Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
THE SLOTHFUL NIS DEAR EDITOR, A letter in Wednesday February 26,2014 issue of the Kaieteur News, captioned “Some NIS pensioners are more favoured” has prompted me to comment on that state institution. The NIS seems to me to be dysfunctional, slothful, lethargic and discriminatory in its performance. My claims are not specious, scurrilous or unfounded, but are patent and dispassionate. The work ethics of some inspectors at the Brickdam office showcase arrogance, inertia and lack of commitment to customer service. Additionally, there seems to be no determination among some officers to be proactive by leaving the office to get their work done. They remain fixed in the chairs in their office throughout the day. In the end, it is the customers who reap the fruits of ( the officers’) inefficiency and
non-performance. Many former policemen and soldiers are now experiencing difficulties in the processing of their pension benefits on account of the NIS shortcomings. Our voices are crying in the wilderness (in and out of Guyana) to get our pension paid to us. We are tired of going to and from Eve Leary and the GDF Headquarters to get records of our contributions. The absence of a personal vehicle should not prevent an inspector from going into the fields to get his/her work done. The time has come for the NIS to do soul- searching. Serious introspection is needed or a public inquiry should be commissioned. From my perspective, the operational framework of the inspectorate section should be re-examined, re-configured and closely monitored to be result-oriented. Modern
management principles should be implemented to energise and transform the section into a productive, service-oriented unit. Performance should be rewarded by suitable incentive. Editor, the NIS was created by the much maligned LFS Burnham to serve the needs of all contributors, not only the financially- endowed and influential. I trust that this letter would generate prompt and decisive action by the NIS. Perhaps the Ex-Police Association and the Ex-GDF Association should formally take up the case of their disadvantaged and aggrieved members with the respective service organizations and the NIS. Three and four years are too long to have a claim processed. Wake up, Dr. Luncheon and Ms Nelson! You are both sleeping at the wheel. Name withheld
THE “QACK” POLLSTER HAS RETURNED DEAR EDITOR, Unlike Kaieteur News, I am completely baffled as to why a reputable paper such as Stabroek News would publish such bogus polls by Bisram. Bisram claims to be a school teacher but can travel to Guyana to conduct polls while school is in progress. Is he allowed to take off from school at anytime he wishes? This is the same fake pollster who claims that he has attended several universities in the United States, Pakistan and India and has a number of Bachelors, Masters and Ph.Ds degrees, yet as an academic, he is dishonest. He is trying to deceive Guyanese by skewing his polls in favour of the PPP even though that party dubbed him the “Qack”
pollster and dumped him after the 2011 elections when he predicted that the PPP will win a landslide with 65 per cent of the votes. Over the years, this fake pollster has only seen it fit to conduct polls in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago where Indian voters reside. He has never stated that he has conducted polls in Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua or any other Caribbean Islands where only Blacks reside. In Guyana, no one seems to know anyone who this “Qack” pollster has interviewed and furthermore, there is no polling organization with the abbreviation of NACTA. It means the North American Teachers Association. I am asking the editors and Staff of Stabroek to google NACTA and it will conform
with what I am saying. I am an avid reader and subscriber of both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News but I am appalled with the editorial staff for publishing such bogus polls without verifying. Bisram’s friends at Richmond Hill in Queens, New York, are fully aware of his fake polls and one of his best friends and colleague, Mike Persaud, has stated publicly and clearly that Bisram is a charlatan and does not conduct any polls. So my advice to the editorial staff at Stabroek, please follow Kaieteur News and stop publishing Bisram’s rubbish. Every Guyanese knows that he is a fake and does not conduct any polls. Donna Kendall New Amsterdam, Berbice
African history month a resounding success at ACDA
DEAR EDITOR, This February, the AKWAABA Centre of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA was the hive of cultural and economic activity for the celebration of African History Month. Three main activities attracted hundreds of school children, young adults and senior citizens to the Centre. The first and busiest activity was the brainchild of Violet Jean-Baptise, Aisha Jean-Baptiste, Clementine Marshall and Shamane Headley. It was ACDA’s first month-long cultural exhibition. Entitled “Sankofa”, 21 schools and seven groups from Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo visited the Exhibition. They were all treated to an emotional and educational experience comprised of a lecture, guided tour, video and storytelling. Individuals ranging in age from six to 72 years attended the event. Photographs, sculptures, artefacts, books, cloth and wooden carvings were on display. The Museum of African Heritage provided the Guyanese history context by providing pictures and banners from slavery and the 1763 Slave Rebellion. This included a very detailed miniature sculpture of the 1763 Monument by the late icon Philip Moore. In two months, ACDA will repeat this month-long exhibition format with the theme, “Africans in Science”. The second event for African History Month was a very successful Youth
Entrepreneurship Conference entitled “Creating and Sustaining Generational Wealth”. Eighty young adults from the Pan African Organization (Guyana Branc h ) ; t h e A f r i c a n Cultural and Educational Association of Essequibo (ACEA); Youth Vision of Linden ; the Festival City Youth Organization; the Sea View Cultural Group of West Berbice, ACDA , the University of Guyana and the general public were in attendance. This one-day event which was created by Eric Phillips to honour the 100th Anniversary of the establishment by Marcus Garvey of the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the 175th Anniversary of the Village Movement (Victoria in November 1839) , was supported by Ambassador Robert Kopecky of the European Union who spoke on programmes available to Guyanese from the EU; Audrey Gomes of the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism; Kevin Bonnett of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB); Hubert Forrester of the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) ; Craig of the Partners of the Americas; K Chattergoon of IPED and Michelle hennery of The Guyana Youth Business
Trust. ACDA would like to acknowledge Mr. Terrence Campbell (CAMEX Inc); Mr. D e r r i c k C u m m i n g s (SBB); Ms.Glenyss AdamsJames (Commonwealth Yo u t h S e c r e t a r i a t ) ; D r. James Rose (Director of C u l t u r e ) ; M r. R o b e r t Persaud MP (Minister of Natural Resources); Ms. Vi o l e t Jean-Baptiste (ACDA) AND Mr. Nigel Johnson (NIGELS) for financial help for this endeavour. This will be an annual event every African History Month. The third major activity in ACDA for African History Month was the visiting of schools to assist them in their own activities. ACDA visited the Berbice Multilateral School in New Amsterdam and participated in the very colourful North Georgetown Secondary School sixth Annual Culture Day. Apart from this, ACDA v i s i t e d t h e St . J o h n ’s Golden Jubilee Club comprised of seniors at their request and later hosted them at the AKWAABA centre for a Lecture Tour. These 16 women are all above 65 years of age and meet every Wednesday to keep each other companies in well-structured activities. Eric Phillips
Page 6
Kaieteur News
SCHOOLGIRL INGESTS RAT POISON ...alleges sexual harassment by teacher A 14-year-old schoolgirl who ingested a poisonous substance yesterday has alleged that she committed the act after enduring weeks of sexual harassment at the hands of a teacher at a prominent private school. The teen, who resides in Georgetown, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) at around 17.30 hrs, after allegedly ingesting a rodenticide. Doctors are monitoring her condition in the Accident and Emergency Unit and a source said that her condition appears to be
stable. The accused teacher has categorically refuted the allegations. Kaieteur News understands that the thirdformer began attending an East Coast Demerara private school last December. In the presence of police and social workers at the GPHC, she identified by name a male teacher, whom she claimed has been making sexual advances to her. She claimed that her ‘sir’ has been picking on her in class because she has been rejecting his advances.
Owing to the harassment, the teen claimed that she has been reluctant to attend class, and did not attend school yesterday. Relatives said that the girl’s mother went into her daughter ’s bedroom at around 16.30 hrs and observed that the teen was completely covered herself with a sheet. The mother also observed a packet of ‘blue tablets’ on a nearby table. The teen then told her mother that she had ingested two of the pellets. The woman then contacted her husband and the family took the teen to the GPHC. Asked about the allegations, a former teacher told Kaieteur News that several female students had made similar complaints of sexual harassment against the accused teacher. Contacted by phone last night, the accused teacher told Kaieteur News that he never made any sexual advances to the teen or any other female student. According to the teacher, the student would sometimes be late for classes and was also occasionally absent. He alleged that he would ask the teen to give reasons for her absence. The teacher said that he has not been contacted by police or any school official. Repeated attempts to reach senior officials were futile.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
APNU urges citizens to denounce Govt.’s “politics of division” A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Minister of Public Works and Telecommunications, Joseph Harmon, is calling on citizens to “condemn the politics of division which was being preached by the government on Sunday last at the Babu John Crematorium in observance of the 17th death anniversary of President Dr. Cheddi Jagan”. Harmon said that given the opportunity to embrace the reconciliation of the people of the country the members of the government instead sought to preach division. “They were given the opportunity to embrace reconciliation and promote unity. Instead, they instead chose to fan the flames of division; promoting fear instead of hope, partisanship instead of statesmanship.” The Member of Parliament informed that on Sunday last,
before the Babu John memorial, APNU Leader David Granger spoke to members of the Corentyne community calling on them to commit to national unity and renounce thoughts of retaliation. This presentation, he highlighted, was in stark contrast to the comments made by the General Secretary of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee. “He told his audience that APNU is an enemy of national unity.” The Shadow Minister quoted Rohee as saying “They seem to be entrapped in a philosophy of self destruction while sitting in parliament with the one-seat majority and watching Guyana burn as they play around with the country’s future like they are doing with the AML/CFT Bill.” But Harmon charged that
APNU remains the only political force in Guyana that is committed to the formation of national unity and ridding Guyana of the “winner-takeall politics.” “We want to ensure that our multicultural society will succeed through respect for diversity and the sacrifices of our citizens.” The PPP/C, he said, in all its years of governance has neglected the human resources of the nation. “They have abandoned clean governance which was promised by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. They have paid no attention to the plight of the working man. Instead the government has eroded our values and compromised the quality of life of Guyanese.” The politician then reiterated his calls for Guyanese to remain united and not succumb to the venomous politics of the PPP.
Woman mistakenly charged with robbery gets High Court bail A woman, who was ‘mistakenly’ charged and remanded to prison seven days ago by a City Magistrate, on an armed robbery allegation, secured bail at the High Court yesterday. Alana Taylor, 32, of Lot 212 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was granted bail in the sum of $80,000 after an application was made by her Attorney, Mark Waldron, before Chief Justice Ian Chang. The lawyer moved his application to the High Court
after his client was denied bail at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on three separate occasions. The mother of an 11month-old was initially remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman after she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday last, for her alleged involvement in a robbery, which took place on March 2 at Lime Street, Georgetown. Taylor, along with 23-year old Peter Mc Kenzie of 298 Meadow Brook Gardens and 19-year old Anikie Rogers of 195 Meadow Brook Gardens, were accused of robbing Elizabeth Hendericks, a female miner, of one cellular phone, one gold ring, one handbag, one laptop and three BlackBerry chargers that together are valued at $341,000. The trio was not permitted to plead to the
charge, which remained indictable. At her initial court appearance, Taylor’s lawyer argued that investigators are fully aware that his client has no connection with neither of the accused and has fully cooperated with the police. Police Prosecutor, Vishnu Hunt told the court that Taylor was “mistakenly” charged; that she knew the robbery victim and would be used as a witness. Hunte further noted that Taylor has been a friend of the virtual complainant for a number of years. However, while the Prosecutor successfully objected to bail for the two male defendants citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that a weapon was used in the commission of the crime, Magistrate Latchman had decided to remand all three accused to prison, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 7
Malaysia military source says Ukraine appeals to West missing jet veered to west as Crimea turns to Russia
The plane was last detected by military radar near the island of Pulau Perak at the northern end of the Strait of Malacca. (AFP/Yahoo News/Boeing/Malaysia Airlines) KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia’s military believes a jetliner missing for almost four days turned and flew hundreds of kilometers to the west after it last made contact with civilian air traffic control off the country’s east coast, a senior officer told Reuters Yesterday. In one of the most baffling mysteries in recent aviation history, a massive search operation for the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER has so far found no trace of
the aircraft or the 239 passengers and crew. Malaysian authorities have said previously that Flight MH370 disappeared about an hour after it took off early Saturday from Kuala Lumpur bound for the Chinese capital, Beijing. But a senior military officer who has been briefed on investigations told Reuters the aircraft had made a detour to the west after communications with civilian authorities ended. “It changed course after
Kota Bharu and took a lower altitude. It made it into the Malacca Strait,” the officer said. The Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, runs along Malaysia’s west coast, while Kota Bharu is on the northeast coast. Such a detour would appear to undermine the theory that the aircraft suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure, as it would mean the plane flew at least 500 km (350 miles) after its last contact with air traffic control.
Libyan parliament sacks PM after tanker escapes rebel-held port TRIPOLI (Reuters) Libya’s parliament voted Prime Minister Ali Zeidan out of office yesterday after rebels humiliated the government by loading crude on a tanker that fled from naval forces, officials said, in a sign of the worsening chaos in the OPEC member state. Libyan gunboats later chased the tanker along Libya’s eastern Mediterranean coast and opened fire, damaging it, a military spokesman said. Italian naval ships were helping move the tanker to a Libyan governmentcontrolled port, he said. But Italy denied any of its vessels were in the area at the time and the reported firing incident could not be confirmed. Western powers fear the vast North African state could even break apart with the government struggling to rein in armed militias and tribesmen who helped oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but want to grab power and oil revenues. Zeidan, a liberal weakened for months by infighting with
Ali Zeidan
Islamists, will be temporarily replaced by Defence Minister Abdallah al-Thinni, who was sworn in by parli a m e n t yesterday evening. Zeidan, who came to power in 2012 after Libya’s first free parliamentary vote following four decades of quirky one-man rule by Gaddafi, had been facing opposition from Islamists and the public blaming him f o r L i b y a ’s a n a r c h i c transition since 2011. Deputies said they had
decided to mount a noconfidence vote after the tanker managed to sail away from Es Sider port, one of three major export terminals the government has lost to rebels. “The government has been weakened for a time and we need a new personality,” said al-Sharif al-Wafi, an independent lawmaker. A new prime minister will be elected by deputies within two weeks, he said.
(Reuters) - Ukraine’s government appealed for Western help yesterday to stop Moscow annexing Crimea but the Black Sea peninsula, overrun by Russian troops, seemed fixed on a course that could formalise rule from Moscow within days. With their own troops in Crimea effectively prisoners in their bases, the new authorities in Kiev painted a sorry picture of the military bequeathed them by the proMoscow president overthrown two weeks ago. They announced the raising of a new National Guard to be drawn from volunteers among veterans. The prime minister, heading for talks at the White House and United Nations, told parliament in Kiev he wanted the United States and Britain, as guarantors of a 1994 treaty that saw Ukraine give up its Soviet nuclear weapons, to intervene both diplomatically and militarily to fend off Russian “aggression”. But despite NATO reconnaissance aircraft patrolling the Polish and Romanian borders and U.S. naval forces preparing for exercises in the Black Sea, Western powers have made clear that, as when exSoviet Georgia lost territory in fighting in 2008, they have no appetite for risking turning the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War into a military conflict with Moscow. Diplomacy seemed restricted to a war o f words. The U.S. and Russian foreign ministers did speak by telephone. But the U.S. State Department said Moscow’s position offered no room for negotiation and the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning U.S. financial aid to the “illegitimate regime” in Kiev, which it calls ultranationalists with “Nazi” links. Parliament in Kiev, whose position is backed by Western governments, dismisses plans for a referendum on Sunday to unite the region with Russia as illegitimate and resolved yesterday to dissolve Crimea’s regional assembly if by today it had not scrapped the plebiscite. There seems no chance that it will. Moscow, which to widespread scorn denies its troops have any role in the takeover of the once Russianruled region, says people in
Crimea, a small majority of whom are ethnic Russians, should have the right to secede. It has made much of anti-Russian sentiment
among some Ukrainian nationalists - though many native Russian speakers in Ukraine are wary of Putin.
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Big oil find in T&T within next five years - Energy Minister Ramnarine suggests Trinidad Express - Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine has optimistically suggested that within five years, a major oil deposit will be discovered in Trinidad and Tobago’s deepwater fields that will change the economic fortunes of the county. “We are very optimist at the ministry about our deepwater potential. Having seen the data, we are optimistic such a discovery will manifest itself in the next five years. We are also optimistic about what will happen in other provinces of Trinidad and Tobago,” Ramnarine told the audience during the opening ceremony for the Geoscience Technology Workshop at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad) in Port of Spain. Ramnarine’s comments were in line with the Workshop’s theme, Deep Horizon and Deep Water Frontier Exploration in Latin
America and the Caribbean. Should there be a major deepwater discovery in the next five years, followed by production coming in a few years after, the impact would be significant for the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country and change the economy for a very long time to come, he said. Referring to comments by local petroleum engineer Dr Krishna Persad, Ramnarine said Trinidad and Tobago’s deepwater fields could possibly contain two billion barrels of oil. “When you consider we have produced 3.4 billion barrels of oil in 106 years (of the industry), this will be an entire province that could bring prosperity to this country. That optimism is shared by BHP Billiton (which holds the largest proportion of deepwater exploration contracts). Our deepwater has all the
ingredients to be a world class deep water province,” he said Ramnarine said the future of the industry will depend on: 1. Development of heavy oil, particularly in Trinmar. 2. Application of enhanced oil recovery techniques. 3. Application of 3D seismic surveys over land. 4. Application of 3D seismic surveys in Columbus basin. 5. Application of 3D seismic surveys to Trinmar and North Marine acreage. 6. Exploration of deepwater about to happen. 7. Cross border natural gas development. “When you put all that together there is a very bright future for Trinidad and Tobago. It is important to get the economics and commercial model right and to get the right assets into the right hands,” he said.
Venezuela protest toll climbs to 21 with student death
Riot policemen take their positions during a protest by Venezuelan oppostition activists in San Cristobal, state of Tachira, on March 11, 2014 (AFP Photo/Orlando Parada) Caracas (AFP) - The death toll from five weeks of political unrest in Venezuela has climbed to 21 after a student was fatally shot in the city of San Cristobal, authorities said yesterday. Daniel Tinoco, 24, was killed Monday night in the western city where nationwide protests against the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro first ignited February 4. Tinoco died from a gunshot wound to the chest, opposition Mayor Daniel Ceballos told AFP.
