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ARCHIVES FOR OCTOBER 12, 2009

GWI’s 'Camp Resolution' launched
By Priya Nauth

Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali listens to residents concerns at Adventure Nursery School

THE Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), kicked off its customer service programme “Camp Resolution” Saturday on the Essequibo Coast, as part of its continued efforts to improve the water sector.

GWI’s “Camp Resolution” would see visits by GWI teams to several locations across the country and was launched simultaneously yesterday in Division One at Charity Primary School, Adventure Nursery and Good Hope Primary, which saw the GWI team resolving complaints from 9:00 h to 15:00 h.

Customers had the opportunity to interact with the Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali, as well as GWI Senior officials including GWI Chief Executive Office (ag), Mr. Yuri Chandisingh, with the ‘Camp’ serving as mobile GWI offices, offering customers all the services they expect from GWI including leak repair, billing queries, bill payments and the installation of new service connections.

Minister Ali, speaking to the media at the Charity Housing Scheme, took the time to remind consumers that the basic principle behind “Camp Resolution” is changing the image of GWI and creating the fundamental basis on which it was set up.

It is an organisation that is people driven, people centred and people oriented,” Minister Ali explained, noting that water is a service type of operation and affects persons at the “most critical level of society”.

So Camp Resolution is re-branding the whole image of GWI, ensuring we create that linkage between the customer and the organisation; ensuring that issues of transparency, effectiveness, efficiency are demonstrated physically in terms of how quickly we respond to people’s concerns and complaints and resolve these issues,” he stated.

He said it provided an opportunity for them to communicate with persons in terms of its plans, and investments.

A staffer deals with a resident

Here in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) today, we were not only able to resolve individual issues but, for example, in Good Hope and some of the other areas that we have metering that were estimated, we were able to direct all our resources – management, human, financial - to ensure that all the meters are read so that you have actual readings of these bills,” he stated.

In Charity, he noted that there is an issue of an inadequate supply of water because the well is under-performing and a decision was taken to charge only 60 per cent of the minimum annual charges for this area.

He said persons were also enlightened about the more than $20M Somerset well that is presently under construction and which he visited. It should be completed within two and a half months, which will see the water supply provided on a daily basis compared to the three day supply now available.

In addition, the minister alluded to the $450M iron removal plant with the total investment in Region Two being in excess of $1B.

We have a comprehensive strategy that we think people have to buy into. We have to create ownership of the plans and ownership of the vision. People on the ground must feel associated with the vision and associated with the plan of the entity so that together we can change the whole culture,” Ali insisted.

Minister Ai noted that very importantly, too, is the subject of education, with the customers understanding the responsibility of conserving water and paying for the water. He said, “The charges are basic charges and if we are to have a sustainable water sector into the future then we will have to deal with these issues extensively.”

The team also took the opportunity to look at some of the issues it can address in the 2010 budget and disclosed that there are a few access roads that need to be completed in the Charity area which are going to be catered for in the 2010 budget.

He noted that Region Two was especially selected to start the programme so the entity “can have a feel”, explaining, “We know in Region Two that we don’t have a problem with water in terms of pressure and flow. Our major problem in Region Two is the quality of water, that is the level of iron content in the water; and then you have the billing issues.”

Head of Field Services Operation, GWI, Mr. Codette Joseph, similarly conceded that the exercise assisted the division in solving all the operational problems such as leakages, installation of new collections and the quality of water.

In terms of the quality of water, he noted that direct action has been taken to start flushing the mains to bring relief to customers faced with this problem.

It is a one day exercise; but that does not stop the customers from coming in to us and have their problems resolved immediately,” he encouraged.

GWI Division One Manager, Mr. Ravindra Deonaraine, added that the exercise will help to enlighten people of the community about the interventions in the different areas, especially in terms of low pressure and quality.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Water, Mr. Emil McGarrell, reiterated that “Camp Resolution” is part of the ministry’s and GWI’s effort to really address issues in the communities and attempt to bring the services of GWI to the communities to resolve problems, stressing that the efforts of GWI, as part of its turnaround plan, is really to resolve a lot of the issues that have been affecting communities for a long time.

McGarrell reiterated that GWI and the ministry as whole are looking at measures that will ultimately improve the service all together for its customers, both in terms of flow and pressure but “this will take some time”.

The “Camp Resolution” initiative comes on the heels of the successes of the “One Stop Shop” which Minister of Housing and Water had assured will continue.

In March, the Ministry of Housing and Water embarked on the “One Stop Shop” programme to decentralise its services to people across the administrative regions of Guyana.

The next stop for “Camp Resolution” will be on the East Bank of Demerara at Soesdyke, Grove and Eccles on October 17, 2009.

PM attends Diwali Motorcade at Diamond Community Centre

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the Diamond Diwali motorcade

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, acting in the capacity of President, joined scores of people at the Diamond Community Centre, who came out to participate and view the motorcade procession Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Hinds said the significance of Diwali is many-fold and that each individual should observe this special period and reflect on his or her life and make the necessary adjustments to become a better person.

He stated that Diwali is the Festival of Light, that light always overcomes any darkness, and he urged the gathering to practise a healthy life, living simply and humbly.

This statement was made during his address to hundreds of Hindus and other Guyanese who gathered to witness the colourful, lighted and decorated vehicles which formed the Diwali Motorcade for 2009.

Dancers at the Diamond Diwali motorcade

The Prime Minister said that Diamond is a rapidly growing area, with the establishment of a hospital, a new state-of-the-art secondary school and a huge housing scheme.

He added that the upcoming establishment of banks and a gas station would add to the East Bank’s developmental process.

Prime Minister Hinds implored the gathering to remember that this is a period of joy and merriment and that everyone should remember that good triumphs over evil and better times would emerge after the period of difficulties people face.

The motorcade was sponsored by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

Brandsrite Store looted during Regent Street fire
By Michel Outridge

The burnt-out site on Regent Street.

Brandsrite Store, which sells electronic equipment and kids supplies, was looted on Friday when fire ripped through two Regent Street, businesses and a dwelling house.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that persons helped themselves to items and articles from the store, but efforts to contact the owner were unsuccessful.

However, the owner of a nearby store which was spared, Crystals Boutique and Gift Shop owner, said he managed to empty his store because he was unsure whether the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was able to contain the blaze which spread quickly.

The man added that he stood and watched as the fire raged out of control.

He observed that more attention was focused on Regent Household Electronics store where the fire started, while the nearby DM Beauty World Store could have been saved had the GFS had enough water to douse the flames.

The businessman, who prefers to remain anonymous, is hoping that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) would restore power to the area.

The police were yesterday still guarding the burnt-out buildings even as curious onlookers stopped by to look at the gutted stores.

The GFS is yet to make an announcement as to the origin of the fire.

Analysing an assessment
Sexual and reproductive health info for disabled
By Vanessa Narine

Participants at the consultation.

A stakeholders’ consultation seeking to analyse the findings of a rapid assessment of access to sexual and reproductive health information for young persons with disabilities has been lauded as a very important initiative.

This is according to the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hydar Ally, who said, “It is important because it addresses issues that have been neglected in the past.”

The Permanent Secretary Friday made these remarks at the opening of the session at the Regency Suites Hotel conference room.

Apart from analysing the information gleaned from the assessment, the consultation also allowed an opportunity for contributions to the development of an action plan and facilitated networking among stakeholders.

The rapid assessment of access to sexual and reproductive health information for young persons with disabilities was done in Regions Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).

Tasked with the responsibility of undertaking the assessment was consultant Mr. Dereck Springer.

Along with Springer, the initiative was organised by the Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Services Unit in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that the work of these partners was instrumental in changing wrong perceptions that are held in society.

“The tendency has been to treat persons with disabilities as less than human, especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive health,” he said.

Ally added that contrary to this misconception, persons with disabilities are persons with feelings and desires and aspirations, just as any other individual.

“These are people in need of physical, psychological and other forms of support to realise their potential,” he said. “They have their faculties and intelligence and have needs like any other person.”

He noted that the study reaffirms the need to have persons with disabilities socialising and interfacing with society so that their unmet needs can be catered to.

“Socialising and interfacing with society is an imperative so that needs can be met, including the basic needs for sexual gratification, to get married, to raise children and to raise a family,” Ally said.

Reiterating this was Director of Rehabilitation Services, Mrs. Barbara Lawrence, who reaffirmed that persons with disabilities have a right to reproductive health.

“They should have a responsible, satisfying and safer sex life; have the capacity to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so,” she said.

To this end, Lawrence explained that it is equally important that persons with disabilities be informed of and have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of birth control, and the right of access to appropriate health care.

Bearing this in mind, the Rehabilitation Services Director explained that the assessment provides, for the first time, a look at sexual and reproductive health as it relates to young persons with disabilities.

She highlighted that persons with disabilities are as likely as other persons to be sexually active; they are at an increased risk for HIV/AIDS; they are up to three times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse and rape; and have less access to medical, psychological and judicial interventions.

Lawrence said, “Addressing these issues was the beginning of a process that would promote and protect the health of persons with disabilities and for the greater fulfillment of their human rights.”

The Rehabilitation Services Director pointed out that the work of her unit is guided by several documents, including the National Health Sector Strategy 2008 – 2012; the Rehabilitation Services unit’s strategic plan, which is still in draft; the National Commission on Disability (NCD) strategic plan 2007 – 2011; and the United Nations on rights of persons with disabilities.

She stated that the common theme of all these documents is the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of health without discrimination on the basis of disability.

Lawrence said also that persons can only be considered truly rehabilitated when all their needs are met.

“It is evident that the sexual and reproductive needs of most persons with disabilities are unmet or simply ignored,” she said.

The UNFPA Programme Officer, Ms. Babsie Giddings, noted that this initiative is one of the many activities undertaken by UNFPA and added that the technical support and funding provided advance efforts for an inclusive society where the needs of different target groups are met.

