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ARCHIVES FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

323 graduate at ACCA, ICAG
Urged to respect ethics of the profession
By Vanessa Narine
At the certificate handing over ceremony that qualified 323 accountants, the primary charge was the need for the graduates to recognise the role they can play in the development of Guyana.

At a ceremony at the Tower Hotel on Saturday, 262 Certified Accounting Technicians and 61Chartered Accountants received their certificates.

The event was organised in partnership between The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana (ICAG).

ICAG, as well as other tuition providers in Guyana, over the years, has made the ACCA programme accessible here. ACCA qualifications are globally recognised and facilitate job opportunities in the corporate, public and private sector.

Persons wishing to pursue ACCA qualification begin with the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) course which provides a foundation and accounting as well as technical skills and knowledge.

Subsequently, if the individual wishes to further his studies, the ACCA course is the next step. The ACCA body also offers other advancement courses.

According to President of the ICAG, Mr. Khalil Alli, those who have chosen the field of accounting and have completed their studies, the task of taking the accounting profession forward is on their shoulders.

Additionally, he expressed the hope that those now certified saw a future that included Guyana.

This was met by a few chuckles from the audience, as Alli pointed out that the development of any country depends on the financial expertise and skills that the accounting profession provides.

The ICAG President said the new professionals are in a position to provide Guyana with professional values and management skills that can be used to take the country forward.

He said too that as newly certified professionals, the graduates must understand and respect the ethics of the accounting profession.

“At one time or the other, you will be faced with many ethical decisions; but when you get there you must ask yourself three questions. One, ask what will your peers think; two, ask can I sleep at night; and three, how will it look in the newspaper,” he explained.

Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, Alli noted that ethics will play a pivotal role in helping to provide stability.

Mr. Harry Parmesar, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), echoed Alli’s sentiments and urged the graduates to recognise and take very seriously the issue of ethics.

Parmesar also encouraged them to, apart from contributing to Guyana’s development, step up to the task of encouraging and assisting others who are treading the path they did.

Ms. Brenda Lee Tang, Head of Corporate Development - ACCA Caribbean, echoed this and urged the graduates to build networks and friendships among themselves as this would assist their careers in the future.

She added that their certificates attested to not only the recognition of ethics, but also to quality and a high degree of professionalism.

Lee Tang urged them to make positive impacts in their communities and add to the advancement of Guyana.

She explained that the financial expertise and skills possessed by the graduates make them interesting prospects for employment.

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, at the 27th Annual Caribbean Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), in June, had expressed the same sentiment.

While he acknowledged the gravity of the financial crisis, he stated that come the post-crisis period, the world will see different approaches being taken and the accountant’s role will be featured as one of significant importance.

The Prime Minister had pointed out that the Region’s recovery is in the hands of the financial experts and will reflect the technical work and discussions that the conference will facilitate.

According to him, the present question facing the Caribbean Region, particularly Guyana, is “What might be our path of growth and development” in light of the economic conditions of the present.

Here, the Prime Minister affirmed, is where the accounting and finance professionals are instrumental, since they “deal with certainty”, and will be able to lead Guyana and the Caribbean Region’s development.
In the Caribbean there are 4,000 ACCA members and 18,000 students affiliated with the body.

New Horizons team presents TV, computers, clothing to Joshua House children

Volunteers setting up the flat screen television, in a communal room used by the children. Also in picture are the clothing and footwear donated by the volunteers.

Before leaving Guyana’s shores, the New Horizons Guyana volunteers saw it fit to extend one last act of kindness to the Joshua House Children Centre.

They bought the children a large flat screen television with several games, 20 MP3 players, computers, printers, and a large quantity of school supplies, toys and clothing.

The New Horizons Guyana programme was designed to strengthen U.S. ties with partner nations in Central and South America through combined quality-of-life improvement projects.

El Niño, power outages pose burden on water supply
- GWI CEO (ag) Chandisingh
The continuous change in weather patterns and the extreme long dry season, coupled with frequent power outages, have been posing severe challenges to Guyana Water Incorporated providing an efficient supply.

This is according to CEO (ag) Yuri Chandisingh during a press briefing at the Ministry of Housing and Water.

“We are going through major challenges due to the El Niño season at this point in time, and this understandably poses due burdens on our water supply system where persons would naturally use more water than they normally use…as result of very little rain; agricultural crops and other associated activities require water so where people would have used rain water harvesting they are now using water from the potable water supply system. Now this, as I said before, is causing us tremendous hardship because what it does is reduce the amount of water that we have available for domestic use,” he said.

In this regard, the CEO noted that the GWI has been working on several interventions to ensure an adequate water supply. However, with the deficiency in power supply, the agency has been unable to do much.

In Region Three, he said, the situation has been further exasperated by power supply problem which affects the region’s water supply system.

This absence of power has resulted in disruption at several areas in Regions Three, including Look Out, Grove, Hyde Park, Parika, Hydronie, Barnwell, Philadelphia, Vergenoegen, Le Destin, Ruby, Farm, Greenwich Park, Bushy Park, Good Hope, Orangestein, Groenveldt, Edinburg, Anna Catherina, De Willem, Zeeburg, De Kinderen and sections of Meten-Meer-Zorg.

