Cops hunt Customs officer
-- after seized beer, suspects disappear
POLICE last night announced they were hunting a Customs Officer after a seized shipment of beer and several detained men disappeared.

Police said that at about 15:15h last Friday, a party of cops seized 1,130 cases of Polar Beer being loaded in a Canter truck, licence plate GJJ 4865, owned and driven by Duean Boston, at Met-en-Meerzorg, West Coast Demerara.

Vijai Singh, 29, of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demarara and Venezuela, who claimed ownership of the Polar Beer and two other suspects, were arrested, police said.

The Canter containing the Polar Beer and the suspects were taken to the Leonora Police Station, West Coast Demerara where a record was made of the vehicle and the beer in the General Property Book # 230, Page 118, and details of the suspects recorded in the Prisoner’s Charge Sheet, police said.

According to police, at about 20:00h that day, a known Customs Officer, Keon Pryce, Patrol Officer 11 attached to the Customs Boat House, arrived at the Leonora Police Station and stated that he was there to uplift the seized Polar Beer, truck and prisoners.

At 21:05h, after a physical check of the beer was conducted in Pryce’s presence, he departed en route to Georgetown escorting the truck containing the beer along with the suspects, some of whom joined the car that Pryce entered and drove behind the truck which headed east, police said.

“The whereabouts of Pryce are not known as the Customs Department is trying to locate him”, a police statement said.

Police said they have an investigation into the irregularity of the handing over of the seized goods to a Customs Officer without prior notification by a senior official of the Customs Department.
A manhunt has also been launched for Pryce, police said.

Guyana last lap for CWC
By Neil Marks
THE West Indies take on Pakistan today in the opening match of Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, but in Guyana, chief of the Local Organising Committee, Karran Singh, might miss a lot of the excitement as he braces for the start of Super Eight matches with 25 items in the long list of preparations outstanding.

At a six-hour long meeting over the weekend to evaluate Guyana’s readiness to host the matches, Singh, however, said it was made clear that the outstanding preparations would be completed at least 48 hours before the first match bowls off at the National Stadium at Providence on March 28.

He said the International Cricket Council (ICC) CWC evaluation did not find that any of the preparations would not be completed within 48 hours of the first match.

The areas found wanting include external works at the stadium, landscaping, directional signage, the accreditation centre, and phone systems. He said the telephone systems would be up and running by March 19 and the Accreditation Centre by March 20.

Among the critical areas given the green light are the Trivision screen, players dressing rooms, elevators, players Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, pitch and field, pitch cover, ground equipment, practice nets and the training grounds.

The stadium clean-up itself has been completed as well, Singh said.

“Yes, I’m nervous, it’s crunch time,” he said yesterday at his Middle Street, Georgetown office, as he had his hair cut, passing instructions to his staff, signing documents, and doing the interview at the same time.

“I don’t have time to go out and do this (cut his hair and shave).”

Singh’s nervousness is shared by the entire country as the nation looks to hosting its biggest event yet.

From March 28 to April 9 areas running from the East Bank Demerara, Georgetown and East Coast Demerara would be transformed into a festive hub of some 20-30,000 cricket fans.

What about accommodation for them?
Singh makes it clear that the LOC should not be directly responsible for this, but he is seeing one critical component – Bed and Breakfast – all the way. His staff has even taking bookings on behalf of private citizens who have been registered by the Bed and Breakfast Secretariat to provide accommodation to tourists.

However, only about 70 of the more than 2,100 rooms registered have been booked from the LOC end, but Singh is looking to a rush in the two weeks ahead. In fact, he said, the LOC would be setting up an information desk at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport so that visitors without accommodation can make the arrangements.

In addition, Mr. Ohene Koama, the Accommodations Coordinator at LOC, said overseas visitors have also booked with the providers whose information has been posted on the accommodations website.

Koama said four workshops were held with the Bed and Breakfast providers, training them in areas such as customer service and culinary delights.

Singh is also a bit worried about ticket sales for the event. While he said Category One tickets and tickets to the grass mound are no longer available for the likely West Indies/Sri Lanka match on April 1, other tickets are still available.

He said while there have been purchases online from persons outside of Guyana, locals have not been forthcoming as was expected.

He said Guyanese must break free from the “cultural mentality” of going for tickets at the last minute. He said he would not like to see a repeat of the Jamaica situation where fans turned up but could not get tickets.

He said too the public education campaign would be stepped up in Guyana so that persons know exactly what they would not be allowed to take into the stadium.

However, he indicated there might be an adjustment to the list of prohibited items which state that no plastic bottles of any size would be allowed in. He said this rule could be adjusted to allow for bottles with water because of experiences of persons getting dehydrated. He said an announcement regarding this would be made soon.

Further, Singh noted that water dispensers would be installed at Providence in key locations.

However, regarding the confusion in Jamaica about the “no re-entry” policy, Singh said this would not be changed because it would put a burden on the security forces.

Key ICC CWC officials have begun to arrive in the country to assist the LOC with preparations. Among them is ICC Venue Manager Andrew Sharp. Pitch and Field and Field Consultant Andy Atkinson is also expected in the country.

The National Assembly is today expected to push through three bills to boost security for the tournament, including one giving foreign security agents special protection under local laws.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee is to pilot the bills through the sitting.

The “visiting forces bill” will give foreign officers working alongside law enforcers in Guyana the same powers that local officers enjoy. Some of the officers will be following specific teams from venue to venue.

India is sending two bomb disposal squads from the National Security Guards to work in the Caribbean during the tournament, and most of the top eight teams travel with security staff.

Towards national enhancement, Singh said along with the clean-up and enhancement exercises being conducted by the government, the City Council and other stakeholders, he has written the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to decorate the East Bank, Georgetown and other main thoroughfares.

On March 28 a ceremonial opening would precede the first match, while Singh indicated that the 45-minute lunch breaks would see entertainment which would include tassa drumming and stilt dancers.

Wanted Guyanese refused bail in TT
By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Newsday
PORT OF SPAIN -- Guyanese businessman Peter Morgan, who is wanted in the United States on three drug charges, was refused bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls yesterday to answer a request for his extradition.

Peter Morgan was held at Piarco International Airport on Friday while in transit to Guyana from Panama.

In a dramatic swoop, Trinidad and Tobago authorities assisted by U.S. agents, seized Morgan at Piarco just days after an indictment was unsealed in a New York court charging him with three counts of drug conspiracy.

Morgan, an auto sales businessman and car racer, was represented yesterday by a battery of lawyers - Rajiv Persad, Randy Depoo, Jagdeo Singh, and Ravi Rajcoomar.

Persad applied for bail for Morgan, but attorney David West, representing the U.S. Government, resisted the application. After hearing submissions on both sides, Mc Nicolls refused the application and ordered that Morgan be kept in jail until the hearing and determination of the extradition proceedings. The case was adjourned to March 19.

Morgan had been under surveillance by U.S. authorities for a number of years after several run-ins with law enforcement and his name had been on a list of Guyanese that the U.S. is aiming to place before American courts on drug charges.

Morgan was indicted last November on three counts of conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine in the U.S. The indictments were unsealed last Wednesday and an arrest warrant was issued the same day for the Guyanese.

His capture in Trinidad on Friday was reminiscent of that of other Guyanese businessman Roger Khan who is currently before a New York court on similar charges. Khan was also arrested in Trinidad after being deported from Suriname.

Morgan and some associates were returning to Guyana from Panama and were in transit in Trinidad when two Trinidad police officers and two agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested him around 1 pm at the Piarco Airport.

Morgan was arrested on a provisional arrest warrant by the officials on an indictment of conspiracy to traffic cocaine into the U.S. between 2001 and 2003.

Khan, who is before a U.S. court charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S., was arrested in Suriname last year June in a huge drug bust. The charges were later dropped and he was deported from Suriname to Guyana via Trinidad and Tobago. It was here that DEA officials seized him.

Morgan has denied the allegations by the U.S. and is maintaining his innocence. He was in Panama with colleagues on business arrangements.

