Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Where your views make the news
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news
This current investigation is surrounded by some confusion DEAR EDITOR, I am no pilot or aviation enthusiast, just a mere earthling trying to find answers to things that fell from above to Earth beneath. Here we are in our eleventh day searching for the missing aircraft, pilot and cargo handler. The vanishing of planes without trace is nothing new, but the current investigation is surrounded by some confusion and shrouded chaos. On the Aviation Safety Network, an exclusive service of the Flight Safety Foundation, the information states that first flight of the said missing plane Britten Norman Islander BN-2A-6 took place in 1971. If this stands correct, then that is some forty-three years ago. In addition, the distance from Mahdia Airport to Karisparu Airport, as the crow flies, is 52 km (32 miles). Facts are: The Cessna Britten Norman Islander took off from Mahdia at 15:42 UTC (11:42 local time) on a routine local cargo flight and the last known position was Spot Tracker hit at 15:44 UTC (11:44 local time). The aircraft was estimated to arrive at Karisparu at 16:00
UTC (12:00 local time). It is clear to even the most mathematically simplistic that the journey from point A to point B would be only an eighteen minute duration. At 16:20, now twenty minutes later then the expected arrival time, Timehri Air Traffic Control made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether the aircraft landed before implementing a search and rescue operation. Does Karisparu Airport not carry any control tower or air traffic personnel? After no information was received, the Air Traffic Control commenced the ‘alert phase’ and the Rescue Coordination Center at the Timehri Control Tower was activated. Prominent aviator, Captain Gerry Gouveia said that the disappearance of the Air Services Limited aircraft on Sunday is baffling despite acknowledging that the area the plane was operating in is one of the most hostile jungle and mountainous areas in Guyana. Gouveia said this is the worst possible area to operate regularly, must less having to conduct a search and rescue operation.
If all that has been known and said holds any degree of truth, then what measures were put in place beforehand in the event of plane disaster such as this one. Hindsight is 20/20 or better translated, blindsight 2=0 /2=0. Sources reporting have said that overloading of the plane when it took off from Mahdia may have been a possibility. The reliability of these sources of information are somewhat questionable, as they kept silent on knowledge of such a sensitive nature, that may now be viewed as the contributory factor in the crash. . On whom, and with whom did the onus lie for ensuring that the plane did not exceed its expected load allowance? Was the pilot aware of any excess weight? Who verifies a plane’s load and balance sheet? The Guyana Times understands that the aircraft can carry up to 1500 pounds. It should not be forgotten that last July, a Britten Norman Islander plane of similar genre crashed while landing at the Monkey Mountain airstrip in the interior. What were the findings? Were these made
From page 4 now three years as president? Finally, in that interview, Ms. Ramotar intoned that being the President’s daughter should not deny his children from been given opportunities from going after their dreams. What Ms. Ramotar needs to answer is why should the children of opposition politicians be denied the same opportunities Ramotar and her brother are pursuing. The children and wife of Hamilton Green have been denied employment in their own country and the reason is because of who Mr. Green is. I would suggest Lisa Ramotar have a talk with a young, bright lawyer who came from humble beginnings. Mr. Gino Persaud. Ms. Ramotar’s father, the President of this country inter-
vened and denied Mr. Persaud an appointment with a foreign based organization. Mr. Persaud’s only crime was that he headed Transparency Institute –Guyana in the past. Think of what Mr. Ramotar would have done if Persaud was in active politics with the opposition. In the coming week, I will have a surprise for Ms. Ramotar. I will show her, with proof, how nasty is her father’s rejection of employment of people who criticize his government. And there will be more than one example. On this subject, Ms. Ramotar
has the obligation to offer a comment since she is effusive in her words about her right to employment in her country. Frederick Kissoon
The Lisa Ramotar Gold Board...
available, and if so to whom? Were there any recommendations geared at preventing future crashes? Transport Minister Robeson Benn at a specially convened press conference on Wednesday disclosed that the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) at Timehri Control Tower has been in constant contact with their Surinamese counterparts and those from the United States Mission Coordination Centre as the search continues for the missing Britten Norman Islander aircraft. Benn added that the rescue aspect of the mission has passed and the mission
has now gone into recovery mode, noting that the search will continue. They are also looking at several other factors including the failure of the pilot to call in ‘May Day’ which is a distressed call which can be easily picked up by aircraft around the area. At this point in time, there is no report of such a call being received. Some concern surrounds the reason why the pilot, a veteran flyer would neglect to give a distress signal. Were there other simultaneous goings on? Or did the inability to see the sky render the pilot unable to safely fly? My profound
sympathy goes out to the grieving families. However, it is my sincere wish that whenever the plane is found on the ground, that a thorough investigation be conducted with the primary goal being a non-recurrence, consideration be given to Guyanese authorities acquiring vehicles and devices suitable for searches in jungle and mountainous areas, rather than soliciting help from other countries. The search and rescue party is focusing on where could the plane be? With the fullness of time and effort all the answers we’ll see. Yvonne Sam
DEAR EDITOR, We refer to an article published in your January 4, edition “Sandvoort residents accuse government, GT&T of neglect”, and we thank you for an opportunity to detail the circumstances responsible for the nonfunctioning of the telephone service of some residents in Sandvoort and to offer our sincere regret to the community for the intermittent service disruption. Please note that there was major cable damage which resulted from deterioration in the line plant that serves the Sandvoort area. The repairs necessitated major civil works
which commenced during the week of December 15, 2014 and were temporary halted since personnel had to be diverted to repair a 600 pair cable damaged in Canje and a vandalized 200 pair cable in Stanleytown, which also serves the GuyoilHeatburn operations. We have continuously highlighted in our previous media and community engagements that situations like the one in Sandvoort continue because
of the almost daily damage and vandalism to our facility resulting in the diversion of our personnel and resources from the scheduled works. We are happy to advise that repairs recommenced on January 7, and services of 50% of the residents have been restored. We are working to ensure restoration of all services in the community. Allison Parker Public Relations Officer
Sandvoort telephone problems caused by vandals
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
Even with shocking Paris media house killings…
Govt. ignores security for Kaieteur News The violent attack carried out against the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, during which 12 persons were killed, mirrors a reality that Kaieteur News has been trying to avoid ever since the recognition that certain high-ranking officials and other “powerful” persons were out to destroy the newspaper at all cost. The French media workers were murdered by gunmen who claimed to be Muslims, in retaliation for cartoons the magazine published that did not find favour with them. The publication had been warned that it was treading on dangerous grounds and was asked to retract its cartoon depictions. As a result of the threat posed, the French government had provided police security for staffers of the magazine. Similarly, Kaieteur News was warned last year that if it didn’t back off from doing certain investigative reporting it would suffer a similar fate – with gunmen storming the premises and shooting indiscriminately. As a matter of fact, a senior minister of the Guyana Government – who should be depended on for help - is the
one who was heard during a taped conversation warning of an imminent attack on the newspaper for its content and manner of reporting. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, in a profanity-laced recording, was heard telling a senior reporter that “innocent people” working at Kaieteur News would be in harm’s way as a result of the types of stories the newspaper has been carrying. Government has refused so far to take any action against one of their own. Also, calls to provide protection for KN workers have been met with deaf ears, even callous dismissal. Wednesday’s shocking attack on the journalists in Paris has made Nandlall’s threats take on even greater significance in terms of the manner in which the attack occurred, added to the fact that the Kaieteur News has experienced the cold-blooded murder of five of its employees to terrorist elements and, like Charlie Hebdo, had been firebombed. When contacted by telephone yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee was less than sympathetic and showed total disregard for the lives of those working at Kaieteur News. The Minister became upset after being told that he was contacted for a comment pertaining to the occurrences in Paris and the distinct possibility of something similar happening in Guyana,
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee
Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall
given Nandlall’s aggressive warnings. Rohee tersely said: “Excuse me!” and his phone went dead. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) had in November last called on the Guyana Government to protect Kaieteur News staff and for an investigation to be carried out in relation to Nandlall’s utterances. The body had given the Government two weeks to tell them the measures that will be implemented. But Government has refused to say what measures have been put in place, despite questions from this newspaper. When asked about it yesterday in the wake of what happened in Paris, Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira, refrained from providing the details of Government’s response, but said that government is still
communicating with the Commission on the matter. She did not make mention of the five Kaieteur News pressmen who were executed by gunmen in an attack on the newspaper’s printery at Eccles in August 2006. That execution-style attack had stunned the nation and the media fraternity worldwide. Asked if the government would now be keen to address the threats made against Kaieteur News seriously, Teixeira told the reporter: “I think that you are fishing for something, my darling…We believe that the security of all journalists who are doing their job is important.” Asked if the government will therefore address the threats, Teixeira said: “What is it that you want? What you want? Are you suggesting that you want bodyguards? Is it bodyguards that you want, my darling?”
She was then told that the newspaper was not suggesting anything, but simply asking what Government plans to do; whether it will hasten steps to provide security for the newspaper in light of the Nandlall recording and also taking into account the tragedy in France. “Name me one country in the world that provides personal security for journalists who are carrying out their jobs?” She was then asked again to consider the two situations, to which she said, “The tragedy in Paris, France is a terrorist attack and the authorities there have access to intelligence among other things that Guyana cannot dream to have, and while government is concerned about the safety of all journalists, the two instances cannot be compared. That was a terrorist attack. But I
don’t know what you want me to say, you are fishing, you are trying to lead me …” Black-clad gunmen shouting “Allahu Akbar!” stormed the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 persons, including its editor, three political cartoonists and a police officer, whose coldblooded murder at close range was captured on a disturbing video. The masked shooters moved with military precision, and then escaped following the mid-morning attack on the publication known for its provocative cartoons, lampooning politicians and religions alike. Witnesses said the attack was carried out commandostyle, with the gunmen demanding the names of those they encountered, indicating that they had specific targets in mind. One of the dead in Wednesday’s attack was satirical cartoonist Stephane Charbonnier, the publication’s editorial director and the artist behind the caricatures that offended jihadists. In a 2012 interview, Charbonnier famously shrugged off the threats on his life. “I would rather die standing than live on my knees,” he said. The attacks have attracted widespread condemnation across the world and there was a day of mourning yesterday in France.
Successes achieved in CARILED programme The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development implemented the Caribbean Local Economic Development ( C A R I L E D ) programme, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, with in-kind contributions, from Caribbean and Commonwealth countries. The six-year programme, launched in May 2012, is a project under the Federation
of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and targets the development of businessfriendly environments in which micro-small and medium-sized enterprises can prosper. These include the Tapakuma Women’s Project, the Canal Polders Green Initiative and the Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project, which were all successfully completed, while the Friendship Swine Development Project is 95%
complete, and will be fully implemented this month. Under the CARILED programme, 29 Local Government personnel also received training in Local Economic Development, while 61 participants benefited from local exchange of knowledge and local economic development practices, as well as two studies, which were completed in identifying improvement on women in business and access to micro
financing. In addition, 50 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils across Regions 2, 3, 4 and 6 received training and completed funding packages, with the necessary tools and materials for increased access to finance. Also 34 Local Government personnel, from those same regions received training in basic internet application, by means of electronic communication, in order to locate and source funding for CARILED. CARILED, with its focus on local economic development, is aimed at identifying potential leaders and providing opportunities for them to access various kinds of skill, acquire knowledge and gain experience, while allowing them to develop project proposals, with a focus on agriculture and entrepreneurial activities, so that they can earn an income.
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
China hosts Latin American bloc, hails ties with region
From left, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Costa Rica’s President Luis Guillermo Solis, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa and Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie leave after the opening ceremony to a two-day meeting between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, yesterday. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed growing ties with Latin America yesterday, pledging to use his country’s economic clout to support billions of dollars in regional projects and almost double two-way trade to $500 billion over the next 10 years. Xi held talks with officials from left-leaning nations in the Western Hemisphere a day after meeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who said he received pledges of $20 billion in Chinese investment in his country’s beleaguered economy.
Xi emphasized the potential for future growth in ties between China and the grouping of more than 30 nations known as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which together account for oneeighth of the global economy. Late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and other leftist leaders pushed the bloc as an alternative to U.S.-led regional organizations. “I am sure that this meeting will yield rich results, send to the world a strong message of our commitment to deepening cooperation for
Bahamas and China sign agreement The Gleaner - The Bahamas government says China has agreed in principle to allow the CARICOM member to be a country where debts involving international parties can be settled. An official statement was issued following talks between Prime Minister Perry Christie and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing Wednesday. It quoted
the Chinese leader as announcing an agreement that would allow the trading of Residential MortgageBacked Security instruments to take place in The Bahamas. The instrument is a type of mortgage-backed debt obligation whose cash flows come from residential debt, such as mortgages, homeequity loans and subprime mortgages.