Witter’s protest aimed at misleading public
- Minister Nadir
Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir Saturday in a response to a Kaieteur News article published October 10, in which Norris Witter, General Secretary (ag) Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) claimed that Labour Officers at the Ministry’s Brickdam office were working under unsuitable working conditions, has stated that it was nothing more than a setup staged by Witter, Kaieteur News and perpetuators within the ministry.

He pointed out that if any staff was found working on the top floor of the building it would have been a part of their involvement in the wickedness of Kaieteur News and Witter.

Minister Nadir stated that a decision was made at a staff retreat held on September 23 to start the make-over on the weekend of October 2. This period was chosen because more than half of the staff would have been away from work – five from the North Road location went to Barbados on October 4 for one week and seven others were at a three-day workshop.

Officers in the top flat of the Brickdam building were relocated to the lower flat or the North Road location, while arbitration and other meetings are to be held at the Stabroek location.

In relation to Witter’s claim that the number of staff currently housed in the building exceeds the stipulated number, Chief Labour Occupational Health and Safety Officer Yoganand Persaud pointed out that a decision was taken to remove the internal walls to make more space available. This is responsible for some of the current displacement at the Office.

Work is scheduled to be completed shortly and working conditions will return to normal.

Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport hosts Paralympics games

Minister Priya Manickchand takes the salute at the march past.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport held its first Paralympics championship yesterday at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.

Minister of Human Services & Social Security, Priya Manickchand, acting in the capacity of Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, stated that this was a wonderful opportunity for differentially-able persons in society to come together, celebrate and share with each other, simultaneously sharpening each other’s talents.

Minister Manickchand said that the Culture Ministry intends to make the Paralympics championship an annual event and that for the next few years, the Ministry will monitor athletes and prepare them to represent Guyana at the 2012 Paralympics Games in London.

She said this initiative is a part of Government’s assurance that an equal and conducive environment is created for the physically-challenged.

The Minister also stated that the Ministry of Human Services & Social Security has established a Disabilities Bill which will be laid in parliament. The content of this Bill will provide for the physically challenged to have an easier life.

She added that last March, her Ministry began collecting data from persons with disabilities to establish a register which would make it easier for Government to provide for all of the differentially able.

She expressed her disappointment that less than 2,000 persons were registered. Minister Manickchand implored the gathering to register themselves so Government could make decisions based on accurate information. To this end, from November, registration forms will be available at all National Democratic Councils (NDCs), Post and Regional Offices.

The Minister urged the disabled to be responsible and register to help Government plan properly.

Yesterday’s events included a March Past, swimming, track and field and table tennis events.

Participating teams organisations came from Linden, Essequibo, East and West Banks of Demerara, and Central Georgetown.

In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised a sports competition involving World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries in Stoke, Mandeville, England. Four years later, competitors from the Netherlands joined the games and an international movement was born.

Olympic style games for athletes with a disability were organised for the first time in Rome in 1960, now called Paralympics. (GINA)

'Scary' climate message from past
By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News

A new historical record of carbon dioxide levels suggests current political targets on climate may be "playing with fire", scientists say.

Researchers used ocean sediments to plot CO2 levels back 20 million years.

Levels similar to those now commonly regarded as adequate to tackle climate change were associated with sea levels 25-40m (80-130 ft) higher than today.

Scientists write in the journal Science that this extends knowledge of the link between CO2 and climate back in time.

The last 800,000 years have been mapped relatively well from ice cores drilled in Antarctica, where historical temperatures and atmospheric content have left a series of chemical clues in the layers of ice.

But looking back further has been more problematic; and the new record contains much more precise estimates of historical records than have been available before for the 20 million year timeframe.

Sustained levels

The new research was able to look back to the Miocene period, which began a little over 20 million years ago.

At the start of the period, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere stood at about 400 parts per million (ppm) before beginning to decline about 14 million years ago - a trend that eventually led to formation of the Antarctic icecap and perennial sea ice cover in the Arctic.

The high concentrations were probably sustained by prolonged volcanic activity in what is now the Columbia River basin of North America, where rock formations called flood basalts relate a history of molten rock flowing routinely onto the planet's surface.

In the intervening millennia, CO2 concentrations have been much lower; in the last few million years they cycled between 180ppm and 280ppm in rhythm with the sequence of ice ages and warmer interglacial periods.

Now, humanity's emissions of greenhouse gases are pushing towards the 400ppm range, which will very likely be reached within a decade.

"What we have shown is that in the last period when CO2 levels were sustained at levels close to where they are today, there was no icecap on Antarctica and sea levels were 25-40m higher," said research leader Aradhna Tripati from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

"At CO2 levels that are sustained at or near modern day values, you don't need to have a major change in CO2 levels to get major changes in ice sheets," she told BBC News.

The elevated CO2 and sea levels were associated with temperatures about 3-6C (5-11F) higher than today.

No doubting
The data comes from the ratios of boron and calcium in the shells of tiny marine organisms called foraminifera.

The ratio indicates the pH of sea water at the time the organisms grew, which in turn allows scientists to calculate the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere.

The shell fragments came from cores drilled from the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

According to Jonathan Overpeck, who co-chaired the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) work on ancient climates for the organisation's last major report in 2007, this provides a more accurate look at how past CO2 values relate to climate than previous methods.

"This is yet another paper that makes the future look more scary than previously thought by many," said the University of Arizona scientist.

"If anyone still doubts the link between CO2 and climate, they should read this paper."

The new research does not imply that reaching CO2 levels this high would definitely result in huge sea level changes, or that these would happen quickly, Dr Tripati pointed out - just that sustaining such levels on a long timescale might produce such changes.

"There aren't any perfect analogies in the past for climate change today or in the future," she said.

"We can say that we've identified past tipping points for ice sheet stability; the basic physics governing ice sheets that we've known from ice cores are extended further back, and... I think we should use our knowledge of the physics of climate change in the past to prepare for the future."

Averting danger
At the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, governments pledged to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations "at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".

What that level is has been the subject of intense debate down the years; but one figure currently receiving a lot of support is 450ppm.

On Tuesday, for example, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its prescription for tackling climate change, which sees concentrations of greenhouse gases peaking at the equivalent of 510ppm of CO2 before stabilising at 450ppm.

The Boxer-Kerry Bill, which has just entered the US Senate, also cites the 450 figure.

"Trouble is, we don't know where the critical CO2 or temperature threshold is beyond which ice sheet collapse is inevitable," said Dr Overpeck.

"It could be below 450ppm, but it is more likely higher - not necessarily a lot higher - than 450ppm.

"But what this new work suggests is that... efforts to stabilise at 450ppm should avoid going up above that level prior to stabilisation - that is, some sort of 'overshoot' above 450ppm on the way to stabilisation could be playing with fire."

Because of concerns about short-term sea level rise, the Association of Small Island States (Aosis), which includes low-lying countries such as The Maldives, Palau and Grenada, is pushing for adoption of the much lower figure of 350ppm.

But with concentrations already substantially higher, political support for that is scanty outside Aosis members.

Curbing the incidence of fires is a an imperative
The old adage: “Your best friend can be your worst enemy” can certainly hold true for fires. In fact, man’s discovery and eventually being able to control it has perhaps been singly the most important spark in the process of modernisation and industrialisation.

Winslow C. Johnson in his paper “The Early Domestication of Fire” points out:

“Fire gave great advantages to whoever first tamed it. At night, it provided protection from the predators that preyed on pre-humans. It could prove a powerful aid in hunting by improving visibility and stimulating secondary growth of edible plants favoured by game. Fire provides the light necessary to use dark, damp caves as shelter. Most crucially, it provided the warmth necessary for humans to spread out of Africa. It is difficult to imaging the hairless H. erectus living in Northern Europe without knowledge of controlled fire.”

He adds: “The most compelling evidence that early H. erectus managed fire comes from Kenya. There, at Koobi Fora, 1.6 million year old orange patches of earth contain clues about the origins of man-made fire. As with all such finds, it is necessary to demonstrate that these fires were the result of deliberate actions by pre-humans and not the result of a natural event such as a lightning strike. Two features of the patches at Koobi Fora provide highly persuasive evidence that H. erectus controlled fire. The first is the crystalline melting of earth indicating that the fires at these sites burned at around 400 °C. The second is the composition of the plant matter used for fuel, as indicated by phytolith analysis.”

However, in the modern world fires, both natural and man-made have wreaked havoc resulting in huge losses of life and property, as well as being responsible for erasing crucial pieces of history which cannot be recovered.

According to official statistics the U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates in the modern world. In 1998, the U.S. fire death rate was 15.2 deaths per million in the population.

In the year 2000 there was 370,000 home fires in the United States. The result of those fires was 20,000 deaths and burn injuries combined. Just think how many people from around the world die or are injured daily due to home fires. It has been shown that children and the elderly are especially at risk in home fires. This is due to the fact that our children and the elderly are less able to escape a fire. We can improve the chances that our family will survive a home fire by installing smoke alarms and practicing fire safety and how to exit when the alarm sounds.

Each year, approximately 100 firefighters are killed in duty-related incidents.

Every year, fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined.

Fire is the third source of accidental deaths in the home; it has been seen that at least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences.

Each year approximately 2 million fires are reported. Countless others go unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss.

Property losses due directly to fires are estimated at $8.6 billion annually.

The leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S. is cooking. Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical failure of stoves or ovens.

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke alarms, smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.

The second leading cause of residential fires and deaths due to fires is heating. However, heating fires are a larger problem in single family homes than in apartments. Unlike apartments, the heating systems in single family homes are often not professionally maintained.

Arson is both the third leading cause of residential fires and residential fire deaths. In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of deaths, injuries and dollar loss.