Chandisingh assured that water supply to the areas will be restored and urged customers to desist from tampering with water mains and service connections during the period of interruption.

Customers are urged to be conscious and very prudent in their use of water, to use it sparingly, because if it is in any way abused, other persons are going to experience problems having access to the service.

Meanwhile, GWI, he added, continues to make interventions for the hinterland region, particularly Region Nine and many other regions which are experiencing the effects of El Niño weather conditions.

The agency’s personnel have been collaborating with regional representatives, community leaders and Toshaos to resolve water challenges.
Several wells are being dug in various hinterland communities to help cushion the effects of the prolonged dry season, he concluded. (GINA)

Second LIS programme implementation progressing smoothly
- CEO, Central Housing and Planning Authority
The implementation of the second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS) which was officially launched on June 22 is on target and has been progressing quite smoothly.

Chief Executive Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Myrna Pitt told media operatives, “Generally things have been moving quite well and we are basically on target when we compare what we set ourselves to complete from this period June to December 2009.”

The CH&PA, she said, has set a target to complete engineering designs for all areas identified for the intervention of the programme.

Engineering surveys have been completed for about six areas for which a few are still ongoing. Two draft engineering design reports are currently being reviewed before submission to the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) for normal ‘no objection’. By the end of December, design reports should be completed to start advertising and tendering of projects for the construction of core houses in 2010, she explained.

“We have set the target of completing eight of those houses and we are currently concluding the selection criteria and the process for selecting the family,” she further stated.

The second LIS programme will ensure development for 4, 900 house lots.

It is designed to improve low-income families’ access to enhanced living conditions through housing solutions and access to house lots, while consolidating existing housing schemes and upgrading squatter settlements. It is expected to benefit about 12,000 people, (about eight percent of the country’s households).

Approximately 5000 house lots which constitute lots in new and existing housing schemes and consolidated infrastructure will be established, while about 1350 lots in squatter settlements will be upgraded.

On September 6, the CH&PA met with residents of Parfaite Harmonie, Region Three, to discuss and prepare a community development plan which will see investments being made under the LIS programme for the area.

Areas to benefit from infrastructure amenities include Westminster (Phase One), Recht-door-zee (Phase Two) and Onderneeming (Phase One) from the construction of roads, drains, structures and installation of pure water distribution network.

The drilling of a new well in the Parfaite Harmonie housing area is also part of an off-site investment which will essentially see the improvement of water supply in the area.

The First LIS programme which was successfully implemented by the CH&PA was completed in 2007. It had realised an achievement rate of 95% at the end of 2006, of which about $800M was spent on developing infrastructure for more than 9,000 house lots. (GINA)

Mental health of youth population high on Ministry of Health’s agenda
By Suelle Findlay-Williams
More and more youths are experiencing traumatic events, community violence, natural and technological disasters, terrorism and family interpersonal violence. Most youth with mental health needs do not seek treatment and many internalising disorders (such as anxiety and depression) in children go undetected.

It is for this reason that the Ministry of Health in April this year, embarked on a mission to roll out a new mental health programme called CBITS (Cognitive Behavourial Intervention for Trauma in Schools). The programme is currently being rolled out at the Dorothy Bailey Youth Friendly Health Centre, South Road in the city.

CBITS is a skills-based group intervention that is aimed at relieving symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and generally anxiety among children exposed to trauma. Children learn skills in relaxation, challenging upsetting thoughts, and social problem solving, and children work on processing memories and grief.

These skills are learned through the use of drawings, and through talking in both individual and group settings. Between sessions, children complete assignments and participate in activities that reinforce the skills they’ve learned. CBITS also include parent and teacher sessions. Part of the programme is designed to ensure that mental health education sessions are conducted with parents and guardians.

The CBITS programme has been used most commonly for children in grades six to nine (ages 10-15) who have experienced events such as witnessing, or being a victim of violence, being in a natural or man-made disaster, being in an accident or house fire, or being physically abused/injured, or who are suffering from moderate to severe levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Preliminary versions of the CBITS programme have been used in children as young as eight years.

The programme consists of 10 group sessions ( six to eight children group) of approximately an hour in length. Usually conducted once per week in a school setting, the CBITS intervention has also been delivered in other settings, such as mental health clinics. In addition to the group sessions, participants receive one to three individual sessions, usually held before the exposure exercises. CBITS also includes two parent education sessions and one teacher education session.

The CBITS programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Dalhousie University, located in Halifax Canada. An initial sensitisation workshop was held in October 2008, with participants coming from the Ministries of Human Services, Education and Health. In April 2009, 13 persons drawn from those ministries were trained as Master Implementers. CBITS is expected to be in schools come January 2010.

$56M Diamond/Grove well completed
- to become operational within few weeks
The Diamond/Grove well located at Sixth Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, has been completed and will serve approximately 8,000 residents of the two housing areas.

Supervisor Shaun Gaymes with a water sample taken from the new Diamond/Grove well.

