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Packed audience turns up as…
President addresses World Leaders Forum at Columbia University
- answers questions on Guyana’s economic transformation, forest conservation during very interactive session
By Mark Ramotar in New York
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday joined a prestigious list of World Leaders to have addressed a special forum at Columbia University in New York, where scores of persons including many Guyanese turned up to be part of a highly interactive session with the President.
This World Leaders Forum programme, organised by the University’s Earth Institute and the Institute of Latin American Studies, featured a brief keynote address by President Jagdeo, followed by a lengthy question and answer session with the audience.
The Guyanese Head of State, whose extraordinary vision is set to make Guyana one of the most environmentally progressive nations on earth, briefly outlined his plans to build Guyana’s economic development around the preservation of its vast forests.
While explaining the intricacies of climate change and what it would mean for small and poor developing countries, Mr. Jagdeo made it clear that the people who are most susceptible to climate change are the ones that have the least capacity to adapt to those changes.
He also spoke about the “distrust” that currently exists between the developed and developing worlds, and the urgent need for political will and crucial financing from the main players in the climate change fight.
The President used the opportunity to brief the audience on some of the issues that were raised and discussed over the past week at the level of the United Nations.
He also answered questions about the REDD, REDD-Plus and their inclusion on the Copenhagen agenda, carbon trading, financing, the world economic and financial crisis, and Guyana’s development pathway.
Most of the persons who asked questions at the forum lauded President Jagdeo for his vision of developing Guyana, and encouraged him in his committed fight in the climate change battle.
The President also, in a good-natured manner, put senior officials at Columbia University in an uncomfortable position when, during the question-and-answer segment, he exposed flaws in a collaborative study done by Yale University and Columbia University on an Environmental Performance Index.
According to the President, it “boggles” his mind how Guyana got ranked at a number in the 130’s on that index, but the United States (a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emission) is only ranked at number 34.
He had the audience laughing when he politely requested from the University officials present at the forum to kindly ensure that this misconception is corrected.
Many of the persons in the audience whom this newspaper spoke with yesterday alluded to the unprecedented social and economic reforms in Guyana under Jagdeo’s tenure as President, that include improved access to education; healthcare reform; water and sanitation system expansion; and large-scale development of road, river and air transport networks. While pursuing these reforms, President Jagdeo also reduced the national debt and reformed the tax and investment regimes.
President Jagdeo served as chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group from September 2005 until September 2006. He has been awarded the Pushkin Medal by the Government of Russia and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the Government of India.
In recent years, President Jagdeo has spoken frequently of the need for developing countries to be at the forefront of identifying solutions to avert the worst extremes of climate change, whilst ensuring economic development of developing countries. He has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations and Summits of Latin American and Commonwealth Heads of Government.
In June 2009, he launched a "Low Carbon Development Strategy," hailed by a wide cross-section of the Guyanese people and the international community as being an unprecedented plan for national development that secures the forest ecosystem in the global fight to address climate change. This Strategy has received much support domestically and internationally, and it expected to be a critical model for developing countries to adopt after the Copenhagen Climate Change Meeting.
Among those from the Guyana delegation accompanying the President at Columbia University yesterday were Advisers to the President Mr. Kevin Hogan and Mr. Shyam Nokta; Mr. Michael Brotherson, from the Climate Change Unit that Nokta heads at the Office of the President; and Mr. Brentnol Evans, Guyana’s Consul General in New York.
Government, IDB ink US$1.45M Technical Cooperation Agreements
- To support Guyana’s Climate Change agenda and related initiatives
Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh and Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Marco Nicola yesterday inked two technical cooperation agreements totaling US$1,450,000.
The two agreements will provide support for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Guyana’s efforts to improve disaster risk and flood management. The agreements were signed at the Ministry of Finance.
Country Representative of the IDB Mr. Marco Nicola hands over the agreements to Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh after the signing ceremony. |
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One of the agreements which will provide support to the LCDS caters for the strengthening of national institutional capacities for effectively dealing with climate change; and supporting a nation-wide consultation process on the LCDS.
Minister Singh, highlighting Guyana’s efforts in the global fight against climate change, stated that the LCDS does not only cater for environmental protection but also for development. He pointed out that President Bharrat Jagdeo has been a global champion for the cause of preserving and protecting rainforests and advocating for the recognition of the contribution that standing forests make in this regard.
“One of the great ironies of our circumstances is that while we face a disproportionate exposure to climate change because of our population concentration on the coast, because of the coast being below sea level, because of our productive economic activity being concentrated on the coast; while we face a disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, we at the same time make what I consider to be a disproportionate contribution to the global fight against climate change. We have as a government and through very deliberate policies ensured the protection and preservation of this valuable rainforest asset,” the Minister said.
The IDB Country Representative noted that the Bank seeks to assist its member countries in moving towards low carbon growth paths, supporting policy innovations towards climate change and sustainable energy institutional frameworks, as well as policy reforms in strategic sectors.
“This support is consistent with IDB Strategy for Climate Change, recognising that the Latin American and Caribbean Region offers significant opportunities for avoided and reduced Green House gas emissions and therefore it can contribute significantly in the world’s effort against global climate change,” Nicola stated.
“This technical cooperation agreement will look at strengthening national institutional capacity for effectively dealing with climate change and supporting the nationwide consultations that are already ongoing on the LCDS, targeting the stakeholders and economic actors across the sector, but in particular the indigenous and forest communities that depend on the country’s forest and natural resources,” Nicola said.
The agreement represents the first technical cooperation agreement and second effort of the bank to support and provide technical advice to the Low Carbon Development Strategy.
In the recent past, the Bank funded a case study related to ‘Climate Change and Biodiversity Mainstreaming through Avoided Deforestation’, focusing on a conceptual and analytical framework for assessing Guyana’s needs, challenges and opportunities in the context of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and its impacts on national development and biodiversity conservation on the Georgetown-Lethem transport Corridor.
The second Technical Cooperation Agreement supports Guyana’s efforts to improve disaster risk and flood management and is consistent with the agreed upon country strategy with Guyana (2008-2012), given its focus on disaster risk management and climate change to promote competitiveness. Beneficiaries of this project will include vulnerable communities and national and local governmental agencies such as the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Works and Communication, the National Climate Change Committee and regional and neighbourhood democratic councils.
The grant will fund the identification of country risk indicators and flood risk evaluation; the development of a National Integrated Disaster Risk Management plan and institutional strengthening and capacity building at national and local levels; it will also fund the design of an investment programme in flood prevention and mitigation, taking into consideration the Bank’s existing lending instruments, as well as potential co-financing from other donors.
Additionally, in order to ensure an integrated approach to disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and environmental management, during project execution a steering committee on environment, climate change and disaster risk management will be created under the Office of the President. This group will comprise public sector agencies and donor and non-governmental organisations.
The risk information database at the Civil Defence Commission and training of key government entities responsible for flood risk management in the techniques for integrated disaster risk reduction into sector planning, will facilitate a greater use of risk information in decision making as well as ensure sustainability of use of the risk information platform for flood risk management. Taking into account that climate change and sea level rise are likely to significantly increase disaster risk in Guyana, the collective application of these approaches, under an appropriate legal and institutional framework, are expected to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters, including those associated with the flood hazard.
Noting that the majority of Guyana’s population resides on the Coastal Plain, Minister Singh highlighted the importance of having an integrated risk management plan developed reflecting on the 2005 flood which was caused due to unprecedented and continuous rainfall.
“We would recall in fact that the floods of January 2005, imposed on our economy costs equivalent to 60 percent of our gross domestic product, a shock that by any standards is potentially devastating. I believe that the fact that we did not experience macro economic dislocation, the fact that we were able to come through that disaster…that cost 60 percent of our GDP, but we were still able to maintain stability in our country, is indeed something that as a country we should take pride and satisfaction from,” the Minister said.
“The concept of disaster risk management and the need for us to be better prepared for disasters, be better able to predict, be better able to respond, the need I believe is obvious,” Minister Singh opined.
The IDB Country Representative highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “As we all know, natural disaster risk management and prevention is an important and key element to promote the competitiveness of Guyana and also to reduce the social and economic cost that the country may face during natural disaster.”
Also present at the signing ceremony were Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira and Head of the Project Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Finance Mr. Tarachand Balgobin. (GINA)
Beached whale dies on Shell Beach
THE big whale which was on Shell Beach died yesterday afternoon despite valiant efforts, on Thursday, to return it to the Atlantic Ocean.
The mammal, which measured about 36 feet, surfaced about three days ago on Shell Beach, five miles from Waini Point in North West District and 80 people tried unsuccessfully to free it from where it was stuck.
Efforts being made on Thursday to free the whale from the sand bank at Shell Beach, North West District. |
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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture said, technical fisheries personnel were flown, on an emergency flight in a Guyana Defence force (GDF) helicopter, to the remote location and, with the Coast Guard assets in Region One (Barima/Waini), made attempts to put the whale back into the water.
A release said the Fisheries Department was also in touch with several international agencies on the discovery and Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud was briefed on the situation and commended GDF Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best and his officers for their prompt response to a call for support.
The whale was breathing and moving its huge 11 foot and 15 foot flippers when discovered and the group in the rescue attempt set it on its belly and tried to pull it with a rope, with the assistance of a 150 horse power engine, but did not succeed.
President Jagdeo shows that small states can lead
By Dr Randy Persaud
Kenneth Waltz once remarked – “Denmark doesn’t matter.” This noted neorealist international relations theorist was not commenting on the character of that country. Rather, he was making the point that the only thing that matters in the international system is power. As a structuralist, Waltz is not only interested in who has power per se, but the way in which capabilities are distributed in the international system. Put differently, a proper understanding of international relations behooves the analyst to move from the unit level (states) to the system level, as a whole.