In the case of man made fires it is so unfortunate that in most cases they are preventable but carelessness, irresponsible behaviour, faulty electrical circuits, young children being left unattended by adults etc. are some of the common causes of man made fires.

Here in Guyana, the issue of frequent fires and their associated destruction is becoming increasingly one of great concern. For this year alone, almost in every month there has been at least one fire-the most recent being the one in Regent Street which saw a couple of business places razed to the ground resulting in hundreds of millions in losses. A few days before, a house at Boeraserie was destroyed by a mysterious fire. A couple of months ago the Ministry of Health was destroyed by fire in a clear case of arson and shortly after that Region 3 Education Department building was engulfed in flames.

So it is critical that some more attention be paid to the operations of the Guyana Fire Service which over the years has been coming under increasing pressure with the greater frequency of fires.

On this note it is good too see that efforts are being made to boost the capacity of the Fire Service as it recently received a number of fire trucks and other equipment, and as soon as resources allow it is likely that the government would provide more support.

However, it would be wise to simultaneously focus of fire awareness and prevention and building capacity within the Fire Service. As the former is the key in curbing the number of disasters caused by fires which is an imperative if we are to minimise human and material losses.

The Parrot
A cheerleader for slackness
The Parrot is aware that some people always encourage others to do something. This encouragement can be either good or bad. Basically all would agree that these are the only two categories in which people can encourage others. Really?

What about the category of stupidity? Ah ha. I have got you thinking. Now that your thoughts are being zeroed in, some of the things many of you have encouraged others to do and which can now be categorised as being in the realms of stupidity, you may tend to believe that some, if not most of the things some encourage, can be categorised as stupid. No insult intended. Just think. Some of you may not have to pressure your “grey matter” since some of the stupid things you do cannot be forgotten.

Since I am no Librarian, I would not venture to get involved in any form of categorising. My intention is to squawk about some who, based on what is evident, are clearly encouragers of what is categorised as being undesirable. There is a man, a big man with some amount of influence based on his line of work, who seems to be encouraging “slackness”. The man has a paper; newspaper. He has catapulted himself into the unenviable company of some who are known “slackness” encouragers.

Immediately the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and our own long-overripe Mayor of the Capital “garbage” City come to mind. These people represent the closest to the highest “standard” anyone can hope to achieve as a cheerleader for “slackness”. No further explanation is needed to so enlighten anyone or to confirm what is already known. In the case of the WICB and the WIPA, they have effortlessly “-issed” off millions in the Region. They have indeed achieved much and must be “awarded” for their efforts in promoting “slackness”. What? There must an award they can get; “Rotten Potatoes Award” or the “Ganda-Egg Award”. I am sure you can be creative and can think of a few others.

In the case of the Mayor…, do I really have to add another word in explaining? Do I? No? Thanks for being considerate on my typing “wings”. But back to the man in question; the cheerleader of “slackness” and who is the basic subject of this squawk. This man has his own mechanism to so “promote” his “slackness” and even has people to assist. He has publicly taken umbrage when another man tries to promote “unslackness”. This “unslack” man has been relentless in his efforts to “deslack” the country. Dem boys seh that this said “deslack” man always straightening things out. They want to know how he does it when his name connotes differently; Benn, the Son of Robe.

This Son of Robe has not been afraid to take on the established cheerleaders of “slackness”. He even confronted the Mayor on many occasions on which he had to enlist the services of an excavator (Hymac) to “uproot” a sitting Mayor (no pun intended) who sat immovable upon an illegal structure on Camp Street which the Son of Robe was about to “de-illegalise”. The rest is history; the excavator was extremely effective. Recently, this said Son of Robe took actions to rid the Lamaha embankment of its last remaining illegal occupant. The others voluntarily left after being given adequate notice. All were asked to vacate the stretch of land so that the improvements in the electricity sector can continue unabated.

After all, all including the Mayor and the big man referred to above, complain everyday how Uncle Bharrat, not Uncle Prezie Bharrat, the other Bharrat over at the GPL (Getting People Livid) can’t fully “de-blackout” the place. In fairness to this Uncle Bharrat, the improvement process does entail a period of inconvenience. However, the illegal occupant referred to wanted to prolong this period. The Son of Robe would have none of it. He descended, with excavator and all (seems his equipment of choice) and proceeded to rid the embankment of its encumbrance. In the process, the occupants arrived and shouted KP, KP. The sounds were muffled given the sounds made by the excavator. By the time it travelled to the Son of Robe, (not the excavator, the KP sounds), he gave a “thumbs up” and signalled the operator to continue. He thought the shouters were shouting “Keep Pushing, Keep Pushing”; KP, KP.

Again, the rest is history. The Mayor chimed in and so did the big man referred to. It didn’t end there. Days after, on the Coast west of Demerara, similar illegal encumbrances were discovered at a place of “public staying”. Some actions were taken. The big man again took umbrage. He put a big-big picture on the front page of his paper. He showed that a place for kissing, a bridge, was also “de-legalised”. Why emphasis on the bridge? Anyway, not to be distracted, this big man and his paper, the name of which is synonymous with water, give much prominence favourable to those whose growing menace in the construction of illegal structures on parapets and reserves, continues. His public support for such and his opposition to the efforts of the Son of Robe are clear testimonies to his cheerleading skills in a choreographed routine of “slackness” encouragement.

The Parrot was, at first, puzzled in trying to understand this man’s real motive for such encouragement in the last of the three categories mentioned above. My “puzzlement” is over. The man is on a campaign; a campaign to either become a member of the West Indies Cricket Board or to join the overripe Mayor.

Watch out Hammie, the Son of Robe may no longer have to deploy his excavator, the Waterfall paper man is lurking. Squawk! Squawk!

Kissoon’s boundless distortions are troubling
IT is amazing that Freddie Kissoon and company continues to besmear this Government and stylistically refer to it as “a tyrannical elected dictatorship”.

If this government were so authoritarian and hitlerite, then would it have allowed them to spew their diatribe everyday in the print media? The public should note that the Kissoon and company’s diatribes only serve to torment the lives of Guyanese people and to do great disservice to this country.

This fellow Kissoon will have a lot to answer for, because his distortions are boundless.
ELIZABETH DALY

Good sense should prevail
I find it strange that Guyana is not following the ruling of the CCJ and not reinstating the CET on cement.

We are all aware that the rice market is being manipulated and Europe is definitely not a future for our rice. CARICOM, South America and Central America will have to be targeted for markets. Fortunately we still have some protection in CARICOM with the 25% CET on rice.

This tariff causes the price of extra-regional rice to increase by 25 % on the CIF cost making extra regional rice very uncompetitive to Guyana.

Before the CCJ was established it was highlighted at COTED that member states were not paying the CET on rice although a wavier was not granted as in the case of the cement issue with Guyana and the TCL group. One was told that there was no mechanism to prosecute or penalise anyone for this infringement. However with the establishment of the CCJ, issues of the illegal waivers can be brought to this institution as with the case of cement issues between the TCL Group and Guyana.

Besides reneging on an organisation that was legally formed by member states including Guyana one can assume that no one will want to pay the CET for rice from extra-regional source anymore.

Thus Guyana will lose a very lucrative market for its rice and one should bear in mind that this same market if Haiti and the Dominican Republic are included can consume all of Guyana’s rice production, resulting in a bright future for the local rice industry.

I hope that good sense will prevail and the result will be that Guyana will not be sending the wrong signal where the waiver of CET is concerned as we have more to lose than to gain.
BENI SANKAR

Freddie’ misrepresentations corrected
I write to correct several misrepresentations from Freddie Kissoon. In his column of September 30, Freddie, in a response to Speaker Ramkarran, incorrectly paraphrased Mike Persaud’s letter published in SN (Sep 22) and KN (Sep 26). This is vintage Freddie misrepresenting what others penned. His interpretations are far from reflecting what Persaud wrote.

This is what Persaud penned: “What is NACTA? Let us say NACTA is a name invented by Bisram and a few of his teaching buddies. Originally it was indeed founded by about half-a-dozen chaps of his ilk. … NACTA is not Gallup or Harris or some million-dollar polling organisation. All of Bisram’s polling work is done …. with some simple polling/statistical software. NACTA does not need to have websites, etc; it is not a commercial enterprise. … Mr. Kissoon is … fanatical in his claim that no poll was done and Bisram pulled the numbers out of thin air. Well there is a hard copy of each and every questionnaire” (that was filled out for the poll). Mr. Bisram collected the questionnaires and did what any pollster would do – organise, tabulate and maybe fed the numbers to his computer. The software crunched the numbers … Mr. Bisram reported his results (SN Sept 22).

The point Persaud was making was that one does not need a website or an organisation to conduct polls – a sharp rebuke of Freddie who insists Bisram needs a website and a teachers organisation in order to do polls.

How does the above quote translate into what Freddie penned: “Persaud concluded that there is no group named NACTA and that Bisram does his extrapolations on Guyana from a particular type of software” (KN Sep 30). Persaud made no such claim and he rebuked Freddie in both of his letters as well as on SN blog of Sep 24. In the blog as well as in a in a note sent to Bisram, Persaud concluded that “Something is wrong with Freddie’s brain. He has a mad streak in him. I never said that there is no group named NACTA. On the contrary, I know the teachers associated with NACTA because I worked with some of them during the struggle for free and fair elections”.

Freddie’s interpretation of Persaud is disgustingly dishonest and Persaud made that known in his SN blog (Sep 24).

Freddie penned: “On September 14, the editor carried a note saying he will no longer publish letters on the Bisram controversy”. That is not factual.

The SN editor appended the following remark to a missive from Freddie (SN 24): “The correspondence on the issue of Mr. Bisram’s polls is now closed”.

How does the editor’s note translate into Freddie’s conclusion “They are finished with Bisram over there (meaning SN)? This is another misrepresentation of other’s writings. When will Freddie stop the dishonesty?