Barbados must remain safe, says PM Barbados Nation - Prime Minister Freundel Stuart says he is committed to ensuring that Barbados remains a zone of peace, especially for the sake of the island’s tourism. The Prime Minister gave the commitment while addressing visitors from around the globe at his official residence Wednesday night when he hosted the first in the annual series of winter season receptions for people who repeatedly make
Barbados their holiday destination of choice. The event was organised by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, the successor to the defunct Barbados Tourism Authority. Stuart said since tourism industry accounted for about 12 per cent of Barbados’ gross domestic product, Barbadians had a responsibility to make sure that the island continued to be as hospitable a destination as possible.
common development,” Xi said. He emphasized China’s commitment to an independent foreign policy and to maintaining an equal partnership with the region, comments likely to appeal to many in the grouping who resent what they see as unfair dominance by the United States. Trade between China and the region grew from $10 billion in 2000 to $257 billion in 2013, driven largely by Chinese demand for commodities such as crude oil and soybeans. While slowing growth in China will soften demand for such products, Xi said Latin America and the Caribbean would benefit heavily from forecasts of $10 trillion in Chinese imports from the entire globe over the next five years. Along with the targeted increase in two-way trade, Xi said he wants to increase direct investment in the region to $250 billion over the next five years. Last July, China extended a $20 billion loan to the region for infrastructure development, another $10 billion in preferential loans, a $5 billion fund for cooperation between the sides and $50 million for agricultural development. Xi said the meeting would produce three documents, including one laying out cooperation goals through 2019 in diplomacy, trade, finance, energy and other areas. The new partnerships raise pressure on the United States, which has traditionally enjoyed close economic, cultural and political ties with Latin American countries. All of the region’s nations are scheduled to meet for the Summit of the Americas in April in Panama City, to be hosted by the Washingtonheadquartered Organization of American States.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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AN ATTACK ON THE MEDIA IS AN ATTACK ON EVERY CITIZEN Press freedom is not just important to the media, it is important to every citizen, because it is at the very foundation of the rights of citizens, constitutionallyprotected rights. When the media is attacked, it is therefore not just the media that should be concerned. Every citizen should be concerned, because an attack on the media is an attack on every citizen, not just in a theoretical sense, but also in a practical way. Every citizen should therefore take umbrage at threats and assaults on press freedom, because a slap against the media is a slap against the citizenry. Before I explain why an attack on the media represents an attack on press freedom, I wish to once again revisit the terror attacks of last Wednesday that were carried out in Paris. I condemn in the strongest possible manner these attacks. There can be no justification for such
horrific acts, no matter how upset the terrorists were at the parodying of their prophet. There can be no justification for what happened. Satire was attacked. But satire alone was not attacked; the right of free expression was attacked. But not just free expression was attacked; the foundation of civilized societies was assaulted. The foundation of civilized societies is human freedom and liberty. Those freedoms and liberties are protected by human rights and one of the foremost human rights, indeed the foremost collective human right, is the right to free expression. The media is a promoter and defender of such rights. The media promotes free expression by ensuring that people have access to information and that matters which are of public interest are given wider dissemination. The media
defends free expression by refusing to be silenced or to be compromised in the discharge of their duties. When the media is attacked, such as what happened in Paris on Wednesday or what has been happening to Kaieteur News and its publisher, Glenn Lall, this is an attempt to silence the media. There is an attempt to silence the Kaieteur News so that the Kaieteur News would not report on things that are inimical to the interests of a class created by political cronyism. It is an attack on the public, indeed an assault on every citizen, because it is attempting to prevent the citizens from receiving information that is of extreme importance to them. Kaieteur News has stoutly defended this right by refusing to be compromised and refusing to bow to pressure. The attempt to silence the Kaieteur News places the PPPC in the unenviable position of being just like the PNC which has
Dem boys seh...
Rohee and Gail had to get slap Rohee got nuff position. He is de General Secretary fuh de Pee Pee Pee, wha use to be de biggest political party in de country. Dem boys seh that before he tun GS it was de biggest. De same Rohee responsible fuh de safety and security of de whole country. That simply means that he got to and must protect every citizen—you, me, dem and a-wee. De way how he running de party and he Ministry show that he only protecting certain people in de Pee Pee Pee. De other day Pee Pee Pee Anil threaten de people at de Waterfalls paper. Rohee and See All hear de threat. Even de PPP-DPP hear de threat. None of dem nah do nutten. Nuff local and international bodies express dem views fuh whole world to see. Dem even request protection fuh de Kaieteur News and de journalists. Rohee tell heself that he more big that Barack Obama. He ignore de people. Dem boys hear that Jagdeo was de one who tell he fuh ignore de people because Jagdeo know Rohee can’t think fuh heself. And anybody who can’t protect demself can’t protect nobody. De same Rohee is one of dem who Jagdeo slap because he stupid.
That is why when de reporter call he and ask bout de protection, he seh, “Excuse me! Excuse me!” Then he hang up de phone. Somebody from he office call and tell dem boys how he suck he teeth and start talking to heself while he walking to he vehicle. Gail is de other one. She had Rohee wuk before and she get slap out because she couldn’t protect she own gate. Thief man break in she gate and she house. When de reporter call she, Gail ask if they going and ketch fish. She want to know if de reporter trying to set she up. She playing she can’t remember de five pressmen who get kill under she leadership just like how dem journalists get kill in Paris. Dem boys want to mek it clear, dem ain’t begging Gail and Rohee fuh nutten because dem boys know that a time gun come when de two of dem gun be unable to protect dem own self. There is a saying, “It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you but no one can walk it for you.” Dem want Gail and Rohee fuh know that de Big Man above is walking wid dem boys every moment of de day. Talk half and pray fuh all media workers.
tried to snuff out the independent media by filing libel suits, denying newsprint to publishers, and by tuning the State media into partisan and propaganda outfits. But that is another story for another day. Today the issue is about denying the people the right to receive information and by extension, the right to communicate information to others. This fundamental right of free expression is the distinguishing feature of civilized societies. Some will question this proposition and counter that civilized societies are not distinguished by fundamental rights, but by the rule of law. I will argue against this latter construction in two ways. The first is that the law has always existed prior to the wide acceptance of human rights. So we have had laws that allowed for persons to be burnt at the stake and we have had laws that allowed, even as late as 1823 in Guyana, for the heads of rebels to be hung in public. Now that can hardly be deemed civilized.
What civilized the rule of law was the incorporation and the protection afforded under the law to fundamental human rights. In other words, the existence of the rule of law in itself does not preclude allowing barbarism as acceptable human conduct. The second thing that can be argued in support of the idea that it is fundamental human rights that make societies civilized is that the modern rule of law is associated with the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights, including the right to free expression. If the basis of civilized societies is the existence and
defence of fundamental human rights, then any assault on these rights represent an assault on civilized society, of which the citizens are the most important elements. In Paris, the French people are coming out in their thousands and defending the right to satire. We need to do the same and rally behind those who are defending press freedom by refusing to give in to the pressures of the PPPC. Long live Adam Harris! Love live Glenn Lall!
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
There are times I think I hate this country One of the inevitable consequences of a battered nation is that its people are so burdened that over a period of time, they give up on obligation to others, obligation to village, city and country where they live, and even obligation to their own being. People just give up on hope and carry on a mundane life. Things fall apart around them and don’t bring out any reflection in them. There will always be the exception, but essentially Guyanese have become a fedup nation. People just could not be bothered with the irregularities in their lives. I would recommend to any researcher who is studying Guyana to glue himself to the letter sections of the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News.
Those pages offer invaluable insight into what Guyana has become. A citizen can highlight in the letter section the most despicable act of human indifference to others, and if you hope that there will be another voice or more condemning letters, you would be dead wrong. The meaning and importance of the description of that letter, of the awful thing that the writer saw in Guyana, will vanish as the days wear on. You write a letter to the press about a city constabulary officer pushing a vendor into the gutter causing her to lose all her little earnings when her stuff was destroyed, and it meets with no condemnation. You write that a little girl is selling bottled water on the
parapet and she is running for her life as the Ministry of Works people, on order of the Minister, hound her down, and this abomination is greeted with silence from Guyanese. How can a nation in the 21st century remain unconcerned when a mother goes through an emotional tailspin when her only child is thrown out of school in the middle of the term? The child’s only indiscretion is that she was found with her cell-phone. A school expels a little child for the mere possession of a cellphone and not one citizen can get up and say that is wrong. It could happen in another country, but you could bet your life that voices will be heard demanding the child’s reinstatement. It is not only that
No bail for miner in fatal stabbing case
Reynard Romaine A 38-year-old accused of stabbing his coworker to death during an argument in a mining pit; has been
remanded to jail on a murder charge. Reynard Romaine of Linden, who stood before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, is alleged to have murdered 41year-old Seibert Moore on January 2, 2015 at Frenchman, Upper Demerara River. Moore, a resident of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, was reportedly slain during an altercation in a mining pit at the Empire Mining Company. According to reports, the two men were arguing when Romaine pulled out a knife and stabbed
Moore to the chest, and other parts of the body. Moore was pronounced dead on arrival at the Linden Hospital Complex while other employees caught the assailant and handed him over to the police. When the charge was read to Romaine, he was not required to plead. The case was prosecuted by Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant who revealed no details during the brief hearing. The miner was remanded. The case was transferred and is set to be called on January 13 at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.
Guyanese have become resigned to their fate, but also the decline in their dignity that they accept. There are stores in this country, particularly National Hardware on Water Street, where the guards examine every single item in your bag at the exit counter. Your privacy is totally disregarded. And people just meekly submit to that indignity. Commercial banks request two pieces of identity even though a passport is a police document and a National Identification Card is governmental property. Both can only be issued when a series of questions were asked and a birth certificate had to be tendered. A passport or an ID card will not be issued if a valid birth certificate was not submitted. To ask for a passport or an ID card and a birth certificate is silly and wrong. But people just accept this violation and go on with their lives. One of the ways you can
see how badly the fabric of this nation is torn is when there is a physical object on the roadway. No one stops to remove it. They drive around it. You pass that object in the morning; it’s there in the afternoon. I live at Turkeyen, next to the CARICOM Secretariat. It is a very small community; one road in, the same road out. Three times my wife and I had to stop and remove obstacles in the middle of the roadway. We saw them in the morning; they were there in the afternoon. Just before 2014 was about to end, I stopped at the western entrance of Merriman’s Mall at Cummings Street to buy bananas at a well-known fruit stand at Cummings and Church Streets. I came out of the car and a gentleman greeted me; “Look the tree is on fire, it will burn and fall.” Another man said, “The tree on fire, Mr. Kissoon.” Two
Frederick Kissoon more persons came up and none responded to my plea to raise a bucket brigade. Other passersby just stood and watched and weren’t prepared to do a damn thing. The tree was in the Merriman’s Mall at the eastern entrance of Cummings Street. I had to pay a homeless man to help me. He demanded money. Someone lit the tree at its bottom. Within hours, that huge thing would have fallen. The banana vendors pointed to two homeless people as the culprits. Could 2015 see a more caring Guyana? I hope so.
‘Squib-throwing’ murder accused arraigned A porkknocker accused of stabbing a 50-year-old miner to death on New Year ’s Day, because the man objected to squibs being thrown into his yard, has been remanded to prison on a murder charge. Rochino Maison, 19, of Old Kara Kara, McKenzie, Linden, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on
Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was arraigned. Maison is charged with murdering Andre Britton on January 1, 2015, at 111 Miles, Mahdia, Potaro. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. Maison was unrepresented by legal counsel and no details into the incident were presented to the Court by Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant. At the end of the brief hearing, the Chief Magistrate
remanded Maison to prison and transferred the case to the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court for January 19. According to reports, Britton, a father of five, stopped four teenagers from throwing squibs into his yard, and at people, on Old Year’s Night. He was later stabbed to his neck and abdomen, on New Year’s Day, by one of the young men. Britton was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahdia Hospital. Maison was arrested and later charged with murder.
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
No bail for ‘Dog Man’
Murder accused Davendra Hansraj, called ‘Dog man’ 43, a boat captain of 17 Grant 1780, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice was on Tuesday remanded to jail by Magistrate Caroline Artiga, when he appeared before her at the M i b i c u r i M a g i s t r a t e ’s court on the capital charge of murder. Hansraj is accused of murdering his reputed wife Mohanranie Udaray called ‘Sherry’, 28, a mother of one. The woman was found lying with her face down in a
pool of blood with a gaping wound to her neck (which passed through her body), after she was allegedly involved in an argument with the man. She was in an unconscious state at the time. U d a r a y, w h o h a i l e d from the Black Bush Polder area, had been living with the man, who is a boat captain on one of the small boats that plies the Corentyne River to Suriname, for over two years. The couple had lived in the upper flat of a two-storey house. The woman had gone to Georgetown to conduct some business for her daughter Riya, and to take her to the US Embassy. It was that visit that reportedly led to the argument. It was upon her returned that the argument erupted. The child did not sleep at home on the night in question, but went to her biological father’s home where she stayed. The man who was on the run for close to three weeks was nabbed in a house where he was hiding out at in a lonely area at Moleson Creek, Upper Corentyne. A post mortem
Wayne Anderson
A 37-year-old mechanic was granted $150,000 bail after he was charged for converting $1.3M entrusted to him for purchases, to his own use. Wayne Anderson of Lot 38 Lamaha Springs, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry and pleaded not guilty to the charge of fraudulent conversion. The court heard that during the month of April in 2012, at Bartica, Essequibo River, he was entrusted with the large sum of money by Rudolph Craig
Accused: Davendra Hansraj called ‘Dog man’
Dead: Mohanranie Udaray examination performed on the woman’s body, by Dr. Vivekanand Bridgemohan, at the Skeldon Hospital, showed that she died from asphyxiation, lack of oxygen due to blood in her lungs and a stab wound to the neck. The accused was unrepresented and not required to plead. His next court appearance was set for February 5th at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. The matter is being prosecuted by Sergeant Althea Solomon.
Mechanic granted bail in $1.3M fraud case
to purchase a pump and hydraulic turbine, but had converted the cash to his own use and benefit. Police P r o s e c u t o r, Corporal Bharrat Mangru presented no facts to the court and had no objections to bail being granted. The case was transferred and is set to be called at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court on January 15.
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Cops dive for cover as drunken driver crashes into road block A number of policemen including Commander of Police ‘B’ Division Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph, had to use their skills to evade the vehicle of a drunken driver which crashed into a road block around 23:30 hrs on Wednesday. The police were responding to a report of a home invasion by armed bandits at a No 62 village, Corentyne, Berbice residence (See related story on page 12). A number of officers had descended in the area and were conducting patrols, stop and searches among other initiatives to apprehend the bandits. A group of police including Commander Joseph, Officer In
charge of Crime, Superintendent Terrance Paul and Assistant Superintendent Alanzo, were on the road at the No 63 beach entrance conducting stop and searches. A number of police vehicles with flashing lights were also stationed on the road. To the horror of those present, sometime between 23:30 and 23:45 hrs vehicle number GNN 3084, driven by 58-year-old businessman Uraj Sourujbali of No 72 Village, Corentyne, came speeding along and despite the heavy police presence, in addition to the flashing lights and signals, the driver ploughed through the road block and came to a halt by smashing into police car PSS 4458 which was parked at the side of the road. Police constable Roy George
who was sitting in the vehicle suffered minor injuries in the process and was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was treated and sent away. The police vehicle was severely damaged. The driver when he emerged from the vehicle could hardly steady himself. He and his vehicle were detained. He was tested and found to be way over the legal limit of alcohol consumption (175 micrograms). He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $7,500. More charges are likely.
Labourer faces court for illegal gun, ammo A 19-year-old labourer reportedly busted with an illegal gun and ammunition was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann McLennan. Timothy Taylor, of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to respond to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to the Police, on January 6, last, Taylor, who was unlicenced, was busted with a .32 revolver with three live rounds of matching ammunition at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown. He pleaded not guilty and submitted an application for bail. According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, about 02:45 hours, a party of police ranks on patrol duty observed Taylor and two others acting in a suspicious manner. He said they decided to approach the defendant and his friends, but when they observed the cops advancing they ran away.
