Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Akbar Ally

Yudhistheir Persaud

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySucO) yesterday sought to twist the truth on the Enmore Packaging Plant, denying that managers at the location told Kaieteur News the plant was out of operation because the sugar was being exported by bulk.

The Corporation admitted that at the time Kaieteur News reporter visited the plant (two Saturdays ago), it was out of operation and had been for the entire of the first crop up to that point.

It was Managers Yudhisthir Persaud and Akbar Ally who said that the plant was out of operation because the sugar being produced at Enmore was meeting bulk export demands. No other reason was given.

In fact, when asked about the sensibility of having the plant sit idle, Mr. Ally told Kaieteur News that it was either GuySuCo lose the market for bulk sugar or lose the market for packaged sugar. In this case, he said, the Corporation chose to meet its demand for bulk sugar, and as a result there was no sugar to meet the market for packaged sugar.

Mr. Persaud also indicated to Kaieteur News that the packaged sugar does not bring in significantly more revenues than the bulk sugar.

GuySuCo claimed that the plant started to operate last

Wednesday. The managers had undertaken to take Kaieteur News on a tour of the facility when it is in operation, but no such invitation was extended. In fact, when Mr. Persaud was asked when the plant would be in operation again, he said he could not give a date.

In a press release, GuySuCo gave a different story about the reason why the plant was not in operation.

It said that grinding operations commenced at Enmore on July 31, 2012 and that during the period July 31 to August 18 erratic weather conditions affected continuous cane supply to the factory hence sugar production and “sugar flowthrough” on recently maintained equipment was reduced.

It said that factory equipment underwent significant maintenance work during the last out-of-crop period and it is standard operating practice for a sugar plant of this nature to ensure that the first batches of sugar be directed to bulk (bulk is intended for re-processing) after a maintenance period (especially a major one). This period allows for operational “fine-tuning” and to guarantee product consistency for direct consumption sugars required for the packaging plant,

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The idle equipment at the Enmore Sugar Packaging Plant.

GuySuCo stated.

The Corporation said that it is on this basis that managers advised that the plant has been focusing on bulk production.

Kaieteur News reporter Neil Marks who visited the plant and spoke with the two managers on the location, said it was clear that whoever wrote the press release is badly misinformed, since no such explanation was offered by the two managers.

In fact, Marks stated that the very two managers, Ally and Persaud, telephoned Mr. Vineet Verma, the representative of Surendra Engineering (which constructed the plant) to speak with him about the plant. Mr. Verma stated emphatically that the plant is “100% OK” and would be ready to operate once sugar is available.

The Corporation said that the story by Kaieteur News was intended to mislead the public that the plant was not being utilized even though the newspaper was advised that of the 8,498 tonnes of

sugar produced by the Enmore location in the First Crop of 2012 - 7,828 tonnes was packaged.

However, it seems that it is GuySuCo that it is intending to mislead, since the report clearly states that the factory was in operation

during the first crop. In fact, the newspaper quoted the Estate Manager as saying the factory produced approximately 21,000 tonnes of sugar, and most of that went to the packaging plant.

Kaieteur News would not debate who has their facts

mixed up, whether it is those who wrote the press release or the Estate Manager, but it is certainly not the newspaper.

Given that the plant is now in operation, Kaieteur News plan to visit the location today.

Minibus driver is third to die in horrific Lima accident A horrific accident between a sports car and a minibus on the Essequibo coast earlier this month, has claimed a third life.

Fifteen days after the smashup, 52-year-old Vincent Persaud, the minibus driver, died Sunday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Persaud suffered from injuries he sustained to his head, right arm, leg and hip.

His wife, Savitri Lall, said her husband died early Sunday at the hospital where he had been since the August 12th crash.

She said she is uncertain as to how she is going to sustain herself since her husband was the lone breadwinner of the home.

The accident, at Lima, has also claimed the lives of Junior Ramroop, the son of popular contractor, Roopan ‘Fowl Cock’ Ramotar, and of Reena Rajcoomar, both victims died between hours and several days after the accident. Ramroop, who was driving a BMW, PPP 733, was heading to Anna Regina, when reports suggests that the car veered into the lane of the minibus which was also

Dead: Minibus driver, Vincent Persaud heading into the same direction.

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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

Editorial No Dictators for Democracy The U.S. State Department this month reported that the Honduran government is taking adequate measures to address congressional concerns about human rights. This approval on Honduras’ Human Rights record paved the way for continued flow of aid, in this case military aid, which had been requested by the Obama administration.

The approval, however, also raises the question of whether ‘strong governments”, to use a euphemism, are necessary to institutionalise democracy in underdeveloped countries. The present administration of President Porfirio Lobo was installed after a June 2009 military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Manuel Zelaya. The US was one of the few countries that accepted the result of a November election returning Lobo to power. Since then, the security forces have been implicated in the wave of violence unleashed against the opposition, journalists and other opponents after the coup. Hundreds have been killed. Yet last October, Mr. Obama praised Mr. Lobo at the White House for leadership in a “restoration of democratic practices.”

Back in March, ninety-four members of the US House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her “to suspend US assistance to the Honduran military and police given the credible allegations of widespread, serious violations of human rights attributed to the security forces”.

These concerns, shared also by the Senate, have now been sidestepped. While in the specific case of Honduras, concerns about drug trafficking may play a part in the US administration’s thinking, the latter also reflects a long held policy of several administrations.

Underlying this policy, shared by many financial institutions, is a belief about how democracy relates to development: poor countries need to delay democracy until they develop. This used to be the “Scandinavian” view of democracy; that only Scandinavian countries were capable of being democratic, and that you needed to have a solid middle class before you could contemplate democracy. The argument went—as presented in the writings of Samuel Huntington and Seymour Martin Lipset —that if a poor country became democratic, because of the pressures in a democracy to respond to the interests of the people, they would borrow too much and spend the money in ways that did not advance development.

These poor decisions would mean that development would not occur; and because people would then be disappointed, they would return to a dictatorship.

Therefore, the prescription was, get yourself, or have installed, a benign dictator. It was never quite explained how you would make sure you had a dictator that spent the money to develop the country rather than ship it off to a Swiss bank account. The people should wait until development is produced, which then produces a middle class.

Then, inevitably, the middle class will demand freedom, and –voila! - you will have a democratic government. But empirical evidence does not support this thesis. In the last forty-five years of actual performance, there is no evidence that poor authoritarian countries have grown any more rapidly than poor democracies.

If East Asia is left out (and they possess some unique features) poor democracies have grown 50 percent more rapidly, on average, during this period. The Baltic countries, Botswana, Costa Rica, Ghana, and Senegal have grown more rapidly than the Angolas, the Syrias, the Uzbekistans, and the Zimbabwes of the world. Social dimensions of development are even more starkly divergent. For example, in terms of life expectancy, poor democracies typically enjoy life expectancies that are nine years longer than poor autocracies. Opportunities of finishing secondary school are 40 percent higher. Infant mortality rates are 25 percent lower.

Agricultural yields are about 25 percent higher, on average, in poor democracies than in poor autocracies—an important fact, given that 70 percent of the population in poor countries is often rural-based.

While there are many reasons for these results, one particularly prominent characteristic is that democracies do a far better job at avoiding catastrophes of all types – financial, humanitarian, economic etc. The lesson for Guyana, if not for the US, is to avoid even the ‘benign’ dictator.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

The NOC debacle must be thoroughly and professionally addressed DEAR EDITOR, In August 2010, the Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act and the Training School Amendment Act were passed in the National Assembly.

The main amendments to these Acts had to do with the outlawing of whipping for any offences committed by students at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), the only juvenile detention centre in Guyana.

In light of the above, we call on the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to explain why reports indicate that one of the triggers identified for the recent escape of students and burning of NOC buildings was the threat of “beatings” of male students by a NOC supervisor.

Other reports from students also reinforce allegations of beatings as a routine form of punishment.

If these allegations of ‘beatings” are in fact true, we demand that appropriate sanctions, as set out in the Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act and Training School Amendment Act, be put into effect against the

offending administrators, supervisors and other staff who carried out such acts.

We also demand that the students who have been charged with arson and escaped from custody be allowed immediate access to independent legal representation in keeping with their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Guyana has signed and ratified. The Guyana Legal Aid Clinic provides free legal aid to children in need of legal representation.

In addition: (1) We call on the government to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place immediately to abolish the use of any form of corporal punishment at the NOC as outlined in the Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act and Training School Amendment Act. (2) We call on the National Assembly to repeal the offence of “wandering” as children charged with this ‘offence’ are not offenders but victims of child abuse and neglect. Reports indicate that many students at NOC are

there for “wandering” and are therefore being penalized for being victims and survivors of child abuse, which is an outrage.

(3) We call on the government to make good its 2009 promise to bring the Juvenile Justice Bill to parliament, and on the National Assembly to make the legislation a reality in 2012 (4) We call on the Minister to set up an independent Task Force to mount an investigation into the functioning of the NOC and to determine what triggered the events of August 23, 2012.

(5) We call for the NOC to be placed under an independent management committee comprising individuals with the necessary expertise, experience, interest and knowledge of human rights law and practice to run a successful juvenile rehabilitation centre.

(6) Reports in the media have indicated that NOC staff cannot manage without recourse to the whip. In order for juvenile justice to be implemented in a humane way in Guyana, we

recommend a reorientation of those responsible for the institution. External expertise, which may be necessary to design and deliver the recommended reorientation programme, can be sourced from Guyana, as well as from the Caribbean and the Diaspora.

(7) We recommend that a suitably reoriented and retrained staff complement at the NOC should also be provided ongoing counselling and related services to ensure their own emotional health and capacities are in good working order so as to carry out their roles and responsibilities in a professional way.

Danuta Radzik Vidyaratha Kissoon Krysta Bisnauth Josephine Whitehead Vanda Radzik Leila Jagdeo Andaiye Ferlin Pedro Chantelle Smith-Haynes Karen De Souza Janice Jackson Faith Harding Patricia SheerattanBisnauth Clonel Boston Samuels

DEAR EDITOR, As part of the larger community improvement programme in Georgetown and other municipalities, I have joined many others in noting the enormous, concerted efforts over the years by government agencies, NGOs, diplomatic community groups, private citizens and, more recently, a clean-up campaign orchestrated by an “implementation committee” headed by Mr. Keith Burrowes.

These initiatives undoubtedly have been helpful, especially when they have benevolently complimented the work of city authorities regarding mutual objectives. However, no volume or level of “campaigns” or public relations exercises are going to reverse, permanently, the woes persistently plaguing the capital city and the other municipalities across the country. What recurs with stubborn realism is an immense problem comprising two dimensions – institutional and political – that must be addressed with much more focus and energy than what have been exercised.

The institutional issues arise, in part, because of the Guyana Elections

Commission’s inability to carry out local government elections since 1994. This, unfortunately, has become a perpetuating situation where we have had the same incapable and inept management team for 18 years running (and I’m hard pressed to find a comparable situation that offers a meaningful parallel). We’ve been caught in a rut of inefficiency within the municipalities because of the absence of local government elections.

Moreover, in terms of ideal functioning systems, effective institutions would raise the value of the benefits of cooperation, implementation and execution while also raising the costs of defection and nonperformance to levels high enough that would discourage dysfunctional or non-productive behaviour.

However, in Georgetown for example, what we have instead is a situation where the Mayor and City Councillors have perpetuated an ineffective institution at best, where the costs of nonperformance and inaction are so minimal that the risks are insufficiently strong enough to discourage nonperformance or negligent behaviour.

Furthermore, the Mayor

and the City Council as an institution lacks the proper structure to prosecute and penalize errant citizens and businesses that fail to pay their property taxes, as well as those who litter indiscriminately or commit other infractions to the detriment of their communities.

Finally, with regard to political terms, there is little will or conviction on behalf of our elected policy makers – regardless of their partisan bearings – to address this persistent situation. The public citizenry would benefit from courageous policymakers who ensure Continued on page 23

Local government elections need to be held without undue delay

What is most lacking is emotional maturity DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the letter in the Stabroek News of August 21 captioned… “Morality not political expediency should orient all our national institutions”.

My reason for supporting Clarence O. Perry is plain and basic.

Being a human’s rights advocate, I have always felt that the moral weakness of our country came from expedient decisions.

Meaning: The subordination of moral principles for the sake of facilitating an end or purpose.

(Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Fifth Edition) For those of us who are looking for standards of good behaviour from those in authority and for them to set the example, expect them to

know that a person’s humanity is determined by their relationship with others.

The fast fixing of issues by some for personal gains and survival have contributed to some extent to our moral dilemma.

On many occasions I have heard and read about the importance of political maturity on and off the table, but what is most lacking is emotional maturity on and off the table and that can be seen in Linden.

In closing I suggest that the ruling and the opposition parties officially take possession of parliament through cooperation - a winwin solution - to avoid losing more lives for what can be achieved at the table.

Viva human rights!

Lennox A. Whyte

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news

Is there no room for decency and Any society without protestors is heading straight for slavery honesty in Guyanese politics?

DEAR EDITOR, Armed with the wealth of the world’s spiritual, religious and cultural traditions and wisdom, why do we now have fire and brimstone yet again in our country (NOC)?

Because ignorance and ill-will rule over us.

With the situation in Linden calming down, lo and behold, more terror breaks out in another part of the country.

Terror is a constant in Guyanese society. Those instigating it know no peace in their hearts and minds. We have learned to live around terror like sick people, for the psychological effects of living constantly in fear and terror are devastating. This has got to stop.

Terror is not acceptable in Guyanese society. Neither is agitation by creation of terror acceptable in Guyanese society. How we stand up matters. Once again, we cannot fight for peace. It’s an oxymoron.

No one who ‘fights’ for peace or their rights can be trusted; for immoral means can never assure moral ends.

Creation of terror and use of terror tactics hurt people.

Hurting people is never an option.

In this bout of terror, the patterns again are glaringly obvious and very suspect: Terror breaks out. Buildings burn down. Mayhem. PNC demands inquiry. PPP offers counter resistance and delights in the blah blah blah blah: conflict takes root.

Real people-centred development work never happens. Political elite have effectively hijacked the country from its citizens.

Politicians accomplish their real goals behind the scenes.

Life goes on.

Citizens escape scattered to all neighbouring countries destitute, hungry and misplaced as outcasts and refugees. Others learn to live with fear, never finding tranquility and peace in their own backyards. Some of us are murdered. Some die of old

age.

This situation is abnormal.

It does not happen in any of our neighbouring countries.

It does not happen in Barbados, Trinidad or St. Lucia. The only reason that these hellish conditions continue to propagate in Guyana is due to lack of political will to rise above differences to solve problems.

There is never a commitment to truth, but a continued commitment to exploit differences.

While the PNC remains stuck in no-man’s land, buried by its burden of immorality, the PPP has really elevated itself.

We have clearly transcended racism under the PPP. What we have witnessed is the emergence of professional politicians: the purchase of allegiance.

People are selling themselves.

The higher the contract price, the lesser the morality; the lesser the individual conviction, the greater the depravity and the greed, the better the charlatan performance.

Situations like the one at NOC must not recur in this country. Children must not experience these lows, directly or indirectly. As long as there is a stand-off between PPP and PNC, there will never be any truth forthcoming.

No one will ever know the truth about any situation, no matter how many inquiries are demanded. We have to import truth into our country via truth consultants. This is the role of international observers and consultants – to tell us who is lying and who is being truthful.

Is there no room for decency and honesty in Guyanese politics? Is violence and loss of life fun and games to our politicians?