It is currently undergoing testing, after which it is expected to become fully operational within a few weeks’ time.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, at a press briefing at his Brickdam Office, said that he was pleased that the well has been completed as it will bring great relief to the residents.

The contractor is in the process of demobilizing to remobilize at Lusignan and in another week work should commence on the Lusignan well after which the he will move to Parfaite Harmonie while the construction of the Cornelia Ida well is in the tender process, he said.

It was noted that after testing, the Guyana Water Incorporated will be mobilised to put the well into production.

This will entail the construction of a pump house and fencing with connection networks. to residents.

The Diamond/Grove well was constructed at a cost of $56M and was drilled at a depth of approximately 690 feet. It has the capacity to cater for a 50 percent increase in households while the Lusignan borehole will be constructed at cost of $51M to cater for another 25 percent increase in households. The well at Lusignan will be drilled at a depth of 918 feet to serve approximately 2000 people.

The projects are being undertaken by a Trinidadian based contractor, Water and Oil Wells Services, and are supervised by CEMCO.

The Golden Grove well was drilled in 1970 and was rehabilitated in 2001, providing potable water to an estimated 15,000 persons. As a result of recent housing development in the area, a new well was required to supply an additional 8,000 people with potable water.

The Lusignan borehole was constructed since 1968 and with its replacement will allow for an increase in service pressures as fewer losses will occur to its improved condition.

It is expected that on completion of the projects, residents of the Diamond/Grove and Lusignan areas will enjoy adequate water pressure.

Other wells are being built in other regions to complement the wells which are being constructed. This will see some 24,000 people benefiting from improved potable water supply shortly. These include communities at Onderneeming, Region Two; Belle Vue, Region Three; and De Hoop, Region Five.

In addition, three other wells are also in the pipeline for construction for the Cummings Lodge, Manchester and Enmore areas.

The construction of infrastructure across the country is part of the Guyana Water Incorporated’s extension of infrastructure consolidation plan to improve the lives of all Guyanese. (GINA)

Making Guyana the Food Basket of the Caribbean
President Bharrat Jagdeo has correctly challenged the private sector to work in partnership with the government to make Guyana the food basket of the Caribbean.

Actually it should be returning Guyana as the bread basket of the Caribbean because in the early 1960s because of its visionary and extremely successful agricultural policy and programmes under the then PPP government this country was indeed the bread basket of this region. In fact agricultural output was so much in abundance that one party in its 1964 election manifesto promised the people “Free cassava and milk; not a soul shall go to bed hungry.” But ironically, when that party came into government it ruined the agriculture sector to the point where Guyana became the “basket case” of the Caribbean.

Guyanese will never forget the agonisingly long lines for food items where some persons actually collapsed and died having to spend many hours awaiting small amounts of essential foodstuff such as salt, cooking oil etc. There was this grandiose experiment with the Knowledge Sharing Institutes (KSI) where people were supposed to be sharing knowledge to pass the long hours they had to spend in the food lines.

Fortunately, with the return of another led PPP government in 1992 the agriculture sector has dramatically recovered and today this country is self sufficient in food production and is actually a net exporter of food.

Of course this reversal of fortune has come about because of the emphasis this government has been placing on the fundamentals of agricultural production such as drainage and irrigation, farm to market roads, providing duty free agricultural machinery and providing scientific and technical support to farmers among others.

To further boost our agricultural production the President issued a call for the private sector to partner with the government to venture into large scale agriculture.

“ I would like to see the private sector partner with the government in large scale-plantation type agriculture in the hinterland because that is so badly needed for the reality of this food basket business that we have been talking about for many, many years,” he declared.

This is so true, as our hinterland has tremendous potential for agriculture, and the recent announcement by the government that it will be spending some $2 billion on the establishment of road networks there should serve as a motivation for our local entrepreneurs to move in this direction.

It is heartening to note that veteran Guyanese entrepreneur Beni Sankar in a letter recently to this newspaper made a call on the local business sector to invest in the productive sector noting that our country is inundated with traders.

The President also made a pertinent observation that we need a value-added arm in the agriculture sector if we are to achieve the goal of becoming the food basket of this region.

On this score it is most surprising that our local entrepreneurs have not taken up the challenge of establishing a large and modern canning and packaging industry.

It is a fact that agriculture by its very nature undergoes periodic gluts and when this happens farmers suffer terribly because large amounts of their produce perish because of the absence of any large scale canning and packaging industry here.

It is unbelievable how so many foreign canned and packaged products find their way on the shelves of our supermarkets and stores including stuff like pineapple chunks even though we are an exporter of pineapples.

The fact is we have an abundance of fish, fruits and vegetables which could be canned for both local consumption and the export market but for some strange reason our local entrepreneurs are not responding to this challenge.

