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ARCHIVES FOR NOVEMBER 02, 2009

679 youths receive PYARG awards at 11th anniversary ceremony
APPROXIMATELY 679 youths from across the country have been equipped with skills in leadership, community service and self esteem and were awarded for these achievements during the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) 11th anniversary award presentation ceremony on Saturday.

President Bharrat Jagdeo joined Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony and PYARG Executive Alfred King in congratulating the awardees during the ceremony at the National Cultural Centre

50 gold, 438 bronze and 191 silver awards were handed out.

The best unit award trophy in the gold category went to Region Seven. Lisa Wong received a trophy from President Jagdeo on behalf of her unit. Meanwhile in the silver category the Linden Unit copped the best unit award. At the Bronze level the award went to the Leguan Unit.

The President addressing the awardees expressed the hope that the lessons learnt will guide them throughout life and noted that patriotism stands out as the most impressive of all the awardees’ achievements, particularly the relationship which is built through participation.

He highlighted that the other importance of such an experience is the recognition that Guyana has a proud heritage rooted in multiculturalism. Such a heritage he said can be used to break down the racial and religious prejudices existing in pockets of society.

In this regard he encouraged all to learn from the lessons of Guyana’s history, particularly in the period of the 1960s when Guyana was divided along racial lines by the tactics of foreigners.

“This generation has the burden of overcoming that division so the only way you can do that is if you believe in your own heart that the Guyanese identity is bigger than ethnic identity or religious belongings,” the President said.

Over the last 11 years PYARG has grown to include partnership with the Ministry of Health to encourage youths across the country to adopt healthy lifestyles through peer education on sexually transmitted and chronic non communicable diseases.

The “Caravan of Hope” which was among the new additions to the programme also equipped the awardees with a mobile resource to reach youths in communities across the county.

PYARG is a leader in the area of “edutainment” (using entertainment to educate) and Minister Anthony in his address said since the edutainment launch two years ago, the programme has been the most widely requested at many venues.

He said however, that among the most ambitious of PYARG projects is the community component where youths are tasked with identifying small projects in their communities. This has allowed several of them to take on the role as child care and senior citizen agents, road safety and infrastructure development ambassadors and grow more food advocates.

In the latter area, Minister Anthony disclosed that President Jagdeo’s role as a strong environmentalist has influenced PYARG’s environmental programme with projects at Shell Beach to secure a safe habitat for the giant leatherback turtle, small reforestation programme and a sensitisation campaign on Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

“All of our young people who attended youth consultations on the LCDS unanimously endorsed it and we wish His Excellency and his team all successes in the upcoming negotiations in Copenhagen,” Anthony said.

PYARG is now firmly established in all 10 Regions of Guyana, having reached Regions Eight and Nine recently.

The talent which many of the youths gain participating in the award was showcased during tonight’s anniversary celebration in the form of songs, dance and steelpan playing.

Since the commencement of the PYARG programme in 1998, over 9000 youths across Guyana have gained meaningful opportunities, experiences and life changing skills.

PYARG’s Executive Officer Alfred King in his address admitted that such progress would not have been possible without the strong patronage from parents, participants and kind citizens who offered their time and resources.

“It’s a special opportunity for adults as well to give of themselves as well and in so doing they themselves enjoy the satisfaction of watching young people grow and contribute in a meaningful way in society. That in itself is a meaningful contribution in that you will always be proud of,” King said.

Guyana’s award programme was considered unique in terms of quality compared to other countries where it is being offered. King explained that the many who serve in the award at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, as well as those who stayed the course, have done so with distinction and as such, the Guyana programme can be considered a model.

He credited this uniqueness to the Guyana Government which he said has been the reason why the programme has been accessible to all Guyanese youths. In other countries where PYARG is administered the private sector has been the driving force. Guyana’s programme is however fully funded by Government.

Minister Anthony nevertheless called for private sector support hoping that next year’s programme will win their patronage. (GINA)

Minister Manickchand condemns torturing of 14-year-old
MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand has vehemently condemned the torturing of a 14-year old boy held in police custody in connection with the murder of former Vice-Chairman of Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).

She described the act as being “horrific” and “criminal” in a statement issued yesterday.

Here is a full text of the statement:
The allegations by lawyers on his behalf and by the young man himself of the setting ablaze of the pelvic area of a 14-year old boy while in police custody are a source of great concern to me.

I condemn in the strongest terms this horrific, criminal act and expect that the perpetrators thereof shall face the full force of the law.

I am encouraged by the fact that the persons who are alleged to have perpetrated this act have been arrested. I commend the police force for recognising that this should never have happened and for taking speedy action. I expect a full investigation shall be pursued with a view not only to bringing these perpetrators to justice but to ensuring this never happens again.

These rogue officers of the police force must be made to understand that obtaining any statement or evidence in this manner does no one any good as any such statement or evidence obtained after this kind of brutality will most likely be thrown out by the court at the time of trial. Any such statement/s will therefore be useless in proving any offence. The dead man whose murder was being investigated and his family are at risk of forever searching for justice. This is sad.

The Government remains committed to providing an environment where children can thrive and their talents given every opportunity to flourish. Our commitment is evidenced by the many actions that we have thus far taken including the establishment of the Childcare and Protection Agency, the passage of and laying in the National Assembly of several pieces of legislation including the Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act piloted by Minister Rohee in 2007.

This Act underscores Government’s understanding that, as in any other country, there will be children who will find themselves in conflict with the law, but when that happens those children should be treated differently from adults. We remain committed to enforcing these pieces of legislation and policy decisions and expect full compliance from the various service providers thereunder.

Serious crimes in 2009 fall; significant decline in murders
THE work of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been bolstered with the release on Friday of the comparative figures of serious crimes countrywide for the period January 1 to October 27, 2009 which show a 5% decline in the crime rate, led by a significant fall in murders of 30%.

Such figures are understandable given the elimination of several dangerous criminals and their gangs such as Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins.

Serious crimes so far this year have fallen to 2,461 from 2,573 last year, with murders falling to 95 from 136.

The downward trend is supported by a 69.5% clearing rate of murder cases, with the GPF identifying 66 out of 95 perpetrators of murders this year to justice. A majority of these individuals have been charged and brought before the justice system, with a few on the run from the law. Wanted bulletins have been issued for these individuals and the police continue to actively seek them out.

There has also been a significant reduction of robbery with the use of firearms. For 2209, there have been 513 cases compared to 698 in 2008, a 26% reduction.

In releasing the statistics yesterday, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud explained significant effort and resources have been placed in combating crime.

Also, the crime intelligence units have assisted in arresting a number of wanted individuals involved in robberies, with some of the groups being dismantled.

He also said that the crime observatory unit plays a major role with timely analysis on situations after which suggestions are made towards better deployment of the resources of the Force.

Furthermore, community policing groups (CPGs) deployed around the country, have contributed to the reduction in serious crimes.(GINA)

Tourism Month launched in Bartica

This duo of the Elvis Dance School captivated the audience with a Latino dance.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad tries his hands at the steel pan at the launching of Tourism Awareness Month 2009 yesterday in Bartica.

TOURISM Awareness Month 2009 was launched yesterday, for the first time in Bartica dubbed the “gateway of the interior” in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) under the theme “Promoting Quality and Sustainable Tourism in Guyana”.

The packed programme by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority saw cultural presentations including a poem entitled “Kaeiteur” by students of the Bartica Secondary School; performances by members of the Elvis Dance School and the Classique Dance Company; and a song entitled ‘Guyana’s Child’ by Jessica Xavier.

This is the 15th year of observing Tourism Awareness Month and Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Manniram Prashad said a number of activities are planned to sensitise Guyanese on the growing importance and significance of tourism in Guyana. These include: customer service training; tour guide training; event management workshop; tourism awareness talks in schools; tourism awards ceremony; launching of tourism mini poster series; and the hosting of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) Fifth Technical Meeting.