This clearly is the case.

While conflict is beneficial to politicians, it is not serving the needs of the people of Guyana. Open conflict has to end. This is what peace

means: the absence of conflict. This transformation in the country is not going to happen without a radical change in the political landscape.

We have reached another all-time low in the country where the political elite are morally and spiritually bankrupt without the capacity for leadership or for problem-solving.

Both the major opposition and the government are, at different times, ambassadors of violence against the people of this country. We now know twice over that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I am welcoming the new brand of leadership guided by ethical principles with respect for wisdom and for self and other.

As we move forward, for all the pain, we cannot harbour hatred, animosity or resentment in our hearts, for this destabilizes us and poisons our intentions. Why should the evil actions of others poison our minds and hearts?

No, we must remain at eas e , a p e a c e o f m i n d earned on a basis of ethical conduct. Our challenge is to navigate intelligently.

Our intention is not to unseat politicians and parliamentarians and install ourselves, but to uplift every citizen and guest and build the entire nation.

This is not an easy task, but with every day, the contrast between what we want and what we have becomes clearer, and with every conflict, our abilities to problem solve are enhanced and the source of problems become more apparent.

Let us envisage of a gentle future of peace, prosperity and productivity.

If we dream it, think it, want it, work for it, with patience and confidence in our own good human nature, it will emerge.

Sandra Khan

DEAR EDITOR, So the police have saved Guyana from dangerous people by breaking down the tents of the People’s Parliament.

A country needs people who will set aside some of their time to keep issues like the lost lives at Linden before the eyes of the public and the world. The Enmore martyrdom happened in 1948 when I was 23 and most of us still honour them and celebrate their protest. I know some new thinking says they looked for it or they were lawbreakers.

Martyrs and battered women are my holy cows. I join with all who remind the rest of us about the injustice they have suffered and the loss to their loved ones.

The police acted because

the symbol of remembering and reminding the public was having its effect.

Very often the inactive public will fall into two, perhaps three or more groups. There are those who when they know the reason for a protest will quietly agree, although they feel they are not ready for that kind of action, or that it is not for them.

Others, very nice, but also very dumb will “suck” their teeth and mutter,” They ent got nothing to do I wish the place can flood!”

At home in Guyana we used to call it “bad talking;” “washing their mouth on people” Few columnists draw the attention of readers to the importance of what protestors are doing.

Are we hypocrites that honour Cuffy and Akara, and Accabreh, and Damon the martyrs of the indenture riots and protestors like Nana Culley and Halima, but hold back from recognising protestors of our own time?

Why? Because we are not afraid any more of the past oppressors, but we are afraid of the present oppressors.

Those who protest in the cause of justice or in a just cause are the soul of the people. You do not have to agree with them. You may not be able to join them. But be sure that any society without protestors and those who insist on full justice and respect for all, and refuse to shut up when ordered, is heading straight for slavery.

Eusi Kwayana

Inaccuracies, misinformation and misleading the public DEAR EDITOR, It is with great dissatisfaction and regret that once again I have to point out inaccuracies and misinformation carried in the Kaieteur News.

The article captioned in the Tuesday 28 August 2012 edition at page 16 “APNU signs off on NCN ‘corruption’ debates: Challenges Irfaan Ali statement on CJIA expansion”. The second paragraph of the article reads: Joseph Harmon, a Member of Parliament for APNU, has sought to challenge Minister Irfaan Ali,

who on Sunday’s programme stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had advised that there is need for an Environmental Impact Assessment for the expansion project for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

I wish to clarify that I never made any comment, whether directly or indirectly, on the issue of whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was done or that the Environmental Protection Agency advised that there was no need for such an assessment. If one were to look back at the recording,

one would find that at no time did I make such comment.

To attribute this comment to me, Mr Joseph Harmon, and by extension the APNU is once again seeking to mislead the public.

I wish to restate that the government remains committed to developing a relocation plan for the residents living in the proximity of the CJIA since where these persons are living presents a great danger to their safety and wellbeing.

The government is engaging this community and we have never been irresponsible to Continued on page 23

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Kaieteur News

GPHC in urgent need of critical drugs Patients are being sent home and surgeries postponed due to the shortage of critical drugs at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), a senior official said yesterday.

Dr. George Norton, Head of the Ophthalmology Department, confirmed reports that surgical sutures, operating materials, medications and “kits” to perform blood test are among the items currently unavailable at the hospital.

This publication was told that medications are not being administered to patients although these were prescribed on their charts.

“When a doctor tells a patient that they required two injections a day, the patient would come and say they only get one, sometimes they don’t get any over the weekend and it is not because doctors are not making requisitions… it is because the items are not being supplied to us,” Norton disclosed.

Norton is also the Shadow Minister of Health in the National Assembly for the main opposition, A Partnership For National Unity. This publication was told that doctors at the facility have to “make do” with

Dr. George Norton whatever the pharmacist tells them is available.

At the faculty’s Low Vision Department yesterday, surgeries for patients with “crossed eye” were on the verge of being suspended because there were no sutures.

“We use what we were not suppose to use- which is endangering the patient’s welfare,” Norton stated.

He explained that surgery to the eye requires doctors to have “certain types of needle, with a certain size and shape”.

Use of wrong size needles can cause damage and even excessive bleeding, the official said.

Government has been

spending billions on drugs and medical supplies annually. Opposition parties last week called for a full blown investigation into the purchase of drugs and medical supplies by government after complaints that one particular company was getting the bulk of the contracts. There were instances of unusually high sums being paid for some drugs despite it being available far cheaper elsewhere.

Dr. Norton, whose job includes ordering medication for the eye clinic at the GPHC, said that sometimes there are eye drops in the pharmacy which doctors do not even know about. “Sometimes we use what the pharmacy has available- how they get it I don’t know. Who ordered it, I don’t know. Where is it coming from, I don’t know.

Sometimes there are some eye drops that I’ve never seen or never heard about, but we have to make use of it.”

He said that the hospital’s administration is aware of the shortage because requisitions were made for every item which the hospital needs.

Another doctor, who asked not to be named, said that many times surgeries had to be canceled because the equipment is “rusty” or because a particular medication, which is required to do the surgery, was “out of stock.”

The facility’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan, when contacted yesterday for a comment said that he is not sure what the hospital is short of and promised to investigate and provide an in-depth report to this newspaper.

(Romila Boodram)

Wednesday August 29, 2012

David Hinds says he is target of harassment - claims emails accuse him of plot to overthrow government Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds, says that he has become a target of a “wellorchestrated” harassment campaign which includes a mysterious burglary at his home, a warning to his daughter, and emails that allege that he is involved in a plot to assassinate President Donald Ramotar and overthrow the government.

In a statement issued yesterday, Hinds inferred that the harassment is linked to what he said was an erroneous media report during the recent Linden unrest.

The political activist said that after discussions with his family and close friends he had decided to break his silence on the continued harassment.

“I left Guyana a week ago to attend a conference in Jamaica amidst reports in sections of the Guyanese media that I had committed the gravest political crime— calling on people of my home village to block traffic and dig up the roads,” the political activist said.

“I will not get into the accuracy of the initial report which appeared on Demerarawaves.com. But suffice to say I supported fully the people of Linden, Tain and Albion for blocking the traffic and digging up roads when they thought it was the most effective means of registering their disgust with official and unofficial injustice. I expressed similar sentiments to the people of Buxton at a WPA public

meeting on Thursday August 16.”

Hinds alleged that “immediately, the Acting Commissioner of Police, without verifying the reports, “challenged me to meet him and his mighty force on the frontline.”

Then on Saturday, August 18th, he was allegedly subjected to massive police surveillance while travelling from Georgetown to Buxton and back, and also while in the East Coast Demerara village.

He added that this was “followed by an avalanche of condemnations and demonization of me in the PPP-aligned media and some of the private media and by some opposition activists.”

“A few days later my house was burglarized in what has been described by one investigator as “not a regular break-in.” Two computers and a small amount of jewelry were taken.

Almost one week later the police have made no headway in their investigations.

“The following day officials of the university where I teach called me in Jamaica to report that they were receiving daily emails and phone calls from anonymous callers claiming to be representatives of the Guyana government who claim that I am part of a plot to assassinate the President of Guyana and overthrow the government. The emails, which take the form of Minister Rohee’s transcript of my public utterances over the last three months, have been traced to one A. Chanderpaul. As I write this statement the calls and emails continue,” Hinds said.

“I have no proof that these actions are officially sanctioned. But given the

Dr. David Hinds government’s track record, I am swayed in that direction until proven wrong. Even before these recent incidents, my daughter, on July 20, received an anonymous call telling her that the authorities were aware that she is my daughter and that she should let me know that I am a danger to the government.”

Hinds said that as a political activist, he expects harassment from those who have the power to do so.

“But to go to the lengths they have gone is beyond harassment and they should not be able to get away with it under the guise of public security. If my crime is calling on people to exercise their right to resistance in the face of state violence, then I am guilty. The PPP has accused the opposition of socializing young African Guyanese to beat and rob Indian Guyanese. I am not going to be part of socializing a generation of African Guyanese to think it’s normal to take blows and not find ways to resist. In the meantime my activism against injustice and for a just society in Guyana where all of its peoples are free from tyranny and are represented by a National Government continues.”

Hinds insisted that he will not be quiet.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Syria refugee exodus raises pressure for buffer zone ANKARA/BAB ALSALAMEH, Syria - (Reuters) - Syria’s refugee exodus is accelerating and up to 200,000 people could settle in Turkey alone if the conflict worsens, the United Nations warned yesterday, increasing pressure for creation of a buffer zone inside Syria.

Turkey has floated the idea of a “safe zone” to be set up for civilians under foreign protection as fighting has intensified in a 17-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Up to 5,000 refugees a day have been crossing into Turkey over the past two weeks while the pace of refugees arriving at a camp in northern Jordan has doubled, heralding what could be a much bigger movement there, the U.N. refugee agency said.

Although there is no sign divided world powers are ready to back a buffer and nofly zone, as rebels and aid organizations would like, U.N. Security Council foreign ministers are expected to discuss the idea at a meeting

today.

While Turkey could in theory create a buffer zone itself, it has said it is reluctant to go it alone. Already hosting more than 80,000 refugees, Turkey has warned it could run out of space if the number goes above 100,000.

“We are already looking at potentially up to 200,000 and are working with the Turkish government to make the necessary plans,” Sybella Wilkes, spokeswoman of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told Reuters in Geneva.

Turkey fears the presence of refugees fleeing a conflict with a sectarian dimension could worsen its own tensions as well as straining resources.

Turkey will open four new camps for Syrian refugees by next week, bringing its capacity to 120,000 people, its disaster management agency said, but thousands remain stuck inside Syria.

“We will be asking the United Nations to be more active in terms of helping the

Syrians on their side of the border,” said one Turkish official, who declined to be named. He complained that Turkey had received little help so far. The refugee flow to Turkey has grown as fighting has worsened around Syria’s biggest city, Aleppo, split between rebels and Assad’s forces in a street-by-street battle that has ground on for weeks.

Heavy fighting has also returned to districts around Damascus, one month after rebels were driven back from the centre of the capital.

Twelve people were killed by a car bomb at a funeral in Damascus yesterday, state television said. Activists said the attack targeted Assad supporters.

At least 18,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million Syrians are in need of aid or assistance, the United Nations says. More than 200,000 refugees have registered in neighboring countries, though significantly more have left Syria.

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Hurricane Isaac made landfall in southern Louisiana yesterday, bringing high winds, soaking rains and storm surges that will pose the first major test for New Orleans’ multibillion-dollar flood protections put in place after Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast seven years ago.

Isaac’s storm surge poses a major test of the so-called Crescent City’s new floodcontrol systems and reinforced levees that failed in 2005, leaving parts of the city underwater. Forecasts from the U.S. National Hurricane Center showed the storm coming ashore in the Mississippi Delta late on Tuesday, possibly taking direct aim at New Orleans.

“Many parts of the state could see 24 to 38 hours of tropical storm-force winds,” Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal told a news conference earlier. “We’re going to see a lot of downed trees and power lines,” he said. “We need people to stay safe.”

Storm surge flooding is already occurring in coastal areas of southeastern Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.

Earlier, the Army Corps of Engineers closed for the first time the massive new floodgate on the largest storm-surge barrier in the

world, at Lake Borgne, east of New Orleans.

In other preparations, oil production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico nearly ground to a halt, and ports and coastal refineries curtailed operations as Isaac approached.

At 6 p.m. CDT (2300 GMT), the Hurricane Center said Isaac was centered about 95 miles southeast of New Orleans with top sustained winds of 80 miles per hour.

The storm was traveling at a relatively slow 8 mph.

That pace is a concern for people in its path since slowmoving cyclones can bring higher rainfall totals.

Isaac was about 370 miles wide. Hurricane-force winds

extend outward up to 60 miles from the center of the storm.

Heavy rains and big storm surges were also forecast for parts of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

After Katrina, the Corps of Engineers built a $14.5 billion flood defense system of walls, floodgates, levees and pumps designed to protect the city against a massive tidal surge like the one that swamped New Orleans in Katrina’s wake.

Isaac had New Orleans in its sights as the city is still recovering from Katrina, which swept across it on August 29, 2005, killing more than 1,800 people and causing billions of dollars of damage.

Hurricane Isaac makes landfall in Louisiana

Page 7

Republicans nominate Romney as presidential candidate TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept to the Republican presidential nomination last night at a storm-delayed national convention, every mention of his name cheered by delegates eager to propel him into a campaign to oust President Barack Obama in tough economic times.

Romney watched on television with his wife, Ann, at a hotel suite across the street from the hall as the convention sealed his hardwon victories in the primaries and caucuses of last winter.

Through the evening, a parade of convention speakers mocked Democratic President Obama mercilessly from a made-for-television podium, as if to make up for lost time at an event postponed once and dogged still by Hurricane Isaac.

The Democratic president has “never run a company. He hasn’t even run a garage sale or seen the inside of a lemonade stand,” declared Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican Party.

To send Romney and ticketmate Paul Ryan into the fall campaign, delegates approved a conservative platform that calls for tax cuts — not government spending — to stimulate the economy at a time of sluggish growth and 8.3 percent unemployment.

Polls make the race a close one, to be settled in a string of battleground states where neither Romney nor the

president holds a secure advantage.

While there was no doubt about Romney’s command over the convention, the residue of a heated campaign for the nomination was evident inside the hall.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who never won a primary or caucus, drew several dozen delegate votes — precisely how many were not announced from the podium.

Earlier, his supporters

chanted and booed after the convention adopted rules they opposed, but were powerless to b l o c k , t o prevent those votes from being officially registered.

“Shame on you,” some of his supporters chanted from the floor.

Boehner, presiding over the roll call, made no attempt to have Romney’s nomination made by acclamation, even though Ryan’s was a few moments later.

France opens murder inquiry into Arafat death PARIS (Reuters) - A French court has opened a murder inquiry into the 2004 death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, a legal source told Reuters yesterday, following claims by his wife that he may have been poisoned.

Arafat died in a Paris military hospital in November 2004, a month after being airlifted, when his health collapsed, from his battered headquarters in Ramallah, where he had been effectively confined by Israel for more than two and a half years.

Last month, Arafat’s wife, Suha, asked a court in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre to launch a murder investigation following revelations that a Swiss institute had discovered high levels of the radioactive element polonium210 on Arafat’s clothing.

