Acting President urges in Emancipation message...
Let's work together to realize our goals
Today Guyana celebrates the 165th Anniversary of Emancipation, and Acting President Samuel Hinds in a message to mark the occasion has called for other Guyanese to join with those of African descent in celebrating the commemoration of the freedom of their foreparents.

The full text of the message reads :
"One hundred and sixty five years ago today, cries of freedom and sounds of jubilation reverberated throughout this land. The shouts of freedom signaled the end of a cruel and inhumane system that had nourished empires and enriched the planter classes.

Simultaneously however, the system of slavery had severely impoverished a whole race of people, demoralizing succeeding generations, and exacting prolonged and untold sufferings on the body and spirit of Africans. This system left deep wounds in African communities in many parts of the world, and the African continent itself.

Historians have endeavoured to record slave -experiences, explain their survival, qualify their contributions - but the measurement of the suffering of slaves is beyond any quantitative estimates. These sufferings were not only to body, but against their will, against their dignity, and a violation of their very humanity.

Doubtless, slavery and the sugar plantation occupy a central place in the legacy of African Guyanese, a legacy which the freed slaves immediately sought to surmount in their co-operative purchases of a number of sugar estates.

Today, as a multiethnic society we reflect on the sufferings of the ancestors of Guyanese of African origin and behold with admiration, the defiant rise of their descendants above historical circumstances, to play a central role in the building of a new society. Overcoming the legacy of slavery, they have excelled in every conceivable vocation, and claimed the summit in many endeavours.

As we celebrate in Guyanese multi-ethnic solidarity, the emancipation of our Guyanese ancestors from Africa, we are privileged to share in their sufferings

And the success of their descendants since.

Fellow Guyanese, our African fore-parents demand their freedom as a God-given human right that was non negotiable. For them, freedom was desired to take up the burdens and responsibilities that devolve upon free men; to play their part in humanizing a society, ravaged by animosity and seeped in conflict, and contradictions by love and forgiveness - not retaliation and revenge. They want their freedom to actualize their dreams, and to realize their visions.

Fellow Guyanese, as a nation we need to hear again, the bells of freedom, signaling the yet unfinished task to emancipate all our people from the deforming, crippling, and limiting effects and manifestations of human poverty. Today, all Guyanese share the vision of former slaves, of creating a new society, where want is banished, and where every willing man and woman has the opportunity for realizing his goals.

Today, the nation celebrates with our African brothers and sisters. We all appreciate being in a society that was constructed over centuries, by ancestors from all over the world. This diversity is our greatest asset which should serve as a spring board for national development and continued progress.

Have a happy emancipation celebration."

PNCR leader's mom dies at 90
The mother of Mr. Robert Corbin, People's National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) leader, died yesterday morning.

Mrs. Iva Augusta Corbin who would have celebrated her 91st birthday on December 10 2003, passed away approximately 7:30 yesterday morning.

Mr. Corbin informed the Guyana Chronicle that funeral arrangements will be announced later since they are still in the process of making contact with family members and relatives overseas.

Mrs. Corbin is survived by two boys, one girl, nine grandchildren and two great grand children.

She was born in Georgetown in 1913, but spent most of her life in Stewart Park, Cummingsburg Linden.

She worked briefly in the Bauxite Industry and was very active in the Presbyterian Church.

Her son, Robert Corbin described her as active for most of her life except for last year when her health deteriorated

General Secretary of the PNC/R, Mr. Oscar Clarke made the announcement before the commencement of the weekly press conference at Congress Place Sophia yesterday.

Mr. Clarke informed the members of the media that it is with deep regret the party announces the passing of the mother of the party leader Mr. Robert Corbin and promised to keep the media updated on the development of plans for the funeral. (Shirwin Campbell)

Destiny’s Michelle Williams here
By Shirwin Campbell
Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams arrived in the country as scheduled last evening, saying she was excited to be in Guyana for the first time and eagerly looking forward to her stay.

In a brief meeting with the press in the VIP lounge at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, Michelle stated that she is aware that it has been a while since an entertainer from North America came to Guyana and she is honoured to be here. Michelle said that her excitement grew as she was traveling on the plane and viewed the video shows on Guyana, its culture, activities and what she described as the “carnivals.”

Clad in a causal green pants with matching top and jacket and her long hair flowing from under her cap, Michelle said, “I am here, I am here and I am happy to be here.”

Michelle Williams is here for a grand gospel concert under the theme, “Gospel Explosion,” scheduled for the National Park tomorrow.

Gates open at 16:00 hrs. and the concert is scheduled to start at 18:00 hrs. The price for a ticket is $1500 at the gate it will cost $2000.

Apart from performing at the concert, Michelle will be part of Guyana’s Emancipation celebrations, a motorcade and a press conference today at Le Meriden Pegasus.

French troops due today for training exercise
Foreign armies continue to seek the excellent jungle offered by the Guyana Defense Force.

A platoon of French soldiers based in Cayenne, or French Guiana, is scheduled to arrive in Guyana today to participate in a two-week training exchange programme at the local army’s Jungle and Amphibious Training School (JATS) in Makouria on the Essequibo River.

Instructors from the phase, the participants will be taught basic jungle skills including construction of shelters and living off the land. This phase will conclude with a jungle exercise.

The second phase will deal with the tactical aspect of the training package where the French troops will be trained in the rudiments of jungle fighting, which includes ambushes, harbouring, contact and beaching drills.

Simultaneously, a 30-man contingent from the GDF will depart for Cayenne at 10:30 hours on the same day of the French troops’ arrival, where they will be engaged in commando training in that country.

According to the officer responsible for the Operations and Training, Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Ross, “Training in jungle craft and commando skills is the continuation of a bilateral exchange programme between the French and Guyanese military which evolved from a visit to Martinique and French, the first was cancelled.

The French troops are scheduled to arrive at 14:40 hours at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. (Michel Outridge)

'Bogus currency' five remanded
A woman and four men, one of them a Colombian, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen yesterday, charged with possession of forged currency notes and other crimes.

The foreigner, Euclides Tellez Corrienares, together with Lakeram Deodat, Matthew Williams and Jean Gorgina Brandon, on a joint indictable charge of being in possession of forged currency notes to the purported value of US$21,800 on July 29, were also remanded to prison.

Deodat and Awad Narine are indictably charged separately with being in possession of US$400 notes amounting to the sum of US$15,000, also on July 29.

Brandon alone is on an indictable charge of having counterfeit US$100 bills to the value of US$400 on the same day while Corrienares is charged, too, with failing to present himself to an Immigration officer.

The allegations against Corrienares were not read to him because he does not understand English.