According to the first count of the New York grand jury indictment, in or about and between 2001 and August 2003, within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, Morgan together with others did knowingly and intentionally conspire to import a controlled substance into the U.S. from a place outside thereof, which offence involved five kilogrammes or more of a substance containing cocaine.

In the second indictment, the U.S. said that Morgan during the same dates together with others did knowingly and intentionally conspire to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine into the U.S.

The third count alleged that the Guyanese together with others intentionally conspired to distribute cocaine intending and knowing that such substance would be imported into the U.S. All three indictments are in violation of Title 21 United States Code Section 963 and 960.

Soft drinks associated with diabetes
-- report finds
By Megan Rauscher
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A review of published studies shows a clear and consistent relationship between drinking sugary (non-diet) soft drinks and poor nutrition, increased risk for obesity -- and increased risk for diabetes.

There is no denying that sugar-loaded soft drinks are having "a negative impact on health," Dr. Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, said in a telephone interview with Reuters Health.

Having analyzed and reviewed 88 studies on the issue, Brownell and his colleagues conclude that recommendations to curb soft drink consumption on a population level are strongly supported by the available scientific evidence.

Results of a study of more than 91,000 women followed for 8 years provides one of the "most striking" links between soft drinks and health outcomes, the investigators note in the American Journal of Public Health.

In the study, women who drank one or more sodas per day -- an amount less than the U.S. national average -- were twice as likely as those who drank less than one soda per month to develop diabetes over the course of the study.

When diet soda replaced regular soda in the analysis, there was no increased risk, "suggesting that the risk was specific to sugar-sweetened soft drinks," note the authors.

"This result alone," they assert, "warrants serious concern about soft drink intake, particularly in light of the unprecedented rise in type 2 diabetes in children."

The data reviewed by Brownell's team also show that higher intake of sugary sodas goes hand-in-hand with lower intake of milk, calcium and other essential nutrients, fruit and fibre, and higher intake of carbohydrates.

Furthermore, there was a "remarkable difference" in results from industry-funded and non-industry-funded studies on soft drink consumption and health outcomes, Brownell said, "with the industry-funded studies much more likely to find the results favourable to industry."

"The bigger issue here, in this arena in particular but in science in general," Brownell said, "is how you can get a distorted view of reality if industry-funded studies are considered in the mix -- and usually they are -- especially, when industry uses these studies in advertising, lobbying, and in talking to the press."

When it comes to soft drink consumption among America 's youth, Brownell added, "the decisions parents make are one thing, but the relentless marketing to children is another."

He supports the growing trend toward banning soda sales in schools. "I believe schools should be a commercial-free zone and that beverages that are contributing to ill health should not be sold there," Brownell said.
(SOURCE: American Journal of Public Health, April 2007)

Five charged after Black Bush terror attack
FIVE men appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday following Police investigations into the recent robbery rampage at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

Roy Fraser alias ‘Rambo’, Leary Fraser, Radesh Singh nicknamed ‘Youth Man,’ Carlton Chaitram called Rishi and Chandradat Nirmal were not required to plead to three indictable charges.

Police said the accused (no addresses given), while armed with guns at Lesbeholden on March 5:

* robbed Khemraj Seeram of two gold rings valued $20,000 and $53,000 cash;

* robbed Lilowtie Kalyan of $110,000, three gold chains and six pairs of gold chains and

* discharged loaded firearms at Dhanraj Bisraj, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm.

Defence Counsel Pamela De Santos said all the men hail from Black Bush and were apprehended by Police while cutting rice.

But Assistant Superintendent of Police Maxine Graham, prosecuting, successfully objected to bail for the quintet, after stating that arms were used to commit the crimes and the prisoners were all positively identified as the night robbers.

She said, because the five live in close proximity, they may tamper with witnesses if allowed pre-trial freedom.

De Santos countered that the identification parade was flawed as an officer told the virtual complainants who to identify.

The accused were all remanded to prison and the cases were transferred to Whim Court, another part of Corentyne, to be called on Thursday.

Police had previously reported that, during the robberies, bandits fired to keep members of the community at bay and Bisraj, 17, was shot in the right buttock.

The attack triggered the disptach of a special Police team to Berbice, comprising Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) ranks.

Final necessary arrangements being made for CWC 2007
THE government and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) are working to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are in place for hosting Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, which starts in Guyana March 28.

Towards this objective, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said the pitch and field on the main playing section and the grass mound at the Providence, East Bank Demerara stadium, are watered regularly to make sure the surfaces are adequately prepared, while the practice pitch, in the southern section, has been fenced and nets installed.

The practice pitch was once a major area of concern for the International Cricket Council (ICC) venue assessment team, because of its slow development. However, quick recovery was made, much to their astonishment, GINA reported.

The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Everest Cricket Club grounds are the other two places for practising.

GINA said Guyana is required to have more than 20 different services available for hosting the CWC, including accommodation and hospitality, public relations and marketing, local government and civil society, transportation and communication, security, health and emergency.

For the first time, this country will host the ‘Super Eight’ matches in the third largest international sporting spectacle worldwide, following the Olympics and World Cup Football, GINA noted, adding that the Caribbean would be under the focus of an estimated 2.2 billion viewers globally.

The games will be broadcast via the Global Communications Corporation (GCC) as the West Indies team competes for the World Cup against 15 other cricket teams.

Meanwhile, GINA said work is progressing on extending the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway and assurances have been given, by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn, that it will be completed in time for the CWC.

The roadway will be the main route for heavy traffic during the games and, as organisers aim to maintain a smooth flow, the LOC Transportation Sub-Committee has outlined a plan which provides for the use of one part for vehicles travelling to the stadium, GINA stated.

The agency said the LOC, in collaboration with various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), has implemented a community permit programme for motorists living along East Bank Demerara and a special sticker will be attached to their respective vehicles, indicating that they are resident there and should be allowed access.

GINA said this is necessary because drivers will not be allowed to park or travel outside the route along the four-lane thoroughfare and are required to register for the programme through the various NDCs.

It said Diamond Community Centre ground, on East Bank Demerara, together with the National Cultural Centre (NCC) tarmac, in Georgetown, have been selected as the two ‘park and ride’ locations while an 11 acres plot of land next to the stadium would be used as a ‘park and walk’ facility, with the capacity to accommodate 2,500 motor vehicles.

Thousands pay homage to Cheddi Jagan
THOUSANDS turned out Sunday at the Babu John cremation site, Corentyne, Berbice, to mark the tenth death anniversary of President Cheddi Jagan.

President Jagan died March 6, 1997 at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington , U.S. , where he was flown for emergency surgery after a heart attack at his official State House residence in Georgetown .

He pointed to his notion of a new global human order which highlighted the inequalities between rich and poor nations.

He said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), was inspired by Dr. Jagan’s vision of a party remaining committed to globalization, economic projection and social cohesion.

Among others speaking at the ceremony were Dr. Jagan’s widow and former President Janet Jagan, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, and General Secretary of the PPP Donald Ramotar.

The programme featured cultural presentations, musical renditions and accolades to the late President.  

Zoo upgrade among efforts to change country image   
- President Jagdeo
THE National Zoological Park in the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown , will benefit from government assistance to enhance and possibly upgrade the facility.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said it follows a visit there by President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Friday, when he explained that what is happening now is part of a process to change the image of the country.

“More and more, we will have to start funding these facilities and maintaining them. What is happening is not just an effort for World Cup Cricket,” he insisted.

“We started work in Georgetown and we are extending that effort now along the East Coast (Demerara) and many parts of the country,” President Jagdeo indicated.

The Head of State observed that people working at the zoo have been doing a good job but, like everything else, there is an issue of funding, GINA said.

Consequently, President Jagdeo said the government is going to look at some assistance to maintain the facilities there.

He said, although State funds are limited, the zoo needs support and he recalled the help given to spruce up Joe Vieira Park, West Bank Demerara.