The suspicion with unit level analysis is that national attributes (i.e. of a unit) alone cannot tell you anything interesting about the capacity of the state to exert power or influence in the international system. For unit level attributes to make sense, the analyst must also take cognisance of the structure of the international system.
Most mainstream international relations scholars, even the ones who jettison unit level reductionist analyses none the less start with a classificatory schema where the world is divided into Great Powers (The United States, Great Britain, Russia, China, Franc etc), middle powers (India, Brazil, Italy, Turkey, Canada); and small/weak states (mostly the ACP-like states).
Classical realists (Morgenthau, Lane), neorealists (Waltz, Mearsheimer) neoliberal institutionalists (Keohane) and neo-mercantilists (Gilpin) all privilege great powers in the making of world order. The argument is simple, namely, that Great Powers have the military, economic, political, and institutional capabilities to shape the international system in their own image. They are the ones who make the rules, and they are the only ones who have the ability to break the same rules at little cost to themselves.
The middle powers have some ability to act in the international system based on (a) their location within powerful organisations – e.g. NATO; (b) their ability to provide assistance in the form of emergency aid or long term development aid; and (c) their access to the Great Powers. Canada is an exemplary instance of this role. Regional powers such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Venezuela derive their ability to act based on (a) strategic non-cooperation with Great Powers where the interests of the latter are threatened in a specific regional theatre; (b) their ability to deploy resources on issues that require geographical proximity and/or theatre specific knowledge; and (c) their ability to act as forward deployment positions for Great Powers in the game of general strategic balance.
Where does that leave small/weak states and micro states? The answer according to all the received wisdom is clear – small states have no power and, therefore, cannot have any influence. As usual, received wisdom is often wanting. Remember Copernicus?
We have today a situation in which received wisdom is again being challenged, and Guyana is at the forefront of that charge. We are a small nation of 83,000 square miles with a population of less than a million. Our security force is small and mostly preoccupied with internal security and with stemming gun running and drug smuggling. That is not the stuff of high international politics. How then does one explain the enormous attention is that is currently being paid to Guyana at the international level?
One straightforward answer might be that we are getting attention because of the urgency of climate change and the fact that Guyana has some 15 million hectares of tropical rain forest. That is true, but not quite the whole story. The rain forests were always there and climate change is not exactly new as an issue.
The answer lies in the fact that Guyana’s President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has demonstrated fantastic and visionary leadership. He took note of the impending cataclysms that will come from climate change in the near future, combined it with the forest resources of Guyana, and then developed a framework for development that amounts to nothing less than a paradigm shift.
Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy is not only good for Guyana, but for the common heritage of mankind. Against tremendous odds, President Jagdeo has managed to get the framework of Avoided-Deforestation on the international agenda, now to the point where he is widely acknowledged as the leading mind behind this aspect of a reworked Kyoto Protocol which should ensue later this year in Copenhagen.
Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Prem Misir took note of the President’s international recognition. He wrote that “[t]he decibels for President Jagdeo rise astronomically when a discussion of ‘climate change’ surfaces internationally. President Jagdeo, without demur, has become one of the leading exponents of the climate change initiative…” (Guyana Chronicle, 9.25.09).
Way back when Robert Keohane wrote his doctoral dissertation on the behavior of small states in the international system. Subsequently, in a famous article about the predicament of small states in the international system he framed the options of these states as the Lilliputians’ dilemma.
He meant that since small states are so preoccupied with survival they have little time, energy, and resources left for doing anything that would amount to international influence. Further, even if they showed some ‘guts’ the politics of survival would force them back into their customary roles as followers, not leaders. I suppose sometimes even the number one ranked scholar in his field could be off the mark. I think we have a case here.
President Jagdeo has shown that it is indeed possible for a small country like Guyana to lead. That is now widely recognised overseas. One would hope that it would also catch on here. Notwithstanding Waltz’s sardonic little aphorism noted above, Guyana does matter, at this, despite its size. It is all about leadership, something the world desperately needs if we are to save this planet and, at the same time, open up opportunities for our citizens.
Workshop starts movement to deal with autism locally
By Vanessa Narine
A START to advocate awareness and promote recognition of autism in Guyana was made yesterday with the beginning of a two-day parent training workshop at Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, on Carmichael Street, Georgetown.
A cross section of the participants at yesterday’s workshop. |
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It was in acknowledgment of the lack of scope to deal with the affliction locally and was spearheaded by Dr Kala Ramnath, wife of Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Simon Bond, who has a Human Resource Development doctorate in health.
Bond and Ramnath’s five-year-old son, Rohan, is autistic and, according to her, there is an urgent need for a support system to help parents of such children.
Because of that, she was instrumental in getting two specialists on the affliction to act as facilitators yesterday.
They are Dr Indra Mahabir, who is a Doctor of Education working with the target group since 2006 and Mrs. Revathi Narayanan, who is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Child Development and a Diploma in Special Education and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Dr Kala Ramnath |
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Ramnath said the information is available but many people do not understand the ailment and it is hoped that the workshop will help.
AUTISM
In Guyana, like many other countries, Autism is a novel concept among the majority of its people but, for a handful of households who have had to deal with an autistic child; it is an integral part of everyday life.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.
It is defined by a certain set of behaviours and is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and in varying degrees with no known single cause.
The mental disorder affecting the way the brain works is not contagious; is more common in boys than in girls, for reasons still unknown; found throughout the world in families of all ethnic and social backgrounds and does not have a cure but there are treatment options that can aid a victim to lead a fulfilled life.
According to Narayanan, when dealing with the illness, there is a need to see the whole child.
“When working with autistic children, the ultimate goal is to see them as independent as they can be, achieving their fullest potential,” she said.
She said in each action in dealing with the autistic is about getting that child to be as good as can be.
Mrs. Revathi Narayanan and a four-year-old autistic child. |
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Mahabir said the workshop would seek to address several issues which included:
* Comparing each child’s abilities to milestone charts developed by Autism specialists;
* Giving an overview of Autism to help parents grasp the concept of what Autism really is;
* Explaining ways to deal with an autistic child using different methods such as the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children (TEACCH) method, the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), the Sensory Integrated Therapy (SIT) and Floor Time which is basically one-on-one sessions with an autistic child;
* Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS); and
* Other concerns the parents may have.
About 15 parents, who were receptive to the new information, requested, among other things to know the concepts of turn taking, completing tasks, getting dressed, socialising, feeding themselves, following instructions, toilet training, saying their names, recognising faces and making requests.
One of the parents, Mr. Sulay Mendonca, father of a four-year-old son welcomed the initiative.
He admitted that raising the boy is challenging and the effort to facilitate support for parents and make people aware is a step in the right direction.
Another parent, Mrs. Marcia Smith, who has a four-year-old son, agreed the programme was very informative.
Mrs. Julia Wright, grandmother of another four-year-old boy, expressed delight that autism is finally being recognised in Guyanese society.
“People, because they do not understand autism, sometimes beat the children, shut them away or class them as slow because they are not aware. So this workshop is good because it helps people to understand,” she concurred.
In attendance, too, were two teachers from School of the Nations, the only such institution in Guyana with a special needs unit that caters for autistic children and volunteers from the host centre, who also work with autistic patients.
The Administrator, Ms. Cynthia Massay said the centre is happy to be involved in promoting the awareness.
Together, the Centre and the activists responsible for the workshop said they will take the venture further.
Ramnath said the next move is to establish a Guyana Autistic Society (GAS), which will provide a recognised platform for advocacy and support.
She said an interim executive committee is already in place and, in collaboration with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), GAS is likely to be a reality by year-end.
In Region Two…
New partnership approach to housing schemes development inaugurated
By Priya Nauth
CENTRAL Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development officially handed over the management of several housing schemes in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) to the local authorities on Thursday.
This was done, in the Anna Regina Town Council office, to ensure that the recipients play a more active role in the community development process of the eight schemes with some 700 house lots.
Minister Irfaan addresses stakeholders at the Anna Regina Town Council office. |
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The Good Hope/Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) will be responsible for Pomona Housing Scheme; Riverstown/Annandale NDC for Onderneeming also called Suddie and Anna Regina Municipality for Bush Lot, Lot 1, Anna Regina, Henrietta/Richmond, La Belle Alliance, Lima Dairy and Lima Pasture.
CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Myrna Pitt said the passing of responsibility to the respective local democratic organs was the final step in the procedure the agency pursues as it carries out its mandate to assure orderly development.
Housing schemes are the embodiment of human settlements and their development is the responsibility of the central authority in the first instance and, thereafter, the respective local authorities, she stated.
Pitt recalled that CH&PA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on March 9, 2007, representing the collaborative approach, of the two entities, that is necessary for the seamless transfer of responsibilities, as the housing schemes are assimilated into the existing local authority areas.
She said, in keeping with the CH&PA statutory mandate to promote orderly and progressive development in urban and rural areas, this partnership with the local authorities is to make sure that development takes place in a proper and harmonious manner in the schemes it establishes.
In this regard, therefore, Pitt said, in all aspects of planning for future housing areas, CH&PA will be engaging and including local authorities because it is of the view that an integrated and participative strategy leads to sustainability of its efforts.
Integral part
She noted that, in this quest, CH&PA recently established the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee as a very integral part of its planning and implementation mechanism to guarantee that all future housing development benefits from the active involvement and participation of key stakeholders.
“Under the MOU, which is included in the hand-over package, the respective local authorities have responsibilities which are clearly outlined. It is our expectation that these responsibilities will be fully undertaken by the various bodies and executed in an efficient, effective and timely manner.” Pitt said.
She also pointed out that the MOU spells out, as well, responsibilities which will be undertaken jointly by CH&PA and the Local Government Ministry to ensure that the necessary standards, monitoring protocols, regulations, guidelines and such are developed, maintained and enforced.
In addition, Pitt said the entities have undertaken to share and disseminate relevant information between and among the various bodies and develop and implement training programmes for relevant personnel to ensure that the required institutional framework remains viable.
