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ARCHIVES FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

President Jagdeo lauds initiative of Ogle Airport Inc.
President, Correia call for integrated approach to development
By Parvati Persaud-Edwards
“Today, I see a Guyana that has better economic prospects, over the next 5 – 10 years, that ever before” said Mike Correia, Chairman of the Ogle Airport Inc., to an audience comprising members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ministers of the Government, heads of major organizations and other dignitaries, and special invitees.

This was on the occasion of the landmark certification of Ogle Airport as an international airport at the Terminal Building at Ogle yesterday.

President Jagdeo, delivering the feature address, and who had also delivered the feature address during the occasions of the laying of the cornerstone on 17th September 2003, and the first official opening of Phase 1 of this development on 16th March 2007, congratulated everyone who have been involved in the project over the many years until it reached the point where it will be opened to international traffic.

The President commended the initiative as an excellent project, but warned against complacency in the fructification of such welcome and important contributions to the development of our country because of the need to move on to other developmental projects.

He appealed to the private sector for even more involvement and partnerships in such ventures, where there are huge opportunities for private investors to make money, and through those partnerships, for the Government to provide the essential services that our people so badly require for their development.

Speaking of breaking new frontiers, the President said that this project will add to Government’s conception of where we should go in terms of developing transport infrastructure in Guyana – transport infrastructure that supports the growth of our country.

He spoke of the elements of the system that comprise the air transport sector and said that there are other aspects of transportation that are vital for the development of our country, such as deep-water harbours, good roads and better ferry services, among others.

He gave the assurance that the Government has ongoing projects in all these areas that are still in the deal-making stage and expressed the hope that the deals can soon be closed and the project-implementation stage begin. He also spoke of the lengthy but essential process prior to the implementation stage of making the Ogle International Airport a reality.

To approving applause, the President said that we are nearer to making the US$500 million hydropower scheme a reality.

He spoke of the importance of such partnerships between Private Sector and the Government to promote the developmental processes of our country.

The President described as essential a prior need to create the enabling environment for successful entrepreneurial activities, such as a stable economy –stable macro-economic fundamentals, to send the right signals to investors that the Government was serious about managing the affairs of this country in a responsible manner.

President Jagdeo alluded to the fiscal deficit that existed in the past, which severely inhibited socio-economic growth, but he said that, through prudent management of the nation’s fiscal situation, we have reached a level where the environment is now conducive to investments of this nature.

Speaking of the significant spending in rebuilding infrastructure which has transformed Guyana in the recent past, the President said that Guyana’s infrastructures in every sector are light years from what they were in the past, but he reiterated that the country needs to continue its developmental impetus, despite the objections and criticisms of detractors.

He spoke of building at scale, positing that, while small and cottages industries are important, large-scale investments – such as farming on plantation levels, especially in the hinterland, are an imperative and that the Government’s partnership in conjunction with the private sector – with the right mix, is important for the development of this nation, which will have many spin-off benefits to everyone.

It was an uplifting experience to listen to the scion of the Correia family, who have invested in various areas of entrepreneurship in Guyana, even while others were packing their bags and leaving these shores for what they perceive as greener pastures, speak so glowingly of the possibilities and potentials inherent in the developmental paradigm of Guyana, even as others paint the bleakest pictures of this land.

And this optimistic approach to endeavour and achievement – even to the extent of turning negatives into positives, is what has propelled families like the Correias, as well as the other investors who comprise the Ogle Airstrip Inc. (OAI), into concretizing dreams into reality.

Correia recalled returning to Guyana from Canada in 1981 at age 20, when only rice flour was available on store shelves, and compared that to current times when just about anything can be purchased.

Correia told his attentive audience “I believe it important that we reinforce the fact that Guyana is no longer considered ‘a highly-indebted country’ by the international community.

“Our foreign debt servicing is now down to less than 5% of Government revenue.”

According to Correia, most private sector companies cannot boast of such a low debt service ratio.

He quoted the President as saying that Guyana’s foreign currency reserves have now reached the highest in our history and that inflation is stable and in single digits.

“Access to foreign exchange, once an enormous problem, is now a non-issue for businesses in Guyana. Access to finance is now more readily-available, and at lower interest rates. Our banking sector is one of the strongest, and most profitable, in our country”, informed Correia.

Waxing poetical, and anyone knowing of the love of the Correias for adventure, natural things, and Guyana’s interior regions would know of their quintessential harmonizing with nature, Correia elucidated that in the midst of all this development we can simultaneously enjoy our sea breezes, our pristine forests, and our magnificent waterfalls, through the careful management of our natural resources and our environment.

He posited that this is not just optimism, but very real facts.

Correia expressed the excitement of all the investors and operators of Ogle Airport at the formal certification of Ogle as Guyana’s second international airport, almost in juxtaposition with the opening of the Berbice River Bridge and the Takatu Bridge crossing Brazil.

According to Correia the launching of the Phase 11 expansion of this new international airport and the completion of a new 4000 ft runway will result in Ogle Airport being enabled to accommodate larger aircraft which can travel over longer distances. He said that the expansion and completion of Phase 11 will have a timeline of 12 – 18 months, but will be dependent on the duration of the rainy season.

“Mr. President, as I am sure you will agree, Guyana will continue to re-emerge within CARICOM as a force to be reckoned with, both politically and economically….Let us lead CARICOM from the front on the core issue of the CSME and the regional integration of our Caribbean people”, said Correia.

Speaking of the airport hub that connects the Caribbean to South America, Correia opined that regional air transportation is critically important to integration of the Caribbean community and that this initiative is a good start.

He spoke of billions of dollars that have already been wasted, and which will continue to be wasted, because of the need to plan and function as a region instead of individual countries, each operating its own airline, or a single monopoly airline operating inefficiently within CARICOM. He also suggested as an imperative a single airspace, governed by a Central Caribbean Aviation Authority, with offices in each country, with one set of regulations, one set of inspectors that regulate one common safety standard and one common CARICOM licence for pilots and engineers.

Correia informed his audience that a Caribbean Aviation and Security Oversight System has already been agreed on and that Guyana is a signatory to this, but he expressed the concern of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana that the concept needs to be expanded and prioritised as a critical objective of CARICOM.

Both the President and Mike Correia spoke at length on the need for partnerships that would create a win-win situation for everyone – in Guyana, and in the Region.

Joint Services foil kidnapping bid in Burma
By Clifford Stanley and Michel Outridge
Quick action by the Joint Services yesterday morning resulted in the rescue of a prominent Mahaicony rice farmer four hours after he had been kidnapped in the Burma East Coast Demerara backlands by armed men who demanded $12M for his release.

Parasram Ramnarace of Novar Mahaicony was found bound and gagged in a clump of bushes near to his rice cultivation area around 1000 hrs where he had been hidden around 0730 hrs by the kidnappers pending the transfer of the ransom demanded.

Patrick Skeete, an employee of the rice farmer, who was beaten bound and gagged by the kidnappers earlier in the morning, was also rescued during the Joint Services operation supported by a Guyana Defence Force helicopter.

Two suspected kidnappers were captured in the surrounding rice fields , and a third one nabbed some distance away. Two others were being hunted up to late yesterday afternoon.

A shotgun was recovered at the scene.
Kidnap victims Ramnarace and Skeete were treated at the Mahaicony Hospital and were reunited with their families last night.

Reports stated that the kidnap and rescue drama in the Burma backdam started around 230AM Wednesday and ended at around 1030 hrs-eight hours later.

Patrick Skeete, 28, of One, Calcutta Village, West Coast Berbice, is in loud praise of the Joint Services team that rescued him from a group of men who held him hostage for many hours early yesterday morning.

The visibly shaken father of two, surrounded by his family, relatives and others said that he is happy to be re-united with his loved ones.

Skeete, an employee of well-known rice farmer Parasram Ramnarace, was forcibly taken from his trailer camp aback of Letter T, Abary Creek, by a group of men armed with a shotgun, cutlasses, and a spade.

The man told the Guyana Chronicle that about 2:30h Wednesday morning he was manning the irrigation pumps to the rice fields when he heard a knock.

Skeete added that he went by the door and he was snatched by four men, one of whom was wearing a pink mask and was armed with a shotgun.

The men tied him up and even put a cloth over his eyes and forced a boot tongue into his mouth and ordered him to walk.

Skeete explained that he began begging for his life when the men threw him into the canal.

“I pleaded with them not to drown me, that I have small children to take care of and they hauled me out of the water and put me on the dam,” he said.

Skeete pointed out that after a while he realised that the men had gone. They returned after four hours and asked for his boss.

The man said that he begged the men not to hurt him and they said that they would not harm me, that they were waiting for his boss, Parasram Ramnarace.

Shortly after, Skeete added that he heard a vehicle and suspected it was his employer. The men grabbed the boss from the vehicle.

He was lashed several times about his head and body with a spade and was taken about half a mile away where they relieved him of his cellular phone, his jewels and about $20,000 in cash.

There they demanded a ransom and contacted Parasram Ramnarace’s brother, Bridgedat, who promptly informed the police.

Ramnarace said that he had traveled to the backlands around 0730 hrs yesterday morning to check on Skeete who was operating an irrigation pump for several cultivation plots next to the Abary river.

He did not see his employee at the post and was investigating when a man rushed him and began beating him with a metal spade.

The man hit him several times about the head and body and he collapsed.

He said that he eventually became aware that there were at least five other men in company of the man wielding the spade and one of them was armed with a shotgun.

The men turned him to lie face down, blindfolded him, and then bound his hands behind his back .

They marched him to a spot some distance away, threw him to the ground and took possession of his cell phone.

They also removed a gold ring from his finger and about $20,000 in cash.

He said that he was then ordered to give the telephone number of a relative and he heard the kidnappers make a call to this relative demanding $12M for his release.

The kidnappers then moved off some distance away leaving him by himself.