Freddie penned: “Only Ramkarran in Guyana believes Bisram is a reputable New York pollster. In the meantime, Mr. Ramkarran should continue looking for a phantom organisation named NACTA.”

Mike Persaud affirmed in his missive in SN on Sep 22 that the "Bisram" polls are credible. He also said he knows the founders of the organisation. Annan Boodram also confirms, in several pieces in SN, KN, and GC on different dates that he knows the founders and affiliates of NACTA and some of the individuals who travelled with Bisram to conduct the polls. Vassan Ramracha and Ravi Dev confirmed in several pieces in KN that they know of NACTA.

Ravi Dev wrote that even though he was very close to most of the principals, Bisram never once played around with the findings of my polls. In the heyday of ROAR, when they were pulling mammoth crowds to their rallies (and the PPP was running scared) Bisram’s showed small support for ROAR. NACTA has always been credible.

What Freddie is upset about is that his wild speculations - presented invariably in categorical assertions - are just as invariably proven to be wrong. To cover for his unscientific and anti-academic habits, he resorts to distortions, ad hominem attacks and change of subjects. He is very practiced in the art of misdirection. With his daily columns, he has become the Guyanese Goebells who believes that if he repeats his lies often enough they will be accepted as "truth" by the unsuspecting. He has been allowed to get away with this tactic because no one wanted to waste too much time on his mud slinging.
VASSAN RAMRACHA

Construction boom demanded importation of cement from other sources
GUYANA's construction boom requires a reliable source of adequate supplies of cement; therefore, if Trinidad Cement Limited and its Guyana subsidiary cannot meet this demand, the government must allow other imports.

T.C.L continuously demonstrates its unreliability and five CARICOM countries have had their economies negatively impacted by the unavailability of cement.

As a result, the GOG has had to resort to a waiver of the CET to allow importers to meet the demands for cement.

What can be so wrong about this?

The GOG had no other choice! Guyanese were clamouring for an intervention as some businesses charged enormous sums for what ever cement was available.

Why must our country's infrastructural development be hinging on the whims and fancies of a Trinidadian company that is only concerned with profits?
TROY TYRELL

At the end of the day the structures are illegal
I have seen over the years that a lot of people have been building structures of a varying nature on government reserves, filling in drains that are necessary in the drainage network in communities, taking up part of the road shoulder and hampering the flow of traffic.

All of these things have been happening and even though, for the cases that have been publicised, there were repeated notices to these people, it has been business as usual as these people disregard the laws and carry on their lawlessness and blatant disrespect for others.

What strikes me as funny, however, is the fact that a well known newspaper that is quick to point out what it deems to be corruption makes it look as though government is wrong to have these structures removed. If the Kaieteur News examines the by-laws of the City and the building codes, it would see that all of these people are in clear violation of those laws and codes.

Instead of jumping on the bandwagon and blowing a trumpet, the newspaper should take some time to get some research done on this issue and pay attention to what has been happening. Government has been working to ensure that the parapets and other reserves are free of encumbrances, and the newspaper would be aware of the dangers that these illegal structures pose.

The point is that at the end of the day these structures are illegal and must be removed. Why when these structures are being removed after due notice is given as in the case of the K.P Thomas issue, why do the media see it as Minister Benn having a personal vendetta against whoever owns the particular structure? Am I to believe that in criticising the authorities for removing these structures that the Kaieteur News is condoning such behaviour and feels that the lawlessness should be allowed to proliferate?
LAURA SINGH

Can people have improved living standards without development?
FREDDIE Kissoon is always quick to criticise government for everything under the sun, but there is one issue that struck me as quite hypocritical considering the way things actually are.

I have read Freddie’s columns and something strikes me as funny because on one hand the man states that there has been no improvement in the entire country; that Guyana has not developed in all these years, yet his personal situation suggests otherwise.

How can a man of Freddie’s standing in terms of profession and otherwise, be able to live in such a posh house in an expensive neighbourhood, a place where the ordinary man cannot afford a piece of land to build a modest house, much less a huge three-storey building? If Guyana has not developed then how would Freddie be able to purchase an expensive modern vehicle, a type of which has only been imported under this administration?

How could he publicly profess that there has been no development when his living standards show clearly that there have been the necessary conditions in this country for this to be possible? His claims are proven once again to be baseless, without proof and he lacks any credibility as he openly and clearly contradicts himself.

In terms of his wealth, his standing has over the years improved ten fold.

Today he has a daily column where he openly criticises the government, making claims which any right minded Guyanese would see are completely fake and has to do more with his bitterness than anything else.

There are many persons who openly criticise government and who have been doing quite well including Mr. C.N Sharma who has a lucrative business, drives modern vehicles and is affluent in the business community; Mark Benschop is another such example who drives one of the most expensive models of vehicles, the likes of which even the middle class man cannot afford; there is also Lincoln Lewis who has what can only be called a ‘palace’ on the East Coast.

No wonder therefore when you see these men together, as they are not just together as a result of their commonalities in their achievement of wealth.
YVONNE MARSHALL

Protest photo tells it all
FREDDIE continues to call President Jagdeo the "little dictator" while others are calling Freddie "idiot".

He is most powerful behind a computer typing his daily rubbish while looking like the "idiot" he is when protesting with the likes of Benschop and Lewis.

I wrote before and will write it again for Freddie until he fully understands.

In Friday's edition of Stabreok News most Guyanese saw Freddie protesting with those three clowns.

Freddie looked so scared to death by not wanting to have his placard with his say like the three others and dressed like a street bum thinking no one would recognise him.

SN then took a picture to make it appear as though Freddie were there asking the three clowns a question.

Some SN anti-government bloggers said it is not Freddie but a couple of SN bloggers knew Freddie and knew it was him.

Again Freddie, I must tell you that your heart, mind and soul know what they are doing is wrong but you have no other choice now but to stick with them. The protest picture of you in SN just standing there tells it all.

That's how they want you to be; be seen and not heard. When their agenda is met they will wipe their dirty feet on you.

Oh yes Freddie, the picture tells where your heart, mind and soul really are. Like I said before and will say again, you are the "seen jumbie."
T. KING

City Hall littered with squandermania, unaccountability
IF there was ever a university to teach squandermania, unaccountability, irresponsibility and ignorance, the City Hall would qualify hands down.

To look at the make up of this place would show that those who work there should be farmers, uneducated and working in the Rupununi Savannahs. Through some by-law this place was made to take care of the city, but it has been prostituted by illiterates because of this thing called democracy and hence everyone has a vote and can tell educated people how to run things no matter if they run them into the ground. Give certain people money to handle and they get wild. What has happened to the last Town Clerk? Isn’t she under investigation? And this new one – is she capable of running such an organisation? Look at the Treasurer’s Department, isn’t it under investigation? A one time treasury head is doing well in private business on the highway in south Georgetown near to the Sports Complex. Isn’t there some way that we can get rid of the City Council? How much are the salaries of the Mayor, deputy and other workers in the council? What were their assets before 2000?

From the records in the office of the City Hall can we know if these individuals have paid up their annual taxes? Could we have a read out of the properties each one owns and when was it acquired and price paid? This is not too much to ask. It is done all over the world especially now that the USA has a law for the President who is spending taxpayers’ money like crazy.

Is it true that he has already laid the keel for the largest aircraft carrier which will be named Bommer? “You get it for nutten you eat it like a glutton.” It is sad to see this once proud nation is on its way down. God help America.

As I said, there is no audit company here in Guyana which can give an honest report on the state of the City Council for all the players are either connected by relations or deep set affiliations. Only by hiring an organisation like the RCMP to look into the alleged corruption in the City Council will the people be satisfied.
CONCERNED CITIZEN

My February salary has been embezzled
I read a letter in Kaieteur News for Saturday, October 10, 2009 with the caption, “Teacher suspects her salary has been embezzled”. It was written by someone who claims to be me, “Salome Hooper”. I am disappointed that the individual who seemed to be au fait with pertinent information about my embezzled salary chose to use my name instead.

However, I am gracious to that individual for positing that the regional education authorities are mum about my salary for February 2009.

It is time that the Minister of Education responds because my salary for February 2009 has been embezzled.
SALOME HOOPER

To award a prize on hope suggests naivety
THE award of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama is arguably one of the most absurd awards that the Nobel committee has ever made. Highly patronising it will be received with incredulity around the world. In fact, there’s rarely been an award that has been so obviously partisan and political in its intention.

The award is apparently an encouragement to America’s first black president and a way of saying we hope that there is going to be a new direction in Washington’s policy. However, all of this undermines the point of a Nobel Peace prize.

Obama has only been in office since the beginning of the year and while his foreign peace aims are noble, his achievements are rather few. He’s done nothing in the Middle East and nothing to improve relations with the Russians.

In his own homeland he has actually undermined peace by becoming the most pro-abortion President ever to be elected. Former Nobel winner Mother Teresa once said that "the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion."

To award a prize simply on hope suggests a naivety and a blindness that I think will only damage the value of the prize and diminish its value to all its previous winners.
TOM RICHARDSON
Port of Spain, Trinidad

Good conscience is worth infinitely more than false pleasures
PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s snub of the Dalai Lama to appease communist China is yet a further indication of his desire to elevate the state above religion and replace democracy with socialism.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, one of the most remarkable Americans of the 20th century once remarked in contrast: "Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved; there can be no world peace unless there is soul peace."

The vast majority of people today think of peace as something that comes inherently with the accumulation of wealth, fame and power. They think that the more material things they have and the more they are liked by others the happier they will be. But sooner or later most realise that material gain and empty friendships become boring and even disgusting.

Peace, however, is not something found “here” or “there” but rather it is something already in our midst.