“Our collective efforts have made this occasion possible. Let us build on this foundation and strengthen our collaboration to ensure that all future engagements are meaningful and fruitful with the ultimate objective of establishing sustainable human settlements,” she exhorted those involved.
Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali said the occasion was more than symbolic.
“This ceremony was built on issues of governance, accountability, transparency and the evolution of a process of decentralisation.
“These are critical issues facing developing countries today. How far are we willing, from the central level, to include and incorporate local entities or local governance, empowering local governance in the decision making process and the management of their affairs at the local level?” he asked.
He told the NDC Chairmen: “This is a day of celebration for you, as governance is decentralised and handed down to you in a greater form.
“It also emphasises that government business at the central level is transparent and that we are committed to being accountable to the people at the local level and at the grassroot level and the closest governance mechanism to the grassroot is the NDC,” Ali asserted.
He reiterated that NDCs are the closest arms of the Government to the people and that a softer component of governance, accountability and transparency is reflected in the process.
Tremendous consultation
Ali underscored the importance of the MOU, describing it as a well crafted document that benefitted from tremendous consultation.
He emphasised that the NDCs have a critical role to play in the development process and disclosed that, in less than nine years, from 2000, Government has spent more than $1.7 billion in the water and housing sector in Region Two.
According to him, from 1992 to 2008, the Administration distributed more than 2,000 house lots in the region and the investment made in housing and water, so far, has benefitted some 35,000 residents.
He also revealed that, in 2010, Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) projects to spend a further $160M in the same region, expecting to deliver direct benefit to at least 40,000 residents.
Ali said, importantly included in the package for the NDCs is an infrastructure maintenance manual and developer manuals and he urged them to review those documents which are critical for the successful management of the new infrastructures.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Kellawan Lall, alluding to the global situation, remarked that Government has committed to continue to provide people with the basic services.
He concurred that the handing over is symbolic of many things that are going on in the society and is the beginning of another process to start planning and organising to assure the further development of the areas.
Lall said the function did not mark the end of the ministries’ involvement but the beginning of a new process and the level of cooperation that will continue to see that the housing schemes are developed as models.
“I want to urge the NDCs and the municipality to use the occasion of these new housing schemes to create a higher standard of residential areas and pay keen heed to the Local Government Act,” he said.
Chairman of Region Two, Mr. Alli Baksh, acknowledging the importance of the exercise, said tremendous work has been done in the areas to make infrastructure available but reminded that a lot of work is still to be done to develop them.
He appealed: “Let us work in a collective way to enhance these new housing schemes and sustain and develop the old ones.”
Development Planner, Ms. Germene Stewart, who gave an overview of planning and development issues in management of housing schemes, reiterated that the primary purpose of transferring the management of the housing schemes to the local authorities is to ensure that the latter play a more active part in the community development now by managing the local affairs and ensuring development is carried out in a proper and harmonious manner according to whatever stipulated plan, policies, regulations and standards exist.
“So the transfer of this management must not now be seen as a burden on the local authorities but must be seen as a partnership approach to ensure sustainability of the housing schemes,” she explained.
Stewart said, in the partnership approach, CH&PA and the local authorities have critical functions and roles to fulfill.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Seewchan said the NDCs and municipality will be asked to carry out basic services.
He said community meetings will be important to foster a better relationship with the ministries and local authorities and, in keeping with the policy of the Local Government Ministry, a comprehensive public awareness programme is necessary to share expectations.
“We hope that these communities will play a more pro-active role and act as a role model so we can have other communities learn from those lessons,” said Seewchan.
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Agri Minister meets with exporters
By Tajeram Mohabir
The Ministry of Agriculture, in keeping with its drive to expand export of non-traditional produce, recently met with several exporters to listen to their concerns and suggestions to improve their business and the sub-sector as a whole.
The meeting called by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud sought to strengthen relations with exporters in enhancing the outlook of the emerging sector as outlined in the Agriculture Export Diversification Strategy.
New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), along with support from the donor agencies, has been tasked with pushing developments in this area.
Also present at the meeting were National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) Director, Dr Oudho Homenauth; GMC General Manager, Mr. Nissam Hassan; Chief Crops, Livestock Officer, Mr. Brian Sears; and other ministry officials.
Persaud, speaking at his Regent and Vlissengen Streets Ministry, said over the years, production and export of non-traditional crops have increased and currently several proposals from foreign investors who are interested in doing business here are being reviewed.
He pointed out that his ministry is continuously looking at ways to enhance production and export of non-traditional produce and has made several relevant investments.
These, Persaud said, include the construction of the $80M and $15M packaging facilities at Parika and Sophia, the availability of a refrigerated truck for farmers and exporters, the building of information technology networks in communities in the various regions, and the establishment of a farmers database.
In addition, the minister reported that strides are being made to develop support network and research and extension services to farmers.
He disclosed that Guyana has received some $171M through the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) programme to develop the local export infrastructure.
This sum, Persaud said, will be used for the construction of cold storage facilities at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Parika and Sophia packaging houses, and training programmes, all geared towards making Guyana a first class exporter of non-traditional produce.
He urged the exporters not to be complacent with their current situation, as there are tremendous opportunities in the sub-sector; but they first have to put their houses in order to harness the benefits.
The minister also pointed out that issues with standards have been a problem in the region, but at the recent Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting here, he made representation on this matter.
He said work has started to draw up a common regional export standard and the regional Ministers of Agriculture have agreed to establish an organisation to look at these issues.
Persaud encouraged the exporters to form a national association so that his ministry will be able to interact with them in a more cohesive manner.
If farmers move in this direction, the minister promised to provide free accommodation for their association for one year.
The exporters voiced their concerns on the poor state of the North West ferry, the long and drawn-out process of certification with the St. Lucian authorities, the Surinamese authorities not issuing permits for exports to that country, low production of plantains and bananas, inadequate availability of water at the Parika Packaging House, and the cost of using the new acquired refrigerated truck, among other issues.
Sears said the Ministry of Agriculture representatives met with their Surinamese counterparts on Monday who informed the local team that their country is issuing licences to local exporters who are interested in exporting to their country.
Persaud stressed that the hindrance with St. Lucia will be looked at and he requested that exporters submit a dossier on the constraints they encounter with countries in the region so that he can make representation for resolving these matters.
Homenauth acknowledged the problem with banana and plantain production but said a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) expert will be here next week to work on diagnosing the problem, and will make recommendations on beefing up production.
Hassan said the GMC is aware of the situation at the Parika Packaging House and has written to the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) but that body said it cannot address the problem and suggested that the GMC build a well to meet its water needs.
The facility, he said, is currently receiving water from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of that area.
Hassan was also asked by Persaud to make available to the farmers and exporters a schedule of the cost to use the newly acquired refrigerated truck.
Including the hearing impaired into the school system
By Vanessa Narine
The ‘Train the Sign Language Trainer Initiative - Advancing Deaf Education’ is entering another phase that reflects the inclusion of hearing impaired children into the school system, giving them the opportunity to attend selected regular schools.
This is according to Mr. Leon Walcott, Director of the Support Group for Deaf Persons, who stated that inclusion is a right and not a privilege.
Since June, 2008, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, has handed over a total of $2M to the Guyana Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBR) to implement the ‘Train the Sign Language Trainer Initiative - Advancing Deaf Education’ project.
During this period, more than 30 teachers have benefitted directly, assisting in the developing of an increasing group of teachers with the capacity to teach deaf children.
By the end of this exercise, it is expected that more will be known about whether deaf educators and regular classroom teachers can work in equal partnership to provide deaf children with relevant and adequate education within the regular classroom.
The activities that have been undertaken through the project include:
* Jan. 7, 2009 – Pastor Lawrence Hallahan assisted the Guyana Police Force in investigating an allegation that a deaf young woman from Mahaica had been sexually assaulted. The interview took place at the David Rose School for Handicapped Children at Thomas lands;
* May – June, 2009, Computer skills Acquisition Project for Deaf Persons in partnership with USAID enabled 13 deaf persons to be trained in assembling computers;
* June, 2009 – 20 persons, including teachers trained in Sign Language; and
* The Prospect Nursery School, South Road Nursery School, Graham’s Hall Primary School and Enmore Primary School are now ready to accommodate deaf pupils.
Also, continuing will be Sign Language training for teachers, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Walcott explained that since communication is the most important area in deaf education, the Support Group of CBR is using the teaching of sign language to provide a good platform from which inclusive teaching practices can be built.
“This is necessary because deaf children may have poor spoken language skills,” the Director said.
To this end, he stated that clear communication in a language they understand with ease and comfort is of paramount importance for the comprehension of the curriculum content.
Walcott added that encouraging deaf children to attend regular schools helps them to establish a bond with others who speak the same language.
He said, “This is important, because many persons associated with the Deaf culture believe that deafness is a difference rather than a disability.”
Additionally, to advance the cause of deaf persons, this week will see several activities being held in commemoration of Deaf Awareness Week 2009.
The activities began on Monday with a Deaf Awareness Week Rally in the auditorium of the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue.
At the rally, deaf persons, their relatives, friends and teachers participated in an interactive session/ lecture on HIV/AIDS, organised by Community Support Development Services Inc. and USAID. The participants were given pointers on how to advocate for their cause.
Last Tuesday, sign language teachers accompanied by deaf pupils from the David Rose Special Needs School and the Diamond Special Needs School visited Covent Garden and Soesdyke Secondary Schools, The Marian Academy, Central High School and the Guyana Education Trust College.
Also, on Wednesday, lectures were held at Craig, Eccles, Mon Repos and Stella Maris Primary Schools, Friendship Secondary School and South Road Nursery School.
Another activity scheduled for Thursday was the hosting of workshops. The Grove and South Ruimveldt Park Primary Schools, Prospect Nursery benefitted from these.