Deodat pleaded guilty to failing to present himself to an Immigration officer on June 1 after entering Guyana from Venezuela and was fined $25,000 with an alternative of three months imprisonment for that offence.

The court appearance of the quintet follows a Customs Anti-narcotics Unit (CANU) bust the day before and Police intervention.

Police Inspector Gordon Peters, prosecuting, said Deodat, a Guyanese living in Venezuela, arrived here by speedboat June 1 and entered the country from Pomeroon but did not report to Immigration authorities and was arrested in Georgetown.

Members of the CANU, investigating a drug trading and counterfeiting ring, apprehended Corrienares and Brandon at Eccles, East bank Demerara and the other defendant at a Charlotte Street liquor restaurant, also in the city.

A Police source said anti-narcotics agents had been monitoring the group's actions for months and that the alleged ring has members operating in southeastern Venezuela.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration has named Guyana a key transit point for South American drugs destined for the United States and Europe. The country's porous borders with Suriname, Brazil, and Venezuela allow traffickers to operate without being detected, authorities say.

The cases will be called again on Tuesday.

Guyana sends largest Caribbean delegation to Commonwealth conference
GUYANA was represented by the largest Caribbean delegation at the Commonwealth Local Government Conference, which concluded in South Africa yesterday.

A National Democratic Institute (NDI) release said the five-member delegation was joined by 10 others representing Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Dominica.

Overall, more than 400 delegates from 32 Commonwealth countries attended the conference, the second of its kind, including 15 Ministers of Local Government (one from the Caribbean.

NDI said the meeting was opened by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who argued that one of the greatest challenges of cities is to determine what must be done to attract new generations of business people, thinkers, politicians, community workers and trade unions to work together to form durable and mutually beneficial partnerships.

He cited the case of New York in the 19th century, advocating that such development must be done in a way so cities can become classic, creative and prosperous centres that would be the locomotive of economic growth for entire countries.

NDI said Mbeki advised that the conference should be an opportunity for the Commonwealth to develop guidelines for successful service partnerships that can be used for the development of cities throughout the world.

Other keynote speakers at the opening session were Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon, who addressed delegates on ‘The Commonwealth Partnerships for Development’ and Under Secretary General, United Nations, Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, who addressed ‘Sustainable Local Government, Sustainable Development’ with the involvement of the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte and Touche, South Africa, Vassi Naidoo made a presentation on ‘The Role of the Private Sector in Supporting Local Government Objectives’.

Other sessions on the opening day included discussions on ‘Delivering Local Services Effectively and Efficiently’, Regional Commonwealth Local government Forum meetings and a reception hosted by the Executive Mayor of the City of Tishwane.

NDI said delegates also participated in work groups on specific practical issues relating to local government/private partnerships, study tours of successful local private partnerships and interacted with conference exhibitors depicting such collaboration.

The New Amsterdam Action Group was showcased as an example of citizen involvement at the local level.

19 US Peace Corps volunteers sworn in
by Jaime Hall
US-based Peace Corps Volunteers yesterday swore in 19 more young volunteers who would be spending the next two years in Guyana making a contribution in various fields of the education sector.

The ceremony, which was the 12th Swearing-in since the volunteers began, serving in Guyana, was held at the National Culture Centre, Home Stretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Prior to taking the oath, the volunteers went through an eight- week orientation in the various aspects or work area, which they would carry out during their tour of duty.

Charge D' Affairs of the United States Embassy Mrs. Betty Mc Cutchan in her remarks noted that there is now much emphasis in the Peace Corps on recruiting young people, recognizing that they always have skills and talent to offer. There is now more support for the services of volunteers she says.

Two of the issues volunteers in Guyana focuses mainly on are information technology and HIV/AIDS. Those problems did not exist at the time when the Peace Corps were formed.

However, the essence of the organization remains intact. Volunteers continue to serve and make a difference in the lives of those people with which they work.

Cultural exchanges and market technology for example, have greatly accelerated the process of change in the developing world.

People of all national are more interdependent than ever before, she points out, adding that what happened in other continents is immediately relevant to the daily lives of people in other parts of the world.

The price for rice, sugar and bauxite in Asia, Africa and Australia, she noted for example, has an immediate impact on income in Guyana.

Mrs. Cutchan says economic downturn in one part of the world could create a ripple effect that will impact on many other regions.

HIV/AIDS is a very serious threat here, and diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria continue to cause health problems.

But she pointed out that if Guyana did not have these problems the Peace Corps would not be needed as volunteer to help in the fight against these diseases through education.

She said the volunteers have taken on a tough job and as they go out to work in the various communities to which they were dispatched they should expect the best from people.

"If you expect people to fail it will eventually happen. If you expect them to live up to their potentials to do great things and to do their best, they are much more likely to achieve their goals".

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganga Persaud in addressing the Peace Corps Volunteers said they would be able to assist the Ministry of Education in implementing progammes already set out by government to improve the sector.

He said that the current information technology programme would also be enhanced with the services of the volunteers.

Mr. Persaud said that the Ministry intends to hold discussions with the Director of the Peace Corps to slightly expand the role of the volunteers.

He said it is the intention of the Ministry to have the concurrence of the Director to have them work for the first year at the classroom level enhancing delivery particular programmes.

During the second year, it is hoped that the volunteers would be engaged in helping to develop the kind of skills in the given school where they are assigned.

Minister Sawh leads team to Jamaica
Acting Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Satyadeow Sawh and a team are in Jamaica to participate in a three-day annual Agricultural and Industrial show. The team left yesterday.

Director of the National Agricultural Research Scientist of NARI, Dr. Robin Austin, accompanies the Minister. Several members of the private Sector are also expected to join the Minister and his team.

The Guyanese delegation will mount an exhibition to display products that are grown and made in Guyana. Guyana has been participating in several of these shows over the years.

President Bharrat Jagdeo was the guest speaker at last year’s show.

According to Minister Sawh, President Jagdeo was impressed by the show last year and he is solely behind the move that Guyana be represented this year.

He added that he and his team will also use the opportunity to observe the way in which the exhibition is being held, so that it might provide some new ideas for Guyana.

He explained that this would also start them in the right path towards the Caribbean single Market and Economy, which will come on stream shortly.

Minister Sawh said he will meet with the Agricultural Minister of Jamaica and he will discuss issues that are of mutual concerns to both countries.

The Agricultural Minister of India is expected to be the guest speaker at the Agricultural and Industrial show in Jamaica.

GNNL shows appreciation to work-study students
ELEVEN students who spent the last four weeks on work-study attachment at the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) publishers of the Guyana and Sunday Chronicle, were yesterday presented with certificates of appreciation by the company's management on the completion of their attachment period.

