THE United National Congress (UNC) staged a “stick fighting” competition at the Mid-Centre Mall, Chaguanas last Sunday as part of the Ole Mas, the party is playing for Carnival.

Thousands from all parts of the country came out to see some of the top UNC “stickmen” nicknamed the “Awesome Foursome”, (“Jack”, “Bas”, “Dooks” and “Ram”) in action.

From the opening rounds, former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who is making a come back into the “gayal” began to “caray” and “danced” around, waving his “stick” to his supporters.

He apologised for putting some “bois” on his leader, Basdeo Panday, who suffered a serious “buss head” in the “fight”, some five years ago and came out badly “wounded”.

He, however, stayed clear of putting some “stick” on UNC politicians and members who opposed his return.

The “chantuelles” (drumming) kept up the tempo while Maharaj, promised to return “fighting” with renewed vigour, while he kept “caraying” against the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) stickmen. But the spectators were waiting for the real fight.

When deputy political leader Jack Warner entered the ring, wearing a cap and “maljeux” (blue) colours like his other competitors, he welcomed Maharaj back into the “gayal” but turned his “stick’ on his leader Winston Dookeran, who got some “blows”.

But the real battle was yet to come from the two top “fighters” -- Dooks (Dookeran) and the “Silver Fox”, (Panday).

UNC supporters, who were saying that Dookeran was a “sorf” man, started to put some “bois” on Maharaj and Panday.

He said in l990 while he stood and “battled” with the Jamaat to hold the country together, others fled to Grenada (in apparent reference to Maharaj, who left the country).

Dookeran was in a fighting mood and shared “blows” all round, saying that he does not fight mock battles but real ones.

“The battle is on and I am prepared to fight,” he said.

But the vociferous crowd started booing, as he pelt two wood and almost buss his own head.

The UNC political leader, who was undecided whether he would appear in the “gayal”, appeared to “mount” his “stick”, sensing he was going to have a real “fight” on his hands with the “Silver Fox”.

But when the “Fox” made his appearance, with chants of the crowd behind him, he retaliated with some talking “bois” to the “head” of Dookeran.

He said: “No one would attack my party and escape unscathed.”

The “old warrior”, who had promised to put down his “stick” after the last general election battle announced the “Awesome Foursome” team that will take on the PNM in the next fight.

In the end Dookeran appeared to have come out “wounded” with the most “buss head”, in the “fight” but has promised to keep on fighting.