Noting that collaborative effort between Central Government, the National Parks Commission (NPC) and the Regional Administration in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Mr Jagdeo said: “Over the next year, you are going to see major capital works trying to bring back some of our infrastructure, not necessarily just the kokers and canals but the aesthetic work that needs to be done and, after that, it would be an issue of maintenance.” 

The President pointed out that the zoo could serve educational purposes, as a forum to highlight Guyana s rich flora and fauna and even for exposing children to the environment, to the different species in the country.

“So, from that perspective, alone it is worthwhile,” he told GINA.

President Jagdeo reiterated that efforts to enhance existing national attractions and venues are not being done because of Guyana hosting Cricket World Cup (CWC).

GINA said, during the Friday tour of the zoo, he had entertained the idea of it becoming a large theme park but agreed that the space was limited for such a venture.

President Jagdeo told GINA: “Because of limitation of space, we may not be able to develop it into a major international attraction and we would have to look elsewhere to do that. But, from the perspective of keeping Guyana clean, it is a national responsibility.”

He, again, encouraged Guyanese to be cognisant of their environment and help keep the country clean.

“I want to urge people to join with this effort. They can make a big difference if they clean up their yards, parapets and in front of their homes and the community. We should see more community effort to do this.

“There should be an awakening of national pride wanting to keep our country clean, not only for foreigners, but for ourselves. So, I hope this clean-up would stimulate that change in behaviour so we can have a clean country.” 

GINA said with him at the zoo were Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn; Chairman of the NPC Board, Mr. John Caesar and General Manager, Ms. Inge Nathoo as well as Manager of the Zoological Park, Mr Peter Khatoo. 

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said he checked on the work to be done to complete the environs of the stadium.

The agency said the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company has set up its operations at the stadium and the information technology centre is to be up and running in a matter of days.

Mr. Jagdeo also checked on the road works just outside the stadium, the agency said, adding that Benn assured that construction of the four-lane road from the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) to the stadium will be completed in time for the big games.

President Jagdeo is expected to revisit the stadium this week, GINA said.

After his visit to the stadium, the President stopped briefly at the Cacique International Hotel, the agency said.

Pomeroon gets pontoon to aid drainage network rebuilding
A STEEL pontoon, promised by President Bharrat Jagdeo, to transport excavators along the Pomeroon River to excavate drainage canals and impolder farms, has been delivered.

The refurbished $14M vessel was commissioned yesterday, at Charity Marketing Centre wharf on the Essequibo Coast , by Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud.

He said its operations will be managed by the Regionl Administration in Region Two (Pomeron/Supenaam) and used only for the purpose stipulated to rebuild the drainage network in Pomeroon.

Chairman of Region Two, Mr. Alli Baksh, who was at the ceremony, noted that President Jagdeo had fulfilled another promise to provide needed service for Pomeroon farmers.

Businessman and owner of the Charity situated Pomeroon Oil Mill and Ice Factory, Mr. Alfro Alphonso said he is proud that the government has met its undertaking.

He remarked that, with massive government input, agricultural production in the Pomeroon has started to increase and, very soon, the riverain area would resume its status as the breadbasket of the Caribbean .

Rotting court corridor to be fixed next week
REPAIRS are expected to commence, next week, on the rotting corridor in the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court building, three months after a woman was injured in a mishap there.

Last December 11, the mother of a defendant in a criminal case was left suspended in the passageway on the northern side when the rotted flooring gave way under her weight.

Dolly Alexander, of Angoy’s Avenue, on the fringe of the township, was standing with others on the walkway, as is the custom of people listening for their names to be called by the Court Orderly.

However, she had begun to walk when the accident occurred before she was rescued by a policeman after hanging for several minutes.

Alexander suffered visible injuries to her left thigh and complained of pain in the pelvic area.

As a result, she was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she received medical attention.

That part of the 100 feet path, where Alexander was hurt, had been in a state of disrepair for months although the relevant authorities were informed about it.

But, since the occurrence, that section was made inaccessible to the public, with the doors leading to it firmly bolted.

Following the incident, a court source told the Guyana Chronicle that thousands of dollars were spent to repaint the walls and floors of the courtroom when the money could have been used to do the necessary repairs to what was an obvious death trap.

Licence rates same
-- GRA
THE Licence Revenue Office (LRO) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday said the rates for licences for this year have not been increased.

The authority said it regretted the inconvenience caused by a statement it issued that was published over the weekend, stressing that the rates have not been increased.

It said the rates published have been the same since 1993.

The sale of licences began yesterday and the authority is urging holders and prospective licence holders to visit the LRO at Smyth and Princes Streets, Georgetown or certifying and regional offices to have their licences renewed or to have new licence applications processed.

Guyanese allowed into Barbados with full permission of Immigration
RESPONDING to an article in the Barbados `Saturday Sun’ newspaper, of March 10, that deportee, Angela Eversley, breached security by returning to the country for Cricket World Cup 2007, Chief Immigration Officer of Barbados, Gilbert Greaves gave the following assurance:

“There was no breach of security with the arrival of this non-national. I was aware that she was re-entering the country. I used my discretion as the Chief Immigration Officer to allow her to re-enter the country due to special circumstances. She has been granted a 30 days stay in the country.”

In a press release, Mr. Greaves said his department was fully “on board” with security mechanisms designed by the governments of the Caribbean for the safe and secure hosting of Cricket world Cup 2007.

President Jagdeo announces posthumous award for Dr. Jagan
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has announced the posthumous award of ‘Order of Liberation’ for the late President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the announcement was made Sunday while Mr. Jagdeo was addressing a gathering at the Babu John site, Corentyne, Berbice, where the awardee was cremated 10 years ago.

President Jagdeo said the acclaimed architect of independence for the nation will be accorded the title, later this year, in recognition, as well, of his contribution to the subsequent democratisation.

Mr. Jagdeo said, on the 10th death anniversary of the fallen leader, this
administration recognises the immeasurable contributions made by Dr. Jagan through literature, the trade union and politics.

He paid tribute to the late President’s leadership in the struggle for independence from colonialism, noting that it was accomplished through selflessness and tremendous personal sacrifice.

President Jagdeo said, even after his return to power in October 1992, Dr. Jagan fought to restore democracy and galvanise the Guyanese people together.

He said Dr. Jagan’s efforts were recognised worldwide, noting that the prestigious Oliver Tambo Award was bestowed on the latter by the Government of South Africa in 2005.

Tambo was a famous Black South African freedom fighter, GINA said, adding that the ‘Order of Liberation’ award is consistent with the trend of recognition.

President Jagdeo said it would be a ‘one time’ honour to recognise his struggle for liberation.

Luncheon says…
Gaming Authority for casino licences to be established
THE amendment to the Prevention of Gambling Act prescribes a mechanism called the Gaming Authority that would deliberate on matters such as the granting of a licence to operate casinos and minimise speculation on the grants.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who intimated that, said, while no casino licence has yet been granted, the amendment specifies how it could be issued and under what terms and conditions.

He said: “I am aware that both the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and the Ministry of Finance officials have been involved in the incubation of this project. They have pronounced on the allegation that an undertaking has been made and they have all denied this.”

GINA said, on March 6, Go-Invest Director, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva pointed out that the obligation of the State was to facilitate a request by the investor, Buddy’s International Hotel, to apply for a licence to conduct casino gambling.

GINA said DaSilva explained that it does not translate to a commitment on the part of the government, for such a licence to be granted, as the decision must fall within the laws of Guyana.

The agency recalled that Da Silva offered the explanation in response to an article that appeared in the Sunday Stabroek, stating that, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Guyana and Buddy’s, a commitment was made for the grant of a casino gambling licence.

Luncheon reiterated that the Gaming Authority has not yet been established and “we might remain in the realm of speculation.”

He noted, however, that “at the end of the day, there are statutory procedures that will define and justify who is granted a licence and that it is to be done in accordance with the law.”

GINA said DaSilva disclosed that a press conference will be held, shortly, to address the issue and raise other concerns regarding the Stabroek reporting on the situation.  