Rohee laments reckless driving by motorists
- 600 fatalities from 2006 to September this year
By Shirley Thomas
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, has lamented the reckless manner in which many motorists are using the nation’s roads, deeming it as unacceptable the snuffing out of more than 600 lives during the period 2006 to September this year.

But even as that figure represents the numbers killed, literally hundreds more have suffered and continue to suffer – some having been crippled, disfigured or otherwise injured in serious road accidents during that period.

With the highest figure in any one year during that period being 207 in 2007, he singled out the 92 killed in 2008, as being the lowest recorded fatality figure in 30 years. Albeit, the minister said that figure only represents lives lost, and does not take into account those injured. For that year (2008) alone 514 persons were injured in serious accidents in the country, and in excess of 300 for 2009, as at September 30.

These chilling statistics have led the Home Affairs Minister to register a passionate call to motorists in particular, as well as other categories of road users, to be more road safety conscious, in an effort to reduce the carnage on the nation’s roads.

Rohee made these comments as he addressed a media briefing at his Brickdam offices on Saturday to usher in National Road Safety Month being observed during this month.

A break down of the road fatality statistics for the reporting period is as follows:

2006 – 164

2007 - 207

2008 – 92

2009 – 83 (as at September 30)

Meanwhile, of the 83 killed so far for 2009, 63 were males and 20 females, further reducing the male component of society, in a situation where the male folk are already greatly outnumbered by females.

Even with AIDS and diabetes being among the lead causes of deaths locally, road accidents account for a significant percentage of male deaths.

Rohee said the carnage is mainly as a result of speeding, noting that in 2007, 2008 and 2009, 59%, 68% and 49% of the fatal accidents were as a result of this practice.

While congratulating the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) for the selfless efforts they have exerted in fulfillment of their responsibilities, and the fact that more road users are becoming road conscious, Rohee opined that much more needs to be done by all stakeholders, to sensitise the general public of the need to be more careful when using the nation’s roads.

The minister said that road safety is important to all, especially now that Guyana is witnessing a number of economic developments, necessitating a corresponding increase in the use of the roadways.

He observed that this situation is not being helped, with the steady increase in the number of vehicles of all types being imported into the country. “This reality requires us all, road users, to find ways in which to make the road safer,” he affirmed.

Other parameters/variables to be taken into consideration when assessing the impact of road accidents on the nation he said, include:

* the cost to the economy in terms of health care;

* damage to public property;

* the cost of replacement and repairs to vehicles.

Over the last two years, in an effort to support the police in its enforcement activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has facilitated the following initiatives through Legislation and other measures:

* The passage in Parliament of Amendments to: Section 61 of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act and Section 101 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act which imposed stricter penalties on drivers who damage roads, bridges, traffic lights and other public infrastructure while driving our highways and other roads.

* The passage in Parliament of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences (Amendment) Act 2008 which addresses the issue of playing loud music in certain types of vehicles.

* The Passage in Parliament of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment Act) 2009 which places restrictions on the use of cellular phones and similar devices by drivers while driving.

* The Evidence and Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2008 which addresses the issue of ‘drunk driving’ and facilitates the use of breathalyser testing as an effective tool available to the Police to curb accidents.

Other measures being taken to provide for better regulation and management of traffic in the country Minister Rohee cited were:

1) An order to be published with respect to ‘no parking’ on the Linden Soesdyke Highway during specified hours;

2) More streets to be designated as one-way streets shortly;

3) An advisory to be published on the expected conduct of traffic ranks on the road;

4) The impending implementation of the De-merit Points System.

In addition, the Guyana Police Force has been employing certain measures to ensure that there is better management of traffic countrywide, targeting hire car and minibus drivers, young persons driving vehicles and motorcycles.

Meanwhile, alluding to the activities in observance of National Road Safety month organised by the NRSC, Rohee said the intention is to focus on all aspects of road safety, targeting a wide cross-section of the population, including: children, young adults, drivers and farmers, and will be highly participatory.

Facilities at No. 63 Beach to improve
By Priya Nauth
WORK will begin soon to improve the facilities at No. 63 Beach, one of the major tourist attractions in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne). This was disclosed during a site visit last Wednesday by Mr. Manniram Prashad along with the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh and Coordinator of National and Other Events within the Ministry, Mr. Avalon Jagnandan.

Speaking during the visit Prashad said his Ministry took a conscious effort to refurbish the faculties and to this end, disclosed that work will be done on refurbishing of the five benabs; three pavilions and two sets of toilet facilities with the construction of two changing room facilities.

He said the facilities are expected to be completed by the end of November and assured that his Ministry is working closely with the relevant stakeholders including the community, Regional Democratic Council (RDC), and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and it is important that there is the full participation and involvement of all the stakeholders.

The team met with the Committee which included police, the NDC, RDC, the local communities and the Chamber of Commerce.

He said it was anticipated that with the opening of the Berbice Bridge, there will be an influx of visitors to the area, recalling that there was a committee before but “something went wrong and it was not maintained” and this new group is “energised and energetic”.

Noting the importance of maintaining the facilities, he said, “We want to make sure that the facilities we are going to build here are not pilfered because the last time we had these facilities and people just come and misused them; damaged them and so it is important to care these facilities.”

Prashad said with the opening of the Berbice Bridge and greater accessibility, there is an ever increasing need for such facilities and improving the environs.

He alluded to the massive turnout last Easter Monday with over 20,000 persons flocking the beach but pointed out that every weekend, persons from all across the country visit it.

He reiterated that there is a need for close collaboration and a “public private partnership” to make sure that these facilities once completed are maintained to a very good standard and properly secured.

The minister further noted that there is a need for rangers to which funding will be needed and the committee has to ensure that this is arranged.

He also said it is expected that the Committee will charge a fee for parking to help in maintain the beach including employing persons to keep the beach and its surroundings clean.

“…all those plastic bottles and littering, we don’t want that because when tourists come into the country, they want to see a clean environment,” he pointed out.

“This beach must remain clean and the facilities and everything else must be in a clean natural environment,” he stressed.

Noting that it is a major attraction, he said that for too long Berbice has been neglected in the “tourism effort and drive” and it is against this background that work is being done to develop areas along the Corentyne and other areas including Orealla and Cow Falls.

He insisted that increasingly people will be visiting the Berbice region and the #63 beach which would generate more economic activities such as employment, craft and tours leading to the development of the local communities, the region and the country as a whole.

The minister also made it clear that no one should pay to use the facility stating, “This facility belongs to all Guyanese”.

The local communities can also have fund raising activities on the beach and generate income, he suggested, adding, “In the initial stage we will be helping out during the period of construction to have the place secure but after that we want the beach committee to take over these facilities and manage them.”

However, he assured that his Ministry will continue to work closely with the Committee to further develop the beach.

“This is what we call public private partnership. I envisage that this will work because I know the committee is very keen to move forward,” he expressed.

He added: “This 63 Beach is very sentimental to Berbicians and all Guyanese and we want to make sure that we keep this environment clean.”

He said that when visitors come from overseas, this would encourage them to invest in the area hence generating a lot of opportunities for the region.

“The government will also look at ways and means how we can improve the overall ambiance of the area and monitoring and see how we can improve it. We want to see a willingness on the part of the local communities to maintain this facility,” he stated.

Prashad also suggested that the Committee organise mini-regatta events and other fund-raising activities which would attract a lot of visitors and reminded that last year, for the first time, Tourism Awareness Month was launched at #63 Beach and this year, it would be launched in Bartica because the Ministry “wants to promote the entire Guyana”.

“We have a good opportunity now to make sure the facilities are constructed and maintained and the residents of this area, they must be the watchdogs of these facilities not just the security people,” he noted.

He insisted that #63 Beach can be one of the biggest attractions and a lot of activities will take off with its further development and enhancement.

Regional Chairman, Mr. Zulfikar also agreed that the beach Committee needs to be more proactive and come up with innovative ideas to develop and maintain the attraction.