Three things are necessary for peace: the subjection of the passions to the intellect, the subjection of the body to the soul and the subjection of the whole person to God. Once these are achieved we become cleansed of past sins and safeguarded from committing future sins.

Man has nothing to lose but the chains of sin, which darkens his intellect and weakens his will. Instead of proclaiming the praises of wealth and power, let us acknowledge to ourselves and others that there are other sources of happiness and success. Let us convince ourselves and others that virtue carries with it rewards even in this world and that the peace of a good conscience is worth infinitely more than false pleasures.
PAUL KOKOSKI

“It was sweet revenge for our loss in the prelims”-Fudadin
By Calvin Roberts

Berbice’s skipper Assad Fudadin receives the El Dorado trophy from Demerara Distillers Limited Wines and Spirits brand manager Maria Munroe.

SKIPPER of the victorious Berbice team which humiliated Demerara by 107 runs to win the 2009 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) El Dorado Inter-county tournament Assad Fudadin said the victory was sweet revenge for his team’s loss in the preliminary round.

“After our dismal showing with the bat in the preliminary round match at Wales, we sat down and looked at our positives, from which we built our confidence coming into this match today (Saturday) and we knew that once we stick to our game plan, we would be victorious, and this is sweet revenge for that loss.”

The 25 year old Fudadin who is also a national middle order batsman and was appointed skipper of the senior team this year asked his batsmen to deliver and they did so perfectly, with openers Sewnarine Chattergoon who struck a defiant century and Richard Ramdeen adding 127 for the first wicket.

“They (Demerara) shook our batting lineup early at Wales, where Barnwell and Carmichael was getting the ball to do things, but one of the matters which surfaced from our meeting after that game was the batting of our top order which did not click in that game.

I had the confidence that they would have done so today, since ‘Chattas’ (Chattergoon) and the rest of the guys expressed confidence going into the match and I knew that once our bowlers got a decent total to work with, Demerara would find themselves struggling against our attack” said Fudadin.

He continued, “Prior to the start of the game, I had a look at the pitch and was looking at a score in the vicinity of 275- 290, but to get 43 more runs, thanks to the efforts of ‘Ringo’(Deonarine) and the middle order who built on the start provided by the openers.”

“Our bowlers must come in for some praise, as they did an excellent job with the ball taking wickets at intervals and with a different score from what we made at Wales, we knew it would he an herculean task for Demerara to achieve, especially against our slower bowlers in Bishoo, Permaul, Royston Crandon, Deonarine and Chattergoon.”

His next move is to win the GCB four day competition for Berbice, thus completing an historic double in his first year as captain of the Ancient County team.

“As a young cricketer growing up and hearing about the feats of Basil Butcher, Clayton Lambert, Andre Percival and all the other illustrious cricketers from Berbice who led the side, I always wanted to be alongside them and do so one day.

Being named captain of the team this year helped me realise that dream and to win the El Dorado trophy this year, is a tremendous boost but what would make it better would be claiming the four day title as well and with the present form of the team, I am confident we can do so and complete the double.”

Fudadin is hoping to take his present form with the bat into the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s Cup limited overs tournament which is set to commence in two weeks time right here in Guyana, once he finds favour with the selectors.

“I am full of confidence with the bat at the moment and all I want to do is go out there and put my best foot forward for Guyana. We have not been doing well at the Regional level over the past year, as we failed to make the final four in the upcoming tournament last year, as well as finish in the cellar position of the four day competition.

Taking into consideration the present form of our West Indies players in the caliber of Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dowlin, Royston Crandon and Deonarine and with a support staff in the caliber of Chattergoon, Christopher Barnwell and myself amongst others who are all expected to be in the lineup for Guyana in this upcoming tournament, there is no way we cannot make it to the final four and even the finals and lift the trophy.”

“Such a feat would be a boost in the arm of cricket in the country as at the moment, we are going through a drought when it comes to success and personally, I would like to make an impact with the bat if I am selected, to help restore some pride and joy to Guyana’s cricket” said Fudadin.

The selectors, who were present at the final met and selected a 20 man squad from which the final 14 will be selected to represent Guyana who is grouped with Barbados, Leeward islands and the West Indies Under-19 teams in zone B.

Selectors shortlist 25 for Regional and GCB T20 fundraiser
-Nagamootoo, Heyliger and Foo included
FOLLOWING the completion of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) El Dorado Inter-county limited overs tournament, the senior selection panel led by its chairman Claude Raphael, named a 24 man squad from which the final 14 will be selected to represent Guyana in the Regional President’s Cup limited overs as well as the GCB Twenty20 Festival next weekend.

All- rounders in Essequibo’s Dillon Heyliger and Berbice’s Jonathan Foo, left- arm orthodox spinner Saudi Drepaul along with Berbice skipper Assad Fudadin and Richard Ramdeen have found themselves amongst the 24 which includes dependable West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Also included in the lineup are discarded Demerara players in wicketkeeper/batsman Derwin Christian and off- spinning all rounder Dion Ferrier, while Shemroy Barrington who made way for another West Indies batsman Travis Dowlin in the GCB/El Dorado final and Trevon Garraway have been included.

The Region’s leading first- class wicket taker Mahendra Nagamootoo who was overlooked by Berbice for the GCB’s four day four team tournament, also found favour with the selectors whilst Essequibo’s hard working medium fast bowler Trevor Benn failed to do so.

The full 24 man squad which is asked to report to the Georgetown Cricket Club tomorrow from 09:00h for training and practice sessions are Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Travis Dowlin, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Christopher Barnwell, Narsingh Deonarine, Richard Ramdeen, Royston Crandon, Shemroy Barrington, Gajanand Singh, Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Dillon Heyliger, Delbert Hicks, Esaun Crandon, Veerasammy Permaul, Davendra Bishoo, Brandon Bess, Trevon Garraway, Sauid Drepaul, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Jonathan Foo, Leon Johnson, Derwin Christian and Dion Ferrier.

Champions League twenty20
T&T ready to face Somerset in historic match today
BANGALORE, India, (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago skipper Daren Ganga will lead his eager Caribbean side into their first Champions League Twenty20 assignment today against English county Somerset at the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium.

The T&T players were buoyant during Sunday’s training session at the match venue and team captain Daren Ganga is talking tough ahead of their campaign at the US$6 million tournament.

Somerset sent shock waves through the southern part of India when they stunned reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) Champions and Group A favourites Deccan Chargers by one wicket in a last-ball victory on Saturday.

But Ganga is unperturbed by that result and insists there is no change to his team’s plans to face Somerset.

“When we set off to India, we were always targeting two wins in the preliminary rounds. Although Somerset was not boasting the stars like the Chargers, we know that they are a champion team from England and that our work would be cut out for us,” Ganga said.

“We need to win both games, as we look ahead and we are confident that we can pull it off starting Monday.”

Ganga believes that his team’s depth in batting will be the key to the outcome.

“We bat all the way down and this is very important in this form of the game.”

“Also we have some very experienced players and guys like Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul and myself will be looking to lead the way.”

Meanwhile, manager of the T&T team Colin Borde said his guys are ready for a battle they have been planning for months ago.

“Preparation for this tournament started months ago in Trinidad and tomorrow when we take the field, we are hopeful to reap our rewards.

“I keep telling people that this is the biggest tournament T&T would ever play in and doing well here is crucial for the further development of the game back home. The team has settled well in India, we have been treated royally by a very professional IPL unit and I must say that at this point I cannot complain much, I just hope the guys can go out there and deliver.”

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

SOMERSET - Justin Langer (captain) Omari Banks, Charl Willoughby, Max Waller, ME Trescothick, Peter Trego, Alfonso Thomas, Arul Suppiah, Ben Phillips, PS Jones, Jos Buttler, Wes Durston, James Hildreth, Craig Kieswetter.

Archer, Pereira Memorial Cycle meet
McKay wins feature 15-lap event
By Michael DaSilva

Warren McKay (left) out sprints Alonzo Greaves and Leer Nunes to win the feature 15-lap event of the Continental Cycle Club’s 3rd annual Marlis Archer and Maxie Pereira Mmorial Cycle Race meet yesterday (Sonell Nelson photo).

WARREN McKay returned one hour 29 minutes 52 seconds in winning the feature 15-lap event in the 3rd Annual Marlis Archer, Maxie Pereira Cycle Road race yesterday.

The day’s 10-race programme which was sponsored by the Alliance For Change (AFC) opposition party was well supported by both cyclists as well as fans and supporters of cycling.

Apart from McKay’s winning effort, there were other outstanding performances from both BMX and racing bike riders, including Raymond Perez, Geron Williams and former national champion Randolph `Randy’ Toussiant.

In winning the feature event, McKay also won six of the 15 prime prizes that were up for grabs, while Robin Persaud who placed fifth overall won four primes.

Alonzo Greaves who placed second to McKay as well as Geron Williams who finished fourth overall won two prime prizes each, while Eric Sankar who dropped out of the race during the 13th lap won the other prime.

Leer Nunes who was partly responsible for McKay winning the event settled for third overall while Alex Mendes ended sixth.

The 15-lap event attracted more than 25 starters and went off at a fast pace with Robin Persaud taking the lead during the first lap, but from the second lap, McKay made his intentions known by taking up the lead position ahead of Persaud and Alonzo Greaves respectively while the others played a `Cat and Mouse’ game, eying each other.

The pace was intense during the third lap, causing McKay to kick down, but still maintaining the lead over the chasing pack which was headed by Greaves.

The pattern remained the same during the following two laps and it was during the sixth lap that Greaves and Raymond Newton inched closer to him while the others were approximately 200 metres away, led by Williams with Christopher Holder and Nunes following closely behind.

During the next lap, Williams, Newton, Persaud and Nunes along with a few others connected to McKay and Persaud attacked and led at the end of the eight lap, but Sankar countered and led at the completion of lap nine.