Latest charged CLICO supervisor discovered irregularities
- Defence Counsel
ANOTHER employee of CLICO Insurance Company appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday, charged in connection with the multi-million-dollar fraud still under investigation there.

Twenty-eight-year-old Christina Doobay, of Lot 26 ‘BB’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara, faced two indictable charges of conspiracy.

One said, between January 21 and 29, 2007, with intent to defraud, she conspired with persons unknown to obtain money by procuring the sum of $4.1M to be paid to Christina Stevens, falsely pretending that it was for death benefit claims in favour of Gillian Mitchell.

The other charge said, during the same period, Doobay procured the sum of $6.5M to be paid to Lizanna Ashby, by falsely pretending that it was an accident claim for the latter.

Defence Counsel Anil Nandalall said the accused has been employed with CLICO for the past eight years and was recently promoted to the position of supervisor.

He said she discovered the financial irregularities and drew these to the attention of her superiors but has cooperated fully with the Police since her arrest last Wednesday.

The woman is also the niece of Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir, Nandalall said, adding that, in her positioon at CLICO, she is the custodian of a code to access certain information from the company’s computerised system and she might have imparted it to others who requested it, perhaps in error, without knowing they were going to perpetrate an illegality.
Doobay was granted $200,000 bail on each charge until April 18.

A dark shadow
RECENTLY, U.S. Presidential hopeful and former First Lady, Hillary Clinton told an audience that her quest for the White House was partly a drive to break the "highest and hardest glass ceiling", the Presidency of the United States.

If the race for the White House becomes one based on the sex of the candidate, Clinton should be the next President of America. 

As one article notes, women constitute more than half the U.S. electorate. It also noted that Clinton won more than half the women vote in her senatorial run.

Of course, the issue is not as clear cut as simple sexual demographics.  Mrs. Clinton is a popular Democrat with not the best record regarding her association with scandals, and will most likely be up against John McCain – a popular Republican with no discernible scandal in his past. 

More importantly however, the clincher will be – providing she even gets the Democratic nomination – that she is a woman. America, the country which defined democracy within the last century, has never had a woman President and there is no indication that it will come 2008.

In Pakistan, the first post-colonial Islamic country to be run by a woman, Benazir Bhutto, women are subject to arbitrarily defined and often misogynistic tribal laws – customs which are often exported to European countries to where Pakistani migrants flock.  Honour killings are becoming increasingly visible in the Islamic ghettoes of countries like France and England, but this visibility has not always been met with an equivalent degree of justice. Mainstream European society holds a curious double standard when it comes to violence against immigrant women.

What this serves to illustrate is that the place of women in even the most liberal, democratic and enlightened societies is not an assured one.  And very often, this point is underscored by the very primal, very uncivilized act of violence.

This is something that Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand highlighted last week at a seminar held in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice). 

"Regrettably…," the minister said, "despite our achievements, women, young girls and children still face domestic and other forms of violence."

The event was held under the theme, "Ending impunity of violence against women and girls."  This theme goes to the heart of the problem when it comes to violence against women – the impunity with which it is conducted remains the crucial factor in its perpetuation.  Whether we are talking about Pakistan, or France or Guyana, the degree to which violence against women is seen as accepted – from traditional wife beating to honour killings – is the degree to which this scourge spreads.

The contrast between the gains made in the area of equal rights for women in Guyana and the very real fact of continued violence against women in our society is a strong one – a "dark shadow" hovering above our achievements, according to Minister Manickchand. 

Changing this has to begin not with the removal of the acts of violence themselves but with the societal mindset which condones it. 

Convicted cocaine trafficker jailed
TERRENCE Humphrey, 42, of Lot 188 East La Penitence, Georgetown, was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $10,000 for trafficking seven grammes of cocaine.

He pleaded guilty to the March 10 offence before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent of Police Maxine Graham, prosecuting, said the narcotic was found in his pocket when he was stopped by a Police patrol, about 05:00h, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market.

Another accused drug trafficker Ronald Khan, 46, of Lot 467 Cooper Street, Albouystown, in the city, too, was remanded to prison after he pleaded not guilty to having 267 grammes cannabis (marijuana) for the purpose on March 9.

Police said the prohibited substance was found under a mattress on Khan’s bed during a raid at his home.
The defendant returns to court on March 16.

‘G-9’ charged in property sale scam
KHEMRAJ Shivkumar nicknamed ‘G-9’ has been charged with false pretence in a property sale scam.

The defendant (no address given) pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Chandra Sohan at New Amsterdam Court, in Berbice, yesterday.

Police said Shivkumar, with intent to defraud, obtained $80,000 from Keshanna Ally last December 14, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell a house lot.

He was granted $100,000 bail until March 30.

Previously refused armed robberies defendant granted bail
CLEVELAND Attimeyer, previously refused, was granted $300,000 bail by Magistrate Chandra Sohan at New Amsterdam Court, in Berbice, yesterday.

The defendant, of Angoy’s Avenue on the outskirts of the town, is charged on two counts of robbery under arms.

One charge alleged that he was in company with others, when he robbed Geokarran Gajraj of 535.65 gallons of dieselene, property of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Rose Hall Estate, between July 8 and 9, 2006, at New Forest, East Canje.

The other charge said, on July 15, 2006, at the same place he robbed Mohammed Rafeek Latif of 407.4 gallons of dieselene, belonging to Rose Hall Estate, as well.

The cases have been transferred to Reliance Court, another part of Canje, also in Berbice, for tomorrow.

Labourer on trial for rape of former girlfriend
A LABOURER went on trial, before Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and a mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes yesterday, for the rape of his former girfriend.

The indictment said Michael Marks committed the offence at knifepoint on the night of May 24, 2003.

In her opening address, State Prosecutor Leron Daly said witnesses would testify that the accused, with whom the victim previously shared a relationship, had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent.

The woman, who gave evidence, said she got to know

Marks about 10 years before the incident when they both worked at the same East Coast Demerara sugar estate.

The witness said, on the night of the incident, she had gone to a party at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, with some friends and met the accused there.

She said Marks was with friends at a different table but he went to where she was and, at his request, they danced.

He returned to his friends but, after the party, Marks offered to take her nearest her home on his bicycle and she accepted, the woman said.

She said, on their way, the accused promised to marry her and never leave her until his death and she replied that she did not want to be married to him.

The woman said she had to jump off the bicycle when the accused, instead of taking her where he had earlier promised, attempted to carry her in another direction.

Witness said she had begun to walk the opposite way towards her home when the accused put down his bike, grabbed her by the breast and pulled her along a mud dam where he sexually assaulted her at the point of a black handle knife.

She said, after the sex ordeal which lasted for about an hour, while walking home, she stopped a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) vehicle with soldiers in it and reported to them what had happened to her.

The soldiers took her back to the crime scene and, later, to a Police station where she also made a report.

Among the exhibits tendered in court yesterday, through the victim, were her underwear and other garments she was wearing that night and a black handle knife.
The trial continues today.

Where are the parents?
RE YOUR editorial on Sunday, I have to repeatedly ask, where are the parents?

What are their responsibilities? In the last 30 to 40 years there has been an increasing trend towards violent and disruptive behaviour in the classrooms.

Teachers do not teach anymore. They are too busy looking over their shoulders and dodging chairs, missiles, and violent students.

Children are acting out what they are seeing on the television.

In spite of the unlimited amount of resources, money, etc., the U.S. usually ends up 17th out of the 20 industrialised countries in testing. Part of the reason for this is that learning is relegated to self preservation in the classrooms.

The Ministry of Education has to come down forcefully, and suspend, expel, or refer to the Police students who are disruptive and violent. It must be impressed on parents that their children will be expelled for violent and disruptive behaviour.

Teachers must not be required to substitute for parents and babysit their children all day to the detriment of those who want to learn.

It must be noted that our high academic achievements went down the drain with the rise in social and moral decay in the country.
P. KHAN

Undermining GECOM’s integrity
IN THE newspapers on Sunday, we were informed that the Director of the PNCR’s (2006) Election Secretariat and former PNC Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vincent Alexander is to be appointed a member of the Guyana Elections Commission.