Some time passed, he couldn’t say how much time, and then he heard the sound of a helicopter and voices and then someone removed the blindfold and he realised that he had been rescued.

He subsequently learnt that members of his family had alerted the Joint Services of his predicament and they had quickly mobilized and moved into the area, apparently catching the kidnappers by surprise.

The team included the chopper mobilized from Camp Ayanganna and heavily armed ranks in 4x4 vehicles.

The kidnappers surrendered without resistance.

Relatives of the rice farmer expressed gratitude to the Joint Services for their quick and efficient response.

Ramnarace himself said had it not been for the efficiency of the Services he may not have survived the ordeal.

The three kidnappers are assisting Police with their investigations and charges are likely to follow shortly.

After hit-and-run…
Accidental death ends boy’s international cyclist dream
By Shirley Thomas
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD junior cyclist, Viveekanand Rudradeo died at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) Tuesday, after being in a coma for 11 days.

He had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after suffering head injuries in a hit-and-run accident on Better Hope Public Road last August 29.

The lad breathed his last at 06:15 h while still on life support, as his parents, Suresh and Sabrina Rudradeo, together with other relatives, were outside his room.

His mother, Sabrina said they had been at the institution since 05:30 h and they got the sad news around 06:40 h.

Relatives said his death was an abrupt end to his dream of one day becoming an international cyclist. With a passion for cycling, he had been a member of the Hassan Mohammed Cycling Association.

The boy and his father were riding on Better Hope Public Road two Saturdays ago, as a training routine around 05:20 h, after leaving their Ogle home, also on East Coast Demerara, when they were struck from behind by a speeding motor car whose driver did not stop.

However, Police traced the motorist, arrested and charged him, before he was released on bail.

The injured father and son were hospitalised with Viveekanand suffering the worst.

The former pupil of Graham’s Hall Primary School has been awarded a place at Cummings Lodge Secondary School after writing the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations but never got a chance to begin schooling there as the fatal mishap occurred days before he was to start.

His mother recalled how excited he was about the upcoming school term and being able to attend his new school.

“His clothes and books were all ready and he ensured that he papered all his books. Everything was neatly packed and it seemed the first day of school could not come early enough for him,” she said.

The last of three siblings, Viveekanand was described as a pleasant, loving and dutiful child, the baby of the family who was well liked by all others with whom he also came into contact with.

He is expected to be buried today after a post mortem examination that was scheduled for yesterday.

* DEAD: Viveekanand Rudradeo

* The cycles on which Suresh and Viveekanand Rudradeo were riding when they were struck by the speeding motor car.

Female security guard, 40, dies at Sophia post
By Michel Outridge

Mother of the dead guard, Rosaline Wellington in tears yesterday.

NANCY Chester, 40, of North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was discovered dead, early yesterday morning, at the entrance to the security guard hut where she was on duty.

She was found lying face down at the site of the Digicel Tower about 05:30 h by a woman from the neighbourhood who, usually, calls out to her.

The woman said she called for Chester as is her custom but having got no answer, took a closer look and saw the lifeless body.

DEAD: Nancy Chester

Following the discovery, she alerted the guard at the front of the same premises and they informed the Police.

Chester’s mother, Rosaline Wellington, 71, told the Guyana Chronicle that her daughter left home for work about 18:00 h Tuesday afternoon after complaining of feeling unwell.

The elderly woman disclosed that her daughter had gone to a hospital earlier in the day to test her heart and blood pressure and the results were satisfactory.

However, Instant Security Service, for which Chester worked, said she answered a telephone call up to 03:15 h yesterday morning.

Her shift was to end at 07:00 h.

The workplace at Sophia where Chester died.

Chester is also survived by her husband, three children, five siblings and relatives, some of whom gathered to comfort the family at their Sophia home later yesterday.

Cullen Bess-Nelson photos saved in a folder in Graphics as Woman found dead at Digicel.

Guyana records positives in World Bank’s Doing Business 2010 report
- efforts to ease business start up, cross border trading highlighted
GUYANA’S efforts to augment the process of setting up businesses and trading across borders have been cited as positive reforms enhancing business activities in the country.

In its Doing Business 2010 report, the World Bank noted the reforms undertaken in Guyana which were aimed at reducing the administrative burden for firms.

“Guyana eased business start-up by applying a flat registration fee for all companies, regardless of their capital amount, and removing the duty payable on incorporation. It also streamlined registration with the tax authorities with the introduction of a single tax identification number for corporate, value added, and labour taxes. Implementation of an electronic declaration system reduced customs clearance times for exports and imports,” the Report said.

According to the report, a high ranking on the ease of doing business index signals that the regulatory environment is conducive to the operation of business. The index averages the country’s percentile rankings on 10 topics which are made up of a variety of factors and covers the period June 2008 through May 2009. Economies are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1 – 183, with first place being the best.

In the report, Guyana is ranked at 101 this year scoring higher than neighbouring Brazil and Venezuela which scored a rank of 129 and 177 respectively. The report titled Doing Business 2010: Reforming Through Difficult Times is the seventh in a series of annual reports investigating regulations that enhance and those that constrain business activities.

According to the report, “Most Doing Business reforms in developing economies still focus on cutting red tape and simplifying bureaucratic formalities. Over the past 6 years, 80% of reforms in low- and lower-middle income economies were aimed at reducing the administrative burden for firms, mostly by easing business start-up and trade. This makes sense and addresses important needs.”

The report measures regulations affecting 10 stages of a business’ life which includes starting a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business.

The report states that the indicators are used to analyse economic outcomes and identify what reforms have worked, where and why. It also stated that most reforms recorded in 2008/2009 were part of longer term efforts to increase competitiveness and encourage firm and job creation by improving the regulatory environment for businesses.

For every country identified, the report examines the challenges of launching a business which includes the number of steps entrepreneurs can expect to go through to launch, the time it takes on average and the cost and minimum capital required as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) per capita.

In this area, Guyana was ranked at 97, putting it between Jordan and Papua New Guinea and far above Brazil, Haiti and Venezuela.

“Regulatory reform can be difficult and take time, particularly if legal changes are involved. Some reforms also require difficult political trade-offs. It is not surprising that most reforms recorded by Doing Business in 2008/09 were aimed at reducing administrative burdens. At least 30 economies improved processes for construction permitting, property registration or trading across borders, while 61 eased business start-up.” (GINA)

With partnerships underscored…
New Bel Air Nursery school boosts Guyana/U.S. ties
By Vanessa Narine

Kids having fun at the new Bel Air Nursery school.

THE ceremonial opening of Bel Air Nursery School took place yesterday, with the importance and benefits of partnerships underscored as a key factor in the pursuit of success in any accomplishment.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Keenan, Task Force Commander of United States (U.S.) New Horizons Guyana Programme, which oversaw the construction of the building, said: “Nothing like this happens without the support of many, many people.”

The US$230,000 structure, measuring 30 feet by 70 feet was built by U.S. Air Force civil engineers from New Horizons Guyana who completed the job two weeks ahead of schedule, so that the edifice would be ready for the beginning of new school year on September 1.

Prior to its construction, Bel Air Nursery School was an adjunct to Bel Air Primary School for approximately 27 years.

However, the erection has allowed for a change from cramped conditions.

Classrooms are separated by wooden partitions and there are two toilets and a bathroom, an office for the headteacher and a kitchen.

A playground is fitted with several pieces of recreational equipment to facilitate the children with slides and monkey bars, among other things.

New Horizons Guyana is a U.S. organisation that does humanitarian work in partner countries and its programme is designed to strengthen ties with nations in Central and South America, through combined quality-of-life improvement projects, the facilitators of which are American volunteer soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen participating in the U.S. Southern Command exercise, on two-week rotations.

One of the students from Bel Air Nursery School assisting Minister Dr. Desrey Fox to cut the ceremonial ribbon yesterday.

REALITY
As part of a continuous partnership between the U.S. and Guyana, Food for the Poor, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), also assisted in making the new school a reality by donating the furniture.

The donation included tables, chairs, bookshelves and other necessities.

Members of the New Horizons team supported the institution in other tangible ways, including the pooling of funds, some of which were used to acquire a computer and printer that, together with the rest of money, were handed over yesterday.

Keenan, in an invited comment, said that, aside from the satisfaction of being able to help with educating the younger generation, the eagerness and happiness of the children were ultimately rewarding.

He remarked that his fellow Americans had laid the foundation and it is up to the stakeholders to forge ahead in shaping the minds for Guyana’s tomorrow.

“You now have to teach and inspire Guyana’s next generation of scholars and leaders,” Keenan said.

U.S. Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, Mrs. Karen Williams, also at the function, agreed that partnerships are imperative for the development process.

To this end, she pledged, on behalf of the people of the U.S., the continuance of a strong commitment to the Guyanese people to improve quality of life here.

U.S. Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, Mrs. Karen Williams at the opening ceremony yesterday.

FRIENDSHIPS
Williams added that the friendships that have been forged and the bonds made will last a lifetime, as will the contribution to the development of Guyanese youth.

Expressing gratitude for the significant contribution to the education sector was Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr Desrey Fox.

She said the event was an expression of the things that the Ministry of Education wants for the development of Guyana.

However, Fox alluded to challenges and said overcoming them will require the efforts of a partnership with the Ministry of Education, the parents, the teachers and other stakeholders.

She noted that the opening of Bel Air Nursery was very important and acknowledged that it bridged a gap in physical infrastructure, facilitating improved access and quality education.

“Nursery school begins life for a child, so it is important for emphasis to be placed on nursery education,” Fox maintained.

She affirmed that the Ministry is grateful for the assistance and assured that steps are being taken to improve education for all children in Guyana.

Enforcing compliance of Occupational Safety and Health regulations
The world has moved leaps and bounds from the days when workers had to toil under the most unhealthy and unsafe working environment and conditions and in many countries safety and health are guaranteed by law at workplaces.