Not intended to give up the fight, McKay retaliated during the next lap and took up the lead position once more and held on to it for another lap before Persaud overtook him with Williams hot on his (Persaud) back wheel, followed by McKay and Nunes respectively.

Williams then attacked during the next lap and led Nunes, Persaud, McKay and Greaves.

With three laps remaining, Greaves surged to the front and led Williams, Persaud, Nunes and McKay by approximately 50 metres with Sankar struggling way off the pace.

Williams then took up the lead position during the following lap and led by approximately 20 metres from Nunes, Greaves and McKay and after receiving the bell for the final lap, Nunes, sensing McKay was struggling, worked with him (McKay) and took him back into the leading bunch and it was at this point that McKay called on his strength and experience as a sprinter to out-sprint Greaves to the line, winning by approximately five bicycle lengths.

In other results from the day’s activity, Williams won the five-lap race for junior and juveniles ahead of Christopher Persaud, Christopher Holder and Enzo Matthews respectively.

Persaud won the eight-lap race for categories one to four riders.

Second was Sankar, while Tony Simone, Newton and Jamal Nichols occupied the other top respective positions.

Newton won the three-lap event for veterans under 50 years of age ahead of Eon Jackson and Andre Spencer respectively while U.S. based former national champion Randy Toussaint was first among the veterans over 50 years of age. Second was Robert Beaton and third Compton Persaud.

The two-lap race for upright cyclists was won by Richard Charles while Keon Thomas and Kester Cole placed second and third respectively.

Perez won the boys 6-9 years as well as the boys 9-12 years BMX races.

Crystal Blackman and Danesh Raghubeer placed second and third respectively in the 6-9 years category, while Darius Ramsammy was second in the 9-12 race and Christopher Griffith third.

The BMX boys 12-14 years event was won by Brandon Baker ahead of Ravendra Rodrigues and Mark Harris respectively.

Marcia Dick and Naiomi Singh finished first and second respectively in the girls 12-14 racing cycle race.

The day’s event was staged to remember the contribution that Archer and Pereira made during their tenure as secretary and president respectively of the Continental Cycle Club before being gunned down in Duncan Street three years ago.

GCB/ El Dorado Inter-county final
Chatters hits ton as Berbice humiliate Demerara by 107 runs
-Half centuries for Deonarine, Ramdeen and Barnwell
By Calvin Roberts
DIMUNITIVE opener Sewnarine Chattergoon struck a century and along with half centuries from Narsingh Deonarine and Richard Ramdeen, guided Berbice to a humiliating 107 runs victory over defending champions Demerara in the final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ El Dorado Inter-county limited overs tournament at the Guyana National Stadium, last Saturday night.

Chattergoon made 102, while Deonarine’s unbeaten 74 and Ramdeen’s 62 guided the new champions to 333-5 from their 50 overs, before they held Demerara to 206-9 from their quota of overs of which national all rounder Christopher Barnwell made 69.

Having won the toss and opting to take first strike on a slow wicket in hot conditions, Berbice got a rampant start from Chattergoon and Ramdeen who posted 127 for the first wicket from 23.1 overs, with Chattergoon setting the scene for his team, with two fours off the bowling of Barnwell (2-81) in the first over of the day.

Another four through mid-wicket by Chattergoon off Barnwell in the third over pushed the score to 18-0, before Ramdeen got into the act by hitting Barnwell whose first five overs went for 37 runs, through the cover region for four, as Berbice’s 50 was realised in the 10th over.

The runs continued to flow off the bat of Chattergoon who was given several lives by the Demerara fielders who seemed to be waiting for something to happen instead of making it happen, as all their bowlers except Kellon Carmichael, did not look the part in the final.

Carmichael conceded 48 runs from his 10 overs of medium pace while Steven Jacobs who was unfortunate not to have picked up more than the solitary wicket of Chattergoon contributed 76 runs to the Berbice batting total from his 10 overs.

Demerara skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan seemed to have no answer to the rampant Ancient County openers, using his five main bowlers in Barnwell, Carmichael, Jacobs, Sauid Drepaul who took five wickets in the first round against minnows Essequibo and his deputy Zaheer Mohammed before the 20th over, all to no avail.

Chattergoon and Ramdeen treated all the bowlers with scant respect as they motored along their merry way for their team, hitting boundary after boundary enroute to their half centuries, with the latter hitting Drepaul for a six over midwicket followed by two fours from successive deliveries.

Cramps in his right leg became the focus of attention for Ramdeen after passing his 50 from 57 deliveries, hitting six fours and one six , it was only a matter of time before he was dismissed, with same happening via the run out route.

He turned a delivery from Jacobs to short midwicket and set off for the run, but Chattergoon who responded in the positive before saying no after making a few steps out of his crease, did not go through with same, leaving Ramdeen half way, as Mohammed lobbed in his return to wicketkeeper Joseph Perry.

It brought their 127 runs first wicket partnership which took 23 overs to compile, to an end, with Ramdeen facing 67 balls and hitting seven fours and one six up to the time of his demise, with Chattergoon on 60.

Skipper Assad Fudadin (34) who was brimming with confidence coming into this match, joined Chattergoon and they added a further 71 for the second wicket, with Chattergoon who was dropped by Carmichael at point off Drepaul, posting his century in fine style when he pulled Drepaul through midwicket for four.

He faced 115 deliveries and struck 10 of it for four and watched from the other end, as his skipper pulled a short delivery from Drepaul into the mound for six, before he was brilliantly taken by Mohammed over his head at cover from a lofted but full blooded drive off Barnwell.

Deonarine joined Chattergoon and it was from here the newly crowned champions’ innings took another gear, even though they lost the latter who was bowled by Jacobs after giving himself room to pull a delivery through forward square for 102 from 119 balls with 10 fours.

A rampant Deonarine who utilised 44 balls for his unbeaten 74 hitting 10 fours and one six punished anything short and loose and along with Royston Crandon (16) who sent Jacobs sailing over long on for six, added a quick fire 41 from four overs for Berbice.

National Under-19 all rounder Jonathan Foo was dropped by Leon Johnson at deep midwicket off Jacobs and he responded by hitting the next delivery harder over the same position and into the stands for his lone maximum to go along with his two fours for his 29 made off 18 deliveries.

Deonarine struck Barnwell through midwicket for four before he was dropped later in his innings by the same fielder in the final over, prior to which he initiated 24 from a Jacobs over which included two fours and two sixes struck by himself and Foo.

Carmichael redeemed himself for the catches he grassed, when he removed Royston Crandon to end with 1-48 from his 10 overs but at that stage, the salt was already soaked and beginning to dry itself in Demerara’s wound, as Berbice ended on 333-5 at the end of their 50 overs.

When Demerara began their reply, a pugnacious looking Barnwell took the fight to the Berbicians by hitting Esaun Crandon back over his head twice for boundaries in the third over as Demerara raced to 17 without loss.

His partner a sedate looking Rajendra Chandrika (03) did not last long to cause any problems, as he picked out Fudadin who ran back from mid off to long off to hold onto a skier off the bowling of Brandon Bess (1-27).

Barnwell struck a Bess no ball through mid on for four and after being bowled by the free hit which unfortunately for Bess and Berbice was another no ball, he responded by hitting the next delivery (a free hit) for four.

West Indies middle order batsman Travis Dowlin was his partner at the other end and he showed his finesse to the crowd, when he caressed Bess elegantly through extra cover for four while Barnwell pushed Esaun Crandon past mid on for another one of his eight fours.

They added 72 for the second wicket from 13 overs, with Barnwell who was dropped by Esaun Crandon at long off when he attempted to hit Veerasammy Permaul somewhere into the mound, cutting the said bowler through point for four then watched as Dowlin hoisted him into the mound for a maximum.

Chattergoon, who replaced Bess at the Pavilion End, accounted for Dowlin who was adjudged lbw for 31 made off 29 deliveries with two fours and one six and his demise brought Sarwan who was once labeled the world’s best finisher in limited overs cricket to the wicket.

Barnwell added 10 with his skipper before Royston Crandon (3-33) knocked back his leg stump with his first delivery and when Gajanand Singh (10) who hit the same bowler two balls later for four through midwicket was bowled in his next over, Demerara were 130-4.

Both Jacobs and Johnson who made 10 each, found the going rough against the all spin attack which was in operation for Berbice and they succumbed easily, with Johnson going to the Crandon combination, caught by Esaun off Royston who took a stunner diving to his right at point to remove Jacobs off Bishoo.

It became 165-7 with the dismissal of Sarwan who survived a confident appeal for a catch at the wicket off Royston Crandon, then was given a life by Esaun Crandon who grassed one running in from long off, after which he struck Devendra Bishoo (3-27) through twice over extra cover for four, was caught by Deonarine off Royston Crandon.

It was not how soon Demerara would be bowled out after Sarwan’s dismissal, but how much they would make as Berbice ensured the tight rein they had was never loose, and at the end of 50 overs Demerara found themselves 107 runs short with Drepaul and Perry being the not out batsmen on 19 and 2 respectively and their team 206-9, thus handing Berbice the title without too much of a fight.

Berbice received the beautiful El Dorado trophy and $100,000, leaving Demerara to settle for the runner-up prize of $50,000 while Chattergoon walked away with $15,000 and a trophy as his spoils after being adjudged the man of the match.

Photo caption: Berbice opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon leaves the field after his superbl 102 against Demerara in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) El Dorado final.