This is nothing less than an affront to the autonomy of the Elections Commission which, by every stretch of reasonableness, should be depoliticized.

I wonder if the observer groups, Special Envoy of the Commonwealth Secretary General and the donor agencies will take a stand against this wantonness, especially since they are the ones advocating in all of their reports – bar none – that the commission should be independent of politicians.
B. SEWKARRAN

Kudos from CDB
IT WAS recently reported that President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Compton Bourne, following a visit to Guyana, indicated that when compared to other countries in the region, Guyana probably had the highest rate of project implementation.

Additionally, Bourne said that almost all the projects funded by the CDB in Guyana were being completed below the projected budget - something rarely accomplished in the Caribbean.

The government must therefore be lauded for its meticulous and efficient project implementation programme which, because of its emphasis on accountability and quality, state-of-the-art work on roads, sea defence and bridges, among other projects, has been successfully undertaken, below the projected cost. 

Guyana’s exemplary performance has resulted in a commitment by the CDB President to further explore the granting of additional funding for developmental projects countrywide.

With the continued strengthening of relations between the CDB and the administration, the growth and development of rural and urban communities will continue to materialize, bringing with it immense benefit to the people.
JASON HINDS        

LIAT halving free baggage allowances
VIRGIN Atlantic tells its Guyana-bound passengers connecting with Caribbean Star, now LIAT, that Virgin has “through check-in agreements with Caribbean Star”.

This means that luggage will be booked from Gatwick, England, straight through to Georgetown.

Virgin allows free check-in allowances of 2 cases @ 23 kilos for each passenger.

LIAT insists that “The acceptance of 2 pieces at 50 lbs(23kgs) each  free luggage from international flights was changed since last year. The luggage will be accepted but the excess baggage fees will have to be paid.” 

Some travellers confirm that they are made to collect their cases at Barbados, though the cases were booked through to Guyana, check them in again, and then pay extra to get the  second piece of luggage to Guyana.

My ticket (contract) states my name Muhammad Alli. This identifies me as the ONLY person allowed to travel with the ticket.

My ticket states 2 pieces through to Guyana. Virgin will book   2 @ 23 kgs  to Guyana for me. Why is LIAT changing the dimensions  of my  ‘free check-in allowance’ mid journey?

My ticket states ‘no agent, servant, or representative of a carrier has authority to alter, modify or waive any provisions of this contract’. Does this apply to the amount of free baggage allowances too?

Can LIAT just say that its conditions are different from Virgin’s and enforce this weight reduction?

WARSAW and Montreal Conventions ARTICLE 1:3 states:

“A carriage to be performed by several successive air carriers is deemed, for the purposes of this Convention, to be one undivided carriage, if it has been regarded by the parties as a single operation, whether it had been agreed upon under the form of a single contract or of a series of contracts, and it does not lose its international character merely because one contract or a series of contracts is to be performed entirely within a territory subject to the sovereignty, suzerainty, mandate or authority of the same High Contracting Party”.

Does this not mean that the same conditions should apply from Gatwick to Georgetown? This is a single trip. Both the flights (sector) are booked on one reservation (Virgin Paper).

All international travellers to Guyana face this quandary.

It will be a relief to know where we stand with LIAT’s ‘own conditions’.
FAIYAZ

Special month
AT THIS time of the year – in the month of March – many people remember Dr. Cheddi Jagan – our late Executive President – who was born on the 22nd March 1918 and died on the 6th March 1997.

It is thus a very special month, not only for the hundreds of thousands who loved and cherished him and support the political party which he founded – the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) - but also for those many others who had and have a deep respect and regard for his ideas and contributions to the social, political and economic development of the country – although they may not have been his political supporters.

Dr. Jagan had a truly remarkable life, having accomplished so much and made such an impact on the people of his country as well as on the people of many other countries around the world.

He was a man of vision and foresight and many of his ideas still have great relevance and resonance up to the present time, that today those who have survived him and the many others who have become acquainted with or studied his ideas and the history of his party are committed to pursuing the further fulfillment of his ideas and vision.

Having been cheated out of political office and leadership of the country, he still retained his deep and abiding faith in the people’s eventual success – “time and history are on our side” – that he would one day return to office, which he did, although regrettably, for far too short a time.

When he, as an individual in 1947, won a seat in the Legislative Council, he said that the people had won, and in 1992 in accepting the office of Executive President, after the return of democracy and free and fair elections, he again said that the people had won.

So, at this time and in the years to come, we will be celebrating the birth of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and commemorating his death anniversary, as he was the most outstanding leader our country has ever had.
JOHN DA SILVA

Windies look for ideal start to World Cup campaign
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – After the spectacular opening ceremony for Cricket World Cup 2007 on Sunday night the stage is set for the first match of the tournament, pitting West Indies and Pakistan at Sabina Park today.

As the countdown continued to the first ball, there was a huge sense of anticipation for the opening match as West Indies set out to become to first host team to win the event.

Both West Indies and Pakistan had busy schedules yesterday, travelling down from Montego Bay in the morning before going off to practise at Kensington Park in the evening.

The two teams are coming off contrasting results in the warm-up matches.

While Pakistan completed victories in both their games, West Indies suffered an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat against India in which they were routed for a meagre 85.

But, according to captain Brian Lara, that performance should serve as a wake-up call.

“It’s given us something that we needed before such a big tournament. You wouldn’t like to have such a farce on a cricket pitch,” Lara told reporters.

“It’s good that has happened before the tournament started. The guys have resurrected their confidence. We are looking forward to getting out there.”

A near sell-out crowd is anticipated to pack the renovated Sabina Park and all home town fans will be rooting for the West Indies.

“I know it’s going to be a big crowd. It’s a big occasion for all West Indians,” Lara said.

“We just have to put whatever little aberration we had a few days ago and just concentrate on what we’ve got tomorrow.”

Pakistan have enjoyed an impressive record against West Indies and although they are unpredictable at times, they are not to be underestimated.

“Pakistan is a very good team, a team that we have great respect for,” Lara said.

“They’ve got exciting players, a lot of match-winners. We will dissect each and every player and know exactly what we want to achieve.”

Pakistan have won eight of their last ten matches against West Indies, which included a 3-1 series win on the sub-continent late last year.

Coach Bob Woolmer is not reading too much into it.

“I like to put all the results behind us but inevitably the team will subconsciously have that in their minds,” Woolmer said

“But we have to make sure we’re not in any way complacent when we get stuck into the game tomorrow.

“If there’s any subconscious complacency, we’re going to knock it out of them this (last) evening.”

The teams (from):

WEST INDIES – Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Ian Bradshaw, Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell Corey Collymore, Devon Smith Lendl Simmons.

PAKISTAN – Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Imran Nazir, Mohammed Hafeez, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved, Umar Gul, Iftikhar Anjum, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Arafat.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, Simon Taufel. TV replays: Brian Jerling.

Match referee: Chris Broad

Lloyd prescribes winning formula for Windies
BIRDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies legend Clive Lloyd has prescribed a formula which he says could aid the regional team in becoming the first hosts to win a Cricket World Cup.

Speaking to CMC Sports while here recently, Lloyd said the team had been playing competitive One-day International cricket in recent time but needed to spruce up in several areas.

“(You) do not suffer from stage fright. Play intelligent cricket. That will get you through,” Lloyd, who led West Indies in two successive World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979, implored.

“You’ve got to be intelligent, you’ve got to try and out-manoeuvre the opposition, you’ve got to not be afraid of anybody, you’ve got to be professional in everything you do in all aspects of the game.

“Once we get everything together, and it has shown in quite a number of the games that we have played, that once we get all our disciplines together, we’ll beat anybody. The great Australia has just been beaten by England so it shows that anybody can be beaten on the day if you can get all the disciplines right.

