back from injury, Denesh Ramdin, Rayad Emrit, Kevon Cooper, Evin Lewis, Tion Webster and veterans Mervyn Dillon and newly appointed SPORTT chairman Dinanath Ramnarine.

Also in there is young West Indies Under-19 batsman Kirstan Kallicharran.

On the point of the controversy surrounding the construction of the facility Lara said: “This morning I woke up to the usual beautiful noise of the yellow winged parrots as they head on their daily routine in search of food. As that noise subsided my mind and heart returned to that other noise that has had me perplexed, disappointed not in anyone but myself.

“And, of course a little embarrassed. I believe it unnecessary for me to address the furore over the construction of the Tarouba facility and the integrity of the same because I am not in any way qualified to speak on such topics.

“We heard from professionals and I am satisfied. What I can say though is that I visited the venue on many occasions and made suggestions which I have seen been implemented. This can be confirmed by the Project Managers on site.”

Lara, a former West Indies and T&T captain, added that he dug deep to come up a unique plan to make this facility one of the kind in the region.

He pointed out: “This country has given me too much already, the love and support, the tangibles and intangibles I am truly grateful for and still am. I felt that young cricketers in the Caribbean needed better facilities and a place where they could advance their skills both sporting and academically in the right environment. Today we are on our way to completing that dream, that discussion. Cricket is a platform for statesmanship.”

He continued, “I therefore humbly suggest we as a people can lift the bar. Not only for ourselves, but for our children and the greatness they can all aspire too! This is not only a dream, this is a possibility that can inspire us to be better. I dug deep and wondered what would make this facility different to other facilities in T&T?

“What can make this facility a truly international facility to the envy of the world? What can make this facility self-sufficient and less dependent on government funds for upkeep and operational cost.”

Lara, who hold the highest first class score of 501 runs in an inning added, “ It doesn’t belong to me but it bears my name like quite a few things.

“But this is maybe the most significant thing or piece of real estate and I want my legacy to speak about this in a positive way.”

A legend of West Indies cricket Lara said, “Today I can safely say no one knows who I am, no one has asked the important questions to truly understand me and what woke me up on my darkest days to fight looking for that tiny ray of light to soldier on towards it. I felt through this Stadium/Academy I could express those things in a way you may not understand and appreciate today but our children, grandchildren and their children will understand in years to come.”

Teams for tonight’s clash

Trinidad & Tobago Brian Lara XI

Brian Lara, Mervyn Dillon, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Rayad Emrit, Evin Lewis, Kirstan Kallicharan, Tion Webster, Dinanath Ramnarine, Kevon Cooper, Jason Mohammed, Navin Stewart, Lyndon Lara.

International XI

Herschelle Gibbs, Devon Malcolm, Gladstone Small, Arjuna Ranatunga, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Terryne Sunil Fray, Imran Khan, Curtly Ambrose, Ricardo Powell, Courtney Browne, Kirk Edwards, Corey Collymore Ian Bradshaw.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Deeks

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #146 on: May 14, 2017, 06:04:02 AM »
Any local pix or video of the pregame and game sessions?

Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #147 on: May 15, 2017, 04:38:27 AM »
Lara entertains at his academy
T&T Guardian Reports.


He would have played at most of the international cricket venues across the world but on Friday night at 9.57pm, Brian Charles Lara, the Test batting champion, walked out to bat for the first time at his stadium, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy at Tarouba and as usual he did not disappoint.

Dancing down the pitch to loft the spinners into the stands he brought back fond memories of his sterling career, as he made 44 retired to take his team to an eight-wicket win over an International XI.

The match was held as a celebration of the opening of the much awaited stadium.

Curtly Ambose won the toss and decided to take first strike.

His team carried on to score 143 for five of their 20 overs. Barbadian Kirk Edwards scored 30, Ricardo Powell made 16 and South African Hershelle Gibbs scored a rapid 56 not out, as the International XI posted what they thought was a competitive score.

West Indies batsman Evin Lewis came out all guns blazing and took advantage of the veteran bowlers on the International XI, smacking 62 before retiring to give Dwayne Bravo a knock. Lewis slammed five sixes and four fours in his epic knock that thrilled the fans.

When Lewis left, Lara, who celebrated his 48 birthday 12 days ago, took over and had the crowd jumping with some splendid batting.

Just before the victory target was realised, he decided to come off.

As he walked off, the dapper left-hander got a standing ovation from the estimated 11,000 fans not only for his wonderful knock on the night but the entertainment he provided throughout his career.

Lara, the former West Indies and T&T captain, faced 33 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes to the delight of the fans who came out to stand witness to the historic event.

Earlier, Kevon Cooper grabbed two wickets to stifle the International XI but Edwards and Gibbs played boldly. The international team also included the likes of the English pair of Gladstone Small and Devon Malcolm.

SCORES

International XI 143/5 (20ovs) (Hershelle Gibbs 56no, Kirk Edwards 30, Kevon Cooper 2/10) vs BCL XI 146/2 (16ovs) (Brian Lara 44rt, Evin Lewis 63rt) - BCL XI won by 8wkts.

