Black Immigrant Daily News

Kylian Mbapp? riled up South Americans back in May when he said both Argentina and Brazil don’t play matches “at a high level” in qualifying to reach the World Cup.

Interviewed by Brazilian television, the France striker said South America lags behind Europe in terms of the strength of competition. He noted that the most recent World Cup champions — including his own country in 2018 — have been teams from Europe.

The responses ranged from aggravation to bemusement.

Lionel Messi, Mbapp?’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, said Europeans have no clue about the challenges of playing World Cups qualifiers at high altitude in Bolivia or the heat and humidity of the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Brazil coach Tite said the qualifiers in South America have a higher degree of difficulty than the European competition.

“With all due respect, we don’t have Azerbaijan to play,” Tite said. “No ones gives you a break.”

Sebasti?n Abreu, the retired striker whose “Panenka” penalty in 2010 sealed the shootout victory that put Uruguay into the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time in four decades, advised Mbapp? “to try and read more in Wikipedia”.

There is a lot of swagger in South America these days, particularly in Brazil, with Neymar and a plethora of young wingers, and in Argentina, which has gone 35 games without a loss and has Messi playing better than ever with his national team.

Uruguay believes it can go far with Luis Su?rez and Edinson Cavani in their fourth and likely last World Cup, alongside youngsters such as Federico Valverde and Darwin N??ez. Ecuador is back and at least wants to advance from a group in which they are playing the Netherlands, Senegal and host Qatar.

They all want to break Europe’s grip on the trophy. But they also are aware of an ominous trend: It has been 20 years since a team from South American won the World Cup.

Since Brazil won its fifth title in Japan and South Korea in 2002, the Selacao has been eliminated as soon they faced a European team in the knockout round, including a humiliating 7-1 loss at home to eventual champion Germany in 2014.

Argentina has managed to beat a European team in those stages, but still eventually fell short, including to France in the round of 16 in Russia four years ago.

One factor they point to for their long World Cup drought is that Europe has lots of money to invest in the development of their young players. And lately, the pandemic and the new Nations League conceived by UEFA has reduced significantly the number of matches between the top teams from Europe and South America.

“The Europeans are clearly playing at a different speed than us. They are at dimension that is far ahead of the South American player,” said Iv?n Zamorano, a former Chile striker who played for Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Zamorano envies the capacity that European soccer has to find talented players who can “leave a mark for the future”.

“There’s still that individual skill, the street quality, that makes the South American player unique,” Zamorano told The Associated Press. “But we are lacking the resources, the infrastructure, their work methods. So the chances of discovering and developing that kid with unique skills is tougher. That’s expensive and so many times in South America gets lost in the way.”

But Zamorano also says that this is the first time in at least three World Cups that he has seen Argentina and Brazil in such good shape right before the tournament.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the coach of the Brazil team that won in 2002 with its “Three ‘R’s” attack combination of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, believes the current European domination is a just phase.

He said Brazil could win it in Qatar, though he thinks the country is more likely to challenge for the title in 2026, pointing at the potential of a new crop of players. That includes Endrick, a 16-year-old striker that last month became the youngest scorer for Palmeiras in the Brazilian league.

“These kids playing now might give the result we expect,” Scolari said. “But you can’t pressure them to give everything. Maybe in four years we can pressure them to give everything, because then they will hit the pinnacle at age 26, 27.”

South American soccer leaders are seeking to keep their teams competitive. Alejandro Dom?nguez, the president of continental soccer body CONMEBOL, is hoping to reach an agreement with UEFA that will allow teams from South America to compete in the Nations League.

“It’s not easy to cut a 30-year-old gap. It’s just not titles but the expertise that has strengthened in Europe and what we’re trying to establish in South America,” Dom?nguez told a small group reporters in Buenos Aires. “Sadly our young players depart way too early. … We’re trying to generate more revenues so the clubs are not desperate to sell them.”___

By ERIC N??EZAssociated Press writers Mauricio Savarese in Rio de Janeiro and D?bora Rey in Buenos Aires contributed to this report.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

While Rowel Martin of Grays Farm has been convicted of possession of a firearm, he managed to escape drug charges due to the alleged disappearance of the Class “A” drug.

Martin, 28, appeared in the St. John’s Magistrates Court, on June 7, on charges of possession of one round of .38 special ammunition; possession of a modified flare gun; possession of 21 grammes of cocaine; and being concerned in supplying cocaine.

After pleading not guilty, he was remanded to prison, since Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh has no jurisdiction to grant bail on gun charges.

However, when Martin appeared in court for the matter yesterday, November 8, he changed his plea to guilty and was convicted and fined.

On the charge of possession of ammunition, he was reprimanded and discharged, but he was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for having a modified flare gun in his possession.

Because he had been on remand waiting for his matter to be heard, Martin was given until the end of January 2023 to pay the sum in full; in default, he will return to His Majesty’s Prison.

