Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Where your views make the news
Letters... Where your views make the news
Nicaraguan Canal needed DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to your news story (KN Dec 28) on a planned construction of a canal through Nicaragua linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Panama Canal currently links the two oceans, but it is not coping with demands as a result of rising global trade traversing that region. The canal cuts the journey around South America by weeks facilitating trade and promoting international security. But another canal is badly needed although very little of Guyanese trade goes through the Panama Canal or will go through a Nicaraguan Canal. I am not in a position to comment on the internal Nicaraguan politics of the canal, but I am certain the protesters would be more than compensated for their land. I recently visited the Panama Canal for one of my studies and observed the crossing of ships that could take as long as an hour for a ship to go through the canal. There was a long line of ships
waiting to cross the canal and sometimes ships had to wait days to make the crossing. Another canal would ease the congestion and speed up crossing between the t w o oceans and may also lead to lowering costs of the journey. Ships are charged by weight and size and a crossing could cost between tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars; Panama uses the dollar as its national currency. In my conversations with staff of the Panama Canal, I was told that work was underway to construct another crossingm but that it would take several years. I pointed out to the staff that Nicaragua (news item in New York Times June 2013) was in talks with Chinese investors to cut a canal through their territory. The staff laughed saying digging such a canal was not practical, as the distance was too long, and it would be very costly. The Times story did mention US$50 B – an astronomical figure. Who would come up with
that kind of money? And what guarantees are there that the cost would be recovered from crossing the canal? How long would it take recover investment? The Panama Canal staff also pointed out that even if the Nicaraguan Canal were to be constructed, the time it would take to cross it would be longer than that of traversing the Panama Canal. By the time the Nicaraguan Canal is completed, if work goes ahead, the other Panama Canal crossing may be completed, decreasing the need for the Nicaraguan Canal. Nevertheless, another canal is badly needed and it would lead to competition that could drive down the cost of crossing between the two oceans. Another advantage is although it would be a longer journey it would shorten the distance on the Pacific Coast going up north. Guyana would not benefit much from it, except if trade from our country rises rapidly within a decade. Vishnu Bisram
There is consensus about the deplorable... From page 4 must ask are: How do we break the cycle of corruption? How do we enforce transparency and accountability? How do we ensure that ministers are held responsible under the law and are held accountable for their betrayal of the public trust? What solutions can be found? We believe that one obvious solution would be for the majority opposition to enforce transparency through Parliament, since this is not going to voluntarily come from the PPP regime. They just cannot throw in the towel by saying that they
do not have the power to do more than what they are doing in exposing the wrongs committed by the PPP. We strongly believe that if the opposition has to manufacture that power, then so be it. The media also has to be more proactive in ferreting out similar instances of corruption and mismanagement of public bodies, as Kaieteur News is doing. But the media should not be the only ones applying pressure. The Private Service Commission (PSC), Guyana Bar Association, Labour Unions, Religious Institutions and other civic
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groups should lead the way to make sure that the tax dollars are being used appropriately. Guyana needs a peaceful revolution to bring about a change in the status quo. Any such revolution must be supported by fact-based information that can lead to constitutional reform. The country cannot afford to continue under the corrupt PPP or the cycle of swapping one party for another without major changes to the constitution, in which no one should be above the law. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
Enough of the history rewrites! DEAR EDITOR, I am not one to take up space in your newspaper on a regular basis, but kindly permit me to debunk the inaccuracy of Peeping Tom’s (Burnham and diplomatic relations with Cuba) commentary in the Monday December 29, 2014 issue. Peeping Tom asserts that it took Burnham more than six years to establish diplomatic ties with Cuba. Can Peeping Tom remind this nation that while Guyana gained Independence in 1966 we were still under the British monarchy, and that it wasn’t
until 1970 that we became a Republic, thereby breaking free from external rule completely, and thereby with full authority to make decisions on our own. Thus it was merely two years after becoming a Republic that saw Guyana establishing diplomatic ties with Cuba. While reading for a degree in English at UG in 2000, I minored in History, and the research done opened my eyes to many rewrites of our history. During this time, I participated in the InterCollegiate debates as a representative for UG in
Barbados, and informally spoke with several professors and scholars from the Americas and the Caribbean. They all saw Burnham’s move as brilliant and bold in light of the repercussions from the superpower of the day. For Peeping Tom to negate this ground-breaking achievement is tantamount to saying Burnham was not a leader in the formation of Caricom via the Treaty of Chaguaramas. I say give Jack his jacket and Jill her petticoat. Enough of the history rewrites! Stan Gouveia
Lindener charged for mugging teenage girl A 20-year-old man of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, who allegedly held a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint and robbed her on Christmas Day, was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a robbery under arms charge yesterday. The police say that on December 25, last at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Jamakie Brummell, armed himself with a knife and robbed the teenage girl of her white Samsung Tablet and $10,000 cash. He denied the allegation. Police Prosecutor,
Inspector Michael Grant, told the Court that around 20:30 hours that day, the victim’s mother sent her to a shop. On her way, Brummell reportedly confronted the teenager, placed the knife to her neck, grabbed her tablet and money and ran away. Grant said that this is not the first time that Brummell is being charged with an offence of this nature. He said he was previously convicted on similar allegations and added that the defendant has matters pending in the Linden Magistrate’s Court. When asked by the Chief
Magistrate what he does for a living, Brummell said: “I don’t work. My father does send $10,000 every weekend”. Additionally, the 20-year-old claimed that this is the first time he has ever been charged. Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for January 6, 2015.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Day Two: No sign of missing plane, crew Search and rescue teams turned up empty handed yesterday following a 20-mile radius search for the missing Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft that went down in the Mahdia, Region Eight area, two days ago. Working with fairly good weather, rescue teams kept up search efforts until nightfall for the missing Britten Norman Islander aircraft 8R-GHE carrying pilot, 27-year-old Captain Nicky Persaud, and 51-year-old cargo loader, David Bisnauth. The aircraft which was on a resupply mission to gold mines in the country’s interior went down just after noon on Sunday, a few minutes after taking off from Mahdia to Karisparu in the PotaroSiparuni Region. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) reported last evening that search and rescue teams triangulated a search area approximately 20 miles west and south of Mahdia. “The expanse of dense jungle is within the area of interest as determined by map terrain information and aircraft sighting while taking into consideration the last known position of the aircraft,” the aviation body
Missing ASL Pilot Nicky Persaud related. The mountainous area up to 700 meters highincluding Echerak and North Fork, was overflown in search of Bisnauth and Captain Persaud who is said to have 8,000 flying hours and vast experience operating in this area. “The twin-engine aircraft’s last known position via “Spot Tracker” was 3.8 nautical miles south of Mahdia – a mere two minutes after it departed Mahdia airstrip. The aircraft was expected to reach Karisparu at midday.” At the time Persaud lost contact with operators, it was stated that weather conditions en route to Karisparu, was reported as ‘bad.’ The second day of the search yielded no sightings of the aircraft,” GCAA said.
A Cessna preparing to leave Timehri with supplies as the search continues Eleven hours and 24 minutes were accumulated by search aircraft yesterday; bringing the total search hours flown to 18 hours and four minutes. At 16:20hours on Sunday, Timehri Air Traffic Control was said to have made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether it had landed at its destination. When no information was received, the search and rescue operation was implemented. Six aircraft were said to
have been deployed in the search and rescue mission on Sunday, including military helicopters and those of the ASL Company. In yesterday’s search, two fixed wing and three rotor wing aircraft including one Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter were involved. “GCAA investigators and GDF Special Forces remain on standby in Mahdia for possible extraction. Medical personnel are also on standby at Mahdia District Hospital and the Georgetown
Public Hospital (GPH).” The rescue organisers say that all aspects of the operation are being coordinated from the Rescue Coordination Centre at the Timehri Control Tower. “Present are officials from the Ministry of Public Works; Ministry of Health; GCAA; Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA); GDF Air Corps, Air Services Ltd and the Guyana Police Force.” The GCAA Director General told Kaieteur News yesterday that the ASL aircraft was indeed fitted with a locator. It was stated that some signal was received on Sunday but currently nothing is being heard. It was mentioned further that certain restrictions could be impeding the signal of the locator and preventing a definite location for the missing craft. The search and rescue mission commenced at 06:30hours yesterday at the
Timehri Control Tower. An aerial search is being conducted at the identified areas. The missing pilot’s sisterin-law Amrita Persaud told Kaieteur News yesterday that the pilot’s father had travelled to Mahdia following the disappearance of his son. She said information out of Mahdia is that a 10-mile area will be searched today. Other relatives were said to have spent most of their day at the ASL office awaiting any word, and will return there today. The publication was informed however, that rescuers will be searching a certain area after miners, related hearing a noise that could possibly be that of a downing plane. The information was reportedly received late in the afternoon and searches could not have been conducted at the time. This area is expected to be searched today.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Indonesia says missing AirAsia plane could be at ‘bottom of sea’ (Reuters) - A missing AirAsia jet carrying 162 people could be at the bottom of the sea after it was presumed to have crashed off the Indonesian coast, an official said on Monday, as countries around Asia sent ships and planes to help in the search. The Indonesia AirAsia plane, an Airbus A320-200, disappeared after its pilot failed to get permission to fly higher to avoid bad weather during a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore on Sunday. Flight QZ8501 did not issue a distress signal and disappeared over the Java Sea five minutes after requesting the change of course, which was refused because of heavy air traffic, officials said. “Based on our coordinates, we expect it is in the sea, so for now (we think) it is on the sea floor,” Soelistyo, head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, told reporters when asked about the missing plane’s likely location. A senior Indonesian civil aviation source told Reuters that authorities had the flight’s radar data and were waiting for search and rescue teams to find debris before they started their investigation into the cause. Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan said the search was focused on an area of 70 square nautical miles between the island of Belitung, off Sumatra, and Borneo island. He said the sea there was only 50 to 100 meters deep, which would be a help in finding the plane. Ships could hunt around the clock, but
aircraft were expected to suspend operations at dusk. Air force spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto said searchers were checking a report of an oil slick off Belitung. They had picked up an emergency locator signal off the south of Borneo but no subsequent signal was found, he said. On board Flight QZ8501 were 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, and one person each from Singapore, Malaysia and Britain. The copilot was French. The disappearance caps a disastrous year for Malaysiaaffiliated airlines. Indonesia AirAsia is 49 percent owned by Malaysia-based budget carrier AirAsia. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 went missing on March 8 on a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew and has not been found. On July 17, the same airline’s Flight MH17 was shot down off Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. The AirAsia group, including affiliates in Thailand, the Philippines and India, had not suffered a crash since its Malaysian budget operations
began in 2002. The group’s shares in Kuala Lumpur closed 8.5 percent lower. ANGER GROWING Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, visiting relatives of people on the flight in Surabaya, told reporters the search by 30 ships and 15 aircraft, about halfway between Surabaya and Singapore, was being hampered by bad weather. Anger grew among about 100 relatives at a crisis center at the airport in Indonesia’s second-largest city. “We only need clear information every hour on where they are going,” said Franky Chandra, who has a sibling and three friends on the flight, referring to the search teams. “We’ve been here for two days but the information is unclear. That’s all we need.” Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea have sent ships and aircraft to join the search.In a statement on its website, China’s Defence Ministry said it had sent a warship to the South China Sea and planes “have begun preparatory work” for search operations.