He also suggested that the Committee look at sponsorship from the corporate bodies and disclosed that he would be meeting shortly with the group to engage in discussions.

Police rogue elements must be ruthlessly rooted out
The recent allegations of a 14-year old held in police custody in connection with the murder of the former Region 3 Vice-Chairman is indeed most alarming and a terrible reflection on the Guyana Police Force which has been working extremely hard to deal with serious crimes that have gripped our country in recent years. And in this regard they have undoubtedly scored some impressive successes and for this they must be commended. In fact, according to the latest reports serious crimes have significantly declined for which our hard working policemen and women must take some credit for.

However, when a few rogue elements within the Force carry out such despicable acts its professionalism is called into question and the public tend to lose confidence in it, albeit the majority of police ranks carry out their duties in a generally professional manner.

In this instance, it is not only the severe physical injuries inflicted upon the boy but the psychological/emotional harm that may become indelible in his mind and from which he may never be able to recover and this could have far reaching consequences in terms of living a normal life.

The police leadership has been working towards building a partnership with the citizenry, which is a most wise move, but these rogue elements will only undermine that initiative because society would tend to develop distrust for our security forces when such horrendous acts are carried out.

And what has happened recently has sent shockwaves in the society and therefore it is not surprising that a group of lawyers, including Senior Counsel and member of Parliament, Bernard DeSantos, has come out very vociferously condemning the horrific act of torture on someone who is still a child.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand has also issued a terse condemnation in which she described the act as being “horrific” and “criminal”

She continued: “The allegations by lawyers on his behalf and by the young man himself of the setting ablaze of the pelvic area of a 14-year old boy while in police custody are a source of great concern to me.”

“I condemn in the strongest terms this horrific, criminal act and expect that the perpetrators thereof shall face the full force of the law.”

“I am encouraged by the fact that the persons who are alleged to have perpetrated this act have been arrested. I commend the police force for recognising that this should never have happened and for taking speedy action. I expect a full investigation shall be pursued with a view not only to bringing these perpetrators to justice but to ensuring this never happens again.”

“These rogue officers of the police force must be made to understand that obtaining any statement or evidence in this manner does no one any good as any such statement or evidence obtained after this kind of brutality will most likely be thrown out by the court at the time of trial. Any such statement/s will therefore be useless in proving any offence. The dead man whose murder was being investigated and his family are at risk of forever searching for justice. This is sad.”

The minister is perfectly right and indeed it is encouraging that the Force has embarked upon an investigation of a most unfortunate incident, and resulting from it the perpetrators of this horrendous act will be brought to justice and bear the full brunt of the law.

The motto of the Force: “Service and Protection” must be upheld at all times and those within the organisation who do not or do not intend to subscribe to it must be ruthlessly rooted out.

As a nation in the throes of our developmental thrust we simply cannot afford to let those who have the responsibility of protecting our citizens descend to such levels of brutality and terror, as this will only undermine and put the brakes on the developmental processes of this Nation.

THE PARROT
Jungle in the Stadium
The Parrot was among the first in line to visit Agrifest 2009. Many were keen on seeing the Bajan singer with a name similar to that of the Indian currency.

Still others had numerous reasons to attend including children shows featuring popular cartoon characters.

For me, it was the expectation of a wide variety of fruits. Vegetables were there, but my favourite fruits were missing.

I flew many a miles to savour the fruits. I had to settle for a fruit-flavour juice and an ice-cream cone. The fest reiterated what has always been known; this is a land of nuff food! Not that food actually had to be there to confirm this; the numerous departments with equipment and services were enough.

Indeed, as the “Kabaka” and Uncle Cheddi used to articulate, the Region can be fed by this land. Uncle Bharrat who has responsibility for Agriculture in the Region, has been relentless in his efforts to promote this land’s rich food potential.

Uncle Manning from T&T and others have endorsed this. Some have even indicated an interest to set up farms here. Food; man we got food.

The Fest even had mooing cows and baaing sheep. Even sheep curry as part of the mutton curry competition. Boy was it tasty! Hmmm! Along with the Dhal-puri that accompanied it; heavenly. After a while the craving for fruits disappeared.

Having flown, I was able to avoid the extremely long lines at the entrance. Enthusiastic thousands thronged the Stadium. During casual conversations, some asked if I liked the jungle. Now, first this sounded like an “eye-pass” question.

The jungle? I am a civilised Parrot who left the wild many a moons ago. My plumage is always in keeping with modern day outfits which would show my long departure from the thick forests.

Why choose such an occasion to ask such a question? I began to doubt my plumage and the vision of my designers. As such, the “eye-pass” question led to a related “eye-pass” conversation. In the end I had to apologise.

The “asker” presumed that I purchased a ticket and was subjected to the necessary security checks and entered through the “jungle” at the main gate.

When flying over, I thought the gate looked like a “jungle” given the many diverse thousands in outfits of various colours. No way would I have envisaged that an actual replica of a forest was erected from the main entrance to the first intersection in the Stadium compound.

It looked extremely authentic with green trees, dried leaves, animal sounds and trekkers in the form of patrons. The low lying canopy of leaves ensured that the carbon was kept low in the arena. Even prices were low.

The only thing high was the decibels from the sound system. Well, not that alone; a few guys also.

The jungle felt really real. Some thought it even evoked some emotions of fear; those who suffer from “jungle-phobia” that is. Fear was welcomed since it was Halloween day.

Real fear dominated during the day as torrential rains poured over a vast part of this land including the Stadium.

The Fest was threatened as water accumulated and tents upturned due to heavy winds. Final preparations became impossible. But the man in charged, who is a Man Bullish in Agriculture (MBA), was not daunted.

The MBA called the Doppler station to enquire about the persistent heavy downpour. On cue, information with impeccable accuracy was provided as to exactly when the pouring would cease.

Armed with this, the MBA summoned his team. Timelines were reworked, notices posted in the media and fear dissipated. Patrons responded.

Sponge Bob and Dora excited the children. Rupee rocked and the overwhelming response led to a held over. 2010 may need five days.

The Parrot noticed efficiency, not only from organisers, but from the Fire Department also. They were parked in proximity of the stalls that offered hot pepper sauce for sale. They were ensuring safety.

Those who would have “flared up” due to an overindulgence in pepper would have been doused and cooled down immediately. Agrifest 09 indeed brought out efficiency in many including the fire boys. One would hope that they, the fire boys that is, would ensure the same when it really matters. Let me cool down my mouth with this cone.
Lick, lick! Squawk! Squawk!

Several unpleasant developments at Turkeyen Campus
IT remains the highest academic institution in the country, but the rapid decadence is so pungent and chronic, that it seems that this emerging malaise is now the ‘mores’ of the Turkeyen Campus. So what am I talking about?

First, there is the emerging culture of music across the lawns and along the catwalk throughout the day. I am generous in saying music, which serves as a euphonious substitute for noise. The roughness of the pieces, combined with the puerile and prurient nature of the lyrics betrays the listenership: a group of dilettanti, mere callow paraders, who have become quite otiose. These excuses for students make life unpleasant for the real and serious budding academics. They disrupt classes, annoy lecturers and stimulate puking in general. Something must be done, and I have a few suggestions.

The Social Science can do field work right on campus. Who are these seeming vagrants (for they have a noxious kind of ubiquity and are irritatingly conspicuous)? What are they studying? How come they have so much time to dawdle away? Why be so disruptive? What are they seeking to compensate for? I think this is a good starting point. This deliberate show of pretentiousness is a veneer that needs a quick paring, and I hope the authorities establish and enforce a proper university code of conduct for students. This will make campus life very salubrious and challenging. However, I have a second grouse.