On the drug charges, however, the prosecution dropped the charges. Apparently, the cocaine cannot be found, and so the illegal substance could not be produced as evidence in court.

Reports say that officers were in Grays Farm executing a search warrant at the home of another resident man when they observed Martin acting in a suspicious manner. Upon seeing the officers, he reportedly went into a woman’s yard and sat down.

The lawmen approached and asked to search him, and Martin reportedly consented. The illegal items – along with four cellular phones and sums of EC, United States, and Canadian currency – were found in his possession.

Martin was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, ammunition and cocaine and taken to the station.

This incident reportedly occurred on June 1 in Grays Farm.

Martin is known to the court, having previous convictions for robbery and break-in.

In June, Magistrate Dexter Wason sentenced him to one month in prison, along with another man, after he pleaded guilty to receiving an iPhone valued at $660.

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Sara Baboolal holds her two-month-old baby as she speaks with Newsday about how the constant flooding is affecting her family. In the background is her husband Kevin Roopchan. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

A newborn baby was among scores of people affected by rising flood waters in Penal on Wednesday as murky water entered the family’s wooden home destroying several household items.

Newsday spotted two-month-old Sapphire Roopchan sound asleep in her mother’s arms in a makeshift tent at the front of the family’s house at Suchit Trace.

The parents, Sara Baboolal and Kevin Roopchan, said constant flooding over the past few years had taken a financial toll on them.

“To go through this every month, or every two months, is not easy. I do not know what I am going to do. Two weeks ago, we had a flood. When trucks pass through the flood water, the water hits the walls and shakes the house. Right now, the water is about 16 inches inside the house,” she said.

A man braves flood waters on Penal Rock Road on Wednesday. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

Baboolal said her two other children, ages ten and seven, went to stay with other relatives. She said other children constantly bully them for being poor.

“My husband works for small money. It is difficult for us to save money for a house when he has to constantly use it to buy back things because of the flood.

“We are living from paycheck to paycheck.

“After the big flood in 2018, we tried as best as possible to fix-up the house.”

Roopchan said people often “look down” on the family and even poke fun at their situation.

“Today, a driver stopped and asked her if we had cascadoux (mud fish) in the house because he wanted to catch some.”

Nearby, at Sunil’s Bar, water flooded the front of the property. Water was also seeping into the walls. A man at the bar said there were heavy rains from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Residents of Penal Rock Road stand on a bridge near the Kubairsingh Hindu Primary School on Wednesday, looking at their street, flooded water as far as their eyes could see. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

The flood water also marooned a Venezuelan family, including several children.

One, identified as Jose, told Newsday he was waiting for the water to subside so he could go to work.

“There is a lot of water in the apartment. We put items on higher ground so they would not be destroyed. I have to go to work because I have to pay the rent and take care of the family. If I do not work, I will not get paid,” Jose said in Spanish.

Parts of the Penal Rock Road in Penal were impassable. Several people turned around near the Kubairsingh Hindu School.

The Penal Quinam Road as well as parts of the SS Erin Road in Charlo Village and Syne Village, were also impassable.

Peter Sylvan of Penal Quinam Road said he was awakened around 7 am.

“I opened my eyes and put my foot on the ground to put on my slippers. When I looked down, the slippers were not there, and the place was flooded. The water went with my slippers,” Sylvan told Newsday.

He said he wanted to drink a beer and smoke a cigarette, so he went through the floods to get to a bar for the items.

Businessman Kishore Chatoo, of Charlo Village, said the water started rising since Tuesday night. The house and bar, Pour Decisions, are on the same compound. The bar had to remain closed owing to the rising waters.

Chairman of the Penal Debe Regional Corporation Dr Allen Sammy said he toured several affected areas.

Slippers in hand, this man walks through a flooded Penal Rock Road on Wednesday. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

“Some water along the Penal Rock Road went down, but the water is still high. The water is also high at Tulsa Trace, parts of the SS Erin Road, Rochard Road, as well as parts of Barrackpore and other areas.

“I am told it is going to get worse later. This is the worst flood we have had since 2018. This is our 19th flood within a few months.”

He added there was a major landslip along Wilson Road, and workers spent most of the day clearing the debris.

“I believe the rest of the hill would come down if more rains fall tonight. I am concerned about that and widespread reports of cracks appearing because of land movements.”

Sammy also promised to speak with the Baboolal/Roopchan family to see how he could help them.

Anyone willing to help the family can call Newsday at 607-4929.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Virgin Islands artists are getting new opportunities to share their work with the public, and the latest has come in the form of a local short film competition.

In honour of the BVI Film Commission’s 30th anniversary, VI filmmakers had a chance to get creative for a short film showcase. Five finalists screened their projects at a redcarpet debut at U.P.’s Cineplex on Oct. 30, with Earl Hazel Jr. taking the $3,000 top prize for “The Filmmaker’s Dilemma.”