Taliban declare ‘defeat’ of U.S., allies in Afghanistan (Reuters) - Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan on Monday declared the “defeat” of the U.S. and its allies in the 13-year-old war, a day after the coalition officially marked the end of its combat mission. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force is shifting to a support mission for Afghan army and police more than a decade after an international alliance ousted the Taliban government for sheltering the planners of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on American cities. “ISAF rolled up its flag in an atmosphere of failure and disappointment without having achieved anything substantial or tangible,” Taliban
spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in an statement emailed on Monday. About 13,000 foreign troops, mostly Americans, will remain in the country under a new, two-year mission named “Resolute Support” that will continue the coalition’s training of Afghan security forces to fight the insurgents, who have killed record numbers of Afghans this year. While the U.S. and its allies say the Afghan army and police have been able to prevent the Taliban from taking significant territory, violence has shot up as the insurgents seek to gain ground. For Afghanistan’s new president, Ashraf Ghani, keeping government control of
territory and preventing security from further deteriorating is a top priority. Vowing to restore their former hard-line Islamist regime, Taliban spokesman Mujahid vowed that “the demoralized American-built forces will constantly be dealt defeats just like their masters”.The Taliban have launched increasingly deadly attacks this year. Nearly 3,200 Afghan civilians were killed in the conflict between the militant group and the army in 2014, and more than 4,600 Afghan army and police died in Taliban attacks. Since 2001, nearly 3,500 foreign soldiers have been killed in the war, including around 2,200 Americans.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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FIRMER POLICE ACTION IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO ROAD DEATHS One of the first observations about British Guiana that was made by renowned novelist V. S. Naipaul was the extent to which Guyanese living in such a large country huddled together on a narrow coastal strip. We operate in this country as if there is a shortage of land. Land and property values are exorbitantly high. And skyscrapers are going up in a country that has one of the lowest population densities in the world. You would believe from the high price of real estate and the
towering structures that are being erected that Guyana has a shortage of land. The opposite is quite true. We have extensive flat lands, poorly drained of course but we do have lands. The coastal plain has some of the best lands for agricultural purposes, while the hilly sand and clay area has some of the poorest lands for such purposes. Yet increasingly the well drained and fertile lands of the Guyana Sugar Corporation located on the coastal plain are being ceded for housing development, while more and more persons
Man dies while checking out of city hotel A 51-year-old Trinidadian man by the name of Randy Maycock, reportedly died while checking out of a city hotel, yesterday morning. Sources have informed Kaieteur News that Maycock came to the country to be part of the Guyanese Christmas experience and checked into the city hotel on Christmas Eve. He was apparently
scheduled to leave the country yesterday. While he was leaving the city hotel, he apparently collapsed at the checkout counter and was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he died. A post mortem examination found that the Trinidadian died of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. He was a diabetic.
are taking up the lands alongside the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway for agricultural purposes. It should have been the other way around. Greater human settlements should have been encouraged on the hilly sand and clay area and the low coastal plain should have been reserved for agricultural cultivation. The government built bypasses on the East Coast Public Road which allowed for a reduction in the number of turns in the area between Mahaica and Mahaicony. There was one stretch of roadway that cut through former coconut estates. No sooner was this road completed that habitation began alongside the roadway. This is one of the main problems that being faced. In this modern age, you cannot continue to encourage housing areas along side major highways and roadways because these roads are intended for fast moving traffic and when persons live alongside major public roads and highways there is the tendency for persons to be either walking on the roads or crossing them either on foot or bicycle. A
Dem boys seh...
Brassy was always crookish It ain’t got a day that dem boys ain’t learn something new bout some of de people who mekking decisions fuh dem. And de people who got nuff information is dem old teacher. Dem is de people who train some of de people who got everybody in Guyana crying. But as one man seh, don’t blame de teacher, blame de society wheh de crooks come from. Brassy was one of twenty-six li’l children in he class. At de time he was only six years but to watch he today nobody would ever believe that he was a small boy. But he was once young. Ever since then, dem boys seh that dem notice something in he. That is why when de teacher give he some proverb fuh complete de poor teacher could only shake she head when she get some of dem answers.
Don’t change horsesuntil they stop running. Never underestimate the power oftermites.You can lead a horse to water buthow? Don’t bite the hand thatlooks dirty.No news isimpossible.A miss is as good as aMister.If you lie down with dogs, you’llstink in the morning. Love all, trustme.An idle mind isthe best way to relax.Happy the bride whogets all the presents. A penny saved isnot much.Don’t put off till tomorrow whatyou put on to go to bed. There are none so blind asStevie Wonder.Children should be seen and notspankedYou get out of something only what yousee in the picture on the box. When the blind lead the blindget out of the way.A bird in the handis going to poop on you. And the WINNER and last one! Better late thanpregnant.
great many pedestrians have lost their lives after being struck down while using public roads. They should not be on these roadways. This past Christmas at least nine persons lost their lives on our roadways. This is unfortunate and is a product of reckless use of our roadways. But it is not a problem that can be fixed by having a greater police presence on our road. It is a problem that has to be addressed fundamentally by isolating the public roads to pedestrians and businesses. If a road is designated a major public highway, then there should not be pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists using that roadway. That does not happen anywhere in the developed world. A major highway is for fast moving vehicles. Yet our major public roads are not only lined with houses and businesses but are crisscrossed every fifty or more yards by streets emerging from the villages that the major public roads pass through. This has to change. The access from village to the main public road has to be limited to a few junctions. You cannot have a junction every fifty or so yards. You cannot have entrances of homes and businesses leading out into a public highway. You cannot continue to encourage businesses alongside major public roads. These are recipes for disaster.
A new public road has been built on the West Bank. It leads into one of the major housing schemes. It is only a matter of time before lands alongside this road are converted into homes and businesses. This is the mistake that we continue to make. In fact, instead of building that road, the government should have experimented with a small rail service that would have moved hundreds of persons at any one time. It can still be done with the road being used as an alternative mode of transportation. Another major cause of accidents on public highways is overtaking. Often there is a miscalculation and an overtaking vehicle finds itself in the path of oncoming traffic. The result is fatalities. What is needed to reduce this are medians that would separate the flow of traffic so that there is no way in which
an overtaking vehicle can end up in the path of traffic coming in the opposite direction. As far as possible this should be happening in the redesigning of the road works being undertaken on the East Bank and East Coast Public Roads. Engineering and better road planning, not firmer police action has to be the solution to road deaths. And that solution has to be implemented now rather than later. Guyana has land. Let us stop crowding the coastal belt and open up new areas for development. And let us stop this habit of having to build houses and businesses along our major thoroughfares.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 30, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
It’s my birthday; I’ll take my wife out to show her what Van Gogh painted When I was courting my wife, she introduced me to one of her favourite songs, ‘Vincent.’ Written and sung by Don McLean (I prefer the Nana Mouskouri version – this is an amazing song about an amazing man who committed suicide because he felt life and people were unfair to him), it is a tribute to one of the world’s most talented painters, Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1850). The opening line of the song begins, “Starry, starry night.” This is in reference to one of art’s phenomenal paintings, “Starry Night,” done by Van Gogh. For this Christmas my daughter insisted that she didn’t want a surprise gift; she wanted a print of “Starry Night,” and she wanted it situated on the wall where it stares at her when she is going upstairs and it stares at her when she is going
downstairs. This is the most strategically placed print I have in my home since I have to face it whenever I leave upstairs to go downstairs and vice versa. And I do so incessantly. I have been looking at Starry Night so often since December 25 (five days before my birthday) that the idea came to me that I should take my wife out for the entire day and when the evening comes relive what we use to do when we were courting – attempt to count the stars while on the Camp Street seawall. Things just collide in life. I planned this year to spend every minute of my birthday with the woman I have shared thirty-seven of my birthdays with (never missed one with her) and out of the blue my daughter wanted “Starry Night.” Starry Night reminds me of my courting days with my girlfriend and the stars we
would gaze at. And here I am taking my wife out today for the entire day and will show her what Van Gogh painted. There is a hurdle, though, that we have to cross when we are on the seawall tonight. I get scared when it gets towards 10 PM. If you know my wife, you can ask her; she gets even more afraid. This is the reality of my life in my country. I don’t want to be a hero and go out there and get hurt by people who would kill out of the lust for power. Look at what happened to Mr. Courtney Crum Ewing. Since the Nandlall tape scandal, Mr. Crum-Ewing has conducted a one-man protest outside Nandlall’s office. Last week, the man’s main source of income was devastated when political worms attacked his mini-bus. Neighbours saw when three men descended on the bus and physically
removed parts including the computer box. It was not that these men waited until an uncivilized hour to make their move. They were bold enough to do so in full view of Mr. Crum Ewing’s neighbours. This is how desperate and paranoid the power-holders of this country have become. The implications are frightening when two dimensions of the minibus incident are analyzed. First, Mr. Crum Ewing is not East Indian. PPP leaders become insanely hostile to Indian condemners of their rule. They feel you are trying to weaken their main source of power. An African critic in Georgetown may be left touched once he does not set his sight on the Indians in Berbice. For the PPP the most dangerous person in Guyana
is an Indian protestor against PPP domination. Secondly, Mr. Crum Ewing is a mere protestor holding a piece of cardboard in his hand. He does not threaten any other human. He does not incite violence. He has no group with him. If an African Guyanese on a one-man protest can be attacked as in the minibus incident then think of what the powerholders are capable of if their hold on power is seriously confronted by people who appeal directly to IndoGuyanese. This is what this country has become. Mrs. Patricia Rodney, the wife of Walter, needs to understand this. I will have more to say on the Guyana that Mrs. Rodney left behind in 1980 and Guyana in 2014. The Guyana Mrs. Rodney left in 1980 looks like paradise to present day
Guyana. The attack on Mr. Crum Ewing and Mr. Glenn Lall were obviously meant to scare them and had they surrendered, those who saw the capitulation would have been intimidated too and power madness would have won out. I am spending the entire day of December 30, my birthday with my wife. But when the shadows of night show their faces, after gazing at what Van Gogh painted, I’m taking my wife to safer grounds - home
Two brothers accused of stabbing another man nine days ago thereby causing him to be hospitalized, were recently hauled before the courts on an attempted murder charge. Michael Bishwanauth, 36, and Mahase Bishwanauth, 49, of Lot 36 Fourth Street, La Penitence, first appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Christmas Eve Day. They were remanded to prison then, but bail was granted to the 36-year-old to the tune of $600,000 yesterday when they made their second appearance. The charge against the brothers alleged that on
December 21, last at La Penitence, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jamal Corwin Joe with intent to murder him. They were not required to plead and their attorney, Charles Ramson Jr., submitted an application for bail then. During their first arraignment, Police Inspector, Michael Grant, prosecuted the case. He had explained that about 17:30 hours, Joe was walking along the streets when both accused pounced on him and dealt him several stabs about his body. Joe was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted. The brothers were later arrested and charged with unlawful and
malicious wounding with intent to commit murder. Grant, who said that Joe is still in a serious condition at the hospital, opposed bail for the duo on the basis of the nature and gravity of the offence. In a bid for bail, the duo’s defence attorney told the court that on the day in question, the younger Bishwanauth found his brother in an altercation with the victim. He added that the brother went over to make peace and saw blood on his brother’s shirt. Defence counsel said that his clients are willing to abide by any decision made by the court. They are set to appear in court again on January 31, 2015.
Frederick Kissoon
Brothers charged with attempted murder
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
APNU calls for stricter enforcement and safer roads Alarming rise in road fatalities…
The main opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is expressing its condolences to the relatives and friends of all those who died on our country’s roadways over the holiday season. Calling attention to the alarming rise in road fatalities and the increasing incidents of dangerous driving on the nation’s roads, Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger noted “I feel that these road accidents can be brought to an end…..We are not talking about blame and fault, but about the government having a duty to protect its citizens.” He called on the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration to immediately take decisive action to ensure that the Guyana Police Force has the necessary manpower and equipment, (radar guns, breathalyzer kits, vehicles,
etc), to effectively enforce the law on our nation’s roads. Brigadier Granger is also calling on the Guyana Police Force to ensure that there are more patrols by day and by night, “there needs to be more attention paid to looking after our citizens…everybody must be protected.” APNU, in a press release, reiterated its call for stricter methods of enforcement and safer road. Far too many Guyanese have lost their lives on the poorly lit and inadequately patrolled coastal highways. Speeding and drunk driving continues to be the major cause of all fatal accidents in Guyana. Road accidents are a grave human safety problem, the release stated. The Ministry of Health’s National Rehabilitation Services Strategy 2009-2013 revealed that road accidents were among the top 10 leading
causes of death and account for the greatest number of disabilities. It is estimated that there are twelve road fatalities in Guyana every month. Thousands more have suffered injuries or lost limbs as a result of traffic accidents. It is estimated that the cost of medical care of accident victims exceeds more than $100M per year at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation alone. The loss of productivity, loss of earnings of the victims and premature funeral expenses resulting from accidents cost Guyana many more millions annually. “APNU calls attention to the fact that despite the deadly carnage on our nation’s roadways, there has been no public response from President D o n a l d R a m o t a r o r the Minister responsible for Public Security.”
The ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday lauded government’s move to advance $2.1 B to millers in order for early payments to be made to cash strapped rice farmers. Last week, Government made two sets of payments. The first set was to the tune of $600M. Government later released another $1.5B to assist in paying off rice farmers. This accumulated $2.1B is said to have been released from the Petrocaribe account. Farmers were owed about $3B; after payments of the latest advances the amount owed to rice farmers will be less than $1B. PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, commended the actions of the government. Rohee told media operatives that the PPP is aware of the hardships faced by farmers when they do not
receive payments on time. He said that the ruling party wants the relevant authorities including millers to do everything within their power to ensure prompt payments at the best prices available for the produce on the market. The General Secretary said that the PPP is thankful that the Venezuelan Government purchase rice from Guyana under the Petrocaribe facility at prices that are satisfactory to farmers. He used the opportunity to commend rice farmers for “record production levels.” Rohee said that it is indicative “not only of the diligence and hard work by farmers but also of improved drainage and irrigation systems and better access dams put in place by the PPP/ C administration which have resulted in a much greater acreage of land under cultivation. This coupled with new and improved varieties
have significantly impacted on production and productivity levels.” Rohee also called on farmers to be vigilant and not to allow persons with “obvious political agendas to mislead them and in the process play into the hands of those who ruined the once vibrant industry under the PPP administration of the 1957-1964 periods.” He added that the PPP is aware that there are those who are seeking to play politics with the rice industry by spreading all manner of misinformation in order to score “cheap political points.” He then called on farmers to reject “these wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Rohee, on behalf of the PPP said that famers should remain assured of its continued support to the further growth of the rice industry and well being our farmers.
PPP lauds Govt $2.1B release to rice millers
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Nandlall’s threats to KNews
PPP defends DPP’s advice not to charge
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday jumped to the defence of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack saying that she has every right to advise the Guyana Police Force in favour of Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. Speaking at the PPP’s weekly press conference, the party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, said that it stands ready to defend “hardworking professionals and those who hold public offices in the discharge of their professional duties.” His reference was to the DPP. Rohee told the media that his party is disappointed but not surprised by the position adopted by both the Alliance For Change and A Partnership for National Unity on the advice offered by the
DPP “on the allegations made by the learned Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandlall against the publisher of Kaieteur News.” This is with regard to the threats Nandlall made to the lives of Kaieteur News staff. Rohee said that it seems that for the political opposition, the only correct and acceptable advice that could be offered by the DPP is one that puts Nandlall, and by extension the PPP/C administration in a bad light “even though the DPP took pains to clarify the reasons for arriving at her decision on the matter.” Rohee said that the PPP fully supports the DPP on the advice she offered. He claimed that it is consistent with the views of a significant body of
public opinion to the effect that the allegations against the AG were politically motivated and designed to denigrate the AG and the office he holds. Rohee said that the PPP condemns the “unwarranted and unsubstantiated attacks on the DPP’s Chambers and other Government officials whose only crime is to uphold the integrity of their offices and their professionalism.” He called on the opposition parties and other to desist from making statements that are designed to attack the professionalism and integrity of public officers. Rohee said that the attacks on the DPP’s Chambers, is yet another attempt to subvert the justice system.
Two hurt in car crash Two persons are in serious but critical condition at the Suddie Public Hospital after the vehicle in which they were traveling crashed into another parked vehicle, at Reliance, Essequibo Coast. The accident occurred around 11:30 Sunday night. According to reports, the driver of the vehicle
attempted to swerve from a donkey, which was on the Reliance Public Road when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. The two persons sustained cuts and bruises about their body and injuries to the head. The police said the patients’ conditions are serious but not critical.
This recent accident came days after a Dunkel teenager lost his life on the Ex-Mouth public road, on Christmas night. Devendra Jaipaul was riding his bicycle when he was struck down by another young man, who was driving his father’s Sports Utility Vehicle.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Worker ruled dismissed; GAWU seeks legal advice
GAWU officials are now seeking legal advice. More than three months after an alleged slapping incident between an estate manager and a worker ended in crippling sugar industry strikes; there seems no clear way forward. This is because Sole Arbitrator, Mohamed Akeel, has announced that he could not proceed further and was unable to determine whether the dismissal of the worker was justified. Akeel, during the announcement of his ruling and conclusion of the dismissal of Daniel Stephen, said that he had to “bring this Arbitration to an end by ruling that Mr. Daniel Stephen remains dismissed but whether the dismissal was justified or not, I was not allowed to determine.” The end came to the arbitration proceedings because the Guyana
Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) were unable to agree whether the mill dock operator was dismissed or suspended. The announcement was made yesterday by Akeel at GAWU’s headquarters in Kingston, during a press conference. There were several union representatives and GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Raj Singh. Singh said that he was unable to comment on the ruling of the Arbitrator as he has to read the report. GAWU will be speaking with its lawyer, Roysdale Forde, to determine how to proceed. According to Akeel, in his report, on the night of September 19, 2014, there was an incident within the vicinity
of the Mill Dock at Skeldon estate involving the Estate Manager, Devendra ‘Dave’ Kumar and Stephen. News reports had said some slapping was involved. The worker was dismissed by Kumar who also give him marching orders, confirming the dismissal via a letter the following day. The incident sparked strikes and a shutdown of estates with countrywide blackouts after the Skeldon co-generation plant was unable to operate. The matter went to arbitration after GAWU and GuySuCo were unable to agree on the way forward. Akeel said that he was appointed the Arbitrator to “to enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Daniel Stephen and having regard to the evidence and submission by
Sole Arbitrator, Mohamed Akeel, and Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle yesterday. the parties to make an award as the arbitrator deems fit”. The Tribunal was required to enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Stephen. However, from the statements of both GuySuCo and the union, it was clear that different positions were taken-- GuySuCo maintained that it was dismissal while the union said it was disciplinary action. GAWU then wanted a decision as to what was the disciplinary action before they proceed. “This request of the Union opened up a whole new can of worms. I was now tasked with determining what the disciplinary action was taken against Mr. Daniel Stephen. The position of the corporation was that Mr. Stephen was dismissed but the letter was amended to get
persons back at work; the Union contended that the dismissal was changed to suspension.” Akeel said that he should never have been tasked with determining the disciplinary action. “The Terms of Reference should have been clear and unambiguous. It seems that the parties, including the Ministry, could not interpret the Terms of Resumption they deliberated on, agreed to and signed, and took the easy way out.” For further clarification, Akeel said that he reviewed the recommendation of Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, who had chaired the initial conciliatory meetings. “The grievance that led to the strike was dismissal, not suspension; so how could the CLO treat with suspension?” He said, “The Terms of
Reference require that I enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Stephen, which meant that the parties accepted that disciplinary action was taken against Mr. Stephen. However, the nature of the action was in dispute, but since, from my analysis, I find that the action was not suspension as claim by the Union, then it follows that the Corporation’s position that the dismissal was recalled to get the workers to resume work, but that Mr. Stephen was still dismissed is the disciplinary action that should have been enquired into but the Union, as I said, failed to attend. “It should be noted also, that the parties accepted that the dismissal was not disturbed since they agreed and conciliated on the dismissal.”
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Cuba’s new diplomatic relations augur well for Guyana - GCSM President
President of the GCSM Haleem Khan with Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Julio Cesar Gonzales Marchante during a recent celebratory function for the Cuban five and a new era of relations between the United States and Cuba. Although a new era of relations between the United States and Cuba came as a surprise to many, President of the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Haleem Khan said he always contemplated that good sense would have prevailed between the two rivals. Khan said that many Cubans worldwide, especially in America, have breathed a sigh of optimism and hope for change especially since the release of U.S. contractor, Alan Gross, in exchange for three members of the Cuban Five. The GCSM president noted that the new modes of engagement announced by Obama on December 17 last, were not an acknowledgement of defeat, but an effort for a new way forward that reflects progressive changes. “December 17, will no doubt be an important moment in the lives of Cubans and Cuban Americans, but it deserves more analysis and the Obama administration should be commended for basing policy on facts rather than emotions. The US must continue to actively engage with the island, lest we lose the opportunity to influence a neighbour that is gradually rejoining the regional and world
economy and political order,” Khan emphasised. He explained that it is important to understand the evolution towards new relations between the US and Cuba over 20 years in the making, following fundamental security, economic and political changes. Khan said that the Castros have always been grateful for the support of Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados since 1972 while the Cuban Government has kept its doors open to CARICOM in a spirit of genuine friendship. He asserted that the Cuban Government is being even more helpful by organising a ‘Business Forum’ in 2015 for CARICOM business people to identify and explore opportunities, and to work out credit and payment arrangements. The Cubans have also made it clear that they are interested in pooling their efforts with CARICOM countries to improve the air and sea connectivity of all the countries. This is an initiative that has been languishing for decades. Khan said that Cuba and America will now be cooperating to combat human trafficking, improve airline security, and conduct search and rescue operations. In addition, talks
have been held on joint efforts to improve public health and guard against environmental degradation. According to a news report by the Havana Consulting Group, more than 173,000 US residents visited the island just between January and March of this year. Meanwhile, studies find that money and goods pumped directly into the Cuban economy by Cuban-Americans — as much as $5 billion in 2012 — now outstrip the country’s four major sectors, including tourism as well as nickel, pharmaceutical and sugar exports. That is having a major impact on a population of just 11 million people. On December 17, 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro announced the beginning of a process of normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States. Negotiated in secret in Canada and Vatican City over preceding months, and with the assistance of Pope Francis, the agreement would see the lifting of some U.S. travel restrictions, fewer restrictions on remittances, U.S. banks access to the Cuban financial system, and the establishment of a U.S. Embassy in Havana, which closed after Cuba became closely allied with the USSR in 1961.
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Health Minister peeved over drug shortage reports in Region Six Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, has blasted the healthcare administration in Berbice, blaming what he termed as a ‘management issue’ over the numerous complaints he has received over the past months, regarding drug shortages in the Berbice system. Minister Bheri Ramsaran was speaking in Berbice recently. The Ministry of Health, he stated, is spending “more and more monies on medications.” Dr. Ramsaran noted that it is a bit “disconcerting” that there are still reports of inadequate supplies of medication at the Berbice hospitals. Dr. Ramsaran said that the Ministry of Health is baffled after doling out millions upon millions of dollars in drugs and pharmaceuticals. “And there are no medications, so we do have reports and people sending in anonymous letters…I’ve been to several community meetings and I’ve been getting criticisms and notes that you have persons who are working in the pharmacies in the hospitals, with direct access to the medications, or
...conflict of interest with hospital pharmacists who own private pharmacies with the responsibility of ordering and not ordering medications, who also have direct financial, material interests in pharmacy in the public interest.” He noted that in many instances “we have persons with interests in the private pharmacy industry, of also being in charge of public pharmacies. This is a criticism which I have known of…this is what the public is putting on the front burner.” The Minister expressed his disturbances that the regional officials in Berbice did not bring this matter to his attention and not take steps. Minister Ramsaran added that he has met with several Berbicians who made such allegations and will investigate immediately why the Ministry seems to be spending so much money on drugs and there are still shortages in the Berbice healthcare system. Berbice has a drug bond in the compound of the National Psychiatric Hospital
at Fort Canje, Berbice, and the Minister was upset at the condition in which the bond is being kept. “We did a spotcheck—the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)—at the little bond in the mental health compound recently, and he was shocked at the condition. We still have the evidence to that.” He urged the local authorities here to visit these places, “and there are things which were allegedly short— and were found to be there— and this is evidence in black and white…” He blamed the management for these problems. He instructed the CMO to intervene, immediately, in that matter so that the bond will be run better and drugs stored in better conditions. Over the past months, there have been numerous reports of drug shortages at the various hospitals in Berbice, sending frustrated Berbicians to make purchases from outside the health care system.