Jones told the court that the ranks chased after them, but were only able to apprehend Taylor. The defendant was searched and the loaded gun was found hidden in the waist of his pants. He was arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where charges were subsequently laid. Jones, who objected to bail, said that Taylor was a
flight risk and had raised no special reasons for bail. He said too that the 19-yearold had given the court a different address from the Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown address he had initially given to the police. The Magistrate granted the prosecution’s request and Taylor was ordered held. The matter will be called again on January 23.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
Prison officer faces manslaughter charge
Bandits clip victim’s tongue with pliers
Mangru objected to bail citing the nature and gravity of the offence. He opined that the prison officer was a flight risk. Though no facts were presented by the Prosecutor, it was previously reported that Narine and Stewart were involved in a heated argument, which escalated into a scuffle on the day in question. Persons separated the men, but as Narine walked away, Stewart reportedly attempted to arrest Narine. Narine, a former Police rank, resisted, but Stuart retaliated by repeatedly hitting him to the head and neck. Narine, according to reports, suffered damage to the brain and a ruptured blood vessel in the neck. As a result of the injuries, he was hooked up to a life support machine, but after a few days, doctors confirmed
…as remigrants lose $$M in C’tyne home invasion
Prison officer, Sherwin Stewart appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face a manslaughter charge yesterday. Stewart, a resident of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, is accused of killing former police rank, Neil Anthony Narine, on November 11, last, at Soesdyke/Linden Highway Junction. The Prison officer made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry. He was not required to plead to the charge since it was laid indictably. Stewart was last year charged with murder in the incident, but Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru reported that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had withdrawn the initial charge and would be prosecuting him for manslaughter instead.
Accused: Sherwin Stewart that he was brain dead. He was removed from the life support machine on November 11, last. At the end of the hearing yesterday, Stewart was remanded to prison and is set to return to court on January 16.
Miner fingered in spate of armed robberies remanded A 22-year-old miner accused of robbing three people at gunpoint was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman on several armed robbery charges. Howard Rambarose of Lot 6 Meadow Bank, Greater Georgetown, who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, is alleged to have robbed three persons on October 31, 2014, at Eighth Street, Diamond Housing Scheme.
The court heard that Rambarose, while in the company of others, brandished a gun and robbed Anasa Charles of an Alcatel cellular phone valued at $10,000. It is also alleged that on the same day, also at Eighth Street, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Soma Persaud of $500,000 cash and Merisatta Singh of $40,000. The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to the three charges and submitted an application
for bail through his lawyer, Dexter Todd. In his bid for bail, Todd said that his client is currently facing charges before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the said courts. He claimed that no identification parade was conducted and the police failed to conduct a thorough investigation. Though no facts were read in Court, Police Prosecutor Joel Ricknauth asked for Rambarose to be remanded. He objected to bail due to the serious nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence as well as the penalty of the crime. Furthering his objection, he said that Rambarose confessed to the crime and his fingerprints were found at the scene. Ricknauth said that the accused is a possible flight risk. Rambarose was remanded and the case is set to be called again on January 23.
Yet another armed robbery has occurred on the Corentyne. This time, remigrant Nandkishore Tajram and his brother Pooran Tajram of 42B Number 62 Village, Corentyne, were beaten, terrorized and robbed just after 19:00 hrs on Wednesday. Three armed and masked gunmen stormed the one-flat premises after gaining entry into the yard from the back, and ordered the two brothers inside the home. When inside they tied them up, tortured Pooran by clipping his tongue with a pair of pliers, and carted off over $5M in cash, their cellular phones and over $300,000 worth in jewellery. The brothers said they begged for their lives, and the gunmen showed some degree of mercy and left with their loot.
gunmen. He noticed two other gunmen also armed with knives, who made their way towards the front of the yard where the house is located. “They marched us to the front door— and they made me call my brother and they also put the guns to him and took us straight through the front door,” he recounted. “We told them to spare us—-and take everything and go,” the man related. ”They gave us a pretty hard time, but we survived,” he added. The entire ordeal lasted some 25 minutes. Inside the house, the brothers’ hands were tied and they were ordered to be quiet. “They take a pliers and they grabbed my brother in the tongue...they squeezed him in the tongue... like torture. They wanted gold,
Nandkishore Tajram to Canada and spending some time away to sort through what the next step in life would be in terms of the business. “We could have lost our lives last night; we just
The house at which the robbery took place. Nandkishore, who remigrated to Guyana a few months ago from Canada to partner with his brother in a large-scale poultry and cattle farming business, stated that he and his brother were enjoying dinner when he (Nandkishore) stepped out briefly into the backyard to grab a piece of rope, when he was grabbed by one of the
but he didn’t have any!” After ransacking the house, the elder brother then directed the gunmen to the money and jewellery, after which they fled the scene. The police were summoned, and they responded some half hour later. Nandkishore and his brother Pooran are now counting their losses. He is now contemplating returning
cooperated with them...tell them to take what they wanted and leave us alone— money and material stuff you can always get back,” he added. “I am going to go overseas for a couple of weeks and think about it (the incident),” he added. No arrests have yet been made in connection with the armed robbery.
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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UK again calls on Govt. to resume Parliament - concerned about LGE The pressure is mounting on Government to resume Parliament, with the British administration yesterday issuing a strong statement. According to the statement issued by the British High Commission in Georgetown, Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, is calling “for the earliest possible resumption of Parliament” as required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter. “The UK Government views with concern the continued prorogation of Parliament by His Excellency President Ramotar and calls for its earliest possible resumption. Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter; it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard. The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.” The British Minister also addressed the non-holding of Local Government Elections.
British Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood “We also continue to have concerns that there have been no local elections for over 20 years, which is also contrary to the democratic principles of the Commonwealth Charter and Guyana’s own Constitution. The UK calls on all stakeholders to seek solutions to the political and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana so that the country can develop in a fair, democratic and equitable way.” It is not the first time that
The UK Govt. says the suspension of Parliament means that “an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold”. the British has publicly commented on elections in Guyana. There have been ongoing concerns expressed about Local Government Elections As a matter of fact, for more than a year now, there have been intermittent talks between Government, the Opposition and the Diplomatic community, over
Leadership is a weakness facing the education system - Former Education Officer One of the main weaknesses facing the education sector is that of leadership at the level of the schools. This is the deduction of former Chief Education Officer, Ed Caesar. Caesar, who was tasked with delivering the charge to the most recent graduating batch of students from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), said that the institution has an important role to play in developing the leadership ability in teachers. However, the College’s effort, according to him, cannot impact the general school system noticeably, unless the leadership deficiencies at the school level are corrected. Ahead of detailing intervening measures that can be implemented by CPCE in this regard, Caesar pointed out that teacher leadership of quality must be a feature that must be indispensable. Moreover, he noted that teacher leadership cannot succeed if teachers who are selected as leaders are not viewed by their peers as
more effective, and as having the knowledge and skills to help others. For this reason, he intimated that clinical supervision and appraisal must be professionally addressed and recordkeeping must take centrestage. Caesar, in continuing his deliberation, even stressed the need for the Ministry of Education to sustain efforts at attracting high-performing teachers to low-performing schools. But according to him, “this must not, however, be by any means of coercion; the right foundation should be established.” He went on to note that such teachers should gain support in the areas of technology and networking relationships, even as the heads of such schools should be committed to participating management and shared leadership and a compensation package should be discussed and formalised with involvement from the Union. Further, Caesar noted that the Education Ministry, with the support of the Union, must ensure that there is a role
Former Chief Education Officer, Ed Caesar for teachers in leadership policy decisions in affecting their practice. “A key tenet of professional work is that practitioners are viewed as the expert problem-solvers in their field,” said Caesar. He amplified the need for welldefined roles for teachers to lead at the policy level where they can solve the problems of the profession beyond the classroom. And even as he alluded to a strategic tactic by CPCE to pursue pedagogical transformation, the former Chief Education Officer made reference to the need for the College to re-examine (Continued on page 14)
the stalemate in the National Assembly. Britain has joined with the US, Canada and the European Union to urge for the holding of early Local Government Elections. The suspension of Parliament by the Donald Ramotar administration late last year has also deeply worried the countries. Meanwhile, Parliament’s largest Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it is in full agreement with the statement issued by the British High Commission. “The concerns of the government of the United Kingdom on the continued prorogation of Parliament and the absence of local government elections in Guyana for over 20 years, means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.” APNU, which controls 26 of the 33-seats majority held by the Opposition, said it has
been calling for an end to prorogation and a return to Parliamentary democracy and the holding of local government elections which are constitutionally long overdue. “The Parliament of Guyana has not met in over six months. This has allowed the Executive to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny of Ministerial behaviour; avoid scrutiny of expenditure; avoid the holding of local government elections.” APNU noted that the economy has begun to stagnate due to uncertainty. “There continues to be a marked increase in violent crime, this is a direct result of government Ministers being more concerned with the Peoples Progressive Party General and Regional elections campaign rather than their respective portfolios.” Facing a no-confidence motion over unauthorised Government spending and outstanding answers to a
number of large-scale infrastructural projects, President Ramotar announced late last year that he was exercising his powers to prorogue Parliament. In effect, the suspension halted the no-confidence motion debate but it also angered the Opposition, worsening relations on the political level. Government is now poised to call early elections, with the political parties already in campaign mode. The President had said as well that he has communicated with the international community, alerting of the “possibility” of early elections and the desire for observers. The Head of State said that he prorogued the Parliament to preserve the life of the 10th Parliament so as to provide another opportunity for the National Assembly to address the many issues that are yet to have parliamentary consideration.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
GPHC’s Emergency Medical Male teen accuses 10 men of “gang-rape” Services to be further enhanced An 18-year-old man of Bellevue, West Bank Demerara, who claims he was drugged and viciously raped by at least 10 men, is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The teen alleges that he was sodomized by one of his friends on Old Year’s Night in a house at Vreed en Hoop, West Coast Demerara. He told relatives that it was the same friend who organized the gang-rape. The man was first rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital two Fridays ago after complaining of severe abdominal pain and anal bleeding. He was subsequently transferred to the GPHC on Wednesday night last. A medical examination performed by doctors at the GPHC confirmed that the teenager was raped repeatedly. The medical report was submitted to the police in ‘D’ Division, who are currently conducting their investigation. This newspaper was told
that the teen’s friend is in police custody. According to information received, at around 16:00 hrs on December 31, last, the teen left his home to attend an Old Year’s Night party with the friend. The teen’s mother told this publication yesterday that her son did not return home later that night. “The next day (New Year’s Day) about five o’clock in the afternoon (17:00 hrs) I get a call from my son’s friend. He said that my son would sleep by him the night and come home the next day (Friday, January 2nd) and I said that was okay,” the mother said. She further added that later that night (New Year’s), she received another call from her son’s friend. “He call and tell me that he sending my son in a taxi, but my son reach home till around 11 o’clock (23:00hrs) that night. He came with a car and as soon as the car stop, he run out,” the mother of nine said. “My son was in a terrible condition. He was scared for his life; he was nervous, his
body was trembling, and I could see he was in pain. According to the devastated mother, at that point she did not question the teen much, since he was in too much discomfort. She said that he later asked to use the washroom. “I hold him up, but he couldn’t defecate. He was just shaking and he was crying out for belly pain. When he wiped himself, there was a lot of blood on the tissue and I hold him up and put him to lie down on a bed.” The mother said that when she questioned her son, he related the dreadful news to her. “He said that his friend jook him with a needle and he and about nine other men rape him in a house. He said that blood spray up on the sheet, and the boys dem take off the sheet and hide it.” She said that the teenager’s arm was swollen which seemed to indicate that he had indeed been injected. Almost in tears, the woman said that her son told her that the men then locked him in the house and later went back for him. “He said that the boys took him somewhere and they were going to shoot him, but a lady see and shout, and tell him to run. He run and jump in a taxi and the car bring him home,” the mother said. At present, the teen cannot speak or eat. “He keeps calling his friend’s name all the time. The one that he say raped him.” Investigations are ongoing.
- approximately 3000 calls responded to in 2014
The Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) sharing a light moment with Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Director of Accident & Emergency, Dr. Zulfikar Bux The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), established in February 2014, with guidance from Dr. Zulfikar Bux, Director of the Accident and Emergency Department at the hospital, has thus far seen the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) team responding to approximately 3000 emergencies The EMS service is designed to provide emergency medical response for patients, who are in need of urgent medical care, before actually making it to the hospital. It is administered by EMTs, who are specially trained to deliver emergency medical care to patients on scene and en route to the hospital. These individuals are tasked with the responsibility of retrieving patients and delivering them to the emergency room in a safe, efficient and timely manner. According to Dr. Bux, this batch of technicians is the first in a pilot project which aims to have emergency medical response services available at the country’s five main hospitals and possibly across the country. This pilot
initiative will gradually expand in phases to the different regions of Guyana. He also noted that close to 50 individuals have been trained as EMTs, including persons from the Guyana Police Force (GPC), Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), along with medical personnel. He added that the major goal is to have a National EMS body which will control the daily operations of EMS services in Guyana. The target facility for the housing of this unit is Project Dawn, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. Also, communication is a key aspect of any response system, so in this light, a dispatch system is currently being developed, and when in force will be a part of the National EMS body’s housing unit. Further, Dr. Bux noted that medical evacuation is very important, especially with regard to response to accidents in the Hinterland. Hence, work is being conducted to develop a Medivac (medical evacuation) response system to have a timelier and more efficient evacuation system.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran has noted that there are plans to further expand the skills of the EMTs, by training them in the administration of blood and oxygen. This will also include the matching of blood groups. This project has received tremendous support from the Vanderbilt Medical Center and the Morris Foundation in the U.S.A. The former, which is renowned for being one of the best Emergency Hospitals in the U.S.A, has been collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the GPHC, to develop Emergency Medicine in Guyana. It has thus far trained three specialist emergency doctors and is expected to graduate 12 others, over the next three years. These doctors are expected to continue the development of Emergency Medicine so that Specialised Emergency Medicare will become accessible to Guyanese. The Vanderbilt Medical Center has also partnered with the Morris Foundation, to provide Guyana with the necessary resources for the development of this sector.