On this day also, the Support Group for Deaf Persons held Sign Language Sessions at the Audiological, Speech Therapy and the Physiotherapy Departments at the Georgetown Hospital.
In addition three days of Sign Language activities were carried out with members of the Guyana Police Force.
This year’s theme is ‘Talking Hands, Hearing Eyes’ which is relevant to how deaf persons communicate.
Community involvement a must for child protection
- Agency Director
CHILD Protection Week, being observed under the theme ‘Caring communities raise caring children - Protect them now’, ends today but Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Mrs. Ann Greene maintained that community involvement remains a must for effectiveness.
“We need to get people at the grassroots involved,” she told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment.
Greene said the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has people on the ground but most incidents, violations of children’s rights are only brought to light because they are reported.
Consequently, the community people are the ones who act as the eyes and ears of the agency and allows it to be able to execute its functions to the maximum, she said.
Greene said much effort is being exerted to protect children for the reason that they are Guyana’s future.
“They are the ones who will lead Guyana, so we must protect them,” she reiterated.
According to Greene, society should be able to see protected children as productive citizens if they are given opportunity to fulfill their potential in life.
She said many individuals who are guilty of inflicting hurt on society have experienced some form of it in their early years.
Greene pointed out that, if children grow with hurt, it is more than likely that they will, at some point in time, react.
In that context, the agency is hoping that the past week of activities will send the message of child protection across the country and spur people into action.
Mandate
The agency, established in July this year, has the mandate to implement policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children; monitor child care facilities; intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and protect vulnerable children.
It is also to function as an oversight and management committee for the related five pieces of legislation - Protection of Children’s Bill, the Status of Children’s Bill and the Adoption of Children’s Bill which were recently passed in the National Assembly - and the Child Care and Development Services Bill and the Custody, Guardianship, Maintenance and Access Bill.
The agency is also responsible for addressing the concerns and decisions of the various boards created under the Children’s Act.
It facilitates a more protective, healthy and conducive environment for Guyana’s children and the activities to mark Child Protection Week were aimed at reiterating the importance of protecting them.
Child Protection week is observed in some 120 countries worldwide but the first observance in Guyana was in 2004.
This year there were panel discussions by children on the issues of child abuse; Booth Day held around the city, debates in schools, broadcast television and radio talks by children and an art and craft exhibition.
A road show is to take place today in front of COURTS (Guyana) Inc. Main Street store, also in Georgetown.
Somerset Court residents unhappy with unfinished work
By Wendella Davidson
Residents of Somerset Court, a private housing development venture established at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, in height of preparations for Cricket World Cup staged here in 2002, are displeased over the way matters pertaining to the proposed handing over of the scheme are currently progressing.
The incomplete area proposed as a playfield for residents of Somerset Court, as of yesterday. |
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Development works in the community such as fixing the roadway and construction of a playfield, the responsibility of the developer and as per the purchase agreement, are incomplete.
They fear that judging from a letter which the developer, Mr. Omprakash ‘Buddy’ Shivraj, dispatched to 91 home-owners in the housing scheme on Wednesday, he will not honor his obligations.
The letter, signed by Shivraj on behalf of Bibi Faredia Jameer (his wife) and which alluded to a brief meeting on September 13 last, which he held with residents, stated that “based on the proceedings, it appears that no one wants to pay maintenance cost. This cannot continue in this manner and hence I am disconnecting the lights on 30th September and removing the guard. The residents of Somerset Court will have to handle the matter from this stage. Added to this, I will be paying the taxes for 2008 and you, the residents, will be responsible for the 2009 taxes which have been calculated as follows : Two Storey Houses - $6,500 per year, Flat Houses -$5,400 per year. I wish you all the best in your endeavours,” the letter concluded.
The contents of the letter, however, do no reflect the truth of the problems between the developer and the residents, as while they are aware of inherent costs which must be borne, the developer needs to be more open with the residents.
A composite of the security wall which was rebuilt. (Photos by Wendella Davidson) |
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An initial meeting was held on August 23 to announce the hand-over plans for the community and the processes entailed by Mr. Shivraj and Mr. Sahadeo Kandhai, a representative of the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
Discussed too, were the payment of rates and taxes, maintenance, security and lighting of the community, road works, the completion of other unfinished works for which the developer has the ultimate responsibility, disposal of garbage and the re-construction of a security wall to the north of what should be a ‘gated’ community.
The meeting was however adjourned to September 13, after the parties could not agree on the issue of payment of rates and taxes, following a suggestion by the NDC representative that homeowners make a two-year retroactive payment.
Another suggestion which did not go down well is that each of the 91 residents in the scheme pay $4000 monthly to offset security and lighting expenses.
Residents had acknowledged that lights, security and water are amenities which are compulsory, but they needed an estimate of expenditure for the provision of lights and security.
Mr. Shivraj, meanwhile, assured the residents that he would undertake to complete all outstanding works for which he is responsible, such as the construction of a playground, and construction of the security wall.
He explained however, that plans to construct a swimming pool had to be shelved because the maintenance cost would be too exorbitant for the residents.
It must be noted, however, that prior to the initial August 23 meeting, residents had expressed their disgust at the state of disrepair of the roads in the community, and just days before some quick-fix work was executed.
And following the meeting, an excavator was dispatched to backfill the empty spot designated for the playground.
The equipment was subsequently removed and area remains unfit for use by the residents, much to the displeasure of the residents many of whom have children.
The follow-up meeting on September 13 was not well attended and very brief; and according to one resident, it was evident that the developer was “not getting his way with the residents.”
The security wall was recently rebuilt but in such a way that persons are still finding a way to enter the community.
And, contrary to the wishes of some residents, it now consists of a gate and the custodian of the keys is reportedly a home-owner whose building was initially a part of the gated community.
But with the resident having expressed a preference for his home to fall outside of the security wall, persons are querying the rationale behind his being given custody of the gate keys.
Meanwhile, the overall cry of the residents is that the developer has reneged on his promises and this disrespectful behaviour towards residents, many of whom are indebted to financial institutions, should in no way be condoned.
And, according to one resident, it was on the basis of the grand plans put forward by the developer for the community that he made up his mind about the purchase. He feels that this should serve as an eye-opener and a warning to other individuals with the intent of buying houses from private developers.
Meanwhile, when contact was made with the NDC and the new developments and issues of concerns raised, it was noted that no handing over of the community will take place before an inspection is done to ensure that all of the proposed works as were laid out by the developer are completed, and before approval is granted by Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall.
People’s Republic of China celebrates its 60th anniversary
By Tajeram Mohabir
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Zhang Jungao, has said China has accomplished unprecedented societal transformation as well as monumental achievements in national construction in the past 60 years.
A member of the visiting Sichuan Folk Art Troupe performs. (Photos by Cullen Best-Nelson) |
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He made the observation at a reception to mark the 60th anniversary since the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Chinese Embassy on Mandela Avenue.
The well-attended gathering included acting President Samuel Hinds, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and the visiting Sichuan Folk Art troupe who rendered several breath- taking performances.
Jungao pointed out that since the launching of the policy of reform and opening-up of China to the world in 1978, profound changes have taken place there.
“China, once a poor country, now enjoys initial prosperity; once closed and isolated, is now open and confident,” the Ambassador said.
He noted that in 1952, China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 67.9 billion yuan; but in 2008, this figure has increased to 30 trillion, a 77 per cent increase over 56 years.
“In other words, the GDP created in one day in 2008 is more than the total amount for the whole year of 1952. In 1952, China’s economic aggregate took a small proportion of the word’s total, and in 1978 this had only risen to 1.8 per cent; but in 2008, the proportion rose to 6.4 per cent, the third largest economy in the world,” Jungao said.
Remarkable balance and power of concentration |
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China has maintained an average annual economy growth of 9.8 per cent in the past 30 years.
Improved living standards
Jungao noted that in the last 60 years, the Chinese people’s living standards have witnessed drastic changes, pointing out that per capita net income for rural residents in 1949 to 2008 has increased by 108 per cent.
“The number of people in absolute poverty has been brought down from 250 million to 15 million. China’s economic take-off works a miracle in the emerging markets.
“With the great achievements on the economic front, China’s political, cultural and social construction has experienced rapid development at the same time.
“China has taken an active part in international affairs. The exchange between the people of China and the world has reached new depth and extent. Now China is playing the more important role on the world stage,” the diplomat underlined.
He said although China has made significant achievements, it remains the biggest developing nation in the world, having a huge population with unbalanced development.
Ambassador Jungao, fourth from left in back row, and next to Acting President Samuel Hinds, with members of the visiting Sichuan Folk Art Troupe. |
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These are the facts Jungao said his country has to face and certain outstanding issues are yet to be resolved.
He also acknowledged that China still has a long way to go in realising modernisation, common prosperity and the building of a harmonious society for all Chinese people
The Ambassador said too that the remarkable changes in China would not have been possible without the move to reform and opening-up to the would; and to achieve the goal of modernisation, building a strong, prosperous, democratic and culturally advanced country, the Chinese people will stick with this policy.
“No matter how powerful China would be in the future, it will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and will, as always, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace. Chinese people will not change seeking for harmonious society and harmonious world.
“China would like to continue to develop friendly relations with all countries on the earth, through mutual beneficial cooperation, to realise common development.
“China will continue to spare no effort to defend the common interests of developing countries, do whatever it could to support their economies and social development, join hands with other countries to contribute more to realise the United Nations Millennium and Development Goals and sustainable development of the world,” he promised.
Guyana is the first English-speaking Caribbean country that established diplomatic relations with China; and according to Jungao, both countries share a similar background and face the common task of development.
Since the two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1972, the friendly relations and cooperation have registered momentous growth.
Over the past 37 years, Guyana has firmly supported China’s territorial integrity and national reunion, maintained close coordination and collaboration with China on the international arena.
