Hockey has done this country very proud yet again. It is not the first time, nor we hope will it be the last time, that this field sport has risen above the quagmire of ineptitude that prevails in all other sports to make us all proud once again to be citizens of this country.

The success of both the women with the gold medal and the men with their bronze are not isolated incidents, they are a result of a lot of practice and skill or are they?

Have we once again just experienced a miracle that will like the gold our Hockey girls got in Mexico in 1986 take almost 15 years to again reap rewards? In all of this time, we have acquired an artificial surface that was meant to improve the standard of hockey in this country, and which was from all reports well on its way to doing just that until problems arose over the maintenance of the facility.

To maintain any facility of this nature that is artificial and with carpet like grass, requires a particular level of maintenance that necessitates the use of equipment which has to be purchased if the facility is not to fall apart and become another white elephant.

Whether the facility is the responsibility of the Ministry of Sport and the government by such, or that the Hockey Federation needs to get more involved, is a matter that needs to be treated with great urgency.

In all of this success, there are matter that the Hockey Federation need to put on their agenda as soon as possible, foremost of which is the development of hockey at the school level, particularly secondary school level, this seems to have dropped off, although I understand that Ian Harris has been attempting to improve schools hockey with some training, but alone he is fighting a losing battle.

There are also those that believe that our best hockey coaches and even umpires are not being used by the Federation because of victimization and petty jealousy, the Federation must seek to correct this as soon as possible.

If we have people in the Federation that are not inclined to change their ways in the best interest of the sport, then they need to be dismissed or ask to resigned. In the first place, one can ask how were they elected.

There is also a question over the cost of playing hockey and if there should be some subvention so that hockey can be more accessible by many rather than a few. This though may be difficult and maybe sponsors will have to be sought.

To attract sponsors, the sport must attract interest, and this is where Hockey and those that play and love the sport must be held accountable, because it seems that nothing is being done to bring the sport to the people, whether by obtaining live radio coverage or TV coverage. Even having events such as specials during the knockout finals are non-existence and suggest a non-interest in widening the hockey pool. This is a travesty.

The point though is where does hockey go from the success earlier this month, is Hockey going to just flatten out or is it going to fall away as is normally the case in all our successful sports, lasting one moment in time.

If people say they love hockey they must not only show this by their words, but also in their actions.

The Panasonic Toyota Racing team arrives in Brazil for round three of the 2002 Formula 1 World Championship buoyed by an encouraging start to its season in the Far East. A points finish by Mika Salo in Melbourne was followed by the team's first top 10 qualifying slot in Malaysia.

Three of the team's TF102 chassis arrived in Sao Paulo over the weekend, having been freighted directly from Kuala Lumpur. It was the first time that Panasonic Toyota Racing's cars had touched down in Brazil because the 4.331 kilometre Interlagos circuit, situated in the northern suburbs of Sao Paulo, was one of just three permanent race tracks at which it did not test in 2001.

Aside from the team's lack of set-up data, it's drivers also lack experience of Interlagos. Mika Salo has not raced there since 1999, and Allan McNish has never been there. Both men have been doing extra neck training since Malaysia in preparation for the unusual stresses provided by the anti-clockwise direction of the track.

Interlagos was built in 1940 between two lakes (hence Inter-lagos) and has been the permanent home of the Brazilian GP since 1990, prior to which the race was shared with the Jacarepagua circuit in Rio de Janeiro. It is now home of the only grand prix in South America.

Ove Andersson:

"More than ever, my job is to pour water on everyone's expectations at each race! We are performing better than we expected at this stage of the programme, but I don't want people to expect too much. Look at Brazil next weekend: we have not tested there, so we have a steep learning curve. Having said that, I am very pleased with the progress we are making. We took a bit step forward in the way that we work in Malaysia and, if we make similar progress in Brazil, I'll be happy."

Mika Salo:

"I can't wait to get started at Interlagos because I think it will suit our car well. Power is important - and I think our engine is okay - and you don't have to run maximum downforce. The car deserved points in Malaysia, so I hope I can put that right here. I like the lay-out of the track, although the bumps make it hard on both the car and the driver."

Allan McNish:

"I came away from Malaysia with mixed emotions: disappointment that I didn't score my first world championship point, yet happy that I was able to mix it in pretty good company on the race track. Interlagos is a track that neither I nor the team have been to, so we have a lot to learn. But we have proved already this year that we enjoy challenges, so I'm confident that we'll be okay."

Mika Salo's lap of Interlagos:

"From a driver's perspective, Interlagos means one thing: bumps. All around the lap ripples in the tarmac unsettle the car, which are made even more treacherous if it's wet. It's a pity because the actual lay-out of the track is quite nice, with a good mix of fast and slow corners and undulations. You can find a good rhythm. It's also a racer's track because there is an excellent overtaking place at the end of the pitstraight. The track is wide and you have just been sitting in someone's slipstream for the previous 10 seconds... trust me, it's easy!"