Leadership is a weakness... (From page 13) its mission with a view of ensuring that the resources, human and otherwise, that are necessary are in place. And it is the conviction of Caesar that in the not too distant future the Undergraduate (Education) Programme offered at the University of Guyana will also be offered at CPCE while the University focuses on the Post Graduate,
Master ’s and Doctoral programmes. “The College, even if my dream is not realised, must address elements that relate to pedagogical transformation,” said Caesar as he underscored the need for the College to fully embrace technology. And according to him, persons who are not supportive of technology should not be employed at the College and “every lecturer at
the College must be provided with the opportunity to get on board; technology must be fully integrated in every discipline offered at the College.” He noted that the institution must be able to initiate and foster collaborative programmes with other institutions of higher learning and collaboration among staff must become part of the culture of the College.
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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India should be voice of developing nations - Pres.Ramotar President Donald Ramotar, the chief guest at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, yesterday urged India to play a more active role on the global stage and be the voice of the developing world. Ramotar was also full of praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he was impressed by the development and the “tremendous transformation” in Gujarat, where Modi was Chief Minister for over a decade till May last year. He said Modi’s “leadership played a key role in transforming this key state” and expressed hope that the Prime Minister would achieve success in replicating the development across India. Ramotar, who became Guyana’s president in December 2011, said that he felt great humility and pride in being part of the large Indian diaspora. Mahatma Gandhi was a great inspiration for the Indian indentured people and others who worked in the European colonies to fight for their rights and eventual freedom, he said. He said Guyana and India have age-old links since the time Indian immigrants were brought to Guyana to work in the sugar fields in 1838 and former president Cheddi Jagan, who he said is also known as “Father of the Nation” in Guyana, was the son of an indentured Indian labourer. Guyana has closely followed developments in India and the freedom struggle in India had a great influence on what was then known as British Guiana, he said. Ramotar said that India has the second largest diaspora in the world that includes Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Nobel laureates, those holding top positions on the Forbes list, and others with notable accomplishments, which all must be proud of. “Therefore it is of great significance that we are here together. India has on its shoulders a great responsibility in creating a tomorrow, in seeing that all countries develop and advance to greater heights,” said Ramotar. He said that just as India played a pivotal role in granting political and intellectual leadership to a wave of nations, including Guyana, “so too shall India provide leadership in developing nations of the world”. He said small countries have no voice in multilateral fora like the G20 and would
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, lights the lamp as President Donald Ramotar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel look on during the 13th edition of ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ in Gandhinagar. (Photo PTI) like to “turn to a larger influential friend like India who can be the voice of the developing world” and this is an opportunity for India to play a more active role globally. India should play a more active role in global development banks and organisations and its businesspersons must venture outside with more investments to establish their global footprint, Ramotar said. He also said Guyana supports India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. Earlier, the guest of honour, South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said she was happy to join in the celebrations of the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. She described India as her second home having spent six years as a High Commissioner here. Mashabane, who was attired in a pink Benarasi sari, said the landmark occasion of the centenary of Gandhi’s
return to India also coincides with the formation of the African National Congress by Nelson Mandela on this very day in 1912. She said Gandhi’s relations with South Africa and the ANC go back many years and his resistance against oppression contributed to the intellectual and spiritual struggle against colonialism. Noting South Africa is home to the largest Indian diaspora community with some Indians as leaders and ministers in her country, she said: “We must continue to use the bond in the global arena.” She said her country and India can become partners and together explore opportunities for mutual benefit and added that South Africa is keen to partner India in IT, renewable energy and also for the Indian Ocean region economy. President Ramotar is set to join 14 other Non Resident Indians (NRIs) who are to be conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards
for 2015. Microsoft CEO Satyanarayana Nadella, Mala Mehta from Australia; Kamaljeet Bakshi from New
Zealand; Nandini Tandon from US; Ashraf Palarakunnummal from UAE; Essop Esoop Goolam from South Africa; Bharatkumar
Jayantilal Shah from UAE; Rajmal M. Parakh from Oman; Justice Doraikannu Karunakaran from Seychelles; Sanjaya Rajaram from Mexico; Lord Raj Loomba from Britain; Mahendra Nanji Mehta from Uganda and Kamlesh Lulla from the US and Nathu Ram Puri, were among the others. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (English: Non-resident Indian Day), is celebrated in India on January 9 each year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in Bombay on January 9, 1915. Established in 2003, it is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region of India. A celebratory event is held on 7–9 January each year in an Indian city: a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is organized and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given.
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Kaieteur News
Second Sophia arson victim succumbs
Dead: Tabola Abrams Another person has succumbed from last Saturday’s ‘C’ Field Sophia inferno which was allegedly started by a jilted man. Tabola Abrams, 39, who sustained severe burns after her ex-lover allegedly torched her home, died at around 17.00 hrs yesterday in the Georgetown Hospital’s Burns Care Unit. A sister of the victim said that she was unable to visit her injured sibling yesterday, but then received a call from her brother-in-law indicating that the mother of three had
died. Also dead from the attack is 68-year-old Clifford Sampson, another occupant of the same residence, who succumbed hours after the two-storey building was set alight with him and several others inside. The suspect, Devon Harris, is under police guard at the GPHC. He reportedly sustained burns about his body when he doused the building with gasoline and set it alight. Harris fled the scene, but surrendered to police at the Wismar Police Station last Tuesday. Relatives of Tabola Abrams had expressed concern that the woman and the alleged arsonist were both in the same ward. Also still hospitalised is
Abrams’ 47-year-old paramour, Shawn Whyte, a security guard attached to Georgetown Public Hospital. Nearly a dozen people had reportedly occupied the house that was razed. They included Anita Buelow, daughters Tabola Abrams and Faustine, three-year-old Troy Buelow, Weldon Allen, 18, Ashanti Gain, 10, and Theresa Buelow. Some reportedly were forced to jump from the burning two-storey house. Abrams had said that she had shared a turbulent sevenyear relationship with her exlover ‘Gavin,’ but ended it a few months ago. “We de living together, but we had plenty trouble. I had to call in de welfare and he had to move out…He does wuk in bush, but he de come out and come to me work place begging for another chance. I tell he that I get somebody big, that does treat me good. He (the suspect) refuse to accept. He say that he will give me something I would never forget.” She had alleged that her ex-lover returned to the house on Friday and began knocking on the doors to her apartment, demanding entry. The woman said that when the fire started most of the occupants in the house were asleep. “Like de fire start from (my) bedroom… I had on meh night gown and it thin, so it start ketching afire quick, so I tek it off and start running outside…” “Like he chain up the door from outside so de neighbour had to break down the door and who could jump, had to jump. Uncle (Clifford Sampson) couldn’t mek it…They had to throw my small son, three-year-old Troy, through a window fuh save he.”
Friday January 09, 2015
Sri Lankan president concedes defeat after decade in power
Mithripala Sirisena waves at his supporters (Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat to his opposition challenger today after a presidential election, ending a decade of rule that critics say had become increasingly authoritarian and marred by nepotism and corruption. “We don’t have any good news. It is all bad news,” said a senior government official and close ally of Rajapaksa as the results came in from yesterday’s election on this Indian Ocean island of 21 million people. “I think people need a change and this is democracy.” Celebratory firecrackers could be heard exploding in the capital, Colombo, after the president’s office said Rajapaksa had met a leader of the opposition to accept the victory of his challenger, Mithripala Sirisena. There was no sign of protests or a major mobilization of security forces. Sirisena, a former government minister who
deserted the president and changed sides to become the opposition’s candidate in November, has vowed to root out corruption and bring constitutional reforms to weaken the power of the presidency. Seeking an unprecedented third term, Rajapaksa called the election two years early, confident that - despite his waning popularity - the fractured opposition would fail to find a credible candidate. But he did not anticipate the emergence of Sirisena, who dined with him one evening and turned on him the next day. The Department of Elections said that of 3.26 million votes counted so far, Sirisena had taken 51.3 percent and Rajapaksa was trailing on 46.9 percent. Other candidates accounted for the rest of the votes cast by an electorate of around 15 million. Presidential coordinator Wijayananda Herath said
Rajapaksa met Ranil Wickremesinghe, who will be prime minister under the new president, to concede defeat and asked him to “facilitate a smooth transition”. Sirisena is expected to be sworn in later today. Rajapaksa won handsomely in the last election in 2010, surfing a wave of popularity months after the defeat of ethnic Tamil separatists who had waged a crippling war against the state for decades. But critics say he had become increasingly authoritarian since becoming president, with several members of his family holding key positions of power. The early results showed Rajapaksa remained popular among the country’s Sinhala Buddhists, who account for around 70 percent of the population, but Sirisena took his lead from the ethnic Tamil-dominated former war zone in the north of the c o u ntry and Muslimsdominated areas. Sirisena is set to lead a potentially fractious coalition of ethnic, religious, Marxist and center-right parties. H e h a s p l e dged to abolish the executive presidency that gave Rajapaksa unprecedented power and hold a fresh parliamentary election within 100 days. He has also promised a crackdown on corruption, which would include investigations into big infrastructure projects such as a $1.5 billion deal with China Communications Construction Co Ltd to build a port city.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Health Ministry yet to confirm number of Chikungunya cases Although the Ministry of Health has not officially confirmed the number of cases of Chikungunya Virus seen last year, there is no denying that there were hundreds of clinical cases recorded across the country. Director of Vector Control Services, Dr. Reyaud Rahman, when asked of the actual numbers, during an interview with this publication, would only say that “it is over 100.” He went on to explain that the Ministry was only able to confirm cases after samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad to be tested. The Director however, speculated that “our suspected cases I can imagine it is a couple of hundreds or in the thousands...I don’t have those figures, but it may be somewhere around there.” It was early last year that Guyana was faced with an outbreak of the Chikungunya Virus after it was first observed in sections of the Caribbean.
A school in Berbice is being fogged to help combat the Chikungunya Virus The virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is also known to transmit Dengue Fever. And like Dengue Fever, there is no cure for the virus but rather once infected, persons can be treated symptomatically. According to Dr. Rahman, the virus is one that will remain among the vector control challenges faced by the health sector. “It is not going to go
away because Chikungunya is here in Guyana...” said the Director as he reiterated calls made by the Ministry of Health to ensure that members of the population support the on-going efforts of the Ministry to contain the virus. “The public has to know that they need to play a huge part in all of this by ensuring that their yards and everything else is taken care of. Ensure that you don’t
have receptacles, there are no tyres catching rain water, no stagnant water in the yard after rainfall; cut the grass, make sure that the black tanks are covered. If they can do those simple things we can help the situation tremendously,” asserted Dr. Rahman. He said that based on national observations it is clear that the number of cases seen are declining. “If we had 10 cases a week
when the outbreak started we are now seeing about one per week. We are significantly not seeing as much because I think the public understands the disease a bit better,” said the Director. And this latter development, he noted, is particularly due to efforts on the part of the Vector Control Unit to conduct countrywide sensitisation programmes with citizens. “With the knowledge and assistance we are sharing with
them (citizens) are able to help themselves. So this is helping our efforts,” said Dr. Rahman as he related that during sensitisation sessions other vector-borne diseases are discussed. “We don’t have to go around and tell people about one disease and then come back another time and tell them about another one. We are focusing on everything. Sometimes people even ask us about other health issues when we do these outreaches,” said the Vector Control Director. “If people ask us about diabetes we will tell them about diabetes, if they have a question on high blood pressure we will tell you about high blood pressure, whatever the case will be...the bottom line is, that we are in health and we will address health.” This tactic, according to Dr. Rahman, is not only helpful in ensuring that people are fully aware of how they can better protect themselves, but it also caters to realising “value for money” that is allocated to the health sector.
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Kaieteur News
SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
VACANCY IT Technician to install outdoor antenna, must have drivers license. Send application to jobs@awngy.com
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
One domestic Helper; ages 30-40; Mon – Sat: 8am to 4pm – Call: 615-2483 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 Waitresses to work at a Bar at Agriculture Road –E.C.DTel:612-2522 Cashier, pump attendant, cleaner. Send application to Shell Ramsburg, Providence E.B.D Night Shift Supervisor, emailshellramsburg@gmail.com or Shell Ramsburg, Providence E.B.D Vacancy for experienced dispatcher- Call: 231-4000 or 231-4001 Work from home; earn $5,000-20,000 daily, www.jobfairworldwide.com Call: 233-6517; 622-1957 Call Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Experienced barman (night shift) cooks and live-in caretaker @ Cotton Club Restaurant & Bar 44 Public Road Kitty -Tel: 231-1908 Experienced Receptionist and maids to work at Hotel, shift work @ Hilton Crest Hotel – Call:223-6284 Plant shop vacancy; literate, hardworking, pleasant, team player, 18-28yrs. Must have work experienced –Location Houston & Sheriff Street. Tel: 648-1821 Assistant Salesgirls E.C.DCall: 644-9802; 603-5416 I.T Electronic Security officer: CCTV Experienced , 4 CXC Subjects, Salary Based on Qualifications – Call: 231-6044; 231-6052; 6800515; 660-2393 Bouncers:Able bodied , Military Experienced will be an asset – Call: 231-6044; 2316052; 680-0515; 660-2393
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 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822
1500 Acres Transported Land @ Bartica 2 ¾ miles River Front, Virgin Rock, Quarry Resort – Call Mark: 704-4652222/603-1266 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $3.5M (110ftX50ft) Eccles (100ftX50ft) -$4.5M, Grove $2.5M with foundation – Call: 675-7292
Security Officers: Military Experienced , $210 to $250 an hour (8hrs & 12hrs Shift) – Call: 231-6044; 231-6052; 6800515; 660-2393 Companion 38+ for retired gentleman, Write:Bobby Other, Worksharp, 92-96 Lord Street, PR8 1JR, England.
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 2 bedroom upstairs house with parking @ ‘BB’ Eccles $65,000 – Tel:233-2607 or 6178617 Beauty Stations for hairdresser or barbers – Call Modfin Salon: 225-6026; 6822604 or 301 Church & Thomas Street. Luxurious 2 bedroom apartment to rent furnished or unfurnished @ Eccles AA Scheme – Call:686-5625 1 Wash Bay & Snackette; good Hope E.B.E –Call: 6804990 or 277-3033 Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 One 3 bedroom flat house in West Ruimveldt – Call:6927377; 672-2194 Prime business place for offices on Sheriff Street – Call: 627-6740
One Nail & Hair station for rent @ Prime Location – Call: 225-4665; 676-4316; 624-3996
TO LET 2 bedroom apartment $55,000 @ Dowding Street Kitty –Call: 674-3735; 6528970 Cottage to let @ Turkeyen Area – Call: 604-6973 One bedroom apartment to rent – Call: 664-2861
PEN PAL LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
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
Office space in Kitty – Call: 652-5322 LAND FOR SALE
Friday January 09, 2015
Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 Fully Grilled; 3 bedrooms bottom flat at Pearl E.B.D – Call: 694-3540; 669-7201.