A look at the US canning industry and its connection to foreign trade reveals that the industry's revenue for the year 2008 was approximately US$$22.8 billion with an estimated gross profit of 30.08%. Import was valued at $$4.5 billion from 111 countries. The industry also exported US$2.2 billion worth of merchandise to 155 countries. Adding import value to and subtracting export value from the industry's shipment value, the total domestic demand for the industry in 2008 was US$25.1 billion

The above gives a picture of the enormity and the opportunities that a large and vibrant local canning and packaging industry could present for local entrepreneurs

The impact of Poor Nutrition/Treatment Interruption on HIV/AIDS
By Shirley Thomas
(IAS Journalism Fellow)
Amidst efforts at scaling up access to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) to persons in need by the designated 2010 “Universal Access” date line, researchers in virology and immunology are worried about the potential widespread emergence of HIV drug-resistance in developing countries, stemming non-adherence to the treatment regimen.

While the benefits of ART are incredible, merely placing Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) on treatment is not the ‘be all’ and ‘end all’ of therapy. Lots more is at stake in terms of making the treatment actually work for PLHIV. Key to the success of antiretroviral therapy for PLHIV is the all-important ‘drug adherence’, coupled with an understanding and appreciation of the relationship between nutrition and HIV/AIDS.

To this end, an aggressive informed and sustained education campaign that would spark zeal and determination within people to make the treatment work is what is required.

Such an approach must see a collaborative effort on the part of key stakeholders, including clinicians, caregivers, Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and not least, the media – ensuring that people ‘get it right’, in order to derive the full benefits of the therapy.

As nations continue to intensify the roll out of ART in the quest to make good on the call for “Universal Access by 2010”- less than four months away, there is the likelihood that, without careful preparation, strict surveillance and fervent commitment to the cause, drug resistance could become a major problem, particularly where the over-arching focus is on meeting targeted numbers.

DRUG RESISTANCE
Unless this is recognised, respected and rigorously pursued, the chances of the development of drug-resistance loom large, and investments already made into providing ART for such persons can veer to a negative end. Drug-resistance is the ability of HIV to mutate and reproduce itself in the presence of antiretroviral drugs and comes about as a result of non-adherence.

The consequences of drug resistance include treatment failure, increased direct health costs associated with the need to start most costly second-line treatment for patients, the spread of resistant strains of HIV and the need to develop new anti-HIV drugs.

Notwithstanding this fact, the benefits of antiretroviral therapy are incredible, and in the face of no known cure for HIV, is the hope to which PLHIV should desperately cling.

The goals of antiretroviral therapy include (1) the maximal and durable suppression of HIV (2) the restoration or preservation of immunological function (the functioning of the immune system) (3) an improvement in the quality of life and (4) the reduction of HIV- related morbidity and morality.

Simply put, this means that the antiretroviral drugs have the potential to keep the HIV in the body at low levels by suppressing it, so that the damaged immune system (our body’s defence against diseases) is able to recover and work effectively. The result is that the PLHIV will be able to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. In fact, evidence based analyses have shown that with the use of ART, HIV is fast coming to be seen as a manageable chronic disease state such as diabetes, asthma or hypertension.

However, be reminded that merely taking the medication given is not the ‘be all,’ and end all’ of the therapy, because unless it is taken as exactly as prescribed by the doctor or clinician, it will not work Such a development is referred to as ‘treatment failure’, and the person will eventually have to be taken off the therapy, which has serious implications.

STOPPING TREATMENT IS DEADLY
As the 2009 World Bank Report puts it: “Stopping treatment is deadly, and has other costs on society.” The report goes on to say: “If treatment stops, people quite soon become sick and die. Countries know all too well the desperate consequences for households (children orphaned, loss of human capital, increased household poverty), and the costs to businesses and public agencies that lose skilled, experienced staff. People who stop treatment become far more infectious. Disrupted treatment diminishes drug effectiveness, requiring use of extremely costly second-line drugs and placing additional demands on health systems to monitor their use.”

It also points to the fact that if antiretroviral therapy (ART) is interrupted or adherence is poor, the virus will no longer be suppressed, and unless second-line treatment is accessed within one to two years, most defaulting persons die.

“Even short term interruptions of drug supplies could threaten patients’ health, cutting the returns to the investments in treatment,” it warns, adding that “the number of ART interruptions of more than two days, and the duration of interruptions increase the risk of treatment failure.”

DRUG ADHERENCE
I repeat for the sake of clarity, the term ‘drug adherence’ means taking the drugs exactly as prescribed, on time, and following any dietary restrictions. It also means that there should be no interactions with other drugs taken. If the treatment instructions are not followed, it is likely that the drugs will not be absorbed properly in the body. This can have serious and long term consequences, such as an increase in the viral load (the amount of virus in the blood) ultimately leading to drug resistance.

Examining the co-relation between HIV and nutrition, it must be stressed that HIV aggravates malnutrition through reduced food intake, increased energy needs, and/or poor nutrient absorption. Malnutrition in turn can hasten the progression of HIV and worsen its impact by weakening the immune system. This state increases susceptibility to weight loss, fever, diarrhoea and opportunistic infections from bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. The end result is the reduction of the effectiveness of treatment.

Micronutrients such as Vitamins A,C, E and B2 protect against opportunistic infections by ensuring that the lining of the skin, lungs and gut remain healthy, and that the immune system functions properly. A lack of these can result in diseases of the intestine, leading to malabsorption. This can have serious consequences for persons on Anti-retroviral therapy or anti-HIV treatment since the medication being taken will not work for the persons taking them.