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SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
ACCOMODATION SIGNATURE INN: Luxury Suites & Apartments. Free Wi-Fi & Breakfast; AC & Self Contained Rooms @ 83 Laluni Street Queenstown. Tel: 592-226-2145
VACANCY Live in housekeeper; to care for infant 40-50yrs – Call: 697-8797 IT Technician to install outdoor antenna, must have drivers license. Send application to jobs@awngy.com Experienced salesman/ driver 3 CXC Subjects including Mathematics, apply with 2 references, valid police clearance & driver license - Call: 233-3512 Waitresses to work at a Bar at Agriculture Road –E.C.D Cashier able to work flexible hours and have CXC Maths, send application to jobs@awngy.com 3 Pastry makers, please apply at Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm products limited 38 Ketley & Sussex St. Charlestown- Call:225-7864/ 225-8607 One refrigeration Airconditioned trainee- Call:2310655,683-8734 Experienced cook with food handlers medical; Accounts clerk with CSEC Subjects; Apply with 2 references – Call: 650-4974; 686-8640
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Services & repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, deep fryers Call: 688-0183 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 1 Modern warehouse facility in central industrial area 8000sqft ware house facility 5000 per month – Contact Annie: 695-0333 Business spot to rent on public road- Call:613-0448/ 672-8625 1 Upper flat 2 bedroom concrete apartment @ Grove New Housing Scheme E.B.D (First Bridge) - $45,000 per month – Call:642-1956 Three bedrooms house at 119 Canterbury Walk, BV, E.C.D - $30,000 monthly – Call: 654-6841
Tuesday December 30, 2014
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 641-4506 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 PICK YOUR PIG! CHOOSE YOUR SIZEAND WE WILL HAVE IT READY! CALL: 266-2711 OR 609-4594 Portable sawmill fully hydraulic Th30-25 Timber Harvester – Call: 261-2553 Christmas Sale: Dell/HP Computer with 19" LCDs, laptops - $55,000 @ Futuretech – Call: 231-2206 Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman – Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300
1 Numark DM 1295 4 Channel mixer, 1 Teac CD burner uses any blank CD – Call: 6220503; 689-9932 2 Gemini GXA 4000 Watts power amp, 1 Technical Pro 3250 watts pro 3250 watts power amp – Tel: 622-0503; 689-9932 2 SL I serato boxes, 2 Denon 3500 CD Juggler, 2 Gemini GXA 3000 Watts power Amp – Call: 622-0503; 689-9932 Diving Suit – Call: 265-3449; 613-5158
Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda –Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am Rubberized Tarpaulins for sale 20X20 - $20,000, any size available – Tel: 657-2304
TO LET LAND FOR SALE Blankenburg, Public Road W.C.D (38ftX150ft), (39ftX150ft) - $16M each; Back Street, Unity Street La Grange W.B.D 85X750- $16M Call: 666-3619 Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M & $3.5M (110ftX50Ft) Herstelling - $5.5M, Providence -$5.5M, Schoonord -$4.2M, Gove $2.6M –Call:675-7292; 6522018
CAR RENTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE One house & land in hope low land, E.C.D, one house & land in Bloomfield Berbice Call: 689-5254; 256-0504 Unfinished house at Parfaite Harmony, West Minister, W.B.D - $4.5M – Tel:6610618; 601-3469 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578
DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Untouchable car rental: low rates, low deposits – Call: 677-4613; 226-9668 Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494
Pitbull bus ($3.2M) Verossa $3.7M, Noah- $2M (All new) Call: 603-9700 SALE! SALE! SALE! New model Spacio (2005) TV, Front & back camera; fully loaded - $2M- Call: 6427295 1 - L-Touring Wagon; HB 9912, price $1,050,000 Neg. Call: 680-4990 Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 2003 Toyota IST; fully loaded with bodykit -$2M, never registered – Call: 628-0909; 260-2327 2005/ 6yrs Silver Toyota Allion, new shape, lights at D.North Auto Sales, low mileage - $2.550M – Tel:6630584
1 Toshiba Laptop (17.3inches) 1 5000 Watts Briggs & Stratton generator - Call: 622-0503; 689-9932
Tibetan Terriers pups (FLUFFY) – Call:222-7891; 609-9202 EDUCATIONAL Maths Lessons! @ 44 Delph Street Campbellvill – Contact Sir Dass. Call: 654-3159; Forms 2, 3, 5 & repeaters, limited space available
VEHICLE FOR SALE
One bedroom apartment for a couple. $30,000 monthly. In Charlestown- Call:223-3958/ 660-9463 Rooms & apartments (furnished & unfurnished) in Eccles & Alberttown- Call: 225-3234 HEALTH Money Back guarantee; cleaner, clearer younger looking skin in two weeks, also flatter stomach – Call: 684-9409; 699-4211
WANTED One manager to work at an out of town hotel - Call: 225-2535; 626-6909 from 9am to 4pm Two wash bay boys @ Classic Ride Wash Bay, Lot 18 Nandy Park E.B.D –Call: 233-5227 Porters, apply at Wieting & Richter Ltd Urgently needed live- in waitress- Call:686-3116 One live-in domestic or couple to work in Mahaicony River- Call:225-6571, 644-6905 Live in domestic in Peter’s Hall, 1 week on; 1 week off, 40years plus, starting $13,000. Call:675-0767, 627-5098
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Humanitarian Mission reaches out to the needy The Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj, Inc. (HM of NJASM) gave birth to its Humanitarian Mission in 2005. The mission began by reaching out to the poor and needy in Guyana. Now it is extending its charitable arm to senior citizen homes, shelters and the homeless right in New Jersey and Tri-State Area. President of the organization, Pandit Suresh Sugrim in a press statement, said, “That feeling of helping the people who are truly in need is something that we enjoy in life.” On December 20, 2014, the Humanitarian Mission of NJASM hosted a massive coat drive in New Jersey. “Our goal for this winter season is to provide a person in need with a piece of warm clothing and to give them comfort. Many adults and children across the country struggle during the winter months because they are unable to afford cold-weather attire due to poverty,” Pandit Sugrim said in a statement. Pandit Sugrim made a public appeal through social media – Facebook— and in the mandirs, asking
Some of the homeless in New Jersey who benefited from the Arya Samaj Guyanese-Americans and other denominations to donate their used clothing. “As a result, over the past few weeks, we collected a huge amount of winter clothing including coats, hats,
scarves, gloves, jackets, hats and socks donated by our donors to be distributed to the homeless people in various shelters and Newark Penn Station,” he said. With the cooperation of
T&HD Ferry Services Enhanced from Essequibo River Dredging The Transport & Harbours Department (T&H.D) Ferry Vessels Malali, Kanawan and Sabanto are now able to operate on their normal schedules on the Parika/Wakenaam/Supenaam services after a three year hiatus. This is a direct result of the recently concluded dredging exercise of the Chalmers area in the
Essequibo River by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). The Kanawan and Sabanto which ply the Parika - Supenaam route will now depart each stelling three times daily at 06:00 hours, 11:00 hours, and 16:00 hours This was not possible prior to the dredging operations conducted by MARAD.
The Dredge “STEVE N” had commenced dredging of the Chalmers area on September 17, 2014 and concluded on November 30, 2014. This exercise was part of MARAD’s plan to dredge and open-up the shallow areas of the Essequibo River so that ships can operate freely.
numerous families and different organizations the humanitarian mission headed out to shelters where dozens of coats, pants, and sweaters were handed out. One of the facility managers for the Homeless shelters Stated, “… It’s very hard for us to get donations to help the residents who live there. I wish we could get a lot of help
from different organizations and now I have – from this organization here- Thank you very much!” Despite the bitter and freezing cold weather, words could not express the gratitude and appreciation that the homeless had at that moment. As soon as the word had gotten out that there were coats being given out, many
of them lined up hoping that they will receive a piece of clothing to keep warm during this brutal winter season. According to Pandit Sugrim it was heart-breaking to see that many of these people had no families, no homes and nothing to eat. Some of them are in this situation due to the loss of jobs.
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Tuesday December 30, 2014
Stalled Cath Lab work could put CHI out of operation
Dr Gary Stephens The continued operation of the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) may very well be in jeopardy if a new Cardiac Catherisation Laboratory (commonly referred to as a Cath Lab) is not completed in the very near future. The Cath Lab is one that is usually outfitted with diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualise the arteries and chambers of the heart in order to treat any stenosis or abnormality found. However, this publication understands that the CHI Cath Lab that has been in place since 2006 is one that is in dire need of replacement if it is to sustain an optimal operation. CHI, which is considered a public/private partnership, is housed in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Since its establishment, CHI has been offering a priceless service to patients suffering from heart conditions. CHI was founded by Cardiac Surgeon, Gary Stephens, a Lindener who
migrated to the United States many years ago. Dr. Stephens was able to pursue studies in the field of cardiology and has been able to make a name for himself in this regard. Dr. Stephens, who is the Chief Executive Officer of CHI, also holds a reputable place at the Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York. This publication understands that it was around 2011 that the management of CHI consulted with Government about acquiring a new Cardiac Cath Lab in light of the fact that the facility was operating on a public/private basis. This was required since the existing Cath Lab was nearing the end of its useful life. Reports are that there were expectations that moves would have been made to put in place a lab that could do both cardiology intervention and cardiac surgery in a single room known as a Hybrid Room. With a Hybrid Room in place CHI, and by extension, Guyana would have been the first in the Caribbean to offer such advanced technology. In the quest to move in this direction, a proposal to put the needful measures in place was prepared by the management of CHI and forwarded to Government which in turn, adopted it and took it to Parliament for approval. The proposal was able to secure support from both sides of the House allowing for monies to be approved for the procurement of the requisite measures to revamp the facility.
Reports are that the negotiations were had with the American-based General Electric (GE) Company which afforded Government a competitive price to cater to the setting up of the Hybrid Room. Based on an agreement, GE was expected to deliver the equipment directly into the finished Room. As such construction works soon ensued to house the Hybrid facility. Throughout the construction there were sustained discussions between the Government side and that of the management of CHI. However, according to a source close to the project, by the time the last critical 25 per cent of the works was left, the management of CHI was no longer included in the discussions. This, understandably, resulted in the project, which should have taken a mere two months, coming to a practical standstill. The project has been ongoing for the past 14 months. Because of the stalled project, GE (based on a specified timeframe detailed in the agreement with Government) delivered the equipment to the hospital. And since GE technicians were not able to install the equipment, the resulting state of affairs was damage to the tune of US$1M. A source close to the project informed this publication that GE has refused to take responsibility for cost which Government will have to cover using taxpayers’ money. Currently, the equipment delivered by GE has been left sitting a short distance from the hospital pharmacy (East Street entrance) covered merely with a tarpaulin. This publication has not yet been able to ascertain the reason for the stalling of the project. According to GE, this is improper storage and there is no guarantee that the equipment will function optimally when installed. Of even more concern is whether GE will be willing to honour its warranty for the
Caribbean Heart Institute equipment. When contacted for a comment on the prevailing state of affairs, Dr. Stephens would only say that “a delay in the project could result in the closure of the Heart Institute.” Although unwilling to lay blame, he did intimate that “any day now
our machine can suffer a catastrophic failure and even if it doesn’t I don’t see us surviving the next six months.” This publication understands that CHI was forced to expend in excess of $60M to ensure that its current equipment remain in
working order. According to Dr. Stephens without urgent progression of the project the future of CHI will remain uncertain and “it’s a shame after all the hard work and goodwill that kept it afloat. I hope we will survive but the service we offer will be restricted.”