“We are a bit unpredictable at times but we want to get rid of that tag. It’s like people saying we were calypso cricketers of old but not anymore. We have shown them that we can be professional and we can be intelligent in our play.

“It has been shown we have all the ingredients to be a top team, it is just putting it together a bit more often and I think the players realise they will have to do so if they want to get very far in this World Cup.”

West Indies launch their campaign today when they face Pakistan in the tournament opener at Sabina Park in Jamaica’s capital Kingston.

The team, however, played erratically in the warm-up matches at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Complex last week, beating Kenya by 21 runs in their opening match before being hammered by India by 21 runs.

In that match, they were dismissed for 85 from 25.5 overs, after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

Lloyd, attached to the West Indies in the capacity of team coordinator, said the team’s achievement of reaching the finals of recent ODI series, emphasised their ability.

“I think if we play as well as we did in India, we will excel in the World Cup. People didn’t expect us to get to the final (of the Champions Trophy) but we got there and just faltered in the end.

“We’ve been to three finals so far so let’s hope we can put in the same effort but coming towards the end we will want that final push.

“I think the guys are getting accustomed to the one-day cricket. They know what is expected of them, the people are behind them, they are playing at home, it would be the first time that any host country would be winning the World Cup and we won the first World Cup (1975) so they have a lot of things to look forward to.”

He continued: “I think that we can do it. We have the players and we have the calibre and the type of players that can see us to the end. I hope they get to the end because the people of the Caribbean need something of this nature to really bring us together again.

“We are probably one of the best one-day sides in the world, no doubt about that but it will not be easy and life is not meant to be easy anyway, so we have to put in the effort. Once we put in the effort, we will get the results.”

West Indies are contesting Group D of the CWC preliminary round along with Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Sabina not ready for practice on eve of opener
By Richard Sydenham
KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) - Pakistan and West Indies were yesterday forced to scrap plans to practise at Sabina Park, which hosts today’s World Cup opener between the sides, because the net facilities were not ready.

They instead trained at the nearby Kensington Oval in Kingston.

Former West Indian fast bowling great Andy Roberts, now a pitch consultant for the World Cup, said Sabina would be able to hold today’s first game as scheduled.

He said the net pitches had been used as a dumping ground while renovation work was done at Sabina.

"It is something that should never have happened," he told Reuters. "But at this late stage there is no point trying to rush them for these games.

"What we need to do now is make sure they (the nets) are ready for the semi-finals. In fact, they will be ready for the semi-finals but there won't be much grass on them."

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was philosophical about the problem at a news conference yesterday.

"If you're asking why it's happened you're talking to the wrong man," he said.

"We would rather practise on good facilities than facilities that are not ready."

The West Indies were awarded the World Cup in 1998.

West Indies captain Brian Lara likened the problem as a "little hiccup".

"From what I have seen so far, all the local organising committees have tried their best," he told a news conference at the Oval.

"I think they know the importance of this tournament. Each big tournament and each event like the Olympics, although I have never been involved, they all have little hiccups.

"I am sure that the people will enjoy the Caribbean and we are going to stage the best tournament possible.

"I am not going to say there are not going to be any mishaps but I am almost sure there is not going to be anything major.

"Whoever raises the trophy on the 28th (of April), I am sure it's going to be a great occasion."

There was nobody immediately available from the Jamaican organising committee to comment on what the problems precisely were at Sabina Park or the reasons behind them.

The ICC were investigating the matter and declined to comment immediately.

Today’s Group D match will kick off seven weeks of action between 16 teams culminating with the final at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on April 28.

Accra and McKinnon dominate sprint events
… Morgan, Bentick share female spotlight
By Faizool Deo
GODIS Accra and Telson McKinnon proved their superiority in the 100 and 200 metres dash in the Under-20 and Under-17 age divisions respectively when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held the National Youth and Junior Track and Field Championships at the Enmore Community Development Centre ground on Sunday.

On the distaff side, runner-up junior sportswoman of 2006 Alika Morgan and Royal Youth Movement (RYM) Sheenika Bentick dominated. Morgan dominated the long distance events in the Under-20 age group while Bentick who had won the Under-20 long jump competition with a distance of 4.66m on Friday at the YMCA ground, ran away with the Under-20 sprint accolades.

The event which ran in tandem with the national senior trials also saw 14-year-old Jonathon Fagundes romp to victories in the Under-17 1500 and 3 000 metres races.

One setback which was comical but showed the level of disrespect for sports in Guyana was the cows’ 100m sprint. Somehow cows got into the compound and were idling around the periphery of the ground before making their move onto the playing area. Some people tried to chase the animals from the ground, but that caused them to run helter-skelter during the 10 000m. This created some problems for the athletes. Some of the animals also found their way close to the pitch but luckily did not trample on it.

The 18-year-old Accra, who last year at the Inter-Guiana Games trial clocked 10.5 seconds, was a little slower this time round finishing at 10.70 seconds in the 100m dash ahead of fellow Police Sports Club (PSC) runner Kevin Haynes (10.90) and Triston Joseph from RYM (11.10).

In the 200 metres race Accra dashed out of the started blocks and by the last 100m was in total control to storm to victory in 22.50 seconds. Second place again went to Haynes who clocked 22.90.

Fifteen-year-old McKinnon was slightly off Accra’s timing when he ran the Under-17 200m. The youngster clocked 22.80 seconds finishing ahead of RYM club-mate Timothy Doris (23.40). McKinnon, who represented his school, St Joseph High, the night before in the nationwide schools Futsal competition, clocked 11.20 seconds in the 100m dash, finishing ahead of Doris (11.20).

Sixteen-year-old Morgan who has stamped her name both locally and abroad as an excellent middle-distance runner won the Under-20 800m (2:34.80), the 1500m (5:22.60) and the 5 000m (20:11.50) events.

Bentick won the 100m dash with a time of 12:70, the 200m in 27.20 seconds and the Girls’ 400m in a time of 1:02.60.

The Guyana Road Runner Club’s (GRRC) Fagundes who seemed indefatigable during the races clocked 4:33.60 in the 1500m and 9:47.30 in the 3 000m.

Other winners included: U-17 Girls’ 100m dash - Manchester Secondary School’s Ladona McKenzie (12.70 secs); 200 M- Thomas Land’s Nadine Rodrigues (26.30 secs); 400m - RYM’S Letitia Myles (1:01.10); 800m - Rising Star Athletic Club’s Jonas Jenella (2:32.80); 1500m - GRRC’S Carlisa Atkinson (5:10.50); 3 000m - Atkinson (11:59.80); long jump - Manchester Secondary’s Natasha Doris (4.91m); shot put - Manchester Secondary’s Trishanie Cort (7:32m); discus - Cort (16.00m). Boys: 400m - PSC Sebastian Anton (53.80 secs); shot put - Upper Demerara Kellon Daniels (9.33m); javelin - Daniels (39.88m); discus - Silver Bullets Athletic Club’s Obie Haddaway (29.48m); long jump - RYM Doris 5:19m. Girls’ Under-20: shot put - PSC Stacy Wilson (9:14m); javelin - RYM Phillycia Burke (25.14m); discus - Burke (20.00m).

Boys’ Under-20: 400m - Upper Demerara Schools Joel Saul (52.80 secs); 800m - PSC’S Kiev Chesney (2:06.90); 1500m - PSC Dennis Horatio (4:28.80); discus - RYM Jalani Hazel (26.30m); shot put - Hazel (8.62m) and long jump - RYM’S Leon Bishop (6.26m).

ICC chief reminds World Cup players they are role models
By Jon Bramley
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters) - International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed has called on all players in the World Cup to remember they are role models following Sunday's opening ceremony in Jamaica.

Reflecting on the action to come in the Caribbean, Speed wrote in a statement issued by the game's governing body on Sunday that his only wish for the ninth World Cup was that the "spirit of cricket" shines through.

"That will help to create a real feel-good factor around the event that can serve as a springboard for its continued growth and development on a long-term basis, both throughout the West Indies and worldwide - one way we can ensure our strong sport gets even stronger," he said.

