thursday, march 19, 2015
Cheddi Jagan memorial road race…
All set for Essequibo leg – Mohamed A
ll the necessary systems are falling into place for this Sunday’s third and final leg of the Cheddi Jagan memorial road race in Essequibo. This is the word emanating from the office of national cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed, who is the chief organiser of the race. “Everything is falling into place. The arrangements with the Police have been sorted out and the riders are ready. I just to remind riders that transportation will leave from the Sport Ministry at Main Street at 05:00h sharp on Sunday,” Mohamed said on
Hassan Mohamed
Wednesday. Seasoned
campaigner
Godfrey Pollydore was the top rider on that leg last year, copping the top podium spot in a time of two hours, 10 minutes, 24.41 seconds (02h: 10m: 24.41s). The race will ride off at Supenaam, head to Charity and return to Anna Regina for the finish. In the opening leg on the West Demerara, Hamzah Eastman emerged winner, while on stage two in Berbice, Orville Hinds was the champion. Jagan, one of the founders of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, was an avid supporter and follower of the discplines. The
Godfrey Pollydore
former Head-of-State passed away in March 1997.
Gayle has injection in attempt to ease back
C
hris Gayle has had an injection in his back to try and aid his long-standing complaint ahead of West Indies’ World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand in Wellington, but Darren Sammy said Gayle “is not missing this quarter-final for anybody.” Gayle did not play against UAE in Napier as West Indies secured the win that enabled them to progress to the knockouts at the expense of Ireland, who had beaten them early in the tournament. He underwent a scan in Wellington and did not attend training on Wednesday. It is understood the West Indies management are taking a day-by-day approach to assessing Gayle, but Sammy provided an upbeat assessment of his prognosis. “Chris is not missing this quarter-final for anybody,” he said. “He is more pumped up than we are. He’s been writing down the path for us and the different scenarios. We’ve had teams who had the better of
Chris Gayle has had one innings of substance in the World Cup
us and he’s said we’ve got a chance of meeting them in the semis when it matters, when it hurts the most. “Chris is pumped up just like everyone in the dressing room. It’s unfortunate that this chronic back injury keeps hindering his progress. He won’t miss
that quarter-final.” Gayle is West Indies’ leading run-scorer in the tournament with 279 runs at 55.80, though 215 of those came in one innings against Zimbabwe. In his absence against UAE, Johnson Charles made 55 off 40 balls, and if Gayle is
able to return it will be his opening partner Dwayne Smith under most pressure for his place after making 93 runs in six innings. Sammy said due respect would be given to New Zealand’s attack and some early caution would be advisable, but that Gayle would trust his instincts. “Chris is an experienced player but once he’s at the crease anything is possible. That doesn’t mean if they bowl half volleys then we won’t hit them into the stands. We just have to be more selective and execute properly. “You’ve got to give credit, they have been the best new-ball pair in the World Cup and they’ve done it consistently. If you don’t allow them to take wickets then a different game plan has to come to the party so you get the Andersons and the other guys and let them come back into their third spells and then you cash in. The guys who don’t lose wickets in the first 10 overs, when the ball is new, tend to go on and score 300plus.” (Cricinfo)
19
Farm to host double-wicket competition A fter an absence of 12 years, competitive cricket will make a return to the Farm Community Centre ground in the form of a double-wicket competition to be held on March 29. The event is sponsored by D. Mangal Vulcanising Establishment of Herstelling public road and is being organised by the Farm Cricket Club as part of its fundraising activities.
Twelve teams are expected to participate, namely Ruimveldt, Eccles, Nandy Park, Providence, Combined United, Farm, Diamond, Sandpipers, Silver Bullet, North Soesdyke, Herstelling and Laluni. All teams are asked to send a representative to a meeting on Friday at the club’s pavillion to discuss the playing conditions and make the draw. A participation fee of $3,000 is required of the teams.
Fifa president rejects BBC, Sky election debate
F
Sepp Blatter
ifa president Sepp Blatter has rejected a joint offer from the BBC and Sky to take part in a televised presidential election debate. His three rivals accepted the invitation, but insisted all candidates must take part in the debate as a condition of their participation. The BBC and Sky proposal was based around fans asking questions to the candidates. The Fifa presidential election is due to take place on May 29 in Zurich. The other candidates in the Fifa presidency elec-
tion are Jordanian FA president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Dutch FA president Michael van Praag and former Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Portugal winger Luis Figo. Blatter, 79, is seeking a fifth term of office. At this stage, the candidates were asked only to express a commitment in principle towards taking part. Further talks between the broadcasters and candidates would then have taken place over the exact format, location and structure of the debate. (BBC Sport)