Of course these improved conditions did not come automatically but rather through the persistent struggles by trade unions and organisations sympathetic to the cause of workers

Nevertheless, occupational safety and health (OSH) remains an issue of concern because many employers simply do not comply with the laws and regulations governing OSH, and in developing countries lack of human and other resources make policing and monitoring workplaces a difficult task.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in general, health and safety in the workplace has improved in most industrialised countries over the past 20 to 30 years. However, the situation in developing countries is relatively unclear largely because of inadequate accident and disease recognition, record-keeping and reporting mechanisms.

ILO estimates that at least 250 million occupational accidents occur every year worldwide. 335,000 of these accidents are fatal (result in death). (Since many countries do not have accurate record-keeping and reporting mechanisms, it can be assumed that the real figures are much higher than this.) The number of fatal accidents is much higher in developing countries than in industrialized ones. This difference is primarily due to better health and safety programmes, improved first-aid and medical facilities in the industrialized countries, and to active participation of workers in the decision-making process on health and safety issues. Some of the industries with the highest risk of accidents worldwide are: mining, agriculture, including forestry and logging, and construction.

It noted further that there is an unlimited number of hazards that can be found in almost any workplace. There are obvious unsafe working conditions, such as unguarded machinery, slippery floors or inadequate fire precautions, but there are also a number of categories of insidious hazards (that is, those hazards that are dangerous but which may not be obvious) including:

* chemical hazards, arising from liquids, solids, dusts, fumes, vapours and gases;

* physical hazards, such as noise, vibration, unsatisfactory lighting, radiation and extreme temperatures;

* biological hazards, such as bacteria, viruses, infectious waste and infestations;

* psychological hazards resulting from stress and strain;

* hazards associated with the non-application of ergonomic principles, for example badly designed machinery, mechanical devices and tools used by workers, improper seating and workstation design, or poorly designed work practices.

Most workers are faced with a combination of these hazards at work. For example, it is not difficult to imagine a workplace where you are exposed to chemicals, unguarded and noisy machines, hot temperatures, slippery floors, etc. all at the same time. Think about your own workplace. Are there various hazards there that you can think of?

In recent years the Ministry of Labour, Human services and Social Security has stepped its OSH campaign on all fronts through training, education and awareness programmes, new and updated legislation and policing and monitoring of workplaces to ensure compliance with OSH regulations.

Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir pointed out that the Ministry has created a database to help with the management of OS&H nationally and to keep track of all incidents at various entities. He said the Ministry of Labour will be using empirical data to prescribe the course of action that will be taken.

The Ministry is moving to ensure the OSH department becomes extremely effective and is on top of related issues. At present, information gathering requires physical effort to go through all records.

The creation of the database is certainly a step forward and is a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment towards improving OSH at all work sites.

Effective implementation of OSH regulations is crucial to economic and human development because it deals with the protection of life, limbs and health of workers and therefore employers must realise and understand that there can be no compromise on this issue

The Observer
Kaieteur News’ “tabloidism” & the GPA’s silence (Part 2)
IN Part 1, I confirmed what has long been suspected of the Kaieteur News with regards to its deliberateness in misleading the public. This characteristic of the newspaper was expounded on previously.

In this follow-up, at least two additional examples would be cited to further inveterate what is already pellucid in the minds of readers.

The first has to do with the newspaper’s coverage of the protest mounted by a group of concerned Guyanese. This group has been exercising their democratic right to freely protest which, by the way, has been restored by this administration.

They sought, through their peaceful actions, answers to issues of national importance from the Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) who is also a Member of the National Assembly. Their demonstration attracted the media, including the Kaieteur News.

What was reported by the newspaper and its pro-Opposition colleagues in the fraternity leaves much to be desired of those who proclaim to be professional journalists.

This section of the media sought to grill the group of concerned citizens as to the reason for their protest. Nothing is wrong with this in principle. However, what was given prominence was the reported reluctance of the protesters to talk.

This was despite them bearing placards and having informed this section of the media of the reason for their protest. The Kaieteur News strongly insinuated that the protesters may have been paid.

The newspaper further dedicated much of the space allocated to the said protest to bombard the public with the reported silence of the protesters. What about the real reason for their protest?

This was not the focus of the related articles the newspaper published. The reason I am focusing on this, is because the Kaieteur News and its colleagues alluded to, don’t question PNCR/AFC protesters.

Over the last few weeks a small band of PNCR/AFC supporters was involved in protest outside the Office of the President, State House and even a leading hotel where the President recently delivered an important speech.

While the newspaper is never hesitant to cover such protests, no questions were asked of those involved. They are never asked who is funding them. They are never asked why they were protesting. They are never asked who and where their leaders were. They are never subjected to questioning as compared to the many asked of the concerned group of Guyanese. How can this be considered professional and fair journalism?

This is the same newspaper that dedicates its pages to demand professionalism from others. Is it that only one group can protest? Is it that the newspaper and its political masters were surprised that concerned Guyanese can mount peaceful protests against the Opposition and its establishments?

An article in the Saturday, August 29, 2009 edition of the Kaieteur News, further demonstrates the newspaper’s biased reporting.

This is evident in the page 2 article captioned, “Picketers clash outside Congress Place”. The article was about a protest mounted by the said concerned group of Guyanese outside the PNCR Headquarters. During the said protest, a group of PNCR/AFC protesters arrived to counter protest.

Paragraph 3 stated, “This newspaper (the Kaieteur News) sought to solicit a comment from the group calling themselves ‘concerned citizens’ but was told that the placards they were bearing said everything”. Paragraph 3 stated, “When asked what the group hoped to achieved, they reiterated that the placards were speaking for them, but were vociferous in saying that they were not paid to conduct the activity”.

Why probe, after being told the reason for their protest? The newspaper carried a photograph captioned, “PNC supporters vs ‘Concerned citizens”. It showed the two set of protesters facing each other outside Congress Place. Again, why no questions were posed to the PNC supporters about their motive and funding? The article also stated in paragraph 5 that, “After about an hour-long standoff with the PNCR supporters seemingly defending the fort, some of the obviously agitated party members approached the concerned group and in the process managed to retrieve some of their placards which were promptly torn to shreds.

In other words, the PNCR supporters, as stated in the Kaieteur News, assaulted the concerned group and destroyed their placards. This concerned group was prevented from exercising their Constitutional right. Why wasn’t the focus of the Kaieteur News’ article the assault of peaceful protesters? Why wasn’t the story focused on the destruction of property?

What if it was the reverse i.e. the concerned group being engaged in the disruption of the PNCR’s protest? It that were the case, the Kaieteur News headline would have screamed “PPP thugs assault peaceful PNCR protesters”. This story, had it happened, would have been repeated in the said newspaper and on affiliated television stations.

In presenting the story as it did, the Kaieteur News has further clarified its anti-government pro-Opposition position. Yet, as I alluded, the said newspaper would want the public to believe that it is a professional outfit.

This blatant unprofessionalism has seemingly gone unnoticed by the Guyana Press Association (GPA), which has never missed an opportunity to castigate the State media and the administration.

Why hasn’t the GPA commented on this and other issues raised about the Kaieteur News’ unprofessional and blatant biased reporting? Isn’t the Press Association the advocate to the adherence to the basic tenets of journalistic practices?

Their silence is deafening, but not surprising. The political position its leadership has taken is no secret. Its current President, Gordon Moseley, has been banned from the Office of the President and State House for disparaging remarks he made against the Head of State.

His reporting has shown a bias towards the Opposition. As such he and the GPA would not even entertain the thought of issuing a statement which may be unfavourable to the Kaieteur News.

Gordon’s boss, Enrico Woolford, contributes to the Kaieteur News as evident during the trial of Robert Simels. Julia Johnson, past President of the GPA and Publisher of “Prime News” aired on Hoyte/Blackman Television Station, also contributed to the Kaieteur News. This makes it impossible for the GPA to bring to bear any sanction on the Kaieteur News.

This is stacked against readers who are exposed to frequent inaccurate and biased stories in the Kaieteur News.

As such, readers must demand that the GPA leadership do the decent thing and resign, if they cannot ensure that the Kaieteur News stays steadfast to journalistic ethics.

The second example I wish to mention has to do with the absence of coverage by the Kaieteur News of the two cricket matches played at the National Stadium on Friday 04, and Saturday 05 of September, 2009.

These matches involved leading West Indies and Regional players; Chris Gayle, Ronnie Sarwan, the Bravos and Ganga are some who participated. It was played under floodlights at the Stadium.

This said newspaper sent a reporter, sponsored or otherwise, to cover motor racing in Barbados towards the end of August 2009. This is commendable in an effort for Guyanese here to be kept abreast with that sport.

However, it must be noted that no sponsorship is needed for coverage by the media of the two cricket matches mentioned. The venue is less than a ten-minute drive from the newspaper’s centre of operation. The matches were the biggest in the Region in recent months. The stars absent from the Bangladesh series were present. Why didn’t the Kaieteur News cover the events? Simple, it was held under the auspices of the Head of State.

The Kaieteur News boasts of having a large readership and online following.

Their readers were robbed of the images of a packed Stadium and the details of the two matches. Cricket-starved readers were deprived as a result of the Kaieteur News’ anti-government position which has led it to sacrifice sports for political loyalty to the Opposition.

No further evidence is needed with regards to the Kaieteur News’ political vendetta.

All is fair in love and war
IT is not my intention to enter into a polemic with people who buy gallons of ink and tons of news-print to print and publish newspapers that distort the truth and peddle falsehoods as a business on a daily basis.

Nor is it my desire to place myself in a situation where like the Joker in Batman, I find myself asking;“will somebody tell me what kind of world we live in where somebody dressed up like a bat gets all my press?

In the case of Stabroek News, it is so sad, if not pitiful when a newspaper that once prided itself in proclaiming its commitment to the Declaration of Chapultepec would stoop to publish such a specious and demeaning editorial seeking to belittle government’s principled stand on a certain topical immigration matter.