A simple handing over ceremony was held in the company's Sports Club where they heard brief remarks from Chairman of the GNNL Board of Directors, Mr. Hubert Rodney; Director, Mr. Tota Mangar and General Manager, Mr. Compton Peters, all of whom urged the students to see the attachment as an experience of what they could expect when they enter the world of work.

The students, all of whom have written the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and are awaiting the results, were told also that once they perform creditably, the opportunity exists that they could gain employment with the company.

They students during the four-weeks had stints in a number of departments, including Editorial, Accounts, Advertising and Personnel.

Four who were placed in the Newsroom (Editorial Department) had the opportunity of working on stories and seeing them published.

Chairman Rodney who during a pep talk with the students earlier, had promised that they will be taken on a tour away from the office, possible in the hinterland, reminded them yesterday that the offer still holds good

Programme of Emancipation celebrations on Essequibo Coast
HENRIETTA African Culture and Education Development Association on Essequibo Coast has announced a programme of activities to mark the 169th anniversary of Emancipation in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

A release from the organisation said it starts today with a church service at Henrietta that will be followed by folk games, a cultural presentation and a street jamboree where African dishes will be on sale.

Tomorrow, at 20:00 hours (8 pm), a candle light parade will move from Damon’s Cross at La Belle Alliance to Damon Park, Anna Regina.

After the procession is a cultural show including prayers, hymns, African drumming and songs, Congo dancing, poetry, skits, a display of African clothing and hair styles, queh-queh music and wedding rituals.

Muslims to discuss societal norms, values on Saturday
THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) will host a joint lecture programme on ‘Muslim Social Norms and Societal Values’, starting at 19:00 hrs tomorrow at the MYO Complex, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

Delivering the feature address will be Shaykh Faisal Abdur Razak of Toronto, Canada, who will be accompanied by a panel of experts and scholars including Moulana Sidiq Ahmad Nasir of Trinidad and Br. Shahabudin McDoom of the United Kingdom.

And according to a statement from the CIOG, Islamic positions on various social issues, including the controversial sexual orientation bill that is currently before Parliament, will be dealt with at length.

Following the feature address, the floor will be open for questions and discussions.

PYO conducts group development seminar
PROGRESSIVE Youth Organisation (PYO), an arm of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), recently conducted another seminar at Riverstown Primary School on Essequibo Coast.

Chairman of the Essequibo branch, Mr Devanand Ramdatt said it was part of an educational series for young people in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), aimed at furthering group development.

He said the programme stressed the importance of youths in the life of the nation and resource personnel were Headmaster of Abram Zuil Secondary School, Mr Maydha Persaud and University of Guyana (UG) graduate, Mr Ralph Rajpersaud.

For some people, they describe ethnic Afro-Guyanese. For others, they describe ethnic Indo-Guyanese.

For others still, they imply an alien and hostile race that doesn't belong in a land where Afro- and Indo-Guyanese have lived for as long as the history of slavery and indenturship in Guyana records them being here.

But beneath the dramatic clashes and confrontations that sometimes mar relations between these two ethnic groups, a reassuring process has been underway and is continuing to give shape to Guyanese of all races achieving, by reasonable measurement, goals that otherwise would have been a hopeless dream.

Guyanese have emerged from slavery and indentureship to becoming as well heeled, well housed and well educated as peoples in many other countries.

There was a time in Guyana when, it seemed, many Afro-Guyanese had resigned themselves to a life of poverty and subordination. For older folks, the era of deprivation and hopelessness conjured up stories they'd heard of life in pre-emancipation British Guiana.

That is something, because hearing or reading about slavery could be emotionally depressing. After centuries of what historians label as "pure hell," the legal abolition of the slave trade by Europe and North America occurred over a period of over thirty years, from the banning of the trade by Denmark, effective in 1803, to the eventual acceptance of abolition by Portugal in 1836; the critical step being the outlawing of the trade by Britain, the principal slave-trading nation, in 1807.

Legal abolition was, of course, by no means the same as effective suppression, and the trade continued illegally well into the nineteenth century, as long as there remained a market for slaves in the Americas (principally in Brazil and Cuba). The trans-Atlantic slave trade did not come to a total end, therefore, until the 1860s.

With the abolition of slavery, and the dawn of indentureship - the importation of European and Asian labour to fill the vacuum on the sugar plantations abandoned by most of the now-freed slaves, Africans and Indians were pitted against each other to prevent them from collaborating in any significant way to destabilize the colony's crucial plantation economy.

Political independence did little to end the cleavage. Until now!

Though pockets of resistance to us forging a national identity remain, the general citizenry has shown that Guyanese of all races are making it, and that upward mobility still operates.

Much remains to be achieved, at the neighborhood, regional and national levels, to transform so-called depressed communities.

But the lessons of the past, the grit to face the future, and the commitment by Guyanese of all races to work together, can turn what now seems illusionary into reality. It's a good time for us to move ahead from the past.

Sonia Jerrick murder trial--
Accused Cop makes statement from the dock
MURDER accused Police Constable Junior McKenzie yesterday told the judge and jury in a statement from the dock, “I was hugging and kissing my girlfriend Sonia, when her arm dislodged my firearm from my left side waist.”

Relating to the Court the incident that had snuffed out the life of Natasha Jerrick called ‘Sonia’ in October 2001, McKenzie said: “After the gun fell, Sonia picked it up and whilst laughing, pointed the weapon to me and jokingly asked me if I wanted her to shoot me. I stretched my hands towards her trying to get back the firearm. At the same time Constable Goulding came from behind and pulled me back. As he did this, the firearm went off, and Sonia slumped to the ground.”

McKenzie continued: “Constable Nicholson, who was not far from us came up and said, ‘What is that?’ Constable Goulding then picked up the firearm and gave it to Constable Nicholson, who later checked Sonia’s body and declared, ‘Like she is dead’.”

Continuing his statement from the dock before Justice Claudette Singh and a mixed jury, the accused said: “I then went back to the Outpost using a different route to the other Policemen. I never left the Outpost until the following day when a report was made to the effect that Sonia’s body was found on the Bee Hive Dam.”

In his address to the jury, Defence Counsel Mr. Basil Williams said that the Prosecution had failed to make out a case against the accused for murder and he urged the jury to return a verdict of ‘not guilty’.

Counsel submitted that there was no evidence that the accused was seen pulling a trigger and, therefore, they -- the jury must accept the story of the accused that the young woman was shot accidentally.