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Kaieteur News

Trinidad bank buys out Barbados-based Butterfield Bank Bermuda Sun - The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (“Butterfield”) yesterday announced that it has completed the sale of its wholly-owned Barbados subsidiary, Butterfield Bank (Barbados) Limited, to Trinidad and Tobago-based First Citizens Bank Limited (“First Citizens”).

Butterfield announced in May 2012 that it had reached an agreement for the sale of its Barbados business to First Citizens, pending regulatory approval. Final regulatory approval was received 16 August 2012.

Butterfield received gross proceeds of US $45 million for the sale of the business, which will generate a gain of approximately $7 million before normal adjustments.

Details regarding the net gain from the transaction will be disclosed in Butterfield’s third quarter 2012 financial results.

Butterfield Bank

(Barbados) Limited was established in 2003 upon the acquisition by Butterfield of the Barbados assets of the Mutual Bank of the Caribbean, Inc.; at the time a subsidiary of The Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society. It had assets of B$ 617 million (US$ 308 million) and customer deposits of B$ 540 million (US$ 270 million) at 31 December 2011.

First Citizens’ acquisition of Butterfield Bank (Barbados) Limited represents the first acquisitive expansion of its full service banking business outside of its home market of Trinidad and Tobago.

Bradford Kopp, Butterfield’s President & Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased that we received all regulatory approvals and were able to conclude the sale of our Barbados business to First Citizens in the third quarter as planned.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

PM appoints team to tackle looming food crisis Jamaica Observer - THE Portia Simpson Miller Cabinet has established a committee to formulate Jamaica’s response to the possibility of a significant increase in food prices, stemming from the severe drought affecting sections of the United States.

What has been described as the worst drought since the 1930s has been scorching crops and farmlands in US midwestern states, sending global corn and soybean prices soaring to record highs.

The drought has also contributed to an increase in overall food prices, a situation compounded by lower crop yields in other major grainproducing countries like Ukraine, Russia and India.

The United States-based International Food Policy Research Institute, which is supported by governments and international organisations, is indicating that the price of corn has now reached a record US$8.49 a bushel, a 57 per cent hike since early June.

Already, some countries are taking steps to monitor grain exports to ensure that their populations have ample supplies.

Last week, Russia — the world’s third largest wheat exporter — admitted that a poor harvest will force it to considerably cut its foreign

Portia Simpson Miller deliveries despite worrying spikes in global food prices.

The United Nations Food

and Agriculture Organisation is also indicating that some entities, particularly companies involved in commodities trading, are trying to exploit the crisis.

In light of the uncertainties and the possible impact of the crisis on Jamaica, a source close to the Simpson Miller Administration told the Jamaica Observer that the prime minister has assembled a team comprising representatives of the ministries of agriculture, and industry, investment and commerce.

Contacted for a comment, Agriculture Minister Roger

Clarke confirmed that a committee has been established and that the team also includes officials of the Ministry of Finance.

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) is also responding to the looming crisis and says it is encouraged by the Jamaica Broilers venture. According to JAS President Senator Norman Grant, the Jamaica Broilers Group will be planting in excess of 500 acres of corn locally.

Grant said his association will be approaching the company to explore opportunities for local farmers.

Muslim leader to testify at Commission of Inquiry Monday NewsDay - JAMAAT al Muslimeen leader, Yasin Abu Bakr, will testify at the commission of enquiry into the July 27, 1990, attempted coup.

It was confirmed that Bakr, who led the failed insurrection, will testify all of next week, starting Monday.

Lead counsel to the commission, Av o r y Sinanan,SC, gave an overview of the schedule for the twelfth session, which began last Monday at the Caribbean Court of Justice. He also indicated

that top security brass, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj, and acting Police Commissioner, Stephen Williams.

Their evidence will be held in private as they are expected to discuss matters relating to the country’s security. Also expected to testify are representatives of stateowned utility companies, TTEC and WASA. Republic Bank Limited is also expected to send a representative to counter claims made by businessmen of the bank’s harsh treatment of them following the failed insurrection.

Trade unionist Clive Nunez will also give his recollection of the intense labour situation, leading up to July 27, 1990.

Also expected to be firmed up in this session will be the list of potential witnesses who will receive Salmon Letters from the commission, regarding their potential testimony.

Chairman of the commission, Sir David Simmons, has also asked for persons instrumental in d r a f t i n g t h e a m n e s t y,

Yasin Abu Bakr which was granted to the M u s l i m e e n insurrectionists, to provide the commission with evidence relating to the issue, as there were still gaps in the evidence.

A retrial was ordered by trial judge Mark Mohammed. No date has been set for the new trial.

However, the way has now been cleared for Bakr to testify at the enquiry.

The Jamaat leader had asked that he testify after his sedition trial in the High Court as he did not want adverse publicity to affect the case by his testifying at the enquiry.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

GWI to install new meters outside fences of West Dem. residences Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will now be installing meters outside the fences of residences in the West Demerara area.

The programme will target customers served by the Pouderoyen and Fellowship Water Treatment Plants, which include villages from Versailles on the West Bank to Hague on the West Coast.

According to GWI’s Customer Service Manager, Jeanette Thomas, “prior to the upgrading and installation of water meters, GWI’s Customer Field

Representatives will be visiting residences and businesses to verify account information in order to update or correct accounts on the GWI database. We are appealing to all customers to cooperate with the GWI staff conducting the survey and those conducting the upgrades since the programme will significantly improve the service provided

by GWI.” The Customer Service Manager further explained, “should our representatives arrive at your premises and

Motorcycles collide in Bartica, two hospitalized Two motorcyclists remained hospitalized at the Bartica Public Hospital last night after they were involved in a smash-up shortly before 20:00hrs. at the junction of Third Avenue and Fifth Streets, Bartica.

Eyewitnesses claimed that Honda XL 125L was speeding in a westerly direction towards the Third Avenue junction when it attempted to overtake a wagon. However, it crashed into another oncoming motorcycle. On impact, the Honda bike and its rider were both flung onto the car. Both riders were rushed to the Bartica Public Hospital where their conditions remained unknown.

no one is available to provide the information requested, a letter will be left at the customer’s residence or business requesting that the customer contact our office to indicate a convenient day and time.

Should we visit your residence or business and not be able to make contact with the owner or tenant your water service can be interrupted.”

The survey was set to start on Monday last in the villages closest to the Pouderoyen Water Treatment Plant which includes Phoenix Park, Samaroo Dam, Bella Dam, Coglan Dam, Middle Street, Swan Street, Malgre Tout, Versailles, Plantain Walk and Vreed-en-Hoop. GWI teams will visit the villages on the West Coast at the end of September and during the month of October, the government entity said in a release.

Thomas further revealed that GWI is working on new methods for the installation of water service meters, saying

OOPS!

These two cars were involved in a crash on Monday at Eversham, Corentyne, East Berbice around 15:00hrs.

Fortunately, no one was reportedly seriously injured.

that “previously we installed water meters beyond the fence of the customer’s home.

The challenge is that some premises are secured all day with no one available to allow us access to the meter; this results in estimated bills.

During this exercise we will install the meters on the outside of the fence where possible; our meter readers will now have access to the meter and our customers can be billed on what they actually consume.”

The GWI Customer Service Manager further indicated that “where it is not possible to install water meters on the outside of the fence, GWI will install the meters in an elevated position within the fence so that it is visible to meter readers.”

GWI said that it is appealing to all domestic and commercial customers to support its country-wide “Metering Programme” as the company continues to aim towards metering 100 percent of its customers.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 29, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The uncivilized den that Guyana has become There can be no doubt about it, absolutely no doubt that the political culture in Guyana makes people frown on this nation. One can just imagine what goes through the minds of foreign diplomats who live here. The attitude of the US Embassy sums it up - just come with your visa application, we don’t want to see any other piece of paper. This same embassy called in the police to investigate allegations against two very high ranking Guyanese citizens that a document they

tendered at the embassy was forged.

Since then those two persons have been further elevated into the power establishment of this country.

Think of how those embassy officials feel about Guyana. It is not that Guyana is part of an abysmal region where banana republic politics run amok. No, the Caricom region has international standards by which they practice the rule of law and by which they judge morality in public office.

An influential local white Jamaican businessman was

pulled over by a traffic sergeant. The sergeant refused to accept a bribe, then, the local Member of Parliament and a senior superintendent intervened on behalf of the businessman.

Jamaica’s tradition, no doubt inherited from its Westminister acceptance of a neutral civil service, of public morality in politics, has resulted in all three being charged. The superintendent and MP may now face an uncertain future.

Across in Trinidad, two days ago, the Deputy

Minister of National Security was fired by the Prime Minister because he refused a breathalyzer test. Last year in that same Caricom Island, a Minister was removed over a contract to a company to which her husband was attached. These wholesome policies in Jamaica and Trinidad are not peculiar to the Caribbean. There ought to be a normal process of governing with recognition of the rule of law.

What occurred in Trinidad and Jamaica is normal politics. It is civilized

politics. It is the politics of civilized societies in a modern world. It is the kind of politics that we find even in dictatorships. I would regard Burma, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Russia, Pakistan, among others as authoritarian systems. But I would say with not even a modicum of hesitation that the depravities and immoralities among high governmental officials that are tolerated at the presidential level in Guyana would never, I repeat, never, be allowed to pass in those countries.

What goes on in Guyana just don’t happen in the world.

It makes this land immensely tragic where pessimism runs deep and people feel that civilization is lost and they want to get out. Look what “Killaman” did. The public incidents were cascading like fountain water. First a violent incident in which a suicide is alleged to have taken place.

Then a teenager is beaten with a gun then a cyclist had his leg crushed in a road accident. Yet “Killaman” remains in high office.

In Guyana, Ministers own companies and these firms are huge beneficiaries of governmental outlays.

Guyanese will laugh when they read this article about what happened in Jamaica and Trinidad. The average citizen knows that in Guyana the more corrupt you are in the corridors of power, the more Cabinet portfolios you are given.

The Auditor General’s report on the tender system in the Ministry of Health would never be tolerated in any CARICOM territory. Very few countries,

Frederick Kissoon if any, would accept the occupational status of the wife of the Minister of Finance at the Auditor General’s office.

One of the weirdest things that a human can encounter with his/her government is this story involving the Minister’s wife. She is a qualified person that can procure a similar salary anywhere she chooses in the public sector. It simply has no logical explanation as to why she would want to put the Government of Guyana and the Government of Guyana would want to put itself, in such a controversial light?

Why does Mrs. Singh want to work at the Auditor General’s office when a case can be made out for a conflict of interest?

Of course there has to be a reason, and it lies in the nature of the political culture of the ruling party. The moral basis of politics in Jamaica and Trinidad would never be accepted by the PPP because of the power madness. It is against this background one has to understand that Guyana is not out of the woods with the Linden crisis.

Will the PPP accept the decisions arrived at over the coming weeks and in the months to come in the case of the Commission of Inquiry?

I doubt it. The precedents are mountainous.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

$60M bid to supply learning materials Medical emergency services to for Regions 3, 5 tech institutes be available at CJIA, Ogle Airport Bids for the supply and delivery of learning materials for government’s technical institutes in Regions Three and Five were opened Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The invitation for bids were issued under the Ministry of Education, with the bids opened:

Bids were also opened for the procurement of goods for the Child Friendly School programme (EFA- Education for All). The bids were divided into three lots- Lot (1) Portable MP3/CD player with cassette recorder and AM/FM radio and television; Lot (2) Water dispenser; Lot (3) Batteries. The bids opened were:

The Health Ministry is working to have emergency medical services at key ports of entries, including CJIA and Ogle Airport.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) also received bids for the construction of a bridge at Tumong, Region Eight.

The engineers estimate was $13,998,400 and the bids were:

In addition, two bids were also received for the procurement of one new 4x4 vehicle for the RDC in Region Two. The bids opened were:

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports also received bids for the procurement of two minibuses. The bids are:

Under the Supreme Court of Judicatures, five bids were opened for the repairs to Judge’s Quarters at Anna Regina (Cotton Tree), Region Two. With an Engineers Estimate of $1, 632, 620 the bids are as follow:

Basic medical emergency and critical services are likely to soon become staples at the country’s ports as part of the Ministry of Health’s effort to bolster its surveillance capabilities.

This disclosure was made

by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud during a recent interview with this publication.

Some international airports around the world are designed with a complete medical centre inclusive of defibrillators, oxygen and ambulance on site.

Guyana, according to the official, is leaning towards this development giving the evident increase in air traffic at both the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Ogle Aerodrome over the past few years. The Health Ministry, he said, has recognised the need for expanded health services at these facilities.

Currently, he revealed that the Ministry is providing clinical and port health services at the Timehri facility through the placement of a Medex who is based there for most of the day during major departures and arrivals. A port health officer is also tasked with addressing Sanitation Control which entails vector management and encompasses the spraying of the port at least once a month.

The mission of the Ministry too, is to ensure that any new

species of mosquitoes are detected promptly. “We have trapping systems to check and collect mosquitoes so we know how to deal with them as they are detected.”

Also of major concern, the CMO revealed, is that of food and water safety at the country’s ports. He explained that there may be instances when travellers consume food items or water available in proximity to these facilities before boarding and then become sick along the way.

This state of affairs he said is certainly not desirable and could even cast a bad light on the port or country of departure.

He noted that it is indeed even dangerous to become sick while in flight or travelling by whatever means. “All the persons who provide foods whether in snackettes, restaurants or bars, all such places around these ports... we are going to ensure that they are first of all certified.

We will also work towards ensuring that they comply with food sanitation requirements and that is right now a big challenge.”

According to Dr Persaud, it is required that foods should be kept either below four degrees Celsius or above 55 degrees, that is, either warm or cold. “People just can’t have things like egg balls and chicken sandwiches lying around in a normal ambient temperature...that is

not quite healthy. What we prefer is if they keep them at one of the extremes where it is safer in terms of bacterial contaminations...”

While measures are not yet fully implemented at the Ogle Aerodrome, Dr. Persaud confirmed that plans are in the process of being finalised. He revealed that with the rapid development at that airport “we are engaged with them in many ways and they are in the processing of providing a space for us.”

Recent constructions at the facility has allowed for a room to be designated for a port health official, who according to Dr Persaud, has already been identified to be stationed there. The Ogle facility operates mainly during the day and efforts will be made, the CMO said, “to ensure that we cover all the flights and departures particularly the international ones. With travel from Ogle to some of our South American neighbours we need to ensure that Yellow Fever certificates are in place and other sanitary control measures are adhered to.”

Although local flights are deemed pretty safe, he did note that there is need to put some services in place to monitor those as well. The providers of foods around that facility will also be targeted in similar manner as those at Timehri, the official disclosed.

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Kaieteur News

Boy, 14, drowns at Leonora seawall The August holiday yesterday took a deadly turn for a West Demerara family with the shocking drowning of one of their own.

Fourteen-year-old Rondell Ally, who went for a swim at the Leonard foreshore, never surfaced after diving, reports said.

The teenager of Lot 251 Number Two Scheme, Uitvlugt was said to have drowned sometime around midday yesterday.

The teen’s cousin, Camille Elcock said that Ally, who came from Antigua about a year ago and is a student at the Uitvlugt Secondary School.

He reportedly told his grandmother that he was going by one of his friends, who resides a street away from him.

“We don’t know where

the friend live or who exactly the friend is but all his friends are from his school,” Elcock said, adding that the teen’s grandmother asked him to purchase a few items for her on his way back.

Kaieteur News was told that a couple minutes after the 14-year-old boy left home, a few children visited the grandmother and gave her the shocking news.