Invariably too, taking the medication without proper nutrition causes serious side effects.

As the name of the drug – Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) suggests, it is a very powerful drug and should be treated as such. Persons Living with HIV/AIDS should therefore eat a balanced diet, meaning that their meal should contain foods that are sufficient in energy (carbohydrates), body building foods (protein) and protective foods (vitamins and minerals called micronutrients).

PLHIV must aim to achieve no less that 95 per cent drug-adherence. Anything below 95 per cent adherence is associated with treatment failure/drug resistance. It means therefore, that adherence to ART is extremely important Researchers contend that, persons taking the drug once a day can ill-afford to miss more than one dose a month.

OTHER ASSESSMENTS
Important also is counseling or preparing the potential user psychologically for initiation of the therapy, because unless a person fully understands and is committed to fulfilling his/her obligations, it would be better not to start the therapy in the first place. Treatment is usually started when the person’s CD4 count has dropped below 350 cells per cubic millimetre of blood.

The importance of monitoring the PLHIV after therapy has begun cannot be over-emphasised. Additional clinical and laboratory monitoring are required. These include:

* Assessment for signs/symptoms of potential drug toxicities

* Adherence counselling and assessment of drug of drug adherence

* Assessment of response to therapy and signs of treatment failure

* Weight measurement

* CD4 testing at least every six months (if available)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and a group of experts and organizations have developed a global strategy for prevention and assessment of HIV drug resistance, The strategy aims to build evidence on the scale of HIV drug resistance and equip and prepare countries with knowledge, skills and systems to respond, should drug-resistant HIV epidemics emerge, the WHO said.

In the past six years, the numbers of people receiving anti-retroviral therapy in low and middle income countries increased tenfold, reaching almost three million people.

by the end of 2007, “ potentially threatening the selection and transmission of HIV” scientists say.

In 2005, before the ‘3 by 5’ targets had been attained, the G8 Group - comprising some of the world’s richest industrialised democracies, followed by country leaders at the UN World Summit, resolved to work towards achieving universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care by 2010.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, of the estimated 630,000 persons needing treatment. some 62% or 390,000 are currently on the treatment regimen.

As the date line approaches, concerned over the potential for an escalation of HIV drug-resistance, researchers at the XVIII International HIV Drug Resistance Workshop in Florida last June dedicated one of the topics to “The emergence of HIV drug-resistance in resource-poor countries, as a consequence of the global expansion of anti-retroviral therapy.”
(Look our for part II in our HIV/AIDS Mailbox on Sunday)

GPL can benefit from the GPL
The Parrot is cognisant of the power outages which cause discomfort to consumers. This has become noticeable over the last few weeks. Maintenance and the changing of “cycles” have been cited as the main reasons. Regarding the “cycles”; 50 & 60, some thought it referred to a rotation of getting “blackout” 50 times and then 60 times after which it repeats. Others thought that certain areas will get 50 bicycles and others 60 in an effort to thwart minibus lawlessness. I am sure you know someone who thinks like that. Don’t you?

Those persons aside, the power company, GPL (Getting Plenty Load-shedding), was thoughtful enough to publish in the plenty papers a schedule of when and where we would get “blackouts”. Good thinking. Helps to ease the “suddenness” of unexpected darkness and fosters planning to avoid the impending absence of electricity. The problem is “blackouts” appear that are not even on the schedule. As a matter of fact, almost all the “blackouts” are not on the schedule. This non-scheduling is being referred to as “unscheduled”. More unscheduled than scheduled. No wonder most Guyanese always late.

It must be noted that the current (no pun intended) occurrences of “blackouts” this generation is subjected to no way compares to what was the status quo when the Place of CONgress was the guvment. Then getting electricity was a surprise; a big surprise despite the house having bulbs, wires and meters. Getting “blackouts” was the norm. The then company, GEC (Guyana Electricity Contraption), caused Guyanese to GEC: Grieve Everyday for Current. With “blackouts” people look to get involved in other activities to pass the time. Here is where Uncle Bharrat has led the way.

Earlier this month, he hosted the GPL. Not the other Bharrat GPL, the electricity company; the GPL, Guyana Premier League as in cricket. Cricket is still big despite the Waste, oops, the West Indies team having their own GPL; Getting Plenty Licks. The “big boys” of the team are not in the team. Fans are robbed of not being able to see them on the field. These “big boys” are definitely in a different field; a GPL field: Getting Pretty Lazy, judging from their own GPL, i.e. Getting Plenty Licks. Over the years, many females across the cricket playing world have joined the fan base. Thank heavens. The males seem disinterested. Makes for good viewing; the girls that is, not disinterested males.

These females are no longer in their original GPL: Girls Playing Litti. With the state of Regional cricket as it is, this girls’ GPL has evolved into another GPL, Girls Pretty Livid. And boy, aren’t they pretty, CARIB, DGsell, Blue Power and all! So, with some lazy players, even the pretty girls couldn’t get them on the field. Fans, minus the pretty girls, boycotted the recent Bangladesh tour as the “big boys” “rested”. As expected, Butts’ hastily put together team got GPL’ed: Given Pure Licks by Bangladesh. The Region has been craving for the lazy, sorry, the “big star-boys”. Uncle Bharrat’s GPL brought them on the field at Providence.