Though the filmmakers could choose any genre, they had to include specific elements: a cameo by a prominent VI figure; visuals of a historical site in the territory; a VIbranded alcohol; national songs and symbols; and an ending with the phrase “Seas the Moment,” among others.

“Coming into it, you want to win,” Mr. Hazel said. “But it overwhelmed me how much I won. I didn’t expect to capture some of the categories I did. But hearing people talk about how the film impacted them, I understood where the judges came from.”

Five finalists screened their projects at a redcarpet debut at U.P.’s Cineplex on Oct. 30, with Earl Hazel Jr. taking the $3,000 top prize for “The Filmmaker’s Dilemma.”

Creative storytelling

This year’s finalists included Naudia Turnbull with the Misen Creative Group; Camroy Peters and Enya Douglas with Frostmedia Digital; Lawrence “Bunchie” Wheatley with BunchieVI LLC; D’aundre Williams with Notorious Visuals; and Mr. Hazel with Wes Indie Film.

The show began with Mr. Williams’ film “Love,” a comedy with a twist. Left feeling neglected after his guests are a no-show at his 30th birthday party, a forlorn man stumbles upon a wish-granting genie. While he says any other day he might wish for a billion dollars — or a new gaming system — all he wanted that day was for his friends to prioritise him.

Mr. Williams said it felt even better than he had imagined to see his film on the big screen, and despite operating on a tight schedule he was pleased with the final product. Though he said he hopes to advance his production elements in the future, he was glad to make the audience laugh with his comedy-thriller.

He was also impressed by the work of his fellow directors.

“They were really talented, and I learned a lot, to be honest,” Mr. Williams said.

Next up was Mr. Wheatley’s self-referential mockumentary, in which a world-famous influencer goes on a bender and disappears for six months, as reported by 284 Media newscaster Ronn Grant. Upon his return, the character reminisces about a simpler time of making skits with friends in the VI.

The mockumentary was packed with inside jokes that got attendees laughing, with one viewer commenting, “Comedy is where it’s at!”

Mr. Wheatley said he was proud of the project considering that he only had three days available to shoot. He added that he found the undertaking to be rewarding and fun while he pursues larger-scale projects including a feature-length film.

Heartfelt animation

The evening took a heartwarming turn with Ms. Turnbull’s film “Add Essence.” She was the only finalist to submit an animated short that included music but no dialogue.

In the film, a young boy sets out to craft the perfect coconut tart in keeping with one of his most important New Year’s resolutions. Despite his many valiant attempts, the youngster just can’t quite get it right. However, he is struck by familial inspiration and makes one last try as the year draws to a close.

Ms. Turnbull, who completed the project solo rather than working with an animation team, said one of her biggest challenges was generating the right facial expressions and creating algorithms for details like the character’s hair movement.

She said she’s always had an interest in digital animation and has recently begun taking it more seriously.

Chasing the dream

Ms. Douglas and Mr. Peters told the story of a struggling dreamer with their film “The Big Break.” Their star experiences one of those days where nothing seems to go right, starting with the loss of her phone over the cliff at Bat Cave.

The directors said one of their most memorable days on set was shooting their opening scene, as it took some effort to reach the remote destination with all their equipment in tow while dodging rain and snakes.

“But it was really beautiful scenery and something we were excited to do,” Mr. Peters said.

Denia Vanterpool, one of the actresses in the film, said she got involved through H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s drama club.

The showing concluded with Mr. Hazel’s artistic take on filmmaking challenges such as self-doubt and lack of access to fancy equipment. He utilised overlapping, echoing audio to give voice to that doubt, heard as he spoke directly to the camera. While on an adventure through thick foliage to discover hidden treasure, the narrator goes through a figurative journey attempting to find his inspiration.

But on his side was his oneman imaginary support team — again played by Mr. Hazel — offering “crisis management,” among other roles.

Winners’ circle Mr. Hazel swept most of the awards, winning best editing, best directing, best acting, best screenplay, best soundtrack, the Neil Blyden Memorial Award for best cinematography, and the Rhodni A. Skelton Production Award.

Ms. Turnbull was awarded for the best animated film and won the adoration of viewers, who voted her the fan favourite with boisterous applause. She also took second place in the overall competition.

Ms. Douglas and Mr. Peters won third.

This year’s judges were Janis Braithwaite-Edwards, Hadassah Ward, Sharon Flax-Brutus, Rhodni Skelton and Natalie Hodge.

More events planned

This VI film competition was the first of its kind to be organised by the BVI Film Commission, and the organisation said it has other events planned for its anniversary. Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley congratulated the creators and said he hopes to allocate additional funding for the commission as it grows.

The directors said they would love to see the film festival become an annual celebration.

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