On the other hand, Ms Candace Raphael, who along with Ms Faith McGusty is appearing for the Prosecution, urged the jury to return a verdict in accordance with the oath they had taken. If they did so, she told them, there was only one verdict they could reach, and that was that the case had been proved against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

The hearing continues. (George Barclay)

Fined drug user blames peer pressure
A MINISTRY of Health employee who said he started using drugs because of peer pressure was yesterday fined $3,000 and ordered to do two weeks community service at Brickdam Police Station in Georgetown.

Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen imposed the penalty on 19-year-old Vickram Singh, of Lot ‘K’ Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara, after he pleaded guilty to possession of a narcotic on July 29.

The defendant, who admitted having two grammes of cannabis (marijuana) in a room where he stays at the Regional Administration building, Mahdia, Potaro, promised to no longer use the prohibited substance.

In the same Court, Darrence Williams, of Lot 87 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was put on $7,000 bail when he denied being found with 13 grammes, of marijuana, too, on July 30.

His trial is scheduled for September 9.

Burglary defendant fingers alleged houseguest
A BURGLARY defendant claimed yesterday that the booty was taken to his home by another man to whom he had offered accommodation.

Carl Correia (no address given) offered the explanation after pleading not guilty to breaking and entering two houses and stealing property worth a total of $134,720.

One victim, Geeta Sewsankar, whose dwelling was broken into between July 26 and 27, said she lost things valued $55,220 and $5,500 cash.

The other virtual complainant, Ottis Harding suffered the loss of a blender, a pair of shoes, a watch, a CD player, a camera, a keyboard adaptor, a saw and a drill, all to the value of $74,000.

Corriea named his alleged houseguest and said the missing man took the stolen things there after he allowed him to stay in his house.

Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen transferred the case to Providence Court, East Bank Demerara Magisterial District, for August 25.

Security vigilance pays off
The results of increased investments and allocations of resources to our law-enforcement agencies continue to pay off in their successful interdiction of criminals, including money-launderers and forgers and drug traffickers.

The most recent success is the arrest of at least five persons so involved with the investigations still continuing.

The Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit or CANU have carried out this exercise after months of intensive undercover work and acting on information received from public-spirited citizens.

The officers involved must be commended and encouraged to actively pursue such matters to help make our society safer for children and ourselves.

We expect that all law-enforcement agencies will continue to increase their vigilance, training and capabilities to increase the level of safety and security in the country.
Anand Johnson

Cooperation with Brazil bearing fruit
The cooperation and collaboration between Guyana and Brazil has already borne much fruit and in addition the foundations are being laid for greater mutual benefits for the two countries.

It is important that our President paid a visit at this point in time to develop many initiatives already taken and agreed and also to discuss approaches to global issues affecting the two countries.

There can be no doubt of the friendliness between Brazil and Guyana and the many positive possibilities for our future.

Brazil is a massive economic giant and can provide Guyana with many opportunities for export and development and joint ventures and we in turn have vast natural resources, which can be mutually developed, for the benefit of the region.

We look forward to the report by President Bharrat Jagdeo when he returns from this important visit to our southern neighbour.
Azam khan

War on bad manners, indeed!
Many people welcome and support the nationally organized effort by the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to declare " War on Bad Manners," backed by several businesses and other Ministries and agencies.

This is indeed something in which we can all enthusiastically join in as it is a positive and necessary effort to improve our behavior, attitude and conduct with each other. These efforts are not only for the benefit of tourists visiting our shores but which will also have a tremendous impact on all, regardless of our stations in life.

Among those supporting the activity are the Guyana Police Force, the Mayor and City Council, the Ministry of Education and many business places.

We must recognize that over the years, many individuals in their personal capacities have always observed and practiced the rules of courtesy and have brought up their children to do so also and many schools have been conducting such training and setting examples as well.

Now we can all join in this national effort throughout the country to improve the way in which we speak and deal with each other to improve our standards of manners.
David Burke

Utilities 'killing' pensioners
I UNDERDTAND from recent newscasts that only destitute pensioners would be getting relief from water rates as mentioned by Minister Bibi Shaddick. This is very unfair as I think those pensioners who were in lieu of a monthly salary should also be entitled to the paid relief.

GPL bills are killing us to pay. Almost every month, this entity increases its fuel surcharge. I have, at this moment, just received from GPL a statement for April 7th, 2003 to May 7th 2003 for a sum exceeding $23,000, which includes a fuel surcharge of $6.07 for KWH. This is most ridiculous. No wonder, private companies are purchasing their own generators; it is costing much less than GPL KWH. I wish I had the means to do the same.

Madam Minister, please include salaried pensioners regardless of where they live, as we are all feeling the squeeze particularly when no other source of income is received.
PENSIONER

Sports Directorate needs to be dynamic
I am a Guyanese by birth but have been residing in Canada for a number of years. Although being distant away from my homeland I am still cognizant of what is happening, particularly the escalation of heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, etc. and also the massive deterioration of sports.

Before migrating to Canada sports were having a boost in the country by the astute leadership and constructive programs implemented by previous Director of Sports but under the current Directorate it has descended to a level beyond expectation. This atrocious situation has made sports in Guyana the worst in the Caribbean. But it cannot and will never be remedied unless the Director of Sport is someone who is dynamic.

I am certain beyond doubt that the Hon. Minister of Sport and other Government functionaries are aware of this, so I wonder why appropriate remedial action is not being taken to make the Directorate more pro-active and an effective sports facilitator and motivator.

Before returning to Canada from my last summer holidays in Guyana two years ago I expressed my profound concern in the press over the malaise in sports and had called on the Director to gracefully resign from the position or in default the Hon. Minister should take appropriate action to have him removed in the interest of sports at large.

If a small entity as the National Sports Commission cannot be cleared by taking immediate remedial measures then it is incomprehensible how the Government can solve the crime situation, which has engulfed the nation to such magnitude.
C. ADAMS

Congrats, yes, but I'm also disappointed
I REFER to the article in Kaieteur News, Tuesday Editorial (29/07/03), headlined in the back page "CAC Star Sylvan Gardener is Mr. Guyana!"

I would like to extend warm congratulations to Mr. Sylvan Gardener for his impressive showing and to wish him success at the CAC Championships in September.

At the National Senior Bodybuilding Championship held at the National Cultural Centre on the 27th July, 2003, the president of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation publicly announced before the start of the event that six bodybuilders would be selected to represent Guyana at the CAC Championship set for The Bahamas at the end of September. This was also stated in Kaieteur News dated (29/07/03).

Kaieteur News stated that the six persons selected were Gardener and Morris in the lightweight, Lynch and Nichols in the Middleweight Division and Johnson and Henry in the heavy category. This was not the case as reported at the Culture Centre and in the media.