“When Chinese people suffered disasters such as earthquake and flooding, Guyana always extended its deep-felt sympathy and valuable support to China. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Government and people of Guyana,” the Ambassador said.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, China has done within its ability to support social and economic development of Guyana with a number of projects in the fields of commerce, construction, heath, education and technical cooperation.
Jungao noted that China has sent eight groups of medical teams and two batches of youth volunteers here, provided large number of governmental scholarship and training opportunities to Guyanese candidates
He said through joint efforts, the friendly relations and cooperation have been further enhanced in recent years yielding significant benefits for both nations.
In 2008, the Ambassador disclosed, the trade volume between the two countries reached US $ 88.75M, and Guyana’s export to China jumped by 77 per cent over the previous years.
Now, he said more and more Chinese enterprises have the intention to explore investment opportunities in Guyana.
“The new Skeldon sugar factor built by a Chinese contractor has been handed over to Guyana. Right now the two sides are exploiting potentialities in electric power, agriculture and IT industry, etc.
“All in all, our exchange and cooperation has enjoyed all-round growth. I’m sure that, through our joint efforts, our friendly relations will bear more fruit in the years to come,” the top Chinese diplomat said.
Acting President Samuel Hinds, extending congratulations and best wishes to the Chinese people, lauded the country’s policies of generating rapid growth and development.
“We must pay tribute to the resolve of the Chinese people who have demonstrated to the world their commitment to nation building through dedication and hard labour.
“The Government and people of China must be justly proud of their achievement today,” the acting President said.
He praised the fruitful relations enjoyed by the two countries over the years, recognising China’s sterling financial and technical contributions towards the development of Guyana.
Hinds said Guyana will continue to work with the people of China to further expand these cooperations.“
“As we move to agree on a post Koyoto Protocol framework, we trust that we can garner the support of China for the position being advocated by Guyana for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and sustainable management of forests as a cogent mitigation tool against climate change in the post 2012 agreement, supported by funds and market-based financial mechanisms,” he said.
Concerned Guyanese yesterday mounted a picketing exercise in Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar in protest against the decorum and behaviour of People’s National Congress reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament, Ms. Volda Lawrence who is also a teacher. |
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Advancing Guyana’s case
THERE can be no doubt that Guyana’s climate change case is gaining more traction at the international level and that President Bharrat Jagdeo’s yeoman efforts are not going unrecognised.
In New York again this week, he has been leading from the front to build support for Guyana’s model based on avoiding deforestation and forest degradation, stressing that international support for this country’s model will be critical for its success.
With the developed world caught up in the grips of the continuing global financial crisis and trying to find ways out of the morass, it will be difficult to convince some countries to put their money where their mouths are.
Guyana cannot afford to give up but what it can do without is the continuing carping from critics of the thrust envisaged in the Low Carbon Development Strategy.
What’s surprising is that the snipers continue with their ambush tactics while more and more influential persons and leaders around the world are recognising the wisdom in Guyana’s model.
Emphasising the pivotal role of the world’s forests in preventing runaway environmental catastrophe, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week that immediate action on reducing deforestation was a critical part of the solution to climate change.
This is the same case that President Jagdeo and his government have been arguing but there are some here who continue to try to pour scorn on the LCDS and related issues.
Opening his high-level event on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in New York on Wednesday, Mr. Ban said, “Whichever way you look at it, protecting the world’s forests is a good investment.”
He pointed to the social and economic benefits of forested lands, as well as their capacity for carbon storage. [Forests are believed to store more than one trillion tonnes of the world’s carbon, and deforestation is estimated to cause nearly 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.]
“We now need to mobilise further funding for REDD and establish transparent systems to distribute payments and measure results,” Mr. Ban added.
Under current proposals, a REDD mechanism would provide financial incentives for developing countries to stop illegal logging and a system for countries to offset their carbon emissions by investing in projects promoting sustainable forest management.
“REDD+”, an enhanced and updated version of the concept, would add a focus on forest preservation and carbon conservation.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, President Jagdeo said, “We need to move beyond simply understanding the challenge. We need to work as a global community to shape a solution that is in all our interests.”
This is what Guyana is attempting in its contribution to the global cause through its LCDS which needs more constructive analyses and advice from well-meaning Guyanese than the criticisms some people find so easy to sink into.
There are bigger worries, as President Jagdeo noted, including the fact that many developed countries are worried that the financial transfers required will be an excessive burden on their budgets during extremely challenging economic times. There are also fears from individual countries that they will be expected to carry a greater burden than other developed nations.
“These political concerns could be a recipe for a stalemate that the world cannot afford. Failure to overcome them now will mean misery for future generations, and the eventual costs of tackling climate change will be even greater than they are now,” President Jagdeo warned.
Although it’s a still a long way to go, all well-meaning Guyanese should be proud of the high international profile that is accruing for our country in the global climate change cause.
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Doodnauth Singh moves to Court for Wakenaam land
FORMER Attorney General, Senior Counsel Doodnauth Singh has filed an action in the Supreme Court Registry to secure the transport for a piece of land he claims to have owned, in Wakenaam, Essequibo, since 1988.
The plaintiff is alleging that ownership of the plot was obtained, by Arjoon Ramnarine, through fraud, perjury and concealment of material facts.
In the 10-day writ, Singh is also seeking to have the Court correct the records.
He is also asking for:
* a declaration that he is and was, at all material times, in actual occupation and possession of that parcel of land known as Lot 11, part of Plantation Meerzorg cum annexis situated on the island of Wakenaam;
* another declaration that he acquired, since 1988, a good and valid title by prescription, to the same land and is entitled to the transport;
* an order that the transport Ramnarine has be set aside;
* costs and such orders that the Court thinks fit.
Bartica man jailed for city robbery
SHAWN Anthony, 28, of Fourth Avenue, Bartica, was yesterday sentenced to two years imprisonment for robbery with violence.
Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson imposeds the custodial punishment on him after he pleaded guilty.
The prisoner admitted that, earlier on September 25, he robbed Danella Thomas of one gold chain valued $70,000 and, at the time, made use of personal violence on her.
The robber, who said he was spending some time in Georgetown, lamented that he had nothing to eat and committed the act after another man pointed out the victim and told him if he did not rob her he would have to sleep on the streets.
Anthony said he snatched the jewel but dropped it because he realised he had nowhere to run but into a trench where he was apprehended.
Gymnasium shooting…
One remanded, another to be charged
POLICE have charged one man in connection with the shooting that injured several persons in the vicinity of the National Gymnasium, on Mandela Avenue, last Tuesday night.
However, when Mark Goodridge, 31, of Lot 59 Light Street, Alberttown, also in Georgetown, appeared in Court yesterday, his lawyer said a businessman who was implicated will be prosecuted, too.
Defence Counsel Gordon Gilhuys appeared for Goodridge who is on charges of felonious wounding and discharging a loaded firearm before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.
The accused was not required to plead to the indictable offences, particulars of which alleged that, on September 22, he maliciously wounded Orielly Small with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and fired a loaded gun causing the same man grievious bodily harm.
Gilhuys said Goodridge was in the gymnasium when the incident occurred and cooperated with Police when the virtual complainant was in custody, as well.
The lawyer said the owner of White Castle Fish Shop, Jermaine Langevine, who is hospitalised, is to be prosecuted, as well.
Goodridge was remanded to prison until October 5.
Demanding with menace case…
Ex-GPL employees bonded after making restitution
JERMAINE James, 36, of Lot 37 Norton Street, Lodge and Solomon Jones, 28, of Lot 114 Garnett Street, Newtown, also in Georgetown, were bonded yesterday after their prosecution for demanding money with menace.
Before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday, they pleaded not guilty to the allegation that, when they were employees of Guyana Power & Light (GPL) on September 23, they menacingly made the demand, from Shivonjaali Sheumber, with intent to steal.
However, after the virtual complainant said she would not proceed with the case if the defendants repay her and they made $60,000 restitution, the duo were put on a bond to each keep the peace for two years.
Sheumber said the probationers went to her house, told her she was stealing electricity and demanded the $60,000 which she gave them.
But, after they left, she called the Police and they were arrested.
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Newscasts portray poor image of journalism
MANY businesses spend their hard- earned advertising dollars during the airing of TV newscasts in Guyana each night. However, sometimes, I am left to wonder if their monies are going to waste since most newscasts portray a poor and distorted image of our journalism capabilities. Many of these newscasts are crying out for help. But sadly there are hardly people with the right skills to lead these programmes to success. Consequently, to spend less money, TV stations have been recruiting very young people with basic high school qualifications and place them in the news business. Check the nightly newscasts. Ninety percent of the journalists are between the ages of eighteen and twenty- five years. And that is exactly how mediocrity enters the system. The results: what we get every single night after we tune in our television sets to the nightly newscasts.
And so, there are some things that I detest on TV newscasts, but they are being repeated over and over and over. Nobody seems to be taking note. It seems to be the normal way of doing things. Well you can’t expect any better right? When it’s all said and done, this is Guyana we’re talking about. Substandard newscasts seem to be the order of the night these days. This is what I am talking about:
A story is introduced but the wrong tape is played. Now instead of stop showing that tape immediately and putting on the correct insert video, the wrong video is allowed to run. The viewer is at a lost. They have no idea what is being shown. The newscaster apologizes for the “mix- up” and reads the introduction for the wrong video just shown. What nonsense!
Then there are those annoying stories that I like to call when reporters seem too lazy. They bring stories with a plethora of repeated footage (no voice inserts) and scenes (just a voice- over). The footage is repeated inasmuch as three times in the story. Sometimes, too, the footage is decades old.