The ICC today announced the appointment of Chris Kelly as its first Umpires and Referees Manager, a role created to provide ICC's new panels of match officials with a support infrastructure appropriate to the demands of international sport. Kelly's principle responsibility will be to "manage, mentor and coach" ICC's umpires and referees for their demanding jobs in Test and One Day International cricket worldwide.

Malcolm Speed, ICC Chief Executive, welcomed the news of the appointment as the latest development in the evolution of the ICC into an authentic international governing body for cricket:

"I am delighted to welcome Chris to our team at the ICC. I have every confidence that he will prove to be an invaluable asset to our match officials as international cricket embarks on new era of full time professional umpires and referees. This appointment, coming so soon after the extremely successful workshops held in South Africa last week, is further indication of the ICC's intent to bring about a significant improvement in the quality of international match officiating."

In addition to supporting the match officials Kelly will play a major role in the development and implementation of an accreditation and training program for the development of professional umpires and referees and the establishment of an overseas exchange program for Panel umpires. This scheme, which will operate between Full and Associate Member countries, is intended to provide valuable experience for up and coming umpires in standing in different conditions in preparation for progressing to the Elite Panel.

Kelly, 44, is currently the Deputy Head of Lower School at the Royal Grammar School in Worcester. He is a member of The England and Wales Cricket Boards (ECB) First Class Umpires Reserve list and has umpired extensively in County and Minor Counties Cricket taking charge of MCCA v South Africa in 1998 and the MCC Trophy Final at Lord's in 1997. Chris has also had extensive experience instructing and lecturing on the Laws of Cricket for emerging umpires both in England and internationally. He will take up his new role on 10th April.

An Indian publishing house has sent me a copy of a new paperback book it has just brought out on sport.

With it came a note that said: "We take pleasure in presenting you with this review copy and ask that you please send two copies of your views to our offices."

I seldom, in fact, I have never reviewed a book in my weekly commentary on ISPORTS. In fact at this time the station does not have a book review time slot, but I am certain, Tony, Dale, Jerome and Ian will work on that in the future . So in this case, I am going to make an exception.

The book is called " If at first ....." with a subtitle that says,"With the exclusive inside story of how the Indians are planning victory in the upcoming test series against the West Indies"

The authors are Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble . Actually , they didn't write it - some professional ghostwriter did. But the words and the story originated from them. I will begin my review by saying that this is a very solid book.

The moment I opened the package and saw what it was about, I threw it against my office wall as hard as I could.

Then I slammed it to the floor and jumped up and down on it. I beat on it with a chair for several minutes until I slumped onto my couch, emotionally and physically drained. Although slighlty scuffed, the book was still intact.

It is also a book that can cause excitement. I dropped it on the desk of a friend who has had a Queens Park Cricket Pass for the last ten years and it stirred him to emotional heights and he shouted "Why are you giving me this so and so book , with the writings of (deleted) Tendulkar, Dravid and Srinath, who really cares about the so and so Indians and so and so India, the whole so and so members of the West Indies Cricket Board that continue to allow this so and so rubbish to happen. And so and so you too."

Then he flung it against a wall and gave it a kick, and it still was intact, I told you it was a solid book.

It's a book that can move a sensitive reader to tears, as I noticed when I passed the book onto a old lady who adores West Indies cricket and has been travelling to matches since the 1950's, but who since 1995 has been seeing only darkness in West Indian cricket

When she looked at the cover, she choked back a sob, a tear trickled down her cheek and she said: " Why them ? Why not us ? What was our sin? How can we atone for it? You know I asked the pundit about this, and he said he wished he knew the answer to , because he loss $100 betting against them."

And it is a powerful book as reviewers like to say, it can hit you right in the gut, as I experienced when I showed it to a former West Indies player who said ," Excuse me, while I throw up ." But enough of generalities, let us consider the contents of the book.

On page five of the book, Sachin or Sunil or Kapil or a ghostwriter says ," We had the West Indians covered early, those guys like a party , and they made it easy on us, from that victory onwards we have not looked back...boo hoo who to the Bajan protagonists who want their players on the team."

On another note, Can anyone explain Why Darren Ganga, Didnath Ramnarine and Meryvn Dillon missed the crucial match against Guyana which we lost and why Dillon continues to still be missing in action.

It is also STRANGE bordering on peculiar that BRIAN CHARLES LARA WAS AWARDED THE SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR for the fourth time due to his performance in Sri Lanka. It seems that the young Daryl Browne will have to more than be the best in his age group in the World as well as helping T and T to their first medal in relays.

Again it seems that Lara's name has allowed our weak administrators to shun athletics when that is the only sport that is showing progress internationally. Anyway Lara can take another jump up , because he has once again been able to pull the wool over people's eyes.I noticed though his hands look strong enough to hold the trophy. Browne will be back and all the better for this.

The first group of T & T U 19 players has arrived safely in Venice, Italy. The remaining 14 members were scheduled to arrive at 9.00 p.m. (Italian time) last night.

The team will be based at the Madison Hotel, Via S. Trentin 62, Lido di Jesolo.

T&T Coach Deryck Downie speaking from the team hotel said that "it was cold, 10 degrees C".

His major concern however, was whether the players due to arrive "later" would be able to "get a good nights rest".