Currently, there is the semblance of a campaign for the UG students’ presidency, and it leaves so much to be desired. The moribundity of this culture is quite poignant-there is an absence of the fever and fervour which characterise these events. One hardly knows the candidates, and I guess it is because they are not worth knowing. The few faces on the notice boards on campus reflect the flippancy of the whole event. I ask a few simple questions-does anyone of the candidates have something akin to a manifesto? Does anyone have the capability to be engaged in live debates, which are devoid of any kind of persiflage? The very foppish nature of these few unknown candidates reflects the need for a death to this institution at the Turkeyen Campus. It is a waste of time and it elevates a few scholars and grandee manques. Down with the whole thing.
RAYMON SANKAR
Student
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It was a barbaric method of extracting information
WAS I in total shock with KN front page image of the brutalised 14-year old teenager by investigative officers of the Police Force?

No.

I will agree with anyone that it was a barbaric method used in extracting information from the victim or person of interest and those responsible should be subject to face a panel or the justice system.

A pertinent question is that, where did these officers come by such training methods and who approved of them?

The persons at the head of the force might very well need to get back to the blackboard with it's training of the force's members and foreign assistance and consultation will definitely need to play a role.
Is the administration open to go down that avenue?
T. PEMBERTON
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Use caution before forming opinion on recent fires
WE must view the spate of recent fires with a bit more caution before we form an opinion or even express one that could cast false aspersions on others, particularly, the victims who at the time might not have even gotten over their ordeal.

To this end I ask that we examine the comments of the Home Affairs Minister and the interpretation given to it by some media houses. While the Honourable Minister suggested that the four fires that affected the Hamid family appeared a bit suspicious and investigations so far have not ruled out arson, the media’s coverage of this aspect of his pronouncement might cause the unsuspecting mind to buy into the theory of the Hamids’ involvement in the destruction of their own property for whatever reasons known only to themselves.

Eye witness reports have indicated that a suspect was seen hurriedly leaving the scene shortly after explosions were heard at the time of the Household Plus fire. This development when juxtaposed against the spate of certain recent fires, particularly, the Ministry of Health etc, and the claim of a political link, could very well be part of an orchestrated campaign to permeate fear in our society.

When Office of the President was stormed by protesters the spin-off trickled unto Regent Street. The result was, wanton destruction to property at the Hamids’ Household Plus store, arson at the nearby Payless store and scores of traumatized workers and patrons. During their time of agitation the destabilizers are known to be selective in choosing their targets and often revisit violence on institutions and businesses, this could very well be the case.

So before coming to our conclusions we ought to also be enlightened on all angles and not just snippets foisted on us selectively.
DAVE MARTINDALE
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Guyana on the right development path
OUR dear land continues to receive accolades from various organisations and for different things. Although the Stabroek News is seen as one of the newspapers that is not favourable to this administration, it was heartening to see the Wednesday edition of the paper which carried an article on Guyana’s ranking in the World Economic Forum gender equality report.

The report says that Guyana ranks 35 out of a list of 134 countries in gender equality. I think the government needs to be commended for the good work over the years in ensuring that women are empowered in Guyana.

I, remember the constitution being changed to ensure that a fixed percentage of women are included in the National Assembly. Many organisations also have instituted policies to allow for the inclusion of females at the highest level in areas which were once seen as the man’s domain.

In the area of health, Guyana ties with 38 other countries for first place while the US was ranked at 40. Some of the other countries that tied for that place were Angola, France, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Paraguay and Yemen which all scored 0.9796. This is, I think, a reason for celebration, since our health coverage is recognised and recorded on par with such countries with relatively more resources.

The report looked at how much countries reduced gender disparities in the areas of economic participation, education, health and political empowerment. Guyana was not ranked in the Global Gender Gap Index, which is released annually, for the past three years.

According to the report, countries like Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden top the list while in the Caribbean; countries ranked higher than Guyana are Trinidad and Tobago at 19, Barbados at 21, Bahamas at 28 and Cuba at 29. The lowest ranked country is Yemen at 134 while Suriname is ranked at 79.

According to the Stabroek News, “Of the 134 countries Guyana is ranked 86 in economic participation and opportunity with more males participating in the workforce than females. On educational attainment, Guyana ranks 41 with a rank of 54 on literacy rates. Guyana has achieved equality in literacy rates the report shows, while females outnumber males in enrolment in tertiary education. Among many other countries, Guyana ranks at 1 in health and survival and is ranked 28 in political empowerment.”

Guyana’s development definitely spans all sectors as we see ever so often, with our country gaining noteworthy rankings in international reports. Kudos to the government for its work in reducing and eliminating the gaps in so many areas; Guyana is on a development path that will continue to earn it many good accolades.
LAURA SINGH
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Intervention needed to bring relief for students
Permit me space to comment on a particular issue which I have raised at different times with key officials at the Central Ministry of Education, Regional Education Officer, Regional Chairman of Region Number Three, Headmistress and Former Deputy Headmaster ad other staff concerning the intervention needed to bring relief to the insanitary and unsafe conditions that exists over the past one and half years at the West Demerara Secondary School.

The Government of Guyana has expended over the years per capita huge sums of money to deliver quality education to the young people of this country and on several occasions the President of the Republic has reiterated that improvement in education is singular to the growth of this country. Some people in the education sector seemingly do not understand the ideological thrust of the PPP/Civic administration which has become evident by their negative attitude, lack of leadership and commitment and general neglect of their constituents – the school children.

During the latter part of 2008, my daughter of 14 years expressed to me that the trauma she and all the female students experience on a daily basis of having no water at the Ablution Block, no water at the sink to wash their hands five days a week during the school terms. I visited the school sometime in December 2008 and spoke with the Headmaster (ag) concerning the issue. He admitted that it was a fact that there was no water even though the GWI has its main facility next door and there was over 15 – 450 gallons black tanks available but empty.

In the presence of the staff of the school I immediately contracted Mr. Roberts at GWI for his assistance in sourcing water from their facility. The cost associated with the commissioning of new water connections would have been in the vicinity of $15,000. The said Acting Headteacher promised to have the exercise completed earliest so that access to water would have been guaranteed. To my dismay, there was no action after two weeks and no feed back from the staff. I contacted the Regional Education Officer and in fact wrote her, copied to the Regional Chairman to intervene since I believe that it was of serious concern to nearly 500 students. Weeks passed yet no action except when I spoke to the Regional Chairman, he mentioned that a plumber was sent to assess the situation. The stench emanating from the toilet continued unabated.

I subsequently telephoned the Chief Education Officer (ag) outlining the situation at the school. She explained to me that a Board would be approved by the Minister of Education soon and all such matters would be addressed. The stench keep emanating from the toilets and the school children continued to suffer.

Mr. Editor, this is October 2009 and now worms have taken over the toilets according to reports and male students urinate on the fence and fertilising the bushes. The female students seek refuge at nearby homes, teachers’ washroom or ‘keep it in’ until they reach home.

That institution was rated as one comparable to QC and Bishops and was a dream for many students to attend. But this is no longer the case. The lethargy and neglect of the school administration and the Ministry of Education must not be condoned. This is a poor example of who we appoint to mould, train and develop the minds of the future leaders, engineers, doctors, lawyers, farmers and other professionals on the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara. God help us. In the meantime there is more stench emanating from the toilets at the West Demerara Secondary School up to today October 26, 2009.
Krishna Mandata
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Concerned about copyright infringement by Kaieteur News
IT is with great concern that I write on the issue of copyright infringement by the Kaieteur News newspapers of my article entitled "Restorative Justice: a far fetched idea for the Caribbean?" which was first published on Tuesday October 27th, 2009 in the commentary section of the Caribbean Net News online newspapers. To my utter surprise my entire article was reproduced word for word under the caption "Region may need restorative justice" on Wednesday October 28th 2009, with absolutely no acknowledgement of my authorship and a claim by the newspaper to have extracted it from some place called Hoovers.

It is this sort of blatant dishonesty and contempt for intellectual property rights which continues to be propagated in our society, but which I do not intend to tolerate in relation to my work. I am Guyanese and live in Guyana, my contact particulars are readily available where required, yet the Kaieteur News saw fit to bypass my permission and even worse to attribute my work to someone else!