A search was immediately carried out by residents and police and the teen’s body was discovered.

The teenager who was said to be with the lad when he drowned was at the Leonora Police Station late yesterday afternoon assisting the police with investigation.

Ally’s mother and siblings are said to be in the USA while his father lives in Guyana.

Former supermarket cashier in court over missing $200,000 A former cashier accused of pilfering almost $200,000 from the Survival Supermarket, has been charged.

Savitri Ramnauth was yesterday placed on $85,000 bail.

Police said that she stole $198,342 from one of the cash registers at the supermarket.

The incident was said to have taken place on May 22nd while Ramnauth was on duty at the supermarket. The money went missing from the cash register which she was assigned to. She was unable to account for it.

The police were called in and an investigation launched.

She was subsequently arrested and brought before the court. Yesterday, the woman pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read by Magistrate Hazel Octive Hamilton.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Wastage, hazardous conditions continue to plague West Demerara Hospital

The bond at the West Demerara Hospital where drugs and other expensive and critical supplies are said to be stored,

Despite several reports and complaints of the worsening state of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), and accusations by staffers at the facility that government was turning a blind eye, persons visiting the facilities say there has not been much improvements.

Some staff members said the conditions under which they work are stressful and in certain circumstances pose a threat to their wellbeing.

One such situation is the

The room where porters are expected to use. room assigned to porters. A visit to the area revealed that there were tree vines growing from the ceiling.

In addition, there are concerns about the dangerous wiring in the building at some of the critical areas, including the Emergency Room (ER).

Region Three Regional Health Officer (RHO), Ravindranauth Persaud, had earlier in the year assured that measures would have been

put in place to ensure the safety of hospital staff and patients. However, the present situation begs to differ.

The Government has green lighted a $20M contract for electrical repairs.

The state of the hospital has been a subject of much criticism in recent times.

It was clear that attempts were made to hide away dangling electrical wires.

Kaieteur News

understands that the hospital has been in this condition for the longest while.

Another issue at the hospital was the storage of patient’s records in cardboard boxes. These are being kept in a seemingly abandoned room in no orderly manner. It is almost an impossible task to trace patients’ records.

There were also complaints about shortages of key drugs. This was an ironic situation since a large batch of Purell hand sanitizers which expired in December 2011 was placed on the corridor awaiting disposal according to staff at the institution.

“These people rather throw away stuff, rather than give people it weeks before it expire,” one staff noted.

Kaieteur News made contact with the RHO earlier this week, but the official said that he is not authorized to speak to the media.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Taxi driver’s bullet-riddled body dumped at Thomas Lands

Police have launched a hunt for the killers of 25-yearold taxi driver, Sean De Freitas Sookdeo, whose bullet riddle body was discovered early yesterday morning on Thomas Lands, near the National Park.

The discovery was made around 06:00 hours by early morning joggers who subsequently informed the police. No motive for the killing, which bore all the hallmarks of an execution, has been established so far.

But police have almost ruled out robbery as the motive since there are reports that the taxi driver was lured to his death by persons he

knew well.

His Toyota 212 motor car was found in front of his sister’s yard at McDoom, East Bank of Demerara where he had apparently parked it on Monday night. His passport was found on his person and this led to his swift identification by investigators.

Sookdeo’s body bore gunshot wounds to the head, hands and abdomen and according to reliable police sources close to the investigation, Sookdeo who hails from Lot 6 Block CC Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara, appeared to have been tortured also.

The source said that there were what appeared to be burns to his neck and abdomen.

Investigators are searching their records with the hope of establishing what might have led to Sookdeo’s death.

A police source on the East Coast of Demerara told Kaieteur News that Sookdeo is known to them, although he has never been charged with any criminal offence.

For his mother, Sandra Sookdeo, and other relatives, including his wife and daughter, his death is more than a shock.

Mrs. Sookdeo said that

French Guiana-based teacher freed on marijuana charges After being incarcerated for more than three months and then granted $1M bail a week ago, a Guyanese who teaches in French Guiana was on Friday freed on drug charges.

Charles McLeod, 27, who had been accused of drug trafficking was freed after a no-case submission by his lawyer, Charrandass Persaud.

Magistrate Krisendat Persaud, at the Springlands Magistrate Court, upheld the submission.

McLeod, a married father of three, resides in French Guiana and stays by his parents at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, whenever he is in Guyana. He is contracted by the French Guiana government to teach in that country.

The case for the prosecution was that earlier this year, the police were on the Princetown public road, Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, when they stopped a silvergrey motorcar, HC 497. There were four passengers on board, including McLeod.

The occupants were searched. A bag belonging to

McLeod was searched and in a curry powder jar, police found what was suspected to be seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be marijuana plant.

A further search of the bag unearthed another black plastic bag with similar contents.

The occupants were taken to the station .The contents was tested and weighed and found to be 460 grams of cannabis sativa and after investigations McCleod was charged.

After numerous attendances, the police witnesses were mostly absent and no exhibits were presented.

The lawyer in his arguments had first asked the

court to grant his client bail due to the fact that since the case started the main police witness has been regularly absent. He had stated that since his client’s incarceration, he has been unable to work and may be in jeopardy of losing his contract. The Magistrate had on Friday granted the accused $1M bail.

The lawyer argued that his client has no case to answer since during the trial no exhibits had been submitted to prove the Prosecution’s case that his client was ever in possession of the prohibited substance.

The magistrate thus dismissed the case.

while she does not know of any reason why persons would want to kill her son, she had repeatedly warned him about the dangers of his job as a taxi driver.

The woman said that Sunday night was the last time she saw her son who had recently moved to live with his wife and daughter in the city.

Incidentally, the dead taxi driver was scheduled to take his wife and daughter to the airport early yesterday morning and when he did not return home on Monday night, the family became worried.

Sookdeo told this newspaper that she received a telephone call from her daughter-in-law at around 00:30 hours, informing her that her son had not come home as planned.

A call to his cellular phone was met by a recording that the instrument was in use but subsequent calls later found that it was turned off.

As desperation began setting in, Sookdeo called her daughter who lives at McDoom to see if he was there. The daughter reported that she had seen the taxi driver earlier Monday afternoon but did not make contact with him after.

“I say aright, I gone pray.

I keep calling his wife on the phone asking she if she hear anything and she say no.”

Although alarm bells were ringing in her ears, Mrs. Sookdeo refused to believe that something terrible had

happened to her son and she convinced herself that he had deliberately turned off his phone.

But what happened next sent shockwaves through her body. A friend contacted her via telephone and enquired if she was all right.

“I say… “How you mean if I aright?” He say, Sister Carol, you sure you aright?

Something happen to Sean.””

The friend went on to tell her that her son was involved in an accident and told her where his body was.

The mother told this newspaper that while she was on her way to the scene, she got another call from her pastor who instructed her to go to the Lyken Funeral Parlour instead since the body had already been removed.

It was only after arriving at the parlour that the woman learnt that her son was not really involved in a vehicular accident but was the victim of a brutal execution.

“I don’t know what happened, I don’t know what transpired but when I went and see him he had gunshot wounds on his body,” Sookdeo said.

She said that she later learnt that her son had parked his car outside his sister’s residence unknown to her.

“His wife told me that somebody called him earlier on the phone and he told them to meet him at the gas station in McDoom. So when my daughter wake up, she call me and tell me that she see he

Sean De Freitas Sookdeo car park outside by her place, so I don’t know what happened. He probably went with somebody that he knows well or he would not have gone with them,” the woman insisted.

For her and the rest of the family, the month of August will forever bear significance since it is also in this month that they lost another close relative under similar circumstances.

Six years ago, her brother, Mark Maikoo, was among the five Kaieteur News pressmen who were senselessly slaughtered by a marauding gang at the company’s Eccles, East Bank Demerara location.

Sandra Sookdeo had a message for her son’s killer or killers.

“Whoever did this to my son, let them realize that God is watching and the way that they killed him was not right. Their turn is coming.”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 29, 2012

…major shakeup in management

The older engine that was damaged in the 2011 floods. Government is hoping to have it repaired.

Lethem, in Region Nine, is facing hours of extended blackout because of problems with its Caterpillar engine.

According to residents there, the area which is the main entry point for Brazilians, is receiving as little as six hours electricity daily.

Last Saturday, amidst increasing complaints over the state of the government owned power company there, a new Board of Directors was installed by Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds.

The new directors include Chairman and Engineer, Christopher Moses; Engineer

and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Perry Silverious, William Tony, Desmond Kissoon, Horace William, Divisional Director of GPL, Colin Singh, and National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) representative, Purnadram Chamdaban.

The Caterpillar generator that was recently damaged.

During a meeting between the Prime Minister and his delegation and residents at the Arapaima Primary School, there were complaints over fuel shortage and extended periods of blackouts because of a generation shortfall.

A recent month-long protest over electricity hikes in Linden, Region 10, had virtually cut-off fuel supplies to the Lethem power plant, compounding the woes of residents in that border community.

Authorities were forced to source fuel at a higher cost from Brazil and there were days when the load-shedding lasted as much as 17-hours a day.

The situation has now worsened after the Caterpillar

generator, because of poor maintenance and overwork, went down.

The engine was borrowed from Guyana Power Light (GPL) in 2009, for the opening of the Takatu Bridge which links Guyana and Brazil.

However, an older engine that was damaged in the 2011 floods is being serviced with the aim of having it replace the damaged Caterpillar.

The erratic power has also affected the supply of potable water from Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

“People got their toilets full up for hours and there is no water available to flush because of the situation,” one resident said.

At the Arapaima Primary

School, residents questioned the Prime Minister about the possible renovation of the Moco-Moco hydro-plant which would be a more reliable source of electricity.

However, the Prime Minister noted that such a project would cost $80-$100M to renovate.

Residents, however, are saying that with the injection of fuel and maintenance of the generators at the Lethem Power Company, eventually a price of $100M would be surpassed and with fuel prices climbing, it would be wise to reconsider the MocoMoco project.

Residents also expressed anger at suggestions of an eventual raise in the electricity tariff in Lethem.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Officer Cadet, Carlos Jordan, departed the shores of Guyana last weekend for China where he will pursue specialist training to qualify as an aircraft pilot as part of the existing bilateral relations between the People’s Liberation Army and the army.

The programme, designed to enable its students to gain primary and advanced flight training together with undergraduate academic education, is of five years duration and will commence on September 1, GDF said in a release yesterday.

During his first year, Jordan will be immersed in a one-year Chinese language programme, which is necessary since all his courses will be conducted in Chinese.

Jordan, who was selected from among four, will be in Changchun, Jilin Province, at the Air Force Aviation University, PLA where he will read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Aircraft System and Operation Programme.

Kaieteur News

Jordan’s selection to this programme is historic since it is the first time that a member of the Guyana Defence Force will undertake training of this nature in China.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Miguel Benjamin and Patrick Nichols were appointed captains for the GDF’s Y-12 aircraft.

The Captains received their instruments of appointment and commendation from Chief-ofStaff Commodore Gary Best, at a simple yet significant ceremony at Defence Headquarters, Base Camp Ayanganna on Monday last.

Captains Benjamin and Nichols were lauded for having “...worked assiduously in the field of aviation to achieve their present appointment...”

They were also recognised for their dedication to the profession.

The commendation also reads, “...you were tenacious and unswerving in your devotion to facilitating a high and sustained level of professionalism amongst your superiors and peers...”

Y-12 Captains, Patrick Nichols (third from left) and Miguel Benjamin (third from right) with Commodore Gary Best, Colonel Bruce Lovell, CO GDF Air Corps and an official from the GCAD. Captain Benjamin was trained as a pilot prior to becoming a member of the GDF in 2001. He was commissioned as an Officer

Blairmont estate hard hit by...

(From page 17) for a full resumption on the 10/6 pm shift and onwards.”

“Unfortunately, the 10/6 pm shift yesterday(Monday), 6/2 am shift and entire workforce in the field workshop today continued the strike, despite an agreement being reached yesterday.

“This strike is in blatant

violation of the grievance procedure that provides, among others, for dialogues at various levels until a dispute or grievance is resolved, rather than for workers proceeding to abandon their jobs; thereby causing 485 punts of cane to perish and denial of work to 850 harvesters for 2 days already,” the statement charged.

Page 19

Strikes at a number of estates this year have left the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation unable to deliver to markets in Caricom.

According to GuySuCo, the problem was exacerbated by strikes at the Blairmont, West Berbice packaging plant and poor weather at the Enmore Estate, East Coast Demerara.

in 2005 and has formerly served as co-pilot on the Y12.

Captain Nichols, a Canadian-trained pilot, secured his training between 1979 and 1981 when he gained his pilot’s license.

He enlisted as an Officer

Cadet on the Standard Officer’s Course number 15 in 1982 and racked up some 20 years service with the Force, serving as captain of the GDF’s skyvan for several years. Nichols also served as a Flight Officer aboard the Guyana Airways Corporation

(GAC) 757 aircraft and also has experience as a pilot with the local private aviation industry.

The Officers and Ranks of the GDF congratulated Captains Benjamin and Nichols on their appointments.

Page 20

With less than a week left before the reopening of schools on Monday, business persons who would have invested heavily in school gear and accoutrements are trying to remain optimistic that sales will pick up, and they will not be left with stocks on their hands.

Most businesses in Linden are reporting a slow turnover of articles for school, with just a few saying that sales were reasonable.

Levoy Watts of Levoy’s Variety in the Mackenzie market was one of the few persons who claimed that business was ‘reasonable.’

There were a variety of school items to be had at this store.

Watts acknowledged that sales could not compare to that of the same period last year. He, however, said he was not complaining.

Meanwhile, Gavin of Romain’s Shoe World said that business was extremely slow. He noted that for the same period last year, the store already had to replenish stocks, as they had ‘sold out’ early.

Other business persons said that sales definitely cannot compare to last year’s.

One woman pointed out:

Kaieteur News

“You see… a lot of persons shopped in Georgetown- ever since they start talking about protest, some people start shopping. People shop school clothes, ration and everything. So right now they ain’t got a lot of people shopping.

They might buy a little something here and there, but no big purchases.”

Another resident related that even with the few persons shopping, there are not many cash transactions but the use of voucher systems.

“While the voucher is okay, we don’t get the money right away, so that is the only problem,” a fellow vendor said.

While vendors on the whole are trying to remain optimistic that sales would improve over the next couple of days, there are a few who are afraid that a lot of stock would be left on their hands.

Meanwhile, up to yesterday, there were still a few parents desperately trying to get school uniforms sewn for their children.

“Right now it is really difficult because when you go to the tailors and seamstresses, they telling you it too late, they can’t help

Wednesday August 29, 2012

No customers in sight: Back-to-school business in Linden has remained slow. you, but is when we get the money, we couldn’t do anything before, because we ain’t had no money,” one mother said.

Many of the Lindeners feeling the fallout from the month-long protests are those employed with private businesses. A vast majority have not been paid.

After more than a month

of upheaval, the community finally returned to normalcy, last week, with businesses, including the commercial

banks which had remained closed, finally opening their doors.

The ferry services also

resumed working, after remaining anchored at their landings for the entirety of the protest action.

National Drama Festival set for October Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony has confirmed that the National Drama Festival is set to be held in October at the National Cultural Center (NCC).

According to the Minister, there has been good response as many persons are already expressing their interest in being a part of the festival, which had a very successful run last year.

“I think there are more than 60 entries and these are

players and people who would be doing plays during the period,” he said.