Two 320CL Caterpillar, Excavators; good condition, price to go – Call: 611-4775 Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman – Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300 1 Toshiba Laptop (17.3inches) 1 5000 Watts Briggs & Stratton generator - Call: 622-0503; 689-9932 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 Generator – 65KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761 4 Piece High Definition Security cameras with installation from $90,000 – Contact Randy: 611-3038 Marine parts (In Board) engines from 20HP to 500Hp Propeller gearbox, shaft, gland all electronics etc – Call: 674-3735; 652-8970 Mixed breed puppies for sale Call:253-3114; 692-0126
VEHICLE FOR SALE 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 PRR IST, Mags Body Kit, Music, Crystal HID lights, Chrome Kit - $1.6M - Call: 6177113 Toyota Spacio, Body Kit, Rims, spoiler, CD player; never registered - $2.1M – Call: 617-2891 AT192 Carina - $800,000 – Tel:641-4192; 229-6515 Newly registered Toyota Allion with Body Kit – Call: 667-4774 One Toyota Tundra - 1.7M Contact: 613-7596; 2268643; 231-0497 1 Two RZ Engine Long Base EFI minibus 1 and Mitsubishi lancer PKK Series – Call: 6901393; 261-5427 1 Honda 600RR, Toyota 212, 192, 170, Raum, Allion, IST, AE100 Sprinter, Honda CRV – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 One Toyota Voxy recently registered; immaculate condition; GSS Series –Call: 643-0266 1 Enclosed Canter Truck $550,000 – Call: 676-0455
One F350 Ford 4X4, Turbo Charge 8 Cylinder Diesel Solid Def 4WD - $4M Negotiable – Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611 One FX4 F150 Ford 4X4 Super custom sports model $3.8M Negotiable- Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611 1- Complete 6" Dredge for mining, includes 6 Cylinder Perkins & 1-4 Cylinder. All pumps, mats, etc, asking $3M – Contact: 610-1001. 1 RAV 4 PJJ 5963 - $1.3M, also plant pots with plant – Tel:233-2607; 617-8617 One Ford Driven Tractor 60HP, 600 Hours; almost new - $2.2M negotiable - Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611 Car wash Vacuum, 1 Freezer – Call: 686-5625 Transformer: 25KVA industrial single phase 480/ 240/120V U.S.A PAD MOUNTED– Tel: 623-9761
PROPERTY FOR SALE Flat concrete house newly built all utilities at Bath Settlement W.C.B, price reasonable –Contact: 6869514; 648-5012 Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759 2 Storied concrete house with 3 bedrooms at 8th Street Foulis Housing Scheme – Call: 256-3360; 685-8485 Large house lot @ Zeeburg; fenced; bearing fruit trees; front & rear access – Call: 277-0024; 684-6106 Spacious 4 bedrooms two storied house, two large lots @ De Willem area, all amenities, move-in condition – Call: 277-0024; 684-6106
WANTED Space to teach Ballroom & Latin Dance – Call: 612-6475 or 629-8842 One cook for family in the interior – Tel: 691-6260 C H I C K E N FARM WORKER NEEDED IN TRINIDAD, FREE HOUSING , SALARY TT$800 WEEKLY. CALL KELVIN: 868-287-4454 / 718-641-1252 1 Live in housekeeper and Teacher to give child lesson in Diamond – Call: 675-8101 Live in waitress age 18-25yrs - Salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly - Call: 610-5043 Live in Domestic must know to cook Indian dishes age 25-45yrs salary -$60,000 monthly – Call: 610-5043 Mature couple to work & live on Resort @ Parika, Must know to read & write Call:226-9492, between 9:30am-3:30pm (Mon-Fri) Salesgirls & porters; apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies @ Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street Campbellville. From 2pm -12pm; 4 waitresses to work at Bora Sports Bar at W.C.D – Call: 680-0129; 276-1925 1 Live in domestic or maid to work; salary $50,000 monthly; age 25-45 - Call: 675-7043; 688-5409 or 664-5199 Experienced cooks for International & Creole Dishes –Call Winston: 660-6446 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 219-5354 Mon-Sat between 8:15-4:15 Wanted staff to work in fast food restaurant -Call 2262829 / 225-102 Salesperson/Cashier; male & female – Apply in person with written application at Nirva Supermarket – Contact: 227-5771 Office clerk senior clerk/ junior CXC English / Mathematics an Asset –Call: 219-5354 Experienced salesgirl from ages 25-40 location @ 23 Lambard Street, Christine Variety Store – Contact: 6268003; 227-8529 Truck Drivers & security Guard – Call: 218-5105; 2181156 1 Female cleaner to work in snackette & bar , must know to cook, age 20-35yrs – Tel:647-7432, 223-5798 One maid to cook & clean – Tel: 614-4358 Driver/conductor to operator Route 42 Mini bus – Contact: 223-6059 or 645-3619 One live-in maid; must know to cook; preferably from country area – Tel: 691-6260 (Continued on page 31)
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Jamaican remanded on drug trafficking charge A Jamaican national who was on Monday nabbed with over 100 pellets of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, appeared in court on Wednesday, and was indicted on a drug trafficking charge. Richard Daniels, 20, was allegedly found with 1.236 kilograms of cocaine concealed in two bottles of lotion and two and a half pairs of socks on January 5, last. Daniels was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for his first arraignment. When the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking was
read to Daniels, he pleaded not guilty and submitted a bail application through his lawyer, but the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered him held until January 20. Daniels’ case was prosecuted by Police Inspector, Michael Grant who explained that the 20-year-old was an outgoing passenger on Fly Jamaica flight OJ155 destined for Kingston, Jamaica. Grant explained that about 22:05 hours Monday night, a party of police ranks headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Singh was conducting a Narcotics
Eradication Exercise at the airport. According to the Prosecutor, ASP Singh noticed Daniels acting in a suspicious manner and approached him. After making a request, Singh searched Daniels’ suitcase. Grant said that 105 pellet-shaped objects, wrapped in silver paper foil, was found stashed in two bottles of lotion and two and a half pairs of socks. Subsequently, a field test was conducted at CJIA which proved that the pellet-shaped objects were cocaine. Daniels was told of the offence and taken to the Criminal
Investigations Department (CID) where the illicit substance was weighed. He was subsequently charged with drug trafficking Daniels was represented by Defence Attorney Peter Hugh. Bail was objected to by the Prosecutor due to the nature and gravity of the offence. In his objections, Grant opined that Daniels was a flight risk who would not return for trial, and added that for bail to be granted, special reasons must be advanced. Daniels was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on January 20 before Magistrate Ann McLennan for report.
(From page 30)
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM
Richard Daniels
A response to Mr. Tony Vieira From page 4 amount of bagasse must be used as the combustion is inefficient. Therefore, firewood is used. This, of course, is exacerbated if the factory is not processing a sufficient volume of cane to produce either excess or sufficient bagasse. 5. Since it is a fact that some sugar estates such as the one at Albion generally has excess bagasse (Editor, your staff can very this by sending a reporter to take a photograph of the giant pile of excess bagasse stored at Albion, or by reviewing our video of the process), conversion of this excess into briquettes allows for complete eradication of the use of firewood. Our tests have demonstrated that it is simpler to load the briquettes into the furnaces for the start-up phase (particularly if some simple conveyors are installed), and that the time for the required temperature ranges to be achieved is significantly reduced. There is also less potential damage to the furnaces walls when briquettes are used as opposed to firewood. Furthermore, the briquettes have between 2 – 4 % moisture content, whilst the firewood typically has between 45 to 50 % moisture, so that a significant amount of the energy generated by using firewood is spent in the latent heat of vaporization for the moisture in the wood; creating steam that is simply exhausted and therefore wasted. 6. The cost of producing briquettes at for example Albion and transporting them to Uitvlugt is a fraction of the cost of purchasing firewood, not to mention the environmental degradation caused by
deforestation. 7. Our recommendation is not to supplant the ongoing feeding of the furnaces by loose bagasse once the required temperature ranges for combustion has been achieved, but to start-up the furnaces using this cheaper source of fuel (briquettes). 8. It is a fact that if the sugar factories at GuySuCo are fed uninterruptedly with canes to their fullest capacity (obviously a very desirable situation which GuySuCo must work diligently at or face the inevitable), feeding loose bagasse into the system will still not consume all of the bagasse created. The energy conversion ratios and the required energy of the plant is simple enough to calculate to demonstrate this is factual, and this is exactly what obtains at many other locations in the world. Some of the industry’s best practices for use of this excess bagasse relates to: a. Utilization in digestors to produce organic fertilizers b. Processing into briquettes for generation of energy (co-generation), or, if the factory is large enough to support an on-site electricity facility selling into the grid, gasification of the bagasse without briquetting. c. Use of excess bagasse in particle board and plastic composites (this latter is also a project which has been used at IAST to produce roofing shingles). d. A variety of other uses which it is not efficient to enumerate in a letter to the Editor. 9. Investing the relatively small sums into briquetting technology given the current issues faced by
GuySuCo will without question allow it to generate significant savings by replacing costly firewood. If GuySuCo is willing to share its business plan for this technology, the public can be informed about the economic feasibility of the process. 10. What happens to this investment (which is much less than US $100, 000) when (hopefully) the corporation has begun to address its cane supply issue? The excess bagasse generated by the corpora-
tion will be even larger when this state of affairs has been achieved (as is the case in every sugar factory with similar systems and an atcapacity supply of cane around the world), and it can begin to generate income by co-generating electricity for the national grid. I should also inform your readers that the efficient burning of renewable fuels such as bagasse is considered to be climateneutral, as successive crop cycles sequester the carbon released from the combustion
of crop residues. In fact, in some countries, the combustion of crop residues attracts carbon rebates. Editor, I wish to assure Mr. Vieira that my letters mean no disrespect to him; I am a science and technology professional whose responsibility it is to represent the work done in this arena by IAST on behalf of the tax payers of Guyana. And I hold no brief to defend GuySuCo. I am simply doing my job. Professor Suresh S. Narine, Director, IAST.
Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494
EDUCATIONAL Practical Electronic Course; Starting 12th January 2015Call Abdul Electronics: 2266551; 225-0391 Balloon Decorating Classes. January 31st – Call: 225-3133 or 613-7513 for more information & registration Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February – Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
Armed French gendarmes swoop on villages in manhunt for newspaper attackers CORCY, France (Reuters) - Armed and masked anti-terrorism police swooped on woodland villages northeast of Paris yesterday in a manhunt for two brothers suspected of being the Islamist gunmen who killed 12 people at a French satirical weekly. A day after the Paris attack, officers carried out house-to-house searches in the village of Corcy, a few km (miles) from a service station where police sources said the brothers were sighted in ski masks. Helicopters flew overhead. The fugitive suspects are French-born sons of Algerian-born parents, both in their early 30s, and already under police surveillance. One was jailed for 18 months for trying to travel to Iraq a decade ago to fight as part of an Islamist cell. Police said they were “armed and dangerous” United States and European sources close to the investigation said yesterday that one of the brothers, Said Kouachi, was in Yemen in 2011 for a number of months training with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the group’s most active affiliates. A Yemeni official familiar with the matter said the Yemen government was aware of the possibility of a connection between Said Kouachi and AQAP, and was looking into any possible links. U.S. government sources said Said Kouachi and his brother Cherif Kouachi were listed in two U.S. security
Cherif Kouachi
Said Kouachi
databases, a highly classified database containing information on 1.2 million possible counter-terrorism suspects, called TIDE, and the much smaller “no fly” list maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center, an interagency unit. U.S. television network ABC reported that the brothers had been listed in the databases for “years.” Dave Joly, a spokesman for the Terrorist Screening Center, said he could neither confirm nor deny if the Kouachis were listed in counter-terrorism databases. In Paris, a policewoman was killed in a shootout with a gunman wearing a bulletproof vest yesterday morning, setting a tense nation further on edge. Police sources were unable to say whether that incident was linked to the previous day’s assault at the Charlie Hebdo weekly newspaper, but the authorities
opened another terrorism investigation. Bewildered and tearful French people held a national day of mourning. The bells of Notre Dame pealed for those killed in the attack on Charlie Hebdo, a left-leaning slayer of sacred cows whose cartoonists have been national figures since the Parisian counter-cultural heyday of the 1960s and 1970s. Searches were taking place in Corcy and the nearby village of Longpont, set in thick forest and boggy marshland about 70 km north of Paris, but it was not clear whether the fugitives who had been spotted in the area were holed up or had moved on. “We have not found them, there is no siege,” an interior ministry official in Paris said. Corcy residents looked bewildered as heavily armed policeman in ski masks and helmets combed the village meticulously from houses to garages and barns.
‘Falling oil prices, a timely opportunity for developing countries’
The Gleaner - A new report by the World Bank Group says lower oil prices have provided a timely opportunity for developing countries to rebuild fiscal space to weather future growth slowdowns. The new edition of Global Economic Prospects released Wednesday says developing countries are faced with weaker export prospects, an impending rise in global interest rates, and fragile financial market sentiment. It says these countries therefore need to rebuild fiscal buffers to support economic activity in case of a growth slowdown. The report notes that in countries with elevated domestic debt or inflation, monetary policy options to deal with a potential slowdown are constrained. And it says in the foreseeable future, these
countries may need to employ fiscal stimulus measures to support growth. However, the report notes that many developing countries have less fiscal space now than they did prior to 2008, having used fiscal stimulus during the global financial crisis. This is why it says for a number of oilimporting countries, like Jamaica, lower oil prices offer a chance to improve fiscal positions more quickly than might have been possible before mid-2014. According to the report, soft oil prices are expected to persist in 2015 and will be accompanied by significant real income shifts from oil-exporting to oil-importing countries. It says for many oil-importing countries, lower prices contribute to growth and reduce inflationary, external, and fiscal pressures.