Cops release slain remigrant’s girlfriend, grandson Police are still searching for suspects and a motive for the murder of 66-year-old remigrant, Kingsley Joseph, whose badly chopped body was found last Saturday in a clump of bushes near his Phase Three, Wisroc Housing Scheme home. Detectives had detained the slain man’s 20-year-old grandson as well as the victim’s female companion shortly after finding his body. However, a senior police official told Kaieteur News yesterday that investigators have found no evidence connecting them to Joseph’s death. They were released. Robbery does not seem to be a motive and there was nothing to suggest that the killers searched the premises
for anything valuable. Police believe that Joseph, who was chopped and stabbed, was attacked in the hallway of his home. The 66-year-old weighed over 200 pounds, and investigators speculate that it would have taken more than one person, or a very strong individual, to overpower him. Police found no sign of forced entry to the premises and also failed to find the murder weapon. A cutlass that was found in the bedroom belonged to the victim and had no evidence of bloodstains. Joseph’s body, which was covered with a bed sheet, was discovered in a pool of blood in bushes behind his Wisroc home at around 09.00 hrs on Saturday. Several wounds
were visible on his torso, head and hands. Kaieteur News understands that Joseph had told a grandson who lives at Victory Valley, to visit him at around 06.00 hrs Saturday, since the remigrant had planned to pluck some of his chickens around that time. But it is alleged that when the grandson arrived, he found the premises locked and there was no sign of Mr. Joseph. However, on peeping into the home, he reportedly saw a cutlass on his grandfather’s bed, and observed that there was blood on the verandah. The relative notified the police, who visited the scene and verified the report after entering the house. About two hours later, the ranks found Joseph’s mutilated body in a clump of bushes. Joseph had reportedly returned to Guyana about six years ago after residing overseas for several years. The area where he resided is desolate, with houses few and far apart, and interspersed with thick vegetation. Several of the houses are without electricity. One neighbour claimed that although she lived a short distance from the victim, she was unaware that anything was amiss until somebody called to inform her of the murder.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 30, 2014
Britiash patient being treated for Ebola LONDON (AP) — A female health care worker who has just returned from Sierra Leone has been diagnosed with Ebola and is being treated in a Glasgow hospital, Scottish authorities said Monday. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called it the first case of Ebola ever diagnosed inside the United Kingdom. The patient flew to Glasgow via Casablanca and London’s Heathrow Airport, arriving late Sunday, the Scottish government said. The health care worker was admitted to a hospital on Monday morning after developing a fever. Sturgeon said the risk to the public is “extremely low to the point of negligible” and that pre-planned steps would be taken to protect the public.“Scotland has been preparing for this possibility from the beginning of the outbreak in west Africa, and I am confident that we are well prepared,” she said, adding that the patient is “stable” and would soon be transferred to an isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London. She said the patient, who is not being identified, had traveled on an internal British Airways flight from London to Glasgow on Sunday night and that the other 71
The Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland passengers and staff on that flight will be contacted. But she said the patient was not yet showing symptoms at the time and that people in that stage are much less contagious than they are after they exhibit symptoms, which include a high fever, diarrhea and vomiting. The patient became ill Monday morning and contacted health officials. She was soon admitted to the Brownlee Unit for Infectious Diseases at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow. The patient had been screened for symptoms before leaving at Sierra Leone and at London Heathrow Airport, Sturgeon said. The first minister said the patient had only had contact with one other person in Scot-
land and that person’s health will be monitored. The only previous victim of the often-fatal disease in Britain was William Pooley, a nurse who contracted the disease while treating patients in Sierra Leone. He recovered after treatment in London and returned to West Africa. Prime Minister David Cameron said all measures will be taken to protect the public. An emergency meeting of the government’s security committee was to be held Monday night.Since an Ebola outbreak began in December 2013 in the West African country of Guinea, there have been more than 20,000 cases and more than 7,800 deaths, mostly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Oil prices fall more than $1, dropping to five-year lows (Reuters) Crude oil prices on tumbled on Monday, with global grades settling down more than $1 a barrel after an early rally fizzled and prices fell to their lowest levels since May 2009. News of further damage Libya’s oil infrastructure prompted the early rally that was quickly erased as pervasive fears of global oversupply trumped concerns about output curtailment from the OPEC producer. Phil Flynn of
Price Futures Group said the rally may have triggered sell stops. Then once the Brent dropped below $54, a previous low, more stops may have been triggered. “It just shows you that the market is very heavy,” Flynn said.Global benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 settled down $1.57 at $57.88. U.S. crude settled down $1.12 at $53.61 a barrel, following Brent downward.The rally followed by the steep drop
showed the market’s fears about oversupply are not going away, said Gene McGillian, senior analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. “Every time the market tries to pick itself up, it’s just another wave of selling,” he said.The number of rigs drilling for oil in the United States dipped in the latest week, data from oil services firm Baker Hughes showed. But the count for U.S. oil rigs remained up from a year ago, indicating production would remain robust. Oil tanks at Es Sider in Libya have been on fire for days after a rocket hit one of them, officials said. The OPEC member nation is producing 128,000 barrels a day, an official said, down from the 1.6 million it produced prior to Muammar Gaddafi’s ouster in 2011. The market may test technical support at $50 a barrel, said Brian LaRose, a technical analyst at United-ICAP. Flynn noted that trading was lighter than average. Nearly 400,000 lots of WTI crude oil futures traded on Monday, about a third less than the 30-day average but double Friday’s volume.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
Kaieteur News
Caribbean publication names Mighty Sparrow ‘Person of the Year’ NEW YORK, United States,– A United Statesbased publication has named calypsonian Slinger Francisco popularly known as The Mighty Sparrow, as its “Person of the Year.” “Any person, in any part of the world, regardless to sex, age and vocation, can emulate the virtues The Mighty Sparrow exemplified during 2014,” said Herman Hall, the Grenadian-born editor, publisher and founder of the Brooklyn, New York-based Everybody’s magazine. “For those reasons, we unabashedly proclaim our readers’ selection of The Mighty Sparrow as the ‘2014 Person of the Year’”, he added. Hall said Sparrow was “overwhelmingly” selected by its readers and social media friends from among “many regional leaders and people of Caribbean heritage in the Diaspora.” He said they included Tiffany Ford, of St. LucianGrenadian heritage, elected into municipal government in Toronto, Canada; Rodneyse Bichotte, the first HaitianAmerican elected to the New York State Assembly; Barba-
dos Leader of the Opposition Mia Ottley; the 2008 and 2014 Formula One Grand Prix World Champion, Lewis Hamilton of the UK, who is of Grenadian heritage, outgoing US Attorney-General Eric Holder, of Barbadian heritage; and Antigua and Barbuda’s newly elected Prime Minister Gaston Browne. “Of all email messages received from Toronto, UK (United Kingdom), Jamaica, Guyana, Boston (Massachusetts) and other places, one name kept appearing often – The Mighty Sparrow,” Hall said.Hall said this “indomitable spirit has been the defining feature of Sparrow’s life work, as he continues dem-
onstrating sheer grit and an ability, ‘inspired by God’ to, ‘survive through pain, sorrow and tears,’ rendered in one of his hits, ‘Survival’. “Sparrow’s timeless message and his health challenges testify to man’s will to survive,” he added. The Mighty Sparrow, whose roots are in Gran Roi, a rural fishing village in Grenada, was born there to a poor working class family. The family migrated to Sparrow’s adopted homeland, Trinidad and Tobago, when he was one year old. At 20, Sparrow emerged as the leading calypsonian in Trinidad and Tobago with his record-breaking hit, “Jean and Dinah.”
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - Health officials are investigating the deaths of two people to determine whether they were as a consequence of the mosquitoborne illness Chikungunya, which causes fever and severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Luis de Shong, said the two suspected deaths have not been confirmed by laboratory tests. “They both occurred in elderly patients who died at home. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is currently investigating these cases to ascertain the cause of death. “The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment urges everyone to be vigilant and to help in the fight against Chikungunya,” de Shong said. To date, there have been 173 laboratory confirmed cases and 1,220 epidemiology-linked cases of Chikungunya here, where the disease was first diagnosed in April. de Shong said that the ministry is continuing to
implement surveillance and vector control activities as a response to the virus. He said that although there has been a decrease in the number of reported cases since the virus was diagnosed here, the virus remains prevalent in the country and also throughout the region. “Persons who have not yet contracted the disease are still at risk of contracting the virus,” he said, adding that the fight against Chikungunya is also a fight against dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever, which are spread by the s a m e v e c t o r, t h e a e d e s aegypti mosquito. “It is, therefore, appropriate and necessary for ev-
eryone to protect him or herself from mosquito bites and to avoid harbouring conditions which cause mosquitos to breed,” de Shong said. He said health care providers, both private and public, are advised to comply with public health guidelines. “Case investigation forms must be completed and submitted to the Surveillance Officer in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in all suspected cases of Chikungunya. “Laboratory tests must be carried out on infants, pregnant women, complicated cases and persons of advanced age who are suspected of having the virus.
Health officials investigating two suspected Chikungunya deaths
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GDF, Alpha to battle for championship honours; Pele, Western go after 3rd prize
In this photo the soldiers join Brigadier Mark Phillips (centre green striped t-shirt) in celebrations moments after their momentous achievement. More than three weeks of fierce rivalry will climax to a delectable conclusion when the Guyana Defence Force throw down the gauntlet
against Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United when the two teams clash for championship honours in the final of the 4th Annual GFA/Banks Cup
Round Robin Knockout tournament at the National Stadium, Providence, January 1 next. The action over the past
Tuesday December 30, 2014 Tuesday December 30, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Aries, your lighthearted attitude has given you a reputation as an eternal teenager. But levity is also a sign of a very wise person, a person who knows how to laugh at their wisdom. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) What changes have there been in your life since this time last year? Think about the events that have taken place. What have you accomplished? What decisions have you made? And most importantly, how much you have grown as a person? GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It may be upsetting to you, Gemini, but there's something you need to think about. You should finally get it through your head that the people you often call "brilliant" are only reflections of you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) What a great day for you! You seem to have the innate listening abilities of a therapist or counselor. Everyone comes to you with their problems or to cry on your shoulder.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) What an extraordinary day for you, Libra! The dynamic energy in the air will help you set new personal goals. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can start your day without all the usual planning. Be free to discover your day as it unfolds. This might feel like it's against your nature, but it's good for you to enjoy life's sometimes arbitrary nature every once in a while. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) In general, you tend to be critical of the way the government and politicians handle social issues and institutions. Your goal isn't just to criticize, however. You would also like to see some positive changes in these areas. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) Capricorn, you may have felt as if something has been changing in your family environment over the last few weeks. Today you will find out what's been going on. Someone close to you has been going through some important changes in his or her life.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. This is your maxim for the day, Leo. What have you done lately to improve the way you live your life?
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You tend to think of yourself as a lone warrior, Aquarius. Today your efforts over the last few weeks pay off. You've found your place in a group of people. You may even call it a family.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Strength of character will be your partner today, Virgo. You seem to have an aura whose intensity scares some people and attracts others.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You love the creative process, Pisces. Even watering your plants or painting a picture will give you a feeling of joy.
weeks was indeed intriguing and the pundits had already earmarked Alpha and Pele as the two teams in the finals. The speculations and debates were put to rest when the Guyana Defence Force threw a monkey’s wrench in those predictions and defeated Pele 3-2 in a penalty shootout after regulation time of their match ended on a 3-3 stalemate. Even then, a keen tussle ensued until the soldiers sealed the deal to match skills with the winner of the feature attraction between Alpha and Western Tigers. The former team continued its winning ways, defeating their nemesis 3-1 to set up a potential scorcher on New Year’s Day. Alpha owe a debt of gratitude to Dwayne Jacobs (34), Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson (55) and Manasseh Primo (76), while the ‘Tigers’ lone response came off the boot of Colin Nelson from the penalty spot after Devon Millington was fouled in the box. Delroy Fraser netted a brace for the Army in the 12th and 30 th minutes during regulation time and he received support from Deon
Suspended Pakistan spinner out of World...
From page 29 and play domestic cricket until he has satisfied himself he can take the ICC test. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said: “Ajmal withdrew himself. “We were aware that if he took the official ICC test in a bid to make the World Cup squad and failed it he could be suspended from playing for one to two years and that would mean the end of his career.” Ajmal was Worcestershire’s leading wicket-taker last season with 63 wickets to help them win promotion from Division Two of the County Championship. Meanwhile, Naveed Akram Cheema has been appointed Pakistan’s team manager for a second time for their upcoming tours, including the World Cup, in place of Moin Khan, who will remain as the chief selector. The 2015 cricket World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand from 14 February to 29 March.
Alfred in the 50 th minute. Pele’s retaliation came off the boots of Deon Alfred (24:50) and Calvin Sheppard (32) which effectively sent the teams to the penalty spot. Meanwhile, Brigadier of the GDF, Mark Phillips, was on hand to view the match and could hardly contain his ecstasy after the final penalty kick. He complimented his men and told them that while they ought to feel a great deal of pride, they must be cognizant of the fact that they have made every member of the GDF proud. He committed to continued support even as
he urged the team to complete the job on New Year’s Day. Alpha United domination of the tournament has propelled that team to the top of Group ‘A’ after crushing victories over Blackwater (170), Northern Rangers (16-0), the Guyana Police Force (20), and the GFC. That team will be priming up for the match with the soldiers. Fans are already licking their lips and Kaieteur Sport will speak with the respective principals for an in depth prematch analysis that gives our readership a stronger ground for predictions.
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Legends for Lawrence Rogers, Marsh set up 326-run lead Rowe cricket match Jamaica Gleaner Kingston, Jamaica - A galaxy of former West Indies stars, plus a couple others from elsewhere, is set to gather in Florida next month for what should be a memorable weekend for cricketers and fans of cricket. The cricketers, West Indies Legends, will be attending a banquet at the South Florida Conference Centre in Margate on Saturday, January 24, and will be engaged in a cricket match against a USA Cavaliers X1 at Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium on Sunday, January 25, in the event organised by the Lawrence Rowe Legendary Cricket Foundation. Leading the assembly of legends will be former West Indies captains Garry Sobers, Courtney Walsh and Brian Lara. Founded in 2011, the Rowe Foundation has been involved in the Jamaica Independence Programme, an annual event which attempts to spread the Jamaica culture in Florida through the sport of cricket. It also attempts to get cricket in Florida schools
and help in the general development of children aged 7-14. The cricket weekend is being sponsored by Caribbean Airlines and El Dorado Rum, and part proceeds from next year’s event will go to former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Patrick Patterson. Memorable Event Apart from the cricketing legends, inclusive of Wes Hall and Andy Roberts, the Mighty Sparrow, a regional musical legend, will also be performing at the banquet. “It should be a great and memorable event,” said Rowe, founder of the foundation and the man who scored 214 and 100 not out in a world-record debut performance against New Zealand in 1972 and stroked a wonderful 302 against England in1974. “It will be difficult to get some of the legends in action on the Sunday, but they will all be in the thick of things, one way or the other,” continued Rowe. Guest Speaker He said former West Indies wicketkeeper Deryck Murray will be the guest
speaker at the banquet, while the “older fellows” will talk about their best or their favourite moment in the game. Those players will include Sobers, once the world-record holder for the highest individual Test score; Wes Hall, once the fastest bowler in the world; Lance Gibbs, once the world-record holder for the number of Test wickets; and Easton McMorris, the West Indies opening batsman from Jamaica. The legends who have accepted invitations to participate are Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Alvin Kallicharran, Larry Gomes, David Murray, Carlisle Best, Collis King, Ricardo Powell, Darren Ganga, Colin Croft, Joel Garner, Merv Dillion, and Wavell Hinds. Two former West Indies captains, Rohan Kanhai and Clive Lloyd, have also been invited but have not yet confirmed. The Cavalier X1will be led by former Guyanese representative Derek Kallicharran and will include Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Mortaza of Bangladesh, once they are available.