Ceballos said Tinoco had no vital signs upon arrival at a clinic. “Two other people who were shot — one in the shoulder and the other in the abdomen — were operated on in the early morning and are in a stable condition,” he said. Ceballos said “masked men on vehicles and motorcycles fired at a group of students.” The mayor said he “presumed” that the attackers were part of “armed groups that support the government.” The antigovernment demonstrations
that have rocked Venezuela for more than a month have been fueled by rising discontent over deteriorating living conditions and police crackdowns in the oil-rich OPEC nation. Maduro’s socialist government has outraged many particularly with shortages of basic goods like toilet paper and food, and amid spiraling violent crime. Disgruntled students and government critics announced fresh protests set for today in the Caracas neighborhood of Libertador.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 9
SUCH A BIG COUNTRY… Guyana has the tenth lowest population density of all the countries in the world. And when it comes to small countries - those with a land mass of under 100,000 square miles - Guyana is third only to Iceland and Suriname in terms of low population density. You would have expected that with such a small population - less than 750,000 - spread over 83,000 square miles that land would be dog cheap in Guyana. After all, land is not scarce at all; there is plenty of land. But no! Land is one of the most expensive immovable properties in Guyana today. A group in Lamaha Gardens who have been protesting the sale of a playground in their area to a private individual are now contending that the original sale price was some $179M short, since 22,000 square feet was not catered for in the original sale price. Now, if 22,000 square feet is being assessed at $179M it means that we are speaking about a cost per square foot
of G$8,000. This would mean that for a normal house lot in that residential area measuring some 6000 square (120’ x 50’), the assessed valuation at $8000 per square foot would be some 48 million dollars. Is this the value of the land alone in Lamaha Gardens? Is that the basis of the assessment of property owners in that area for tax and property valuation purposes? Even considering that the area in populated by Guyana’s middle class, to actually believe that for a country ranked as having the tenth lowest population density in the world, land would fetch such an enormous sum is mind-boggling. It also begs a question: Why is land so expensive in Guyana? Why it is that with so much land in this country, land is so costly? Even considering that investments have to be made in infrastructure, the cost of land is prohibitive. And the price is being kept high, because this benefits the propertied class.
Even state land is now fetching a high price. This is a most sickening development in the country and one that calls into question how such a phenomenon could have developed under working class governments. There is massive land speculation going on in Guyana. The middle and upper classes in Guyana are awash with money. Don’t ask me where they got it. I do not know. They are investing this money in land and are keeping prices high, because this is how they are profiteering. They are not placing their funds into the banks, given the low interest rates. They are investing it in land. As such land has now become an economic commodity with little consideration for its social value to alleviate poverty. Land prices are now out of the reach of the poor. It is a most worrying development. But it is not only land that is expensive. The cost of
Dem boys seh
Ah Kneel and Rob de Earth fighting fuh Donald chair De more people think about wha happening in this country de more some does get sick but de majority does laugh. One man laugh till he end up in hospital wid lockjaw. De things some Government Ministah does do fuh publicity enough fuh mek a office assistant feel shame. Some does do de office assistant wuk and mek it into a publicity stunt. Ah Kneel, de man who sue de Waterfalls paper, love publicity more than he love he wife. He call de Chronicle and tell dem wha photo of heself to use wid a story. He drive a big fancy vehicle, waste de taxpayers’ gasoline to tek two new law book and mek a presentation to UG. He pose wid de Vice Chancellor. He end up watching de camera more than he watching de presentation. Now dem boys want to know if an office assistant couldn’t carry up dem two book pun a motorbike and hand de UG man. But Ah Kneel want people see he in front of de camera. Then he demand that de Chronicle to print de presentation photo. Dem boys woulda never see de photo if somebody
from Chronicle didn’t call and tell dem. But if you think Ah Kneel bad, Rob de Earth wuss. That is a man who does tek out he own photo and send it to de media. If is not photo he does send video. Dem boys seh that he does do he own writing fuh de Hard Times paper, INews, Chronicle, Channel 65, Hen See Hen and Aunty Geenah. Even when he going to de toilet he tekking out photo which he does send to all dem media house. Rob de Earth and Ah Kneel don’t agree. Jagdeo did like Rob de Earth but now Donald like Ah Kneel. De two
men want to be president, like if some horse dem riding. Is like when children deh at a fair. Since one jump off de pony de other one fighting to jump on. Well dem boys seh that if de presidency is horse, Ah Kneel and Rob de Earth gun tear off one another clothes fuh get a ride. Dem boys know that dem two men would stop at nutten but if Donald continue how he going he gun kick Rob de Earth far. Talk half and watch how dem two man might kill mattie fuh Donald chair. And Donald d-sure got another term.
construction is also prohibitive. And it seems that when the government is building anything the price soars through the roof. Schools today are being built to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. A school can cost as much as four hundred and fifty million dollars. This newspaper has done a number of pieces highlighting the high cost of construction of buildings. But do these structures need to cost so much money? Can’t they be built at a cheaper cost without compromising on quality?
Just recently it was announced that a religious organization has constructed an impressive homestead to the tune of 82 million dollars. Now this is quite a massive structure. And it cost the organization less than one hundred million dollars. A picture of the structure was shown in this week’s newspapers and from the look of things, it is about the size of some of those schools that are said to have cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Construction costs are going through the roof in
Guyana. Instead of the Ministry of Housing working to significantly bring down prices for homeowners, they are actually giving away large amounts of land, state land, to private developers. The high prices being charged by these developers are forcing up the costs of real estate, so much so that the cost of a playfield is being assessed by a group at $8,000 per square foot.
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Basdeo Panday, Ralph Ramkarran, Henry Jeffrey and… Quite often, people would say to me; “Maan, Fredaay, yuh ain’t writing about Ramkarran and Jeffrey; wheh deh bin all de time?” What they mean is that they would like to hear my views on Ramkarran who served the PPP for fifty years and Jeffrey, who was a PPP Government Minister for 18 years. It is the staggering length of time these men spent within the edifice of the PPP and the PPP Government that startles you. “My God” has to be your exclamation when you hear that Ramkarran was in the PPP for fifty years. Based on what he writes, he should have created history in Guyana by leading Guyana into “The Promised Land.” A friend of mine from teenage days, Malcolm Harripaul, does not want to hear Ramkarran’s name. He
thinks people like Ramkarran made the PPP into the monster that it is. Can’t say I disagree with Malcolm. To think that Jeffrey worked for eighteen years with the PPP Government as a Minister then when asked to leave his Ministerial portfolio by President Jagdeo and be assigned as the Ambassador to Suriname, wrote a letter in the Stabroek News explaining that his request for additional resources was refused so he departed from the Government. I have not adversely commented on this page on the political evolution and political sins of Ramkarran and Jeffrey, and the persona non-grata status that both gentlemen have been conferred within certain parts of Guyana. (In some villages I visit, people speak badly of them). And I have not done
so for one particular reason, which is more strategic than moral. I believe that it is not wise to be seen criticizing these two men when they are part of the widespread commentary on the wrongdoing of the PPP regime. Why should I do that when I have got other things to write about? I know I am on untenable moral grounds and for that I apologize and will not defend my invalid moral dilemma. But I do admit that both Ramkarran and Jeffrey are bordering on hypocrisy, in that Ramkarran writes nothing on the experience he had with destructive forces inside the PPP and he shamelessly avoids telling us what happened at the meeting that caused him to resign and what process saw Ramotar getting the presidential slot for the
2011 national election. Jeffrey avoids discussing Jagdeo, but takes frequent potshots at Burnham. Isn’t that dishonest? I admit too that if people insist that I must analyze the “Road to Damascus” politics of Ramkarran and Jeffrey, I will. Basdeo Panday who came here last week and talked hypocritical nonsense is in the same category with Ramkarran and Jeffrey. The analysis applied to the two Guyanese would be perfectly relevant to Panday. The former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago came here and intoned that CARICOM may be dying. He didn’t tell us that he was one of the persons that did nothing for CARICOM while it was on the sick bed and he was the head doctor at the hospital. What Panday knows but
couldn’t be bothered with was that when he was Prime Minister of one of the richest small states in the world, per capita, he did nothing to strengthen CARICOM, to change the billions of American dollars in imports (Panday’s Government spent more than ten million American dollars to host Miss Universe contest) and for Guyana. Guyana got concessionary oil terms from Hugo Chavez; not Prime Minister Basdeo Panday. By declaring that CARICOM is dying, Panday unwittingly acknowledged that he was both a political and intellectual failure. It was Prime Minister Patrick Manning who initiated a blueprint for closer cooperation and eventual integration between Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana termed the ‘Manning Initiative’. Did Panday come up with any ideas for strengthening the integration movement? At least Manning tried. Panday’s hypocrisy
Frederick Kissoon knows no limit. As PM, he campaigned for Trinidad to be the headquarters of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). But as PM he refused to campaign among Trinidadians for Trinidad to join the Appellate level. As opposition leader, he expounded on ideas of national government. When he won power, he dumped the thought. Finally, what is behind his call for closer ties between Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad with eventual closer economic integration with South America? The answer is race. Basdeo Panday is one of the purest Hindu ideologues in this part of the world. In fact, Hindu supremacist may not be a misnomer if applied to him. Mr. Panday is not exactly a believer in multi-racial politics and may be happier with Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname becoming closer for obvious reasons.
Nation must see... (From page 3) could even be upset with citizens for daring to criticize the incident. “To crown this off the PPP dare to be upset with the citizenry for being un-sympathetic to a man known for his brutish attitudes, draconian and corrupt rule that left this nation bloodied and gripped in fear. This is a young man for whom many expected different, having been nurtured under the PPP but given opportunities under successive PNC administrations. He was not denied. A young man who has brought the Office of the President into disrepute. His ordinariness, lawlessness, public abuses and disunity are now imprinted on the psyche of this nation.” Adding insult to injury, Jagdeo “is now draining our coffers to live like a Hollywood/Bollywood star instead of a former President of a country ranked the second poorest in this hemisphere.” GTUC was critical of attempts by the administration to “cover-up the Jagdeo’s healthcare squander-mania” with citizens being told that former Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, and the late Member of Parliament, Sheila Holder, have been the beneficiaries of similar treatment. “The Opposition is therefore reminded that when they beg for or take favours from a corrupt regime it comes back to be thrown in their face and compromises their positions as the nation seeks change.”
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
US Company bids to supply electromagnetic equipment for GWI Bids from six entities, including one from Florida, USA, were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the supply and delivery of electromagnetic equipment for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). The bids were divided into four lots.
Meanwhile, bids were also opened for the provision of engineering design for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) construction of drainage pump stations at Joppa number 43 Eversham, Gangaram, Berbice, Region six and Lima Essequibo Region two.
The NDIA also received bids for the monthly maintenance, cleaning of Canal number one and number two main drains West Bank Demerara region three.
In addition, GWI received tenders for the construction of potable water wells at the Sophia Treatment Plant and at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, region four.
GWI also received bids for the supply and installation of 200mm transmission mains from Sixth to Seventeen Street, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara region four.
Bids were opened for the supply and installation of distribution mains, Highdam to Wilamena West Coast Berbice region five.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
APNU execs to boycott Miner’s body recovered in AML consultation Omai River after accident Members of the political opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), will not be attending government’s consultation on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill. The consultation, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge asserts, is “just another attempt at political mischief.” Greenidge has expressed that he will by no means be attending the meeting. APNU’s Shadow Minister of Public Works and Telecommunications, Joseph Harmon also indicated that he would be boycotting the event as he and his counterpart, Greenidge, share similar views on the true intentions of the meeting. The consultation which is open to all interested stakeholders and citizens will be held tomorrow at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, at 10:00 hrs. The event will see President Donald Ramotar giving a feature address on the AML/CFT Bill which the opposition and the government remain gridlocked over. The Alliance For Change (AFC) and APNU have made a joint list of demands which include the establishment and operationalization of the Public Procurement Commission and the insertion of the APNU’s amendments. But government refuses to grant their tall order of demands.
- say “just another attempt at political mischief”
Joseph Harmon Even the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has written the President expressing concern over the Bill and the implications the nonpassage of the Bill would have for the other Member States. However, at a press conference held yesterday at APNU Headquarters on Hadfield Street, Harmon emphatically stated, “you can consult with CARICOM and even the leaders of the world, (but) the government has to consult with the opposition! I t ’s a v e r y s i m p l e formula. I’d be very happy to know if the leaders of CARICOM in their letter to the President impressed upon the need for him to
consult and to try to find resolutions to this problem by addressing the issues of the Opposition. It is quite clear that what we are seeing here is the circulation of the wagon. The government’s calls for general elections if the AML Bill cannot be passed are the drum beats of war…Resolution does not lay in creating drum beats of war around the country.” The politician added that government’s plan is not going to work by creating an atmosphere of fear in hope that citizens will appeal to the Opposition to “pass the bill as is.” He noted the Opposition maintains its position that the Bill must be strengthened. As regards not attending the event tomorrow, he said, “As far as I am concerned I am part of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Bill and that’s where the heart of the matter is being dealt with. We have a meeting tomorrow (today) and out of that meeting, decisions will be made as to where we stand. We have not told our supporters don’t go, but we hope it does not turn out to be a farce.” When pressed by media operatives as to why the opportunity will not be used as a platform to make clear their position on the matter, Harmon contended, “that is not where you make your points; it is made in a boardroom… It is not for us to convince the Guyanese people on the matter we have done that ad nauseam.”
The body of 21-year-old Clive Johnson, who fell into the river at Omai, Region Seven, on Sunday, was discovered floating in the area’s murky water around 09:00hrs yesterday. Johnson of 19 Ramp Road, River View, Ruimveldt, fell into the river around 17:00hrs after he reportedly tried to climb onto a ‘draga.’ His body was discovered floating in the river, near the landing, by his colleagues. A ‘draga’ is a large piece of Brazilian mining equipment. The dead man’s friend, Anthony Lewis, who was at Omai when the incident occurred, said that other workers noticed the body floating in the water and called the police. The body was pulled out of the water and brought to the city, where a post mortem examination is to be performed today.
DEAD: Clive Johnson Johnson’s mother, Janice Evans, had told this newspaper that she was informed that her son had climbed onto a ‘draga’ to reach for something when his foot slipped and he fell into the water. Evans was further
informed that another miner plunged into the rough waters to rescue Johnson, but his efforts were futile. “Clive use to work out here with a man name ‘Peter’. A month ago he (Johnson) said that he will go into the interior to work with this man on his draga and he was suppose to come out on Monday,” the mother explained. According to Evans, her son called her on Sunday around 15:00hrs and told her that he will be home around 17:00hrs the following day (Monday). “Like two hours after he called, a shop man called me and asked me if I hear what happen with my son and I said no. Then he tell me that my son fell overboard. Right away I called the boss and then he told me that Clive fell overboard,” the mother had said.
The miner attempted to climb onto a ‘draga’ like this one.
Man gets 10 years for killing peacemaker Joel Ferrier, who was initially indicted for the murder of 20-year-old Alberttown resident Sulé Brian Assanah, on October 7, 2012, has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Ferrier was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh after he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter at the High Court yesterday.
According to the details of the case, Ferrier, 47, had stabbed the victim, in the presence of a police officer at the corner of Fourth and Light Streets, Alberttown after he came to the assistance of the said officer. The officer was in the process of arresting Ferrier for threatening to kill his female acquaintance, Natasha
Dhanraj. Ferrier and the woman had reportedly shared a relationship for six months prior to the incident. On the night of the murder, the woman had made a report to the Alberttown Police Station. The police officer was in the process of apprehending the suspect when he was seen on bicycle, by Assanah, brandishing a knife. After stabbing the victim, Ferrier fled the scene and was arrested days later in the compound of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, as he was attempting to obtain documents to go into the interior. A medical report indicated that the 20-year-old man died as a result hemorrhage due to a single stab wound to the neck.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 13
APNU HAS NO REGARD FOR SUGAR WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES - PPP The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement issued late last night has criticized what it called “the callous and insensitive comments of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in which that Party has called for the closing down of the Sugar Industry (see related story on page 22). “The call by the APNU must be viewed as wanton disregard for the wellbeing and livelihoods of thousands of sugar workers and their families across the sugar belt. The APNU’s call for the shutting down of the sugar industry must be deemed reckless and total disrespect for sugar workers, their dependants and the thousands of others who benefit directly and indirectly.” The ruling party asserted that “PNC/APNU has by this call shown scant regard for the sugar industry and the thousands who depend on it for their livelihood. It must be recalled that two estates were closed by the PNC government. More recently, APNU refused to support the
government’s efforts to ensure that the industry remains viable. They voted against the infusion of some four billion dollars into the industry and when questioned why, boasted that ‘it was a PPP problem’. This position is further demonstrative of the callousness of APNU towards the dedicated and industrious sugar workers”. The PPP said that PNC/ APNU’s call is part and parcel of “its long held desire to deprive sugar workers of their jobs, thereby demoralising and reducing their capacity to provide for their families and their children’s future. The PPP, since its establishment, has always struggled and fought for the rights and wellbeing of sugar workers as reflected in its annual observance of Enmore Martyrs Day and the construction of the new factory at Skeldon. This factory was envisaged to ensure the continuity of sugar production and to save thousands of jobs for the ordinary working class”. The party said that
stringent measures imposed by the European Union resulted in many challenges for the local industry and were in many ways responsible for some countries in the Caribbean closing their factories thereby putting thousands on the breadline. “The PPP-led Administration, cognisant of the tremendous loss this could bring to bear on sugar workers and the country, given sugar’s contribution to the economy, took the bold and visionary step to save the industry and jobs through the construction of the Skeldon factory. While there are some teething challenges with the factory, it remains pivotal to the future of the industry and its workers. The PPP and the government it leads will continue to work to ensure that the sugar industry remains relevant and that the workers are secure in their employment. The Party will not allow APNU to trample on the livelihoods of the workers. Our Party has worked tirelessly to improve
the lives of all Guyanese through the continuous transformation of Guyana. Sugar workers are an integral part of this process and as such their advancement through job security must be assured. History has shown that the PNC through its gross mismanagement of the economy brought tremendous economic hardships to Guyanese. The sugar industry was not spared and production spiralled downwards drastically. It was the PPP, under the leadership of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, that revived the industry and saw increased production and improved conditions for the workers despite the challenges faced. Now that the PNC through APNU is in the Opposition, their efforts to impose hardships on the nation and its people, continue. Their unconscionable cuts to the budget since 2012 have shown their efforts to ruin the progress made over the years and to deprive
Guyanese of the advancements they now experience. The PPP would like to assure all sugar workers that it will continue to stand by them and will continue to work to protect their interest
and that of their families. The Party will not sit idly by and allow APNU to achieve its callous objective in taking away the livelihoods of the workers,” the statement concluded.