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Taiwan restructures Grenada MI5 chief warns al Qaeda in Syria debt at 50 percent reduction planning mass attacks on West ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — The government of Grenada has concluded a comprehensive agreement to restructure its US$36.6 million (EC$98.8 million) indebtedness to the ExportImport (ExIm) Bank of Taiwan. This landmark agreement, which reduces the principal outstanding on the loan by 50 percent, resolves Grenada’s dispute with ExIm Bank and puts an end to the bank’s legal proceedings in the New York courts. Under the terms of the agreement, the reduced balance on the loan will be repayable over 15 years – including a grace period of three and a half years – at an interest rate of 7 percent. The agreement also includes a ‘hurricane clause’, which will allow Grenada to defer payments for a predetermined period should a natural disaster compromise the government’s ability to service debt in a timely manner in the future. Commenting on the development, Grenada’s prime minister and minister of finance, Dr Keith Mitchell, said, “We are very pleased
Dr. Keith Mitchell that with this new agreement we have now been able to work out much more manageable terms to honour our debts with ExIm Bank.” The dispute with Taiwan arose over outstanding and unpaid loans made to the previous Mitchell administration by the ExIm Bank, which filed a law suit in the United States and obtained a default judgment against the government of
Grenada. The Taiwanese judgment creditor then claimed that all monies owing to the government of Grenada and its agencies should be paid against the judgment debt. Consequently, a demand was made to airlines operating on the Grenada route to pay monies owed to the Grenada Airports Authority to the Taiwanese. Grenada’s then prime minister, Tillman Thomas, said in 2012 that the dispute between Grenada and Taiwan should never have reached the courts. “This matter should have never reached the courts, had it been dealt with in an appropriate manner by the previous administration,” Thomas said at the time. In January 2005, the then Mitchell government in Grenada broke off diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of mainland China. Grenada had accused Taiwan of not paying “heed” to the impoverished island state, a thinly veiled complaint that Taiwan had not provided sufficient financial aid. (Caribbean News)
Jamaica-Canada employment prog. pumps millions into local economy KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Remittance inflows from the Jamaica-Canada employment programme contributed Cdn$15.5 million (approximately JA$1.7 billion) to the Jamaican economy during 2014. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, who noted that the programme, which is a vital source of foreign exchange remittances, “continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for thousands of Jamaicans.” The minister was speaking at a send-off ceremony for the first batch of farm workers for 2015 under the ministry’s overseas employment programme in Kingston earlier this week. Kellier further noted that, during 2014, approximately 7,952 Jamaicans benefitted from employment opportunities in Canada. “The farm work component accounted for 90 percent (7,156) of this number, while the others travelled under the low skill and skilled worker programmes,” he said. A total of 340 workers,
selected under the Canadian seasonal agricultural workers programme, were due to depart the island on Monday to take up employment opportunities on various farms in Ontario, Canada. This batch of all males, most of whom will do eightmonth stints, will be employed in greenhouse crop production, food processing, tobacco plants as well as nurseries which are involved in the cultivation of various vegetables. They will also be engaged in packaging tobacco and
fruits for shipment. The minister noted that 20 percent of the workers are new employees, while the remaining 80 percent are ‘returnees’ or requested workers, noting that “this is a testament to the hard and dedicated work provided by Jamaican workers abroad.” He implored the new cohort to continue being professional while on the job, so that the programme can be expanded to provide opportunities for more unemployed Jamaicans. (Caribbean News)
(Reuters) - Al Qaeda militants in Syria are plotting attacks to inflict mass casualties in the West, possibly against transport systems or “iconic targets”, the head of MI5 Security Service said yesterday. Speaking after gunmen killed 12 people in an assault on a French satirical newspaper, MI5 boss Andrew Parker warned a strike on the United Kingdom was highly likely. “A group of core al Qaeda terrorists in Syria is planning mass casualty attacks against the West,” Director General Parker said in a rare public speech at MI5 headquarters in London. His last public speech was in October 2013. In the speech, planned before the killings in Paris, Parker said seasoned al Qaeda militants in Syria aimed to “cause large-scale loss of life, often by attacking transport systems or iconic targets” in the West. Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people by attacking the United States with hijacked passenger planes on September 11, 2001. Militants inspired by the group killed 52 commuters in London on
Andrew Parker
July 7, 2005 with suicide bombs. Al Qaeda’s leader Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. special forces in 2011, and the threat posed by the network to the West seemed to recede in recent years. But spies in Europe and the United States have been troubled that al Qaeda militants from Pakistan have appeared in wartorn Syria, in what some intelligence analysts say could be part of a plot to mount a major attack against the West. Yesterday’s stark warning from one of the West’s most influential spymasters mirrors
a growing concern among Western political leaders and their Arab allies about the threat from the cauldron of militant groups in Syria and Iraq. Parker said around 600 British extremists had travelled to Syria, many joining the militant group which calls itself “Islamic State” and has taken control of swathes of Iraq and Syria. The group, an offshoot of al Qaeda, has beheaded two U.S. journalists and an American and two British aid workers in an effort to put pressure on a U.S.-led international coalition bombing its fighters in Syria.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
Pakistan pick Sohail... Windies to unleash... (From page 34 ) Akmal, but the selectors decided to stick with younger prospects, with Haris Sohail being included for a spot in the middle order. The 15-man squad includes two specialist openers, five fast bowlers, and three allrounders in Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz and Haris. When asked why Pakistan had gone with just two specialist openers, Moin said:
“We have gambled having two openers but we have Sarfraz Ahmed as a back-up force. The nature of his game, his positivity, and the sort of shots he plays make him a solid prospect to bat higher if needed. We are very much clear in in our mind that we have the best two openers, with Sarfraz as a third option.” As many as six players named in the party had been suffering from various inju-
CCA 2016 Venue Selection Process Draws Interest... From page 35 to be held among the top four finishers at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup not already qualified for the Centennial Cup America. The South American field for the tournament features Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Uruguay is the standard bearer for Copa America titles, with 15 since the tournament began in 1916 as the South American Championship of Nations. (CONCACAF)
ries going into the tournament, but Moin confirmed that there were no serious injury concerns at the moment. Moin also gave his vote of confidence to the captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the home series against New Zealand last month, but recovered after extensive rehabilitation. Pakistan are without a specialist offspinner, though the selectors have named a legspinner in Yasir Shah, along with Afridi. Moin defended the selection as a pure cricketing decision. Squad Misbah-ulHaq(captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz. (ESPNcricinfo)
Friday January 09, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You feel especially sexy right now. A powerful feeling of love and a need to physically express it could be with you all day.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Communication between you and those you love is likely to be heightened, Libra, as you learn to speak your mind while not being too blunt.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Close relationships could lead to a feeling of spiritual unity today. In fact, Taurus, you might feel as if those who share your interests are actually your family now.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you will experience the full force of their feelings. The doors of communication are open for you. You could decide to spend the day getting to know your friends all over again.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Love, sex, and romance are on your mind today, Gemini, so you will want to spend as much time as possible with your lover. You could also grow closer to your friends, resulting in a powerful feeling of unity. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're likely to feel extremely warm and loving toward most of the people you know, and they should reciprocate that feeling. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Relations with family or other members of your household should be especially warm now. Mutual goals and shared wins and losses are likely to bring you closer. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The bonds in your relationships will be strengthened, perpetuating the good feelings you've felt all year. Current bonds grow more devoted, while new ones become close.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're always one to face things logically, Sagittarius, and today you turn that l o g i c , along with your intuition, toward reassessing some of your values. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You're likely to feel especially friendly and outgoing today, Capricorn. People you meet, particularly through groups, are likely to be strongly attracted to you. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You should be in a warm and romantic mood today, Aquarius. You will want to schedule an intimate evening with your partner, but you probably won't feel like staying in. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The mutual exploration of spiritual and intellectual ideas could bring you closer to friends and lovers. Fascinating discussions open new horizons to all participants.
(From page 38) who has described West Indies as “the dominant T20 team in the world at the moment”. David Miller is expected to provide some fireworks in a batting order that looks weak while their pace attack will be led by Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell, and Marchant de Lange. ”Playing in the ram slam was a good experience and I surely had some good time playing on these wickets,” said Russell, who believes he has a key role to play in the team. “So I just hope I can contribute big for the team
bowling and batting on these types of wickets because I was here a month ago so I am accustomed to the conditions”. West Indies and South Africa have not met in T20 cricket since 2010 and the visitors have only won one of their six encounters in the shortest format, at Port Elizabeth back in 2007. ”Here in Cape town I have seen a lot of ads about protefire so I guess Cape Town will be blazing and somebody will come out victorious and hopefully that is the maroon fire,” said Sammy. ”It will be a difficult 11 to
Jeff Smith beats Gary... From page 36 to give Gary credit where it’s due. He came back so hard and it basically turned my legs to jelly,” said Smith. “I had a couple of opportunities to put the match away, but he played so well and I couldn’t shake him off.” The men’s quarter-final line-up was completed last evening when 2013 champion Scott Waites took on Ross Montgomery and Jamie Hughes came up against Glen Durrant in the two remaining second-round matches. The inaugural World Youth Championship was won by 16-year-old Colin Roelofs of the Netherlands,
who put in an impressive performance to beat Derbyshire’s Harry Ward 3-0 without dropping a leg. (BBCsport)
pick but whatever 11 we put out will go out and be very competitive against South Africa”. First ball is 6PM (12 noon eastern Caribbean Time/ 11 am Jamaica Time). Squads: South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Morne van Wyk (wk), Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, JP Duminy, Charl Langeveldt, Aaron Phangiso, Wayne Parnell, Marchant de Lange, David Wiese, Farhaan Behardien, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Justin Ontong. West Indies: Darren Sammy (c), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, Andre Fletcher, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Ashley Nurse, Jason Holder, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Andre Russell.
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Els opens with 67 as he bids to make up for no wins in 2014 Former world number one Ernie Els was without a victory in 2014 but he made a riproaring start to the New Year by shooting a five-under 67 in the South African Open first round yesterday. The four-times major winner mixed six birdies with a solitary bogey to trail joint leaders Jbe Kruger of South Africa and Briton Andy Sullivan by one stroke at the Glendower Club. Alongside Els on 67 were his fellow countryman Richard Sterne and Dane Lasse Jensen. ”It was a nice start. I was a little nervous but it was great to play in front of my home crowd,” the 45-yearold Els told reporters. ”I’ve been working hard on my iron shots and I took some yardage off today, tried not to hit them too hard. It worked out well.” Veteran South African Els, who has been ap-
Ernie Els pointed an ambassador for the tournament, won the event five times between 1992 and 2010. Kruger hit six birdies in a flawless round that he completed after an hour’s delay in mid-afternoon caused by a threat of lightning.
Englishman Sullivan made up for a double bogey at the fifth by eagling the 15th. The South African Open is the second oldest tournament in professional golf, after the British Open, and is in its 104th year.
Stephen Curry is the fastest to 1,000 3s in NBA history Most every basketball fan knows that Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is one of the most fantastic outside shooters the game has ever seen. He holds the singleseason record for made threepointers, has led the league in three-point makes and attempts for the past two seasons, and looks like the only active player with a chance of challenging Ray Allen’s career record for made three-pointers. In part, that’s because Curry has accomplished a lot in relatively few career games. Heading into Wednesday’s home game against the Indiana Pacers, Curry had hit 999 three-pointers in 368 appearances. He hit the millennium mark relatively early with a shot halfway into the first quarter. With that make, Curry became the fastest player to 1,000 three-pointers in NBA history, breaking Dennis Scott’s previous record of 457 games. That’s a difference of 88 games, or more than a full 82-game season. Curry did play in only 26 games of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season due to persistent ankle issues, but he has otherwise never missed more than eight games. The next question is if Curry can ever break Allen’s career record of 2,973 threes (possibly more if he returns to the league). The 39-yearold Allen accomplished that mark in 1,300 games, a
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Smart Court serves up instant review for the tennis masses Reuters - Dodgy line calls are the bane of tennis players from professional to amateur but a new system to rival Hawk-Eye will allow club plodders and not just the world’s elite to take a closer look at contentious decisions. Developed by an Israeli firm, Smart Court is designed to help coaches by reviewing players’ strokes, recording ball speed and other statistical data and tracking drills, but it can also be used to call lines and identify service faults. Until now, the dominant review system in tennis has been Hawk-Eye, a computerised network of six cameras that can pinpoint a ball to within 5 millimetres. It has added drama to the grand slams and is a hit with broadcasters and spectators alike. But at an estimated cost of $100,000 per court, HawkEye is only for professionals and the world’s top tournaments. Smart Court uses a different approach involving six permanently fixed cameras that record everything that
happens during play. While less accurate than Hawk-Eye, it is precise enough to check lines and comes at a much lower price — $10,000 and a licence fee — making it affordable for serious clubs. Already installed on 80 courts across the United States and Europe, the system has drawn praise from current and former top players and coaches, including world number one Novak Djokovic and six-times grand slam singles champion Stefan Edberg, who now works with Roger Federer. The coaches of Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are also converts. Chen Shachar, the chief executive of PlaySight, the company which developed the system, is encouraged by the positive feedback and has ambitions to expand globally, with tennis one of the world’s most popular amateur sports. “Our plan for the next two years is to install it on at least 200 courts and have between 4,000 and 5,000 smart tennis courts in the next four years,”
Shachar told Reuters, adding that revenue should reach $10 million in the coming year. As with many of Israel’s technological breakthroughs, the system is derived from the military, where event-based analysis of combat scenarios, particularly aerial warfare, is crucial for training. Some PlaySight executives have military backgrounds. When it comes to using the system, players wanting to review a line call, a tight rally or a particularly great (or terrible) shot would go to a touch-screen console at the side of the court and hit review. The screen would play it back instantly. The data and imagery can also be viewed over the Internet later. While Smart Court is focused on tennis for now, Shachar plans to roll it out for other sports, including basketball, handball and squash, soon. Ice hockey and soccer are also potential targets as goal-review technology becomes more popular.