The newspaper is no stranger to lawsuits, but its absolute lack of professionalism has reached the zenith. I demand that Kaieteur News desist from its lawlessness and properly acknowledge my authorship and the source from which it extracted my article. I intend to deal condignly with this matter should the editor not correct the situation.
ABIOLA INNISS
LLB, LLM, Mediator, Arbitrator
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Where do we come from?
The newspaper letters page is often swamped with the questions, where did we come from and what makes us human? The TV programme NOVA will provide us the most likely answer on Tuesday November 3rd. The three part special running on PBS examines what the latest scientific research reveals about us and our hominid relatives.

It would be very educational if our local TV stations broadcast these programmes

Why did leaps in human evolution take place? Part one of the series examines the factors that caused us to split from the other great apes and NOVA takes viewers "inside the skull" to show how our ancestors' brains had begun to change from those of the apes.

The other programmes in the "Becoming Human" series are Part 2: "Birth of Humanity," which profiles the earliest species of humans, and Part 3: "Last Human Standing," which examines why, of various human species that once shared the planet, only our kind remains.
Justin de Freitas.
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Solidly supporting the President’s LCDS initiative
Dear Editor,
I see so many letters in the press on LCDS, some supportive and some condemnatory of the President’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Personally, I believe that the initiative is based on sound values and judgment. Therefore, I solidly support the Presidents overtures. As a result he has to travel, but let us not forget that he does have competent Administrators and Ministers to run the affairs of the Government and people. The travels in my opinion are necessary as he highlights to the world that we are capable of making significant contributions to Reduced Emissions Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), through the Low Carbon Development Strategy which at the same time could be profitable to Guyana and its people.

If after he does his best, nothing is forthcoming, then Guyana has all rights to pursue it economic development based on industrialisation. Let us note that industrial development has not been put on hold.

In addition he is putting Guyana on the map, meeting national leaders, leaders in academia, furthering his arguments at the highest levels on the international scene. I believe that it will bear fruit.

As a result of his work in this arena, I see him in time being appointed to a major world body, specifically to do with LCDS matters and climate change.

The trips therefore are investments for future development. And I am no spin doctor for any politicians. I always speak from my heart.
Roshan Khan
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Very often in the midst of stormy weather there is sunshine and beauty.
In sections of the media and experiences by citizens, we learn of the inappropriate and sometimes even crude behaviour by sections of the Police Force.

Today, I had occasion to visit the Immigration Department on Camp Road and there I found the quiescence of what a well run public office should be; the place was tidy, every member of staff, even on a Friday was neatly attired and courteous.

I travelled to many parts of the world and the Commissioner of Police ought to be justifiably proud of his Immigration Department staff.

The few members of the public I spoke with shared my views and joined in commending the leadership of the Immigration Department.

Let us hope that this high quality permeates other sections of the Police Force and indeed, our Public Service generally.
Congratulations.
Hamilton Green JP
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The promise to rebuild by the Hamids is an act of resilience that must be commended
Dear Editor,
Please allow me the space and time to offer my deepest regrets and sympathy to the owners and staff of the Regent Street businesses that suffered losses as a result of fire recently, particularly, the Hamid family, who no doubt have suffered a telling blow in the loss of two businesses in the space of weeks.

It is very sad when you have worked hard and put so much effort into something and then have it taken away in a flash by unforeseen circumstances, this I know, as I, like many others have suffered too in a similar fashion.

No doubt, the impact of such a loss will be felt also by those that earned a livelihood from the goods and services offered by these businesses, especially the staff and their families.

Some of them might find new jobs, while others might not be so fortunate. Whilst the Hamids have stated their intention to rebuild other businesses owners are still undecided. For this the Hamids should be commended and we should also offer them strong words of encouragement for the amount of resilience shown and their continued demonstration of faith in themselves, their staff and the economy.
Baldeo Mathura

Gayle reappointed to captain
Windies to Australia
..Joel Garner is manager
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Chris Gayle has been reappointed captain of the West Indies team after an emphatic vote in his favour and will lead the side to the tour of Australia later this month.

Gayle, 30, has been out of international cricket for the past four months because of a contractual dispute between the players’ union and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), and – in his absence -- the veteran Barbadian Floyd Reifer led the West Indies against Bangladesh and to the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

West Indies fast bowling legend Joel Garner will be manager of the squad, which is scheduled to leave Monday November 9 for the Three-Test series against the Aussies.

There was uncertainty over whether Gayle would be reinstated as captain and it is believed that Daren Ganga, the Trinidad and Tobago captain and his teammate Dwayne Bravo, were also considered for the job.

WICB officials voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to endorse the selection panel’s recommendation to reinstate the big Jamaican left-handed opening batsman.

During a two-year reign as captain, Gayle’s West Indies side had shown sporadic signs of promise but his overall win-loss record as captain in Test cricket remains negative -- three wins, five losses and six draws in 14 matches.

His appetite for the job as captain had been questioned been since this summer when media reports in England circulated about comments he made in an interview suggesting he was prepared to give up captaincy because of pressures of the job and cricket’s heavy demand on him.

He was also quoted as saying he "wouldn't be so sad" if Test cricket was replaced by Twenty20 cricket in the future but later retorted that his comments on the captaincy and Test cricket issues were taken out of context.

In a recent interview, new WICB CEO Ernest Hilaire, commenting on the statements attributed to Gayle that he was “not interested in playing Test cricket anymore”, suggested that “it would be wise” to quiz Gayle about his leadership ambitions before considering him for the job.

Media reports over the past two weeks, spoke of Gayle embracing the possibility of being appointed captain and saying he would be committed to the job if offered.

The 15-man squad for the Australia tour is expected to be announced shortly.

The composition of the squad has taken on special significance, especially following the recent bitter contracts dispute which led to the top tier players withdrawing their service and the selection of a makeshift squad for the Bangladesh series and the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Following the end of the impasse earlier this month, all the marquee players made themselves available for the President’s Cup which was a major selection criteria for the tour of Australia.

WICB President’s Cup first semi-final
Defending champions T&T take on Barbados today
By Calvin Roberts
DEFENDING champions Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and their archrivals Barbados faces each other today in the first day/night semi- final of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s Cup limited overs tournament at the Guyana National Stadium Providence from 13:30h.

The Daren Ganga led T&T team who exhibited great solidarity in the ICC Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India where they placed second to Australia’s New South Wales Blues should be brimming with confidence, with no less than nine players with West Indies experience in their lineup.

They brought their Champions League form into this tournament, by blowing away a powerful Jamaican lineup by 90 runs in their first game, before Mother Nature had her final say on their other two games, which were rained out without a ball being bowled.

The Bravo siblings in Dwayne and Daren played their part with ball and bat in that win, with amicable assistance from West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Dinesh Ramdin and leg spinner Samuel Badree while Ganga made a useful contribution with the bat.

Apart from those mentioned above, players in the calibre of Lendl Simmons, new West Indies selectee Adrian Barath, William Perkins, Kieron Pollard and Navin Stewart who can both change a game with their pugnacious batting attitude and Dave Mohammed are all expected to shine under the lights tonight for the defending champions.

Their bowling will rest on the shoulders of Dwayne Bravo who will be providing worthy assistance to Ravi Rampaul, Pollard, Badree, Mohammed, Sherwin Ganga and to an extent, Barath and Simmons if the need arises.

On the other side of the coin lies the team from the Land of the Flying Fish, Barbados, who after holding their nerves to defeat the West Indies Youth squad by two wickets in their first round match, lost it to Hurricane Ringo (Narsingh Deonarine) in their second game.

The Barbadians should be saying thanks to the efforts of Sulieman Benn, whose courageous and unbeaten 27 took them to their lone victory in the tournament to date, as they were struggling on 141-8 against the WI youths who are using the tournament as part of the preparations for the Youth World Cup next year in New Zealand.

The burly looking Martin Nurse who opened the batting with Rashidi Boucher in the first match, must be wondering who his partner will be as the latter was replaced by Kirk Edwards for the game against Guyana.