His Guyana Premier League premiered just over a week ago. Frank, Irfaan and Neil worked to ensure its success. It was indeed a success. Pat your shoulders guys. Good work. Thousands of screaming frenzied fans over the two days. In an electric-like fun-filled atmosphere, they cheered the “big boys”: Chris and company. Chris’ team made light (again no pun intended) work of the competition, or lack thereof, by the local boys. The results didn’t matter. What matters was that the “stars” were there; cheering fans were there, girls and all; sponsors were there; cricket was there. That’s what mattered; cricket; good cricket.

Given the success and the seeming lack of ideas by the managers of Regional cricket, the Parrot is advocating a permanent GPL; the Guyana Premier League that is. Guyana can capitalise on its recent success and move to introduce an annual competition with all Regional teams under the Guyana Premier League. This is not intended to deviate from a combined Regional team, but to provide another opportunity for the exhibition of talent and healthy competition. Regional and domestic cricket are been played to empty stands. The Stanford 20/20 is behind bars. The thinking is that only international matches attract big crowds. The Bangladesh tour disproved this.

Fans, girls and all, want to see the “stars” like they did in the Guyana Premier League. Let’s not deprive ourselves of this potential crowd drawer as was seen a few days ago. Uncle Bharrat must be encouraged to make it an annual Regional competition. Let the GPL stay; the cricket that is. The current (pun intended) GPL, the electricity provider that is, can benefit from the “electric-charged” atmosphere at Providence. Who knows, with this and the flashing lights from the thousands of cameras, the scheduled “blackouts” can be adhered to. Squawk! Squawk!

New Horizon Commander hopes spirit of partnership continues To the people of Guyana,
I am United States Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Keenan, Commander of New Horizons Guyana.
We have been in your country for several months now building a new nursery school at Bel Air, a medical clinic in East La Penitence, renovating the Timehri Nursery School and offering eight free medical and dental clinics.

As we are now finished and preparing to return to the United States I want to say, to all the men and women of this beautiful country, thank you!

You have embraced us since the day we arrived and been nothing but kind and welcoming. You are a beautiful people and your smiles we have all found infectious.

Everyone from the Guyana Defense Force to the Ministries of Education and

Health to the local embassies, they have done everything they can to ensure this mission was met with 100% success and I am very grateful.

Even though we came here to build something for the Guyanese people, I assure you, we will be taking back much more – friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you all so much and hope the spirit of partnership will continue, as we continue to grow and flourish in our camaraderie!
LT COL PATRICK KEENAN
New Horizons Guyana Commander
……………………
Guyanese are not Jihadists
FREDDIE Kissoon has sullied and smeared the good name of Rhyaan Shah, the novelist and cultural activist, by connecting her with “Jihad”. Freddie deliberately and maliciously stated “Ryhaan founded a group called JIHAD” pretending that “he does not know what JIHAD stands for” (KN Sep 9). He used the term twice – that is no accident or ignorance.

We all know in the West the vicious negative connotations linked with Jihad -- to refer to holy war on behalf of Islam against non-Muslims. It involves violence of the worst kind of wanton death and destruction.

Freddie’s reference to Jihad is vicious because it feeds in to the dominant western narrative of Muslims as "wide-eyed" terrorists seeking to overthrow the present order smearing Rhyaan with this brush. Rhyaan founded "GIHA" pronounced "Jee Ha" (Hindi) which means "Yes Sir". It suggests the traditional Indian respect for authority. Freddie uses Jihad because it could he wants to confuse Guyanese who may remember the group JIHAD (Joint Initiative for Human Advancement and Development) that was active in Buxton during the violence of 2001-2005 that terrorized the nation. Freddy said he met with members of the group and was an old associate of Gerald Perria from his activist days. The group was suspected of holding the missing weapons from the GDF camp, guns that were used to kill Minister Satyadeo and so many others and may have been sued in the massacres of last year.

Ms. Shah is one of the most decent women in Guyana. I was honored to meet her ten years ago in NY at GOPIO’s second convention where President Jagdeo delivered the feature address and where Shah delivered a brilliant paper. S hah and Guyanese Muslims are not involved in any kind of Jihad against anyone, least of all against Freddie who has shown his disrespect for Muslim Guyanese. Ms. Shah and others founded a grou p called GIHA – Guyanese Indian Heritage Association – not Jihad and Freddie should know the difference and even if unsure he should have done a query after all he says he is an expert on how “to Google”.

Freddie touts himself as an influential columnist. Then he ought to know not to put misinformation in the public domain. Writing that someone founded a group called Jihad represents a danger to the life of the person and those associated with him or her.

Freddie says he is a perfectionist. So he should not make such a blunder of linking Ryhaan with Jihad.