The winners and runners up in each category were told to remain backstage at the end of the Championships to await instructions on the Mandatory Drug Testing. However, the president and the selection committee came up with a list of four names consisting of the winners and runners up in the Lightweight and Middleweight categories as the members of the team for CAC.

Mr. Johnson and Mr. Henry, the champion and runner up in the Heavyweight Division, were not considered.

As the Champion of the Heavyweight Category (176lbs and over), and third place in the overall pose down for the National title, I enquire the reason for my name being omitted for the list. I was told by the President of the federation that enough funding was not available. I offered to sponsor myself and was further told by a senior official that my weight category had, and I quote, "some vicious competitors in the light Heavyweight Division" at the CAC Championships.

I am extremely disappointed that the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation has such poor selection policy that of judging athletes before they complete. If they are to win medals, the bodybuilders have to be given the necessary exposure and be selected based on their merits and not favoritism.

The Honourable Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Ms. Gail Teixeira, should seriously look into what is going on in the GABBF, because if enough funds are not available to send a team to CAC 2003 then how is Guyana going to host CAC 2004, a Championship that will cost millions of dollars in preparation.
TROY JOHNSON

Ntini five for 75; Smith 80 not out…
England ripped out for 173
By Tony Lawrence
LONDON, England (Reuters) - It was meant to be Michael Vaughan's party but South Africans Makhaya Ntini and Graeme Smith gate-crashed his Lord's inauguration as England were skittled for 173 on the first day of the second Test yesterday.

Vaughan, replacing the jaded Nasser Hussain at the helm for the first time in Tests, could not have made a worse start as England were obliterated in 48.4 overs, not even a full one-day innings, Ntini claiming five wickets for 75.

South Africa, themselves under a fresh-faced captain in Smith and already with the psychological edge after dominating the first drawn Test, sauntered to 151 for one in reply by the close.

Smith, with scores of 277 and 85 at Edgbaston, was 80 not out, his bat looking wider than the stumps.

Herschelle Gibbs, who hit 179 in his first innings of the series, made 49 before chopping on as the pair milked an attack short on ideas, let alone hope.

``We're up against it and chasing the game, and that's probably an understatement,'' Vaughan said. ``Sometimes you are just best to front up -- no excuses, we were not good enough. It just didn't go to plan at all.

``It was a flat wicket and we would probably have batted if we had won the toss. It's going to be very difficult.''

Ntini edged the day's honours for South Africa.

A whippy bowler in the Malcolm Marshall mode and capable of a wicket-taking delivery each over, he claimed four big wickets at the top of the order. All-rounder Andrew Hall, recalled on his 28th birthday, took three for 18 after England were put in.

BLAMELESS TRACK
Only an improbable last-wicket stand of 55 between Darren Gough and James Anderson averted a total home humiliation on a blameless track.

``That showed how good a wicket it was,'' Vaughan added ruefully.

England had to shoulder much of the blame themselves, at least four of their batsman contributing largely to their own dismissals.

South Africa began well after winning the toss, with the immaculate Shaun Pollock and the less predictable but more attacking Ntini providing the perfect combination.

Marcus Trescothick had already been dropped at second slip by Smith off Ntini when he dangled a bat outside his off stump to the same bowler and chopped on for six.

Mark Butcher soon followed, his three consecutive fours off Ntini forgotten as he was squared up by Pollock on the back foot and edged to Hall at third slip to make it 35 for two.

Vaughan, today's man, was joined by yesterday's and he and Hussain looked to be making some sense of the innings, reaching 73 in the run-up to lunch without real alarm before Hussain's departure changed the mood completely.

Hussain, driving loosely at Hall's bustling medium-paced seamers, was bowled for 14. Three wickets fell in 10 balls for 12 runs, and seven wickets were to fall for 45.

LEADING EDGE
Anthony McGrath chipped Hall off a leading edge to wide mid-off before Vaughan, inexplicably hooking against Ntini instead of shutting up shop before the break, skied to fine leg for 33.

England lunched on 94 for five and showed no more stomach for a fight afterwards.

Alec Stewart soon pulled Ntini lamely and straight to Paul Adams at short square leg and Ashley Giles, fending, edged Hall to first slip.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was as complacent as he hooked Ntini straight to deep square leg for 11 while Harmison's play-and-miss left England on 118 for nine.

Gough's cameo, which included two sixes in four balls off Adams's wrist spin, showed how good a wicket it had been.

Gibbs and Smith certainly had no qualms, with Gough not quick enough and Anderson lacking the consistency to unsettle them.

Smith stroked a single off the first ball of the innings to become the quickest South African to 1 000 Test runs, in his 17th innings. He made one mistake but it cost him nothing.

On eight, he drove a simple chance straight to cover. Yesterday's man, Hussain, his mind perhaps on other things, spilled it.

ENGLAND first innings

M.Trescothick b Ntini 6

M.Vaughan c sub. b Ntini 33

M.Butcher c Hall b Pollock 19

N.Hussain b Hall 14

A.McGrath c Kirsten b Hall 4

A.Stewart c Adams b Ntini 7

A.Flintoff c Adams b Ntini 11

A.Giles c Pollock b Hall 7

D.Gough c Adams b Pollock 34

S.Harmison b Ntini 0

J.Anderson not out 21

Extras: (b-5, lb-3, nb-3, w-1, pen-5) 17

Total: (all out) 173

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-35, 3-73, 4-77, 5-85, 6-96, 7-109, 8-112, 9-118.

Bowling: Pollock 14.4-5-28-2 (nb-1), Ntini 17-3-75-5 (w-1), Pretorius 4-0-20-0 (nb-2), Hall 10-4-18-3, Adams 3-0-19-0.

SOUTH AFRICA first innings

G.Smith not out 80

H.Gibbs b Harmison 49

G.Kirsten not out 9

Extras: (b-4, lb-5, nb-4) 13

Total: (for one wicket) 151

Fall of wickets: 1-133.

Bowling (to date): Gough 7-1-32-0 (nb-3), Anderson 10-3-31-0, Harmison 9-3-30-1, Flintoff 8-0-27-0 (nb-1), Giles 7-0-22-0.

UG bids farewell to Sports Organiser Jorge Ramos
By Isaiah Chappelle
THE University of Guyana yesterday bade farewell to its committed retired Sports Organiser Jorge Ramos.

Ramos was honoured at a double-barrelled function - the Annual Sports Awards Ceremony and Farewell for the Sports Organiser - at the Turkeyen Campus.

Vice-Chancellor Dr James Rose said: “He performed as a one-man army. He was extremely hardworking. The university has benefited tremendously from him. We will miss him.”

Dr Rose disclosed that sport was in the doldrums on campus during the period that Ramos was hired.