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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #148 on: May 17, 2017, 01:44:17 AM »
‘RACIAL DOTISHNESS’
By KWAME WEEKES (NEWSDAY).


PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley went on the war-path yesterday, training his guns on people who staged a protest last Friday outside the Couva Children’s Hospital which led to miles of traffic at the same time the grand opening of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba was taking place with a T20 invitational cricket match.

He also slammed as “racial dotishness”, those who raised their voices in opposition to calls by retired West Indies and T&T batting star Brian Lara to have one of the stands in the Academy named in honour of his (Lara) personal friend, India’s retired batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Speaking at the re-commissioning of the Pt Fortin Highway yesterday, Rowley thanked everyone who attended the long-awaited opening of the academy, praising them for not being “ridiculous” and “foolish”, as the protestors who he claimed, tried to sabotage that opening by staging their protest along the Solomon Hochoy Highway outside the Children’s Hospital.

“Last week we opened the Brian Lara Stadium and Academy and there were persons who took it upon themselves to do everything possible to ensure that event was a failure,” said Rowley at the re-commissioning of the highway project which was abandoned after Brazilian construction company OAS Construtora went bankrupt in 2015.

“But today I want to congratulate all who left their homes and came to the Brian Lara Academy to demonstrate that we are not all foolish in Trinidad and Tobago!” Rowley said the protestors claimed they blocked the highway to move government into paying more attention to the opening of the Children’s Hospital.

He then criticised those who were opposed to naming one of the stands at the stadium’s Academy after Sachin Tendulkar. He said the idea for the naming did not come from government but from Lara, as a means for encouraging “sports tourism”.

“And when Brian Lara suggested that he wanted to use Sachin Tendulkar’s name on that academy, it was not because as - our ridiculous friends say in the Opposition - that we wanted to use Tendulkar’s name to sanitise any project. But Brian Lara wanted to open to the world an academy where Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar would have been the show piece in world cricket.”

Tendulkar’s name would have exposed Trinidad and Tobago to the “largest cricket market in the world in India,” Rowley said. “But in TT that matters not, all that mattered was racial dotishness because some people in this country cannot avoid including race in their discussion in every single thing that they do.” Rowley said the reason given for the stalling of the project was that it would have cost as much as $250M to complete, making it feasible to shut down.

However, the government completed the project with a little less than $90M. “And Gary Sobers told me on Friday night it is one of the best stadia in the region.” Rowley then turned his attention to the Children’s Hospital. He criticised former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for opening that Hospital one year before it was actually completed. In answer to widespread calls for the hospital to be opened, Rowley said several interested parties involved in, “that kind of business”, were invited to submit proposals on how the hospital could service locals and foreigners, while also being an income earner.

“In the next few days,” Rowley said, “I am advised by the Minister of Planning and Development that the team we put together to evaluate the proposals would submit its report. That report would come to Parliament and if we get a proposal that is satisfactory, in the next few weeks we will tell you exactly what Cabinet has decided will happen with that hospital.”

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Offline Flex

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Re: Brian Lara Stadium
« Reply #149 on: June 18, 2017, 02:53:50 AM »
Gov’t signs off on CPL US$1m final
T&T Guardian Reports.


The Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba will host the playoff and final match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) come September. The news was announced today by the Minister of Sport & Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, who first mentioned the government interest last month to host the grand finale at the newly opened venue.

At the opening of the now premier venue, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley indicated that the facility was part of the country’s renewed drive at sport tourism. Describing the Academy as a showpiece for cricket, the Prime Minister fully endorsed the promotion of the business of sport through tourism that would bring events and visitors to our shores and with them valuable foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, Minister Smith expressed his satisfaction that the Academy has been selected for the fifth season finale of the exciting regional tournament saying, “What better tribute could we ask for the Academy’s namesake and the cricket loving citizens of T&T? The CPL has become a true spectacle for the game and is enjoyed by cricket lovers across the Caribbean and the world. When the CPL officials visited last month and discussions began, I was quietly confident. We will ensure that it will be one of the best finals in the tournament’s history.”

The last time T&T hosted the showpiece final was in 2015 at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair at a cost of US$3.5m eqvilant to TT$24.5M to taxpayers.

Minister Smith worked very closely with Sports Ambassador Brian Lara to negotiate the US$1M bid and thanked him for his assistance. Apart from saving our country US$2.5M (TT$17.5M) from the last time it was hosted in T&T two years ago, what is even better is that the US$1M will actually be paid in TT dollars, the equivalent being TT$6.7M which saves on our limited foreign exchange.

The icing on the cake is that 50 percent (TT$3.35M) will be paid in kind including a waiver on the cost of the rental of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, ground transport from PTSC, Police, Fire, hotel accommodation, etc. The other half will be paid in cash.

The Playoff and Eliminator matches will be played from September 5-7, while the title match will takes place on September 9.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

 

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