Boston will bid to host 2024 Olympic Games: USOC
Stephen Curry
A man walks past the Olympic rings before the opening of the 127th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Monaco December 8, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Eric Gaillard)
testament to his longevity and ability to grow into different roles as he aged. Curry turns 27 on March 14 and could conceivably average 200 threes into his early 30s, but it’s not clear if he can keep pace with Allen when he is not his team’s
primary ball-handler. Regardless, Curry’s latest record makes enough of a case that we are looking at one of the greatest shooters in basketball history. The record is almost secondary to the experience of witnessing it. (Yahoosports)
Reuters - Boston has been selected as the American candidate city that will bid for the opportunity to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the U.S. Olympic Committee said yesterday. Boston, which has never hosted an Olympics, was selected over two-time host Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington during the United States’ internal bid competition. “We’re excited about our plans to submit a bid for the 2024 Games and feel we have an incredibly strong partner in Boston that will
work with us to present a compelling bid,” USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in a statement. The United States, which has not hosted a Summer Games since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, will be up against Rome and Germany, which has announced that it will bid through Berlin or Hamburg. A string of potential hosts, including Istanbul, Paris, Doha and a city from Africa, are also considering bids. Cities have until September to officially put in a bid with a decision on the 2024 host to be made in mid-2017.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
South Africa gamble on Quinton de Kock
Elliott in, Neesham out for New Zealand
South Africa will gamble on Quinton de Kock’s fitness at the World Cup, having named him in their final 15. De Kock is only expected to recover from his ankle ligament tear after South Africa’s first two games, which will leave AB de Villiers to keep wicket initially and a spare batsman to open with Hashim Amla. Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien were both included for that purpose. There was no space for left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe, despite indications he would be considered for a recall, with Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell being the extra bowlers. Ryan McLaren, who took over the allrounder role following Jacques Kallis’ retirement, also lost his place. JP Duminy, who has been nursing a knee injury and out of action since the second week of November, also made the squad. He should be back in action for the first ODI against West Indies next Friday after “a long, hard period of rehab”. Perhaps more notable than South Africa’s playing personnel inclusions and exclusions is the one absentee on their management staff. This time South Africa will travel without a mental motivator to help them work through the underperformances that have marred their World Cup history. In 2011, Paddy Upton accompanied the squad, while Henning Gericke, who also worked with the national rugby team, the Springboks, when they won the 2007 World Cup, had been a consultant to the team beforehand. Gericke remains on Cricket South Africa’s books and has and will consult with the team beforehand but there are “no plans for him to accompany us”, according to South Africa’s team manager Mohammed Moosajee. Instead, South Africa are hoping to begin a new chapter in which they shut out the ghosts of tournaments past and concentrate on what lies ahead. “It’s the first fifty-over World Cup I have been involved in and it’s an
Quinton de Kock
opportunity to do what no other South African side has done,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach, said at an elaborate unveiling function in Cape Town. Rather than play down their desire for success and the anxiety they face on the journey, which has been a feature of South African teams in the past, this one is not hiding their hope or their hesitation. “We do feel pressure, it’s a huge responsibility. We desperately want to win a World Cup and bring it home,” AB de Villiers, South Africa’s captain, said. “We’ve been playing some good cricket and we are confident. We feel we have got a really good chance.” This will be de Villiers’ third World Cup and he has promised to do “absolutely nothing” differently to the previous attempts, instead relying purely on his and his squad’s development between the last competition and this one. De Villiers is one of eight
players who have been to World Cups before, which means almost half of South Africa’s squad are major tournament rookies. That includes de Kock, Rossouw and Behardien but even with inexperience laced through their line-up, South Africa will continue to play what convener of selectors Andrew Hudson called the “style of cricket” they have made their own over the last two years. South Africa have had a lengthy build-up period to decide on their final squad, which will see them play more ODIs than any other team in the six months before the tournament. That has included series’ in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and a recce in New Zealand and Australia. The last of those served as a “reminder we still have a lot to do if we want to be serious contenders”, according to Domingo. South Africa lost 14 in Australia, but Hudson does not believe that marred their preparations. South Africa’s World Cup squad - AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn. (ESPNcricinfo)
Allrounder Grant Elliott has been recalled to the New Zealand squad for the World Cup. Elliott has not played an ODI since November 2013. Jimmy Neesham was left out of the 15, the most high-profile omission in a squad that is rich in all-round resources; apart from Elliott, the fifteen includes Daniel Vettori, Corey Anderson and Nathan McCullum. Fast bowler Matt Henry, who was part of the New Zealand squad for all three full oneday series they played in 2014 - at home against India and South Africa, and in the UAE against Pakistan - missed out. The pace department will be led by the pairing of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, backed up by Mitchell McClenaghan, tearaway quick Adam Milne and the vastly experienced Kyle Mills. The batting comprises regulars Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum, who will likely form the middle order behind openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham, unless McCullum decides to promote himself to the top of the order as he had hinted at previously. Luke Ronchi will be the specialist wicketkeeper, with Latham as the back-up. The squad was announced by coach Mike Hesson at Hagley Oval, in Christchurch, where New Zealand will kick off the World Cup on February 14, against Sri Lanka. “There were some hard decisions to make, but we’re pleased with the overall 15 we’ve chosen,” Hesson said. “A lot of bowlers have performed brilliantly for us over the past couple of seasons, which certainly made it difficult, but we think we have the right mix. “Our batting unit has good depth and Grant’s inclusion assures us strong cover in the middle order. He brings a lot of experience and his record in New Zealand and Australia conditions is excellent.”
Grant Elliott © Getty Images Elliott has played 51 ODIs, scoring 1013 runs at 29.79 and claiming 20 wickets at 27.25 with his medium pace. That batting average is bumped up to 35.40 at home, and 52.50 in Australia, where he has his only ODI century till date. Four games into the domestic onedayers, the Ford Trophy, he leads Wellington’s batting charts with 193 runs at 48.25, at better than a run a ball. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are placed in Pool A, alongside Australia, England, Scotland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Being co-hosts, New Zealand will play all their matches at home, and will only leave their shores should they make the final, which will be in Melbourne on March 29. (ESPNcricinfo)
Pakistan pick Sohail Khan for World Cup Pakistan have picked 30year old fast bowler Sohail Khan in their 15-man squad for the 2015 World Cup. Sohail had played the last of his five ODIs in Zimbabwe in 2011, but took ten wickets in two of his most recent List A games, and was the highest wicket-taker in this season’s Quaid-e-Azam Gold League 64 at an average of 22. Apart from Sohail, the other World Cup inclusions not part of the squad for the series against New Zealand in December 2014 - Pakistan’s previous ODI assignment are batsman Sohaib Maqsood, and fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Ehsan Adil.
All three missed that series because of injuries but have now recovered. The players who were part of the New Zealand series but excluded from the World Cup squad are: Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Nasir Jamshed, Sohail Tanvir and Zulfiqar Babar. Umar Gul and Bilawal Bhatti had been withdrawn from the New Zealand series because of injury and were also not included in the World Cup squad. There had been plenty of speculation over the last week regarding the selection of Shoaib Malik and Kamran (Continued on page 33)
Sohail Khan
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 37
Under-20 C/ship starts today The National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica (pictured), will host the opening games on the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship on January 9, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
Kingston, Jamaica – The 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship – the competition’s 25th edition — opens today in Jamaica with a tripleheader at the National Stadium involving each of the six Group A teams. Friday – January 9, 2015 - Aruba v Panama, 3:00 p.m. ET; USA v Guatemala, 5:30 p.m. ET; Jamaica v Trinidad & Tobago, 8:00 p.m. ET. Group B — consisting of Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras and two-time defending champion Mexico – will start play tomorrow. The
tournament will crown the Confederation champion at this age level and qualify four teams to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. The top team from each group after round-robin play advances to the World Cup, and the second- and thirdplace nations from each group advance to the final day knockout phase, with the chance to dispute one of a pair of play-in matches w h i c h w i l l determine CONCACAF’s other two World Cup spots. Kingston’s National
Stadium and the Montego Bay Sports Complex will each play host to Group A matches, while the Montego Bay Sports Complex will be the home for all Group B action and the final phase on January 24. In a bid to favor development and competition, the new CONCACAF Under-20 tournament format has increased the number of guaranteed games for each participant to five, up from two in the previous editions. (CONCACAF)
Australia v India: Kohli makes history; ‘spidercam’ controversy Virat Kohli became the first man to make three Test centuries in his first three innings as captain on an eventful third day of the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney. He made an unbeaten 140, while Lokesh Rahul, with 110, helped India finish on 342-5, in response to 572-7 declared. Rahul was dropped on 46 by captain Steve Smith, who blamed television device
Lokesh Rahul
‘spidercam’ for the error. Smith was “distracted by one of the wires in his eyeline”, said Australia. Spidercam is a camera system which gives viewers a bird’s eye view of the action using cables to carry a camera on wires above the action. Australia have already secured the series after winning the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane and drawing the third in Melbourne. (BBCsports)
Virat Kohli
Blatter welcomes Prince Ali challenge for FIFA presidency Reuters - Sepp Blatter has welcomed Prince Ali Bin AlHussein’s decision to challenge him for the FIFA presidency in May, the incumbent said in a newspaper interview yesterday. “I can only be pleased about this candidacy,” Blatter, 78, told Geneva-based Le Matin. “This is a democracy and this can only be beneficial for debate.” The Jordanian royal, a member of FIFA’s Executive Committee, announced on Tuesday that he would challenge Blatter, who is expected to stand for a fifth term at the election on May 29. Frenchman Jerome Champagne is also standing. Blatter added: “And do they not say that to win without risk is to triumph without glory?”
Joseph Sepp Blatter
CCA 2016 Venue Selection Process Draws Interest from 24 Metropolitan Areas across U.S. Miami The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) revealed yesterday the 24 U.S. metropolitan areas which have indicated interest in hosting matches during the 2016 Centennial Cup America. These cities are planning to submit a proposal to the event’s Local Organizing Committee, U.S. Soccer, to host matches during the historic centennial edition of the South American championship. The 2016 edition of tournament, which will take place in June, will mark the first time this world class event has been staged outside of South America. “We are looking forward to taking the first step in the organization of this historic event that will unite the Americas and the world in 2016,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “The unique opportunities that we have with the Centennial Cup America, flanked by the 2015 and 2017 Gold Cups, will help set the stage to demonstrate how our region is ready to welcome back another FIFA World Cup in 2026.” “This historic event is the best way to honor our football founders,” said CONMEBOL President Juan Angel
Napout. “It is also a unique opportunity to widen the football landscape across the three Americas and to that matter, I would like to thank President Webb for his vision to embark in this joint CONMEBOL and CONCACAF project.” It is anticipated that between eight and 13 stadiums will ultimately be selected. One important factor in determining the winning bids will be a recommended stadium seating capacity of at least 50,000, as this high-profile tournament is sure to draw multitudes of fans to each stadium selected. “The interest level from cities across the nation has been phenomenal,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “Everyone understands the tournament will be a huge event during the summer of 2016 and it’s exciting to see all of these cities putting together bids to be involved. While we’re just in the beginning stages of preparing to serve as host, we already are starting to see the impact and interest the tournament will have with soccer fans across the United States.” The deadline for the venues competing to host a portion of the tournament to submit a proposal is March 16, 2015. The winning communities will be announced in May. The 24 metropolitan areas currently
considered for hosting Centennial Cup America matches can be found in a map here, and include the following, listed by state: Arizona (1): Phoenix, California (3): Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Colorado (1): Denver, District of Columbia (1): Washington, D.C., Florida (3): Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Georgia (1): Atlanta, Illinois (1): Chicago, Indiana (1): Indianapolis, Maryland (1): Baltimore, Massachusetts (1): Boston, Michigan (1): Detroit, Missouri (2): Kansas City, St. Louis, New York/New Jersey (1): Greater New York, Ohio (1): Cleveland, Pennsylvania (1): Philadelphia, Tennessee (1): Nashville, Texas (2): Dallas, Houston, Washington (1): Seattle. The 2016 Centennial Cup America, which will take place in June 2016, will feature six teams from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and all 10 teams from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). From CONCACAF, host United States and Mexico are automatic qualifiers, while Costa Rica (2014 Central American Cup winner) and Jamaica (2014 CFU Caribbean Cup winner) qualified with regional championships last year. The final two teams from CONCACAF will be determined via a playoff (Continued on page 32)
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
No Bravo, Pollard for Directors to discuss governance World Cup: Ramnarine St John’s, Antigua – The Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board will hold its first meeting for 2015 tomorrow at the Tradewinds Hotel in Antigua. High on the agenda of the Board Meeting are matters relating to the governance of West Indies cricket. At the previous meeting of the Board of Directors in December last, the meeting reviewed various governance reports and committed to further discussing the various recommendations with a view to implementing best practice in corporate governance. The WICB has previously implemented over 80% of the recommendations
of the Patterson Report and agreed to the majority of the Governance Committee report which was chaired by Charles Wilkin QC. At a specially convened meeting of the members of the WICB in 2012, 10 of the 17 recommendations were agreed to. Specifically directors nominated by the Territorial Boards no longer represent the Territorial Boards at Annual General Meetings. Further as generally recommended by the Patterson Report the WICB is about to conclude the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the six Professional Cricket League franchises. This follows the
implementation of the PCL and the six franchises which are being independently and professionally administered through the Territorial Boards. The Board Meeting will also further discuss the Task Force report relating to the premature end of the tour of India. Task Force Chairman Michael Gordon QC had presented the report and responded to questions and clarifications from members of the Board at its previous meeting in December. The Board studied the full report and will make a specific announcement relating to way forward following the Saturday meeting. (WICB)
Asia must remain united behind Blatter: Official
Dwayne Bravo had vocalised the players’ stance during the controversy surrounding revised contracts on the tour of India © BCCI
Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard are not part of 15-man West Indies World Cup squad according to Dinanath Ramnarine, the former West Indies legspinner and former longtime president of West Indies Players Association. “Confirmed Bravo and Pollard are both out of the 2015 WC,” Ramnarine, who was the WIPA CEO and president between 2001 and 2012, said on his personal Twitter account yesterday afternoon Caribbean time. Ramnarine’s tweet came as a surprise considering the WICB has not yet announced officially the World Cup squad even if there has been a growing speculation about Bravo and Pollard missing out once they were left out of the ODI series in South Africa. Asked the source of his information, Ramnarine said he could not reveal but said it was true. The WICB, when contacted by ESPNcricinfo, did not want to respond to Ramnarine’s statement, saying that they would “neither confirm nor deny” the news and asked to await a formal announcement likely tomorrow if not later today once the first Twenty20 between South Africa and West Indies is over. There have been no public comments made by Bravo and Pollard. The two are currently with the West Indies squad for the threematch Twenty20 series. Last month Clive Lloyd’s selection
panel dropped the trio of Bravo, Pollard and Darren Sammy from the five-match ODI series against South Africa, starting on January 16. Jason Holder, an inexperienced fast bowler, replaced Bravo as the ODI captain while Sammy was later added back into the squad. The change in the ODI leadership came two months after West Indies pulled out of their tour to India with one ODI, one T20 and three Tests pending, due to a protracted disagreement between the players, the board and the players’ association over the payment structure specified by the players’ revised contracts. Bravo had vocalised the players’ stance in several letters to the WICB and WIPA. According to Ramanarine, the WICB had ignored the advice of its own task force set up to investigate the contracts dispute, which lead to the players pulling out of the India tour. The task force comprising Michael Gordon, Wes Hall and Richard Cheltenham - said all three parties including WICB, WIPA and the players carried the blame for the debacle. “WICB set up their own Task Force - Task Force findings - WICB wrong, WIPA wrong and Players wrong End result - Pollard & Bravo get dropped,” Ramnarine, who tussled long, hard and frequently with WICB during his WIPA role, said. The WICB has remained
silent despite vehement criticism to explain the reasoning behind the dropping of the trio from some eminent former West Indies players like Michael Holding and even St Vincent and Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. In a guest column on ESPNcricinfo, Holding said the players were being punished by the administrators for no reason. What was appalling for him was how a player like Bravo, who had made it in the ICC ODI Team of 2014, could not find a place in the West Indies squad. In a similar scathing assessment, Gonsalves blamed WICB President Dave Cameron for “dishonouring” the agreement that the players who abandoned the India tour in October would not be victimised. According to Ralph Thorne, the players’ legal counsel, the inclusion of the dropped trio in the Twenty20 leg of the South Africa series was just a “consolation prize” and a deliberate move by the WICB to push aside his clients from participating in the World Cup. “Their retention in the Twenty20 team is not merely a consolation prize, but that inclusion, joined with their exclusion from the ODI team, is a gentle form of ruthlessness that disqualifies them from the most meaningful opportunity to compete for a place in the World Cup squad.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Reuters - The Asian Football Confederation supports Sepp Blatter’s bid to secure a fifth consecutive term as FIFA president, according to AFC General Secretary Alex Soosay. Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein’s decision to run for world soccer’s top job has breathed new life into the presidential race but the 39-yearold faces an uphill task to convince members of Asia’s 47-nation bloc to abandon their backing for Blatter. Malaysian Soosay said the AFC had unanimously pledged to support the Swiss incumbent at an extraordinary congress in Sao Paulo last year. “I think that sentiment still remains today,” he told Australian state radio ABC. “As Asia we should always stay together united. That’s
important rather than being divided.” Soosay’s comments come after Asia’s Olympic chief Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, a highly influential sports administrator whose support is seen as vital, told reporters in Jakarta this week it was “too soon” for Prince Ali to run. The AFC’s top powerbrokers have gathered in Melbourne for an extraordinary congress later on Friday where they are expected to endorse constitutional amendments that will restructure the regional zones in the continent and shake up the appointment of vice presidents. The congress is also likely to serve as an opportunity for Prince Ali to gain backing for his FIFA presidential bid which has heavy European support and is seen by analysts as posing a credible threat to Blatter.