At present, these persons are undergoing a period of training aimed at sharpening their skills and techniques.

Prizes will be awarded to playwrights this year, so as to encourage writing of more Guyanese plays, an area that has seen great progress.

Last year, the Ministry started the National Drama Competition, an event which was last held sometime in the 1960s.

Last year ’s event was organised through the Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Education and partners in theatre such as Al Creighton, Henry Rodney and Godfrey Naughton.

The Festival has a broad objective of providing a platform for youths to unveil and showcase their creative talent in Guyana and helping youths to realize their potential as actors, actresses, play writers and directors and stage management. (GINA)

Brothers remanded on marijuana charge Michael Budhu and Bonny Budhu, brothers, have been refused bail for possession of a significant quantity of marijuana.

Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to them by Magistrate Hazel Octive Hamilton. It is alleged that on August 26, at Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, the brothers had 305 grams of cannabis in their possession which was intended to be

used for trafficking.

Their lawyer, Paul FungA-Fat did not make a bail application and stated that there is no special reason that can be given to the court for his clients to be granted their pre-trial liberty. The lawyer, however, asked for the magistrate to grant an early date for the trial to commence.

The brothers will have to return to court on October 3rd.

Reports are that on

Sunday last, police who were on mobile patrol in the vicinity of East Ruimveldt, stopped the car that both men were in. A search was conducted and the suspected marijuana was found in a cardboard box in the back seat of the car.

Further investigation ascertained that the substance was indeed cannabis and both accused were arrested and charged with the offence.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Non-operational ambulance sits idle at BV’s health centre

The non- operational ambulance parked in the BV health centre compound.

For almost eight years now, an ambulance donated to the Beterverwagting Health Centre, has been sitting in that facility’s compound…and left to rot.

The vehicle, said to worth an estimated $5M, has been lying dormant in a garage for want of repairs.

Residents complained that for quite some time, the vehicle has been useless to them.

As a matter of fact, the health centre’s users said that for a significantly long period of time the ambulance has not been operational and currently serves no purpose.

The residents are claiming that they once had the benefits of the ambulance’s use with the services of trained operators, but now they have to revert to the lone East Coast Demerara ambulance that caters for health centres, stretching as

far as Clonbrook.

According to the residents, the ambulance which was donated to their community over a decade ago is managed by a committee. Kaieteur News was told that at least two villagers were hired and trained by the committee to operate the ambulance while there was also a separate operations room that took in calls when the ambulance was needed.

They, however, said that after the 2005 flood which the ambulance had survived, it was no longer operational.

The vehicle has since been under lock and key in the compound’s garage and no one seems to know what it requires.

“The rust on the padlock could tell that this thing has been here for a long time,” a man said.

The residents explained

that they face great difficulty when an emergency occurs in the village. They said that they had to resort to private or public vehicles when transporting the sick since they have to depend on the services of the regional ambulance, which is sometimes unavailable.

The residents also want a shed to be built in the compound.

It is understood that almost 100 persons use the health facility on a daily basis with no means of shelter. It would also facilitate the elderly persons, the residents said.

The need for a regular caretaker was also lamented by the residents who pointed to the tall grass that had taken over the health centre’s immediate surroundings.

They said that tending to the grass in the compound is only done periodically.

Missing teen’s remains...

(From page 15) 13:00hrs on Tuesday. The woman said that she was sitting on the koker when they were told that a body was spotted on the Number Four area.

Their worst fears were confirmed when it was discovered that it was indeed the body of the teen. The relatives are insisting that something is amiss.

They stated that when the body was found, it was

bloated and blood was oozing from the noose with an eye missing.

They now want the police to conduct further investigations into the matter.

The father of the girlfriend was initially held but has since being released. Investigations are continuing.

Anthony is the third fisherman from the Rosignol area to have disappeared from the area in just over a week.

The two other men are

boat owner, Mahendra ‘Rub’ Ompertab, 29, of Lot 318 Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice and his brother-in-law, Kanhai Madramootoo, 42, of the same address.

The men who are attached to the Rosignol Fishermen Coop Society left their base in their small vessel fitted with a 40-hp engine for a journey which do not usually last more than 12 hours. They have been missing now for over 13 days.

Page 21

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 29, 2012

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Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Letters... Where your views make the news

Minister Rohee is not culpable of any wrongdoing and should remain in office DEAR EDITOR, I have listened to the various calls by the opposition for the resignation/dismissal and their subsequent no confidence motion against Hon. Minister Clement Rohee.

His only sin being the Minister of Home Affairs at the time of the politicallymotivated unrest in Linden which lead to the unfortunate death of young men, who the opposition should accept full responsibility for their demise.

Before I go further let me make it very clear that I am not a supporter of the PPP, neither am I a friend of Clement Rohee, as a matter of fact I heard he hates me ( Justifiable or not ) As a concerned

Guyanese, a private investigator and security consultant, I closely and covertly monitored the unrest in Linden, from day one and list some of my findings.

1.) That the Hon. Minister Clement Rohee did not instruct any member of the joint services to use live rounds or to maim, kill or disfigure anyone directly or indirectly.

2.) That the unrest was politically motivated.

3.) That the police on several occasions during the protest were attacked and were exposed to serious danger to their person and as a last resort used the required force.

4.) That the burning of several buildings was

Inaccuracies, misinformation...

From page 5

displace people without having regard to their livelihood.

Minister Robeson Benn and I have raised this issue at the Cabinet level and there is a strategy and relocation plan that we are going to rework to take back to the residents of this community. We have been in continuous dialogue and discussion in working to formulate a relocation plan which we are hoping the residents would take ownership of. We believe that the residents must take ownership of this relocation plan for it to be successful. Moreover, over the years numerous notices have been issued to the residents living in this community.

I have attached copies of notices that were sent to the residents of this community and other documents to verify that the Government has been engaging the community in an effort to relocate the residents in a manner that is amicable and in keeping with their socio-economic wellbeing.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Local government...

From page 4 local government elections are held as mandated.

Likewise, they would be motivated to examine how to overhaul and reform the operations and structure of the municipal government for effective widespread impact.

Citizens routinely see and hear the headlines for messages of reform during every electoral cycle that each and every political party proclaims.

Unfortunately, after the

dust has settled nothing is done to advance the serious cause of reform that should begin with fair, equitable local government elections.

I hope that others will join me in emphatically calling out to our policy makers to ensure that local government elections are held without undue delay.

Clinton Urling President Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

committed by persons other than protestors, and also not by agents of the state.

5.) The opposition elements for their own political gains incited, counseled, procured and commanded protestors to make unreasonable demands and to behave in a certain way.

6.) That several miners, loggers and other individuals were hindered, assaulted and had their vehicle burnt or seriously damaged by protestors while going about their lawful business and the opposition did nothing to put an end to such criminal acts.

7.) There are several other issues too numerous to mention but which I am sure will come out as the commission of enquiry.

In view of the foregoing it is my humble opinion that: 1.) The Minister of Home Affairs is not culpable of any wrongdoing and should remain in office.

2.) That all those who were assaulted and had their vehicles damaged by protestors should give evidence when the commission of inquiry is

convened.

3.) That all fair-minded persons who witnessed the police being attacked should come forward and give evidence and some form of protection be offered.

In closing, I challenge the opposition to make similar representation for other underprivileged, poor and needy in other regions of Guyana.

I am sure after the publication of this letter I will come under personal attack by many in our midst who pretend to be angels by day but are devils by night. I like so many of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But I challenge those without sin, and who want Mr. Rohee’s head, to cast the first stone and as Bob Marley sings “who the cap fit let them wear it”.

I will not respond to any of my critics.

Robert Gates

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2007 Toyota Allion $3.1M, 2007 Avensis $3.8M & 2006 BMW 320i $6M negotiable, all vehicles unregistered Call: 615-4114

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(From page 22)

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PROPERTY FOR SALE 20X40 Two flat concrete building @ Kitty. Price $22M Negotiable to be seen Call: 668-9512, 223-2570 Diamond $5M, Friendship $15.5M, Albertown $19M, Prashad Nagar $30M Diana 227-2256,626-9382 Beautiful middle income ranch style home in LaParfaite Harmonie W.B.D $16M, Has chicken pen Call: 682-1256, 622-8409, 611-3674 Uitvlugt WCD Call: 6780436, 269-0640 79 William Street, Kitty, price negotiable Call: 662-5114 Property at Diamond, New Scheme, price $30 million negotiable Call: 612-2697 98 N/E Grove Post Office St. Contact : 625-6357 price 10M neg.

Parfait 2 storey 3 bedroom $19M, Diamond 2 storey 3 bedroom $18M Town to country 672-7390,225-0843 Diamond 1st Bridge 2 bedroom flat $19M, Diamond luxury home 4 bedroom $55M Town to country 672-7390,225-0843 Happy Acre luxury home $55.5M, South Ruimveldt 2 storey $10M Town to country 672-7390,225-0843 South Ruimveldt 3 bedroom $19M, Robb St. business property $58M Town to country 672-7390,225-0843 Robb St. Business property $40M, Durban St. 3 bedroom $21M Town to country 6727390,225-0843 One house for sale @ Diamond Scheme Call: 6432934 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School, First Federation Building Call: 225-4858, 6445166, 622-2872, 615-0964

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Page 24

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. Live! With Kelly 10:00hrs. JAG 11:00hrs. The View 12:00hrs. Prime News 12:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00hrs. The Talk 15:00hrs. Boy Meets World 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. MacGyver 18:00hrs. World News 18:30hrs. Nightly News 19:30hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News 20:30hrs. DTV’s Summer

Kaieteur News

Movie Fest: Viewers’ Choice 23:00hrs. Sign Off NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 04:00h - Cricket:- 2ND ODI SOUTH AFRICA vs ENGLAND 07:30h - CARIBBEAN POT Caribbean Chicken soup 08:00h - Cricket:- 2ND ODI SOUTH AFRICA vs ENGLAND 11:30h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 12:00h - Indian Soap - Rab Se Sohna Isshq 12:30h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 13:00h - Indian Soap - Mrs.

Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 13:30h - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah 14:00h - Cricket - T&T T20 FOR 50 - T&T vs DAREN GANGA X1 17:00h - Drying Tears Live with Pastor Edson 18:00h - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 18:15h - Birthday Greetings / Deaths Announcement & In Memoriam 18:30h - Hare Krishna Today 19:00h - Music Fantasia with Asif Nawaz 20:00h - Ashmins Presents DANCE WITH ME with Joel 21:00h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 21:30h - Indian Soap - Rab Se Sohna Isshq 22:00h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 22:30h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 23:00h - Sign Off with the Gayatri Mantra NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00h – NCN Late Edition (R/ B) 02:30h – Late Nite with GINA 03:00h – Movie 05:00h – Inspiration 05:30h – Newtown Gospel 06:00h – NCN Late Edition News(R/B) 06:30h – Feature 07:00h – Guyana Today 08:00h – Guysuco Round up (R/B) 08:30h – Close Up

Wednesday August 29, 2012

09:00h – Stop the Suffering 10:00h – CCTV 11:00h – History 12:00h – CNN 12:30h – NCN Newsbreak 12:35h – Focus on GRA (R/B) 13:05h – African Moves (R/ B) 14:00h – Movie 16:00h – Cartoons 17:00h – Anderson 18:00h – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30h – Oral Tradition 19:00h – Debate Series of Corruption 20:00h – 3d/daily millions/play de dream/lotto draw 20:05h – Feature 20:35h – GWI Alert 21:05h – NCN Sports Magazine 22:05h – NCN News Late Edition

22:35h – Caribbean Newsline 23:00h – Movie MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 06:00h Islamic Perspective 06:30h News Update 07:00h DAYBREAK – Live 08:00h Dabi’s musical 08:30h Avon DVD Suite Life of Zack and Cody 09:00h Current Affairs 09:15h Top Notch Music Break 09:30h Caribbean Temptation Music Mix 10:00h Amanda’s Costume jewellery musical 10:30h H. Persaud (Crown Chowmein) Music Break 11:00h The View 12:00h Current Affairs 12:30h The Young and The

Restless 13:30h Days of Our lives 14:00h National Geographic 15:00h General Hospital 16:00h The Bold and The Beautiful 16:30h Cartoons 17:00h Birthday and other greetings 17:15h Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30h Sitcom 18:00h Aracari Resort Hour 19:00h Aljazeera News 19:14h Slim Jet infomercial 19:30h News Update 23:30h Musical Waves 21:00h English Movie: 3 Ninjas: Kickback 23:00h News Update 23:00h English Movie: 3 Ninjas: Kickback continues Sign Off

Wednesday August 29, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): New things will be catching your attention today, alerting you to new people, new ideas, and exciting new opportunities that you never knew existed before. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): There are times that you should be conservative and take things nice and slowly, and then there are times you should throw all caution to the wind and just go for it! ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Negotiating relationships will be easy today, because no one can argue with the points you are making. Your ability to combine complex viewpoints with clear-headed simplicity is an unbeatable combination, and it will help everyone keep the proper perspective. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): The universe is flexible enough to accommodate whatever you need, but you will have ask for it. If you vocalize your plans and accept the challenges ahead of you, everything will be easy and the pace of your day will be exactly what you need -- slow if you are dealing with complicated matters, or fast if you're in an auto-pilot phase. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): If you are in a quandary right now, turn to someone who has years of experience in the subject that is confusing you. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): Not everyone can be as open-minded as you usually are, and that fact might frustrate you today. There will be a person near you who makes

a comment that you find disappointing, to say the least -but the situation might not be one in which you feel free to speak your mind. ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) :Today your inner MacGyver will be out in full force, and you'll be fixing all sorts of problems with your own special brand of creativity. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): Someone is starting a new phase of their life today, and you will be especially tuned into it. The purpose of your allegiance with this person is not completely clear, but you will serve as a witness, as proof of another person's fresh beginning. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): More than ever before, today you will notice the fabric of the community around you -- and your place in it. **************** CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Get ready to have part of your daily routine disrupted -- but don't let yourself get frustrated. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): Little changes in your life today will create bigger and more inspiring changes down the road, so do not be afraid of them. Once the ball gets rolling, you can ride it to some amazing adventures. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Your imagination, dreams and fantasies are offering you some amazing insight into the questions you've been asking yourself, and they could confirm a few suspicions.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Letters to the Sports Editor...Letters to the Sports Editor...Letters to the Sports Editor

The new GCB must reorganize its mission for the future DEAR EDITOR, It is my firm belief that the new Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) must divert from its old ideology of semi-dictatorial governance. This was evident through the unlimited powers that certain former executive members had obtained, that ultimately led to the destruction of the Board.

The hostile administrative hiatus was a sickening repetitive constraint that had caused several members of the Board to become disillusioned.

The former GCB Treasurer Mr. Sheik Ahmad’s position

had become untenable and he had to unceremoniously quit in frustration before the infamous injunction of the Board. These elements of quandary took its toll on the cricket field and the results had been predictable, except for the face saving under-19 lads who are on the verge of earning the country’s first one day title in the Regional Youth tournament that is being played in Barbados.

Such an achievement will be rare however, if the new Administration does not implement new initiatives based on human resource

and technical development that will procure the country’s future advancement of quality cricketers.

Incidentally not a single Guyanese is included in the West Indies T20 World Cup squad and this must be an ominous sign.

Good governance will ultimately rely on a solid constitution and the draft that I have seen is indeed sound.