Thawing of U.S.-Cuba relations could be boon for boxing USA TODAY Sports With last Wednesday’s thawing of a standoff that has seen the United States and Cuba on opposite sides of the political ring for decades, few sports may feel the impact more directly than boxing. The fight game is one of Cuba’s great passions, and fresh policy easing restrictions between the countries can be expected to see a further influx of boxers from the Caribbean nation. “Boxing has a rich history in Cuba,” said longtime HBO commentator Larry Merchant, in a telephone interview with USA TODAY Sports. “You see it generation after generation at the Olympics.” Merchant saw the Cuban boxing system firsthand in the mid-’70s, as part of an NBC delegation that visited baseball players, Olympic track athletes and the staterun fight program. Cuba has had huge success in Olympic boxing, with 34 gold medals all-time, second only to the U.S. Flyweight Robeisy Ramirez and light welterweight Roniel Iglesias won gold in London and either would add intrigue to their respective divisions if they turned pro.
Cuban boxer Robeisy Ramirez, right, fights Dominican Hectoir Garcia the 22nd Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico(Photo: Alex Cruz, EPA) However, recent defectors have struggled to hit the big time in the professional ranks. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux, the WBO 122pound champion, is recognized as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but has struggled to generate public buzz or big paydays. Yu r i o r k i s G a m b o a i s battling to get back into the mix at 130 pounds after being knocked out by Terence Crawford in June in a
contender for fight of the year. “With a lot of the Cuban guys the style is not seen as crowd-pleasing,” Merchant said. “They’re technical, they’ve been coached to win Olympic medals and people don’t get so excited about watching it in the pros. “Until now the authorities have either looked the other way or guys have been smuggled in. If the doors open it will obviously be easier. You will see some real, well-trained talent.”
ESPNcricinfo - A flat dropin pitch. Possible rain. Brazen Indian batsmen. A brittle touring tail. Reverse swing. An extended day’s play. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy not quite secured. A new captain and an older coach. A commitment to entertain. These were just a few of the variables for Australia after four days of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, as the captain Steven Smith and the coach Darren Lehmann pondered the ideal target to set India on the final day of a contest that the hosts have largely dictated, albeit not firmly enough to keep the visitors beyond hope. The cut and thrust of the final session, after two earlier brackets of less bracing stuff, left Australia to wonder how many overs they might need to bowl. Shaun Marsh drove, nudged and edged to his first Test 50 in Australia, following up on Chris Rogers’ fourth in succession. Smith failed for the first time this series, Shane Watson for the fifth, and David Warner’s smashing start was not sustained enough to rattle to a dominant lead. At the forefront of Smith’s mind will be the fact that an Indian victory would keep the series open, and that at this ground a year ago Australia chased down a target of 231 against England with such speed and comfort that a tally twice that many may not have been out of the question. Melbourne’s drop-in pitch has shown precious few signs of deterioration. Only four overs were lost despite an 86-minute rain interruption that delayed the resumption after lunch, and a series of Australian starts kept India interested for the fact that none pushed on to three figures. After India’s final two wickets fell to Mitchell Johnson, Warner shrugged off a sore thumb and bruised arm to punch his way to 40 from 42 balls. His dismissal to R Ashwin, who also pouched Rogers, slowed Australia’s scoring. They had rolled up India’s tail with familiar ease in the morning. Mitchell Johnson had Umesh Yadav falling caught behind, fending at a short one, second ball of the day, before Mohammed Shami was taken by Steven Smith in the slips when he flashed at a fuller delivery. Warner cut the first delivery of the innings, an obligingly wide offering from Umesh, to the backwardpoint boundary, and any hope of early Australian wickets evaporated almost as rapidly - an all-run four came from the second ball. An inside edge past a diving Dhoni was more fortunate, but further boundaries
Chris Rogers drives through the covers. (Getty Images)
Shaun Marsh registered his first fifty of the series. had Umesh withdrawn from the attack nursing figures of 3-0-320 and the Australians on their way to a handsome lead by the time the morning concluded. Ashwin drifted his way through Warner’s forward defence to win an lbw verdict from the umpire Richard Kettleborough. Rogers and Shane Watson resumed sturdily enough when the covers were peeled back, their stand worth 41 when the allrounder failed to cover an Ishant Sharma delivery of teasing line and edged through to Dhoni. Smith made his first low score of the series, a little unlucky to glance Umesh straight into the hands of Rahane at leg slip, but Rogers consistently punched through Dhoni’s off side fields to pass 50 for the fourth consecutive innings. He looked set for a hundred until Ashwin, belatedly introduced after the rain, prompted a slightly late forward defensive that
resulted in the ball rolling back onto the stumps. Joe Burns did not last long, an angled bat resulting in an edge behind off Shami, and Brad Haddin was deemed to have glanced Yadav into Dhoni’s gloves. Johnson’s stay was a little longer and also more hottempered, his running battle with Virat Kohli continuing until he lobbed a catch to midwicket. Marsh kept his cool, and a tally of 62 by the close provided valuable ballast to an innings that risked looking lightweight in the absence of a score from Smith. But Marsh’s scoring was less dynamic than Warner or even Rogers’ had been, leaving Smith and Lehmann to think long and hard about the many variables open to question when play resumes on day five. Scores: Australia 530 and 7 for 261 (Rogers 69, Marsh 62*) lead India 465 (Kohli 169, Rahane 147, Harris 4-70) by 326 runs.
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W Connection break Seahawks take NFC top seed, Suriname hearts on penalties Packers and Panthers win PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) — Suriname’s national team, comprising mostly Holland-based players, went down on penalties to W Connection of Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly game here on Boxing Day. The mixed-nationality team that has been hyped up to lead the country to the 2018 World Cup Finals in Russia, played to a 1-1 stalemate during regular time before losing 32 on penalty kicks. The loss does not augur well for the experiment by the Suriname Football Association, which announced last month that it would create a national team that included players with Surinamese roots who play in the international leagues abroad. More than 100 players with Surinamese roots play professionally in the Dutch leagues and some have historically helped the former coloniser claim major championships. Meanwhile, Suriname have never qualified for a World Cup. The SVB’s dream of writing football history and taking Suriname all the way to Russia 2018, has been gaining traction locally. Draft legislation to change the law on nationality and citizenship allowing players with non-Surinamese passports to represent the country, was submitted to the National Assembly two weeks ago. It is not clear when it will be tabled in Parliament. Several players who play for Dutch teams have reacted with enthusiasm at the prospect
of wearing Suriname’s colours. However, many could not make it to Suriname for the friendly match because of scheduling conflicts, but the team that played W Connection in the Andre Kamperveen Stadium Friday afternoon still comprised 10 players with Dutch passports. Among them were 28-year-old central defender who captains Milano Koenders in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Holland’s football leagues and Ryan Koolwijk, formerly of FC Dordrecht, also in the Eredivisie. The only player with Surinamese nationality - Stefano Rijssel, who plays for Suriname’s local champion Inter Moengotapoe - was benched until halfway through the second half of the game. Friday’s game saw a sold-out crowd, with Sports Minister Ismanto Adna and Public Works Minister Rabin Parmessar, among the supporters. W Connection snatched the lead halfway during the first half when Jerrel Britto was set free following great combination play between Hashim Arcia and Devaughn Elliot. Down 0-1 at half-time, Suriname equalised after 60 minutes thanks to Norichio Nieveld, who headed home from Furgill Lie A Kwie’s corner. With the scores locked 1-1 at full-time, Alvin Jones, Hashim Arcia and Tremain Paul all netted in the penalty shoot-out to break the hosts’ hearts.
Russia 2018 Organising Committee in budget deficit MOSCOW (Reuters) The Local Organising committee for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will have a budget deficit for the next year, the country’s minister for sport said on Friday. Mutko was speaking at a meeting held by the organization’s directorate of which he is a member. “We will have a budget deficit for 2015. The Organising committee is looking for support from independent sources,” the minister told the R-Sport news
agency. “The construction costs of the stadiums has not changed at the moment, however market prices could lead to changes in this respect.” Mutko also said the opening ceremony could take place in the Dynamo stadium, which will not host any matches during the tournament, rather than the Luzhniki Stadium as was originally planned. “The Organising committee is looking into the possibility of holding the opening
ceremony a day before the opening match at the Dynamo Stadium.” A contract was signed on Friday regarding the construction of the stadium in Rostov-on-Don, the last to be approved. The 2018 World Cup will use 12 stadiums in 11 cities, including two in Moscow and one each in St. Petersburg, Samara, Saransk, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Kazan, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod and Yekaterinburg.
Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko (L), President Vladimir Putin (C) and FIFA President Sepp Blatter (2nd R) listens to Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin at the Luzhniki Stadium, which is under construction, in Moscow, October 28, 2014. REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) and Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jordan Hill (97) celebrate after Irvin scored a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at CenturyLink Field. (Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) - The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks claimed the number one seed in the NFC playoffs with Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers adding divisional titles after wins on the final Sunday of the regular season. The Baltimore Ravens also made the postseason, taking the final AFC wild-card berth thanks to a victory over the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers’ loss to Kansas City. The Seahawks head into the playoffs on the back of six straight wins — the latest a 20-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams which secured the NFC West divisional title. The New England Patriots had already secured the top seed in the AFC and they and the Seahawks will enjoy a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Green Bay won the NFC North for the fourth year in a row after defeating the Detroit Lions 30-20 while Carolina clinched the NFC South thanks to a 34-3 crushing of the Atlanta Falcons. Pittsburgh grabbed the AFC North title with a 2717 victory over the playoffbound Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore made the postseason by topping the Browns 20-10. Seattle started slowly against St. Louis, but a nineyard touchdown run from Marshawn Lynch and a 49yard interception return by Bruce Irvin in the fourth quarter made sure the road through the NFC playoffs goes through Seattle. The Packers’ delight at their divisional title was tempered by concern over the left calf
of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers aggravated a calf injury, which had kept him out of practice, when throwing the first of two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb late in the second quarter. After going to the locker room, Rodgers, despite a noticeable hobble, returned in the third quarter, finding Cobb again with a 13-yard touchdown pass to restore Green Bay’s lead after a second Calvin Johnson touchdown reception for the Lions had tied the score at 1414. Rodgers even managed to push himself into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown as the Packers made sure of the divisional prize, which earns the quarterback a muchneeded week off. LOSING RECORD The NFC South has been a weak division but while Carolina enter the playoffs with a losing record 7-8-1, they have won their last four games. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns as Carolina’s defense dominated. Antonio Brown scored touchdowns on a 71-yard punt return and a 63-yard pass play as Pittsburgh won their first division title since 2010. Steelers quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger passed for 317 yards and two touchdowns. The San Diego Chargers went into Sunday knowing a victory would take them into the postseason but their 19-7 loss to the Chiefs opened the door for the Ravens. Baltimore trailed Cleveland 10-3 at the end of the third. But quarterback Joe Flacco took control, throwing for two touchdowns as the Ravens took advantage of the Chargers’ slip. The outcome means the AFC North will have three teams in the playoffs — Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The Dallas Cowboys head into the playoffs in strong form, crushing of the Washington Redskins 44-17, while Rex Ryan, expected to be fired by the New York Jets, enjoyed a 37-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Sunday also marked coach Jim Harbaugh’s final game with the San Francisco 49ers. The team announced after a 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals that Harbaugh would be leaving. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have the first pick in the 2015 draft after finishing with the worst record in the regular season (2-14) following a 23-20 loss to New Orleans.
Schumacher faces ‘long fight’ one year after skiing accident From page 30 friend of Schumacher and had not been in contact with either her or Mr Saillant. Schumacher, a seven-time F1 champion, suffered his head injury while skiing near the French resort of Meribel on 29 December last year. After spending nine
months being treated in French and Swiss hospitals he was transferred in September to his family home on the shores of Lake Geneva. The German driver, who won a record 91 F1 races, had retired from the sport in 2012 after an attempted comeback ended in disappointment.