“We were doing very little. He came on board and began the transformation,” Dr Rose said.

The Vice-Chancellor declared that anyone who attempted to walk in Ramos’ footsteps would have to fill an extremely large footstep. He said the retired Sport Organiser would always be welcome at the institution.

Alexander disclosed that the new Sports Organiser should have been introduced at the ceremony but instead, interviews were continuing and the name would be announced in the new week.

The candidates for the post are athletes Dennis Smith and Kenton Durant and table tennis official Sydney Christophe.

President of the Students’ Society Robert Bourne disclosed that even when Ramos encountered obstacles like lack of finance he would find a way to get things done.

“We would miss his zeal. The only fitting tribute to him is to continue sport development on campus,” Bourne said.

On August 16, Rory Forde and Beverly Selman will leave for the World University Championships in South Korea. UG was already represented in the biennial meet in China.

Ramos said he really appreciated the gesture although he tried not to be honoured in such a way because he just did the job he was paid to do.

“The job was a life-saver. I was down and out when I came here,” Ramos disclosed.

Ramos said that although it appeared he was a one-man army trying to get things done, he had an army assisting him, mentioning even the nurses who allowed him to use the telephone to the Pro-Chancellor - people who had in some way contributed to his work.

The former Technical Director of the-then Guyana Football Association said the UG stint was his second longest in a job, the first being with the Organisation of American States in which he spent eight years.

Ramos said he decided to retire because at 60 years, he felt he did not physically have the necessary drive to participate with campus athletes, although he could still organise events.

“I felt a younger person would be more adequate. I would never have left UG. This has been my second home,” Ramos said.

Ramos said that the university was a wonderful place to work, but some were painting UG badly, saying there was discrimination, among other things.

“Please help the university to survive these undeserving criticisms,” Ramos pleaded.

The Brazilian pointed out that like in many other countries, UG worked with a small budget and he did his best to work with what he had.

“What cannot be done with the budget can be done with the heart,” Ramos declared.

Earlier, Faarhan Utham of the Facutlty of Agriculture and Forestry received the Champion Male Athlete trophy. Neisa Bamfield did not turn up to receive the Champion Female Athlete trophy.

Faculty representative of the agriculture and forestry faculty, Christopher Persaud, uplifted the Champion Faculty trophy. The small faculty beat giants Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences and Technology.

Barbados name Red Stripe Bowl training squad
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - (CMC)- Barbados retained all 14 players from their 2002 championship-winning team in a 25-member training squad, named Wednesday for the Red Stripe Bowl Limited Overs competition later this year.

Courtney Browne, who captained the side to the title last year, as well as to Carib Beer Series four-day honours this year, returns in a good blend of experienced players and promising young talent.

The squad also includes West Indies rookie Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore, Ryan Hurley and Tino Best, who all featured in the West Indies' recent Cable & Wireless home series, plus veterans Sherwin Campbell, Vasbert Drakes, Philo Wallace and Floyd Reifer.

The Red Stripe Bowl is tentatively set for October.

Squad - Ryan Austin, Sulieman Benn, Jason Bennett, Tino Best, Ian Bradshaw, Courtney Browne, Patrick Browne, Sherwin Campbell, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Vasbert Drakes, Fidel Edwards, Jason Haynes, Ryan Hinds, Alcindo Holder, Ryan Hurley, Antonio Mayers, Carlo Morris, Martin Nurse, Ryan Nurse, Floyd Reifer, Dale Richards, Dwayne Smith, Philo Wallace and Kurt Wilkinson.

Pouderoyen inflict 3-0 upset on Den Amstel
POUDEROYEN inflicted the second major upset in the Sweet Sixteen football tournament at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground, but not before the match against Den Amstel was halted after gun threat on Wednesday night.

In the other encounter of the quarterfinals, penalty kicks were required to give Camptown victory over Victoria Kings.

Pouderoyen’s 3-0 whipping of Den Amstel set up today’s semifinal clash with Uitvlugt/Warriors, while Camptown will meet undisputed National champions Fruta Conquerors in the first match.

When the referee halted the Pouderoyen/Den Amstel encounter, Pouderoyen had already shocked Den Amstel with two goals. Garland Lewis inflicted the first shocker when the match was just 23 minutes old, and Lawrence Barrington produced another in the 38th minute.

Three minutes later, the referee halted the game in the 41st minute after a spectator threatened to shoot one of the assistant referees (formerly linesmen) if he touched him. The crowd had invaded the field beyond the touchline.

With the tournament being staged under FIFA rules, the referee invoked the rule that gave him the power to halt the game among other drastic measures if the conditions were unfavourable.

“I had no alternative but to stop the game until things were brought back under control,” the referee told Chronicle Sport.

The crowd pleaded with the officials to resume the game, vowing to keep the touchlines clear. After 12 minutes, play resumed for the remaining four minutes of the half.

Pouderoyen continued to dominate the run of play after the half-time break and in the 71st minute Burton Fraser sealed the game.

Earlier, the clash between Camptown and Victoria Kings was deadlocked 2-2 after regulation and extra time. Damian Edwards and Nigel Codrington scored for Camptown and Winston Pompey and Carl Cole for Victoria Kings.

Kings were the first to find the net within 20 minutes of play, but Edwards equalised five minutes later for Camptown and the game was first deadlocked 1-1, at halftime.

Camptown went ahead ten minutes after the resumption when Codrington added his name to the scored card.

They seemed headed for victory, but Cole produced a heartrending equaliser, two minutes into stoppage time. Extra time did not break the deadlock sending the game into penalty shootout. Camptown won 4-2. (Isaiah Chappelle)

Wasim backs Aussies
RECENTLY retired Pakistan great Wasim Akram has come to the defence of the Australian team after they were accused of being responsible for the decline in sportsmanship in cricket.

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar criticised the Australians on Tuesday, saying they set a poor example with their sledging, which was then copied by the rest of the cricketing world, but Akram refused to blame the world champions.

"I think the Australians are a bit cocky and they have every right to be - they're beating everyone and they're a step ahead of every team in world cricket right now," Wasim told BBC Radio Five Live.

He said it was up to referees to take a firmer grip on any behaviour that crossed the line.

"That's what referees are there for," he said. "Referees have to put their foot down and they have to make a bottom line. It doesn't matter which country it is or who the captain is.

"If he crosses the line he should be punished or penalised a huge amount of money or banned. Then eventually they'll get it (on-field behaviour) right."

Wasim, who was part of the Pakistan team that beat England to win the 1992 World Cup, said he was impressed with the new-look England one-day side that has emerged under Michael Vaughan this summer.