Also, Freddie is pedantic critiquing others who mispronounce words. He recently chided someone for not pronouncing the word "deportment" as "de-port. maa" as in French when the right pronouncement is "de-port-ment"& nbsp; as used in England, Canada and the US. Any English dictionary will verify this fact. This is all part of Freddie trying to give the impression he is erudite and a well read man.

Even if correct, it is pretty pedantic of Freddie to go that route. It demonstrates the attitude of someone who has come from the ghetto (as he so often reminds readers) and is in a frenzy to distance himself from it as he attacks those who emerge out of poverty and from the slums. It was only days ago that he put down Rohee for not finishing "primary school". But Rohee has more sense than Freddie and Rohee does not go about pretending to be a scholar and distorting facts or manufacturing evidence to substantiate his claims. May I remind Freddie that Glen Lall (who pays him a huge salary on which he claims he does not pay taxes) also “did not finish primary school” but has developed himself to a point where he commands the respect of most Guyanese. If Glen Lall could challenge the brain trust of the leading media houses and outperform them, why can't Rohee run the disciplined forces.

And how about CN Sharma who Freddie always puts down? He also did not have university education but he has more brains than Freddie and is one of the most successful businessmen and can run any major organisation in the country better than Freddie. And readers would recall that he implies that I too don’t have university education. But Freddie just wants to insist that some farcical education (plus some books via his big coat) makes him better than others. That is shameful! Please be humble Freddie! Avoid focusing on yourself, misusing words, and misleading people about concepts you do not understand. Guyanese are not Jihadists.
VISHNU BISRAM
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Mormons barefacedly broke the Laws of Guyana
I refer to Mr. Leon Jameson Sureran’s letter “There is another sect growing here”. Leon Jameson does not seem to understand that he Mormons have barefacedly broken the Laws of Guyana and indeed have held our laws in utter contempt, and his attempt to defend the lawbreakers and attack the government belies the sanctimonious whining he often gushes forth in the letter column.

Secondly, Leon Jamesson Suseran who converged from Lutheranism to the Holy Catholic Church and proudly announced this fact in the newspapers seems to be reverting back to the old ways when he defends America fundamentalist religious sects. Most of these sects hate and insult the Catholic Church, often abusing His Holiness the Pope and calling the church idolatrous and the anti-Christ. Brazil used to be an almost 100 per cent Catholic country, but with the American fundamentalist assault over 25 per cent of the Brazilians have moved away from their ancestral church. During the Cold War, the CIA established and manipulated these churches.

If 66 Guyanese missionaries from any religious sect here – Catholic, Methodist, Christadelphians, Bahais, Charismatics, Spiritualist, Ahamadis or Kalimais, etc wished to be missionaries in the United State, would they be granted American viasa with work permits? Would Leon Jameson Suseran confirm with the American authorities that they would issue visas with work permits to Guyanese missionaries, at least 66 per sect, just as he demands we do with the Mormons?
F. GIBBS
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Pleased about President’s comments on Mormons issue
THANK you Mr. President for making it public that you don't think it might have been the best approach taken with the expulsion of the US Mormons. Nothing pleased me more with that comment.

My understanding is that the expulsion decision still stands and a fresh batch of members of the church are welcome, but must have their immigration situation sorted out before coming.

The least we can showcase to those outgoing church members for the humanitarian services rendered over the years is by saying 'Thank You."

To those concerned persons who used the forum of the dailies to highlight the negatives and tongue lash the church rather than accessing the situation from as many angles, it might now be best to take some time out and review your respective approaches for the penning of future commentaries.

To the US Embassy, the expulsion decision does not in anyway reflects the image of the general society and would strongly suggest that you have a circular circulated to your nationals with as much information regarding the immigration polices of Guyana in order to avoid a similar situation. The same applies to all other Embassy Offices.

To the tourism fraternity, if you suffered any damages within the marketing sector with the recent development regarding the expulsion of the Mormons, it is my only hope that you be innovative in trying to repair any damages that might have been caused for the benefit of the nation.
T. PEMBERTON
……………………
Provision of a visitor’s visa or work permit is a privilege, not a right
I feel very joyful that His Excellency has come out in the open on the Mormons immigration issue which has gripped headlines in the media recently. It is wonderful that he has displayed humanity and love, by permitting those who erred to enjoy 30 days to possibly administer their affairs and leave in peace. It is excellent also that like most countries they are not being humiliated and deported, which some country take joy in doing to Guyanese. At all cost, we as a nation on development must never allow ourselves to lose our humility and humanity. Mind you, meekness must never be seen as weakness.

Some people were happy with the original decision to expel the Mormon Missionaries, and others condemnatory saying that Guyana was taking the example of Barbados on illegal immigration The country which the Mormons originate from, the United States deals firmly with people who abuse their immigration laws, and that is their right, for visitors or workers to any nation must and should respect laws of the country they visit or serve.

The provision of a visitor’s visa or work permit is a privilege, not a right, and must be treated as sacrosanct. The Mormons should have respected the Laws of Guyana, and being people of religion, should have displayed more discipline. The elders should have been better administrators on such an important matter. I am disappointed in the elders for failing to guide and watch their flock.