Now let’s turn to mispronunciations. If the English Language were a person, he’d suffer a cruel and merciless death each night newscasts are aired. I remember the famous ‘Queen Elizabeth the Eleventh (II)’ pronunciation a few months ago. The person who said that is an editor today believe it or not. Yeah, I wanted to faint too when I heard. Names of presidents, countries, rivers and towns are the usual instances whereby mispronunciations occur. It shows that the newscasters do not peruse the scripts before actually presenting—or should I say reading the news. Yes, that’s what these people do: they read the news and not present the news. Ask many of them what today’s newscast (which they read) featured and they’d stare you in the face as if you were speaking a foreign language.
I remember visiting the studios of Voice of Guyana about a decade ago. On the wall above the announcer’s chair was the pronunciation guide of a word: ‘Le Merdien’ as ‘Luh Meree-dee-on’ or something to that effect. That guide was always there for announcers who may have had problem pronouncing that particular name on the air.
Many newscasts do not go live because they are insecure of errors being made and them not being able to correct it right away. Many of them have resorted to taped newscasts.
Finally, there are the ‘antics’ that are being seen on the TV newscasts. The letter I wrote about the ‘laughing-on-live-TV’ newscaster dealt a little about it. Then a few days ago, on that same newscast, at the end, the camera was (unknowingly to the newscaster) still running in the studio. The newscaster started to take her coat off and then probably realized that she was still on the air live. She said “oops” and stooped down out of the camera’s way.
And I am sure there are more stories which have happened and are continue to be happening inside the news studios across Guyana, sometimes on live TV. But how much can one view each night? However, sometimes fate allows you to watch at a particular time when funny and weird things are happening on the newscasts. So, many a time the newscasts become about the newscasts themselves and not about the news. That is very interesting. Viewers get distracted by the ‘bloopers’, so to speak, which occur ever so often.
Before I close, I must address the weather forecasts many newscasts give to their viewers. They couldn’t be more inaccurate. They plagiarize and pull off weather information on websites like AccuWeather and the Weather Channel and interpret them the whole wrong way then present them to viewers. Newscasts are inaccurately reporting scattered thunderstorms and rain over Guyana for several days in a row when in reality we are in the middle of a drought. For example, one of the sources of these TV weather forecasts say that on Friday, September 25, there would have been (in Georgetown): 41% probability of thunderstorm, 6.9 mm of precipitation, 6.9 mm of rain, 4 hours of precipitation and 4 hours of rain. That is impossible and surely did not happen. Yet, this is what TV newscasts will report to the public the evening before. It’s laughable indeed. They report inaccurate probability of rain and precipitation as well as three- day forecasts. This goes to show how much the newly- installed Doppler radar is needed to provide accurate weather information to the public through TV newscasts.
This business needs to show more pride of its work when putting out news programmes. Much more work should be done to TV newscasts to ensure that what they public would see each night is nothing that looks like claptraps and therefore makes a mockery of the news business not only nationally but globally too.
LEON JAMESON SUSERAN
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Ramsingh epitomies the best Guyana
CECIL Ramsingh epitomies the best Guyana has and had to offer in terms of being an Ambassador of sport and international relations.
That combination manifested itself in his work as liaison officer for the various touring cricket teams which visited Guyana over the years. The Georgetown Cricket Club and the Guyana Cricket Board, as well as the West Indies Cricket Board could have been confident of the quiet expertise and professionalism Cecil would demonstrate as he facilitated the requirements of the management of the visitors. Many impressions would have been formed, by management and players alike, of the hospitality and commitment of both the Guyanese Cricket Administrators and the nation, by our visitors.
But Cecil, despite his own modest physique, was also dedicated to the physical, healthy lifestyle sport of weight lifting. He was a President of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association. Again he was a tireless administrator and promoter of a sport that was not amongst the more very popular disciplines. His contributions, however, ensured that weightlifting still enjoyed a reasonable profile in the local world of sport.
Cecil Ramsingh, as a person, was a likable man; a mediator, a person given to compromise and bridging gags of disagreements among men. He had his own charm and combined with his polite power of persuasion.
To his wife, children family and friends, I extend heartfelt condolences on behalf of my ministry, the government and entire country. We are one efficient Sport administrator short today, but he has left us a fine tradition of sport administration tradition.
His soul will certainly rest in peace.
CINDY STEWART
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Caribbean Fury punches off tonight with six titles at stake
..‘Sexy Panther’ faces ‘Mystery Lady’ in main bout
By Calvin Roberts
PROMOTERS Stanford Solomon (S&S Promotions) and Carwyn Holland (Holland Entertainment Promotions) have set the stage for tonight’s Caribbean Fury which punches off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), with six titles at stake from 20:00 h.
In the feature bout, Canada’s Corinne Van Rick de Groot who is of Guyanese parentage and goes by the alias ‘Sexy Panther’, will be opposing Guyana’s female bantamweight champion Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight title.
In the first of two supporting bouts, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore will be facing Colombia’s Mauricio Pastrana for the North American Boxing Association (NABA), World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin, WBA Fedecaribe and the World Boxing Council (WBC) CABOFE title.
Alfred and de Groot are both aiming to become Guyana’s seventh world champion, while Moore, who is undoubtedly the future of boxing locally, is positioning himself for a title shot in the near future.
de Groot, who has a ring record of 11-0 with five of her victories coming by way of knockout, was born in Canada to Guyanese parents and is coming back home to challenge for the vacant world championship, while Alfred is aiming to reach the pinnacle of the sport after already capturing the WIBA Iberian title.
In an invited comment, Holland who manages Moore stated, “Leon Moore has tremendous potential and if he wasn’t robbed in Colombia against Irene Pacheco and in Kyrgyzstan against Tomur Shailezou, he would have been recognised by all the world bodies and, at the moment, champions who are avoiding him.
He is pure Caribbean talent and just as Usain Bolt dominated the so-called world’s best-sprinters when he got the chance, Moore will dominate anyone within the 118-126 lb divisions when given the opportunity to do so, starting with Pastrana.”
Moore, whose ring record stands at 24-2 with 22 knockouts, also shares the same view as his manager as he recalls entering the ring in Colombia with boos as the underdog but left hoisted on shoulders with applause and a standing ovation despite his loss.
In a recent publication Moore stated that he is looking to take revenge on any Colombian who faces him.
Former world champion Pastrana (38-11-2 23 ko’s) was originally given a contract to fight Moore for the four titles but had declined, stating he had a better offer, and that sent the promoters soliciting Reynaldo Lopez. However after reading about Moore’s plans to beat up Colombians, Pastrana ordered his manager to sign the contract so he can put an end to Moore once and for all for Colombians.
The Caribbean Fury will also see ‘The Battersea Bomber’ Howard Eastman in action against Trinidad and Tobago’s WBE champion Kevin ‘The Fighting Policeman’ Placide along with Guyana’s heavyweight champion Mitchell Rogers who will face Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes.
The rest of the undercard reads: Dexter Marques facing Hewley Robertson, Iwan Azore matching gloves with Wayne Briggs and Paul Lewis Jr going up against Shawn Pile on a card which will be televised by CaribVision (CMC) in association with the National Communications Network (NCN) and a North American Network to be named shortly.
Affeeze Khan resigns as GABA head
AFFEEZE Khan has resigned as president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), just short of a year since he was returned to the post.
In a letter to the GABA’s Honorary Secretary Otis Van Lewin, copied to Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, Khan said he felt compelled to relinquish his position as president.
The text of the letter reads: “It is with the greatest regret that I feel compelled to relinquish with immediate effect my position as the president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association.
Whilst our country’s amateur boxing programme remains near and dear to my heart, I can no longer afford to ignore the debilitating effect on my health, occasioned by the continuous level of activity required to effectively administer the association.
“It has been for me, both a privilege and a pleasure to have been able to serve alongside many of the venerable stalwarts of the sport and I take this opportunity to thank all who have embraced and supported the sport during my tenure.”
Khan also used the opportunity to thank Dr Anthony and his ministry for their kind and generous support.
He said he would be available to support the future president and board, should the need arise.
At the GABA’s last Annual General Meeting, Khan fought off a strong challenge from Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle, to win the top post.
During his tenure as president, Khan raised funds to send teams overseas for tournaments. He also resuscitated many boxing gyms across the country and even formed new ones.
Jacobs’ maiden five-wicket haul gives Demerara come-from-behind victory
By Calvin Roberts in Anna Regina
(Compliments of Lifetime Realty, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Reena’s Snackette, Pomeroon Sports Committee and GM&R Trading)
A MAIDEN five-wicket haul from former national Under-19 captain Steven Jacobs handed favourites Demerara a come-from-behind 39-run victory over Essequibo in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four-day tournament at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground yesterday.
The hosts, who had snatched first innings points in a match they controlled from the first ball of the first day until the final morning when they resumed on 102-5, needed a further 93 runs to win, but stumbled against the spin of Jacobs whose 5-37 and Troy Gonsalves’ 3-29 routed them for 155, 81 minutes into the morning.
Final scores in the match: Demerara 119 and 278. Essequibo 203 and 155.
Norman Fredericks who resumed on 51, was the first to go when he was caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan at slip off Jacobs, after hitting the previous delivery all along the ground for four - the first and one of three boundaries struck by the Essequibians on the final morning.
He added nine to his overnight score, batting a total of 228 minutes facing 177 deliveries and hitting seven fours. At his demise, Essequibo were 116-6 in the fifth over of the day’s play with overnight batsman Trevon Garraway on 10.
But he did not hang around too long to give the visitors any trouble, as in his attempt to hit a long hop from Troy Gonsalves somewhere out of the ground, he picked out Rajendra Chandrika at mid on and was quickly followed by Anthony Adams (3) and Lennox Andrews (0), as a rampant Jacobs went on the hunt for his victims.
Adams had displayed a resilient batting display against the all-spin and at times pace-spin attack by Demerara, until he pushed forward to Jacobs who bowled unchanged and was caught by Leon Johnson at forward short leg.