So low has the Stabroek News stooped that it unashamedly reduces the principled stand taken by Government on this matter to a mere side show.

The objective of the Editorial is clear; to embarrass the Government. And it is precisely here where the oppositionist political role of the newspaper is exposed once again.

But no one should be surprised especially when consideration is given to the sorry state of affairs to which Journalism practiced by the opposition media in Guyana has sunk for sometime now.

Instead of playing the role of bulwarks of public morality and bringing a greater sense of positivity to their readers, the opposition media opts in favour of intoxicating their readers with regular doses of speculative and pervasively disgusting editorials and stories. It is as if all that matters is the competition with others and a race to the bottom by publishing on their front pages stories that can bring in the dollars. The moral of this indecent approach is that since “we don’t stand for something, let’s go for anything”

Having elevated themselves onto the pedestal of wisdom and self-righteousness, the opposition media is unmindful of the fact that there are reasonable and keen perceptors in our society who can penetrate the swarming confusion and the foam of events and who are capable of drawing conclusions, contrary to their manipulable expectations.

We do not expect, nor do we look forward to kudos or praise from the opposition media. As a matter of fact every five years we go to the electorate so that we could be judged on the basis of our performance. It is from the results of the people’s choice that we draw our joy and satisfaction.

For four (4) consecutive terms through free and fair elections, the electorate have placed their trust and confidence in the PPP/C much to the dissatisfaction and dislike of the opposition media.

Call us non performers, incompetent and anything else that fits that political gênre, in the final analysis, it is the verdict of the electorate that matters. Paradoxically, our media critics dare not criticize the electorate, why? Because they depend on that very electorate to purchase their newspapers and to read the mischief and mis-information they publish on a daily basis.

It is ironic to note that a large percentage of the news carried in the opposition media not to mention the advertisements are government sponsored. It follows therefore that were it not for Government related news and Government sponsored ads the opposition print media like any other newspaper would find it hard to survive.

But the problem is fundamentally one of fair reporting and who determines what is fair reporting.

Certainly, our media critics cannot be the sole arbiter on such a weighty matter, unless they pretend to be like Chanticleer who was so dazzled and delightful because he himself had caused the sun to rise.

PS: The opposition media, should not consider this letter an attack but merely a view . And even if it is do deemed the fact of the matter is that since they have long entered the political arena there is a price that must be paid just as we who hold public office must do ever so often. After-all, “all is fair in love and war”
CLEMENT J. ROHEE
Member of the Central Executive Committee PPP

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Boodram a fine NY educator
AN attempt has been made by a discredited columnist to impugn the character of NY-based newspaper editor, Annan Boodram who has penned some incisive analysis in your paper as well as in other dailies. In fact, Boodram published a letter from OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin in GC Sept 8 contradicting claims from this discredited columnist about a meeting in Miami. Ramdin is one the most respected diplomats from the OAS. No amount of trash from discredited columnist can impugn his integrity.

I know Boodram as a highly respected newspaper reporter/editor of integrity and incorruptible honesty. He is one of the few Guyanese practicing media persons who is actually trained as a journalist. He is the finest investigative reporter I have known in NY holding people to high standards. He is a man of principle. He is not afraid to put his reputation on the line in exposing and speaking out against wrongs and in critiquing other writers’ works. He had (has) critiqued my writings without fear or favour. He has helped to make myself and others better writers. Annan is also one of the finest educators and role model for NY youths. He is among the best classroom managers and a teacher who consistently produce fantastic results regardless of the quality of the students.

Boodram initiated a number of programmes in his school that have made him the envy of other teachers – the Annual Health Fair (which has built great school/community relations and enhanced the school within the community and beyond), Spelling Bee, Periodic Staff Luncheons, Celebratory Toasts of Teacher's Achievements, Celebrations of Hispanic and African Heritage Months (Cultural Assemblies and Essay Contests), a yearbook, Students Council, cultural show, a scrabble contest, teachers’ newsletter, as well as other things.

For his outstanding work, he was featured in NY Daily News as an outstanding educator who has succeeded with his own innovative ways in controlling the behaviour of some of the most difficult kids in the NY school system. He was lauded by the principal and Assistant Principals of his school as well as administrative officials from the District where he teaches. During his teaching career, he served as a shop steward as I did for my school. I saw him at times at union monthly assemblies with thousands of other union reps (just in case there are doubts that he is not a teacher) at delegate assemblies, the highest decision making organ of the teachers union. And yes, I am a teacher although a discredited columnist penned that his research concluded irrefutably that Vishnu Bisram does not teach anywhere in the globe.

The discredited columnist did not believe Ramdin would write to Boodram. Let me state unambiguously that Boodram has no reason to make up a memo from Ambassador Ramdin. For the record, Boodram showed me and several other media people the memo from Ambassador Ramdin. It exists and irrefutably contradicts Freddie’s claim about conclusions that were made at a MIU meeting attended by AFC M.P Sheila Holder who misled Guyanese about what was discussed at MIU.

Let me note that Ambassador Ramdin is widely respected in the Americas and the Caribbean. That is why he rose to the second highest position in the OAS. He is a fair person. He has led election observer missions in several countries, including that of 2006 in Guyana. The discredited columnist was not pleased about that election outcome or the certification by the OAS mission about the transparency of the elections.
VISHNU BISRAM

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Athletes who cheat should face a lifetime ban
I am always in awe when others are available and pen publications on sports and Kit Nascimento's contribution on 9/6/09 in the GT deserves acknowledgement.

On another aspect relating to sports, it was just made public that four Jamaican athletes admitted to digesting banned substance and namely, Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Allodin Fotergill and Lanceford Spence.

My expectation is that they not only pay the penalty sanctioned by the World Sporting Body, but they should all be banned for life from all future competitions.

Am I being harsh? No.
The world had a field day with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding US Marion Jones and she returned her medals as requested. I am also certain that her name was erased from the events at different meetings where her performances became questionable by the Sporting Body, she served her time as a guest of her country and she was banned for life from competition.

As much as I was a huge fan of hers, she made unhealthy decisions and she had to pay the price meted out by the authorities.

In my books now, there should be no second chances given to any cheat/s in sports and all found guilty should face the gun with a lifetime ban.
T. PEMBERTON

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Much has changed since Mavado’s initial ban from Guyana
THE decision by those in authority to rescind the ban imposed on Jamaican artiste, David Brooks, a.k.a Mavado seems to have irked quite a few, judging by some of the letters in the local press.

The response by this section of the local populace is all the more perplexing to me given Mavado’s acceptance the World over, particularly in North America and Europe, where artistes are often made to account for negative contributions to society. And even while the ban on Mavado in Guyana was rigidly enforced on our local airwaves and other entertainment areas the self appointed pagans of virtue are completely silent in acceptance of the vulgarity and pedophilic ranting of another Jamaican artiste, Adidja Palmer, popularly known as Vybz Kartel on our local airwaves. We have not heard such calls from that quarter in spite of the bombardment of our ears by Kartel’s professions for his love for having sexual relations with 17 years olds. Songs such as “Ramping Shop”, “Virginity” and “Teenage Pregnancy” etc, do not attract their attention despite attracting the attention of the authorities in Jamaica and elsewhere. Even a female Jamaican artiste, Queen Ifrica, was forced to respond lyrically to Vybz Kartel’s latest act where he details his sexual encounter with a 17-year old and even went as far as outlining the fact that 3 spots of blood spattered on the ground after the teen lost her “Virginity”. In Ifrica’s “Mek Mi Grow” she urged "No bwoy caan draw mi round no corner/ fi show mi no iguana/ low mi mek mi grow...Pinch leave an inch and roll weh yuhself...Yuh caan tek my virginity/ cause that a God precious gift to me/ If it makes you feel good to sleep wid children in yuh rampin' shop well don't bother worry when di lighten clap/ leave the pickney dem alone go look yuh age nuh man/ yuh better think twice before yuh tek another one." However, as this letter is being typed, “Virginity” is being played on-air locally!

Despite all that I’ve outlined above Vybz Kartel remains free to perform in Guyana whilst being banned from the U.S, U.K, Canada, Europe and most Islands in the Caribbean and his music continues to be played on our local airwaves even as we suffer the effects of a rapid increase in teenage pregnancy, gun related violence, as well as domestic abuse.

On the other hand, Mavado’s worldwide acceptance has brought about a gradual shift in his lyrics, from the gun-touting tunes to more of the mainstream entertaining lyrics, otherwise known as ‘Gal Tunes’ in Jamaica, along with a host of international acclamations, chart topping success and global demand. His recent album spent weeks at the number one spot of the Billboard Reggae charts along with his single, “I’m so special” which also spent weeks on the Billboard Top 100 chart. He also performed on B.E.T’s “Rip the Runway” and the video for “I’m so special” debuted on B.E.T, MTV’s 106 & Park as well as VH1.

It is also noteworthy to mention the numerous international music awards he has also received since being banned from Guyana that includes the Urban Music Awards’ 2009 Reggae Artiste or The Year.

But despite all that I’ve detailed above, there are folks in this little South American country of 83,000 square miles who still are in contrast to their counterparts around the Globe whilst a Guyanese artiste did a song recently where he makes disparaging remarks about the physical disability of one of his colleagues titled “Mr Limpy” and receives wide coverage via airtime on the local radio. Shouldn’t he be banned also?
JASON ABDULLA

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Government was right to lift the ban on Mavado
Kindly allow me the space and time to respond to a letter written by Roxanne Myers, Vanda Radzik, Joel Simpson and Vidyaratha Kissoon and published in the Stabroek News of Wednesday, September 9th 2009, titled, “The government should not have lifted the ban on Mavado”. In the said letter the group warned that Mavado should not be allowed to perform while in Guyana, as a result of his “pro-violent, sexually-degrading, anti-gay lyrics which resulted in the cancellation of a number of his performances around the Caribbean and the ban in Guyana”. Perhaps the seemingly misinformed gentlemen/women might wish to point us, the reading public and also supporters of Mavado, to the cancellations in the Caribbean referred to as a result of his “pro-violent, sexually-degrading, anti-gay lyrics”!