Page 14
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
MINISTER WEBSTER REPRESENTS CARICOM AT UN FORUM ON WOMEN …tells of gender equality challenges The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has recorded significant progress as it relates to achieving the Millennium Development Goals set for women and girls. This is according to Guyana’s Human Services and Social Security Minister, Jennifer Webster, as she spoke on behalf of CARICOM member states at the 58th Session of the ‘Commission on the Status of Women,’ which is being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Minister Webster is head of the Guyana delegation which includes Renata Chuck-A-Sang of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Vilma DaSilva, as an indigenous peoples’ representative of the nongovernmental organization the Rural Woman’s Network, Guyana’s Permanent Representative of the United Nations, George Talbot and Dinte Conway of the Ministry’s Special Projects
Unit. In her speech, Webster said that “guided by a peoplecentered approach to development, CARICOM member states recognize the critical role of gender equality and empowerment of women to achieving poverty eradication, social integration and sustainable development.” As such, she noted that Caribbean governments have accorded high priority to combating gender-based discrimination and promoting the advancement of women at the national, regional, and international levels. She highlighted that some of the region’s major achievements towards to Millennium Development Goals include the participation of girls in the academic arena as well as the sharp decline of HIV incidence. “Great gains have been made in girls’ participation and enrollment in education, especially at the tertiary level.
However, while primary school enrolment remains high for both sexes, the disturbing trend of decreased participation of boys at the secondary and tertiary levels continues,” the Minister said. She pointed out that almost twice as many females are enrolled at the University of the West Indies (UWI), as compared to males. However, she pointed out that this does not always lead to better labour market outcomes for women. Minister Webster said that the fact remains that youth unemployment continues to record higher figures among females. But apart from this challenge, she boasted that as of 2011, the Caribbean achieved the sharpest decline in HIV incidence of any region, with 42% fewer HIV infections annually compared to 2001. “This decline is especially so for Mother to Child transmission of HIV.”
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Jennifer Webster
Although there are many successes, Guyana’s Human Services Minister said that CARICOM Member States also recognize and are working to eliminate some of the major challenges that persist. Some of these, she pointed out include “genderbased violence, adolescent pregnancy, the increased risk of the feminization of poverty, and the burden and threat of non-communicable diseases.”
As it relates particularly to gender equality, Webster told UN officials that “the experience both at the regional and global levels indicates that persistent inequality is a fundamental challenge to sustainable development.” She noted too that, “in 2012, the World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development concluded that patterns of progress and persistence of inequality are both consequential to
development outcomes.” “Studies in the region have shown that gender inequality represented a socio-economic loss to our societies and a cost to human development.” As such, the Minister noted that corrective policies are needed that focus on such disparities, especially given the reported consequences. “CARICOM is of the view that addressing the challenge of gender inequality requires a change of attitudes and approaches at multiple levels,” Webster said. She added that the role of men and boys and that of the family, as the fundamental unit of society, is crucial and should be strongly supported. Minister Webster noted that the Caribbean Community remains committed to ensuring that women have equal access to education and health-care services, including primary as well as maternal and child health care services. “Increased awareness through communication, information and education programmes, is crucial to empower women to take care of their health.” the Minister emphasized. She noted that CARICOM endorses the need to encourage equal opportunities in the acquisition of assets, social protection, access to economic and investment opportunities, which promote entrepreneurship and financial independence, as well as women’s participation in all levels of decisionmaking in society. In moving along that line, Minister Webster said that CARICOM is committed to accelerating the process towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls, noting that “we are also committed to a transformative post2015 agenda that takes full account of the needs and priorities of the region. “ She stressed that such an agenda must address the structural foundations of gender-based inequality and contribute to a better world for women and girls.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 15
Revenue Authority unveils online, telebanking payment options The Guyana Revenue Authority Headquarters on Camp Street.
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday unveiled its online and telephone banking (telebanking) payment option systems. Speaking on the new online banking system was GRA’s Public Relations Manager Marcia Harris who explained that because of the accommodation challenges faced by the GRA the impetus was made to have the entity’s banking service online so that persons can file and pay their taxes on GRA’s website without having to physically come in to the headquarters at Camp Street. Harris explained that the Authority wanted this service available before the major due date for filing of persons’ income and public tax returns on April 30 of this year, so that taxpayers would be able to have a more comfortable experience when it comes to making payments of their taxes. “With the launching of our online taxpayers’ system persons will not be required to visit this location physically. They can do it in the comfort of their homes, offices or anywhere they can get internet access or if you have a mobile phone to do that,” Harris said. Additionally, she explained that GRA’s
payment services will be available for persons who do not have access to the internet since the entity “would’ve partnered with Grace Kennedy Remittance Services. So you can pay your taxes at any Bill Express location and that commences from today [yesterday] with the launch of this initiative.” Harris also explained that the persons can pay their taxes through their preferred banks. She said that it is available right now at Demerara Bank, and others are such as Republic Bank and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) will be offering this service shortly. Among the taxes that persons can pay at the banks are Income and Property Tax, Corporation Tax and also pay for their motor vehicle licences. According to Harris, the GRA has also been an organization that is unfortunately perceived as being corrupt by persons in many quarters. “We also believe that with the launching of these two initiatives that perception will be eliminated because taxpayers will no longer interfere with our staff here at the GRA. You will no longer have to come here to make your payments. You can make them in the comfort of your
own homes. There is no taxpayer there to bribe or official to ask for a bribe or an inducement. So we will be able to reduce that perception of the GRA being corrupt.” This is a position that Commissioner-General Khurshid Sattaur shared as he articulated that “there will be limited interaction and intermingling with the GRA staff, making it less likely that you would have to indulge in any kind of unhealthy practices. Therefore that will turn the tide of us being accused of being a mischievous organization that is engaged in a lot of corrupt practices and make us an organization that is transparent and accountable for the work that we do.” Pronouncing on the launching of the online payment option, Sattaur said he is proud of the initiative, which he stressed was a priority and has been a little while in the making. He said that the initiative comes at an opportune time since it has been challenging with the influx of taxpayers all located at one building and compounding it, was the difficulty taxpayers have to find suitable locations to park their vehicles to conduct business. He is hopeful that with this online banking facility
and its spreading to other locations, this can alleviate to some extent the great amount of congestion and parking woes that GRA is experiencing. According to Sattaur, this initiative is also as a result of embracing information technology at a higher level and much more of this would be happening during the course of this year. As GRA takes on a technologically
advanced system, major improvements will be seen in the way that the tax system is rolled out to the taxpayers. The CommissionerGeneral expressed that not only will taxpayers have access to their bank through internet services, but they will be able to have access to their bank through the GRA website. “That is something in the future and not too far from
now… You will not only be able to pay your taxes through the internet, but also make submissions of your returns… your C72 declarations. So you will have a lot of facilities that will enhance the way you do business at GRA.” To further alleviate the congestion, Sattaur promised that tax sites will be developed at other out-of-town locations.
Page 16
Kaieteur News
CCJ hosts sixth annual mooting competition this week Students from CARICOM law institutions will compete in the 6th Annual Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) International Law Moot 2014, scheduled to take place on Friday at the CCJ Headquarters in Port of Spain. Established in 2009, the moot serves a two-fold purpose. Firstly it helps to hone the research and advocacy skills of participants, preparing them to function in a real court setting. Secondly, it further exposes law students of the region to the principles of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Such exposure is
necessary as Court President the Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron remarked at the opening of the moot in 2013. “The revised treaty is the linchpin of the community and at the core of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The greater the familiarity with the revised treaty, the higher the potential for marshalling the CSME towards successful reality.” This year’s competition surrounds the issue of the interpretation of a section of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas focusing on the right to freedom of movement of economic citizens throughout the region and the right of
University graduates without a skilled national certificate to seek employment in a CARICOM state. Six teams from CARICOM law institutions are set to vie for the CCJ Challenge Shield which was won by the Hugh Wooding Law School last year. Apart from the students filling the roles of advocates in the courtroom, first-year students of the Faculty of Law (UWI, St. Augustine campus) will form the Moot Registry, assuming the roles of: Registrar; Deputy Registrar; Court Support Officer; Marshal; Timekeeper; and Usher. This year ’s moot is expected to be attended by Ministers of Government and other administration officials; representatives of Superior Courts of Record; the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, representatives of the private sector, labour community, law school and secondary school students.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
GTUC, Russians trade barbs over BCGI ‘violations’ The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has for several years now been accusing the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI), owned by Russian company RUSAL, of breaching local laws and violating workers’ rights. The Russians have fired back saying that it is up to the court to determine whether there were any violations of Guyana’s laws. This was a position made public by Denis Kopyl, press attaché of the Russian Embassy in Guyana. Kopyl in defending the company says that BCGI is a joint venture and was created in 2004 according to the laws of Guyana and abides by the laws of the country. “Since the start of its operations it brought prominent tax revenue to the state budget of Guyana paying billions of dollars.” But GTUC in response to Kopyl, in a public missive yesterday said that, “for a Russian diplomatic representative in Guyana to say to Guyanese that it is up to the court to determine whether there were any violations of Guyana’s law is rude and smacks of presumptuousness.” The GTUC remarked that “when it comes to the issue of RUSAL/ BCGI vs. the GB&GWU, it is further evidence that this foreign
nation and its organisations are only prepared to respect the law of a foreign land when the law is enforced in court or upheld by the people”. “This fact is perhaps influenced by the history and culture of violations and disregard highlighted by international media…It may also be resultant from the encouraged violations and misleading advice received from various operatives operating inimical to the interest of Guyanese labour and guiding RUSAL/ BCGI labour relations in Guyana…It places Guyana’s own culture of labour and rights violations being fostered by this regime into focus.” According to the GTUC, during the Sochi Olympics, international media highlighted Russia’s track record of human rights violations, and more so its disrespect for the sovereignty of neighbouring states of Georgia and Ukraine. “That Denis Kopyl press attaché of the Russian Embassy in Guyana can be insensitive to the concerns of Guyanese labour organizations and the violation of workers’ rights in this part of the world is not surprising given the nature of our current regime in power.” The GTUC charges that unlike Russia, Guyana lacks the force and cultural
imperative to violate neighbouring countries. It states however that the regime in government does possess the domestic presumption and disregard for rights and the rule of law. “It is in such a politically acrimonious and divisive environment, where some citizens and sectors are targeted for marginalisation and denial that RUSAL/ BCGI flourishes and can ignore the rights of Guyanese workers.” The trade union body said that Guyanese are again reminded that RUSAL is no newcomer when it comes to industrial disputes and violation of workers’ rights among other infringements. “It is with such background that the Russians now speak to the issue of a court ruling as evidence of violation... Such is the disrespect and violations that the regime in power has brought on Guyanese labour.” GTUC said that the Russians must be reminded that a nation’s sovereignty is not only established by physical boundaries and acceptance by the international community, but more so reinforced by the laws that govern its actions and protect its people. “This is what Russian managers of BCGI continue to display open contempt for.”
Overpayments to contractors unacceptable - APNU Shadow Minister of the political opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, has condemned the numerous instances where ministries have been summoned before the Public Accounts Committee to answer for overpayments to engineers and contractors for construction projects. And as such, he will be writing to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall to ascertain the status of the Engineering Act and why moves have not been made to proceed with it at the Parliamentary level. Harmon maintains that not only government must be held accountable for this unacceptable behaviour but also engineers who fail to deliver on the work for which they are paid. Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran
- Shadow Minister to write AG on status of Engineering Act had made recent calls for the implementation of an internal audit system to police the accounting systems of the Ministries daily. But while Harmon does not negate the benefits of this system, he expressed the belief that persons intentionally craft ways in which they can circumvent the systems with which they must conform. “I believe internally there must be some system of requisition. Invariably, if you check at the ministries which had problems of accounting adoration rather than conformation to systems, there have been a lot of moves by persons to subvert the system for their own personal benefit. As it relates to the position of the Engineering
We are life savers, you should be one too! Donate blood today!!
Act, I spoke with some engineers. One engineer, Mr. Terry Fletcher said that the Act should be at the office of the Attorney General. Fletcher has done extensive work on the Act as well.” The Member of Parliament added, “As I indicated to you, I will follow it up. Fletcher has explained to me that not much has been done to get the Act in the Parliament as we never had a major collapse in construction. So the authorities in the government have been slow to put the revised Act in place. But if you add up all the problems that we have with engineering, we have gone beyond the stage of expecting a collapse; we have gone to a catastrophic stage and I will press for this Engineering Act to be passed. As such, I will write formally to Nandlall asking what the status of the Act is and why we have not proceeded with it.”
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
CARICOM moves to address President Ramotar lauds work of local law students’ issue region’s Climate Change Centre - as task force is set up
There appears to be a resolution towards the issue of accommodating Guyanese law students at the Hugh Wooding Law Faculty for the upcoming academic year, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall said yesterday. The AG was part of the Guyana delegation participating in the 25th Inter-Sessional CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In an interview, with the Government Information Agency, AG Nandlall said that the Chairman of the Caribbean Community Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will be writing to the Council of Legal Education, informing that the 25 Guyanese students should be admitted for the academic year 2014. Minister Nandlall added that the letter will also call for a review of the provision of legal education in the region to address the expanded need for accommodation and education. This is a serious issue which needs to be
Attorney General Anil Nandlall addressed as students from the London based LLB programme and Belize are adversely affected, the minister said. The fate of Guyanese law students was recently put in limbo after the Hugh Wooding Law School indicated that it would be unable to accommodate additional students from the University of Guyana’s Law programme. As part of an agreement between UWI’s Council for Legal Education and UG, every year, 25 automatic placements were
offered by the Council for Legal Education to UG for entry into Hugh Wooding. The Council however, recently took the decision that UG’s 2014 batch will not be guaranteed any place at the institution. Minister Nandlall p r e v i o u s l y emphasised, ”Government considers this as a matter of priority because it puts in jeopardy the life and welfare of a number of students who would be completing the LLB programme at the University of Guyana in the year 2014, and as well, it jeopardises the entire law programme at the university and it jeopardises the future of students who are already in the programme and those students who are desirous of entering the programme.” He noted that Government is always committed to ensuring its people, especially young people have access to education as it sees education as a vital tool to combat poverty and to advance citizens’ development.
Guyana Foundation distributes Solarpowered light kits at Breezy Point Over the past weekend, a team from the Guyana Foundation visited ‘Breezy Point’ where solar-powered light kits were donated to needy families in the area. Breezy Point is a village situated on the bank of a GuySuco canal, between Brusche Dam and Coldingen Dam, East Coast of Demerara. This village is accessed over makeshift bridges built by
residents from scrap wood. There is no running water in the community and no electricity. Many of the children and elderly live in very poor conditions. The Guyana Foundation started working in the village several months ago, donating solar-powered light kits to needy families in the area. During this recent trip, the entity completed the
It’s better we invest in... (From page 22) immediate partnership with Ecuador would be best to secure the success of such a project. “We should produce sugar for the EU and take the profits and import sugar. I have done the work and we would be making two billion US a year rather than billions in losses.” The Executive member of APNU stressed that the government needs to stop making excuses for its inability to run the sugar industry by removing political control and secrecy from all of GuySuCo’s activities to offset the poor returns on investment.
distribution of light kits to every home in the area. According to residents, the light kits have been most useful. They have enabled school children to study after dark. Also, since the light receptacles are portable, residents are able to use them to cross the bridges at night, to use outdoor toilet facilities, and much more. To commemorate International Women’s Day, the Guyana Foundation team also visited some of the elderly ladies in the community – like Miss Emelda who is 73 years old. She has twenty children, fiftysix grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Miss Emelda, whose life has been stricken by poverty and illhealth, still managed to welcome and thank the Guyana Foundation team for the gifts brought to her community.