But what would be of concern to skipper Ryan Hinds and the management team, would be the early loss of wickets by their team and should such an occurrence take place today, certainly cricket fans would be leaving the venue as early as possible, especially if the T&T unit turn up as a spin based one as they did against Jamaica.

Hinds is due for a big score and he was well set for same on Friday, until Ramnaresh Sarwan switched Esaun Crandon to the Southern End and the big all rounder knocked back the skipper’s middle stump with one that kept low.

Once again, it was the belated hitting of Benn who took Barbados to what they felt was a formidable total of 231 against the home team bowling which cracked up a bit during the latter overs, with his 45 ball 39 inclusive of two sixes and the same amount of fours.

He along with a watchful and resilient Khalid Springer (the man who replaced Boucher,) helped carried their team to shore after they were wading about in deep waters against national spin twins Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, who left them tottering on 120-7, with a 82 run eighth wicket partnership.

Wicketkeeper Carlo Morris, another one of the overweight players in the side, can hold his own with the bat, so too can Alcindo Holder but of concern to the management team would be the returns of all rounder Dwayne Smith, from whom they would love to have a worthy contribution today.

Ever since he burst onto the scene with his belligerent maiden ton against South Africa back in 2004, Smith from whom much has been expected, has been giving the Bajan public mediocre returns with the bat, even though his contributions with the ball is minor.

He needs to shine and even though he will not be facing a Permaul, Bishoo or even Mahendra Nagamootoo today, there is still Mohammed, Badree and Sherwin Ganga who can all spin webs around any team on their day.

Apart from their game against Guyana, where Deonarine operated like an insane human being with the unmarked bat in his hand, their bowling led by the wily Benn has been on sound in their two completed games so far.

West Indies fast bowler Tino Best has not been at his best at all, with both Deonarine and young Kraigg Braithwaite treating him with scant respect, with the former hitting him back over long off from the back foot for six in his unbeaten 102 on last Friday.

Kemar Roach has been bowling a consistent line and length but seems to be struggling with his run up while Springer did not look too bad against Guyana.

But it was Benn who has been executing the Herculean task of carrying his team’s bowling on his frail shoulders along with Nikolai Charles and tonight would be no different, weather permitting.

However the coin lands, this fixture should be an exciting one for local cricket fans who are expected to flood the venue where the entrance fee is $500, with their presence tonight, especially with the knowledge that these two teams met in last year’s final at the same venue.

Team for this fixture will be selected from:

Barbados: Ryan Hinds, Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Jonathan Carter, Nikolai Charles, Kirk Edwards, Rashidi Boucher, Alcindo Holder, Carlo Morris, Martin Nurse, Kemar Roach, Dwayne Smith and Kevin Stoute.

T&T: Daren Ganga, William Perkins, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Dinesh Ramdin, Adrian Barath, Navin Stewart, Sherwin Ganga, Ravi Rampaul, Dave Mohammed, Samuel Badree and Imran Khan.

Ming triumphs at EU Medal Play golf
EXPERIENCED golfer Colin Ming stepped up his game to triumph in the European Union (EU) sponsored Medal Play handicap tournament last Saturday at Lusignan Golf Course just three weeks before the Guyana Open championships.

r-l, Jerome Khan, Ronald Bulkan, Colin Ming (winner), Ambassador Geerts Heikens, Mel Sankies, Mohanlall Dinanauth, and Vijai Deo

Playing off a 9 handicap Ming recorded a gross 77 to end with a net 68 in the prestigious tournament which attracted 37 golfers including head of the European Union in Guyana Ambassador Geerts Heikens.

Ming who won several of the top prizes in the 11-18 flight at last year’s Guyana Open looked confident ahead of this year’s premiere tournament billed for November 21-22 at Lusignan.

Second position was secured by Vijai Deo who edged out Mohanlall Dinanauth after both players ended on net scores of 69.

Deo playing off a 7 handicap recorded a gross 76, while the inform Dinanauth playing off a 3 handicap secured a gross 72 which was also the lowest gross score in the tournament.

Club Secretary Ronald Bulkan was Nearest to the Pin.

The prizes were presented to top performers at a Presentation Dinner hosted by Ambassador Heikens at his Residence in University Garden attended by members of the golfing fraternity in Guyana.

Ambassador Heikens said that Saturday’s tournament was the second sponsored by the European Union and he made a commitment to sponsor another tournament next year.

Mel Sankies, President of the Lusignan Golf Club thanked the EU for its support over the past two years and signaled the Club’s intention to working closely with the organisation.

Club Captain Jerome Khan who chaired the presentation ceremony said that golfers can expect a very busy programme for the remainder of the year which will include the much anticipated Guyana Open to be sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd. as well as tournaments to be sponsored by Macorp, Digicel, Scotia Bank and GT&T.

Packed schedule will prevent WICB staging T20-Hilaire
By Adriel Richard
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – A packed schedule will prevent the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) from staging a regional Twenty20 competition ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup which will be staged in the Caribbean next year.

Ernest Hilaire, chief executive officer of the WICB, has disclosed that international commitments plus the regional four-day first-class competition which is set to start in January and end in March will make it almost impossible for the regional governing body to squeeze a regional T20 competition into the schedule.

“I think it will be difficult. . .because there is virtually no space for us to have a Twenty20 competition,” said Hilaire at a news conference, following the ticket sales launch for the T20 World Cup on Saturday at Kensington Oval.

West Indies travel to Australia in a few weeks’ time and return to the Caribbean just before the end of the year.

They will contest the first few rounds of the regional first-class competition early in the New Year before they fly out to Australia again for five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals in February.

When the players return to the Caribbean, they face Zimbabwe in a series of ODIs and T20Is around the same time that the regional four-day competition is drawing to a close.

“One of the things we are doing right now at the WICB is to do a schedule of cricket until 2012,” Hilaire said.

“We will actually create slots on the annual calendar to allow for the three regional competitions – the four-day, the limited-overs, and the T20 – as well as to ensure we meet our international commitments.”

He added: “We are also creating space, so that the territorial boards can have their own competitions, but the challenge we are facing now is that there is so much cricket, and the game is becoming so ‘attractive’ for the cricketers, we absolutely need to establish that schedule.”

Hilaire acknowledged it would have been ideal if a regional T20 competition is staged prior to the T20 World Cup, specifically to unearth new talent, but he felt West Indies would not be too disadvantaged if there was no a domestic competition.

“I am not sure that the best way for our team to prepare is for us to play a regional T20,” he said.

“We will play two T20s in Australia, and we will also play T20s against Zimbabwe, so we are trying to ensure that the team has enough exposure leading up the T20 World Cup.”

He continued: “I will raise the idea of postponing the regional first-class competition with the directors, but I do not know if we want to be playing that tournament in the wet season.”

Trinidad & Tobago are the reigning regional T20 champions by virtue of winning the now cancelled Stanford T20 Cup last year.

The T&TCB – following the success of their national team at the Champions League T20 in India – made a proposal to stage a regional T20 competition.

But this proposal was under the previous administration of Deryck Murray, who was removed as T&TCB President at the annual general meeting on Saturday.

No T&T representative attended Saturday’s WICB directors’ meeting here, where the matter arose for discussion.

Limited T20 night matches for 2010 event in the Caribbean
By Adriel Richard
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Haroon Lorgat has blamed broadcast considerations for only six of the matches in next year’s Twenty20 World Cup being played under lights.

The Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) acknowledged it was a major bone of contention between the World governing body and regional organising committee of the competition.

“Perhaps, this might have been the trickiest task we had to face in scheduling,” said Lorgat at a news conference, following the ticket sales launch for the T20 World Cup on Saturday at Kensington Oval.

“The greatest challenge that we have is from the television viewership point-of-view, and the television broadcaster who has got certain to which they need to ensure they have returns.

He added: “In order to balance all of this, unfortunately the reality is [this]. We have scheduled the matches for viewership in prime time – not necessarily in the stadiums – but in other markets around the globe.”