The introduction of term limits for the presidency will minimize dictatorial traits while there are several other key clauses that will ensure inclusivity by the various

With the relevant improvements Digicel schools c/ships can become a flagship tournament DEAR SIR, In extending my heartiest congratulations to Wismar/ Christiansburg Secondary out of Region 10, for their resounding 5-2 victory over Waramadong of Region 7, in the finals of this year’s Digicel under-17 Schools Championship, which culminated on Sunday, July 15th,2012 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, with a double header, and not failing to mention the 3rd place winner St. Ignatius, out of Region 9, who easily disposed of Region 4 champions Bygevel, by a 6-2 margin in the 3rd place playoff, I must say that I was significantly impressed by the level of play from both finalists in virtually all facets of the game.

However, while I’m not aware if a meeting involving the sponsor, Ministry of Education; Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport and the Guyana Football Federation took place prior to the commencement of the tournament. If, not I would advocate that such a meeting takes place, so that impending bottlenecks can be eliminated, while fresh ideas for meaningful success can be achieved. Importantly, two of those emanating from the GFF should be stretchers and bearers, and dressing rooms.

Match Commissioners and an Ambulatory Service from the quartersfinals stage are also other areas that ought to be included, or at the regional finals.

In the first instance at the finals, it was extremely improper to view player(s) being assisted by team-mates whenever an injury occurred.

As it relates to the second; was the sponsor duly informed of this important requirement? The absence of proper dressing rooms was

another grey spot, and it’s beyond my imagination that of all places the Police Sports Club, would have allowed its dressing to be unused for a finals of this magnitude or was the conditions not suitable?

Meanwhile, as it relates to my initial point of a meeting being convened by all the major stakeholders, prior to the tournament’s commencement, it would enable the GFF, to outline its requirements for international standards in accordance to the relevant statutes of FIFA, and at the same time incorporating the tournament in its annual calendar of activities.

Also technical assistance can be provided to hinterland teams, an area that was sadly lacking with the losing finalist. i.e. Corner-Kicks! Due to the height advantage by the eventual winners; It would have been more prudent for outswinging corner-kicks or occasionally short; which in essence would have unsettled the opponents defence, and in the process creating more scoring opportunities.

The Ministry of Education’s role would be pivotal towards ascertaining that players, who are selected for school representation and are inclined to miss classes, due to training or playing receive the relevant tuition.

Additionally, verification of player(s) true and correct age also must be their responsibility, along with verifying whether playing matches during test time is conducive. Along with its regional ministerial counterpart, they ought to know if every region has access to a stretcher and a qualified medic, which can be utilized whenever matches are played.

Finally, with no clear indication that “physical education and by extension inter-school competitions, in the various sporting disciplines is an integral part of schools curriculum”, the Sports Ministry, with the relevant funding from the state coffers must ensure that inter –form rivalry, be a catalyst for selection and subsequent representation. It ought not to be a situation where for instance selection of the Inter Guiana’s Games football team, is done primarily with the core of the squad drawn from players, the majority of whom are members of their senior club roster. And, yet, still they are no tangible results to show that it has worked, since in some instances there are some players, who don’t attend school.

I say so unapologetically and unreservedly, since my representation of Christ Church, in the 70’s at football and table tennis was primarily from inter-form and interhouse rivalry.

In the final analysis it would have been a burning shame if Wismar/ Christianburg had lost the finals, due to the fact that “the level of inter-club rivalry in Region 10 and by extension Upper Demerara Football Association is arguably the most active if not productive in the GFF/Association structure”.

Within regions 7 and 9 what do we have? Raw talent, albeit a rough diamond that glows but not to the extent when it’s cut and polished with the sparkled brilliance.

And if not ensure that the issue be dealt with in the near future, it would be of utmost priority for the stakeholders to meet sooner rather than later.

Lester Sealey

stake holders, including the guardianship by the Auditor General for the purpose of transparency. A few initiatives that I wish to see implemented are as follows: 1- The two Vice Presidents of the GCB that traditionally were the presidents of the Berbice and Essequibo Boards should be returned, since it will provide for inclusive governance and thrust among the county boards. Two outstanding stalwarts, Essequibian Beni Sankar and Berbician the late Leslie Amsterdam worked in tandem and objectively for the good of the game, having previously served as vice presidents of the GCB a few years ago.

2- Sweeping changes should be made with the GCB coaches that will allow for them to be placed in all three counties. While the pride of each county is at stake, the development of the country’s core cricketers should be a priority. I made the observation when former national off spinner Gavin Nedd was introduced to the Essequibo team in 2011. The players were very receptive and paid rapt attention to him because he brought new initiatives and a sense of professionalism towards coaching the team. The same can be done with exchanges to the other counties. I believe it will also test the skill and output of the coaches in delivering and adhering to modern techniques in an ever changing and challenging environment.

3- The former GCB had employed an analyst to create a website for the Board with the intention of providing information on its operations and also publishing statistics on relevant competitions and

also the cricketers; involving the three counties. This had never materialized given the technological age and its absolute requirement for the players’ advancement. Such a web site must become a priority of the Board, since it should provide pertinent guidance to the selectors given the history that they should have of every player from under 15 to the senior level.

4- Not a single piece of information can be obtained from what is happening in Crabwood Creek in Berbice or Dredge Creek in Essequibo.

It is not surprising then that the country is yet to see an Amerindian from the Pomeroon River emerging to play for Guyana, since there are no statistics of what occurred there. Yet it is one of the places that remain active in playing all forms of the game.

5- Parental support and their knowledge of the game have to be encouraged by the Board. My little experience with previous national youth teams suggested that there was very little connection between parents and the Board and this led to anxiety, resentment and even frustration to some of them, especially when the players had to travel abroad. Yet in Trinidad the parents form themselves into formal groups and resoundingly support their children at every match. Parents should be encouraged to start appearing at club matches and monitor their child’s progress, given that the new administration will have a courteous attitude towards them.

6- The new Administration has to support the ECB in acquiring a Speed Boat which will alleviate a monumental

deterrent, since most of the sponsor’s cheque that the county receives has to be paid for transporting the players among the Islands and the Pomeroon.

It’s a long term benefit that will ensure that Essequibo players gain more exposure and that more teams can be active among the territories to participate in regular competitions. I must admit that it was a suggestion that was made by a former executive member of the GCB and it will be interesting whether he remains committed to this task. It was also suggested that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport can assist in providing fuel for the much needed water transport.

I may be accused of being biased towards Essequibo, but there cannot be a stronger GCB without acknowledging that the ECB requires critical support in the realization of the aims and objectives of the GCB and the county itself.

While the Berbice Cricket Board remains a model institution and the Demerara Cricket Board is injuncted, the vision of the new executives of the GCB must acknowledge that the challenges of each county is unique and that the resources cannot be distributed equally in gaining the desired results (GCB subventions should reflect each county’s need).

The time has come for there to be a new dispensation of how cricket should be managed, given the technological advancement and the impetus of strategic and developmental plans that should be leading the GCB towards long term growth and stability.

Elroy Stephney

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Berbice Football coaches benefit Title sponsor ends IPL association from football training programme Cricinfo - DLF Ltd, India’s Twenty20 league, it still has any new sponsorship

The coaches going through a practical session at the Esplanade Park during the course.

The football talent in Berbice should be significantly boosted with the completion of a course for coaches in the Ancient County.

Some 25 persons successfully participated in the four day grassroots coaches training programme.

The activity, which was organized by the Guyana Football Federation and Berbice Football Association, was sponsored through the FIFA

development programme. The facilitators were Linden France and Shivon Muneshwar.

During the session the participants were involved in both Practical and Theoretical sessions. They were also taken through the fundamentals of football and were taught the basic of coaching, the rules of football, fitness and other modalities necessary to become a good and successful coach.

The sessions were held at the Esplanade Park in New Amsterdam.

The facilitators urged the coaches to take what the learnt seriously and grasp as much as possible so that they could take coaching to another level.

There is no coaches association in Guyana and the coaches were urged to form themselves into a representative body so that representation could be made on their behalf.

Federer stunning in first round at...

From page 28 round in Winston-Salem last week snapped a 16-match losing streak that saw him plummet down the rankings.

The left-hander has plenty of talent but Federer just absorbed everything he could throw at him and gave it all back, and more. The Swiss looked in a hurry to get

off the court and reeled off his full array of strokes to set up a second-round encounter with Bjorn Phau of Germany.

“I think it was a good start in difficult conditions,” Federer said. “He was a talented opponent and I’d never played him before but it was good.”

Second seed Agnieszka

Strong Superbike contingent...

From back page Kanu for their respective support.

“I know that we have a strong team and it is now just about going out there and finishing the job.”

Menezes , who rides a ZX6R just like Vieira is returning after a surgery and he too indicated that seat time was minimal, but his confidence is still high and rates Guyana’s chances of dominating the Meet as excellent.

“I recently tested the bike’s reliability and I’m happy to report that everything is fine and now

just a matter of getting in some valuable time on the track,” Menezes said.

He added that he would be happy to be in the top three positions and expressed confidence of doing so.

Menezes extended thanks to his sponsor Dixie Lee for its much needed assistance.

Neblett, who arrived just in time to be interviewed said he like the other members of the team are all confident of doing well and expects Guyana to dominate the Super bike category over the weekend.

The team leaves today for Barbados.

Radwanska cruised into the second round of the U.S. Open with a speedy 6-1 6-1 win over Nina Bratchikova of Russia on Tuesday.

The Wimbledon runnerup needed just 54 minutes to wrap up the victory over world number 91 Bratchikova in a match played in humid conditions. Radwanska, who has never advanced beyond the last 16 at Flushing Meadows, was at her consistent best as she made just six unforced errors.

The Pole will play either Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan or Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in the second round.

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic, seeded 12th, is through after beating Ukrainian qualifier Elina Svitolina.

The 2008 French Open champion from Serbia won 63 6-2 and will next play unseeded Swede Sofia Arvidsson.

Arvidsson ended the hopes of Japanese 41-yearold Kimiko Date-Krumm, prevailing 6-4 6-2.

largest real estate firm, has decided not to renew its title sponsorship of the IPL, ending its five-year association with the tournament. The company had the first right of refusal on a new contract, but was considered unlikely to sign up a second time given the slump in the real estate market and the decline in the IPL’s television ratings over the last two years.

“Sponsoring IPL over the last five years was a strategic decision wherein we wanted to establish our brand presence across India as the leading real estate player,” Rajeev Talwar, DLF Group Executive Director told PTI. “Our IPO came in 2007, a year before the IPL started. We were very aggressive panIndia then. We had good presence in all big cities.” The company is now concentrating on those cities where its core strengths lie.

According to Talwar, DLF spent Rs 250 crore (US$ 44.96 million) on the IPL over the five years of its contract.

While it has pulled out of the

plans to promote other sports, though Talwar ruled out owning a franchise or a team. He also said the amount of money the company would spend “will be less than Rs 50 crore ($9 million) a year that we spent in IPL.” The c o m p a n y ’s decision not to renew their deal with the BCCI is also another indication of the value of the IPL taking a hit over the last couple of years as TV ratings have flattened.

Ratings for IPL 5 were just about in line with 2011.

The overall tournament rating was 3.45, compared to 3.51 a year ago, according to Tam Sports, a division of TAM Research, the leading television ratings agency in India. In contrast, the 2010 tournament had an average TVR of 5.51.

In April, Talwar told the Business Standard that renewing the contract “depends on how do they [the BCCI] perceive the value.”

The BCCI had indicated

agreement would be for a higher value than the original agreement. DLF was obviously not willing to meet the board’s asking price. In a climate where the general economic situation is worsening - revenues for Multi-Screen Media, the tournament’s broadcaster, dropped this year as companies cut back on advertising - means the board could have a tough time finding a replacement sponsor at the price that they desire.

DLF is the third title sponsor to pull out of a BCCI backed tournament in the last two years. Airtel pulled out as title sponsors of the Champions League T20 in 2011 while their replacement, Nokia, pulled out earlier this year. DLF is already involved in golf and tennis.

It provides prize money of about Rs 1 crore ($179,000) to the winner of the annual DLF Masters and is one of the sponsors of this year’s Davis Cup, on which they will be spending Rs 2 crore, according to Talwar.

Netball in Guyana seems stunted....

From page 31 Lavern Fraser-Thomas revealed that she was dissatisfied with the training session for the international competition as the Senior National Team was denied access to the two venues they were granted permission to by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The Director of Sport revealed that extensive repairs were done to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and the National Gymnasium (NG) to offer better usage as the venues are adequately utilized by the National Sports Associations/ Federations and Organisations, but the Senior National Netball team was not privileged to use the venues.

The host of the Championship, Trinidad and Tobago who was defeated by the Caribbean powerhouse (Jamaica) has numerous courts (in and outdoors); the opening ceremony of the Championship was held on the indoor court in the Jean Pierre Complex.

Jamaica’s National Netball Coach, Oberon Pitterson-Nattie disclosed that the Jamaicans netball players have a criteria to fit before qualifying for a national team during an interview with KS. Pitterson-Nattie firmly stated that the sport is not a professional one and said

that the players receive incentives once they represent the country from the relevant authorities which of course include the Government.

The coach added that nutrition and fitness along with proper training facilities for the team played a vital part to their performance at the Championship, so there is absolutely a reason as to why they are the powerhouse of the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago is similar to Jamaica with their multi-netball courts at the Jean Pierre Complex.

Pitterson-Nattie during the interview said that the team has a fitness trainer and also someone that monitors the nutrition of the team while in camp.

In closing she mentioned that most of the girls on the team are either 5’8 or 5’9, “We have short girls playing the sport but generally we choose the taller one for national teams.”

Lavern Fraser indicated that the Guyanese players were intimidated by the Jamaicans who were like Twin Towers compared to their height, “I think that the team was intimidated by the Jamaicans, of course both their height and sizes.”

Guyana’s level of competition compared to the other Caribbean countries implies a lot of things.

Lavern Fraser stated that

if anything is to be done presently to reverse the state it will be solely the responsibility of the Guyana Netball Association since the National Sports Commission does not have anyone employed to overlook netball development, “At this present moment if anything is to be done on those levels it will have to be the responsibility of the Guyana Netball Association, but if the two entities can collaborate then something can happen,” she said.

Lavern Fraser continued, “One of the projections for the Association for the new school year is to hopefully gain the necessary permission from the Ministry of Education to utilize some of the more experienced players to start a netball programme within the primary schools.”

She added that she was once employed by the NSC as a netball coach, “I did annually conduct a summer programme with primary schools and actually that was one of the programmes that was able to keep netball alive in Guyana because a lot of the players from the primary programmes are players who were eventually sent into our U-16 programme and eventually became our senior players. So this is another void that needs to be filled if the sport will continue in Guyana.” (Juanita Hooper)

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Guyanese boxers to fight Twenty-five teams look to secure four in Trinidad this weekend Gold Cup places via Caribbean Cup After a prolonged hiatus from the ring, Stephney ‘Stepping Razor’ George is expected to make a grand return when she opposes Trinidadian, Ria Ramnarine in the latter boxer’s hometown in a 6 rounds flyweight contest on Saturday September 1.

Lindener, Cassius Matthews is also expected to travel with George but up to press time we were unable to acquire the name of his opponent.

Kaieteur Sports was also reliably informed that a 4 man team of amateur boxers will be making the trip to engage their Trinidadian counterparts.

However, organizer of tournaments, Terrence Poole said that while he has been informed that the boxers will be travelling, he is yet to be informed of their names. The team will leave on Friday.

George said that she has been engaged in light training and when she was informed of the bout she simply intensified activities and is confident of winning the bout.