BERBICE innings
S. Chattergoon b Jacobs 102
R. Ramdeen run out (Jacobs) 66
A. Fudadin c Mohammed b Barnwell 34
N. Deonarine not out 74
R. Crandon lbw Carmichael 16
J. Foo c Carmichael b Barnwell 25
E. Crandon not out 00

Extras: 12w, 2b, 2lb 16

Total for 5 wickets off 50 overs 333

Fall of wickets: 1-127 (Ramdeen); 2-198 (Fudadin); 3-222 (Chattergoon); 4-263 (R. Crandon); 5-321(Foo)

Bowling: Barnwell 10-0 -81-2, Carmichael 10-1-48-1, Jacobs 10- 0- 76-1, Drepaul 8-0-59-0, Mohammed 9-0-47-0, Singh 3-0-18-0

DEMERARA innings
C. Barnwell b R. Crandon 69
R. Chandrika c Fudadin b Bess 03
T. Dowlin lbw Chattergoon 31
R. Sarwan c Deonarine b Permaul 29
G. Singh b R. Crandon 09
L. Johnson b R. Crandon 10
S. Jacobs c E. Crandon b Bishoo 10
Z. Mohammed stp Hicks b Bishoo 17
S. Drepaul not out 19
K. Carmichael c wkpr Hicks b Bishoo 01
J. Perry not out 02
Extras: 4w, 3nb, 5lb 12

Total for 9 wickets off 50 overs 206

Fall of wicket: 1-33 (Chandrika); 2-105 (Dowlin); 3-115 (Barnwell); 4-130 (Singh); 5-154 (Johnson); 6-165 (Jacobs); 7-165 (Sarwan);8-195(Mohammed); 9-199(Carmichael); 10().

Bowling: E. Crandon 7-0-34-0, Bess 4-0-27-1, Chattergoon 10-0-37-1, Permaul 10-0-40-1, R. Crandon 8-0-33-3, Bishoo 10-0-27-3, Fudadin 1-0-

GAPF Seniors set for Cliff Anderson Sports Hall
THE Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) will be holding its annual Senior's Championship as well as the 2010 Regional championships qualifier on October 25, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

In an effort to get local lifters familiar to the international requirements, set by the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) standards as much as possible, which includes the registration format.

Interested lifters are expected to fill out the registration forms which can be uplifted from any executive member or at Basic Beauty Salon on North Road and after doing so, return same to any member of the GAPF or Basic Beauty Salon on or before 20th October, failing which the lifter will not be able to participate in the championships.

According to a GAPF press release, weigh in starts at 7:30 am and concludes at 9:00 am on the date of the championships and any lifter attempting to weigh in after the close off time, will not be allowed to compete.

Equipment will be checked according to IPF standards and no exceptions will be made for any reason and with such in mind, the GAPF wishes its lifters to uplift their forms and get familiar with the rules as early as possible as this is an opportunity to compete in an international championship held locally.

But just as with international meets, discipline will be enforced, and no standard will be compromised.

Costa Ricans sink T&T in first match under Simoes
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, (CMC) – Costa Rica, behind new coach Rene Simoes, emphatically revived their World Cup qualifying hopes by thumping Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium Saturday night.

Alvaro Soborio netted two second-half goals and assisted on another as the Ticos snapped a three-game losing streak in a fine start to the campaign of Brazilian Simoes.

The result against already eliminated T&T lifted Costa Rica from fourth to third in the CONCACAF series with 15 points, trailing the USA (19) and Mexico (18), who both secured spots to the 2010 Finals in South Africa with wins on Saturday night.

The top three finishers from CONCACAF automatically qualify for South Africa and the fourth-placed team will tackle the fifth-place team in South America – currently Uruguay – in a two-way play-off next month for a spot in South Africa 2010.

Costa Rica will now tussle with Honduras (13) for that third automatic spot.

The Costa Ricans will play their final game against the already qualified USA in Washington on Wednesday while Honduras, beaten 3-2 by the USA Saturday night, will to travel to play already eliminated El Salvador.

Looking superior in the first half, Costa Rica were unable to secure a firm hold on the match until the second half.

They only went ahead on 27 minutes through an own-goal by Radanfah Abubakr.

The defender inadvertently deflected a cross by Costa Rica midfielder Michael Barrante into his own goal.

Barrante’s cross initially deflected off the T&T defender Julius James before the ball ricocheted off Abubakr’s shoulder past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, who had earlier made good saves against Christian Montero and Esteban Sirias.

It became 2-0 in the 50th minute when Walter Centeno – converting a cross from Saborio -- notched his 23rd career goal for the Ticos and Saborio’s two-goal burst soon after, killed the Caribbean side’s resistance.

Sabario scored his first goal in the 61st minute when he pounced on a clever back-heel from veteran midfielder Rolando Fonseca before speeding toward goal to score.

Sabario netted his second of the game just two minutes later, connecting with a fine header from a corner.

The T&T Soca Warriors, who had qualified for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany, ended the game with 10 men after James was shown a red card in the 65th for a clash with Centeno.

Costa Rica missed chance to win 5-0 when Randall Azofeifa’s penalty was saved by Phillip.

For the match, Simoes had brought defender Luis Marin, captain of Costa Rica's last two World Cup teams, out of international retirement and called up 35-year-old Fonseca, the Ticos' all-time leading scorer.

Simoes, whose most recognized achievement was steering Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz to historic qualification of the 1998 World Cup Finals in France, had dropped the Italy-based Gilberto Martinez, reportedly for spending Sunday night at a beach hotel without Simoes' permission.

Costa Rica fired coach Rodrigo Kenton mid-September and appointed Simoes after they had lost their last three matches, scoring no goals and conceding eight.

T&T coach Russell Latapy applauded his team’s effort for the first half but said stopping the hungry Ticos at home was a difficult challenge.

“At this stage of the campaign, we always knew it was going to be a tough match because Costa Rica had everything to play for while our chances of getting to the World Cup were already over,” Latapy said.

Trinidad and Tobago will close out their campaign against Mexico on Wednesday in Port of Spain.

Mexico and USA secured 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualification thanks to wins over El Salvador (4-1) and Honduras (3-2) respectively, in the penultimate round of CONCACAF qualifying

Casey rewards coach as U.S. qualify in Honduras
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (Reuters) - Surprise selection Conor Casey scored twice to help the United States qualify for the World Cup finals with a dramatic 3-2 win in Honduras on Saturday.

Carlos Pavon missed an 87th minute penalty for Honduras that would have leveled the game and left the United States needing a result in their final match against Costa Rica in Washington on Wednesday.

However, the victory guarantees the United States will return to South Africa, where they reached the final of the Confederations Cup in June, having earned a spot in their sixth successive finals.

Honduras began the game with the chance of booking a place in the finals themselves but they now have to win in El Salvador in their final game to have any chance of automatic qualification.

Having fallen to fourth in the group, which brings a play-off against the fifth-placed team in South America, the Hondurans must win and hope Costa Rica fail to win away to the United States if they are to take the third automatic spot.

The result was hugely disappointing for a country dealing with political tensions following a military coup and, in purely sporting terms, searching for their first World Cup appearance since 1982.

But a defeat did not look on the cards judging by the early exchanges, with Honduras piling on the pressure and then taking the lead a minute into the second half through a superb free-kick from Julio Cesar de Leon.

Roared on by a passionate home support, Honduras went looking for a second but were hit by three goals in 17 minutes from the United States.

INSPIRATIONAL CHOICE
First Casey, a surprising but inspirational choice by coach Bob Bradley to partner Charlie Davies in attack, headed an equalizer when he outjumped keeper Noel Valladares after Davies had flicked on a long ball.

Then Landon Donovan split the Honduran defense and Casey showed a cool touch to convert.

Donovan then turned finisher with a curling free-kick from 20 meters out to make it 3-1 although Valladares appeared at fault for his positioning.

At 3-1, Honduras looked a spent force but they regrouped and found a way back through a close-range effort from De Leon in the 79th minute.

Jonathan Spector was then ruled to have handled in the area but Pavon blasted the penalty high over Tim Howard's crossbar and minutes later the big striker missed a close range header to cap a night he will want to forget.

The defeat was the first home loss suffered by Honduras in the qualifying campaign, a fact not lost on a beaming Donovan.

"It's about having guys who can go out there and do the job. This is not an easy place to come and win at -- no one has won here in qualifying and we just have, that tells you something," he said.

Argentine fans still divided over Maradona
By Luis Andres Henao
BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) - Argentina’s fans remained unconvinced by Diego Maradona as coach after their last-gasp victory over Peru in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Striker Martin Palermo scored two minutes into stoppage time in torrential rain giving Argentina a 2-1 win and reviving hopes of qualifying for the 2010 finals.

They have climbed into fourth place in the South American group before their last qualifier away to Uruguay on Wednesday.

The top four go through automatically with Uruguay, a point behind Argentina, perched in the fifth-place playoff spot.

An emotional Maradona celebrated his team’s first victory after three consecutive losses with a belly-flop on the rain- soaked field. Later he told reporters a miracle by ‘Saint Palermo’ had granted the team another life.

Maradona is adored in Argentina. He rose from a slum to lead the team to two World Cup finals as a player. After his retirement, he fought drug addiction, alcohol abuse and obesity. In an improbable comeback he was named national coach last year.

But fans are tired of relying on divine providence.

They say Maradona’s deficiencies as a coach have placed top players too close to failure in what could be Argentina’s first elimination from the finals since 1970.

“Maradona is the greatest idol of Argentine soccer but if you ask people, 50 percent of them, including me, will tell you that he shouldn’t be the coach,” Carlos Andrade, a Buenos Aires taxi driver, said.

“He doesn’t have the experience. It’s something we tend to do in Argentina—from the president to the national coach — everyone improvises.”

FOUR DEFEATS
As a coach Maradona has suffered four defeats and only won three games in the qualifiers.

In a country where the national ego is wrapped up in the performance of soccer on the global stage, some people are so frustrated at watching what they see as flawed coaching and haphazard playing they would rather the national team fail to qualify and for Maradona to quit.

Even before he took the job sceptics queried his limited coaching experience and questions linger after Saturday about Maradona’s lack of strategy.