And while they also suggested “It is neither right nor fitting for the government to enable and facilitate the public promotion of lewd and degrading lyrics linked to violence that characterizes this performer’s regrettable repertoire”, isn’t Mavado entitled to pronounce on issues, lyrically, or from his point of view, as well as those of his thousands of fans in and out of Guyana? And those that identify with his lyrics aren’t they similarly entitled to having unrestricted access to his music? Are we to allow the reservations of a few to determine whether or not entertainment is restricted from so many? It is in a similar manner that Simpson and clique have been urging the abandonment of some of our laws in an effort to accommodate the unacceptable lifestyle of their ‘few’. How selfish!

Perhaps this cabal may want to point us to instances where persons became ‘violent’ after listening to Mavado songs to the detriment of our society. On the other hand, over-consumption of alcohol has led to numerous deaths via vehicular accidents yet persons are urged to drink rum till they die or even bring it in a bottle or a cup. A check of the Occurrence Book at Brickdam Police Station will also reveal how society has benefited from the contributions of those that congregate in the vicinity of the St George’s Cathedral in the nights.

Both the U.S and Europe have powerful Gay rights groups (not five or four member organizations) who have been successful in their lobbying for the cancellation of numerous shows by artistes that portray violence and homophobic lyrics through their music. As recent as September 4th they were successful in having a few dates out of Buju Banton’s Rasta Got Soul US Tour cancelled yet no such action has been taken against Mavado of recent as he has toured nearly all of the U.S, U.K Canada, Europe, Japan and many Islands in the Caribbean. According to Buju’s management team they were concerned with setting the record straight on the inaccurate portrait of Buju being painted by certain organizations.

They stated that the artiste “was 15-years-old when he wrote Boom Bye Bye in response to a widely publicized man/boy rape case in Jamaica. It was not a call to violence. The song was re-released on a popular dancehall rhythm in 1992 and caused a huge uproar after receiving commercial radio play in the States. Following much public debate back then, prominent gay rights leaders and Buju decidedly moved on. For the record, it is the only song he ever made on the subject, and he does not perform it today.”

A similar type of misinformation campaign has been launched here.

So these folks need to chill-out! Guyana is a democratic country. And democracy is about the participation of the people not the imposition of its will on the majority by the minority. And the people will decide via their attendance or non-attendance come September 19th 2009.
JAEL WELCH

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The system is overburdened with traders
BEING the consummate optimist, I always believe things are good and will only get better.

The world’s financial crisis thankfully has not affected Guyanese as much as Citizens in developed countries. However, one learnt that business in Guyana has been affected coming out of the consultancy done by the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

From time a memorial Guyana has been identified as the bread basket of the Caribbean and I am very convinced that Guyana can still be the bread basket. However, the same can only be achieved if the mindset of Guyanese businessmen changes.

The system is over-burdened with traders and this is causing some confusion in the system where there are not enough buyers.

As the Chairman of the Agriculture Sub-Committee of the PSC I am very disappointed at the response of these traders, very negative, as they think, farming is too risky and the rate of return is not as good as in trading.

The administration is very correct when they say that the Private Sector needs to get more involved as they are putting many things in place and the time is right for the Private Sector to pick it up and run with it.

The mind set of these people have to change and they need to look seriously at investing some money in Agriculture and get involved in Farming as a business rather than subsistence, which is very much needed to move Agriculture forward and as more money is generated from these Agricultural operators, the farmers will have more to spend thus resulting in more sales for the traders.

There are two options that can be considered:

(a) The formation of a Company where Companies will acquire shares and the money used to achieve production through a professional Board and Management team and profits are paid to shareholders.

(b) A fund can be established when the money that is put in is repaid with a fixed interest rate and this fund is managed by a professional board which overloo a professional management team involved in production.

Either of these ideas if successful can be implemented Country wide.
BENI SANKAR

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The Problem with Obama's Speech to Grade Schools
As a former math teacher in Georgia, I would like to thank the President for his initiative and foresight to inspire American school children at the beginning of a new academic session. The value of grade school education as dwindled so much that many children openly question the economic value of education in the classrooms. Their justification comes from seeing non-educated people owing business and making millions of dollars through entertainment, while their educated relatives are either unemployed or are hired by the less educated.

President Obama makes it clear that the highest form of wealth is knowledge (education) as the surest way to survive and build a nation. While millionaires may become poor, the President instructed that when you walk away from education, you are walking out on your nation. He also showed children that race, gender, or poverty should not be a reason not to succeed in school, and encouraged them to listen to parents and teachers, which is now against the norm.

This was the greatest speech to the children of our great nation demanding that our children put education before quick money and social status. This was the problem the opposition had with the president. They did not want the image and the voice of the President in the minds, souls, and memory of their children for a lifetime. These are people who put money and politics before education, and their bad parenting hindered their children from the message to uplift America.
Ehi Aimiuwu

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Isn’t Freddie a rarity?
ISN’T Freddie Kissoon a rarity? In a letter to Kaieteur News Kissoon states: “Let me say unambiguously, I do not believe that the OAS Assistant-General Secretary ever spoke to someone by the name of Annan Boodram.”

Well Mr. Editor, here is that e-mail exchange between myself and Mr. Ramdin, who, by the way is a very humble person, totally bereft of egotistical displays and acclaims of self importance.

From: Ramdin, Albert <ARamdin@oas.org>
To: caribvoice@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Aug 28, 2009 2:41 pm
Subject: RE: Questions

Dear Mr. Boodram,
Thank you for inquiring. I have requested information from our officials who attended a peer review meeting on campaign financing in Miami and they assured me that no discussion took place regarding and no reference was made to Mr. Vishnu Bisram’s performance, qualifications or expertise.

Best Regards,
Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin
Assistant Secretary General

From:& nbsp;caribvoice@aol.com [mailto:caribvoice@aol.com] Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 10:39 AM
To: Ramdin, Albert?
Subject: Questions

Dear Mr. Ramdin:
In a column in Guyana's Kaieteur News earlier this week, columnist Freddie Kissoon claimed that an OAS meeting in Miami too a decision calling on the public to disregard Vishnu Bisram as a creditable pollster. Can you please verify this to be so?

Annan Boodram
The Caribbean Voice
718-542-4454
www.caribvoice.org

Mr. Editor, any reader is now free to contact Mr. Ramdin and verify whether this exchange took place. Of course, I’m not going to request that Freddie be shut out of the pages of the newspapers, since I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression. Besides it was the same Freddie who had promised to stop writing if he could not prove the Kaieteur News wrong when that paper provided a dismally low attendance for Freddie’s much marketed lecture at UG some time last year. Freddie was never able to produce the tape or any other evidence to disprove the Kaieteur News’ numbers but he is still writing.

So the question is who now believes a man who makes promises that he never keeps, who lies without compunction and who refuses to retract his lies in the face of information disproving those lies?

ANNAN BOORAM $11 million pump cost the government $64 million, I searched the internet and came upon ‘De’ran Gear Inc’. The listed price as at May, 2008 for an M30 Propeller Pump Gear Drive is US$46,650. Options to be added to the listed price of standard drives included Marine Package etc, which total over US$10,000 – items I am not sure if were actually included in the pump, but which do not take away from the essence of my argument. The contractor shipped and supplied from Texas, Florida a similar pump to the government for US$40,000, apparently donating all types of factory discounts to the government. Add to this the US$45,000 cost of the John Deere engine and the total so far is approximately G$18,000,000. (I hope this primary school maths is not confusing the initiators of the Kaieteur News project “Show Government to be corrupt”. Now - and this is left to the Kaieteur News Engineering Department to do as homework – add the price of the pump, and the price of the works, add the price of the other things the Kaieteur News photograph pointed arrows at, and give me the answer, quick!

I am left wondering how the contractor made a profit. If the Kaieteur News now thinks the same way, its next headline should be “Stanleytown Pump stolen from America!” Now that should sell some extra copies of the Kaieteur News.
DAVE SHIW SANKAR

GCB moves to revive cricket locally..
-G$15m to $20m budgeted for cricket development
By Calvin Roberts

Head of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh addresses the media in the GCB boardroom yesterday.

PRESIDENT Chetram Singh and his executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) recently met and held discussions with regards to the poor state of the gentleman’s game locally, from which they arrived at a number of strategies which will be enacted, as they seek to take Guyana’s cricket back to the top.

At a press briefing held in the boardroom of the GCB yesterday, Singh outlined some of those strategies, which includes national competitions organised and fully sponsored by the GCB, if no sponsor is secured for same, from the Under-15 to the senior level, with special emphasis being placed on the women’s form of the game.

“The executives of the GCB had discussed at length, the present state of our cricket, with a view to stopping the losing trend our national teams have been enduring in recent times, none more so than the senior team” said Singh.

Singh stated that the GCB will be expending between G$15m to $20m, as they seek to tackle cricket at the senior, junior including the under-15 and 19 as well as the women’s level of the game, as they look to take Guyana’s cricket back to the glory days of yore.

“Having had a look at our competitions to see where they fit in, a cricket committee was formed and met two weeks ago, wherein a plan was drawn up to help take Guyana’s cricket back on the upward trend of success once again.”

The 59 year- old Singh who has been at the helm of local cricket for the past 11 years further stated, “The GCB depends on the counties to run off their competitions, from which we organise our own, but with the counties finding it difficult to do so, we have decided to step in and organise our competitions at the various levels.”

“Over the last two years, no three day competition has been organised by the three counties, hence we will be doing so by assisting the counties namely Demerara and Berbice with three- day competitions while Essequibo will have a two- day competition” said Singh.

The GCB will be sponsoring the respective tournaments which will be played at the Under-15, women’s and senior men’s level, en bloc which means that all teams will have to do is turn up and play proper cricket.