President Donald Ramotar lauded the work of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCC) during his presentation yesterday, to CARICOM Heads of Government during their 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting at the Buccament Bay Resort, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Leaders agreed to establish a CARICOM Climate Change Task Force to provide guidance to Caribbean climate change negotiators, their Ministers and the region’s political leaders. The CCCCC, along with the CARICOM Secretariat has been tasked with setting up the task force and facilitating its work. Guyana has been playing a lead role with regards to climate change, and priority projects on adaptation are outlined within its visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which seeks to address the effects of climate change while simultaneously encouraging economic development. The CARICOM Heads also reaffirmed the mandate of the CCCCC, to develop in partnership with member states, a portfolio of bankable projects eligible for climate financing and which is to be presented to the donor community for support. The Centre is recognised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and other international agencies as the
focal point for climate change issues in the Caribbean. “This is a critical decision by Heads at a time when efforts are underway through the UN (United Nations) to have a global climate change agreement by the end of 2015. We need to ensure that as a region, our voices are being heard on this important issue, and not only from our technical people, but from the collective political leadership in the region,” President Ramotar noted. He re-emphasised the need for there to be a globally binding agreement on climate change. “We have to ensure that we push for a climate change agreement by 2015 which is ambitious in terms of emission reduction targets and providing climate financing,” the Head of State said. He also stressed that, despite the difficulties faced with climate financing and support for adaptation and climate resilience, the region needs to aggressively tap into opportunities that exist now, while it organises for future possibilities. The President noted that the CCCCC and Guyana have been working closely since its establishment and closer ties are being developed as part of the LCDS implementation. The CCCCC coordinates
the Caribbean region’s response to climate change. Officially opened in August 2005, the Centre is the key node for information on climate change issues and on the region’s response to managing and adapting to climate change in the Caribbean, its website states. On June 8, 2009 former President Bharrat Jagdeo launched the LCDS that outlines Guyana’s vision to promote economic development, while at the same time combating climate change. A revised version was published on May 24, 2010 and subsequently the LCDS update was launched in March 2013. Major efforts have been taken to build the country’s capacity to adapt to the anticipated impacts of climate, including extreme weather patterns and sea-level rise leading to flooding. The LCDS will support the upgrading of infrastructure and assets to protect against flooding through urgent, near-term measures. Specifically, the LCDS update, identified the project area “Climate Resilience, Adaptation and Water Management Initiatives” for which up to US$100 million will be allocated to improve Guyana’s capacity to address climate change.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Page 26
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Israel PM says no deal unless Zuma allies tapped to lead ANC electoral list Palestinians recognise Jewish state Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa’s ruling African National Congress yesterday unveiled its list of candidates for upcoming elections, with President Jacob Zuma loyalists dominating and some prominent critics taking a bow. The list of 200 parliamentary hopefuls — which doubles as a tip sheet for who will feature in the next government — was released ahead of the May 7 general election. The vote promises to be the toughest electoral challenge yet for a party that has won each election since the end of Apartheid in 1994 by a landslide. Despite deep voter anger with persistent corruption and inequality, supporters of the embattled president won out. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who challenged Zuma at a recent party conference, is not on the list and has announced his retirement from front line politics. Neither is Trevor Manuel, a one-time finance minister liked by foreign investors, who has been critical of the government’s failure to implement economic reforms in the face of rampant unemployment. The top of the list is instead dominated by Zuma’s allies from his native KwaZulu-Natal province, and those who occupy key positions in the security sector. The document will offer succour to the ANC’s critics who claim the party is not doing enough to tackle corruption or rooting out poorly performing ministers. The list includes former communications minister Dina Pule, who was dropped from the cabinet after being found guilty of lying to parliament about her boyfriend’s state tenders. State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele,
Zuma’s close confidant whose wife was convicted of drug running, is also included. So too is former provincial minister Humphrey Mmemezi who resigned in 2012 after he bought a painting using a government credit card by masking it as a McDonald’s restaurant purchase, the equivalent of around 425 Big Macs. The main opposition the Democratic Alliance said the ANC’s list showed “once and for all – that it is not serious about fighting corruption”. It is likely most of the candidates on the list will get positions in government or the legislature even if the 102-year-old party is expected to win this year’s vote with a reduced margin. Generally cabinet ministers have to be lawmakers first before their appointment, although the law allows the president to pick a few non-parliamentarians. “An ANC list is never an expression of competence or anything like that, it’s always a political decision,” said Mari Harris, the head of Ipsos South Africa. Among those political calculations appears to be an effort to shore up the ANC’s support on the left and in the trade union movement — which has become fractured over its backing for Zuma’s government. Senzeni Zokwana, the leader of the National Union of Mineworkers, appears alongside many members of the Communist Party, including its leader Blade Nzimande at number eight. Although the ANC commands a vast electoral majority, it rules in a so-called tripartite coalition with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and trade union federation COSATU.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday ruled out any deal with the Palestinians unless they recognise Israel as the Jewish state and give up their refugees’ right of return. And he said Israel and the Palestinians were getting further away from reaching a peace deal which would end the decades-long conflict, with US-led peace talks bogged down in a bitter dispute over the question of Israel as a Jewish state. “They (Palestinians) say they will never recognise a Jewish state and that they will never give up on the right of return,” Netanyahu said in remarks broadcast on Israeli public radio. “I want to make clear that I will not accept an agreement that does not cancel the (refugees’) right of return and which does not include Palestinian recognition of the Jewish state,” he said in an address to the ruling rightwing Likud-Beitenu faction. “These are basic conditions, which are justified and vital to the security of Israel.” Netanyahu’s remarks touched on one of the most thorny questions of the current talks, and one which
Benjamin Netanyahu looks likely to derail intensive US efforts to extend the negotiations beyond a looming April deadline. The Palestinians have refused to recognise Israel as the Jewish state, saying this would deny their historical narrative and effectively cancel out the right of their refugees to return to homes they fled from or were forced out of during the 1948 war which accompanied Israel’s creation. Last week, on a visit to Washington, Netanyahu publicly called on Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas accept the Jewish state. The Palestinians denounced the call as effectively putting the final
nail in the coffin of the peace talks. US Secretary of State John Kerry is facing an uphill struggle to get the two sides to agree on a framework which would guide the talks past an April 29 deadline and allow them to continue to the end of the year, with a clause relating to the issue of the Jewish state reportedly included in the proposal. But the Palestinians have flatly refused the request, prompting Netanyahu to accuse them of blocking the negotiations. “The Palestinians are not showing any signs they are getting close to entering into a practical and justified agreement,” he said. In an interview with Israel’s private Channel 2 television broadcast at the weekend, Netanyahu said the Palestinians were “very, very far” from reaching a peace agreement. “They say they won’t recognise the Jewish state and that they will leave the right of return open. So what are we talking about here? That we set up a Palestinian state that will perpetuate the conflict against Israel but from improved borders? We may be a lot of things, but we’re not suckers,” he said.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Lower C’tyne positively impacted Pistorius argued with cop who by GDF Medical Outreach touched his gun, friend says Scores of residents of the lower Corentyne benefitted from a medical outreach conducted by the Guyana Defence Force on Sunday last. The outreach was conducted in partnership with the Berbice Cricket Board. According to Officer Commanding, GDF Medical Corps, Major Pameshwar Netram, the 23-man team provided yeoman service throughout the entire day. The services conducted included general medical examinations, dental examinations, blood sugar, blood group and haemoglobin tests. Simultaneously, 30 persons received First Aid training during a comprehensive clinic conducted by members of the GDF team. The participants of the clinic included teachers, students, members of the Berbice Cricket Board and other members of the community. Major Netram emphasised that partnering with the Berbice Cricket Board to conduct the
Private Richard Latchman of the GDF Medical Corps attends to a female resident. outreach “is just the GDF’s way of continuing to deliver on its mandate to be
of service to the people of Guyana, and to contribute to the nation’s development”.
GPSU rejects denial of its meetings on Ministry’s premises By Zena Henry The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has expressed discontent over the denial of union meetings being held on Ministry property. As part of the continuing “fan out” exercise in the GPSU’s re-grouping process to re-organize action against the “arbitrary” five percent public servant wage increase, the union held a meeting with its members attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, but this has caused contention between union members and their management. GPSU’s First Vice President, Mortimer Livan, explained to Kaieteur News that the union had written the Ministry’s administration requesting time-off for union members to attend a meeting which was scheduled for midmorning yesterday. While workers were granted time-off to attend the meeting, a letter from the Ministry stated that, “permission is not granted for the meeting to be held on the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture.” It was noted that while the request was sent from GPSU last Friday, the union received a reply on Monday, and the staffers’ branch chairman received notice half an hour before the meeting was held
yesterday. Livan has stated however, that to refuse staffers from meeting with the union on Ministry premises “contravenes the rules of the collective labour agreement.” He further condemned threats reportedly made by the Ministry to send letters to the staffers who attend the consultations. Livan asserted that the fan out meetings are important to get persons aware of what is happening in relation to continuing protest action against the government-imposed five percent wage increase. He indicated that the utterances to the workers can be viewed as a means of intimidation. It was also noted that while a handful of staffers turned out for yesterday’s meeting, many others expressed fear of victimization and refused to attend. Livan stated that several agencies remain to be visited, while the GPSU has already met with many others in and around Georgetown. He added that the response from union members has been favourable and while the outreach programme is not close to its end, “some activities could be starting up March 25.” Towards the end of last year, GPSU members commenced intense protest
action against the five percent increase. They stated that for more than 10 years they have lived with the arbitrarily imposed wage increase; with government continuously refusing to honour the collective bargaining agreement which instructs that the union and the government hold discussions over appropriate wage increases. Nurses, Ministry workers, and other public servants had downed tools across the country demanding an increase on the annual wage increase. The holiday season had seen city protests being put on hold, with promises being made that the public servants would reconvene demonstrations against the meagre wages in the new year. While opposition leaders have argued that enough money is allocated in Parliament for a better wage increase, the government holds firm to not being able to pay more than five percent to public workers. The main opposition parties had called on the Finance Minister to explain what was done with the public servants’ money, and later warned that if the allocations for public workers are not being paid out, then it will be lessened in the budget.
PRETORIA (Reuters) South African track star Oscar Pistorius had a row with a policeman who picked up his gun after pulling over his friend for speeding, saying “You can’t just touch another man’s gun,” the friend told his murder trial yesterday. Pistorius, a double amputee, is accused of murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year. He maintains he shot her through a locked toilet door believing an intruder was lurking in his luxury Pretoria home. His friend, Darren Fresco, told the court in Pretoria that he had been driving south of Johannesburg in September 2012 when Pistorius, nicknamed “Bladerunner” for his carbon fibre prosthetics, and his then girlfriend Samantha Taylor were flagged down. “Another officer went over to the passenger seat where Oscar Pistorius was sitting and he picked up a gun. There was a verbal altercation between the accused and the officer,” Fresco said. “Pistorius said to the officer, ‘You can’t just touch another man’s gun,’” Fresco said. “Then they argued.” After being allowed to leave, Pistorius “out of the blue” fired the gun through the open sunroof of the car, to the astonishment of Fresco, who was driving at
Oscar Pistorius the time. “Apologies for my language, but I asked him if he was fucking mad,” Fresco told the court. “He just laughed.” In another shooting incident, the 27-year-old Paralympic and Olympic star asked Fresco to take the rap on his behalf after discharging a firearm inside a packed Johannesburg restaurant. “Being a friend I said I would, with pleasure,” the long-haired Fresco said. Pistorius is facing separate gun charges for the two incidents, part of the prosecution’s attempts to paint Pistorius as a cocky, gun-obsessed hot-head who does not like to take responsibility for his actions. Of the four rounds he fired through the toilet door, three
hit his girlfriend, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, on the hip, shoulder and head. Earlier, state pathologist Gert Saayman had told the court that food found in Steenkamp’s stomach suggested she had eaten food at about 1 a.m. - two hours before she died and in contradiction to Pistorius’ testimony that the couple went to bed at 10 p.m. Saayman said Steenkamp would have most certainly screamed after being shot in the arm and hip before a final shot in the head killed her. Pistorius wept and vomited several times into a bucket as Saayman detailed the extent of Steenkamp’s injuries the previous day. “After the first shot on the hip, screaming would have been possible, and expression of fear or anguish,” Saayman said. “It would be abnormal for someone not to scream.” Some of Pistorius’ neighbours said in their court testimonies last week they heard a woman screaming during the shooting, but Pistorius’ lawyer insists what they heard were high-pitched cries from his client. If found guilty of murder, Pistorius faces at least 25 years behind bars. The killing has ignited debate about gun control and domestic violence in South Africa, where many women die at the hands of relatives.
Page 28
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR RENT
VEHICLE FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Toyota Forklift - Excellent condition, 4,000lbs capacity, 117” Lift, Solid Wheels, Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder LPG Motor. Call: 6046108.
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943
Greenheart Piles - Tel: 6393450
One 2 Bedrooms bottom flat Tel: 613-6402
Toyota Fun Cargo, RZ minibus, IST, 4X4 Hilux pickup – Tel:644-5096; 6971453 1 Freight liner hauler with sleeping cab, 1 -48ft trailor with treated wood – Call: Rakesh 613-6979
Dell Computers with 20" LCDs - $65,000, Laptops $49,000 - Futuretech - 231-2206
MOVE IN ready fully furnished two bedroom upper flat apartment @ Atlantic Gardens – US$1,000 dollars negotiable – Call:6009981
Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, Nissan Frontier $2.9M; 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, DJ System - $2.8M. Tel: 695-9807 Desk, wardrobe, dining table, antiques, brass plants, radio set and more – Tel:6735882 Now Arrived @ Fabric World 140 Regent & Light St Bourda. New & Used Story fixture e.g Four arms (Clothes Rack) Car Alternators / Starters & Amplifiers – Tel:227-8519 Pure Rottweiler pups - Tel: 650-8496 One cabin Cruiser boat for sale – Tel:665-2314 1 smoothie machine,2 ice machine- Contact:2310655,683-8734
Fishing boat, 5" nylon Seine, 40 Hp Yamaha - $1.6M – Tel: 267-1563; 691-3501 / 4162667627 New Japan Parts & Batteries in stock with a 10% discount @ Ray’s Motor Spares – Tel:227-2322; 227-2330 Blow out sales on Steel Rods: ¼”, 5/8", ½”, 3/8" Call: 657-4072 Lumber Locust, Tatabu and mixed hardwoods - Contact: 600-5872; 600-1329 Organic Herbal medication for all Chronic and Genital sicknesses and diseases. Call: 671-1518 1 Frigidaire Fridge - 12.5 Cubic - Good Condition - Call: 668-1319 One farm at Yarakabra and 1 house and land - Call:6178369; 265-3586
1 – 36ft Flat bottom boat Tel: 604-0038
Brazilian Virgin hair sale Top Grade 18"&16" body shapers Top Brands, Low prices - Call: 626-6335; 600-2220
One hardly used cradle $20,000 with accessories & one brand new play pen $33,000 - Call: 670-2343
One Cabin Cruiser 30ft length, 6½ft width and 3½ft depth, 15HP Tohatsu engine Tel: 697-0648.
Space suitable for business on Durban Street Lodge 38"X26 “– Call:648-7868 5 Acre land with house to lease - $95,000 for month Email: gzplayter@ol.com Tel: 407-599-3775 Hair station to rent, professional hairdresser with client -$7,000 weekly - Call: 645-9266
AT192, Good condition, must see – Price - $850,000 – Tel: 616-1671 1 Toyota Hilux Single Cab 4X4 solid Axle pickup -$2.7M – Tel:658-5193; 638-2525; 6484374 1 DAF 4X4 Bush Truck Winch - $3.8M - Tel:658-5193; 638-2525; 648-4374 CHEAPEST: - Pitbull, Manual Buses, IST, Allion – Tel:6167635 Cheap Deals on all English & Japanese Vehicles Online Call: MRR Imports on 691-7475; 626-9590
Barbers and hair stylist station for rent @ Prime Location – Tel:663-5964
Newly constructed furnished\unfurnished apartments, with & without A/C. Parking available, LBI East Coast. Call: 603-0000.
DRESS-MAKING Courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration - Tel:670-2653; 618-1706
Quebra Pedra kidney stone tablets – Tel:671-7482 Concrete Bourda Stall - Call: 692-7888; 610-0227
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
Brazilian meat saw - Tel: 671-7482
Soman Son & Outar Driving School @ Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
14ft Aluminum boat,40HP Johnson outboard engine, steering, fuel tank, battery & lift - Price: $600,000 negotiable – Tel:609-7257 Almost new gas 6500 Watts, Honda generator on wheels - $430,000, the other 1 is a 4300 watts Honda – Call:407599-3775 No Blackouts, Affordable1 inverter +2 deep cycle batteries 6 to 8 hours electricity 1 one year Tel:226 2646/ 695-9191.
2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at ParikaCall:226-7968 House lots for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour Bridge in Harbourville Schoonord- Contact:650-0402 One Transported large Lot at Zeelught EBE - $2.2M – Tel:617-4439
Compressor, Generators winch, Fridge & many more Tel: 227-8519
Romrima Trust Versailles @ W.B.D – Tel: 652-3707 EDUCATIONAL Learn any language fast Tel: 662-0001 Balloon decorating classes – April 05 - Call: 225-3133; 6137513 for more information and to register. Do you want to live & work in Canada? Train as a live in caregiver, Canadian Standards - Tel:592-2274881; 416-674-7973
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Premio, vitz call:6797139,639-4452 Wings Car Rental - Call: 643-1131
Runx PPP series - Price: $1.8M - Call:648-7868 2 Ton Canter with power gate, unregistered - Tel:6172891 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 2700 CC – 4 Cylinder @ 31 Grove Housing Scheme EBD Call: 665-8933; 416-836-1466
1 Nissan laurel Car - $350,000, 1 American made Saturn Jeep L-hand drive, stick gear – $2.5M – Call:677-3406 1 – F150, 1 – New Model 212 – Call:621-8129 2003 Toyota Avensis ; immaculate condition, leather interior, HID, Alarm, TV, 18" Rims, 73000 mileage - $3.6M , PRR 2877 – Tel:609-7257
LAND FOR SALE LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869
One Toyota Tacoma 2006, 12ft Aluminum Boat, Tacoma : rims & tyres – Call:641-6162; 220-1981; 222-5671
Chevy Cargo Van, Ford 150 & Toyota Tundra - Tel: 227-8519
1 Stall In La Penitence Market - Call: 691-7886 1 -46" Western-house LCD TV - $190,000; 1 -51" Samsung LCD TV $230,000, 1- Maytag washer - $90,000 Contact: 692-7377
VEHICLE FOR SALE LF / DAF truck in working condition, 1 super custom diesel bus – Price Attractive for Both – Call:681-5988; 6755448
Toyota Marino AC, mags, CD, recently sprayed over $750,000 – Tel: 618-1047
Wings Two bedrooms apartment – Tel:643-1131 One bottom flat Apartment with 2 bedrooms – Call:6870835 GT TOOLS RENTAL: TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Parfaite Harmonie With foundation (30ftX20ft) $1.5M – Tel:675-7292 Herstelling - $3.2M (110ftX60ft) – Call:675-7292 Schoonord - $2M – Tel:6757292 20 Acres Poultry Farm @ Yarrowkabra& 120 acres @ Mahaicony, 10 acres @ Moblissa, house & land @ Windsor Forest. – Tel:6864994; 225-3070
Madza 2 PLL series; leathered upholstery, BMW 318i PMM series, Toyota Corolla Axio PRR series. Excellent condition - Contact: 600-1329 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super customs. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Premio- Dark interior with TV, mags, spacio. Tel: 697-0294 Nissan Titan 4X4 , fully loaded, Tray cover, GMM series, R-I Candy Red – Call:227-2027 2008 Fielder & Axio, fully loaded with bodykit, rims, TV/DVD unregistered - Tel: 617-2891 First Class Auto: Avensis, Allion, IST, 212, Premio, Spacio, Raum, Passo, Fielder, Verossa -Call:6098188; 602-6307 Unregistered Toyota Premio $2.450, Toyota Spacio - $2.250 Tel: 616-3001; 628-4284 1 Toyota Rav4 old model , good condition (Selling cheap) – Tel:687-1392 Tundra GPP, fully powered, AC, 4 wheel drive – Price: $1.6M – Call:654-3389 One Premio – Unregistered, Price: $2.550M – Contact: 225-5082 110 Corolla new model, crystal Lights, CD, AC, good condition - $850,000 – Tel:618-1047 1 -212 - $1.3M negotiable, 1 grand Cherokee - $1.5M, Two 250 night hawk & one 750 night hawk – Call:2653024; 265-4454; 663-8639 Toyota Mark 2 for sale: very good condition - $1.5M negotiable – Call:641-6725 One Raum – PMM series $1.2M – Contact:671-6051 One 110 Sprinter PLL series Price:$1M (negotiable) - Call: 648-7868
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154
1 Suzuki R1 wagon (Jeep) Automatic, Fully Powered with A/C, hardly used – Price:$1.3M Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400
Toyota CAMI PNN Series – Automatic, TV, mags - $1.6M Premio: PNN series reverse camera, mags -$2.2M - Tel: 227-0613; 645-7242
Corona AT190, PHH Series . Contact: 217-0138; 686-0251 Toyota Carina PGG 5408, AT150 Car, Good driving condition - $170,000 - Tel: 654-4635 Toyota Raum, Spacio, AT212, AT192, AT170, NZE and L- Touring wagon, Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 Toyota Raum PNN series about 118,000 K/M price: $890,000 negotiable. Owner leaving country – Tel:2170308; 621-9604
1 Toyota RZ bus - $1.5M. Immaculate condition [Hardly Use] – Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400 1 Toyota RZ for sale – Price : $1.2M – Contact:616-5310; 692-3028 Toyota RZ mini-bus BPP series excellent condition, hardly worked - Price: $2.5M Negotiable - Contact: 6948825
(Continued on page 29)
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Letters... Where your views make the news
Relevance of current laws affecting tint DEAR EDITOR, With respect to the stance taken by the Home Affairs Minister, the Guyana Police Force and the others that share his view, I can’t help but wonder if these very people before arriving at the conclusion that tint should not be permitted, have looked at the practical reasons for applying tint to vehicles from the side of the vehicle owners and those using a vehicle. Firstly, let me just say that the application of tint is not mainly for style, luxury and to conceal identities, Guyana is a very hot tropical country, located very close to the equator. It is recommended by most opticians and persons qualified in the field to wear protective eye wear when venturing out into the bright sunlight, other health practitioners also recommend wearing a hat and protective clothing when also doing same. In our country if you were to venture into the sun for approximately 20 minutes or longer during the midday without applying any protective substance to your skin and you were to smell your skin, it would smell similar to a piece of meat that
has been partially roasted and from a practical sense it is just that. Have the Minister and his associates also considered the negative consequences this ban would have on newborns, small children and the elderly? The air conditioner left on a car in the blazing midday sun while at park would have little cooling effect. Given that the current tax policies in place by the Guyana Revenue Authority, is summary discouraging the importation of new vehicles for older one, it is not unreasonable to assume that some vehicles on our roads may be older than 20 years old and may not have been manufactured with a colour float between the glass. This would make a parked car in the sun even with air conditioner have a greenhouse effect. These are just some of the things politicians need to consider before passing laws that suit a few. Honestly speaking, would a 50% tint cause that much of an increase in crime? Would it prevent the police from carrying out their duties? Andrew Seebarran
An open letter to... From page 4 whenever she tries to work on her land while the Council does nothing about it. I am kindly asking this current council to proceed to find a piece of land for Margaret Abraham as they promised and have the courage to do their duty and ask her to vacate my mother’s land. My mother is a decent woman and needs to feel at peace on her own land; likewise my sister and her children also need to live in peace without the almost daily abuse or threats from Margaret Abraham. Margaret Abraham has parents of her own; where is the plot of land they left her? And they do have land? Like a good father my grandfather made sure that he left land for his daughters. The abuse and disrespect
towards my mom, my sister and her children has to stop – it has gone on long enough. Margaret Abraham must move and I am begging the Council to do their duty and see that this happens. Thank you. Name withheld
VACANCY Barbers – Contact:683-1534; 609-4983 Courtney’s Boutique, Stall ‘B’ – Tel:227-3407 is looking for a mature sales worker for three (3) days.