“I want Argentina to reach the World Cup and win it but they have to change the way they’re playing,” said Maximiliano Reynosa, a pizza deliveryman.

“No one denies Maradona is one of the best players but he’s a mediocre coach. We’re relying on a last-minute goal from (Palermo) a 35-year-old player.”

But some still believe Maradona will be able to lead the national squad to an all-important victory in Uruguay on Wednesday.

“Maradona is the best. He’s a God,” said Florencia Sassani, a 21-year-old college student, wearing a light blue Argentina jumper. “He’s had some back luck in the past but he won today and he’ll do well, God willing.”

Algeria close in on World Cup qualification
… late winner for Nigeria keeps hopes alive
JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) - Algeria moved to within one point of World Cup qualification with a 3-1 comeback win over Rwanda yesterday and Tunisia’s 1-0 victory over Kenya kept them two points clear of Nigeria with one match to play.

Portsmouth fullback Nader Belhadj scored Algeria’s vital second goal as the north Africans had to come from behind against last-placed Rwanda in Blida and a draw against Egypt in Cairo next month would seal their place in South Africa.

Abdelkader Ghezzal had earlier netted the equaliser and a late penalty from Karim Ziani ensured Algeria stayed three points clear of the African champions in Group C.

Tunisia were seconds away from securing qualification from Group B thanks to Issam Jomaa’s first-minute strike against Kenya before Obinna Nsofor scored three minutes into stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 home win for Nigeria against Mozambique in Abuja.

Tunisia maintained their two-point advantage and can secure qualification in Mozambique next month. Nigeria finish their campaign in Nairobi against Kenya at the same time.

A goal in added time from Mohamed Aoudou ended Ghana’s winning run in Group D as they lost 1-0 in Benin.

Ghana secured World Cup qualification last month but Benin’s victory means they are through to January’s African Nations Cup finals.

Frederic Kanoute’s last-minute winner also secured Mali’s berth in the continental championship, and Burkina Faso are through to the tournament in Angola after winning 2-1 in Guinea.

The Nations Cup field is being determined by the World Cup qualifiers.

On Saturday, Ivory Coast became the second country from Africa to qualify for the World Cup.

Daredevils stay alive after thumping Wayamba XI
VIRENDER Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik blazed half-centuries as the Delhi Daredevils powered to a 50-run win over Sri Lanka's Wayamba XI in the Champions League Twenty20.

The Daredevils needed victory in Delhi to stay in the competition, and Sehwag set the tone with a superb 66 from 42 deliveries at the top of the order.

Karthik slammed Ajantha Mendis for three consecutive sixes en route to a similarly destructive 61 from 41 deliveries in a formidable 170 for five.

Fast bowler Dirk Nannes then claimed four wickets, and Glenn McGrath rolled back the years to pick up two as the Daredevils cruised to victory.

New South Wales Blues and the Sussex Sharks had struggled to put bat to ball on the same surface a few hours earlier, but Sehwag showed little discomfort as he drove fast bowler Isuru Udana for a straight four for his first runs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan opened alongside Sehwag, but the International Cricket Council's Twenty20 player made only 10 - and captain Gautam Gambhir also departed cheaply, undone by one that stayed low.

Sehwag, however, dominated a third-wicket stand with Karthik - the opener racing to his half-century off 32 deliveries before being run out.

Karthik found good support in Owais Shah - and the wicketkeeper-batsman ruined Mendis's figures by slamming 23 off his last over.

Nannes, who shared the new ball with fellow left-armer Ashish Nehra, then secured the early breakthroughs - bowling Mahela Udawatte and Michael Vandort in his first two overs.

McGrath, a replacement for the injured Paul Collingwood, then took two wickets in his second over to leave Wayamba in deep trouble on 36 for five in the eighth over.

Mahela Jayawardene fought a lone battle and had made 53 when Nannes returned to claim his scalp, on the way to figures of four for 24. (Eurosport)

DELHI DAREDEVILS Innings
T Dilshan c Mubarak b Welegedara 10
V Sehwag run out (Jayawardene/wkp de Zoysa) 66
*G Gambhir lbw b Mendis 3
+D Karthik st de Zoysa b Mendis 61
O Shah b Welegedara 18
M Tiwary not out 3
R Bhatia not out 5

Extras (lb1, w2, nb1) 4

TOTAL (5 wickets - 19.6 overs) 170

Did not bat: A Mishra, D Nannes, A Nehra, G McGrath

Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Dilshan, 4.2 overs), 2-45 (Gambhir, 6.3), 3-112 (Sehwag, 14.6), 4-156 (Karthik, 18.4), 5-164 (Shah, 19.2)

Bowling: Welegedara 3.6-1-24-2; Udana 4-0-38-0 (1nb, 1w); Maharoof 4-0-34-0; Mendis 4-0-35-2 (1w); Lokuarachchi 3-0-31-0; J Mubarak 1-0-7-0

WAYAMBA Innings
J Kulatunga c Shah b Mishra 10
M Udawatte b Nannes 2
M Vandort b Nannes 9
M Jayawardene c Dilshan b Nannes 53
*J Mubarak b McGrath 0
K Lokuarachchi b McGrath 4
F Maharoof c Dilshan b Nannes 3
+S de Zoysa not out 21
I Udana not out 11

Extras (lb3, w4) 7

TOTAL (7 wickets - 20 overs) 120

Did not bat: A Mendis, C Welegedara

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Udawatte, 1.1 overs), 2-18 (Vandort, 3.4), 3-31 (Kulatunga, 6.2), 4-31 (Mubarak, 7.1), 5-36 (Lokuarachchi, 7.6), 6-52 (Maharoof, 11.4), 7-105 (Jayawardene, 17.1)

Bowling: Nehra 4-0-23-0 (1w); Nannes 4-0-24-4 (1w); McGrath 4-0-20-2 (1w); Mishra 4-1-18-1

Dilshan 2-0-19-0; Bhatia 2-0-13-0 (1w)

Points: Delhi Daredevils 2, Wayamba 0

Champions League Twenty20..
NSW Blues steam into second round after beating Sussex
PHIL Hughes and Moises Henriques struck unbeaten half-centuries as New South Wales Blues steamed into the second round of the Champions League Twenty20 by securing a 35-run win over the Sussex Sharks yesterday in Delhi.

The result was enough to send them through after an earlier 53-run win against Eagles, while it was Sussex's first match in the competition.

Left-handed opener Hughes made a painstaking 62 - and Henriques, promoted up the order ahead of captain Simon Katich, contributed a far more fluent 51 as NSW finished with a decent 130 for two on a slow surface.

Henriques followed up with three for 23 with the ball as Sussex's reply mustered only 95 for eight.

Hughes and opening partner David Warner struggled at the start, both barely surviving as deliveries stayed low and regularly beat the edge. But they grafted 35 for the first wicket before Warner was brilliantly run out by a direct hit from Dwayne Smith at gully.

NSW's wicketkeeper-batsman Daniel Smith was promoted to number three - only to fall in Piyush Chawla's first over.

Henriques then joined Hughes and began his innings briskly, injecting much-needed momentum into the innings. Henriques was survived on eight when Rory Hamilton-Brown put down a difficult chance at short extra-cover - and the 22-year-old celebrated by clubbing Chawla for his first six in an over which cost the leg-spinner 17.

Hughes reached his half-century and was dropped immediately afterwards by Ed Joyce at midwicket, standing in as captain for the ill Michael Yardy.

Sussex gave Henriques a second reprieve, this time on 48 when Chawla failed to hold a catch at long-leg.

Sussex started their chase needing just over a run-a-ball but were immediately pegged back when Brett Lee bowled Joyce for a first-ball duck.

Hamilton-Brown and Smith both made good starts but failed to kick on - and opener Chris Nash stayed for almost 13 overs only to flick Henriques to Stuart Clark at fine-leg. Henriques saw off Chawla first ball - and although Joe Gatting denied the bowler a hat-trick, the Sharks' challenge faded quickly thereafter. (Eurosport)

NEW SOUTH WALES Innings
D Warner run out (Smith) 14
P Hughes not out 62
+D Smith c Martin-Jenkins b Chawla 2
M Henriques not out 51

Extras (lb1) 1

TOTAL (2 wickets - 20 overs) 130

Did not bat: *S Katich, B Rohrer, S Smith, B Lee, N Hauritz, S Clark, D Bollinger

Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Warner, 7.2 overs), 2-40 (D Smith, 8.4)

Bowling: Martin-Jenkins 2-0-14-0; Arafat 4-0-23-0; Kirtley 3-0-15-0; Keegan 4-0-25-0; Chawla 2-0-21-1; Hamilton-Brown 1-0-8-0; DR Smith 4-0-23-0

SUSSEX Innings
C Nash c Clark b Henriques 24
*E Joyce b Lee 0
R Hamilton-Brown
R Hamilton-Brown st D Smith b S Smith 13
DR Smith b Bollinger 13
J Gatting run out (Katich/Hauritz) 9
P Chawla c Hughes b Henriques 0
Yasir Arafat b Hauritz 1
+A Hodd c S Smith b Henriques 12
C Keegan not out 10
R Martin-Jenkins not out 2

Extras (b5, lb4, w2) 11

TOTAL (8 wickets - 20 overs) 95

Did not bat: J Kirtley

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Joyce, 0.3 overs), 2-26 (Hamilton-Brown, 6.1), 3-49 (Smith, 9.5), 4-64 (Nash, 13.3), 5-64 (Chawla, 13.4), 6-68 (Gatting, 14.5), 7-68 (Yasir Arafat, 14.6), 8-83 (Hodd, 17.4)

Bowling: Lee 4-1-8-1 (2w); Bollinger 4-0-13-1; Henriques 4-0-23-3; Clark 3-0-20-0; S Smith 4-0-19-1; Hauritz 1-0-3-1.

Points: NSW Blues 2, Sussex 0.