"I think it is a good start, great thinking again by the England selectors, because they want to build a team for the World Cup in 2007," he said.

"The team did very well in the one-dayers (earlier this summer). In the next couple of years these players will be experienced and yet young, so you'll have a great team in two years' time.

"I think this is a great start and you are going in a positive direction.

"This team has the hunger and the talent and I hope it stays there - this is just a start." (BBC Sport).

Zimbabwe would welcome Aussies sledging
… says coach Geoff Marsh
PERTH, Australia, (Reuters) - Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh said yesterday Australia's sledging tactics were nothing new in the game and were simply part of the heat of battle.

The former World Cup-winning Australia coach said Zimbabwe would welcome Australia's aggressive playing style when the game's top-ranked team host Zimbabwe for a two-Test series in October.

``It will be tough for young players, but they will not take a backward step,'' Marsh told reporters while holidaying in his former hometown of Perth.

``They will be in there competing hard; they want to get sledged by (Glenn) McGrath.

``They actually want to be in the hot seat and the firing line and do well, that is what they want and that is what they expect to come here to do.''

Marsh's comments follow India batting great Sunil Gavaskar's plea for ``verbal bouncers'' to be stopped to prevent damage to the image of the game.

``There are perhaps not even 15 who indulge in this verbal abuse and intimidation,'' Gavaskar said on Tuesday while giving the Colin Cowdrey lecture at Lord's.

``But unfortunately most of these belong to a champion side (Australia) and it makes others believe that it's the only way to play winning cricket.''

International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed and his Cricket Australia counterpart James Sutherland were among those to criticise McGrath after his ill-tempered clash with West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan during Australia's recent tour.

``I am sure when two boxers are locked together they will have a go at each other,'' Marsh said.

``But unfortunately the Australian cricket team are so big that every move they make the cameras are there because nobody can write anything bad about them, because they keep on winning.

``They are always looking for an angle to get at the guys but I have played against those guys, and coached most of them, and I don't see it as a problem.''

Gavaskar, who scored a world record 34 Test centuries, had said on Tuesday: ``In the modern world of commercialisation of the game and the advent of satellite television and the motto of winning at all costs, sportsmanship has gone for a six.

``Today, although there is a code of conduct, the verbal bouncers go on pretty much unchecked and, unless something is done quickly about it, the good name of the game that we all know will be mud.''

Australia and South Africa fight for lost pride
By Julian Linden
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Australia and South Africa will have dual objectives when they meet at Lang Park in Brisbane today in the Tri-nations rugby championship.

Although the result is unlikely to affect the outcome of the championship both teams, who were torn apart by a rampant New Zealand side, desperately need a win.

But also paramount in their thoughts will be the need to plan ahead for the World Cup opening in Sydney on October 10.

``We're 100 per cent committed to winning the game but, at the same time, you've got to have another plan going along and that plan is to be right for the World Cup,'' said Australia coach Eddie Jones.

``We're certainly not under-valuing the Tri-nations, but there have been things that we've been doing and trying, some of them not too successfully, that are geared toward the World Cup and I can tell you we're not the only side doing that.''

As the current world champions and World Cup hosts, the Wallabies are probably under more pressure to win than the South Africans.

They have lost their last three matches, including their opening Tri-nations clash in Cape Town to the Springboks 26-22, and were humiliated 50-21 at home to New Zealand last weekend.

WEAK DEFENCE
The Wallabies remain as potent as ever in attack and have finally found some cohesion in the forwards but their defence out wide was exposed as their weak point as the All Blacks raced in seven tries in an hour.

Veteran fullback Matthew Burke paid the price for the loss as he was dumped for Chris Latham and Jones has warned more sackings are likely if the team doesn't start winning soon.

``Everyone has got to play well to keep his spot,'' Jones said. ``I think we'll play much better in the backs and the forwards are going to do their job.''

South Africa began their new season full of renewed hope after last year's unhappy tour of Europe.

They beat Scotland twice then Argentina and Australia once each before coming back down to earth with a thud in their 52-16 loss to New Zealand.

Coach Rudolph Straeuli responded by making six changes for the match against Australia in an experiment he hopes may help him find the right combination he needs for the World Cup.

``There are players who have paid the price for an unacceptable performance against the All Blacks and there are players who have been rotated,'' Straeuli explained.

``It is crucial to our development as a squad that all players show they have the ability to step in at any time.''

Round one to Graeme Smith
By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent
MICHAEL Vaughan's first day as England's captain could not have been worse.

His batsmen produced their most insipid performance for some time in being bowled out for 173, and then Nasser Hussain - of all people - dropped a straight-forward chance offered by Graeme Smith when he had scored only eight.

By the close, South Africa were already in touching distance of England's inadequate total and Smith was on 80.

It was one of those tosses that captains prefer to lose. The atmosphere at Lord's was heavy and cloud cover was present all day.

Smith, keen to take the initiative, decided to put England in to bat while Vaughan revealed that he would have chosen to bat first anyway.

The pitch was slow, there was absolutely no movement in the air, but just occasionally the ball nipped off the seam - which is perfectly permissible on the opening morning of a Test match.

However, the top seven batsmen were all guilty of contributing to their downfalls, and had it not been for the partnership of 55 between Darren Gough and James Anderson for the last wicket - easily the biggest stand of the innings - England might not have reached 120.

It is typical of cricket that a tantalising sub-plot brought Vaughan and Hussain to the crease together.

Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher had already gone with the score on 35, and Hussain received a warm welcome from the Lord's crowd that applauded him all the way from the pavilion to the middle.

The former captain and his successor added 38 before Hussain drove expansively and lost his off stump for 14.

Four balls later Anthony McGrath was caught at mid-off for four and when Vaughan was caught on the long leg boundary for 33 in the next over, England were 85-5 and in deep trouble.

Alec Stewart was caught at square leg in the first over after lunch and, in no time, England were 118-9.

After Gough and Anderson showed some welcome resistance, it was the turn of England's bowlers to try to make amends for their ghastly exhibition at Edgbaston.

As early as the fourth over, Smith drove Anderson firmly but at waist height to Hussain at cover point.

Down it went, and as the crowd groaned in disbelief, Hussain looked lost.

In such a precarious and emotional state of mind, lapses like that might well speed his exit from the game.

Smith and Herschelle Gibbs put on 133 for the first wicket before Steve Harmison, bowling with welcome pace and urgency, induced Gibbs to chop the ball into his stumps for 49.

Smith received a nasty blow on the hand from Andrew Flintoff, but the imposing figure of the South African captain will return in the morning, aiming to lead his team to an invincible position.