Andrews’ miserable time in the game continued when he went for a golden duck first ball, caught by Barnwell at midwicket, as he attempted to hit Jacobs somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, a dismissal that brought a hush to the crowd as Essequibo were 136-9 in the first hour of play.
Andrew Williams (12) who was the last wicket to fall, showed some fight along with second-innings bowling hero Trevon Benn (13), by hitting Gonsalves over midwicket for four while Benn, who was dropped by Johnson at forward short leg off Jacobs, pulled a short delivery from Mohammed out of the ground for six.
But that was the last hurrah for the Cinderella County team, as Jacobs got his first five-wicket haul at this level when he had Williams snapped up at forward short leg by Shemroy Barrington, bringing joy to his teammates and sadness to his opponents who opted to accept defeat from the platter of success in the process.
All told, Essequibo batted for 19 overs and 81 minutes on the final morning, scoring 53 runs, but most importantly for Demerara, losing five wickets in the process, as Jacobs who had taken one wicket on the penultimate day, took four of the five to fall on the final day.
There will be a break in this format of the tournament until November, but the two teams will meet again next Wednesday at the same venue, this time in a GCB/El Dorado-sponsored Inter-county limited-overs contest.
GCB four-day cricket…
Bishoo spins Berbice to 169-run win over Rest Team
NATIONAL leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo grabbed six wickets yesterday morning to formalise the victory for Berbice against the Rest Team on the fourth and final day of the Guyana Cricket Board four-day cricket competition at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown.
Set a massive 415 for an improbable win, the Rest Team, led by national wicketkeeper Derwin Christian, were dismissed for 246 in the very first session yesterday, handing the boys from the Ancient County a resounding 169-run win.
Scores in the match: Berbice 205 and 437, Rest Team 228 and 246.
Resuming yesterday morning precariously placed at 223-8, the Rest Team innings was quickly wrapped up by Bishoo who took six for 56 to end with a match-haul of 9-118 off 35.4 overs.
He was supported by off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine with two for 49 off nine overs.
Meanwhile, Berbice, resuming on the third day from their solid overnight position of 290-3 with Narsingh Deonarine on 101 and Homchand Pooran on 47, had progressed to 437 all out, approximately one hour after lunch.
The left-handed Deonarine went on to accumulate 145 runs before he was nicely taken by Seon Daniels at long-off to off-spinner Steven Latcha, while the right-handed Pooran scored a fine 88, which included four fours from 189 balls.
Deonarine occupied the crease for 177 balls and in the process struck 11 fours and three sixes.
Esaun Crandon was the other useful scorer yesterday with 20 as Latcha ended with four for 79 from 25 overs, while off-spinner Deon Ferrier and left-arm spinner Sauid Drepaul grabbed three for 79 and two for 125 respectively.
When the Rest Team began their second innings’ chase, they lost first-innings top-scorer Trevon Griffith for 14, while his opening partner Ryan Ramdass followed shortly for 22.
Left-handed Vishaul Singh steadied the innings momentarily with a compact 70 which included eight fours and two sixes from 85 deliveries after skipper Derwin Christian (0) and Ferrier (4) fell in quick succession.
Drepaul followed up his fifty in the first innings with another impressive 50.
Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 201 puts Durham in charge
LONDON, England (CMC) – Prolific West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul carved out a fine, unbeaten double century as Durham grabbed control of their County Division One match against Worcestershire yesterday.
The left-handed Chanderpaul, unbeaten on an even century overnight, carried on to reach 201 to help push the champions up to a massive 634 for eight declared in response to the hosts’ first innings 356 at New Road.
At the close of the third day, Worcestershire were 41 for one in their second innings still 237 runs in arrears.
Chanderpaul, one of the West Indies cricketers sidelined by the ongoing bitter contracts impasse, faced 382 balls in an innings lasting a shade over 8-1/2 hours, and struck 25 fours.
In the process, he reached his sixth double century and also carried his overnight fourth-wicket stand of 183 with Dale Benkenstein to 226.
The right-handed Benkenstein also reached three figures, converting his overnight 91 into 109.
At Trent Bridge, Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith captured three for 50 with his medium pace as Nottinghamshire reached 236 for seven in their second innings, a lead of 321 runs.
Notts scored 328 in their first innings with Smith claiming three for 73 and Sussex responded with 243 all out with Smith failing with five.
MCY&S/Guyana Softball League team with Carib Beer to host National tourney
By Storme Moore
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Softball League (GSL) have partnered with Ansa McAl through their Carib Beer brand name to host the National softball cricket tournament.
At yesterday’s press briefing Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said that he is pleased to be associated with the Guyana Softball League in putting this tournament together.
Dr Anthony deemed the GSL a true national association because of the range of their outreach, he went on to commend them on keeping with the Ministry’s vision of promoting community-based sporting activities which are aimed at creating opportunities for proper interaction in society.
Vice-president of the GSL, Halim Khan, said that he is very pleased to bring this event to Guyana, he said that he is also pleased to be utilising the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in this venture. He revealed that plans for a national softball tournament have been in hand for a while and he thanked Ansa McAl and Carib Beer for coming on board to make these plans a reality.
Darshanie Yussuf, Public Relations Officer at Ansa McAl, speaking on behalf of the entity said that this is seen as a chance at youth development. She related that Ansa McAl is devoted to youth development. Yussuf said that Ansa McAl acknowledges cricket as a Guyanese passion and as such the company is happy to give back to Guyana by sponsoring this tournament.
The tournament will feature 160 teams from eight zones namely Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Coast Demerara, Wakenaam/Bartica/Leguan, Essequibo Coast, Linden, Berbice and East Bank Demerara. Cash incentives will be offered depending on the number of teams entered in each zone.
Zones entering 30 or more teams will play for an incentive of $100 000, 20 teams will play for $50 000, 10 teams will play for $20 000 and 5 teams will play for $10 000.
The tournament is open to all teams and boasts $200 000 and a trophy and $50 000 and a trophy as the first and second prizes respectively.
The Most Valuable Player will receive $10 000 and a trophy while the Man-of-the-Match for the final game will receive $5 000 and a trophy, the Most Disciplined Team will receive a trophy.
Play is scheduled to last approximately two months and will begin on October 11 and conclude on December 12.
Sports between Guyana and Brazil will improve relationships
SPORTSVIEW BY NEIL KUMAR
ALL Guyanese must hail President Bharrat Jagdeo for being at the helm of our country and to see the construction of the Takutu Bridge.
The completion of this bridge and the opening of the road linking Brazil and Guyana will certainly give Guyanese tremendous opportunities to get more deeply involved in sport activities with one of the very powerful countries in the World.
Brazil is certainly ‘King’ in World Football and they are also great at several other sport disciplines such as volleyball.
The combination of such highly developed sports in the bordering communities and the establishment of the Takutu Bridge will certainly lend to the improvement of sport in Guyana.
Of course Guyana and Brazil have signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding as they relate to sport and culture.
The Guyana Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission has initiated a number of programmes to develop sport in the hinterland regions. These ventures have seen much success as they are implemented.
Many of our indigenous athletes in different sport disciplines have been given opportunities to represent Guyana at the National and International arenas. Entire teams from these communities participate in National events in Georgetown and other areas.
The Takutu Bridge will definitely strengthen South/South Cooperation in sport. Our peoples in our bordering communities will be in a better position to formally develop strong sport ties which already exist.
Our Indigenous people will be given the opportunities to play at a higher level of sport while competing against their counterparts from and in Brazil.
Our Sportsmen and Sportswomen from the coast will also be encouraged to be involved in exchange porgrammes.
Thus with the official opening of the Takutu Bridge which physically links our two neighbouring countries, Guyana stands to benefit and enjoy developments in various areas including technology, communication, construction, commerce, trade, agriculture, among others.
However, while in the many media releases mention was not made of the development of sport for Guyana, it is imperative and necessary for us to examine how the establishment of such a facility can propel the development of sport and sportspersons in Guyana.
Brazil has produced and continues to produce top class athletes in many sport disciplines at the highest level of championships in the World.
While all and sundry know that Brazil has dominated World Soccer over the years in every category, Brazil has also been a force to be reckoned with at other sport disciplines.
So dominant is Brazil in World Sport that even the frontier communities have produced international athletes.
Leading the long list of World Class Athletes out of Brazil are: Edson Dos Nascimento (King Pele), Ronaldo, Romario, Zico (Football), Joaquim Cruz, Maureen Maggie (Track and Field), Ceilo-Filho, Fernado (Swimming).
Their standard of play, generally, while interacting with athletes of a higher level and at facilities of international level will further prepare our athletes for greater success.
The present Kashif & Shanghai annual football tournament which is indeed the largest and best organised football activity in Guyana can benefit from the cooperation between our two countries which will be derived from the Takutu Bridge linkage.
Kashif & Shanghai can now move south and establish ties with bordering villages of Brazil such as Roraima, Bon Fim, Sao Paulo and Boa Vista as the bridge will create great possibilities for development in football.
Both countries, through their Presidents have pledged closer working relationships to foster cooperation and development between the two countries.
Our Ministry of Education must therefore develop programmes so that our children especially in the bordering communities such as Lethem, Annai, Ishalton, Dadanawa, Shea, can benefit from the cooperation agreed to by the leaders.
Sports between the two countries will definitely improve relationships between our peoples in every aspect of life.
Our peoples, especially the people of Guyana must not allow such an achievement - the reality of a dream come through the Takutu Bridge, which links our two wonderful countries - to pass us by.
Our leaders have worked unselfishly for such a realisation. We must ensure that all the benefits, with particular reference to sport, which the bridge can encourage, are used to the best of our abilities.
Latin America, South America and Guyana are now sure to have more ready linkages. Roberto Duran and Hugo Cesar Chavez are two great boxers. Our indigenous people must be given greater opportunities to develop boxing gyms so that Guyana can give our first people greater opportunities to become champions.
