I did a Google search for the word "bobol" and was surprised to actually find it in a dictionary.  Bobol can only describe what I saw on my recent trip to Trinidad.

As I had mentioned in a previous news item, Trinidad managed to earn a berth in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.  We are the smallest nation to qualify.  Something else we should be well known for is the fact that the president of the CONCACAF region is Jack Warner , a Trinidadian.  He has very close ties to the TTFF (Trinidad & Tobago Footbal Federation) and carries a lot of clout with them.

The concern I have has to do with the availability of tickets for the Trinidad World Cup matches.  As of today, the only way someone can buy tickets for these matches is through the Simpaul Travel Agency in Trinidad.  They have a package that costs approximately US$5,000 per person, double occupancy that includes hotel stays and tickets for the first round of matches.  It does not include airfare.

 It turns out that Simpaul Travel was awarded the exclusive contract to sell these tickets, but the kicker is that the travel agency is owned by Jack Warner and his family.  Simpaul was awarded the contract and no other travel agency was allowed to bid for it. 

How can Jack Warner expect to do something like this and not expose himself to such a glaring conflict of interest.  But then again, this is Trinidad and the definition of bobol starts with the phrase "Caribbean Financial Corruption". 

 When I left Trinidad, the last bit of news I saw on this was that the Minister of Sports will be looking into the matter.  Also, other travel agencies are trying to find a way to also be able to sell tickets.  I wish them the best of luck.

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Here is Jack Warner's response