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
PROPERTY FOR SALE One three storey business property @ Middle street, Georgetown, 2 business Property on Whim Public Road Berbice - Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481
Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943
Near Regent Street - $38M, Mc Doom - $19M, Lamaha Gardens -$55M – Call Diana:227-2256; 626-9382
COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 2332008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,662-6045, Sabita. We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL: 694-9843 /227-2766 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) Design Team Neher: Professional, trustworthy, prompt landscapers, we can create your dreams– Tel: 6481821. We are @ your Service! Repairs to refrigerator, washing machine, gas stoves, A/C units – Call:6411086; 694-2202; 227-8907
2 Income properties at bargain p r i c e - $ 4 0 M negotiable - Tel: 686-4899; 684-3718 Property for sale - Call:6275416 House For sale @ Peters Hall EBD - Price-$5M - Call: 654-3389 3 Storey wooden concrete building situated @ Broad & Charles Sts, Charlestown – Tel:677-3406 Diamond- Close to public road. Spacious 3 bedrooms, 2 family properties -$20M. Jewanram: 227-1988/ 6236431. Near Regent Street -$37M, Campbellville (2 buildings) $25M, Lamaha Gardens $55M – Contact Diana:2272256; 626-9382 2 Storey concrete building, 7 bedrooms: 4 upstairs & 3 downstairs @ Paradise $5M negotiable Tel:6796377; 667-0064 House and land @ De’ Edward W.C.B – Tel:6892973 1 Newly built 2 storey concrete house @ Canal No#2 Belle West - Tel:6153333; 648-9428
Chain saw for land cleaning on the Highway – Call:6191077
PEN PAL Indian overseas seeking female – Call:661-3299; (No Text!)
One experienced hairdresser – Contact Magic Touch Beauty Salon – Tel:225-6492 MASSAGE The Gents Spa: Deep tissue, Swedish massages, sport massage, aromatherapy, body scrubs Call:657-5979 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499
(From page 28)
WANTED WANTED Urgently needed 2 plots of land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292 Do you need excavator operator 12 years experienced in mining , I’m Available Call:Tel:696-2510; 254-1874 Salesgirls & Porters. Apply with written application at Lot E Dennis & Middleton Street, Best Buy Food Supplies. One Domestic to do general domestic work – Age 45-50yrs to work at Montrose – Tel:6005253 Hire car driver need – Contact:611-2414 or 6938176 FOR SALE/RENT American pool table – Tel: 227-0578; 685-9714 FOR HIRE Bush Truck for hire - Tel: 6603400
1 Experienced Nail Technician (preferably Air Brush) @ Nalline Beauty Salon, Vreed-En-Hoop Junction – Contact:604-2900; 625-3899
Wallaba posts, greenheart and bullet wood lumber (milled sawn preferably) Tel: 600-5872; 600-1329 Sawmill workers - Tel: 6539752. Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 1 Ice-Cream van driver Ages 40yrs to 55yrs - Call: 218-3021 1 Female – Experienced in drawing cones from machine. Good wages – Tel:227-1830 Live in , live out babysitter – Tel:225-6070 2 Experienced salesgirl $15,000 per week – Call:2239677 Rangers. Must have experienced reading maps and using GPS Contact:223-5273/4 Live in waitress- Call:6439007/ 697-2978
TO LET One furnished studio apartment to rent - $50,000 per month: electricity & water include – Contact:227-3168 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6193660,639-4452
VACANCY 1 Female sales clerk. Qualifications and experienced needed - Call: 227-8894; 674-8833 1 Heavy duty mechanic; 2 handyman to work in the Interior - Contact:627-6416 Need a job? No Qualification needed! Do Gardening with us! Call: 648-1821 Cashiers and porters vacancy at Marcos Trading, experience would be an asset – Tel:225-9445 Factory Assistants and Security Guards for Land of Canaan location. 266 4427
Office worker wanted! Must be computer literate, friendly and speak well – Call:642-2028
Campbellville - $90,000, Queenstown - $US800, Atlantic Garden - US900 - Call Diana:227-2256; 626-9382 Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment located @ Timehri Call:658-4754 Ruimzeight Garden – 3 bedroom house: toilet, bathroom, fully furnished – Tel:269-1277; 667-2338 Top Flat - 3 bedroom @ Diamond - US$400 - Tel:6789835 1 -4 bedrooms house at Happy Acres, $300,000 per month – Call:231-7839 Campbellville -$90,000, Queenstown -$US800, BelAir - $US900 & Many More Contact Diana:227-2256; 6269382 Fully furnished rooms for foreigners in Diamond – Call:687-1392
3 Wash bay attendants in Georgetown – Tel:227-5169 One female cook for home in the interior contact:6816044 One mechanic must know about Perkins and Cummings to work interior Contact: 681-6044 Pump attendants and cashier @ Shell Mc Doom Gas Station - Call: 627-2550; 699-7782 1 Live in maid, 22 years & over. Home study correspondence certificate courses (upgrade) available. Preferably out of town - Tel: 680-7402 1 Domestic to do cleaning – Tel:227-2027 Experienced Cashiers to work @ supermarket on the East Coast, Age 25-50yrs Call: 642-1141 Live in Domestic must know to cook Indian dishes & live in waitress - $50,000 (boarding & lodging free) Tel: 610-5043 Experienced Roti, Puri cooks, cashier, counter servers, pastry makers, handyboys. Apply @ Hacks Halaal, Lot 5 Commerce Street. One maid – Tel:612-9570
Page 30
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
PM Gonsalves says medical marijuana Ukraine appeals to West debate is no election gimmick as Crimea turns to Russia KINGSTOWN St. Vincent case of St. Vincent and the existing harsh laws, - CMC – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says he hopes Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will make “more than baby steps” on the issue of the decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes when the matter is discussed here yesterday. Gonsalves, who is chairing the two-day CARICOM inter-sessional summit that began on Monday, said also that his push for the region to debate the decriminalization of the drug for medicinal purposes was not an election ploy. Gonsalves told Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat is scheduled to present a report to the leaders on the issue. The report will include suggested and alteration in the existing law which address proscription for social and religious uses. “But I am hoping that we take more than baby steps in addressing the issues,” he said. Gonsalves said that in the
Grenadines, although marijuana has in the past provided a livelihood for a number of persons, particularly “forest users”, the contribution to the economy, in his assessment, has not been significant.He said a significant contribution rises to the level of banana industry during its heyday as the main sector of the economy, tourism or remittances, which represent seven per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). He said that marijuana has no doubt contributed “here or there” to individual persons or communities in lifting themselves out of poverty and indigence. “On my side, we haven’t seen a significant contribution of this plant,” he said adding that given what is taking place globally, and particularly in the United States where 20 states have decriminalised marijuana for medical purposes, he will like to see CARICOM move in that direction. “Certainly, there is a case to be made to liberalize the
particularly for small quantities for personal or religious uses,” he said, noting that there are possibilities in the discourse that is taking places but there are challenges, which remain. He said the federal government in the United States, “which cannot be taken for granted”, still holds the line in accordance with the United Nation’s convention on psychotropic substances — that they should not be legalised. “So, all those are questions which will have to be addressed on an on-going basis,” he said, noting that Colorado made two million US dollars in revenue from the sale of medical marijuana. “It’s an idea, the time of which has come,” Gonsalves said. Asked to respond to his critics who say that the medical marijuana discussion that Gonsalves asked last year be placed on the agenda of CARICOM, he replied “I am almost two years away from an elections. In any event, good policy is good politics.
(Reuters) - Ukraine’s government appealed for Western help yesterday to stop Moscow annexing Crimea but the Black Sea peninsula, overrun by Russian troops, seemed fixed on a course that could formalise rule from Moscow within days. With their own troops in Crimea effectively prisoners in their bases, the new authorities in Kiev painted a sorry picture of the military bequeathed them by the proMoscow president overthrown two weeks ago. They announced the raising of a new National Guard to be drawn from volunteers among veterans. The prime minister, heading for talks at the White House and United Nations, told parliament in Kiev he wanted the United States and Britain, as guarantors of a 1994 treaty that saw Ukraine give up its Soviet nuclear weapons, to intervene both diplomatically and militarily to fend off Russian “aggression”. But despite NATO reconnaissance aircraft patrolling the Polish and Romanian borders and U.S. naval forces preparing for exercises in the Black Sea, Western powers have made clear that, as when exSoviet Georgia lost territory in fighting in 2008, they have no appetite for risking turning the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War into a military conflict with Moscow. Diplomacy seemed restricted to a war o f words. The U.S. and Russian foreign ministers did speak by telephone. But the U.S. State Department said Moscow’s position offered no room for negotiation and the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning U.S. financial aid to the “illegitimate regime” in Kiev, which it calls ultranationalists with “Nazi” links. Parliament in Kiev, whose position is backed by Western governments,
David Cameron
Barack Obama
dismisses plans for a referendum on Sunday to unite the region with Russia as illegitimate and resolved yesterday to dissolve Crimea’s regional assembly if by today it had not scrapped the plebiscite. There seems no chance that it will. Moscow, which to widespread scorn denies its troops have any role in the takeover of the once Russianruled region, says people in Crimea, a small majority of whom are ethnic Russians, should have the right to secede. It has made much of anti-Russian sentiment among some Ukrainian nationalists - though many native Russian speakers in Ukraine are wary of Putin. U.S. lawmakers are preparing sanctions against Russia and European Union leaders could impose penalties, such as bans on visas for key officials, as early as Monday. By then, however, Crimea could already have voted - in a referendum not recognised by Kiev or the West - to seek union with Russia. The ballot paper offers no option to retain the s t a t u s q u o o f autonomy within Ukraine. Voters among the two million population must choose either direct union with Moscow or restoring an old constitution that made Crimea sovereign with ties to Ukraine. On Tu e s d a y, t h e r e g i o n a l
assembly passed a resolution that a sovereign Crimea would sever links to Kiev and join Russia anyway. The Russian parliament has already approved the accession in principle of Crimea, which was handed to Ukraine by Soviet rulers 60 years ago. Still, it is not clear whether or how soon Putin would formalise such a union as he engages in a complex confrontation with the West for geostrategic advantage. In disputes with Georgia, Russia has granted recognition to small breakaway states on its borders, a process critics view as annexation in all but name. It fiercely criticised Western recognition of the independence of Kosovo from its ally Serbia - a process which Crimea’s parliament nonetheless cited as a legal precedent for i t s o w n forthcoming declaration of independence. There seems little chance that Crimea’s new leaders, who emerged after Yanukovich’s overthrow as Russian-backed forces took control of the peninsula, will fail to get the result they want. A boycott by ethnic Tatars, 12 percent of the regional population and deeply wary after centuries of persecution by Moscow, will have little effect as there is no minimum turnout.
Labour says to hold British EU vote only if more powers move to Brussels (Reuters) - A future Labour government would only hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union if more powers were transferred to Brussels, party leader Ed Miliband will say today. “I am announcing that the next Labour government will legislate for a new lock: there would be no transfer of powers from the UK to the EU without a referendum on our continued membership of the EU,” Miliband wrote in the Financial Times. “It is important to emphasise that there are no current proposals - from either the EU or any member state - for a further transfer of powers from Britain,” he said.
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Page 32
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Twelve teams to compete in New Era/ Atletico Madrid reach quarter-finals Cell Smart/Mackeson Futsal tourney The New Era/Cell Smart/ Mackeson Futsal Round Robin tournament kicked off last Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard court and ends March 22nd. According to organiser Aubrey Major Jr., $400,000 in prize monies is up for grabs. In the first game of the triple header, Retrieve Unknown won by a walk over.
The second game saw Go Getter FC losing to Top Bannas 1 - 4. In the final game, Bloomingdale Russians crippled the Young Ballers by 6 goals to 2. The second triple header was played on Sunday at the same venue with Pokerburg again losing by a walk over to Alikya. Hustlers really hustled goals in the nets of
Cosmos to end the game at the sound of the final whistle by a 9 – 0 margin. The last game of the evening saw the Guinness in the Street champions Silver Bullets defeating Top Bannas 7 - 1. The tournament continues at 19:00hrs tomorrow night at the same venue with another triple header.
Wednesday March 12, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): An argument with your partner could have you feeling very disheartened and somewhat depressed today, Aries. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 May 20): You might wake up this morning feeling a little less than your usual s e l f , Ta u r u s , a n d y o u might not be able to figure out why. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20): Today, Gemini, you might find yourself getting more irritated than you usually would at the quirks of friends, collea g u e s , p a r t n e r s , a n d children. Nerves could be frayed and tempers around you frazzled. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): Temporary difficulties at home might cause you to want to stay and resolve them rather than go to work or anywhere else. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Some rather unsettling communication s could come your way today, perhaps from out of state. This isn't likely to be anything serious, Leo, but it could be enough to put your nose a little out of joint. Changes in your neighborhood might interfere with your daily routine. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): Some minor money matters may need t o b e h a n d l e d t o d a y, Virgo, and you might find this irritating as you probably have other things you'd rather do. The situation could cause some petty friction with family members, but that will pass.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): The healing of a temporary rift with your partner is likely to take place today, with a lot of honest communication and more apologies than are necessary. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): The desire to go off by yourself and enjoy a little solitude is likely to be in conflict with the reality of your obligations today, Scorpio. You could find yourself spacing out at times and unable to concentrate on any tasks at hand, so try to stay focused. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Don't expect any creative projects to go smoothly today, Sagittarius. You could experience mental blocks that you find difficult to get beyond. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Obligations to others could incline you toward staying home today, Capricorn, but important career issues could pull you in to work. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Today you’re likely to feel torn in two different directions, Aquarius. A part of you could want to sequester yourself somewhere and read, while another part of you feels that you should get out, go somewhere, and do something. ********************* PISCES (Feb. 19 March 20):Minor difficulties over money could put you in a state of frustration. The problems aren’t Earthshaking, but they still need to be handled and could take up a lot of time that you’d rather spend doing something else.
From page 37 growing in belief that they can sustain their European campaign as well. Diego Simeone’s side have won 16 of their last 17 home matches in Europe, and few teams will relish facing them in the last eight. The exit of seven-time winners Milan means that there will be no Italian side in the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in five years. For all the talk of the attacking quality in Milan’s starting line-up, Atletico’s early energy and pressing looked like it would sweep through the visitors. They moved ahead on the night when Michael Essien
was robbed by Gabi on the touchline and Koke clipped a cross over for Costa to guide in on the volley. Garcia turned just past the post from a Koke free-kick as the home side continued to dominate. But gradually the Spaniards dropped deeper and Milan moved level when Andrea Poli lifted a cross to the far post and Kaka headed in. The Brazilian should have moved his team ahead on away goals shortly after that but turned the ball wide after being picked out by a cross from on-loan QPR man Adel Taarabt. Atletico restored their two-goal aggregate cushion when Turan’s shot looped up off Adil Rami and over
Christian Abbiati. The home side looked more comfortable playing on the break after the interval - and from a Milan corner, they almost killed the tie when Costa fed Gabi and the midfielder’s shot clipped the post. Mario Balotelli had a freekick deflected over and Robinho had an effort from a narrow angle pushed away by on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Any chance of a comeback was ended when Koke’s free-kick was headed in by Atletico captain Garcia. Costa made the scoreline even more comfortable when he latched on to a loose ball from Jose Sosa and thumped in a low cross-shot.
Champions Bayern... From page 35 restart when Ribery sneaked into the area and laid the ball off for Schweinsteiger to finish from eight metres. The referee surprisingly waved play on even though Podolski seemed to push Philipp Lahm in the area two minutes later and the Arsenal forward went on to hammer the ball home. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer then had to rush out of his box to head the ball clear after Tomas Rosicky tried to send Olivier Giroud clean through. Neuer had the home fans on edge again when he sent a clearance straight to Giroud but the Bundesliga leaders quickly regrouped.