“The tournaments will first be played in the counties, before the GCB takes control at the national level, wherein the top teams of each county, who will be rewarded for their efforts, will meet in a national play off to determine the champion club.”

“While some may look at the financial side of things in the senior men’s tournament which carries an attractive $1m in prizes, the objective of the GCB is to have our players bat for long periods, as we have noticed that our batsmen at the senior level have not been batting for longer periods, even when presented with the opportunity to do so on pitches that are conducive for batting” Singh stated.

The GCB head who was surrounded by his marketing consultant Ramsay Ali, GCB secretary Anand Sanassie , two of his vice-presidents in Faizal Bacchus and Bissoondial Singh, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Terrence Holder, also outlined his plans for youth and women’s cricket to the media.

“We will be tackling youth cricket at the school level, with clubs being encouraged to participate in the tournament, which will be a national one similar to that of the senior men’s tournament, with an added boost, wherein the coach of the winning district will be the man in charge of Guyana’s 2010 Under-15 team” said Singh.

He further stated, “This will serve as an added boost to the coach, who will be looking for maximum output from his players, as it is an honour for one to coach a national team and this tournament will be sponsored in its entirety by the GCB, once a sponsor is not identified for same.”

With regards to the women’s version of the game, Singh highlighted the tremendous support shown during the recently held West Indies limited overs tournament, even when Guyana was not playing, which was a heartening sight to behold.

“We have seen the tremendous interest shown by the public in this form of the game and this has moved us to throw our support behind them, hence we will be organising tournaments which will keep them active throughout the year, with all costs being borne by the GCB.”

Singh is warning all clubs to have reserve players to play in other competitions, as mediocrity would not be accepted from any club who is scheduled to compete in a GCB competition and fails to do so because of the unavailability of a full strength team.

The GCB plans to meet with schools in the various district of their school competition, with the Georgetown District being the first to do so tomorrow, as they intend to have this year’s tournament which commences next Wednesday, and climaxes on the 27th November, to be run in an effective manner.

To this end, tournament coordinator Colin Europe who has been executing such duties for a number of years stated that meetings were held with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, from which a favourable response was received.

“In previous years, we had to navigate our tournament with that of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) athletics competition and this year we are looking to move away from that, hence we met with the PS and got a positive answer, wherein our tournament will not coincide with the GTU’s athletics meet, which will enable schools to field full strength teams in the competition.”

These programmes will commence shortly and in order for the GCB to meet the required cost as well as have same being run on a yearly basis instead of a one off event, fund raising activities will be held, as they seek to garner funds to upkeep the programmes.

According to Ali, the programmes outlined by Singh must be sustained for a period of time and the GCB has a macro plan which involves many activities which will be used to raise funds to ensure their programmes not only remain a success story, but is around to serve the cricketers.

One such activity, will be the Guyana Cricket Festival which is slated to be held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on the 23rd and 24th October and involves Barbados, Jamaica, USA and Guyana competing in two semi-final Twenty20 on the first day, with the third place play off and final set for the second day under lights.

“One thing that must be noted is these teams will be full strength ones who will be coming in earlier to compete in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional limited overs tournament which Guyana will be hosting and is set to commence on the 28th of October.”

“Sponsorship has been sought and received from Carib Beer, Digicel and El Dorado for this tournament which has a first prize of US$10,000. from the US$15,000. prize money up for grabs and this tournament has the blessings of the WICB and the three other competing teams’ board” said Singh.

Ali chimed in and stated that full co-operation has been given to the board by certain individuals who will be working behind the scenes to ensure this tournament is a success story, as they know and understand fully the reason for same being held.

“We have commitments from a few television stations around Guyana who have promised to give us one free advertisement for every one we placed with them, whilst some of the personnel involved have vowed to do so at little or no cost at all.”

“The response from corporate Guyana has been very good in the initial stages of this two day tournament which will see the three other teams arriving on the 21st of October at full strength” said Ali.

Meanwhile, the GCB’s four day Inter-county competition will commence on the 22nd September, with Demerara opposing Essequibo at the Anna Regina ground and Berbice and a Rest Team battling at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

According to Singh, returning to the old format of the three- day inter-county tournament following last year’s four team tournament which was farcically contested as selectors called in players after a period of time in the middle was an easy task for the GCB, as that tournament was not competitive.

The schedule also have Essequibo playing all their matches at home at the Anna Regina ground and Singh said this was so, as the GCB wanted to utilise the hostels in Essequibo and Demerara, with a view of cutting cost in the tournament.

There will be a lull in the tournament during the month of October, but action will resume inNovember, as the GCB thought it best to continue with same around the time when preparations for the Regional four- day competition would commence.

Tired Bolt cuts season short because of fatigue
DAEGU, South Korea, (CMC) – Colossal Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has decided to cut his season short because of fatigue, leaving organisers of meets in China and South Korea disappointed and scrambling to restore interest in their late September events.

Bolt sensationally shattered the 100 and 200-metre world records at the IAAF World Championship in Berlin last month to add to his Beijing Olympic titles in both sprints.

He was earmarked for China’s Shanghai International meet on September 20 and the Daegu Pre-Championship meet in South Korea on September 25 but his handlers advised the organisers that he will no longer make the trip.

"They confirmed by e-mail this morning that Bolt can't participate in the pre-championship," the Daegu Committee official told The Korea Times, Wednesday.

The announcement comes after the meet committee said last month that they had reached an agreement with the sprinter.

Bolt had initially planned to end his season at the meet in Shanghai on September 20 but the Daegu committee offered him an appearance fee in the region of US$500,000 to try to bring the sport's biggest star to Korea.

Now Bolt will close his season with his appearance at this weekend’s World Athletics Finals in Greece and will forego the Asia trip.

"We tried to persuade him to run, but he had already made up his mind. The agency wanted him to run but he was very firm on that," added the Daegu official.

The 23-year-old Bolt has competed at two meets since he won the sprint double and helped Jamaica capture the 4X100-metre relay in Berlin in mid-August, scoring huge wins at the IAAF Golden League Weltklasse Zurich event in late August and the Brussels Golden League on September 5.

Bolt lowered the 100-metre world record at the Berlin World Championship to a stunning 9.58 seconds and his world record run of 19.19 in the 200 was just as awesome.

He complained of fatigue during the World Championship and again at the Brussels Golden League last Friday when he ran 19.57 seconds, the fourth fastest time ever recorded for 200 metres.

The Daegu committee had hoped to use Bolt’s presence boost the meet and raise the profile of the sport in the city ahead of 2011 when they will stage the IAAF World Championship.

Reports yesterday suggested that organisers were pursuing a Plan B that involved trying to get the men who chased Bolt in his world record run in Berlin.

"We are trying to invite Asafa Powell of Jamaica and Tyson Gay of the United States, but Gay could be a little hard because he has a thigh injury," the committee official said.

The list of participants at the Daegu meet will be announced after the World Athletic Final ends.

Prize winners rewarded
By Michael DaSilva
Prize winners of the Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA)/Trix Under-17 tournament were rewarded yesterday at a simple ceremony, held at the Bryden and Fernandes Board Room.

In this Andre Naraine photo, Peggy Julien (fourth right) accepts the winning team’s trophy on behalf of Fruta Conquerors from Bryden and Fernandes’ Marketing Coordinator mark Kendall, while looking on from left are; GFC’s representative Sheldon Stephens, Bryden and Fernandes’ Sales Coordinator Rawl Davson, GFA’s president Troy Mendonca, Camptown’s assistant coach Andrew hazel and GFA’s office secretary Abigail Osbourne.

Fruta Conquerors won the round robin/knock-out tournament by defeating Sunburst Camptown 4-0 in the final which was held at the Tucville ground on August 17.

Keith Fletcher (3rd) along with Eon Alleyne (32nd and 38th) and Travis Savory (36th) were the goal scorers for the champions.

The competition’s leading goal scorer was Stephon Dickenson of Uprising with six goals to his credit.

Uprising also received the Most Disciplined Team award after receiving the least amount of yellow cards and no red cards.

The competition’s Most valuable Player award went to Fruta Conquerors’ Joshua Brown while the Best Goal Keeper award went to Dennis Edwards.

Finishing third in the competition was GFC who defeated Uprising in the third place play off.

Fruta Conquerors reached the final by defeating Uprising 5-0 in the semi-final round while Sunburst Camptown edged GFC 6-4 in the other semi-final.

In the quarter final, Camptown and Alpha United played to a 1-1 stalemate, while Uprising defeated Riddim Squad 2-1, GFC brushed aside BK International Western Tigers 6-1 and Conquerors beat Pele 2-0.

However, Pele registered the largest margin of victory in the entire tournament by trashing Flamingo 14-0.

Giving an overview of the tournament yesterday, GFA president Troy Mendonca related that the tournament commenced on May 30 and conclude on August 19.

He said a total of 12 teams divided into three groups of four teams each participated in the round robin stage of the tournament with each team in their respective groups playing each other once and the top two teams from each of the groups along with the best two third place teams qualifying for the knock-out stage.

According to the GFA president, GFC and Fruta Conquerors; Uprising and Pele; along with Camptown and Western Tigers were the top two teams in their respective groups, while Riddim Squad and Alpha United were the best two third place teams.

He said preliminary matches were played at the Camptown ground, the GFC ground and the Tucville ground, while the knock-out stage and the quarter finals were played at the Camptown and Tucville grounds.

The semifinals were played at the Camptown ground and the final at the Tucville ground.

A total of 107 goals were scored during the competition, consisting of 69 goals in the round robin stage and 38 in the knock-out stage.

Group `B’ which comprised of Uprising, Pele, Riddim Squad and Flamingo scored the most goals in the preliminary stage and this amounted to 34 goals, while conceding the least amount was group `A’, totaling 15.

Thirty two yellow cards as well as six red cards were issued in the competition.

Mendonca, in thanking Bryden and Fernandes for their support, said the contribution the company made at this juncture came at a valuable time.