Caribbean fans hoping to leave work and catch a few of the matches in the competition will be greatly disappointed that such a small number of the matches will be contested under the lights.

The semi-finals (in St. Lucia) and the Final (in Barbados) of the women’s competition will be virtually day/night matches scheduled to start at 4 p.m. (East Caribbean Time) and finish at 7 p.m.

West Indies’ opening match of the competition against South Africa on April 30 at the Guyana National Stadium is set to start at 5 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m.

Two other matches – South Africa vs one of the ICC Associate qualifiers on May 5 in Barbados, and the last of the Super Eight matches on May 11 in St. Lucia – will also commence at 5 p.m. and finish at 8 p.m.

“In the dominant markets, it would be 3 a.m. for viewers that would be watching if the games were played at night,” Lorgat said.

“Of course, this is a difficult time of night to be sitting up, and watching cricket. To balance this, the matches are starting in the morning or the afternoon, so that we have prime time viewing.”

He noted: “The reality is that though we want spectators attending the games, we have to ensure that we have eyeballs watching as well.”

Day/night internationals in the Caribbean are still a novelty since most of the stadiums have only recently installed floodlights during renovations or construction of facilities as a legacy benefit of the (50-overs) World Cup in the Caribbean two years ago.

But fans were spoiled by the razzmatazz of T20 matches under lights during the staging of the Stanford Twenty20 competitions in 2006 and last year.

Lorgat felt the competition would still be a success, despite this anomaly, and that the ICC would more than make up for this and the bad memories of the 2007 (50-overs) World Cup with the successful staging of the T20 World Cup next year.

Pakistan are the reigning T20 World champions, following victory over Sri Lanka in the Final of this year’s competition in England.

West Indies reached the semi-finals of the same competition, where Sri Lanka knocked them Out.

Dottin pleased with tour-ending performance
PAARL, South Africa, (CMC) – Teenager Deandra Dottin has expressed satisfaction over her tour-ending performance that helped West Indies complete a 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in their Women’s Twenty20 International series.

Dottin, 18, cracked a typically aggressive half century last Wednesday that spurred West Indies to a narrow two-run victory in the third T20 International and a series shutout of the home side.

Largely below par on the tour, Dottin exploded with a shot-filled knock of 52 off just 36 balls for her highest score and only half-century on the trip.

She smashed six fours and two sixes, including two fours and six in a 20-run opening over, and was the only West Indies player getting to double figures in the low-scoring match.

“I did not get a lot of runs in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs), so I really wanted to get some in my last innings on this tour,” she said.

West Indies made 97 off 19.2 overs and then limited the home side to 95 for six off 20 overs at the Boland Bank Park.

The powerful former CARIFTA Games, shot put, discus and javelin gold medallist, said she welcomed the chance to open the innings with rookie Amanda Samaroo.

“I got a chance to open the innings and I really wanted to make it count,” said Dottin, who was named Player-of-the-Match.

“I was looking to play a big innings for the team. I got off to a good start and I tried to get as many as I could in the powerplay overs,” Dottin stated.

The triumph partially made up for their 2-1 defeat in the competitive four-match ODI series, the fourth ODI ending in a tie.

“We now have a reason to celebrate after we lost the One-Day Series,” Dottin said.

West Indies Women will now prepare to face touring England in a six-match series this month in St Kitts.

“We can now have smiles on our face as we return home to play against England. That will be another good challenge for us. We are all really looking forward to it,” Dottin said.

West Indies Women will face touring England in a six-match series -- three ODIs and three T20 Internationals -- from November 4-12 at Warner Park in St Kitts.

TTCB president, other executives swept from power
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – High profile Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board president Deryck Murray lost his bid for re-election on Saturday when he was swept from power in a stunning upset following elections at the annual general meeting.

The former West Indies vice-captain, who has led the TTCB for the last four years, was defeated 26-23 by out-going first vice-president Azim Bassarath, in what was a bruising campaign in the run up to the polls.

Bassarath’s team, dubbed the “Movement of Change”, made a clean sweep of nearly all the top TTCB posts, taking 10 of the 11 positions contested overall.

Another major casualty was Board secretary Forbes Persaud who lost by two votes to former executive Board member Arjoon Ramlal. The outspoken Persaud also serves as chief executive of the TTCB.

“Democracy has prevailed. The board members have spoken,” a disappointed Persaud said.

Patrick Rampersad, who was returned as an executive member, said the new executive would seek to unite the cricket fraternity.

“On getting into office now, I would to assure the national population that we are all embrace, all inclusive. There will be no victimisation,” Rampersad assured.

Murray’s loss would have come as a major shock, as Trinidad & Tobago’s cricket had made several strides in recent years under his management.

The national side are the reigning limited overs and Twenty20 champions, and were good enough to reach the final of this month’s Twenty20 Champions League in India, the world T20 club championship.

Further, the Under-19s were also good enough to finish second in both the three-day and one-day competitions in this year’s TCL Group West Indies Youth Championships in Jamaica.

On Friday, Murray had defended his stewardship, claiming overwhelming success throughout his tenure.

“In terms of our record over the past four years, we have overseen the most successful period of Trinidad and Tobago cricket,” argued the former Windies wicketkeeper, who had previously won two two-year terms at the helm.

“We are on sound financial footing and we have expanded and structured our developmental programmes and have also introduced new plans of preparation of the various national teams.”

Among the victorious candidates on Saturday was former first vice-president Dudnath Ramkessoon who defeated Leo Doodnath by 26-23 to be second in command to the new president Bassarath.

Lalman Kowlessar, returned unopposed, will continue as second vice-president.

Treasurer Sukesh Maniam was the only member of Murray’s team dubbed the ‘Friends of Cricket’, to emerge victorious.

He polled 24 votes, the same as the Movement of Change candidate Mahabir Ragoonanan, but received the casting vote from chairman Murray.

England arrive in South Africa for two-month tour
…Ashes win only the starting point - Andrew Strauss
ENGLAND have arrived in South Africa for their two-and-a-half month tour with captain Andrew Strauss determined to build on his team's 2-1 victory in the Ashes during the summer. Strauss is especially keen for his team to stake its claim to the No. 1 Test ranking, an honour that currently belongs to South Africa.

"We've talked a lot about how winning the Ashes is not the end of the road, it's almost the starting point for us to improve," Strauss said. "We'd be lying if we didn't want to be the number one side in the world.

But if you look at how the ranking system works it will take a number of years of solid progression from where we are at the moment and consistency is crucial. Ultimately it's about not taking our foot off the gas."

England were criticised for seemingly taking their foot off the gas after they won the Ashes in 2005. They had followed up that victory with a 2-0 drubbing in Pakistan.

"The perception of the post-2005 period is that we took our eye off the ball quite badly. I'm not comfortable with that myself," Strauss said. "I remember that Pakistan tour and how hard we worked at it. We had a number of very crucial injuries which didn't help.

"If you look at our performances over the last 12 months we're far from the genuine article and where we want to be. No one in the squad truly believes we've made it, we've got a long way to go. I want to see our players hungry and committed."

England are scheduled to play two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs, and four Tests in South Africa and this will be their first Test series since Andrew Flintoff's retirement from the format. Flintoff, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation from surgery in Dubai, won't be available for the limited-overs formats either.

In Flintoff's absence, Stuart Broad, who was Man- of- the- Match in the deciding Ashes Test at The Oval, is expected to perform the allrounder's role in the side but Strauss sought to play down the attention on the 24-year old. "It's not a realistic expectation for Broad to fill Flintoff's shoes in both disciplines in the short term. It would be wrong to heap that expectation on his shoulders," Strauss said.

"Over the years we've had to do without Flintoff quite often and what we've found is that we've done quite well by everyone taking responsibility and playing a bit better. Stuart Broad is not a like for like replacement for Flintoff anyway but he has his own set of skills, some of which are world class and some of which need work. We don't want him to be the saviour we turn to, we need all 11 to do that.