This is the third time that the two will face off with each fighter holding one victory

Guyana drawn in Group 2 with host St. Lucia, Curacao & SVG

George (left) attacks the striking pads yesterday afternoon in preparation for Sunday’s bout. apiece. George said that she had travelled to the Twin the Island Republic on both occasions and had defeated Ramnarine on the first outing. She said that she had taken the second fight at short notice and subsequently suffered the consequences.

Yesterday afternoon, George was honing her skills at the Andrew ‘Sixheads’

Lewis boxing Gym under the tutelage of Lennox ‘Cappell’ Daniels. She said that she feels fit and ready for the encounter and is confident of winning.

George boasts a 12-6 record and has fought in several countries including Canada, Mexico, St Maarten and the USA. She feels that her vast experience will stand her in good stead.

Marathon trophy from 1896 Olympics goes on display in Greece ATHENS (Reuters) - The trophy won by the marathon winner at the 1896 Olympics has gone on display for the first time in Greece, and the new owners and prime minister said they hoped it would help inspire Greeks to overcome economic crisis.

The Breal’s Silver Cup, which stands just six inches tall, has been described as one of the most important pieces of memorabilia associated with the Games.

When it was sold in April by the grandson of the victor, Greek athlete Spyros Louis, it smashed the previous auction record for an Olympic artifact.

The Athens-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation paid more than 650,000 euros ($814,000)to acquire the cup.

It said it wanted to keep it in Greece, which won it 116 years ago and is now in its deepest recession since World War Two. “In these tough times, all Greeks must follow the bravery, resilience and fighting spirit that made Spyros Louis win,” Andreas Dracopoulos, head of the foundation, said on Monday when the trophy went on display.

“We must work hard, this time not to win a cup but to stand, proud, on our feet again.”

Athens’ Acropolis museum will keep the cup, named after French philologist Michel Breal, until September 2013. It will eventually go on display in a planned new cultural centre.

Louis was the only Greek athlete to win at the 14-nation 1896 Games in Athens. He finished the 25-mile (40-km) race first after the previous leader, Australian Edwin Flack, collapsed in the final stages.

He was hailed as a national hero and presented with the cup, a silver medal, an antique vase, an olive branch and a diploma by Greece’s King George I. The marathon devised for the 1896 Games was inspired by the legendary run of Pheidippides to carry the news of victory by the ancient Greeks in battle over the Persians. He died moments after delivering the message, according to the story.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who visited the museum on Monday, said the trophy’s purchase and return to Greece at a time of crisis

Guyana is one of 25 teams that will vie for the biennial Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup title and four berths in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting September 5 with a doubleheader in Martinique.

Montserrat will face Suriname before Martinique plays the British Virgin Islands in Stade En Camee in Riviere-Pilote in Group 3, with subsequent matches on September 7 and September 9.

The Golden Jaguars have been drawn in Group 2 along with host St. Lucia, Curacao and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; dates have not been set for Group 2.

Group 1 in Haiti with Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Saint- Martin will be played September 7-11 in Port-auPrince, while Group 4 in Bridgetown, Barbados, is set for September 23-27 with the host country, Aruba, Dominica and the Dominican Republic.

Two other first-round groups will have St. Kitts hosting Anguilla, Trinidad & Tobago and French Guyana in Group 5 October 10-14.

The winners and runnersup from Groups 1-3 as well as the best runner-up from Group 4 or Group 5 will advance to a second, threegroup round in late October, when Grenada, Guadeloupe and Cuba will join the fray.

The top two teams from each second-round group will qualify for the Caribbean Cup finals set for December 3-15

along with two-time defending champion Jamaica and host Antigua & Barbuda.

CFU Caribbean Cup FIRST ROUND Group 1 At Port-au-Prince, Haiti Bermuda, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin Friday, September 7 Bermuda vs. Puerto Rico Haiti vs. Saint-Martin Sunday, September 9 Puerto Rico vs. SaintMartin Haiti vs. Bermuda Tuesday, September 11 Saint-Martin vs. Bermuda Haiti vs. Puerto Rico Group 2 At Gros Islet, St. Lucia Curacao, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines Schedule TBA Group 3 At Riviere-Pilote, Martinique British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Montserrat, Suriname Wednesday, September 5 Montserrat vs. Suriname Martinique vs. British Virgin Islands Friday, September 7 British Virgin Islands vs.

Suriname Martinique vs.

Montserrat Sunday, September 9 British Virgin Islands vs.

Montserrat Martinique vs. Suriname Group 4 At Bridgetown, Barbados Aruba, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican

Republic Sunday, September 23 Aruba vs. Dominican Republic Barbados vs. Dominica Tuesday, September 25 Dominica vs. Aruba Barbados vs. Dominican Republic Thursday, September 27 Dominican Republic vs.

Dominica Barbados vs. Aruba Group 5 At Basseterre, St. Kitts St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla, Trinidad & Tobago, French Guyana October 10-14 Complete schedule TBA SECOND ROUND Group 6 At St. George’s, Grenada Grenada, Group 1 winner, Group 2 winner, Group 4 or 5 runner-up October 20-24 Group 7 At Guadeloupe Guadeloupe, Group 3 winner, Group 4 winner, Group 1 runner-up October 23-27 Group 8 At Trinidad Cuba, Group 5 winner, Group 2 runner-up, Group 3 runner-up FINAL ROUND At Antigua & Barbuda December 3-15 Group A Antigua & Barbuda, Group 6 winner, Group 8 winner, Group 7 runner-up Group B Jamaica, Group 7 winner, Group 6 runner-up, Group 8 runner-up

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Tomas Berdych into round two

The Breal’s Silver Cup, which was awarded to Spyros Louis, winner of the marathon race at the 1896 Olympics in Athens. (REUTERS/ John Kolesidis) was symbolic.

“We will win this marathon, we will overcome the hurdles,” Samaras said.

“This cup is a symbol of the victory we owe to our history, ourselves and our children.”

BBC - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga booked his place in the US Open second round with a straight sets win against Karol Beck.

The French world number six, seeded fifth in the absence of Rafael Nadal, came from a break down in the third set to win 6-3 6-1 7-6 (7-2).

Joining him in round two is sixth seed Tomas Berydch after the Czech beat Belgium’s David Goffin 7-5 6-3 6-3.

Andy Roddick beat fellow American Rhyne Williams 6-3 6-4 6-4 while defending champion Novak Djokovic plays later.

Tsonga made the quarter-finals in New York for the first time last year and has made a strong start in his latest campaign. The Wimbledon semi-finalist dominated the opening two sets but found himself trailing Beck 5-3 in the third. But Tsonga immediately overturned the break of serve before outclassing his opponent in the tie-break.

He next plays another Slovakian in Martin Klizan and remains on course for a quarterfinal meeting with Andy Murray.

Berdych was similarly comfortable against 21-year-old Goffin and meets Jurgen Zopp of Estonia in the second round.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Number 20 seed Roddick, the champion in 2003, dispatched 21-year-old Williams and next faces Bernard Tomic or Carlos Berlocq.

Spanish 11th seed Nicolas Almagro beat Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 and next plays Nicolas Mahut or Philipp Petzschner.

Big-serving 15th seed Milos Raonic of Canada, a possible fourth-round opponent of Murray, battled past Santiago Giraldo 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 and will meet Paul-Henri Mathieu after the Frenchman overcame Igor Andreev in five sets.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Journalists do not suck up to us Fruta Conquerors Football - says Yassin Summer Camp a success

By Edison Jefford President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Juman Yassin debunked Director of Sport, Neil Kumar’s claim that journalist suck up to the association when he stated the opposite at what became a critique last Monday of remarks the Director had made.

In his now infamous column: ‘A Red Letter Day’, published in another section of the print media on August 12, 2012, Kumar accused “certain journalists” of sucking-up to the GOA and National Associations so that those Journalists can secure annual awards.

“It is time that certain journalists get to the truth and write objectively so that we can get Guyana Olympic Association and some National Sports Associations to stop ensuring that Annual Award are given to chosen journalists, who only suck-up to certain sports administrators,” Kumar stated in his column without revealing the names of those Journalists.

However, addressing a core of media houses last Monday, following his return from the London Olympic Games, Yassin reiterated his assessment of the accusations as “offensive”, subtly noting that Journalist have their role to play in the

Juman Yassin development of sport.

“I have to use this word again, ‘offensive’; he says that the GOA bribes you journalists by giving you awards, you know... those Journalists, who are around this table, I don’t think you suck up to us, but we look and we feel that at the end of the day, we should give you that award,” Yassin countered.

The GOA President, who has been in that position since 1996 and is an Attorneyat-Law, and ex-Magistrate, indicated that he is grateful for journalist who write objectively, critically and expose instances where sport administrators have fallen down in their management. He said that most, if not all associations, have his full backing and support.

“It is good... you just cannot put your brush and

sully everyone, but it would be good for me and administrators to look and see what is the problem and where they have fallen down.

I would like to say to journalist that I’m not saying you must not criticise,” Yassin implored.

He said that he loves criticism and called on Journalist to make d e v e l o p m e n t a l recommendations in their critique of sport, and its administration. “What I would like is for you to say what should be done. What is being done is not right but do ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’,” he requested.

Yassin indicated that he does not know all about sport and its administration neither does any of the varying sport administrators or anyone in fact. Hence, an environment that creates the chance for them to learn and look critically at their disciplines should be encouraged.

The Director of Sport had made some scathing remarks about Guyana’s representative athletes at the London Games, the GOA, sport associations, administrators and the media in his column. An incensed Yassin subsequently dismissed the remarks at the Olympic autopsy briefing.

Goodluck fires to victory in second GNRA recorded shoot Former Caribbean shooting champion Ransford Goodluck fired his way to victory in the second recorded shoot as the National rifle shooting squad continued preparation for the regional championship in October last Sunday.

The Timehri Full Bore Rifle Range proved to be its usual self with dauntingly hot weather conditions combined with challenging winds severely challenging the shooters skills.

The experienced Goodluck dropped only four points, but the low v bull scores even by this veteran shooter was indicative of the severity of the conditions experienced by all.

He recorded 131 points with 4 Vs out of a possible 135 with 17 v bulls at 300, 600 Results in “X” Class.

Ransford Goodluck Lennox Braithwaite Dylan Fields Claude Duguid Ryan Sampson ‘O’ Class Peter Persaud Everard Nelson

Ransford Goodluck and 900 yards ranges.

Lennox Braithwaite placed second with127 points with three V bulls with last week’s winner Dylan Fields 300 600 49.02 33.02 49.01 31.00 44.01 33.00 44.01 32.00 43.04 29.00

900 49.00 47.02 43.02 39.01 40.03

37.00 39.01

44.01 12.00

22.00 29.01

taking third position with 120 with 3 Vs. Four shooters - Richard Fields, Dane Blair, Charles Dean and Everard Nelson, did not complete the shoot for various reasons.

Full Bore Captain Mahendra Persaud and Paul Slowe both missed Sunday’s shoot due to overseas duties, while Lt Col Terrence Stuart did not shoot.

Meanwhile, the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) is appealing for the corporate sector and government support in hosting the championships in October at the Timehri ranges.

Guyana are the reigning Long range champions and will be seeking to regain the short range title the lost last year in Antigua and Barbuda.

Total 131.04 127.03 120.03 115.02 112.07 103.01 80.02 Retired at 900

- Coach wants to use classes as a vehicle for football players

Sampson Gilbert “I want that aspect from the Summer Camp to continue throughout the year,” Coach of Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Samson Gilbert said yesterday morning during an interview with Kaieteur Sport (KS).

The Coach was speaking about the academic aspect of the recently concluded Fruta Conquerors Summer Camp which was hosted under the maxim, ‘Inspiring young minds through soccer and academics’ at the Club House at the Tucville ground.

Gilbert reported to KS that he saw the need for the academic segment of the Camp to continue for at least two days per week to keep the youths occupied, while educating them with one of the essential skills needed in life for adulthood.

The initiator of the Camp, which surfaced five years ago, described the camp which attracted a total of 40 students/players as a successful one, “It was a successful camp, the youngsters enjoyed and benefited tremendously from both indoor and outdoor

aspects of the clinic (Summer Camp).”

The camp was also under the watchful eyes of the President of Club, Wayne Forde, Club Secretary Daniel Thomas, Ministry of Education (MoE) National Literacy Coordinator, Murray Greenidge and MoE facilitators, Loucresia Simmons and Lynda Gomes.

Gilbert added that he will be attempting to tie a knot with the Ministry of Education shortly for the facilitators to continue tutoring the children during the week, “I hope to have the Ministry of Education facilitators work at least two days each week with the children on reading and comprehension.”

He continued, “It must be a developmental process where we will see the children developing over a period of time.”

The students/players who received certificates of participation at the closing ceremony were also tutored by two facilitators from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on life skills and also on the negative contribution of domestic violence and drug abuse. One of the MoE tutors also lectured the students on anger management and conflict resolutions.

Educational tours were also conducted with both age groups, U-17 and U-13 at Guyana Water Inc. (former) and at the National Library and Museum (latter). Gilbert explained that the National Library and Museum were

chosen for the younger children to reiterate the importance of education and reading.

The older students also benefited from a three day computer crash course compliments of Global Technology.

Gilbert commented that necessary technical skills of football, trapping, passing and movements of the ball were introduced to the U-13 players, while the skills were recapped to the older players who were also educated on the laws of the games and importance of nutrition in the outdoor sessions.

The coach concluded by saying that the whole aspect of integrating football with academics was to allow the players to realize how important it is for them to be academically inclined in the world.

The two facilitators also showed their appreciation to the students by presenting them with schools hampers along with the one’s they received from the summer camp for the new school term which begins on Monday.

Meanwhile, three students, Sheldon Reid, Delon Welch and Delroy Marignan were awarded as the most discipline player and student (Reid for U-13 category and Welch for U-17); Marignan was the best all rounded student and player.

The Club would like to express their gratitude to their sponsors who contributed to the success of the camp.

Federer stunning in first round at U.S. Open

NEW YORK - World number one Roger Federer produced a stunning opening performance at the U.S. Open on Monday, but then said Novak Djokovic deserved to be the favorite for the title.

Five-times champion Federer ran through his full array of shot-making as he dismissed American Donald Young 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round.

Having won his 17th grand slam title with his victory at Wimbledon last month, Federer is many people’s pick to add a sixth U.S. Open crown to his ever-growing resume.

But the Swiss said the efforts of Serbia’s Djokovic in recent times gave him the edge.

“I still think Novak is the favorite for the title coming in here,” Federer told reporters after his one hour, 34-minute victory under the lights. “He’s the defending champion, he’s probably won more hard court titles than anyone in the last few years and he also beat me here in the last two years.”

Federer was untroubled by windy and

Roger Federer produced a stunning opening performance humid conditions at Flushing Meadows as he made world number 81 Young look distinctly second-rate.

The American was once tipped for greatness as a teenager but his win in the first Continued on page 26

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

National players complete training stint at renowned ITTF US Centre

Guyana team members, Priscilla Greaves, Trenace Lowe, Denzil Hopkinson, Paul David, Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne and Edhinho Lewis (bunched at right) along with international players and Coach Lily Yip (extreme right) following their ITTF training stint.

Members of Guyana’s national table tennis team, including Trenace Lowe, Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne, Edinho Lewis, Denzil Hopkinson and Priscilla Greaves completed intense training at the Lily Yip Table Tennis Training Centre in Dunellen, New Jersey.