"The spirit is enshrined in the preamble to the laws of the game which states the need for respect for opponents, team mates, the role of the umpires and the game's long-held values of honesty, fair play and sportsmanship.

"...The players, whether they like it or not, are role models for the people who watch the game and whatever they do is likely to be copied many times over on the playing fields and schoolyards by youngsters who regard them as their heroes."

Speed reminded the players that the World Cup was the game's biggest shop window with a global television audience of more than a billion.

"It is the game's biggest opportunity to showcase itself to the world in a wonderfully positive way."

Cricket has been rocked over the past year by scandals involving the Pakistan team who refused to take to the field against England during a Test at the Oval in London after an umpire accused them of tampering with the ball.

Then two of their leading players, fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone before being exonerated by the Pakistan cricket board.

Both were later ruled out of the World Cup through injury.

The opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup took place at Trelawny in the north of Jamaica on Sunday.

Today the opening match of the tournament will be held at Sabina Park, Kingston, when West Indies face Pakistan.

Dehring pleased with rousing start to World Cup
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Chris Dehring, Cricket World Cup 2007’s chief executive, has commended Jamaica’s Local Organising Committee for delivering a world class official opening ceremony to herald the start of the event Sunday.

In a message of congratulations and appreciation, Dehring said the three-hour show was “an evening that represented the very best of the Caribbean and one which was truly befitting of the Cricket World Cup”.

“They rose to the challenge magnificently and showed the talent, ability and imagination of the people of this region. It was the perfect launching pad for two months of fantastic cricket and has set a standard to which we must all live up in the coming weeks,” he noted.

“I believe it was a night on which all people of Caribbean origin were proud as millions around the world were treated to a stunning spectacle.”

Dehring, also the tournament’s managing director, praising the work of the LOC team, noting they were forced to overcome “logistical nightmares” in order to stage such a grand display.

“Their determination to produce a show of great quality never wavered and they stuck to their task admirably,” Dehring said.

“It just shows what is possible when people commit themselves to a challenge. This achievement should be wonderful inspiration for other Caribbean people to strive for even greater success on the regional and international stage.”

The opening ceremony, which took place at Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, featured several of the Caribbean’s top musical artistes and included an array of cultural presentations that reflected the region’s diverse heritage.

Futsal knockout round starts on Thursday
THE final set of games in the preliminary round of the Chico Sweets 2007 National Secondary School Futsal competition will be contested tonight at the National Gymnasium before the 24 teams advance to knockout stage on Thursday at the same venue.

Last Saturday, nine games were contested with St Joseph High recording a 3-1 victory over Golden Grove, Covent Garden a 4-2 win over Brickdam Secondary, Charlestown Secondary getting past St Winefride’s 2-1, St John’s College gaining a 3-1 win over Freeburg, Trust College getting a 2-1 win over Zeeburg Secondary, Queenstown winning 2-1 from Central High and David Rose defeating Dolphin Secondary 3-1.

Two games drew even, a goalless battle between St Mary’s and St George’s and a 1-1 stalemate between Tutorial High and St Stanislaus College.

Chattergoon to captain Guyana Under-15s
… La Rose is vice-captain
ALBION first-division player Harrinarine Chattergoon has been appointed captain of the National Under-15 team, while Georgetown Cricket Club second division player Carlos La Rose has been named vice-captain when the national junior selectors under chairman Lennox Hunte named their final 14-man squad for the upcoming Regional Under-15 tournament, to be played in Trinidad and Tobago next month.

The team was selected following the completion of the second trial match on Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club ground. They will begin a camp shortly before heading to the Twin-Island Republic to take part in the limited-over cricket competition.

The full squad reads: Harrinarine Chattergoon (captain), Carlos La Rose (vice-captain), Shameer Fazal, Delon Fernandes, Joemal La Fleur, Travis Karim, Imran Latiff, Kevin Singh (wkp.), Neal Romalho, Gaudies Motie, Amir Khan, Trinson Carmichael, Seon Daniels and Keon Joseph.

The five standby players are: Rove Harris, Jagdesh Bishun, Melvin Seepersaud, Dayanand Roopnarine and Marvin Basdeo (wkp.).

'Viswanath the greatest Indian batsman' - Gavaskar
SUNIL Gavaskar, one of the most prolific scorers in the history of Test cricket, and considered the greatest batsman India has produced, declared on Saturday that Gundappa Viswanath was the "greatest batsman" he had ever seen.

Not mincing words, the man who made 10 122 Test runs, lavished praise on Vishy, the diminutive dasher from Karnataka, at a glittering felicitation ceremony held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

"I have seen situations when we all struggled against the opposition," Gavaskar began.

"But then Vishy would score off the good deliveries. The rest of us, we thought we could keep out the good balls and score off the bad ones.

“But Vishy, he had four-five strokes to the good balls that were bowled to him."

“Gavaskar, who has been ribbed about his short stature all his life, made light of the condition.

"When people asked me who was the better batsman, Vishy or me, I would say without hesitation - Vishy.

“But I would also remind them that I was half an inch taller.

“When we both sat on a sofa, my feet would touch the ground; his would be half an inch above."

On an evening of camaraderie and much good-natured mischief, Gavaskar recalled when he first met Vishy.

"It was during the Charminar Challenge in Hyderabad," said Gavaskar.

"From then on we built a friendship that was meant to last a long time." Fully aware that he was talking to an audience of cricket-lovers from Karnataka, Gavaskar played to the gallery.

"I've proved my kinship to Karnataka," he said.

"After all, my brother-in-law, the legendary Gundappa Vishwanath, is from here." Gavaskar, who is normally busy with his commentating schedule and endorsement commitments, took time off to make it to a function that was designed to honour the legends of Karnataka cricket.

Among the best things the little man, dressed casually in a navy blue collarless t-shirt, said, was, "Vishy is shorter than me, but he was the taller batsman." That was high praise, and well received from the audience.

Viswanath played 91 Tests for India, scoring more than 6 000 runs at an average of over 40.

But he is most appreciated for the fact that he scored his big runs when India needed them most.

His match-winning 97 against a powerful West Indies team that included the rampaging Andy Roberts in 1974-75, stands out.

But his other knocks came in equally trying conditions - 124 in Madras against West Indies in 1978-79, 83 and 79 against New Zealand on a greentop at Christchurch in 1975-76.

But to Vishy, it was not merely the number of runs, but how they were scored.

One of the most sporting cricketers of all time, he once famously recalled Bob Taylor in the Golden Jubilee match against England, when he was given out, only for the game to slip out of his grasp.

Vishy's ability to play the ball late may have made him a modern great had he the opportunity to play more one-day cricket, but his sense of fairplay would have made him an anachronism in modern times.

It was little wonder that he was the obvious choice when Wisden was looking for a candidate to hand out an award for a player who upheld the spirit of cricket.
Vishy did not merely uphold it, he embodied it.

Federer's 41-match winning streak ended by Canas
INDIAN WELLS, California - (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer's 41-match winning streak ended when he lost 7-5, 6-2 to Argentine Guillermo Canas in the second round of the Pacific Life Open on Sunday.

Federer, seeking his fourth title in a row at the Indian Wells Masters Series tournament, received treatment for blisters at the end of the first set and never looked comfortable against the world number 60.

The Swiss ten-time grand slam champion, whose last defeat was inflicted by Briton Andy Murray in Cincinnati in August, was hoping to break the professional era record of 46 successive wins set by Argentine Guillermo Vilas.

Federer said the pressure of closing in on another record had not affected his performance.

"I'd rather face it," Federer told reporters. "It's no pressure at all because I take it match by match. And you guys think it takes a win to break the record. I'm concerned about winning my first round match against a lucky loser.

"It just shows you how tough it is. And today was just a grind for me from the start. First round match is always difficult, but I've had an incredible run, not losing in the first round for over two years. So I'm really happy about that. Sooner or later it had to happen, so it's okay."

Federer celebrated his 161st consecutive week as world number one last month, breaking the 30-year-old record of American Jimmy Connors.