"Stuart has his head screwed on. There has been a lot of media attention on him but he realises that there's much room for him to improve. We're excited about him but the last thing I want to do is put a huge amount of expectation on his shoulders. You must give people room to improve and hopefully he'll continue that development this winter.

England begin their tour with a warm-up match against the Eagles on Friday in Bloemfontein and have two more practice games ahead of the first Twenty20 international against South Africa in Johannesburg on November 13. (Cricinfo)

Clint McKay called up as Hopes returning home
AUSTRALIAN all-rounder James Hopes will not take any further part in the ongoing seven-match series in India due to a hamstring injury and is set to fly back home. Cricket Australia's selection panel has confirmed that Victoria right-arm seamer Clint McKay will join the squad as cover.

Hopes' injury is the latest setback to the team which is currently 2-1 down with four games remaining. Hopes bowled just two overs in the first ODI in Vadodara before leaving the field after pulling his right hamstring.

"James has done everything he can with medical staff to try and make himself available for the remaining games of the tour of India," Kevin Sims, the team physiotherapist, said.

"However due to the compressed nature of this tour and his speed of recovery so far, we feel now we have insufficient time to have James fully fit to take part in the remaining games of this series.

"Therefore a decision has been made that James will return to Australia where he will continue his rehabilitation from this hamstring injury."

Australia's strike bowler Brett Lee and wicketkeeper Tim Paine were the two other members of the original touring party who were forced home after picking up injuries.

Lee was unable to complete his quota of overs in Vadodara - he bowled six - after complaining of a sore right elbow. Paine broke his finger during the second game in Nagpur and the team sought an emergency replacement in Graham Manou, who arrived in time for the third ODI in New Delhi.

McKay was impressive for Victoria during the Champions League Twenty20, which he finished as the tournament's joint second-highest wicket-taker (with Henriques) with ten wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.00 per over.

In the 2007-08 fifty-over FR Cup, he collected a remarkable 13 wickets at 14.76 from only five games.

"Clinton is a young promising bowler who performed well at inter-state level last season and has recent very good form for Victoria in the Champions League in India," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said.

"He will be very well suited to Indian conditions and we believe he is another young player who benefit from the experience of being in the Australian team set-up during this tour. We also feel he has the ability to perform well at the international level.

"With Moises having played in the last ODI game and James Hopes going home, Moises will now remain with the squad in India for the duration of the series."
Before the series began, Australia had already

Serena beats Venus to win WTA Championships
By Martyn Herman
DOHA (Reuters) - Serena Williams underlined her dominance at the top of women's tennis yesterday, completing her year in style with a 6-2 7-6 defeat of sister Venus in the final of the WTA Championships.

The two Americans, facing each other across the net for the 22nd time in their glittering careers, provided nearly an hour and a half of power tennis under the Khalifa Stadium floodlights but there was only going to be one winner.

Serena, who came to Doha ranked second in the world behind Dinara Safina but will return home as the rightful number one after winning both the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles, broke serve twice in a one-sided first set.

Defending champion Venus did make more of a match of it in the second set but never got close to breaking the Serena serve that leaked just seven points in the entire match.

Serena pressed the accelerator in the tiebreak to build a 5-1 lead and although Venus clawed back three points, the 28-year-old completed victory with her fifth ace followed by a fizzing forehand into the extremity of the court.

"It's nice to finally win a tournament other than a grand slam," said the 11-times major champion who last won a title outside of season's big four in April 2008.

"I know Venus didn't feel so good today but she just got everything back and it was frustrating. I served really well but you have to serve well against Venus."

$1.5 MILLION JACKPOT

Serena's perfect week earned her the maximum $1.5 million jackpot after she won all of her round-robin matches on her way to claiming the season-ending showpiece for the first time since her debut in 2001.

The only set she dropped during a week when she was head and shoulders above the elite field was against Venus in the round-robin stage.

Venus, at 29 the oldest woman in the eight-player draw, had spent nearly 11 hours on court in oppressive heat and humidity to reach the final with all three of her group matches, two of which she lost, and her semi-final going the distance.

Both players wore substantial strappings on their legs but whereas Venus looked weary, Serena seemed full of energy as she kept her sister on the back foot.

The crowd, easily the biggest of the week, willed Venus to lift her game in the second and she raised her level sufficiently to keep Serena at bay, but it was not enough to give the tournament the kind of finale the WTA had hoped for.

Vettel leads Red Bull 1-2 in Abu Dhabi
ABU Dhabi- (Reuters)-Germany's Sebastian Vettel won Formula One's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday, the first race to start in daylight and end at night, in a Red Bull one-two finish

The 22-year-old German beat Australian Webber by a comfortable 17.8 seconds under the floodlights for his fourth win of the season to make sure of second place overall in the championship.

Britain's Jenson Button, who clinched the title in the previous Brazilian Grand Prix for his championship-winning Brawn GP team, rounded out his season with third place after hunting down Webber and chasing him nose-to-tail in the closing laps.

A mere 0.6 of a second separated the two cars at the chequered flag.

It was Button's first appearance on the podium since Italy last month after a season that started with him winning six of the first seven races.

McLaren's outgoing world champion Lewis Hamilton had led from pole position but the Briton's hopes of becoming the first winner in Abu Dhabi vanished after 20 laps when he retired with a brake problem (click link below picture to read separate story).

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, likely to move from Brawn to Williams for next year, finished fourth with Germany's Nick Heidfeld fifth in BMW-Sauber's last race before the German manufacturer leaves the sport.

Japanese stand-in Kamui Kobayashi, replacing the injured German Timo Glock, scored his first points in Formula One with sixth place for Toyota ahead of veteran Italian team mate Jarno Trulli in seventh.

After just two races, Kobayashi could also claim to be his country's top driver with Williams' Toyota-backed driver Kazuki Nakajima ending the season with a dismal tally of no points from 17 starts.

Swiss rookie Sebastien Buemi, a Bahrain resident for much of the year, took the final point for Toro Rosso in eighth place.

The race, against the stunning backdrop of the most lavish circuit in Formula One, was low on thrills or incidents other than Button's determined chase of Webber and Hamilton's unexpected retirement after threatening to run away with victory.

Caption: Sebastian Vettel cruises to victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP ahead of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber after Lewis Hamilton is forced to retire early. (BBC Sport)

Goalless Man City held to fourth successive draw
By Mitch Phillips
LONDON, (Reuters) - Manchester City’s Premier League challenge continued along its spluttering, unconvincing path when they were held to a goalless draw at Birmingham City yesterday, their fourth successive league draw.

Big-spending City remain a disjointed side and draws against Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Fulham and struggling Birmingham, who missed a penalty and were the more dangerous side throughout, showed how much work manager Mark Hughes still has to do.

City’s point moved them up to fourth place on 19, eight behind leaders Chelsea, who hammered Bolton Wanderers 4-0 on Saturday.

Champions Manchester United are second on 25 after beating Blackburn Rovers 2-0, with Arsenal third on 22 following their 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur who are fifth on 19.

Liverpool, who had two players sent off in a 3-1 defeat at Fulham, and Villa, who drew 1-1 at Everton, both have 18. Birmingham climbed to 14th on 11 points.

LOWEST SCORERS

Birmingham, the lowest scorers in the Premier League with just eight goals from their first 10 games, had the best of the first half with Shay Given forced to make several good saves as Christian Benitez looked particularly dangerous.

They should have taken the lead 10 minutes after halftime when Nigel de Jong handled in the box but Given came to the rescue again when he saved James McFadden’s penalty.

City were without Emmanuel Adebayor with an ankle injury and the starting strike duo of Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez struggled to make any impact.

Craig Bellamy tried manfully to get things moving and City had plenty of possession and half-chances but Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor was barely tested.

Birmingham had Barry Ferguson sent off in stoppage time to become the ninth red card victim from the weekend’s 10 league games.