2014 will be F1’s most exciting year says... From page 34 added: “I’m secretively more fired up than ever. Every year after the winter tests, you get to the first race and people say, ‘How do you feel?’ And you say, ‘I feel the best I’ve ever felt, the fittest I’ve ever been, blah, blah, blah.’ “Naturally you train through the winter to be in that place but you don’t always have the package to show all that work. “Every now and then you get a year where you’re able to use it. I’m hoping when we get to Australia it is that year and we’re able to show we’ve got the package to back it up with. “I feel ready. I have strong opponents, but I’m excited.” (BBCsport)
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Legends proud to help the Philippines A glittering array of star names was on show in Berne on Tuesday, parading their skills for a special cause at the city’s Stade de Suisse. The occasion? Not a FIFA World Cup™ match or even a UEFA Champions League encounter but the 11th edition of the Annual Match against Poverty, organised by Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo in association with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This year, the friends of Ronaldo and Zidane took on the friends of local outfit Young Boys, with the former enjoying an 8-6 victory. In total, close to 30 world-class talents took part in the event to help raise money for the Philippines, where Typhoon Haiyan claimed more than 6,000 lives last November. FIFA.com met up with a number of the illustrious players to speak about their involvement. And while each participant had his or her own reasons, all of them travelled with the firm intention of providing assistance. “When Ronaldo got everything started 11 years ago, we were in Switzerland as well – in Basel,” explained Zidane. “It’s nice to come back a decade on and I think it’s important to show solidarity at a time when we often think only of ourselves. We mustn’t forget to think of others too.” “We all know what football can achieve and
that’s why we’ve organised this match,” added Ronaldo. “We believe we can help keep a check on global poverty and maybe one day even eradicate it. I sincerely hope we’ll manage to send positive energy to the Philippines.” Typhoon Haiyan wreaked devastation in the South-east Asian island nation. Around 14 million people were affected in total, while six million workers lost their jobs and 30,000 buildings were destroyed. Among those moved by the disaster was Portugal legend Luis Figo, who did not hesitate to join Ronaldo and Zidane. “Everyone saw the images on television,” he said. “It was terrible. I can only imagine what those people went through and I feel proud to be here to help reduce their pain.” All the players present were quick to praise the two global icons behind the initiative. “What Zizou and Ronaldo have done is excellent: they’re thinking of other people, those less fortunate than themselves,” said Robert Pires. “That’s our role, and it’s vital that everyone does their bit and takes action for the Philippines, which was hit with full force. This is the 11th edition and I wish I had taken part in the other ten.” “I’m very happy to be here this year, especially as I missed the tenth edition last year,” added Steve McManaman. “It’s an
incredible feeling to be able to do a little something for people in need. You can’t just come to a match like this, play and then leave. It’s important to be involved.” FIFA promised to assist the Philippines in the wake of the typhoon and, on 4 December last year, the FIFA Finance Committee confirmed a special grant of $1 million USD towards the rebuilding of the country’s damaged football
infrastructure.In February, a FIFA delegation visited the scene of the disaster to assess damage and set objectives. Meanwhile, the UNDP – backed by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and the local association in Leyte – plans to open at least 20 clinics before the end of the year for children from the region traumatised by the catastrophe. Additional projects to aid around 10,000
children are also being developed. For ex-Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, it is important for players to engage with issues outside the bubble of professional football. “When you play, sometimes you have a tendency to concentrate on your career and your club, and you forget a little what’s happening in the world. UNITED NATIONS
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ALL STARS STARTING LINE-UP Antonios Nikopolidis (Greece), Michel Salgado (Spain), Fernando Hierro (Spain), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Paolo Maldini (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Zinedine Zidane (France), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic), Ronaldo (Brazil), Davor Suker (Croatia)
With the hope of inspiring women to acquire a love for the beautiful game and to commemorate International Women’s Day, CONCACAF.com spoke with two prominent personalities: Sonia Bien-Aime, General Secretary of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) and CONCACAF Executive Committee member, plus United States international Alex Morgan, the 2013 CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year. These women have played extraordinary roles in football on and off the field. Both have passion for the sport and envision a future full of opportunities for every girl in every country of the confederation. In 2013, Bien-Aime was appointed as one of two female co-opted members of the FIFA Executive Committee, following Lydia Nsekera’s election to a full seat. Her commitment to football is as discernible as it is resolute. “It’s evident that
CONCACAF is committed to improving women’s participation,” said BienAime. “Everything that’s been implemented is gearing towards the direction of creating opportunities for every single girl who wants to play the game to have an opportunity to play.” For CONCACAF women’s football, the next 18 months promise to be unforgettable. The 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be held in Costa Rica, March 15 – April 4. Canada will welcome the international football community to its shores twice, when it hosts the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Additionally, the inaugural CONCACAF Girls Under-15 Championship is scheduled take place this summer. “The growth of the women’s game has been remarkable and I’m certain that at the Women’s World Cup next year, more teams
than ever will have a chance to win that tournament,” said Morgan, who won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. “Just since I played in the U-20 World Cup in 2008, the talent level of the younger players coming up through the ranks from not only the USA, but all the top countries, has been a really positive sign for women’s soccer”. In order to continue building on the strengths of women’s sport, young girls need to be made aware that football presents genuine opportunity. They deserve to be inspired, so that they can envision a professional future that is robust with possibilities and career paths. “We have to pave the way and provide opportunities for all girls in our region to be able to play,” said Bien-Aime, a former athlete that represented her country internationally in track and field, softball and as the captain of the women’s national football team. “First,
we have to educate girls. We have to make them aware of every single opportunity within the football world.” According to Bien-Aime, young women, parents and stakeholders should know there that are significant prospects i n f o o t b a l l beyond the playing field. “It starts from grassroots and obviously CONCACAF has a very serious grassroots program,” expressed Bien Aime, Deputy Chair of the Women’s Technical Committee and member of the Women’s Championship Committee at CONCACAF. “However, we have to make them know that outside of the playing arena, there are opportunities in the administrative sector. “Education is the main key.” In addition to promoting education, women’s football can become deeply rooted within a society by providing its most visible product – the national team – with appropriate resources and, as a result, exposure. “Giving
more attention and financial effort toward the country’s respective female national teams is the best way to develop a culture of supporting women’s football in general throughout that country,” commented Morgan. For Member Associations to gain from CONCACAF programs, BienAime believes that they need to be thoughtful and strategic in the process of setting goals. “We really have to focus on the importance of playing the sport, and recognize how the sport continues to grow globally and locally,” said Bien-Aime. ”If we are serious about improving the standards of our respective Member Associations, we will embrace all of the opportunities available for the development of administrators, coaches, referees and players, and this should no doubt serve as a motivational factor and encourage Member Associations to support and work along with
CONCACAF.” Women’s sport is on an upward trajectory for long-term growth. Looking ahead, CONCACAF is energized by what the future holds as it plays a role in fortifying its members through educational and development courses. ”If I look at how far the game has come since the 1999 Women’s World Cup,” enthused Morgan, “I can be nothing but optimistic about the future.” As football evolves in this region, Bien-Aime clearly wants to be part of the current changes at CONCACAF. “There is no doubt that this is a new CONCACAF,” she concluded. “We still have miles to go, but the strides made over such a very short period of time is making us a better Confederation. We are supporting Member Associations with first-class and effective football administration for the years to come. Once all these initiatives are implemented, the talent will come.”
An all-star cast of former players played in the 11th Match against Poverty
Women’s Football: A world of opportunity
Page 34
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
CONCACAF Launches EducationWade carries Heat late, Based Protocol to Fight Match-Fixing Miami tops Wizards 99-90 - players, coaches and officials to be targeted Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has introduced a blanket prevention initiative in the ongoing fight against match manipulation, launching an education program for the benefit of players, coaches and officials participating in CONCACAF championships at all age levels. The program, titled “Protect Yourself and Keep Your Sport Clean,” debuted at this year ’s CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in the Cayman Islands. There, all members of the eight participating delegations – over 200 players and officials in total – were provided with valuable guidance and resources directed at identifying and preventing outside attempts to manipulate matches and compromise results. “Match manipulation is a global scourge that we at CONCACAF take very seriously, and are fighting aggressively,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “Under the weight of initiatives such as
this one, we are convinced that match fixers will now think twice before interfering in the game we all love – or else, they will face the consequences.” The prevention-oriented program, to be incorporated into the team arrival meetings held for each nation and club team before every CONCACAF Championship beginning with last month’s women’s under-20 tournament, delineates key points of the battle against manipulation in sport, including how to identify and deal with potential match fixers. At the Women’s Under-20 Championship in January, CONCACAF Director of Sports Integrity Dr. Laila Mintas addressed all eight teams, explaining the perils of falling into league with match fixers. While criminals intent on match manipulation have sometimes gotten away with their crimes in the past, implicated players worldwide have faced harsh penalties including fines, bans, and even imprisonment. “Every player and every official that is part of the football family has the
responsibility to help keep football clean from any negative impact,” said Webb. “The goal of this initiative is to enlist our players, coaches and officials as allies in the fight against illicit activities.” The new, pre-tournament i n t e g r i t y process guides players, coaches and officials in grasping the threat of match fixing – defined as any act influencing the course or result of a match, contrary to sporting ethics. To that end, the program reinforces regulations which outlaw betting on football matches by players and officials, as well as forbidding the communication of sensitive inside information to anyone outside the club. Players, coaches and officials in the region are also informed of their own responsibility to immediately report to CONCACAF’s Sports Integrity Department any activities related to match fixing or manipulation. Additionally, and along with players and officials, anyone with information on match-fixing activity may report anonymously to Integrity@CONCACAF.org.
2014 will be F1’s most exciting year says Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton hopes the new Formula 1 season will see the end of Red Bull’s domination and “be the most exciting year” for some time. The Mercedes driver admitted he was tired of watching Sebastian Vettel keep winning for Red Bull. “One team destroying it for four years, having your ass whupped so badly, is not good for the sport,” he said. “You want a championship that goes to the wire. I hope the changes enable that to happen this year.” F1 is introducing its biggest rule changes for a generation this season, with new turbo hybrid engines, a fuel limit and a reduction in aerodynamic downforce. Hamilton, who heads into this weekend’s seasonopening race in Australia as favourite, said in an exclusive BBC Sport interview: “I’ve been flying through all these different airports and bumping into someone from a different country and they’ll say: ‘I used to watch F1 but I don’t watch it anymore.’ “And I’ll say: ‘This is the year you need to watch because this is such a new
Lewis Hamilton
year. So much is changing. So it’s really going to be the most exciting year for any fan who is currently watching or who wants to start watching.’” Mercedes have been the most impressive team in preseason testing, completing the most miles, while Red Bull have had a torrid time with poor reliability and lacking performance from their Renault engine. Hamilton warned not to write Red Bull off, but added his voice to those predicting a revival for the once-great Williams team, who have struggled in recent years. “Fundamentally, I think Red Bull still have an amazing car,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll have a better engine than
them, which will help a lot. “Ferrari seem strong. They will undoubtedly be strong competitors. “More surprising is people like Williams. They’ve now got our engine and they now have a competitive package and I think they’re going to be a real head-turner this year. I’m really excited for them. “And McLaren are back, so it’s going to be a great battle.” Hamilton said he enters the season feeling better than ever before. “I feel I am the best prepared and I’m equipped with the tools I need to be even better than I have been in the past,” he said. The 2008 world champion (Continued on page 32)
Washington Wizards’ Otto Porter (22) forces Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) to pass the ball
Miami (AP) - LeBron James set the tone pregame. Dwyane Wade took over in the fourth quarter. And the Miami Heat got a win they desperately wanted. Wade scored 13 of his 22 points in the final period and led a critical 12-0 run down the stretch, James led all scorers with 23 points and the Heat clinched a playoff spot by beating the Washington Wizards 99-90 on Monday night to snap a three-game losing streak. Chris Bosh scored 22 for the Heat (44-17), who moved within one game of Indiana (46-17) in the race for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and 1 1/2 games behind San Antonio (46-16) for the league’s best record. Ray Allen added 13 for Miami, which was coming off a trip where it lost at Houston, San Antonio and Chicago, the last of those coming in a late collapse on Sunday. Wade hasn’t typically played backto-backs this season. He did this time, and the Heat simply rolled with him in the final minutes on the way to avoiding what would have been their first four-game slide since 2011. Bradley Beal scored 18 points, Martell
Webster added 17 and Drew Gooden scored 15 for the Wizards. Marcin Gortat finished with 14 points and a career-high-tying 18 rebounds - 10 of them in the first quarter alone. John Wall finished with eight assists for Washington who led 84-83 midway through the fourth, when Wade took over. A three-point play put Miami ahead to stay and he then had assists on Miami’s next three baskets - a short jumper and then a 3-pointer from Bosh, then a layup by James. Wade capped the run with a score of his own, on the way to his first 13-point, threeassist fourth quarter since Feb. 18, 2009. His 13 in the fourth marked his highestscoring quarter this season, and came with him playing consecutive days for the first time since Jan. 4 and 5. It was only the third time all season he’s appeared in both nights of a back-to-back. Both teams shot only nine free throws; despite being in attack mode, James didn’t shoot one for the second straight game, just the second time that’s happened in his career, the first coming in December 2003, early in his rookie season.
James went scoreless for a stretch of nearly 15 minutes in the first half, and still easily led everyone with 19 points by intermission. The entirety of his first-half scoring came in two impressive spurts three 3-pointers in as many tries over a span of 2:43 early in the game, then 10 straight Heat points in a stretch of 3:23 late in the half. Miami’s lead was 12 early in the third before Washington went on a 10-0 run, with Gortat scoring the first eight and Trevor Booker’s jumper getting the Wizards within 59-57. And after Miami rebuilt the lead to seven, Washington took off on another quick burst, this one enough to give the Wizards their first lead since 1-0.In less than 2 minutes, Washington outscored Miami 11-0, Webster scoring six in 25 seconds. He head-faked James in the air to start what became a four-point play, then had an alley-oop dunk off a Wall pass on the next possession as Washington took a 65-64 lead. Allen had two 3’s for the Heat late in the third, and it was 73-all entering the fourth. The Wizards scored only 17 points in the final 12 minutes.
Lionel Messi has been named by the Municipal Government of Buenos Aires as the ambassador of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in the Argentinian capital. Speaking after the announcement, Mauricio Macri, the head of the government, said he was delighted to have the support of the Barcelona star: “It is an honour for us, the people of Buenos Aires, to have
Messi on our team and for him to help us preach the values of sport and social development to young people. He is an idol the world over, an example for people to follow and the perfect professional. He is a wonderful role model that youngsters can look up to and take inspiration from.” The agreement reached with the player, who will now be the face of the 2018 Youth
Olympic Games, form part of a wider partnership agreement that the Municipal Government of Buenos Aires has signed with the Leo Messi Foundation. The entire financial contribution made by the municipal authorities to the Foundation will go towards social initiatives promoting the development of local communities and encouraging children and teenagers to play sport.
Messi named 2018 Youth Olympic Games ambassador
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 35
Shevon Gittens prevails as Cheddi Champions Bayern ease past Jagan Memorial Race Walk concludes Arsenal despite penalty miss
Shevon Gittens, a student from the President’s College, walked strategically and eventually claimed the Khursuid Sattaur trophy when the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) staged the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Race Walk event Sunday March 9 last. Samuel Saul walked in second while Dyral Sancho clinched the third place spot. Two females, Isanella Patoir and Twedale Marks sealed off the two top spots respectively. Walkers commenced the journey in front of the President’s College, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, at 06:30hrs
and proceeded to the village market before returning to the place of origin for the finish. Gittens showed some measure of consistency after she had captured the Ming’s Products and Services trophy in the Forbes Burnham Anniversary Race Walk at the same venue earlier in the month; she had out-walked a field of over fifty participants. The second and third place finishers in that race were Samuel Saul and Dyral Sancho, respectively. Walkers also competed for prizes donated by Ansa Mcal and Modem Optical Services. Meanwhile, race walkers will be in action once
again on Sunday March 16 next when their parent body stages the final event in observance of the late head of state. They will convene at the Bank of Guyana and proceed along Main Street up to the Cheddie Jagan Research Institute for the finish. The following day, the walkers will travel up the East Bank to the Soesdyke community to engage in a 10K race, this time for junior athletes. The race starts at Calvin Gilkes’ residence, Back Road Soesdyke, proceeds around the periphery of the village and returns to that point for the finish.
NOC registers consecutive wins Host New Opportunity Corps (NOC) Under-19 team registered successive victories over Charity Secondary School in two limited overs matches played on Saturday last on the Essequibo Coast. The home team won the first game which was of 25 overs duration by 9 wickets. Charity batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 104 in 20.4 overs. Opener Wayne Fernandes scored 30 (3x4) and Arnold Wells supported with 18. Nelon Codogan
snared 2 for 15 from 5 overs while Akieni Adams claimed 2 for 19. In reply NOC reached their target for the lost of one wicket in 18 overs. Vice Captain David Williams led with 39 (4x4 1x6) while Alex Etwaroo and Sachin Persaud made 16 each; extras contributed a healthy 34. NOC won the second encounter which was a 15over affair by six wickets. Charity took first strike and were bowled out for 64 in 13 overs. Joseph Ally 15(2x4) and
Suraj Jagmohan 12 (2x4) were the only batsmen that made it into double figures. Codogan was chief destroyer with 3 for 12 off 3 overs while Norman Singh snared 2 for 6 off 2 overs. NOC scored 65-4 in 12 overs in response. David Belgrave made 16 (1x6), Sachin Persaud and Norman Singh chipped in with 14 and 10 respectively; Kesho Rooplall grabbed 3 for 17 from 3 overs. The games were organized as part of the NOC cricket development programme.
Reuters - Normal service resumed at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells yesterday when Novak Djokovic safely booked his place in the fourth round. The Serbian had a little hiccup when he dropped the second set of his match with Colombia’s Alejandro Gonzalez but was otherwise untroubled in winning 6-1 3-6 6-1. While he was not at his best, Djokovic did at least survive to fight another day in the Californian desert after the shock losses of Rafa Nadal and Maria Sharapova the previous night. Djokovic’s next opponent is the big-serving Croatian Marin Cilic, who recorded his 20th win this season with a 64 6-3 over Spain’s Tommy Robredo. While Robredo lost, three of his countrymen all advanced with Fernando Verdasco upsetting world number nine Richard Gasquet of France 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 to leave Djokovic as the only top-10 player left in the bottom half of the men’s draw.