He said the competition showcased the talent that abounds in Guyana and the tournament allowed the youths to showcase their talents and gave the youths the opportunity to build a foundation for their future.

He noted that the Guyanese society is faced with so many ills, but with the youths playing under supervision, it gave them the opportunity to abstain from these ills.

Meanwhile, Bryden and Fernandes’ Marketing Coordinator mark Kendall in brief remarks congratulated the respective winners of awards and stated that it takes skill, discipline, dedication, energy, time and a love for football to be at the presentation ceremony.

He said the company is pleased to see young people utilise their energy in a positive manner and are privileged to exhibit their talents and skills in such an arena.

He encouraged each player to continue striving for excellence and make valuable efforts to be an example for their peers in their respective communities for generations to come.

He applauded the GFA for their efforts and hard work in helping to keep football alive in Guyana and for also allowing the country’s youth to have a recreational event which allows them to be physically and mentally ready for the world at large.

Ganga leads strong 15-man Champions League squad
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s selectors have named a strong 15-man squad including nine players with West Indies experience for the Champions League in India next month.

The squad will be led by Daren Ganga and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is his deputy in the squad that is missing all-rounders Richard Kelly and Imran Khan as well as West Indies off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth.

Khan, has been surprisingly left out after a number of sterling performances during the 2009 regional cricket series.

He was also one of the five cricketers of the year at the recent Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) awards function.

T&T, the regional Twenty20 kings, will play in Group A alongside IPL champions Deccan Chargers and English title holders Somerset, who they open against on October 12.

The selectors had initially picked 20 players for training and subsequently cut five from that list.

In addition to Khan, Kelly and Jaggernauth, hard hitting batsmen Daron Cruickshank and Kevon Cooper also miss out.

Apart from Ganga and Dwayne Bravo, the batting is in the capable hands of West Indies players Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo, as well as the swashbuckling William Perkins and Adrian Barath.

West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin will do duties behind the stumps.

Leading the group of all-rounders will be Ravi Rampaul, Samuel Badree, Sherwin Ganga, Rayad Emrit and Dave Mohammed.

Joining Rampaul and Emrit in the fast bowling attack will be Tobago-born pacer Navin Stewart.

Queen’s Park CC spinner Sunil Narine also wins a call up after his excellent performances in the WIPA Twenty20 series.

T&T SQUAD - Daren Ganga (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Kieron Pollard, Sherwin Ganga, Navin Stewart, Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Adrian Barath, Rayad Emrit, Dave Mohammed.

MCYS Linden Inter-block football..
Allicock guides Amelia’s Ward to semis
By Calvin Roberts
SOME resilient goalkeeping from Odell Allicock guided Amelia’s Ward into the semi- final of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports organised Linden Inter-block football tournament where they will face Valley Poker Street Combined, after pulling off a 3-2 (0-0) victory on penalty kicks over Half Mile/One Mile (HM/OM) combined at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground Tuesday night.

Allicock came up trumps throughout regulation time for his team, effecting one save after another including one in the 12th minute where he calmly took the ball away from Steve Brewley following a cross from the hard working Trevor Tudor.

This was after HM/OM custodian Michael Rose who also had his bright spots in the match, having taken the ball off the feet of Shawn Daniels before he could have gotten a shot off in the box, following a gem of a pass from Keshawn Warner on the right side.

HM/OM had numerous opportunities to take the lead, but poor finishing from Rawle ‘Boney Man’ Gittens who was also guilty of excess dribbling, prevented his team from doing such, while a frustrated Steve Brewley was kept tight by the AW defensive line.

Just on the stroke of half- time, Rose who like Allicock continued to excel in between the uprights for their respective teams, affected a magnificent save from a Roy Fraser header which had goal written all over it from the time it left the latter’s head.

When play resumed in the second half, no team were able to snatch the initiative, as both custodians prevented same from occurring, even though Watterton made a spirited run from his half, into HM/OM third before he was relieved of the ball by the hard working Rose at the top of the box.

As Amelia’s Ward continued their relentless attack on their opponent’s goal area, many chances went abegging as their strikers including Andrew Lambert muffed the passes that were fed to him from either Jermaine Batson or Shawn Daniels.

Fans gathered in the stands bellowed their appeal for the presence of Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) president Bryan Joseph who had suited up for AW, to take the field especially after Kevon Darade had replaced Lambert.

But their cries only fell on deaf ears and at the end of regulation time, the score line was no different from what it showed at lemon time, hence penalty kicks were the order of the day, in which Marlon Maxius and Derrol Dainty found the back of the net for HM/OM.

Rose continued his special efforts during this segment of the game for HM/OM, when he blocked the first shot taken by Watterton, but he had no answer to Fraser’s shot which beat him to his left.

Up stepped Allicock, with the scoreline reading 2-1 in favor of HM/OM and he showed what he was made of when he saved the kick taken by Brewley and watched as Tudor’s shot sailed over the bar and a Quacy Johnson’s kick went wide of the mark.

Even though Darade missed his kick for AW, Monty Simon brought the scores level for his side when he beat Rose to his left, before Allicock sealed off his splendid night in the goal with a well placed rocket like shot to the right, leaving a dejected looking Rose to wander off the field even as his teammates rushed to engulf him in celebrations.

The competition will continue tonight at the same venue, with Watooka/Fazerust/Richmond Hill opposing Blue Berry Hill in the first match from 18:00h with Wisrock and Christianburg meeting in the feature match from 20:00h, in what is expected to be a heated quarterfinal double- header.

ENGLAND innings

A. Strauss c Clarke b Hauritz 63

R. Bopara c Hopes b Bracken 10

M. Prior c Hopes b Johnson 0

O. Shah lbw b Johnson 8

P. Collingwood c Bracken b Watson 28

E. Morgan c Johnson b Lee 43

L. Wright c sub b Hopes 9

T. Bresnan not out 31

G. Swann lbw b Watson 3

R. Sidebottom c White b Watson 24

Extras: (lb-1, w-4, nb-4) 9

Total: (nine wickets; 50 overs) 228

Fall of wickets: 1-41 2-41 3-62 4-98 5-132 6-147 7-183 8-188 9-228

Did not bat: J. Anderson

Bowling: Lee 9-1-58-1 (3nb), Bracken 10-0-36-1, Johnson 10-1-39-2 (3w), Hopes 7-0-34-1, Hauritz 6-0-24-1, Watson 8-0-36-3 (1nb, 1w).

AUSTRALIA innings

S. Watson lbw b Anderson 7

T. Paine lbw b Collingwood 29

C. White c Sidebottom b Wright 105

M. Clarke b Swann 52

C. Ferguson not out 20

M. Hussey not out 8

Extras (b-1, lb-2, w-6) 9 Total (four wickets; 48.3 overs) 230

Fall of wickets: 1-16 2-52 3-195 4-220

Bowling: Anderson: 9.3-1-52-1 (1w), Sidebottom 10-1-39-0 (1w), Bresnan 10-1-46-0 (1w), Collingwood 7-0-39-1 (2w), Wright 7-1-16-1, Swann 5-0-35-1.

Australia lead the seven-match series 3-0

White century inspires clinical Australia
CAMERON White hit his first one-day international century as Australia easily beat England at the Rose Bowl to go 3-0 up in the seven-match series.

England mustered a meek 228-9 at the Rose Bowl despite Andrew Strauss's 72-ball 63, and the Aussies motored to a six-wicket win with nine balls left.

White (105) and skipper Michael Clarke (52) put on 143 in a match-winning partnership for the third wicket.

England spurned three excellent run-out opportunities during their stand.

And, on a night when most things went wrong for Strauss's team, Tim Bresnan dropped White on 92 off the bowling of James Anderson - though by then the tourists were cruising to victory.

White's century featured a six and nine fours. He faced 124 balls, batted calmly throughout and only took risks when the situation demanded.

His performance under the Hampshire floodlights will surely guarantee his place when Ricky Ponting returns to lead Australia for the final four matches of the series.

But England, who batted poorly for the third time in succession, will have to make changes. It was particularly perplexing to see Yorkshire youngster Adil Rashid overlooked for the second game in succession in an unchanged side.

Strauss's good fortune at the toss continued, winning his third from three of this series to go with four out of five in the Ashes.

Unlike the two defeats in London, however, here the England captain elected to bat first, and Clarke revealed he would have done the same.

On a wicket lacking pace, and thus drawing the sting out of Brett Lee, England got off to a fast start.

Strauss pulled, drove and cut Lee to score 12 from three balls, while Ravi Bopara lofted a straight drive off Nathan Bracken for six.

England had advanced to 41 without loss in the eighth over when Bopara attempted a repeat off Bracken, but with wicketkeeper Tim Paine now standing up to the stumps he stayed in his crease. He was consequently not to the pitch of the ball and this time lobbed up a catch to mid-on.

Matt Prior's poor run with the bat continued when he pulled his fourth ball to square-leg, while Owais Shah got a bad lbw decision and that left England 62-3 in the 15th.

All the while, Strauss had again looked in great nick, but when he chipped Nathan Hauritz to short mid-wicket on 63, England were 98-4 with almost half their overs gone and the top order had dug an unwelcome hole for the rest of the team to get out of.

That they partly did so was initially down to Eoin Morgan, who made 43, his best yet for England - before he perished in the final powerplay to the expensive Lee.

Shane Watson was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 3-36, but could not prevent the ninth-wicket pair of Bresnan (31 not out) and Ryan Sidebottom (24) from adding 40 from the last 39 balls of the innings.

It was a timely boost which at least gave England's bowlers something to work with, and when Anderson's lbw appeal against Watson was upheld in the fifth over there was more for the home fans to smile about.

But after a slow start (29-1 from 10), Paine and White opened the throttle for a few overs to put the pressure back on the hosts.

Paul Collingwood responded to the challenge, trapping Paine lbw for 29 in the 14th over, whereupon the incoming batsman Clarke was almost run out for a single, Shah missing the stumps from the same angle that Andrew Flintoff had run out Ponting on the last day of the Ashes.