Woods takes step back to go forward
By Alex Miceli
RICHMOND, Virginia, (Reuters) - Tiger Woods is turning back the clock in a bid to rediscover his winning touch.

In an effort to salvage a poor season, Woods, whose last major win was at the 2002 U.S. Open, is switching back to his old driver in the run-up to next month's U.S. PGA championship.

The eight-times major winner and undisputed world number one said this week he had decided to put aside the Nike driver he has been using since the start of 2002 and go back to his trusty 1997 Titleist 975D.

Deciding that size is not everything, Woods is switching back to the smaller driver in the defence of his title at the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan, from yesterday, and will continue to use it at least through the U.S. PGA Championship that starts on August 14.

``It feels good to step up and hit something I feel confident hitting,'' Woods said on Monday of a club that is no longer manufactured.

Woods has a multi-million-dollar endorsement contract with Nike, covering clothing and equipment, but the company has allowed him to be selective over his clubs.

He finally switched to Nike Irons last September but still has a few Titleist clubs in the bag.

The driver has been the particular sticking point and after continually being out-hit off the tee Woods recently made a public request for mandatory testing of drivers at PGA Tour events due to the length his competitors were finding.

BETTER CONTROL
However, it is the search for accuracy, not length that is behind his latest switch.

Woods feels that he has more control with the old club, which is dwarfed in head size by its 2003 rivals, and that he is able to shape shots he had lost control of with the bigger-faced Nike club.

The old Titleist appeared in Woods' bag for the first time in 18 months at an exhibition on Monday as he and Ernie Els lost to Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson 3 and 1.

Els and Mickelson use Titleist's 975 E and K drivers respectively -- both of which are generations ahead of Woods'.

In March, in an interview with Golf Magazine, Mickelson suggested that Woods' equipment might be holding him back.

``He hates that I can fly it past him now,'' Mickelson said. ``He has a faster swing speed than I do but he has inferior equipment. Tiger is the only player who is good enough to overcome the equipment he's stuck with.''

At the time, the comments were viewed as sour grapes from the then-world number two.

In hindsight, Mickelson appears prescient.

WORST BALL
Jack Nicklaus was known to have used inferior equipment in his heyday but it did not stop him winning a record 18 majors.

Nicklaus played a McGregor ball that was found to be considerably shorter than any other ball tested by the United States Golf Association but he stayed with it for most of his career.

``We tested all those golf balls and they were 20 yards shorter (than others),'' Nicklaus said.

``One went 20 yards right and one 20 yards left. How you could win tournaments with that golf ball, (we) won't ever know. It's the worst ball ever made.''

Woods, despite his dissatisfaction, has managed to secure nine wins using the Nike driver, including the Masters and U.S. Open, and remains open about his future preference.

``Honestly, I have no idea how long I'm going to play with it,'' he said of the Titleist.

``I just want to go back to something I played well with in the past.''

Bangladesh begin Pakistan tour in mid-August
DHAKA, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Bangladesh will embark on a five-week tour to Pakistan in mid-August including three Test matches, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said yesterday.

``The team now touring Australia will leave Dhaka on August 17 to play a three-Test and a five-match one-day series in Pakistan,'' a BCB official said.

The squad for the Pakistan tour would be named after the players return from Australia, he said. They are tentatively scheduled to return on August 9.

The Pakistan tour schedule:

Aug. 20-24: 1st Test in Karachi

Aug. 27-31: 2nd Test in Peshawar

Sept. 3-7: 3rd Test in Multan

Sept. 9: 1st ODI in Multan

Sept. 12: 2nd ODI in Faisalabad

Sept. 15: 3rd ODI in Lahore

Sept. 18: 4th ODI in Rawalpindi

Sept. 21: 5th ODI in Karachi.

McGrath sidelined for Bangladesh one-dayers
CAIRNS, Australia, (Reuters) - Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has pulled out of the one-day series against Bangladesh starting this week because of an ankle injury which may require surgery.

``I'm naturally disappointed at having to pull out of the series,'' McGrath said in a statement yesterday.

``However, knowing that we have a few months ahead of us that are clear of cricket commitments, I can use that period to get on top of the injury.

``It is an injury that I have managed for most of my international career, but during the recent Test in Cairns it just seemed to flare up.

``It's probably the best I have bowled since the World Cup, so it's disappointing that this has happened now.''

McGrath took five for 124 as Australia claimed innings victories in both matches of the Test series against Bangladesh this month. The 33-year-old took just one wicket in the second Test that ended on Monday in Cairns in north Queensland.

Australia's second-leading wicket-taker behind leg-spinner Shane Warne, McGrath is returning to Sydney to seek medical advice on possible surgery, which could leave him on the sidelines for up to five weeks.

``It's his left ankle and the pain has increased over the last few days,'' team physiotherapist Errol Alcott told reporters.

``It was particularly uncomfortable in the last two days of the (second) Test. There's a window now of two months so we thought we'd send him home to an ankle specialist and see what happens from there.''

After Bangladesh, Australia host a two-Test series against Zimbabwe in October.

Alcott said McGrath had a floating bone in the ankle joint from a high school basketball injury and taped the joint for matches.

Cricket Australia said Western Australia's Brad Williams, who has won six one-day international caps, would replace McGrath in the squad for the three-match series.

``I am thrilled that the selectors have seen fit to pick me,'' said Williams.

The first two games of the one-day series against Bangladesh are in Cairns tomorrow and Sunday, with the final match being played in the Northern Territory capital of Darwin on Wednesday.

GVF/GOA Olympic Solidarity’s coaches course to begin Tuesday
THE Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) will be conducting, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), an Olympic Solidarity-sponsored level one volleyball coaches’ course from August 5 to 15.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Tuesday at 09:00 hrs with a number of invitees including Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Laurie Lewis; Director of Sport Neil Kumar; vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association, Claude Blackmore and president of the Volleyball Federation Lenny Shuffler, and other members of the volleyball fraternity.

Participants will be drawn from the affiliated associations, namely Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo.

The expected number of participants would be 25, comprising of nine females and 16 males. At the end of the course participants will receive certificates and attestations. This course will target coaches who operate at the club and junior levels.

The course will be conducted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and will comprise theory and practical sessions.

Max Meier, Course Director, and Virpi Ojankangas-Palmunen, Course Lecturer of Switzerland and Finland respectively, will conduct these sessions.

The officials will be arriving in Guyana on Sunday and will be hosted by the GOA.

This course is part of the development strategy of the GVF and will serve to strengthen the development of the game at the grassroots level. Course Coordinator is Raj Beepat, General Secretary of the GVF.

Further details could be had from the coordinator on telephone number 222-4444 or 622-5370 or e-mail rajbeepat@hotmail.com.