Roberto Bautista Agut held his nerve to beat Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen 6-2 4-6 7-6 (8-6) before Feliciano Lopez joined the Spanish Armada with a 1-6 6-3 6-4 defeat of Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan. In the women’s draw, Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic ended her five-match losing streak to Denmark’s Carolina Wozniacki when she reeled off 10 consecutive games to win 6-3 6-1 and advance to
the quarter-finals. R o m a n i a ’s S i m o n a Halep also qualified for the last eight with a hardfought 6-2 1-6 6-4 win over C a n a d a ’s Eugenie Bouchard after trailling 4-3 in the deciding set. Halep’s next match will be against the Australian qualifier Casey Dellacqua, who got a walkover to the quarterfinals after her American Lauren Davis retired with gastrointestinal illness.
Djokovic eases into fourth round at Indian Wells
Bastian Schweinsteiger fires home to make it 1-0 to the defending European champions Reuters - Arsenal ended Bayern Munich’s long winning streak when they held the Bavarians to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League on Tuesday but it was not enough to stop the holders reaching the quarterfinals 3-1 on aggregate. Bastian Schweinsteiger put Bayern ahead in the 55th minute of the last-16 second leg but Lukas Podolski stunned the Allianz Arena when he fired into the roof of the net two minutes later. Podolski’s goal gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope although the Germans played keep-ball
in the closing stages as the visitors ran out of gas. Bayern had won 13 games in a row in all competitions since a 3-2 home defeat by Manchester City in the Champions League in December. They could have made it 14 victories in succession but substitute Thomas Mueller had a stoppage-time penalty saved by Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Bayern spent most of the first half probing a resilient Arsenal defence that just about managed to hold out. It was always touch and go
for the Londoners especially when Franck Ribery ran free down the left and sent the ball into the middle where Arjen Robben failed to connect properly. Javi Martinez had a goal disallowed for offside in the 26th minute and Robben had two dangerous efforts cut out by defenders as Bayern tried to turn the screw. Fabianski came to the rescue when he got down to save Mario Goetze’s low shot seconds before the break. Bayern finally broke through 10 minutes after the (Continued on page 32)
Jamaica edge Leewards in 4-Day thriller Basseterre, St Kitts Jamaica kept their composure at a most crucial hour to edge the Leeward Islands in a modern-day classic, Regional 4-Day tournament climax at Warner Park. It’s the type of match that breathes indomitable life into the longest format of the game, whether be it at First Class or Test level. Either way, this was the perfect match for neutrals watching via windiescricket.com, Jamaicans following live updates @WindiesRegional back in Kingston and beyond, or the local supporters that turned out to see the hosts play. The match could have swung anyway at the start of the fourth and final day. Captain Kieran Powell and wicket-keeper, Devon Thomas were both at the crease, sharing in an unbroken stand of 77 runs. Resuming on 53, Thomas continued solidly batting on the final morning. Powell also looked quite good as both batsmen continued to build a competitive lead that the Jamaicans would eventually have to chase as their target. Thomas seemed in line for a century, but when on 94, he made an error in judgement, playing back and across to Jamie Merchant, and was out
Leg Before Wicket. It brought an end to his two-hour long stay at the crease. He had faced 127 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six. The wicket brought another quick one for the Jamaicans who battled back to try to dismiss the hosts. Powell seemed the only obstacle in their way. He too, seemed on course for a century, but he too, would fall short. On 86, he danced down the track to Nikita Miller, who tossed the ball up, only to not make contact, and Carlton Baugh did the rest in dislodging the bails. Powell had batted for 235 balls, hitting ten boundaries. The Leewards would eventually fold for 246, setting Jamaica a target of 218 runs for victory. They had a first innings deficit of 29 runs to pay. John Campbell followed up his first innings century with 4-15. Jamaica lost Horace Miller early in their chase but Campbell and Nkrumah Bonner built a crucial second wicket partnership. They took the visitors to Tea on 67-1, with one session remaining in the match. Jamaica needed 151 runs from 26 overs, which were left in the day’s play. The Leewards struck with the wicket of Bonner (30) soon into the final session of
the match. Then Campbell (43) followed him and Jamaica were in trouble at 90-3. That soon became four wickets down as Jamaica captain, Tamar Lambert, failed to fire. Promoted up the order, Jerome Taylor made a quick 24 that would help the visitors’ push for victory. He didn’t stay long though and the match got more tense as the night wore on and wickets fell at regular intervals. Jermaine Blackwood had played a key role in anchoring the latter part of the chase, getting to 19 runs. When he was out, Baugh took over that role. But the balls just kept lowering as quickly as runs required decreased. The game had come down mighty close. Needing ten runs from 12 balls, Merchant hit a massive six then back-drove straight down the ground for four to take the Jamaicans home by three wickets. The Leewards couldn’t believe it. They had been on the losing end of a thriller. Final scores: Leeward Islands 1st Innings: 205/6 (90 Overs). Jamaica 1st Innings: 351 All Out (106.5 Overs). Leeward Islands 2nd Innings: 117/3 (37 Overs). Jamaica 2nd Innings: 218/7 (37.5 Overs).
Page 36
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Sammy seals series for West Indies West Indies outmuscled England to win the T20 series 2-0 with one to play courtesy of a five-wicket win with seven balls to spare at Kensington Oval. England worked hard to hang in the game, especially with the ball, but West Indies struck 11 sixes to England’s six and ultimately their extra power proved impossible to contain. The big beast, Chris Gayle, who only a few days ago had been wondering about the state of his glutes, commandeered West Indies’ innings with five gluteus maximus’, three of them flying onto the roof of the stands and out of the ground. James Tredwell risked a cricked neck as he watched three sail skywards, but still only conceded 27: the West Indies, did not bother themselves with too many singles. But Ravi Bopara, at his most sagacious with the ball, turned in a commendable spell, 10 runs conceded from four overs of devil’s confetti to equal England’s most economical full spell in T20, and had Gayle outwitted, chopping on for 36 from 30 balls. West Indies, having patted Bopara back with no sense of urgency, had seven wickets intact and 37 to get from four overs , but the immensity of the task
suddenly dawned on them when Tim Bresnan dismissed Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell to leg-side catches in successive balls. The final fusillade came from Darren Sammy, an unbeaten 30 from only nine balls with the rope cleared three times: so much for a tricky target of 31 from the last three overs. “Good momentum… we’re looking good,” said Sammy. Nobody could question that. He mullered some attempted yorkers from Jade Dernbach and Bresnan over the ropes and he will go to Bangladesh as a Captain content about his own game. The statistical advantage of batting first in T20Is at this ground - 11 wins from 14 before now - is not quite as daunting as it was. England’s recognisably dud start - 26 for 3 in five overs - had much to do with that. This match, well contested unlike West Indies’ 27-run victory two days earlier, probably illustrated what awaits these sides in World T20 in Bangladesh. West Indies, the defending champions, will produce most of the crowdpleasing moments; England, champions before them, will sneak little advantages where they can, and hope to win matches on the blindside.
Krishmar Santokie claimed his best T20 international figures of 4 for 21 © Getty Images Without West Indiesstyle power at their disposal, England have little to be relaxed about, but there is always the Jos stick to turn to. Jos Buttler hit out with good effect, replacing the stench of another top-order collapse with something more appealingly scented. His 67 from 43 balls was his best in T20Is and such is his growing importance to this England side, it was surprising to reflect that this was only his second T20 half-
century, his speciality until recently being limited to violent forays down the order. It is a fair assumption that as England have agonised about how to gather themselves ahead of World T20, Krishmar Santokie, a 29year-old Jamaican, has not occupied their thoughts. But it was Santokie who returned 4 for 21 in only his fourth T20 and who collected the Manof-the-Match award while much of the crowd chatted about the six-hitting exploits
of Gayle and Sammy. Santokie was the nonetoo-tall left-arm seamer who had replaced Sunil Narine, West Indies’ star bowling asset for the World T20, but rested after he had tested his strained knee gingerly alongside the physio in a manner that will have done nothing to calm West Indies’ fears about his fitness, even if Sammy optimistically predicted that he might be back for the final match tomorrow. But Santokie proved to be a wily old bird. First there was the devilish low full toss which Michael Lumb played all around to be lbw (there were theories he might have got a nick but he should have middled it). Then Moeen Ali played so far outside a slower offcutter he was not in the same parish. He returned late in the innings with two more body blows, not just adding Buttler but also dismissing Bopara, who miscued to longoff. Moeen was one of two England debutants as they rebalanced their seamdominated side in the opening match - Lancashire’s left-arm spinner Stephen Parry was the other - but England’s stand-in captain Eoin Morgan, in charge in place of Stuart Broad, who has tendonitis in his knee,
rejected suggestions that England had particular problems against spin, suggesting that they struggled at the top of the innings “regardless of what we have faced.” Morgan did fall to spin, his top-edged sweep against Samuel Badree plopping to deep square leg. England finished the powerplay in disarray at 30 for 3. “It’s been a concern for a while now,” Morgan said, “but there is only one way to do it: we have to remain positive.” There was much desperate thrashing by Buttler and Alex Hales before it got better, most comically when Ramdin dropped Hales on 15 when he called for a skier heading down to third man and failed to lay a glove on the ball. By midway, England were 61 for 3 on a flat deck, before Hales and Buttler eventually found a release, extending their stand to 76 in nine overs - Sammy’s solitary over, which cost 17, their major solace. Hales fell in the deep for 40, a nodding acquaintance with his best form, no more than that, and a prolonged shower disrupted England’s innings with Buttler in full swing. Even though they scrambled 43 from the last 33 deliveries a workaday total proved to be within West Indies’ range.
Treacle wins again in another dominating performance Treacle of the Milton Dookie Stable, Cane Grove, Mahaica and trained by Fazal Habibulla, continued to set tongues wagging when it defeated a top class field to claim the feature C and Lower event at the Rising Sun Turf Club / Shariff Business Enterprise and Racing Stable One-Day Horserace Meet on Sunday last at Arima Park. Treacle, imported from Trinidad about two years ago and carrying a weight of 108 pounds with Jockey Randolph Richmond on the perch, came through with a burst of speed to capture the $1M and Banks DIH trophy. Treacle, recorded its third win for the year and ninth overall in an unbeaten run to date. The 10 horses were off to a quiet start as they raced out of the starting gates in the 1400M event. Country Armagh, Red and Lovely and Swing Easy took the early lead. By the half way mark the animals were going at a terrific speed with Country Armagh pointing them. Into the far turn, Treacle with Richmond urging it on made a move and by the time
the animals had hit the homestretch it was Treacle that took charge, surging forward at a frenetic pace. Swing Easy threatened, but Treacle held strong to put them in its dust as it romped home with ease ahead of Country Armagh, Swing East and the fast finishing California Strike for the victory. Appealing Harvest of the Jumbo Jet stable with Colin Ross on mount won the E and Lower 1400M event and the $400,000 prize from Damascus Dream, Fresh Again and Ferry Landing. The event for four-yearold Guyana and West Indies bred horses was won by Princess Alicia of the Jumbo Jet Stable taking the $400,000 ahead of stable mate, Its My Turn, Silent Night and Wild Grinder. Unsettled of the Inshan Bacchus Stable with Trinidadian Nicolas Patrick continued its winning ways, scoring another victory in the three-year-old Guyana and West Indies Bred animals race from Today is My Day and Shooting Star third. The win was worth $400,000.
Princess Alicia of the Jumbo Jet stable is all alone with Colin Ross winning the 4-year-old event. The G3 and Lower event saw 14 animals competing and it was Rosetta of the Jumbo Jet Stable with Ross again in control that gave that entity its third win in the 1100M. Ferry Landing touched down second ahead of She So Special and Gold Rush for the $300,000 top
prize. It was a cool win for Easy of the Dookie Stable with Richmond in control to give that entity its second victory of the day in the ‘I’ and Lower 1100M contest ahead of Mary Ann and Famous Pride for the $250,000 winner’s money. The J and Lower 1100M event saw
De Gump taking charge to win the $180,000 purse from Windy Killer and Famous Pride. The Champion Jockey award was taken by Colin Ross with the Jumbo Jet Stable awarded the top Stable accolade; Deonarine ‘Black Boy’ Ramroop was declared
the most successful Trainer. They were all rewarded compliments of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the organisers. Close to 70 horses took part in the day’s activity which had $8.5M in cash and trophies up for grabs. (Samuel Whyte)
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 37
Arena Amazonia inaugurated in Manaus Afghanistan sign former PNG
coach for new academy
Arena Amazonia
Under Peter Anderson’s leadership, PNG finished fourth in the World Cup Qualifiers and were subsequently awarded ODI status © ICC
As the countdown continues to the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the latest venue has been unveiled by the host nation. On Sunday March 9, a quarter-final clash in the Copa Verde (a competition for clubs from Brazil’s northern region) between Amazonas side Nacional and Para outfit Remo was the setting for the inauguration of the Arena Amazonia in Manaus. With a capacity of 40,000 for World Cup games, the venue will host four groupstage fixtures: the eagerly awaited clash of England and Italy in Group D on June 14; the meeting of Croatia and Cameroon in Group A on June 18; USA versus Portugal in Group G on June 22, as well as Switzerland-Honduras in Group E three days later.
While Sunday’s 2-2 draw and consequent elimination from the competition was not the result Nacional supporters were hoping for, there was the consolation of now having an ultra-modern stadium with levels of safety, convenience and spectator comfort to rival some of the finest venues in the world. It is also a stadium inspired by Amazonian traditions, its outer shell resembling a straw basket typical of the region. Then there are the seats, coloured in shades of yellow, orange and coral, to represent the diversity of fruits indigenous to the Amazon. The importance placed on spectator comfort is evident both in the stadium’s design and choice of materials. For example, a special skin on the roof membrane allows a high
degree of heat absorption, ensuring the temperature inside the stadium is lower than that outside. The Arena Amazonia was built on the site of the old Vivaldao, the stadium that 77-year-old Pedro Hermogenes long frequented as a fan of Rio Negro, another of the region’s established sides. Not in attendance to cheer on rivals Nacional, it was a case of coming to the game to see the ‘new home’ for himself. “I came to see what the stadium was like,” said Hermogenes. “I followed the construction work and was curious to see how it turned out. It’s completely different to the Vivaldao – it’s spectacular. I hope Manaus can take advantage of the venue to bring more tourists to the city.”
Atletico Madrid reach quarter-finals
Afghanistan have roped in the former Papua New Guinea Coach, Peter Anderson, as the Coach of the newly established National Cricket Academy in Kabul. Anderson, who has played 56 first-class matches for Queensland and South Australia, had served as the coach of PNG for the past two years during which he oversaw the development of the U-17, U-19, Women’s and Men’s national teams. “I am very excited to be involved in helping ACB on its journey to full Test Cricket status,” Anderson said. “Afghanistan have some of the most talented, naturally gifted players in the world. Hopefully, I can help the
players and coaches achieve their goals of more consistent cricket performances across all specific skills of cricket through my role as National Academy Coach.” The new role will entail coaching coaches, talent identification, improving specific skills, cricket awareness and assisting teams in preparation for tournaments and broadly, Anderson said, “setting up a structure, so the Academy becomes an important part of the cricket pathway in Afghanistan, from school cricket, U-19, “A” Team all the way to the National Team.” During his tenure, PNG rose from 19th to 16th in the world rankings. PNG also finished fourth in the recently
concluded World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand as a result of which, they gained ODI status and ICC high performance funding for the next four years. Under Anderson’s leadership, PNG also maintained their top ranking in the EAP (East Asia Pacific) region, winning all their regional tournaments. “We are pleased to be welcoming a person of Peter Anderson’s caliber to head our new National Cricket Academy,” Noor Mohammad Murad, the Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive, said. “He brings to us years of experience in the cricket world both in Australia and internationally.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Australia, South Africa in four-Test talks Diego Costa
Diego Costa kept up a record of scoring in every Champions League game he has played this season as Atletico Madrid beat AC Milan to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1997. The striker, who scored the only goal of the first leg,
volleyed in Koke’s cross after two minutes. Kaka’s header pulled one back but Arda Turan scored with a deflected effort. Raul Garcia headed in a third before Costa found the bottom corner from 10 yards with five minutes left. Costa, who recently made his Spain
debut, has hit seven goals in five Champions League appearances this season, and has scored 29 times in all competitions. Having matched Real Madrid and Barcelona all season in La Liga, where they sit second, Atletico will be (Continued on page 32)
Australia and South Africa are in talks to expand the size of their future Test series meetings from three matches to four, following the dramatic and high quality series completed at Newlands last week. As part of the range of FTP agreements being negotiated between ICC Full Member nations following the approval of a series of resolutions that will bring fundamental changes to the way the game is run, Cricket Australia’s chairman Wally Edwards said there was a desire to recognise highly competitive match-ups by playing them over a longer duration. Australia’s 2-1 victory remained in doubt until the final half-hour of the series following an encounter of many fluctuations. Edwards is strong in his desire to see such contests become more frequent in world cricket, not only among the
presently strong nations but also those looking to improve. Australia and South Africa have played Test series of three matches in every meeting but one since the latter’s readmission to international cricket in 1992. The previous series in South Africa in 2011 was shortened to two matches, a decision CA expressed some disappointment about at the time. Under the commitments made by Australia and England to play each of the top eight nations at home and away over an eight-year period, the boards will also work to find additional windows for fixtures against lower-ranked nations, which had been increasingly marginalised in recent years.
Edwards acknowledged that Australia may consequently return to the scheduling of international matches in the Northern Territory and Queensland during the winter months in
order to better accommodate their new obligations. It is also believed that South Africa’s future series with India may also be played over four Tests, rather than the two their most recent encounter was shrunk down to following a period of considerable doubt about the BCCI consenting to tour at all. That stand-off was emblematic of the troubles Edwards had witnessed at the ICC since his arrival on the executive board as a reformminded CA chairman in 2012. He has spoken to ESPNcricinfo about the pathway from the rejection of the Woolf Report to the current resolutions, and about the difficulty of achieving meaningful change at the ICC following his successful campaign to streamline Australian cricket’s governance and add independent voices to the CA board table. (ESPNcricinfo)
Page 38
Kaieteur News
New engine will make me faster - Persaud
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Annual Schools Football Academy
Officials prepare for grand launching this weekend
Local speedster Danny Persaud (left) looks on attentively as team mechanics continue work on the new car. Outfitted with a new 1800cc Turbo engine and a sequential gear box, Group 4 racer Danny Persaud expects the machine to be faster and more competitive for the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) March 23 Race Meet set for the South Dakota Circuit. Persaud, who drives a Mazda Miata, speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday at the team’s garage on Garnett Street, expressed optimism about the car’s anticipated improved speed, adding that the increased horsepower is certain to boost his chances of doing well. “The installation of the new engine should provide me with more power and of
the two cars that I have this one is better prepared, we started much earlier than usual and I expect to be very competitive,” Persaud told this newspaper. The effervescent driver, who participated in seven races at the November 2013 Caribbean Motor racing Championship and produced some creditable results informed that he is once again hoping to have a busy day come race day and fans could expect a special display from him. He rated former champions Mark Vieira and Andrew King, current champion Kevin Jeffrey and Irfaan Kalamadeen as those who he will have to fight hard to defeat.