White targeted Collingwood for some treatment, and when 10 precious runs came off the 20th over Australia were well set on 79-2.

But England remained determined to build pressure, and that set up another golden opportunity for a run-out, with White on 46 the man to survive. This time Anderson was the fielder, hurrying his shy from a few feet away when he probably had time to dive at the stumps with ball in hand.

White cruised past 50 and initially prevented the required rate going past six with nine more runs in a Graeme Swann over. But Clarke continued to struggle with his timing, leaving 75 wanted from the last 66 balls - Anderson having again been involved in a failed run-out attempt.

The batting powerplay was taken and White now smashed Sidebottom over mid-on for Australia's first six of the series. He got lucky when Bresnan dropped a sitter at long-on and duly went on to notch the first century by any player in what has been an underwhelming series.

Clarke was finally bowled by Swann, and White holed out to Wright, who was probably the best of England's bowlers, though Strauss only gave him seven overs.

Callum Ferguson and Michael Hussey then batted smartly to prevent any final-over drama.(BBC Sport).

Impressive Spain, England seal 2010 World Cup places
.. ten-man France grab important draw in Serbia
By Brian Homewood
BERNE, (Reuters) - Spain and England reached the 2010 World Cup football finals in South Africa yesterday with the sort of commanding home victories their fans have become accustomed to in qualifying.

European champions Spain maintained their perfect record with a 3-0 victory over Estonia in sweltering Merida, while England got their eighth win from eight games, 5-1 against Croatia, to join the Netherlands as qualifiers from Europe.

France had to show grit to stay in contention, holding Serbia 1-1 away despite playing for more than 80 minutes with 10 men, while Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of playing in South Africa were boosted by a 1-0 win for Portugal in Hungary.

World champions Italy need one more point after beating Bulgaria, while Scotland and Belgium were among the countries eliminated.

The winners of the nine European groups qualify directly for South Africa and the best eight runners-up play off among themselves for four more places.

England were eliminated from Euro 2008 qualifying after a 3-2 defeat by Croatia at Wembley almost two years ago but under Fabio Capello they look a different side and they had little trouble maintaining their 100 percent record in Group Six.

Two goals each from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard and one from Wayne Rooney saw them through at Wembley, while Eduardo da Silva scored a second-half consolation for the visitors, who stayed second.

Spain have swept all before them since their win at Euro 2008 and they secured progress from Group Five with their customary elan and goals from Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata.

The Dutch were the first nation to qualify but they were in no mood to take it easy against Scotland, a late goal from Eljero Elia sealing the fate of the Scots.

Serbia, needing a win in Belgrade to qualify for their first World Cup as an independent nation, were gifted a goal and one-man advantage after only 10 minutes against France but they could not get the win they needed to secure qualification.

French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was given his marching orders after appearing to make little contact with Serbia striker Nikola Zigic in the penalty area before Nenad Milijas drilled in the penalty.

France regained their composure and Thierry Henry equalised in the 31st minute. The hosts had Danko Lazovic sent off in the 90th minute for dissent.

Serbia stayed four points clear of their opponents at the top of Group Seven with two games each left. France are second with a four-point advantage over Austria and so stand a good chance of making the play-offs.

ENTERTAINING ITALY

Superb goals from Fabio Grosso and Vincenzo Iaquinta gave a much-improved Italy a 2-0 win over Bulgaria in Turin and sent them four points clear of Ireland at the top of Group Eight. A draw in Ireland next month would be enough for them to qualify.

"In the first half it was a spectacle and it was entertainment," said coach Marcello Lippi, under fire for the team's recent lacklustre performances.

Germany stayed one point clear of Russia at the top of Group Four after both won to set up a Moscow showdown next month.

Miroslav Klose came on as a second-half striker for Germany and scored twice in 10 minutes in their 4-0 win over Azerbaijan after captain Michael Ballack had converted a penalty.

Lukas Podolski added a fourth while Azerbaijan had Samir Abasov sent off. Russia beat Wales 3-1 away.

Norway took advantage of Scotland's defeat in Group Nine to beat Macedonia 2-1 and sneak into second place.

Group One leaders Denmark were held 1-1 in Albania and had their lead cut to three points by Sweden, who won 1-0 in Malta.

Portugal revived their hopes with a 1-0 win in Hungary after Brazilian-born Pepe scored with a 10th minute header. That took them above their opponents on goal difference and into third place, two behind the Swedes.

"This result re-launches our campaign for the World Cup," said Pepe.

Group Two leaders Switzerland were held 2-2 in Latvia but stayed three points clear when Greece were held 1-1 by table-propping Moldova.

The Faroe Islands won their first World Cup qualifier for eight years when they beat Lithuania 2-1.

Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia in Asian World Cup playoff
RIYADH, (Reuters) - Bahrain scored in the last minute of stoppage time to beat Saudi Arabia on the away goals rule in their Asian World Cup playoff yesterday.

Bahrain advanced to a final playoff against Oceania champions New Zealand after substitute Ismaeel Latif's last-gasp goal secured a 2-2 draw following their scoreless draw in Manama at the weekend.

Saudi Arabia took an early lead when Nassir Al Shamrani scored in the 13th minute but Bahrain equalised just before halftime through their Nigerian-born striker Jaycee John.

The Saudis, who were bidding for their fifth straight appearance in the World Cup finals, looked to have stolen the match when Hamad Al Montashari scored in the first minute of stoppage time only for their Gulf neighbours to find a second equaliser.

Bahrain will play New Zealand over two legs in October and November with the winner qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Bahrain are bidding to qualify for the first time after losing a playoff to Trinidad & Tobago four years ago.

They were given a second chance to progress this time after finishing third in their Asian qualifying group behind Australia and Japan, who qualified automatically.

Saudi Arabia finished third in their group behind North and South Korea, who also qualified from Asia.

Tests the ultimate goal for Zimbabwe - Houghton
By Andrew McGlashan
DAVE Houghton hopes to play a major role in returning Zimbabwe to the Test arena as he prepares to head back to his homeland and take up a position with the board.

Houghton, the former Zimbabwe captain, has made a home in England but has been out of coaching since leaving Derbyshire in 2007 and is expected to take up a senior role in the Zimbabwe set-up.

"I'm not quite sure what it will entail yet," Houghton told Cricinfo, "but it will be nice to go back to Zimbabwe. I was born there and played there for many years so it would be good to have a role in bringing the game back."

Zimbabwe suspended themselves from Test cricket in 2005, after being unable to field a competitive side following the mass exodus of players, and are currently playing four-day cricket in the Intercontinental Cup alongside one-day internationals.

Houghton, who was Zimbabwe's first Test captain and scored 1464 runs at 43 during his 22-match career, believes it is a realistic aim for the country to return to the fold, but they need to play sustained, good-quality first-class cricket.

"I definitely think so, they are desperate to return to Test level," he said. "At the moment I see them as being at the level they were before we got Test status. In my view they are better than the Associates, but not quite up to Test standard yet so are in limbo.

"Test cricket is the ultimate goal, Zimbabwe need to get back into the Test arena and the hierarchy out there will have their own ideas, so it would be wrong of me to second guess their plans," he added.

"However, the crucial point is to have meaningful first-class cricket and these new franchises that have been formed will hopefully help that."

Houghton is one of a number of former players returning to aid Zimbabwe with Heath Streak lined up as head coach while Alistair Campbell, another former captain, is expected to take up a batting role.

Andy Flower, Zimbabwe's best batsman, has been lost to the country and is forging a strong reputation with England, so Houghton knows it's important they make use of as many of their former players as possible.

"We are the ones with expertise and knowledge and there are others who I hear are interested to come back as well," he said. "It would be a waste not to involve us in the cricket with all the years we have played.

We need to get good coaches involved and also get matches against A sides and maybe counties. That was a very important part of our evolution when we were first getting Test status and it would good to see them come back."

And he still believes some of the players who had quit a threadbare side may yet return to the fold in the coming months and years. "The door is never closed on anyone.

I hear Dion Ebrahim [the opening batsman] is interested in coming back. Zimbabwe Cricket can open the door for them to come back, but it's also pleasing to see that there is a crop of youngsters coming up who have been through the tough times."

Despite moving his life to England and developing strong coaching credentials alongside some TV commentary work, Houghton has kept in close touch with Zimbabwe's performances. He still has many strong links to the country, while the slowly improving situation has given him cause for optimism about the future.

"England is now home, but I've been following their scores closely, it's good to see them playing regularly again," he said. "There are a number of reasons I'm heading back, I still have family and property out there. I hear from a lot of people that things have picked up on the ground. Switching from the Zimbabwe dollar to US dollar has helped quell the hyper-inflation so hopefully things are looking up.” (Cricinfo)
Baptiste appointed Kenya coach

Baptiste appointed Kenya coach
FORMER West Indies allrounder Eldine Baptiste has been appointed the coach of Kenya and will be in charge of the team until June 2011.

"Eldine brings to the national team a wealth of cricketing experience having been a national player himself for West Indies and in recent years after retirement from international cricket has held several coaching positions," Cricket Kenya said in a statement.

Baptiste, 49, represented West Indies in 10 Tests and 43 ODIs from 1983-90. He was also the head coach of the Stanford Superstars, who went on to win US$20 million after beating England in the one-off Stanford 20/20 for 20 match last year.

He held coaching positions in South Africa with the domestic side Dolphins, and as technical director for Fidentia in Port Elizabeth.

Kenya have a busy year-end calendar ahead - with a tour of Zimbabwe later this month followed by a tour of South Africa in November - and the board hoped that Baptiste would put the team "high on the international stage."

"The contract commences on September 15 and Baptiste's immediate role will be to prepare and train the Kenya national team by defining and setting out the performance programme for the team's training. He will be responsible for all direct coaching and management issues of the team," the board said. (Cricinfo)