STREET WISE
Taking bets on the Nobel Prize
It's human nature to make bets on just about anything. Not only do we bet on football matches and other sports, but we'll also happily wager with a friend if he dares to open a conversation with the object of his affection. In a single day, a person can make many bets, which may involve money or not.
But do you know that there is a betting line on the potential winner of the Nobel Peace Prize? That is now happening on www.centrebet.com, an online betting site belonging to an Australian company. According to Agence France-Presse, Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, credited with achieving peace in the separatist province of Aceh, is the favourite to win this year's prize. The winner will be announced on October 13 in Oslo. Centrebet gave the Indonesian president 3-to-1 odds to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In second place is former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, who mediated the Aceh peace accord as well as numerous other peace processes. He and his foundation, the Crisis Management Initiative, were given 4-to-1 odds. Putting this issue on the betting board is a smart idea. Right now, whenever we are picking someone for an award or the top position in a prestigious international organisation, confusion reigns, leading to disgruntled feelings. Just look at the race for the position of UN secretary-general. Politician Surakiart Sathirathai has been trotting around the globe to drum up votes. It would be wise to these candidates on the betting boards. Given that bookies have to launch an extensive research process about candidates before setting their odds, their opinions could carry sufficient weight to tell the men in charge who should be the world's favourites.
achara_d@nationgroup.com
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