BDO World Championships:
Jeff Smith beats Gary Robson Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith beat ninth seed Gary Robson to qualify for the men’s quarter-finals of the BDO World Championships. The 39-year-old led 3-1 and was pegged back to 3-3 by Northumberland’s Robson before winning in a deciding set. Qualifier Smith is the first Canadian to reach the last eight at Lakeside since John Part won the title in 1994.
Three-time champion Anastasia Dobromyslova and Fallon Sherrock both progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s event. Russia’s Dobromyslova, who is based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, lost just one leg in her 2-0 win over 22-yearold Zoe Jones from Redditch, Worcestershire. Sherrock, 20, lost the first set to Dutch third
seed Aileen de Graaf but the sixth seed from Milton Keynes fought back to claim victory in a sudden-death leg. Smith, who is the only overseas player left in the men’s competition, missed six darts for the match before finally landing double eight to beat Robson. “I came out like a house on fire but you’ve got(Continued on page 34)
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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TABLE TENNIS continued its long road to recovery in 2014 Shemar Britton
Godfrey Munroe Chelsea Edghill
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) was basically left in the rubble of the sport after the death of former President, Henry Greene. It is worth mentioning because it is that context that shaped the following years of the association with incumbent President, Godfrey Munroe left with the unenviable task of rebuilding the sport. That process has been painstakingly slow for the former national table tennis champion, but he has persevered. We present a chronological account of what the GTTA did in 2014 as we continue to review the various sport disciplines practiced in Guyana. The GTTA Season last year began with the annual Mashramani Tournament at the National Gymnasium. National junior player Elishaba Johnson celebrated his birthday in fine style when he won three titles. Chelsea Edghill was in top form, running away with three titles of her own, as she captured the mixed doubles, the girls’ doubles and the girls 18 and under category. Nevaeh Clarkston won two titles in the girls 11 years and under and the girls 13 years and under categories. The tournament had more than 220 participants from 16 categories and 22 schools as players came from Linden, Berbice, Bartica, East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara and the West Demerara to participate. A representative 10member national team comprising some of its new,
and emerging players, departed Guyana February month end for Suriname to participate in a Hinterland Table Tennis Championships and Developmental Engagement involving Guyana, French Guiana and Surname. Nigel Bryan, Shemar Britton, Joel Alleyne (senior “A” team), Orin Hickerson, Stefan Corlette, Kevon Corbin (senior “B” team), Elishaba Johnson, Kyle Edghill and Alec Hopkinson (junior team) represented Guyana, which won all three categories. In March, the GTTA launched the Business School Mini Cadet, Cadet and Junior Team’s Table Tennis Tournament with Mae’s Primary ‘A’ team winning the 11-years-andunder teams title as Mae’s ‘B’ finished second in the category. Mae’s Secondary ‘A’ team also won the 13-yearsand-under competition with Mae’s ‘B’ second and Rama Krishna Primary third. With their dominance in the two categories Mae’s School won the overall teams contest with 36 points. The association hosted an Easter Holidays Training Camp that commenced on April 14 and concluded on May 2 at the National Gymnasium. The Camp attracted 27 players, ages 418 years old from 10am – 12 noon Monday to Friday. In May, National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted the Independence tournament in conjunction with the GTTA at the
Elishaba Johnson
National Gymnasium before Junior Sportswoman-of-theYear; Chelsea Edghill went to Shanghai, China where she took part in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Road to Nanjing Training Camp, which was held in June. Edghill joined Britton, and Trenace Lowe, who were in China for the training programme at the Shanghai S p o r t Tr a i n i n g B a s e . Overseas-based Guyanese Paul David was also in China but at a different training programme in Beijing. The association sent a female team to the Olympic Festival in Mexico. The Guyanese females qualified for the event during the
Trenace Lowe Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in 2013 in St. Lucia. The three females that represented Guyana at the Festival were Natalie Cummings, Trenace Lowe and Chelsea Edghill. I n A u g u s t , G T TA continued a relatively busy and all-round developmental year when it hosted an ITTF Level I and level II Coaches’ Certification Programme at the National Gymnasium. Spaniard, Ramon Ortega Montes, ITTF Latin American Development Officer, conducted the programme. Table Tennis participated in the 2014 Commonwealth Games with Guyana’s
women’s team of Edghill, Lowe and Cummings toppling the higher ranked Scotland team in the women’s team competition. The men’s side included Christopher Franklin, David, Idi Lewis and Britton. Edghill reached the main draw at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. Competing in the Women’s Singles in Group F, Edghill lost in three sets, 5-11, 5-11 and 7-11 to Natalia Bajor of
Poland; in her second group game, the Guyanese fell 3-0 to Karoline Mischek of Austria while also losing to Rea Rakovac of Croatia in her final group game. Edghill, Cummings, Lowe and Akecia Nedd then competed at the Central American and the Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mexico. The players failed to reach the main draws in the Teams losing to Venezuela 3-0, Dominican Republic 3-0 and Cuba 3-0 and in the singles segment all four players lost in the their respective groups. In September, national table tennis teams participated in the InterGuiana Games Table Tennis Championship in Suriname. The Guyanese team dominated their Surinamese and French Guiana counterparts on their way to winning the table tennis title. The Digicel National Schools’ Table Tennis Championships was held in November, featuring 20 schools and 150 players from Georgetown, Berbice, West Demerara, East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara. Mae’s ‘A’ again was the top school when they outperformed their peers at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. “Table Tennis in Guyana has managed to improve and currently has more persons playing at all levels. The profile of the sport has improved. It has also witnessed an increase in tournaments and a positive coaching programme for players,” the GTTA believes. (Edison Jefford)
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 09, 2015
Windies to unleash firepower CMC - A reinforced West Indies outfit takes on South Africa, without some of its leading players, in the first of a three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series at Newlands today. “It’s a format that we have done well in and we are looking to continue in that way. We are very confident,” declared Captain Darren Sammy. “We have won a world cup three years ago and we believe we have some of the best players in the world in that format. We have shown how well we can play.” West Indies , who are without the ICC’s No. 1 and No. 2-ranked T20 bowlers, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine , are packing more fire-power than they did when they lost to the South Africans two-nil in the threetest series which concluded this week. Chris Gayle’s return is expected to be a massive boost while Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons will bolster a batting line-up that
struggled against Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander in the Test series. ”Are you ready for me?” Gayle asked the media as he walked past journalists at the end of the third Test. He missed the Test series with a back injury but was previously playing for a South African franchise, the Lions, in the local T20 tournament, scoring the competition’s first hundred and finishing the fifthhighest run scorer overall. ”Winning the series will be the most important thing,” declared allrounder Andre Russell who, like Sammy and Pollard, were playing in South Africa a little less than a month ago, in the domestic twenty-over tournament, and will be familiar with conditions. ”Contributing to the team and winning the series will mean a lot more to me than getting the man of the series. We just have to be positive and come against the proteas with fire”. West Indies, on paper, look the
Dwayne Smith
Keiron Pollard better side, with the likes of Gayle, Simmons, Pollard, Russell, and Sammy being renowned the world over for their prowess in the 20-over format. South Africa, however, will be without the
services of AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel Vernon Philander and Steyn, their best bowler. The Proteas will rely heavily on skipper Faf du Plessis (Continued on page 32)
Friday January 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 41
Grove Hi-Tech pocket $1.5M for winning Stag Super XVI KO Football
The respective prize winners pose with their accolades with representatives of the sponsor.
A
fter being c r o w n e d champions of the inaugural Stag Super XVI knockout football challenge, Grove Hi-Tech yesterday received the top prize of $1.5M and trophy at a presentation ceremony held at Ansa Mc Al head office, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. Grove Hi Tech of the East Bank Football Association hammered Ann’s
Grove of the East Demerara Football Association 5-0 in the final on January 1 at # 5 ground, West Coast Berbice. Ann’s Grove received a trophy and $500,000. New Amsterdam United (NAU) thumped Cougars 51 in the third place encounter and they pocketed a trophy and $300,000 while Cougars took home a trophy and $100,000. Grove Hi Tech forward Domini Garnett who netted all five goals in
the final and Adrian Adams of NA United collected a trophy and $25,000 each for being the tournament’s leading goal scorers with nine apiece. Garnett was also voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and was rewarded with another cheque for $25,000 and trophy. Another Grove player, Rondell Allen grabbed the best goalkeeper award (a trophy and $25,000). Allen had an outstanding during
the tournament only conceding two goals. Speaking at the c e r e m o n y, M a n a g i n g Director of Ansa McAl, Ms. Beverley Harper said they are delighted to be associated with the competition. “We are happy to be the only sponsor and I would like to thank the associations for the opportunity,” she added. Harper congratulated the winners and expressed
gratitude to the participating sides, fans and Stag Beer team adding that the tournament was well organized. She also lauded the media for the coverage provided. General Secretary of the East Bank Football Association Franklin Wilson thanked the sponsor for their commitment and partnership. He complimented the teams for their efforts stating that the tournament was highly
competitive. Captain of Grove Hi-Tech Sherman Doris expressed delight for winning the competition. He said it was a total team effort and spoke highly of the coaching staff. Six teams from East Demerara FA and five each from Berbice FA and East Bank FA competed in the tournament. Daddy’s Enterprise, Sky Construction and Talbot Construction assisted with the individual trophies.
Alpha’s coach Wayne Dover leaves for football convention in the USA
M
erely one week after adding the prestigious Banks DIH Cup to its arsenal, the Alpha football team continues to enjoy the status of best local unit and its coach, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover, has earned plaudits from the pundits for h i s i n p u t . Indeed, Dover ’s contribution to the current status of Alpha is well documented but his thirst for knowledge coupled with his drive for excellence continues and Dover leaves Guyana next Tuesday for the
United States of America to attend an educational event under the auspices of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in partnership with the World Football A c a d e m y . When Kaieteur Sport c o n t a c t e d M r. D o v e r yesterday afternoon he was ecstatic in anticipation of the experience before him. “This is indeed a great opportunity to enhance my coaching skills and I am extremely delighted to participate,” he said. He noted that the forum
would engage the brains of the top football nations and he intends to soak up as much information as possible for his benefit as well as his fellow coaches unable to attend. ”I plan to use the knowledge and ideas procured from this forum to enhance local football development,” added Mr. Dover. Meanwhile, a website detailing the particulars of the convention informs that the attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Raymond Verheijen and the World Football Academy.
Some of the topics will focus on Principles of Football Periodisation, Principles of Football Psychology and Principles of Football Tactics among others. Mr. Dover is also grateful to members of the corporate community who have contributed towards his airfare, accommodation and other necessities. He said that most of the contributing businesses prefer anonymity. “Nonetheless, they know themselves and I’d wish to express profound gratitude to them for their generosity,” said Dover.
Wayne Dover
t r o Sp
Grove Hi-Tech pocket $1.5M for winning Stag Super XVI KO Football
P. 39
Captain of the victorious Grove Hi-Tech Shermon Doris (left) collects the winning trophy and cheque from Managing Director of Ansa McAl, Ms. Beverley Harper in the presence of several members of his team and officials of the sponsor.
P. 39 Darren Sammy
Windies to unleash firepower
Chris Gayle
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