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NBA roundup: ShortT&T upbeat over Super50 campaign despite four-day blues handed Spurs find way PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Captain Rayad Emrit is hoping that with an enhanced side for the Super50, Trinidad and Tobago can win the competition and lift the gloom surrounding their start to the four-day season. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force languish one from bottom in the six-team standing on 24 points, after a terrible start to the revamped WICB Professional Cricket League. However, with champion off-spinner Sunil Narine, seamers Ravi Rampaul, Shannon Gabriel, and Kevin Cooper, along with legspinner Samuel Badree, expected to be available for the Super50 campaign, Emrit is hoping for a turnaround in Red Steel’s fortunes. “The guys are preparing well and there are a lot of senior guys back in the team preparing for this tournament and if they are available obviously they will be into the team,” Emrit told the Trinidad Express newspaper. “The likes of Cooper, Narine, Rampaul, Shannon should be back, and Badree is in the squad as well. Hopefully these guys will be fit and they can bring some of their experience to the team.” He added: “There will always be fingers pointing when the team does not do
Rayard Emrit well but I just have to concentrate on what I can do for the team and what I can bring to the team. My experience is going to count as well as the other guys and as long I do my job, get the guys motivated enough to go out there and perform, I think we are going to do well.” T&T have endured miserable form in the four-day tournament. They drew with Barbados at home, with rain helping them stave off defeat in the opening round and then easily beat tournament doormat Leeward Islands by six wickets. However, losses to Jamaica and Guyana Jaguars, both coming at Queen’s Park Oval, saw them limp into the Christmas break in bad shape. “In the four-day tournament, we did not have the results we wanted in the
four games we had so far, but the Super50 is different and we are focused on that now,” Emrit pointed out. “It is a limited overs competition and it is the shorter format that the Trinidad and Tobago team seems more comfortable with.” T&T reached the final of the Super50 tournament earlier this year, after finishing second in Group B. However, they went down to Barbados by 17 runs in the championship game, despite being labelled favourites. Emrit identified inconsistent batting as the root of T&T’s problem and said this needed to be improved for the upcoming campaign. “We had probably our best team in the Regional Super50 this year and we fell short because of our batting again. We keep saying the same thing over and over but hopefully we can get the batting right this time,” said the all-rounder. “Our batters need to put runs on the board in the competition. We come to trials and we score a lot of runs because we are accustomed to the bowlers but we need to go out there on the regional scene and put runs on the board.” The Super50 runs from January 15-25 in Trinidad and the sister island of Tobago.
Nurse XI win in second Super50 trial Barbados Cricket Association Bridgetown, Barbados - Ashley Nurse’s XI beat Kevin Stoute’s XI by eight runs in the second Barbados one-day trial match at Bayfield yesterday. The match was in preparation for the WICB Nagico Super50 Championship in Trinidad & Tobago in January. Summarised scores: Ashley Nurse’s XI 233 all out (43.2 overs) (Carlos Brathwaite 43 not out - 26 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes; Jonathan Carter 42 - 38 balls,
6 fours, 1 six; Kyle Corbin 34, Shane Dowrich 23, Antonio Greenidge 22, Kyle Hope 16, Kyle Mayers 12; Ryan Hinds 3-35, Nekoli Parris 2-38, Kevin Stoute 2-41). Kevin Stoute’s XI 225-6 (50 overs) (Shamarh Brooks 60 - 89 balls, 6 fours; Shane Parris 51 - 92 balls, 5 fours; Shai Hope 36 not out - 29 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes; Kevin Stoute 31, Nekoli Parris 17 not out, Ryan Hinds 11; Justin Greaves 2-17). Umpires: Jonathan Blades, Leslie Reifer Jr.
Associated Press - Danny Green had 24 points and the injury-depleted San Antonio Spurs beat the visiting Houston Rockets 110-106 on Sunday night, snapping a sixgame skid against their intrastate rivals. Tim Duncan scored 16 points and Manu Ginobili had 15 for San Antonio (19-13), which won for first time in three games. James Harden had 28 points for Houston (21-8), and Dwight Howard added 24 points and 17 rebounds. The Rockets’ newest additions had differing levels of success: Corey Brewer scored 25 points, but Josh Smith finished with five points on 2of-7 shooting. Suns 116, Lakers 107 — At Los Angeles: Goran Dragic scored 24 points, Eric Bledsoe had 20 of his 22 after halftime, and Phoenix earned its sixth consecutive victory. Isaiah Thomas added 15 points for the balanced Suns, who haven’t lost with their new starting lineup. The Lakers lost their third straight despite Kobe Bryant’s return. Mavericks 112, Thunder 107 — At Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki matched his season high with 30 points for Dallas, and Chandler Parsons added 26. The Mavericks rallied from seven points down to start the fourth quarter. They were without center Tyson Chandler, a late scratch with back spasms. Trail Blazers 101, Knicks 79 — At Portland, Ore.: Wesley Matthews had 28 points, including six 3pointers, and the Trail Blaz-
San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green, center, and forward Matt Bonner, right, defend Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 110-106. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) ers beat the short-handed Knicks. Portland was 16 for 36 from 3-point range. Nicolas Batum had five 3-pointers and 17 points. It was the eighth straight loss for the Knicks, who had just nine available players to start the game, and then lost Carmelo Anthony for the second half because of a sore left knee. Pistons 103, Cavaliers 80 — At Cleveland: Brandon Jennings scored 25 points,
and the Pistons used an 18-0 run in the second quarter to roll past the Cavaliers. It was Cleveland’s second blowout loss at home in less than two weeks. The Cavaliers lost 12798 to Atlanta on Dec. 17, and the convincing victory for Detroit drew boos from the home crowd. Raptors 116, Nuggets 102 - At Denver: Kyle Lowry had 30 points and 11 assists, leading Toronto to the victory.
Domini Garnett hat-trick... From page 31 them the lead. Equally dominant for Grove was Garnett who took center stage again three minutes to the half with another smart strike, evading three NA players, drew goalkeeper Javano Dos Santos off his line before slotting the ball home clinically, Grove Hi Tech 2 New Amsterdam United 1. The score remained unchanged at the break and even as the teams sought to refocus at the break, fans were braking for another 45 minutes of ripping action. New Amsterdam, aware that they were trailing wasted no time in taking the attack to Grove and five minutes into the half were rewarded when Adrian Adams converted the equalizer for his side and his 7th of the competition, Grove 2 New Amsterdam 2. There was no doubt that at this juncture that both teams felt that they had an equal chance at the 1.5 million dollars top prize. So while they were each adventurous, some caution was also exhibited as neither side wanted to give up too much of an advantage to the other. New Amsterdam enjoyed some good moments as did Grove but no more goals were
scored in the standard 90 minutes which meant that another 30 minutes of extra time (15 minutes per half) were required to arrive at the winner. This period too was intense as it was goalless until the 117th minute when Garnett again ensured that his side nosed ahead for the second time in the encounter with three minutes remaining on the game clock and his fourth goal of the tournament. To secure their lead, Grove employed some usual tactics of shielding the ball in the corners to run the clock down and they were successful. The final whistle by female Referee Maureese Skeete sparked wild celebrations by the Grove players and supporters. Final score - Grove Hi Tech 3, New Amsterdam United 2. Cougars and New Amsterdam will now contest the third place game on New Year’s Day at the #5 ground with the winner set to receive $300,000 and the loser, $100,000. At stake in the final is a first prize of 1.5 million with the losing team set to pocket $500,000. Fans can also look forward to an exciting time as the tournament sponsor will be putting on a massive after football show for the fans to have a grand time.
Tuesday December 30, 2014
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West Indies collapse after big stand ESPNcricinfo Centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels steered West Indies past the follow-on mark before a familiar collapse revived the possibility, albeit slight, of a South Africa win. Brathwaite and Samuels added 176 for the third wicket before West Indies let slip a position of apparent safety by losing seven wickets for 44 runs. They trailed by 142 with one wicket in hand when rain intervened for the umpteenth time to end play with an hour still left. A f t e r s o m e predominantly short bowling from South Africa’s quicks that discomfited Brathwaite and Samuels without quite threatening to d i s m i s s t h e m , Ve r n o n Philander broke the partnership with a full ball that moved in sharply and rapped Samuels’ front pad, punishing his non-exitent front-foot stride. Paul Reiffel upheld the lbw shout, and Hawkeye showed the ball to be clipping leg stump after
Samuels reviewed. Third ball of the next over, Morne Morkel sent back Brathwaite, who went for a drive away from his body at a ball that wasn’t quite full enough for the shot and edged a catch to second slip. Denesh Ramdin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul saw West Indies through to tea, before Imran Tahir - who had been poor till that point, struggling with his control and conceding 96 in his first 23 overs - dismissed both in the space of three balls with his googly. The first one held its line rather than turning sharply in and pinged Ramdin on the front pad when he pressed forward to drive, and the second rolled back between Chanderpaul’s legs and trickled into his stumps after he had defended it off the back foot. West Indies, already boasting a none-toodependable lower order, had gone into the Test match with five bowlers, and South Africa sliced through the tail before the rain returned. Morkel ended the day with four wickets and Tahir,
Morne Morkel appeals for a wicket. (Gallo Images)
erratic for most of the innings, with three. By then, rain-related delays and stoppages had already eaten away threeand-a-half hours, and West Indies had moved past the
magic number of 218. They began the day 71 short of it, and Brathwaite and Samuels scored the required runs at close to four runs an over, growing in fluency after surviving a testing early
New Zealand complete best ever Test year ESPNcricinfo - It had to be black magic. Tim Southee and Trent Boult were swinging a 70-over old ball on the fourth morning. Both ways. Their skill accounted for 13 of the 20 Sri Lankan wickets and confirmed B r e n d o n M c C u l l u m ’s Boxing Day assault as match winning. Christchurch witnessed New Zealand’s fifth victory in 2014, marking it their best year in Test history. A target of 105 appeared straightforward, but Sri Lanka created a few nervous moments for New Zealand along the way. A fluent Tom Latham was undone by a ripping turner from debutant offspinner Tharindu Kaushal and Hamish Rutherford was surprised by Shaminda Eranga’s extra bounce and lobbed a catch to gully. Sri Lanka strived hard for further inroads. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, though, were resolute and secured the Test in the seventh over after tea on the fourth day. The visitors had begun the day 10 runs behind and with five wickets in hand, and their best chance was if their captain Angelo Mathews could shepherd the
Tim Southee’s short-ball tactic worked well against the tail © Getty Images
tail. But even he was unprepared for the bouncer from Southee, feathering an edge to the keeper off a frontfoot pull early in the morning. Kaushal, the night-watchman, managed a couple of pleasing strokes
through square leg and cover off the front foot before a short ball in the off-stump corridor did him. He was caught in two minds and before he could pull the bat away, the edge flew to Mark Craig at second slip to give
Southee his first strike of the morning. Dhammika Prasad was reluctant to get in line for most of his 17 balls and was not ready when Southee sprung the trap with the fuller length - twice. Ross Taylor grassed an absolute dolly, but before his face could grow red another came his way and he caught it. Sri Lanka did well to bat until lunch and their finalwicket pair even forced the umpires to take a half hour’s extension. The lead was 17 when Mathews was dismissed, but Eranga and Suranga Lakmal conjured 59 runs off 57 balls. Their clearthe-front-leg-and-swing tactic frustrated New Zealand as they either watched the ball skirt past the outside edge or skim to the cow-corner boundary. Boult broke through and earned himself and his fellow bowlers some welldeserved rest after 196 testing overs across the two innings. Scores: New Zealand 441 (McCullum 195, Neesham 85) and 107 for 2 beat Sri Lanka 138 (Boult 325, Wagner 3-60) and 407 (Karunaratne 152, Boult 4100, Southee 4-91) by eight wickets.
spell from Morkel. Samuels’ footwork is always a little lackadaisical, while Brathwaite’s head doesn’t really get over the ball when he drives. Morkel went around the wicket and looked to exploit both these shortcomings with full deliveries angled across the batsmen amid a regular diet of short balls. Samuels took his eyes off the ball while ducking the bouncers and wore one on the back of his helmet, while the fuller one produced a streaky edge to the third man boundary. Brathwaite dealt with the bumpers fairly well, hopping behind the line to keep the ball down or swaying out of line when it rose over chest height, but his movement forward to the full ball definitely looked iffy, even when he used only his hands to time a drive sweetly between short cover and mid-off. At the other end, Philander probed away on off stump, and gave away only seven runs in four overs before South Africa made a double change. Imran Tahir ’s introduction served as a pressure-release valve, and he served up full-tosses in each of his first two overs that Brathwaite whipped away to the leg-side boundary. In between, Samuels danced down the
pitch and smacked him for a straight four. Tahir continued to leak runs, and he gave away seven boundaries in his six-over spell, including a six and a four off successive balls that took Samuels to his century. By then, West Indies had sailed past the follow-on mark. South Africa didn’t do their cause any good on the field. Dale Steyn bowled predominantly short to both batsmen, and the tactic nearly paid off when Brathwaite fended uncomfortably at a rearing delivery to pop it into the air off the shoulder of his bat. Faf du Plessis turned around from second slip, ran back, and got under the dropping ball, only for it to pop out of his cupped hands. Summary Scores: South Africa 1st Innings: 417/8 Declared (122 Overs). Dean Elgar 121, Faf du Plesis 103, Dale Steyn 58, Hashim Amla 33; Kenroy Peters 15-6-44-1, Shannon Gabriel 21-0-80-2, Jerome Taylor 30-7-114-1, Jason Holder 22-7-43-1. West Indies 1st Innings: 275/9 (79 Overs). Kraigg Brathwaite 106, Marlon Samuels 101, Devon Smith 22, Denesh Ramdin*+ 20; Morne Morkel 20-2-69-4, Imran Tahir 26-2-108-3, Vernon Philander 18-4-411, Dale Steyn 14-3-48-0.