The training commenced from August 4-28 at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) hot spot, which is used for high-level training and preparation of athletes across the world. The

USA team selected for the Olympics trained at the very Centre.

While there, the players were exposed to playing with top level Chinese and US players, Adam Hugh, Judy Hugh and Lily Yip, who is a four-time Olympian and owns the facility.

In addition to technical and tactical strengthening, short play, speed and footwork drills, point management, strength training, stamina, service and reception among other critical

elements of the game, the local players were exposed to game situations.

T h e G T TA f u n d e d Lowe, Bryan and Hopkinson, while Lewis, Greaves and Alleyne were self-sponsored.

The instruction was part of the GTTA Strategic Objective, which is to provide more technical and tactical exposure to players to make them competitive.

“The GTTA’s intention is to extend this type of training to all our elite level players as

a means of making them more competitive and raising their standard of play internationally,” a statement from the association said yesterday.

Additionally, it was mentioned that the association will be making steps to select more players to benefit from such engagements once the requisite funding is available. China, Brazil, the US and even countries in Europe will be targeted for such exposures.

GCA David Persaud Investments trophy U-19 cricket competition

Nichosie Barker hammers fantastic 170 as Malteenoes win by 302 runs Day 10 of the David Persaud Investments trophy sponsored Georgetown Cricket Association Under-19 competition produced the highest individual score to date yesterday as Nichosie Barker plundered 170 to pilot Malteenoes to a commanding 302 runs victory over Ace Warriors.

In results from the matches contested: Transport SC “A” vs St Stanislaus College at the Everest ground - St Stanislaus won by 7 wickets.

Transport SC “A” batting first made 123 all out in 28.4 overs. Joshua Ram made 35runs and Ewart Samuels 21.

Bowling for St Stanislaus: Lyndon Wilson took 4 wickets for 30 runs and Rajiv Deonarine took 2 for 14.

In reply St Stanislaus scored 127 for 3 wickets.

Prince Roberts made 45 and Rajiv Deonarine 33.

Demerara CC “B” vs Gandhi Youth Organisation at the GCC ground - Match drawn.

Demerara CC “B” batting first made 187 all out in 52 overs. Kemol Savory made 74 runs and Xavie Smith 29.

Bowling for Gandhi YO: Shivnandan Roopnarine took 4 wickets for 35 runs and Pravindralall Persaud took 2 for 24.

In reply Gandhi YO scored 138 runs for 8 wickets in 48 overs. Ryan Shun made 63.

Bowling for Demerara CC “B”: Rajiv Balgobin took 2 wickets for 28.

Ace Warriors vs Malteenoes SC at the Malteenoes ground Malteenoes SC won by 302 runs.

Malteenoes SC batting first made 404 for 4 in 47 overs.

Nichosie Barker made 170 runs, Hakeem David 73, Jamal Norton 42 and Ray Peters 44

Nichosie Barker not out.

In reply Ace Warriors were dismissed for 102 runs.

Davindra Doodnauth made 24. Bowling for Malteenoes SC: Vishal Narayan took 3 wickets for 7 runs and Shaquille Moseley took 2 for 17.

Demerara CC “A” vs 3rd Class at the GNIC ground Demerara CC “A” won by 6

wickets.

3rd Class Batting first made 120 all out in 31.1 overs.

Samuel Fraser made 34 runs and Shawn Garnett 20.

Bowling for Demerara CC “A”: Alister Fields took 4 wickets for 27 runs and Orlando Sturge took 4 for 30.

Demerara CC “A” in reply scored 121 runs for 4 wickets in 26.2 overs. Sunil Rupee made 42 runs and Kemraj Roopee made 30. Bowling for 3rd Class: S. Leunge took 1 for 18 runs.

The semi-finals of the GCA U-19 David Persaud Investments Trophy are scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday, August 30.

The match-up will pit Malteenoes SC (Winner of Zone A) vs Demerara CC “A” (Runner-up of Zone B) and Georgetown CC (Winner of Zone B) vs Demerara CC “B” (Runner-up of Zone A).

Page 29

Leslie Amsterdam Memorial / Memorex U-17 final

Arch Rivals Albion and RHT Bakewell to clash The 2012 season of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is set to restart tomorrow after a lengthy break due to rain when arch rivals Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Bakewell clash in the final of the Leslie Amsterdam Memorial/ Memorex Under-17 tournament.

A high standard of play is expected between the two sides in the two-day encounter which will be played at the Area ‘H’ Ground and will feature a number of national players.

Albion would be led by National Under-19 Player Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai who would be supported by a strong batting line-up with the likes of Balchan Baldeo, Sharasz Ramcharran, David Latchaya, Tyrone Poornauth, Navendra Permaul and wicket-keeper Shivnarine Srikissoon.

Motie will lead the bowling attack that will include off-spinners Ramcharran, Latchaya and Latchman Bishram. Medium pacer Azad Khan along with leg spinners Brain Dookna and Veeren Ramoo.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell’s challenge will centre around exciting National Under-17 all rounder

Shailendra Shameer, Nicholas Cameron, Devin Baldeo, V. Gooniah, Brandon Prashad, Daniel Lewis and Arif Chan.

Medium pacer A. Paul will lead a bowling attack that includes off-spinner Shameer, Chan, Lewis, Plaffina Millington and leg spinners Prashad, Calvin Jeffrey and Gooniah.

The match starts at 10:00hrs daily with the winning team set to take home $40,000 and the loser, $25,000.

The player of the finals will earn $10,000. Umpires for the match are Zahier and Imran Moakan along with Augustus Outar.

Teams: Albion – G. MotieKhanai, Balchan Baldeo, Shivnarine Srikissoon, Sharaz Ramcharran, David Latchaya, Latchman Bishram, Tyrone Poornauth,Navendra Perrmaul, Brain Dookna, Azad Khan, Veeren Ramoo, Saif Latchaya and Matthew Hardyal.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell - Shailendra Shameer, Veirda Gooniah, Arif Chan, Nicholas Cameron, Daniel Lewis, Brandon Prashad, A.Paul, Plaffina Millington, Devin Baldeo, Calvin Jeffrey, Jason Anderson, Jamie Anderson, Veeramootoo Senwasie and Javed Seecharran.

Manager is Patrick Lewis.

GBFA planning registration drive, Referees Course The Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) will be commencing a registration drive for teams playing this format of the game. According to a release from the Body the aim is to have clubs strengthen their capacity so that they can access developmental programmes under the aegis of the GBFA. The other aspect is referees development and to this end the association has planned a Referees Development Course which is slated to commence near the end of November. The release added that the Association feels that the Course is critical for the future development of the format since there are no certified Beach Football Referees in Guyana.

It further mentioned that it will be seeking the input of the Guyana Football Federation in this critical area.

Rollin Tappin, one of the leading referees in this version of the sport locally, will be among those keen to promote this aspect of the programme and receive

Rollin Tappin international certification.

Meanwhile, the GBFA has closed off competition for the rest of the year due in part to the recent strike in Linden. The Association, however, has received and accepted an invitation from the Bagosports Beach Club of Trinidad and Tobago to participate in their international tournament from November 1-5, 2012 and have already called a number of players to try out with a view of making the final twelve for the tourney and will be seeking the support of corporate Guyana to make the trip possible.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Chanderpaul, Oram star as Uva upset Wayamba Shivnarine Chanderpaul plays a reverse-sweep.

Cricinfo - In a match replete with high drama befitting a semi-final, the individual performance of the tournament from Jacob Oram helped Uva Next derail favourites Wayamba United by 20 runs in Colombo.

Oram’s 17-ball 41 electrified an Uva Next innings that had spluttered to 89 for 5 from 13.5 overs, before he before he overcame a poor start with the ball to gut the Wayamba United middle order with three wickets for 16 from four overs.

Despite being reduced to 27 for 7 in the sixth over, Azhar Mahmood and Isuru Udana put on 120 for the eighth wicket to resurrect the chase, and give some hope to thousands of Wayamba fans who had made the long trip.

The required-rate proved too high, however, and Wayamba United ended at 151 for 8.

Such a close contest didn’t appear likely after Oram’s efforts with bat and ball. He scored 30 of his 41 from sixes, the first of which came stunningly, from a leading edge. He charged Akila Dananjaya and swung across the line, and although the ball spun in the opposite direction to the one he’d anticipated, the heave had enough power to carry it over the ropes at long-off. Oram didn’t misread Brad Hogg in the next over though, when he clobbered him high over midwicket for six, nor was he

fooled by two consecutive slower balls from Mahmood that he blasted straight. His last six was the best of the lot.

The lofted cover drive had once been a hallmark of Oram’s batting pomp, and he reprised the shot once more to send the ball into the Premadasa terraces. He should have launched the next ball, into the night as well, but found backward point with a half-hearted stroke to a knee-high full toss.

Oram bled 13 from his first over when he took the new ball, but returned in the second to remove Mahela Jayawardene with one that jagged in off the seam to strike the batsman in front of the stumps, albeit a little high on the pads.

Sachithra Senanayake meanwhile had both openers stumped at the other end, though Dinesh Chandimal was the architect of his own demise when he failed to keep his foot behind the line while reaching out to drive the ball. Two wickets in Oram’s next over left the chase in tatters, as he removed Shehan Jayasuriya and Abdul Razzaq with consecutive short deliveries, before Umar Gul extended the collapse further with two scalps of his own.

Mahmood and Udana had no choice but to rebuild with caution from the collapse, or risk capitulating altogether. The pair took the score to 57 for 7 by the

Jacob Oram celebrates a wicket

end of the 12th over before Mahmood launched his offensive, blasting three leg-side boundaries off Charith Jayampathi and hitting 17 from Andrew McDonald’s fifteenth over. Jayampathi’s next over cost 16 before Udana also began to find the boundary, launching Senanayake into the stands twice in the 18th over to make the requirement that had once seemed impossible, suddenly conceivable, with 34 needed off the last two overs.

Earlier, Chanderpaul had rarely looked for boundaries for much of his innings, choosing instead to collect risk-free runs into the outfield as his team-mates continued to founder at the other end.

His 24-ball association with Jacob Oram brought 56 runs, but at the end of that partnership, he had still only made 26 from 30. A string of boundaries, including a huge reverse-swept six, took him to 50 and lifted his side to 171 for 6.

Scores: Uva Next 171 for 6 (Chanderpaul 50*, Oram 41) beat Wayamba United 151 for 8 (Mahmood 75, Udana 42, Oram 3-16) by 20 runs.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Starc inspires Australia PA Sport – Mitchell Starc claimed five wickets as Australia took control of the first one-day international against Pakistan at Sharjah.

In the first game of a threematch series Australia restricted Pakistan to a disappointing 198 all out, Starc claiming five for 42 and James Pattinson also bowling well to return an impressive three for 19 off 9.1 overs.

Pakistan struggled throughout the innings, with Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal hitting half-centuries but Nasir Jamshed and captain Misbah-ul-Haq the only other batsmen reaching double figures.

Pakistan’s struggles began when they lost opener Mohammad Hafeez and then Azhar Ali in quick succession with just 28 runs on the scoreboard. Hafeez went with the total on 20, having scored four, when he was caught by David Hussey off the bowling of Pattinson. The same bowler struck again when he removed Azhar for five, with this time Mitchell Johnson taking the catch.

When Jamshed became the third wicket to fall Pakistan were plunged further

Mitchell Starc picked up his best figures. into trouble with the total on 40, caught by wicketkeeper Matthew Wade off Starc.

Shafiq and Misbah, who had

decided to bat after winning the toss, showed some resistence as they put on 59 runs for the fourth wicket.

Misbah went for 26, bowled

by Dan Christian, but again Pakistan showed some fight.

Shafiq and Umar Akmal had taken the total to 160 when the former was bowled to become Starc’s second victim. But Starc combined with Michael Clarke twice to strike two decisive further blows.

First Kamran Akmal went for four and when Shahid Afridi fell to the same combination for a duck Pakistan were in real trouble at 175 for seven with just over 10 overs remaining. Umar Akmal had become the second Pakistan batsman to reach his half-century before he fell to Starc for 52, with George Bailey taking the catch. His dismissal took Pakistan’s last real hope of setting a challenging target and they were unable to get past 200 with almost five overs remaining.

Scores: Australia 199 for64 (Clarke 66, Bailey 57*) beat Pakistan 198 (Shafiq 56, Starc 5-42, Pattinson 319).

Hashim Amla hits 150 in Proteas win BBC Sport - Hashim Amla hit 150 as South Africa beat England by 80 runs in the second one-day international at Southampton.

The Proteas’ victory took them to the top International Cricket Council’s one-day rankings and ended England’s run of 10 wins from their last 10 completed ODIs. The tourists’ 287-5 in 50 overs was built on an 89-run opening partnership between Amla and Graeme Smith (52).

England lost regular wickets as they were dismissed for 207 in 40.4 overs.

Chasing 288 at a run-rate of 5.76 an over, England’s reply got off to the worst possible start when Lonwabo Tsotsobe bowled the England captain Alastair Cook with the second ball of the innings.

Ian Bell (45), Jonathan Trott (23) and Craig Kieswetter (20) all made starts without going on, and when Eoin Morgan was sixth man out for 27 with 129 runs still needed off 98 balls, England’s last realistic chance of winning the game had gone.

Samit Patel and Steven Finn gave the supporters in the Aegeas Bowl some fun with some spirited late hitting in a lastwicket stand of 37 before Patel was last man out, caught behind by AB de Villiers off Morne Morkel for 45 from 51 balls.

Spinner Robin Peterson was the pick of the Proteas’ bowlers, though his figures of 2-51 from nine overs were rather ruined by conceding 20 runs to Finn and Patel in his final over.

On a slow wicket that gave help to the spinners and made run scoring difficult, South Africa set a tough target of 288 thanks to a superbly paced Amla innings of 150 from 124 deliveries.

In the 57th innings of his international career, Amla became the fastest batsman to 3,000 ODI runs, 12 innings quicker than Sir Vivian Richards’ mark.

Amla’s 150 was the highest score of his one-day international career, surpassing his 140 against Bangladesh in Benoni in 2008. He was content to allow Smith to take most of the early

Hashim Amla made his best ODI score of 150.

strike, but when his opening partner top-edged a short Tim Bresnan delivery to wicketkeeper Kieswetter in the 20th over, he accelerated the scoring rate without ever dominating the England attack.

He managed to keep his focus after running out JP Duminy (14) in the 26th over, and brought up his tenth century in his 59th one-day international with a clip off Patel to mid-on in the 41st over.

He could have been dismissed an over earlier, but Kieswetter failed to take a leg-side chance off the bowling of Finn.

It was Kieswetter’s third drop of the innings, the England wicketkeeper having earlier put down chances off Amla and AB de Villiers, and his clumsy performance behind the stumps may increase the calls for Test wicketkeeper Matt Prior to be recalled to the one-day squad.

Amla reached his 150 in the final over of the South Africa innings with a beautifully timed late cut off Finn, but was caught off the next ball by Bresnan at short third man. It was Amla’s sixth score of 50 or above in his last seven ODI innings.

South Africa become the first country to top the ICC rankings in all three formats of the game. England drop to third in the ODI rankings behind India. AB de Villiers’ side lead the fivematch series 1-0 after rain forced the first one-day international in Cardiff to be abandoned after only 5.3 overs. The third game of the five-match series is at The Oval on Friday.

Scores: South Africa 287 for 5 (Amla 150, Smith 52) beat England 207 (Bell 45, Patel 45) by 80 runs.