As for Football, expectations are high that clubs will play more games against clubs in Brazil and our young players will benefit from the World Class coaches in Brazil.
Sport today is a business. Brazil is a powerful country in this part of the World.
Guyana, geographically, is at the bottom of the Caribbean and at the top of Latin America. Politically, Guyana is a Caribbean country but this initiative and this linkage with Guyana and Brazil will make Guyana closer to the more developed world.
President Jagdeo must continue to work and make sure that the road and the Hydro Power Projects become a reality. Guyana’s future development needs President Jagdeo’s unflinching support and his initiative for further development.
Malik relishing crunch India game today
PAKISTAN batsman Shoaib Malik has backed Saturday's day/night Champions Trophy showdown with India in Centurion to be the game of the tournament.
Younus Khan returns to skipper Pakistan and former captain Malik said: "It is the most eagerly awaited match, both for the crowd and for the players.
"If you perform well and help your team win you become an instant hero."
India coach Gary Kirsten wants number one status for his team and said: "We are heading that way and are excited."
Such is the congestion at the top of the world rankings that only two points separate the top three teams.
Australia's defeat in the final match of the one-day series with England saw them drop two places to number three, with India moving up to second and South Africa regaining top spot.
"We know we have to perform well as we continue the quest to be the best. We take pride in our consistency and we'd like to continue that," Kirsten added.
Younis is fit to lead Pakistan after suffering a hairline fracture in a warm-up match.
His team suffered a scare in his absence when chasing a mere 134 against West Indies, losing five wickets in the first 23 overs before 19-year-old Umar Akmal's unbeaten 41 helped to secure a five-wicket win.
India have their own problems, with explosive all-rounder Yuvraj Singh joining star opener Virender Sehwag on the injury list.
Younus dismissed suggestion that his team were in awe of Sachin Tendulkar, the game's leading run-scorer in Test and one-day cricket.
Tendulkar has played 66 one-day matches against Pakistan and has five centuries at an average of 39, although that is lower than his overall average of 44.
"More than us, Sachin would be under enormous pressure since now so much rests on him to deliver the goods."
"He is no ghost or super-natural entity. He is a great player and I feel happy when I play against him.
"What matters is your performance on the day. Maybe an Umar Akmal can win a game while somebody like Tendulkar fails."
India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt.), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Rudra Pratap Singh, Amit Mishra, Dinesh Karthik, Abhishek Nayar.
Pakistan (from): Younus Khan (capt.), Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved-ul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal.
Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Simon Taufel (AUS). (BBC Sport)
FIFA, police target fake World Cup tickets
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - FIFA is working with police forces globally to crack down on internet sales of fake tickets for next year's World Cup in South Africa, soccer's governing body said yesterday.
Unauthorised websites are already being closed down as demand grows for tickets for the finals, kicking off on June 11.
FIFA said one example of its cooperation with the police was the "great support" it had received from the Police Central e-Crime Unit of New Scotland Yard in London in the fight against unauthorised ticket resellers operating via the web.
As part of a major operation, FIFA said New Scotland Yard was shutting down websites selling unauthorised tickets.
"Our work with New Scotland Yard is yet another example that we are taking serious steps to stop unauthorised entities from selling 2010 FIFA World Cup tickets," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said in a statement.
"We applaud the work of New Scotland Yard in its efforts to ensure that our common goal to target and shut down illegitimate and unauthorised ticket sellers is achieved. We simply cannot accept that true fans are being cheated in this way."
SITES SHUT
The Times newspaper in England reported yesterday that 100 sites had been shut so far, 20 of them based in England.
FIFA expects between 450 000 and 500 000 fans to visit South Africa for the finals for which fears about safety and personal security have long been an issue.
"Many unauthorised operators are exploiting the popularity of the FIFA World Cup to lure unsuspecting fans across the world into purchasing illegitimate or unauthorised tickets and/or ticket-inclusive travel packages," said FIFA, which is selling tickets through its own website.
A special team from FIFA's legal affairs department was working closely with international authorities in South Africa and other countries to monitor the internet and take action against fake offers, it said.
"FIFA and its ticket-handling partner MATCH are warning consumers about any unauthorised ticket sales and the risk of purchasing fake tickets, which would result in the buyers not being able to access the stadium," FIFA said.
Tickets will only be printed a few weeks before the tournament.
Champions Trophy cricket ...
Rejuvenated England beat Sri Lanka
ENGLAND announced their presence on the Champions Trophy with an impressive win over Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.
Sri Lanka have been tipped by many to lift the trophy and were impressive against South Africa, but they met their match in Andrew Strauss's England.
Sri Lanka limped to 212 all out having been inserted on a green wicket and England shrugged off the loss of a couple of early wickets to reach their target with five overs to spare for the loss of four wickets.
James Anderson set the tone with a top-class display with the ball and Paul Collingwood (46), Owais Shah (44), Eoin Morgan (62no) and Matt Prior (28no) found form with the bat to open up Group B.
Strauss won the toss, his 11th winning toss in his last 13 games, and had no hesitation in electing to bowl on what looked a seamer-friendly wicket.
Strauss was not let down by his opening bowlers, as the heart was ripped out of the Sri Lankan top order by Anderson and Graham Onions.
Onions struck first, with the Durham man producing a beauty to angle across Sanath Jayasuriya and take his outside edge.
Anderson took the prize scalp of Tillakaratne Dilshan, who slapped a wide ball straight to Morgan at point.
Anderson is undoubtedly England's finest seam bowler with Andrew Flintoff out of the picture and his opening spell was out of the very top drawer.
Having worked Mahela Jayawardene over with a host of outswingers, the in-ducker got through the defences and trapped the right-hander leg-before.
For all Anderson's quality with the ball, England did not really take advantage of the conditions. A loose shot from Kumar Sangakkara gave Onions a second wicket but the Durham man did not take full advantage of the conditions as figures of two for 58 from 10 overs testify.
Stuart Broad too bowled poorly, sending down far too many short balls, but took three for 49 in his 10 overs.
England's poor bowling and some excellent batting from Thilan Samaraweera (30), Thilina Kandamby (53) and Angelo Mathews (52) handed Sri Lanka a lifeline.
Sri Lanka recovered from 17-4 to make 212 and it was their rising stars that made the difference.
Samaraweera and Kandamby put on 64 for the fourth wicket, while Kandamby and Mathews put on 83 - thanks to some excellent batting and wayward bowling.
Kandamby and Mathews looked well set to put on a big score when the former was run-out in comical circumstances, as Mathews turned down an easy single.
The game meandered along for 40 overs but burst into life when Mathews was run-out, only to be recalled by Strauss.
Mathews ran into Onions turning for a second and was left well short of his ground. Mathews' plea to the umpires fell on deaf ears and he trudged off, but was summoned back by Strauss.
Onions appeared to do nothing wrong, but it seemed that Strauss had the incident involving New Zealand's Grant Elliott in his mind when recalling Mathews.
Then England skipper Collingwood was pilloried for his failure to recall Elliott after the Kiwi had been flattened by Ryan Sidebottom and subsequently run-out.
It was a tremendously sporting act from Strauss and he was rewarded in the following over as Mathews edged behind to Prior off Luke Wright.
Sri Lanka were in real trouble at 176 for seven following Mathews' departure, but clean hitting from Muttiah Muralitharan (18) and Nuwan Kulasekara (17no) lifted them to 212.
It looked a defendable target and Sri Lanka reinforced their position when Kulasekara removed Joe Denly and Strauss, the latter falling to a stunning one-handed catch from Kandamby.
Collingwood (46) has been handed the number four spot and he launched a stunning counter-attack.
He crashed the ball around the park and looked like taking the game away from Sri Lanka when he was unfortunate to chop a ball from Lasith Malinga on to his stumps.
Morgan took on the baton from Collingwood and played some unorthodox but effective shots to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers.
He found a fine partner in Shah who was content to play the anchor role and their partnership of 112 laid the foundation for victory.
The heralded Ajantha Mendis and Muralitharan found no assistance in the pitch and were powerless to prevent England racing to victory. (Eurosport)
SRI LANKA (50 overs maximum)
T. Dilshan c Morgan b Anderson 2
S. Jayasuriya c wkp. Prior b Onions 0
K. Sangakkara c Strauss b Onions 1
D. Jayawardene lbw b Anderson 9
T. Samaraweera c Collingwood b Broad 30
S. Kandamby run-out 53
A. Mathews c wkp. Prior b Wright 52
N. Kulasekara not out 17
M. Muralitharan b Broad 18
L. Malinga b Broad 0
A. Mendis c Strauss b Anderson 5
Extras: (lb-4, w-21) 25
Total: (all out; 47.3 overs) 212
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-17, 4-17, 5-81, 6-163, 7-176, 8-197, 9-197.
Bowling: Anderson 9.3-2-20-3 (w-3), Onions 10-0-58-2 (w-5), Broad 10-0-49-3 (w-5), Wright 6-0-34-1 (w-1), Collingwood 8-0-24-0 (w-2), Swann 4-0-23-0 (w-1).
ENGLAND (target: 213 runs from 50 overs)
A. Strauss c Kandamby b Kulasekara 9
J. Denly lbw b Kulasekara 5
O. Shah c wkp. Sangakkara b Muralitharan 44
P. Collingwood b Malinga 46
E. Morgan not out 62
M. Prior not out 28
Extras: (lb-7, w-11, nb-1) 19
Total: (4 wkts, 45 overs) 213
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-19, 3-82, 4-158.
Bowling: Malinga 9-0-43-1 (nb-1, w-3), Kulasekara 9-1-42-2 (w-3), Mathews 8-2-26-0 (w-1), Mendis 9-0-35-0 (w-1), Muralitharan 10-0-60-1 (w-3).
Points: England 2, Sri Lanka 0.
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