SAEED AJMAL: Suspended Pakistan spinner out of World Cup
Saeed Ajmal (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has withdrawn from Pakistan’s World Cup squad as his bowling action is yet to be cleared by the International Cricket Council. Ajmal, 37, Pakistan’s top wicket-taker for the past three years, was suspended from bowling by the ICC in September. Banned Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is to undergo checks before potentially applying to the ICC for an official test on his bowling action. Teams have to name their final 15-man World Cup squads by 7 January. Ajmal, who had been named in Pakistan’s preliminary squad, will continue remedial work on his action (Continued on page 29)
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UDFA/GT BEER SUPA 16 GCUC extends Christmas football final decided condolence to Winners Connection down Eagles United 3-1, Hi Stars fly past Topp XX 2-1 Moakan family Hi Stars scorers (from left) Julian Allicock and Stephan Tappin.
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Winners Connection From Left, Chris Younge and Rawle Gittens.
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his year ’s finalists in the 2nd edition of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GT Beer Supa 16 Knockout football championship had to overcome early leads by their opponents, but prevailed for enthralling wins Sunday night in the semifinals at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The reigning champions Winners Connection clipped their way past the Christianburg unit Eagles United with a thumping 3-1 win, while Hi Stars will reach for the sky after nudging out Bakewell Topp XX 2-1 to set up a final between Winners Connection, who is seeking their second successive title
and Hi Stars in search of their first at this level. Winners Connection were pegged back when striker Dellon Charter sent Eagles ahead just 23 minutes into the first half, but there was no choking from the defending champions who showed their poise when they got the equaliser. It came five minute before the first half closed out where veteran forward Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens sent a corner into the box where the strapping figure of Chris Young was there to head home the equaliser in the 40th minute. In the 43rd minute, Gittens collected a squared ball coming from the right from Stanford Bovell which he headed home for a 2-1
lead which they retained at half time. The champions then upped the tempo in the second half and by the 54th minute they took control with another goal set up by Gittens to the sturdy Renee Gibbons who took control before landing home a shot that gave them a 3-1 cushion which they never released and won the right to defending their crown on New Year’s Night. The other semifinal saw the eventual losers taking control, this time ten minutes into the first half Topp XX snatched the lead through striker Terrence Aaron as he cleaned up a blunder from the opposing goalkeeper to score. Hi Stars, never failed to counter and in the 20th
minute they were able to knot the scores after Tony Adams’ shot was missed by the goalkeeper in the six yards box and an alert Julian Allicock made him pay for the lapse as he slapped home for Hi Stars and a 1-1 score. The game was tied and neither side could break the deadlock until the 88th minute when the Hi Stars side sent their tall central defender into the goal mouth. From a corner the dangling Stephan Tappin rose above his markers to head home the winner as the game eventually ended 2-1 for the West Watooka side. The losers will now face each other in the first game and the winner’s battle for $1M prize come New Year’s Day.
Liverpool close on top four BBC Sport - Liverpool moved to within five points of the top four as their recent upturn in form continued with an emphatic victory over Swansea at Anfield. The home side took the lead through Alberto Moreno’s close-range finish. Adam Lallana made it 2-0 when Lukasz Fabianski’s attempted clearance struck him and found the net before Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson hit back immediately. But Lallana struck again with a low strike and Jonjo Shelvey’s headed own goal from a corner sealed the rout. It could have been worse
Adam Lallana scored a double (Getty Images)
for Swansea, with Raheem Sterling striking the post with a shot from an angle and substitute Mario Balotelli drawing a good save from Fabianski with a low effort.
Position Team 1 Chelsea 2 Man City 3 Man Utd 4 Southampton 5 Arsenal 6 West Ham 7 Tottenham 8 Liverpool 9 Swansea 10 Newcastle
Played 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19
GD Points 27 46 24 43 14 36 17 33 11 33 7 31 0 31 1 28 1 28 -6 26
he Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) has extended sympathy to the family of former umpire Roshan Hamid Moakan who passed away on December 22 after a brief illness. He was 66. Moakan was born at Sisters village on the East Bank of Berbice on March 31, 1948 and resided at Smith Field in New Amsterdam. He was laid to rest at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam on December 26. He joined the umpiring fraternity in his mid 40s and officiated in Regional cricket at the U-19 level for a number of years. He was the longest serving president of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) acting in the capacity for over 10 years. In 2014, he retired as the president of the BCUA due to health reasons. He was an inspiration to many young umpires including his siblings Zaheer and Imran Moakan; Imran is now on the emerging panel of umpires. Moakan played first division cricket in Berbice as a wicket-keeper batsman representing Rotterdam,
Roshan Moakan
Mental Hospital, Providence and Bermine and was employed as an Engineer at the Bermine power plant. Moakan was a devout Muslim and served as the Imam of Sisters village Masjid for a number of years. Moakan passing left a void in the umpiring fraternity in the ancient county which will be difficult to fill. He left to mourn his wife Shirley Suekee and four children.
Schumacher faces ‘long fight’ one year after skiing accident BBC Sport - Michael Schumacher faces a “long fight” on the road to full recovery, his manager has said, one year after the F1 champion suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident. “It’s going to be a long time,” Sabine Kehm was quoted as saying. Her comments came after a former racing driver said Schumacher was beginning to communicate with his eyes. The claim, made by Phillipe Streiff, was dismissed by Ms Kehm and Schumacher’s doctor. Speaking to Le Parisien newspaper, Mr Streiff said he understood that Schumacher was now recognising his close family and communicating with them using his eyes. The retired French F1 driver said he had obtained his information after being in contact with Schumacher’s wife and the surgeon who is treating him. But Professor Gerard Saillant, the surgeon, denied giving any information to Mr Streiff. “For a year, I have never had any contact, verbal, written or physical with Phillipe Streiff,” he said via a spokesman, according to the AFP news agency. Meanwhile Sabine Kehm said Mr Streiff was not a close (Continued on page 31)
Tuesday December 30, 2014
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Domini Garnett hat-trick leads Grove Hi Tech to final
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n New Year’s Night, January 1st 2015 next at the #5 ground We s t C o a s t B e r b i c e , clashing for the 1.5 million dollars first prize in the inaugural Stag Super XV1 knock-out football tournament would be East Bank Demerara’s Grove Hi Tech and East Demerara’s Ann’s Grove. The two clubs earned their places following respective grueling semifinal encounters on Sunday night at the Buxton Community Centre ground against Berbice opponents. Ann’s Grove, coming off a major upset win against Victoria Kings proved that it was no fluke as they had to again dig deep to defeat Cougars on penalty kicks following a 1-1 regulation time stalemate, Cougars equalizing in added on time. In the case of the Grove Hi Tech/New Amsterdam United showdown, it took extra time to decide the w i n n e r , G r o v e ’s t o p marksman Domini Garnett again displaying his penchant for scoring as he netted all three goals to guide his side into the championship game.
Sub. GK Jamal Blair ensures Ann’s Grove enter 1.5M frame But it was the heroics of Ann’s Grove substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blair that stood out on the night. Blair, a regular midfield player, was called upon to stand between the uprights following an injury to first choice custodian Travis Allen who suffered a suspected fractured jaw due to a collision with another player. Blair came into the fray in the 78th minute and his inexperience was exposed when Cougars were gifted the equalizing goal in the 3rd minute of added on time (93rd) with Sherwin Parris’ shot slipping past him after being handled poorly. This slip up handed Cougars a ray of hope in an intense battle. A heavy downpour prior to the start of the first game and intermittent drizzles during the course of the same game made conditions very slippery for the teams but somehow the pace of the matches were both high. Cougars proved worthwhile opponents
throughout the match-up but it was the brave saves of young Blair that spoiled their night. Ann’s Grove took some time to settle in and get their passes together. Such was the intensity of the exchanges that neither team allowed the other to get into the danger zone (attacking third) without stern opposition; this resulted in neither side being able to score in the first half of play. Breaking the deadlock was the home team Ann’s Grove, eleven minutes into the second half. Kevin Barry fired from close range and his shot sailed into the back of the nets as they took the lead 1-0. As the game flowed from end to end and shots were taken, many wide of the uprights, Ann’s Grove were surely thinking that the one goal cushion would have been enough. They suffered a major setback however when regular goalkeeper Travis Allen was injured in a collision with another player.
Alika Morgan shares a moment with some of the children at the Red Cross Convalescent Home in Durban Backlands.
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uyana’s distance running queen, Alika Morgan, with support from Payless Variety Store, was benevolent during the Christmas season when she handed out over 40 presents to the Red Cross Convalescent Home in Durban Backlands.
Morgan spreads Christmas cheer
Morgan said that the gesture meant a lot to her since she came out of similar situations to become one of Guyana’s most recognised distance athletes. She noted that she just wanted others to share her success; hence she decided to spread Christmas cheer.
Golden Hands! Ann’s Grove substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blair is congratulated by teammates and supporter’s following his two saves against Cougars that brought them victory.
Allen’s departure made way for Jamal Blair and despite his slip up which cost his team the equalizing goal in the third minute of added on time, Blair had a huge surprise in store for his teammates and fans. Extra time failed to separate the sides, it was the fifth time in the tournament that regulation time failed to decide and the third time penalty kicks were required to decide the winner. After the first three kicks the scores were tied following flawless shots. While Ann’s Grove sunk their next two shots, Blair saved the next two from
Cougars which sent his teammates and fans into wild celebrations as their nerves finally settled and praises reigned on the stand-in goalie for a fine job under tremendous pressure. The first game between Grove and New Amsterdam promised a match-up between the goalkeepers and strikers and that is just the way it turned out as the teams, despite the soggy conditions showed their spirits were in no way dampened by the elements from above. Twelve minutes into the clash, it was the boys from the East who cantered into
the lead through a Jamal Butts goal. It was the first goal that Grove allowed in for the competition. After regrouping, the Grove boys, led by Domini Garnett fired back with a well placed volley off a corner kick in the 17th minute to level the scores at one apiece. Grove was now enjoying a good period of play and created quite a few chances which went a begging. Creating constant danger for Grove though was the combination of New Amsterdam leading marksman and the nippy Jamal Butts who had handed (Continued on page 32)
Papiss Cisse:Newcastle striker
charged with violent conduct BBC Sport - Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. Everton boss Roberto Martinez said Cisse was lucky not to have been sent off for what he said was a pre-meditated elbow on his defender Seamus Coleman in the 3-2 loss to Newcastle. Cisse, 29, scored his fifth goal in six Premier League games as Newcastle ended a four-game losing run on Sunday. He has until 18:00 GMT on Tuesday to respond to the charge.
If proven, Cisse faces a three-match ban. Martinez said the incident at St James’ Park, not seen by match officials at the time, was “unacceptable”. “You don’t want to see that on a football pitch, that shouldn’t be allowed,” he said. “Two players fighting for their position at a dead-ball situation and you end up deciding to take the law into your own hands by elbowing a fellow professional. “It’s unacceptable and that should have been a red card.”
Papiss Cisse and Seamus Coleman challenge for the ball. (Getty Images)
t r o Sp
West Indies collapse after big stand
Marlon Samuels celebrates reaching his sixth Test hundred. (Gello Images)
Kraigg Brathwaite rocks back to cut. (Gallo Images)
Domini Garnett hat-trick leads Grove Hi Tech to final Sub. GK Jamal Blair ensures Ann’s Grove enter 1.5M frame Hat-trick Boy! Grove Hi Tech leading marksman Domini Garnett (#11) mobbed by teammates after he scored the winning goal against NA United at the Buxton ground.
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