“These guys have some very fast cars, but I’ve shown repeatedly that I could mix it up with them given the right machine which I certainly feel that I have now,” the diminutive racer said. Persaud informed that his preparations started very early and he is eager to finish off total preparations to have enough seat time and make the necessary adjustments if needed. The local speedster is planning to compete in both the Group 3 and 4 categories so fans could expect him to be vying for top honours. Persaud extended thanks to Banks DIH under its Banks Beer product and Buy Me Auto Sales for their support over the years.
Corporate 15-15 cricket set for Malteenoes on Phagwah day As part of its efforts to raise funds for its developmental drive, Malteenoes Sports Club which had a record seven players in the 1987 National Under-19 team which toured Jamaica, will be hosting a Corporate 15-15 Cricket Tournament sponsored by Noble House Seafoods, Star Party Rental and Friends of Malteenoes on Monday March 17 at the Club ground commencing at 09.00hrs. Monday is a National Holiday celebrating the Hindu festival of Phagwah. This tournament, which is being held to foster camaraderie and encourage physical activity among Corporate Guyana, will see companies such as Wartsila Operations Guyana Inc, Qualfon Guyana, The Upper
Level Barbers and The National Park BBC, which comprises a group of entrepreneurs and media officials who come together daily at the National Park for physical activity, competing for the Noble House Seafoods Trophy. Each of these teams will be graced with the presence of some guest cricketers to bolster its ranks. Among the notables are Colin Stuart and Kellon Carmaichael (Qualfon), Lennox Cush and Jermaine Neblette (Upper Level Barbers), Roderick Lovel and Paul Castello (Nat Park BBC) and Neil Barry, Sean Holder and Troy Lewis (Wartsila). Take-away lunch will be on sale as the club continues to raise funds for its on-going rehabilitation works. The Malteenoes Sports
Club was founded in 1902 by a Barbadian tailor named Ferdinand Archer and has produced one West Indies Test player in fast bowler Colin Stuart. However, the club which celebrates its 112th anniversary this year has two more Test players (John Trim and Clayton Lambert) although they were products of Berbice clubs Port Mourant and Bermine respectively. The pair, along with pacer Barrington Browne, who represented the West Indies in ODIs and leftarm-spinner Rex Collymore, who toured with the Test team without playing a Test match, all played for Malteenoes, while female West Indies player Indomattie Gordial also represented the Thomas Lands club in women’s cricket.
Twenty four schools comprising male and female footballers will don gears in fierce competition when the Guyana Sports Development Foundation Inc. (GDSF) in collaboration with Scotiabank and the Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) stages the 4th Annual Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy at the Ministry of Education Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue Thomas Lands, Saturday March 15 next. Consequently, the media was summoned to a press conference at the match venue yesterday morning where the organizers unveiled plans and projections for the success of the competition. Those in attendance included Secretary of the GDSF, Victor Wright, Physical Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, Allison Rawlins, representatives of the sponsors, Larry Wills (DDL) and Jennifer Cipriani (Scotia Bank) and members of the organizing committee, Brenda Harmon and Lawrence
‘Sparrow’ Griffith. Ms. Cipriani reaffirmed Scotiabank’s commitment to the development of the sport with particular interest in the youths and female players while Mr. Wills said that his company was pleased with the way the organizers have conducted the programme and was delighted to continue rendering support. Ms. Rawlins expressed gratitude to the sponsors and organizers for supporting the initiative. She pointed out that the tournament is the only one that incorporates women and urged other organizations to emulate the gesture. “I wish you every success as you forge ahead,” she concluded. General Secretary of the Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA), Sampson Gilbert, pointed out the importance of the coach in the mix. He said that his entity is committed to the tactical and competitive applications of those officials that perform the task of preparing the footballers. He said that his entity has
been working assiduously in this area to foster improvement among the players. Veteran football administrator, Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith is tasked with the organization of matches and released the fixtures. Meanwhile, when activities get underway on Saturday, the twelve competing teams from Georgetown as well as the coaches will participate in a march past shortly before the first game between East Ruimveldt Secondary and Tutorial High School will be contested. Officials will also equip students with copies of the laws of the game which will also benefit those writing the CXC/CSEC examination. Further, one of three students, Ronaldo Dover, Shaka Lewis and Dominique Babb, will be selected to pursue studies in the United States of America. According to the organizers, the opportunity is open to the student that excels in academics as well as football activities.
GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy Festival
Lachmansingh Primary are West Berbice winners Members of the victorious Lachmansingh Primary School team display their trophy.
Lachmansingh Primary School were crowned champions of the West Berbice district of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) / Scotiabank nationwide Kiddy Festival after defeating Rosignol Primary by 24 runs in the final yesterday. Playing at D’Edward ground West Bank Berbice, Lachmansingh Primary
suffered 11 dismissals in scoring 126 off their allotted 12 overs after taking first strike. Aquial Williams stroked 21 and Timothy Harrichan supported with 20 while extras contributed 30. Cathyana Jameer bowled impressively to bag 4-5 including a hat-trick; Marvan Prashad claimed 3-5 and Alvin Chowramootoo 2-9.
Rosignol Primary replied with 102-9 in 12 overs. Chowramootoo and Leon Chamanlall scored 10 each while Gourav Nowrangilall made 7 and extras assisted with 18. Harrichan was the pick of the bowlers for the winners with 3-3 while Khemraj Evans captured 3-14 and Cliston Hookumchand 2-9. Both teams have qualified for the county playoffs.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
GABF General Secretary resigns - citing work commitments General Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Dr. Richard Blair has resigned from the federation, citing escalating responsibilities at work. Dr. Blair was elected this year when the federation held its AGM and Elections. “When I was approached by the current (GABF) President (Nigel Hinds) for my concurrence to be nominated for the position of General Secretary, I readily agreed because I shared the vision for the return of basketball to the heights I experienced as fan and player in the 1980s. The vision firmly remains but circumstances on the work front have drastically changed... severely affecting my abilities to function effectively in the post,” Blair said in his resignation letter. He believes that his resignation is in the best interest of the “efficacy” of the federation. He said that he will “remain a loyal fan and ‘veteran’ player of the game” and pledged to do whatever he can outside of holding the office to proliferate the federation’s vision. Blair said that he read the manifestos of the President, Hinds and GABF VicePresident, Michael Singh in the lead up to the elections and both have inspired him. Blair believes the sport is in good hands and thanked the Executive for their confidence in him. “I take the opportunity of thanking the Executive and those... who nevertheless
Page 39
Guyanese team to South American Games in Chile acclimatizing well
Dr. Richard Blair contributed to me being elected to the post for their vote of confidence and sincerely hope that the resignation in no way resonates as a rebuff,” he continued in his letter to the federation. In an email circular, Hinds informed that he accepted Blair’s resignation “knowing that under more permissive circumstances his tenure as General Secretary would have been a great asset to the federation,” but his work commitments have not allowed him to fulfil the functions required for the post of General Secretary. Hinds said that he looks forward to Blair’s continued s u p p o r t . D r. B l a i r i s Coordinator for the C a r i b b e a n ’s R e g i o n a l Agenda at the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). (Edison Jefford)
GOA President K. A Juman Yassin (seated 2nd right) with Chef-de-Mission Gokarn Ramdhani (2nd left) and Coaches Lyndon Wilson (left), Terrence Poole (right) take time out for a photo with the athletes in Chile. Guyana’s team to the South American Games taking place in Santiago Chile has been acclimatizing well to date according to Chef-de-Mission Gokarn Randhani. The team arrived in Chile on March 5 ahead of competition which will get cracking tomorrow. The team participated in the traditional Flag Raising
ceremony on March 6 where gifts were also exchanged between the participating countries. Ramdhani presented a s p e c i a l g i ft to the Director of the Games. The opening ceremony took place on March 7 where the teams witnessed the lighting of the Games’ Torch and an impressive display of fireworks. Guyana Olympic
Association (GOA) President, K. A Juman Yassin also attended the opening ceremony and met with the team to offer words of encouragement ahead of the competition. T h e c o a c h e s , Terrence Poole (Boxing) a n d Ly n d o n Wi l s o n (Athletics) have been taking their charges through the paces daily. The Technical
Meetings for the Coaches will be held tomorrow. Team Guyana: Boxers - Eon Brancroft, Dennis Thomas, Theresa London; Coach Terrence Poole. Athletes - Winston George, Cleveland Forde, Cleveland Thomas, Wayne Harlequin, Alisha Fortune; Coach Lyndon Wilson. Chef-de-Mission Gokarn Ramdhani.
Page 40
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Chanderpaul is back! Johnson should return for next game in Barbados
Members of the Guyana National cricket team battle for ball possession in front of the goal mouth as they warm-up with a game of football at Providence yesterday. By Sean Devers Chairman of the Guyana senior cricket selection panel Rayon Griffith disclosed that experienced Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has played more Tests for the West Indies than any other player, will be back in G u y a n a ’s l i n e - u p f o r tomorrow’s third round game at the Guyana National Stadium against the Windward Islands. The 35-year-old Griffith, who captured 56 wickets from 22 First-Class matches for Guyana, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that original Captain Leon Johnson, who was ruled out from Guyana’s first three matches due to a knee injury, will be back for the fourth round match
against CCC in Barbados. However, former Test batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan who has not played for Guyana since the Regional Super50 in Trinidad & Tobago due to illness, was forced to pull out of the opening round four-day game in Jamaica because of a back injury, has to submit a medical report to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and could miss most, if not all of the matches in the 2014 Four-Day tournament. Chanderpaul, the second highest West Indian runscorer in Tests behind Brian Lara, who was also forced out of the first two games due to a thumb injury replaces Chanderpaul Hemraj in the only change to the squad.
According to Griffith, promising Essequibian fast bowler Ronsford Beaton who suffered a side strain while batting in Jamaica and missed the last match against Barbados, should be fit for the next overseas day/Night match from March 21 in Barbados. In the absence of Sarwan and Johnson, Narsingh Deonarine, who made a double duck in Guyana’s embarrassing defeat to Barbados in their last match, has been playing at this level since 1999 and with Nine First-Class tons to his name, joins 39-year-old Chanderpaul as the two most successful batsmen for Guyana. Although Assad Fudadin and Vishal Singh batted
resolutely in the second innings in Jamaica when Guyana reached 264, Guyana’s woeful batting in the first innings of both of their games has resulted in them entering tomorrow’s game against the Islanders at the bottom of the points table. In the first game Guyana just managed 117 while in the second match they lost all 10 of their wickets for 48 runs to collapse from 92-0. This is the aspect of Guyana’s cricket this year that’s causing the most worry for the Guyana camp and Griffith is hoping that Chanderpaul’s return should bring better batting results for the local team. “Chanderpaul’s return should lift the batting, especially in terms of
temperament and shot selection since I am very disappointed with the way we have batted in the first innings of both games even when we had a 92-run stand for the first wicket in our last match but we still could not reach 150,” Griffith lamented. “We have basically had to play catch up cricket and so far we have not got a single batting point which is only available in the first innings. I am worried about the impact t20 cricket is having on the mentally of our young players” Griffith stated. “Our bowlers have done a reasonable job for us but batsmen continue to get themselves out with rash shots and I am sure that now Shiv is back the mental side
of our batting should improve” Griffith concluded. Apart from Fudadin, Singh and Tagenarine Chanderpaul none of the other batsmen have batted for any significant length of time in this series and this has contributed to Guyana’s poor performances so far. The Guyanese had a practice session yesterday at the National Stadium where they also did some running and played a game of football. Griffith said that team spirit is still high despite the results. He added that the bringing forward of the match by a day due to the Holiday on Monday takes away some of the recovery time for the players.
DCB U-15 Inter-Zone cricket starts today The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-15 Inter-Zone Competition will bowl off today at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) grounds. Enmore, Everest and Wales will also host matches. The Georgetown team was named at a meeting Monday evening. The teams are as follows: East Coast Demerara:
Bhaskar Yadram (Captain), Rovin Ramsaroop (Vicecaptain), Gopaul A p p l e s a m m , Vi s h a l Roopchand, Ramdeo Basdeo, Mohamed Hussain, Compton James, Shaquelle King, Marc Mahase, Akash Narine, Travet Sheopersaud, Sewnarine Sukhai, Manager: Gavin Moriah, Coach: Latchman Yadram East Bank Demerara: Sagar Hiathiramani, Bhojnarine Singh, Mark
Ramsammy, Nazim Esau, Paul Thomas, Ricky Dass, Ronaldo Jaisingh, Anthony Ontonio, Christopher Hamilton, Devon Allen, Daniel Scott, Akeem Bahoney, Raule Douglas, Joshua Singh, Takudyal Boodhoo, Manager: D. Debidial, Coach: Mr. Barker We s t D e m e r a r a : Chukiram Outar (Captain), G a n e s h J a i l a l l ( Vi c e captain), Troy Persaud, Kumar Ramlakan,
Parmanand Rambarak, Navindra Persaud, Ahamad Sattaur, Rajesh Bhoodram, Sayrendra Pooran, Retesh Samaroo, Joshua Rahaman, Lakram Haimkarran, Daneshwar Kowlessar, Aftab Basdeo, Shem Khan, Manager, Sudesh Persaud, Coach: Dhanpaul Georgetown: Joshua Persaud, Christopher Campbelle, Alphius Bookie, Kurt Lovell, Kishan Bhola, Ashmead Nedd, Mark
Baptiste, Raaz Ally, Joel Spooner, Colin Barlow, Junior Phillips, Darian Dickson, Omar Harry, and Mark Ramsammy. The Manager is Leroy Massiah and the Coach is Gavin Nedd. Fixtures: Round 1: Wed 12th March, 2014 East Coast vs East Bank (GCC) Georgetown vs West Demerara (DCC)
Round 2: Thursday 13th March, 2014 West Demerara vs. East Bank (Everest) Friday 14th March, 2014 Georgetown vs. East Coast (Enmore) Round 3: Saturday 15th March 2014 East Bank vs. Georgetown (Everest) West Demerara vs. East Coast (Wales)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 12, 2014
Page 41
Guyana National Rifle Association Handgun
Section Queensway Cup shoot staged
Competitors involved in last Sunday’s Queensway Cup shoot take time out for a photo after the competition. The winning team is at left displaying their plaque. GNRA ‘A’ Team which comprised of Gordon R i c h a r d s , D r. J o h a n n DaSilva and Ryan McKinnon amassed 726 points to win the Queensway Cup Team
Shooting competition organized by the Smallbore Section on the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) on Sunday last at the Timehri Pistol Ranges. GNRA made a clean
sweep of the top three places, while the Guyana Police Force had to settle for fourth and fifth places. GNRA ‘B’ Team made u p o f D a v i d D h a r r y, Lawrence Layne and
Vidushi Persaud finished second with 703 points, while their ‘C’ team of Murtland Smith, Harold Hopkinson and Azaad Hassan finished third with 611 points.
Tickets for 60 matches on sale from today
Brazilian fans Tickets for 60 out of the 64 matches will be up for sale to the general public in the second window of the second sales phase, which starts on Wednesday (today) March 12 at 12h00 CET /08h00 Brasilia. No tickets are available for the Opening Match in Sao Paulo and the Final in Rio de Janeiro, in addition to the two semifinals in Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. This sales
period is scheduled to continue until 1 April. For most of the matches, demand is expected to be very high. Fans can see the respective availability (low-mediumhigh) per match in the respective chart on w w w. F I FA . c o m / t i c k e t s which will be updated constantly once sales start.Around 345,000 tickets will be available for sale. The number is higher than the 160,000 originally announced due to tickets
returned by sponsors and the hospitality programme as well as unpaid tickets from the previous sales phase. “Starting on Wednesday, Brazilian and international fans once again have the chance to guarantee their seats in the event, which will certainly be one of the most amazing moments in sporting history. Fans from 212 countries and territories have already secured their tickets,” said Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director in charge
of ticketing. “I´m sure they´ll enjoy the unique atmosphere in the country of football!”All spectators, including children of all ages, require a ticket to access the stadium. Again, it is important to ensure that ticket buyers have enough funds for their respective payment method to be completed. FIFA would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that FIFA.com is the only online sales platform for tickets for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.
P o l i c e ‘ A’ T e a m comprising M. Melville, A. Easton and E. Scott placed fourth with 603 points while the Lawmen ‘B’ team completed in fifth position with 600
points. The competition attracted eight teams, four representing the GNRA, two from the Guyana Police Force and two from Bank of Guyana Security.
LABA to hold U-19 meeting with schools today at MSC The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has planned a meeting involving the six Secondary schools vying for this year’s 10th Linden Secondary Schools Under-19 championship, which will bounce off from April 4 through to April 25, today at 3:00pm at the Mackenzie Sports Club Pavilion. In a release, LABA indicated that this afternoon’s briefing is for representatives of the six participating schools which are defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary, New Silvercity, Linden Technical Institute, Linden Foundation Secondary, Mackenzie High and Wisburg. Organising Secretary of LABA Ashton Angel (Jr.) is tasked with informing those attending of the plans for this year’s championship and contact with him can be made on telephone numbers 444 2712 or 644 6657 for further information. The LABA is asking that the schools be represented to receive the details of the playing dates and other related rules.
Secretary of LABA Joseph Chapman said that plans are on stream to have the tournament played from April 4 through to April 25 during the height of the L i n d e n To w n We e k celebrations. It is hoped that the six schools that were presented with new uniforms for that tournament will make them available for this year’s championship. Chapman also informed that the tournament was the brainchild of former National Women’s Coach, Linden Alphonso, who now resides in the United States, and he has taken the responsibility to ensure sponsorship is garnered for the trophies and replicas for this year’s event. Last year the LABA took over the running of the tournament which was staged through the Victory Valley Royals Basketball Club. However, Chapman said that based on discussions there will be the involvement of members of the club in an effort to ensure the tournament remains the premier one among schools in Linden.
t r o Sp
Sammy seals series for West Indies P.36
James Tredwell congratulates Darren Sammy
Treacle wins again in another dominating performance P.36
Djokovic eases into fourth round P.35 at Indian Wells CONCACAF Launches Education-Based Protocol to Fight Match-Fixing P.34 P.35
Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart is all smiles as he presents the Banks DIH trophy to Mrs. Tarmattie Dookie for Treacle’s win.
NOC registers consecutive wins
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210