The Trinidad & Tobago starting team will be selected tomorrow morning (March 20). "Curtis (Manager), Mikey (Asst. Coach), Andre (Phisio) and myself will need to closely monitor how the boys have recovered from their journey before arriving at the starting fifteen", said Downie.

He however revealed that the players that are already in Italy are in good spirits and are preparing mentally for their game with Spain.

The Junior Calypso Warriors will play Spain tomorrow (March 20), kick off 3.00 p.m. Italy time.

For further information contact Team Manager, Mr. Curtis Nero or Coach Derek Downie at the Madison Hotel, Phone: 011-39 0421 372137 or 011-39 0421 370806 or visit the website www.ttrfu.com

ICC Appoints New Chairman for Code of Conduct Commission

The ICC Executive Board on March 16th announced that Michael Beloff QC is to succeed Lord Hugh Griffiths as Chairman of its Code of Conduct Commission.

Michael Beloff is an extremely distinguished legal figure who has practised as a Queen's Council since 1981. Of direct relevance to his work with the ICC is his membership of the Court of Arbitration for Sport; a post that has seen him involved with arbitration panels for the last two Olympic Games in Atlanta and Sydney and the 1999 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

"Hugh Griffiths has made an enormous contribution to the ICC's fight against corruption over recent years and cricket is very grateful for the expertise and guidance he has given. His successor, Michael Beloff, is another figure with a hugely distinguished legal background and we are delighted he has agreed to take on this important role with the ICC," said President Malcolm Gray.

The Executive Board meeting in Cape Town, South Africa also resolved issues arising from last November's Port Elizabeth Test match between South Africa and India. The matter will be addressed in two distinct ways.

First, by acceptance of proposals contained in a detailed paper prepared by ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed, to revise the role of Match Referees. In future the onus will be on umpires to lay disciplinary charges, which will then be referred to referees to hold a hearing. There will be a right of appeal against referees' decisions for more serious disciplinary offences. Protocols will also be put in place to prevent the system being used to gain unfair advantage. In addition, Referees have been given the authority to explain their decisions to the media, something that is currently denied them under existing regulations.

The second stage of the solution will call on a newly agreed Disputes Resolution Committee to review the detailed procedures followed by ICC Match Referee Mike Denness in disciplining six Indian players during last November 's Port Elizabeth Test match. A Committee chaired by Michael Beloff QC and comprising ICC Directors Peter Chingoka, Zimbabwe, Bob Merriman of Australia and Wes Hall of the West Indies will meet to complete this task in the near future.

The ruling made by ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed that stripped the third Test of the South Africa v India series at Centurion Park match of its official Test status was not disputed by any member of the Executive Board. Similarly, his judgement that South Africa was winner of the Test series by one Test to nil will remain.

"This matter has been a major issue for the ICC and its members over the past five months. It is a significant achievement that a solution has been reached by all directors, that is both business like and practical," commented ICC President Malcolm Gray.

A new system of Code of Conduct disciplinary penalties was agreed by the Executive Board, with the aim of achieving greater consistency in the application of cricket discipline. There will now be four levels of Code breaches, with recommended minimum and maximum penalties. For example, a first time Level 1 breach for dissent could be penalised by a minimum of a reprimand, with a maximum of a 50% match fee fine. At the other end of the disciplinary scale, Level 4 Code breaches, which would include threats and violence, would incur a minimum of a five Test or 10 ODI ban. In the most extreme cases a life ban could be applied. For Level 3 and 4 offences the option of suspended sentences will be removed.

As a final stage of approval the new proposals will be discussed at the forthcoming ICC Cricket Committee-Playing meeting chaired by Sunil Gavaskar on the 17th and 18th March. They will then be included on the agenda of the ICC Umpires and Referees Workshop, which meets for four days near Cape Town on the 21st to 24th March.

"This new disciplinary Code will be an important tool for the recently convened panels of ICC umpires and referees to work with," said Malcolm Speed. "There has been concern with declining standards of on-field behaviour and there has been inconsistency in the way it has been dealt with in the past. This new system establishes very clear penalties for misbehaviour, so there can be no misinterpretation by either the players or officials concerned," he added. The new disciplinary Code is scheduled for introduction from the beginning of April this year.

Confirmation that international cricket has been free of corruption for the past 12 months was provided by Lord Condon, director of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, as part of his presentation to the Executive Board.

Lord Condon also looked forward to next year's World Cup in South Africa, saying: " I am very confident that the measures being put in place in South Africa and around the cricket world will ensure that the World Cup will be a tournament played entirely on merit. There will be a sensible but stringent security regime in place, which will act as a major deterrent to would-be corruptors. At the same time it will be as unobtrusive as possible as far as players and spectators are concerned."

The five Security Managers, about to be appointed by the ICC, will also add significantly to the world game's anti-corruption infrastructure. Their role will include attendance at all future international series, with each being responsible for two international teams. This allocation will see Managers paired with West Indies and England, Pakistan and Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe and Australia and New Zealand. Appointments are to be confirmed in the next fortnight. Ends