"It's great to beat the number one, I feel perfect," the 29-year-old Canas told reporters.

Canas outplayed Federer from the baseline, never allowing the top seed to control the centre of the court and sealing victory with a powerful inside out forehand.

Canas, whose highest career ranking is eighth, returned to the tour last September after serving a 15-month suspension for a doping offence.

He lost in the last round of qualifying for the tournament to German Alexander Waske, but earned a place in the draw when Belgium's Xavier Malisse withdrew due to injury.

Richardson, Gittens blast hat-tricks to set up Georgetown-Uppper Dem clash
NATIONAL striker Gregory Richardson and Rawle Gittens blasted hat-tricks to set the stage for yet another Georgetown-Upper Demerara clash, this time in the Guyflag Inter-association football championship.

In the semifinals on Sunday at the GFC ground, Bourda, Georgetown whipped East Coast Demerara 5-1 and Upper Demerara trounced Berbice 9-2.

The city boys had a slim 2-1 lead at halftime but it turned out that East Coast’s goal was to be the only one for them.

National midfielder Dirk Archer tucked in the first goal when the match was just ten minutes old and Richardson put in his first, three minutes later. East Coast pulled one back in the 24th minute off the boot of Winston Pompey.

Then Richardson completed his hat-trick, the second goal coming in the 59th minute and the third in the 65th - his seventh in the championship. Former national mid-fielder Omali Nassy showed he still had the old sting and wrapped up the game in the 82nd minute.

Upper Demerara blasted the net five times before Berbice could reply, the first two coming in the first half for a relatively uneventful first half.

The first goal was a defence error in the 2lst minute and three minutes later, Gittens started his goal rampage and Hercules hit the first of a double goal in the 35th minute. The mining town led 3-0 at the break.

Ten minutes after the resumption, Gittens hit two, four minutes apart to complete his hat-trick and Hercules followed with his second in the 66th minute, carrying his tally to ten in the championship.

Colin Bowry pulled one back for the Ancient County, but the bauxite boys blasted three more - a double from Ezra Green (77, 80) and one from Kevin Beaton (82), the Most Valuable Player of the recently concluded Pepsi Cup Under-15 championship.

Adrian Adams put in the final goal in the 84th minute, but it was too late for Berbice to come back. It carried his tally to five.

Coordinator Lawrence Griffith told Chronicle Sport that the final was set to be played in Linden but the Mackenzie Sports Club ground was already booked so the venue would be decided this week.

The third place play-off between Berbice and East Coast Demerara may be played at the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre ground in Canje.

World Cup Groups and Fixtures
Groups and fixtures for the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies from March 13 to April 28.

All matches start at 0930 local time (1430GMT for games in Jamaica, 1330GMT for all others)

The day after the scheduled date of the match will be a reserve day.

Group A - Australia, South Africa, Scotland, Netherlands.

Group B - Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bermuda.

Group C - England, New Zealand, Kenya, Canada.

Group D - Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland.

FIRST ROUND:
March 13 - Pakistan v West Indies, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

March 14 - Australia v Scotland, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

Kenya v Canada, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

March 15 - Sri Lanka v Bermuda, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Zimbabwe v Ireland, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

March 16 - South Africa v Netherlands, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

England v New Zealand, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

March 17 - India v Bangladesh, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Pakistan v Ireland, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

March 18 - Australia v Netherlands, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

England v Canada, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

March 19 - India v Bermuda, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

West Indies v Zimbabwe, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

March 20 - South Africa v Scotland, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

New Zealand v Kenya, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

March 21 - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

March 22 - Scotland v Netherlands, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

New Zealand v Canada, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

March 23 - Sri Lanka v India, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

West Indies v Ireland, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

March 24 - Australia v South Africa, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

England v Kenya, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

March 25 - Bangladesh v Bermuda, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

SECOND ROUND - Super Eights
March 27 - D2 v A1, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua.

March 28 - A2 v B1, Providence Stadium, Guyana.

March 29 - D2 v C1, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua.

March 30 - D1 v C2, Providence Stadium, Guyana.

March 31 - A1 v B2, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua.

April 1 - D2 v B1, Providence Stadium, Guyana.

April 2 - B2 v C1, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua.

April 3 - D1 v A2, Providence Stadium, Guyana.

April 4 - C2 v B1, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua.

April 7 - B2 v A2, Providence Stadium, Guyana.

April 8 - A1 v C2, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua.

April 9 - D1 v C1, Providence Stadium, Guyana.

April 10 - D2 v A2, National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada.

April 11 - C2 v B2, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

April 12 - B1 v C1, National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada.

April 13 - A1 v D1, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

April 14 - A2 v C1, National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada.

April 15 - B2 v D1, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

April 16 - A1 v B1, National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada.

April 17 - A2 v C2, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

April 18 - D1 v B1, National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada.

April 19 - D2 v B2, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

April 20 - A1 v C1, National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada.

April 21 - D2 v C2, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

SEMI-FINALS:

April 24 - 2 v 3, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

April 25 - 1 v 4, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

FINAL:

April 28 - Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

Chelsea and United kept apart in FA Cup draw
By Mike Collett
LONDON, England (Reuters) - The prospect of Chelsea facing Manchester United in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium went a step closer yesterday when they were kept apart in the draw for the semi-finals.

Although neither team is yet through to the last four after drawing their quarter-finals at the weekend, United will face Watford in a record equalling 25th semi-final appearance if they beat Middlesbrough in their replay at Old Trafford next Monday. They drew 2-2 at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Chelsea, who drew 3-3 with Tottenham Hotspur in their quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, will play Blackburn Rovers if they beat Spurs in their quarter-final replay at White Hart Lane next Monday.

The semi-finals will be played at neutral grounds on the weekend of April 14-15 with the final at Wembley on May 19.

Chelsea were the last club to win the FA Cup final at the old Wembley Stadium in 2000 when they beat Aston Villa 1-0, while Manchester United have won the FA Cup a record 11 times.

United are currently top of the Premier League, nine points clear of Chelsea, who have a game in hand and still have hopes of winning the title for the third successive year.

The two clubs are also in the last eight of the Champions League but have been kept apart in the draw for the quarter-finals and semis made in Athens last week.

If results went their way in both the FA Cup and in the Champions League they could meet each other in the finals of both competitions within four days in May.

OTHER IDEAS
However, Spurs, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Watford will no doubt have other ideas.

Tottenham, who let a 3-1 lead slip in the last 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge, ended a 16-year winless streak against Chelsea in the league when they beat them 2-1 at White Hart Lane last November, and were the better team for more than an hour against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Blackburn, who last won the FA Cup in 1928 and last reached the final in 1960, are through to their second semi-final in three seasons under Mark Hughes -- who won the FA Cup with both Chelsea and Manchester United in his playing career.

Watford, who have appeared in one FA Cup final, losing to Everton in 1984, could become only the fifth club to be relegated and appear in the FA Cup in the same season.

The last team to do that was Middlesbrough, relegated in 1997 when they lost to Chelsea in their only FA Cup final appearance.

Patterson to head committee to review WICB structure
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Former Jamaica Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has been appointed chairman of a three-man committee established by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to review of the structure of the regional governing body.

The announcement was made by WICB president Ken Gordon during a media conference last evening at the headquarters of Cricket World Cup 2007.

Gordon also identified former University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor Sir Alister McIntyre and noted writer Ian McDonald as the other members of the committee which has been asked to report to the WICB by May 31.

“We want eminent people from outside to look at the structure and in their view, recommend how they think it should best be remodelled, if at all,” Gordon told reporters.

“We are asking them to tell us what they think of West Indies cricket, where it should be going and whether we need to do things differently.”

The terms of reference of the committee include a review of the performance of the WICB, past and current to assess its strengths and weaknesses.

Patterson and his fellow committee members will also consider the composition and structure of the WICB and make recommendations which will improve its overall operations, governance effectiveness, team performance and strengthen its credibility and public support.