The young missionaries are good people, doing the bidding of their Founders and Elders, whether we agree with their principles and religion or not. They have been doing good works in being positive examples to youths as role models. In addition enormous aid and support are given to the Guyanese nation through Food for the Poor.

Recently I met an Elder Mormon at the Port of Spain airport. I saw the gentleman looking at me constantly and with a smile, so was the lady in his company. Later on I approached the gentleman in the Royal Castle outlet in the airport, greeted him and asked whether he served in Guyana, and he indicated he was, and that all the time he was admiring my hat, which was kind of Texan with a string, very practical. We talked on it and our business and religion. I told him of the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity, he liked the name and philosophy, and when told that we feed hundreds of people weekly, the street people, the Palms, Dharmasala and the Children’s Drop in Centre he was moved, and promised to help us. While he was maybe too busy to contact me, the fact that he taught of helping, and his demeanor, his personality was one of peace, goodwill and service to mankind.

We as a people must never use our laws to pursue a “tit for tat” policy, and it gives my heart peace knowing that this is not the case with the Mormons. I know many Guyanese who were refused Visas or dealt with firmly for overstaying their time, maybe deported, would love to have some vengeance against some Americans, or Barbadians, or Antiguans in a tit for tat, wherever Guyanese are given a difficult time. As stated above: We as a nation must never lose our humility and humanity, regardless how great a developed nation we become, and that we will, for our vast untouched forests, grasslands, waterways, fresh water and ability to produce food all year round. It is my opinion that when nations become developed, they tend to lose their humility and humanity, become rude, haughty, and pompous, lose direction and divine sanction, and after much chances they start to decay and lose their greatness, e.g., Rome, Greece, The British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, etc., etc.

Look at this situation, someone close to me, a wonderful youth, decent, brilliant, a plus for any nation if they can get him, is refused a visa to the USA to write two important Medical Exams, USMLE 1 AND 2. I personally insisted on him doing the American Medical Studies instead of Cuban, he received visa three times for what is called PREP and the Exams, but due to Medical Developments, changes and delay in the Preparation, the test were not done as they do the test on advise of the Dean, who gauges their ability to pass.

The Youngman returned all three times in compliance with the law, and he could have sought an extension in the US, but preferred to return to be with us, his loved relatives and sponsors, and at the same time fulfill the Visa criteria. He went in for the final visa now that the examination is booked (for over $700US), and we his family are the ones who pooled enormous resources to educate him. He was strangely refused, went in again, and refused, someone believe he will not return for some strange reason. Like I said, any nation would and should love to have a young man of this stature and caliber. But he has no interest in living there, with USMLE 1 and 2; graduates can do their intern in Guyana and work and live here or anywhere in the Caribbean, even Africa and the pacific islands. He is interested in career development, and has great plans to contribute to the world. Now ready and able for the exam, he is depressed, not knowing to do.

His apartment is there, financed by us his relatives, his books for further studies, a car he needed, and furniture, all of which need to be disposed of, bills to pay, etc. etc. The Visa Officer just does not understand….wow…how sad. People studying medicine can never work to earn as medical is always too intense. With us and him standing to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on his education, even his grandma having sold her house and land in the process, yet he cannot write the final exams because of an officer not understanding, not able to see. And in the system now there is no appeal. This is sadly inhuman. But what, must we gloat when American are pressed in Guyana, should we say well, they deserve it, and wish them fire and brimstone, no, we must display maturity, excellent judgment and wisdom, not moved to irrationality by emotion. This is exactly why I beg our government to show mercy, peace, goodwill and love to the Mormons. The one month grace is good, and they are not blacklisted. This is wisdom and mercy. One month is all my nephew needs, and we are prepared to place guarantees of his return, a valuable transport, an American Passport, or even accompany him and return him as decreed.

Thirty days is all we wanted as a family for our beloved nephew, who one day will make great contributions to Medicine in the world. No wonder he is sad and depressed, yet he smiles his beautiful smile, trying to reassure his concerned relatives/ sponsors, and his grandma who sold her house. Cases like these need humanity, humility, peace, wisdom, and yes mercy!
ROSHAN KHAN
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Newspapers need to be more sensitive to people in distress
I think the Kaieteur News needs to pay more attention to what it prints because in this case what it did was really insensitive. In its Saturday, September 12th edition, the paper is still running a ‘missing’ advertisement.

Here we have a family in mourning over the death of their son, Ryan Sattaur, and the newspaper still carries an ad which says he is missing. Stabroek News on the same day carries an article about the discovery of the body the afternoon before. Is it s case where the paper is not aware of this or is it just being careless? I think the paper should apologise to the Sattaur family for this.
EMILE SULLIVAN
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Stabroek News’ continues its negative reporting
STABROEK NEWS continues to report negatively on .the developments in Guyana, despite the significant progress that is being made. This time they have used the World Bank’s Doing Business report to paint an ugly picture. The article I am referring to is on page three of the September 11th edition of the newspaper and is entitled, “Doing business in Guyana still tedious”.

No one will deny that it takes some time to get things done in Guyana, especially when it comes to doing business. However, things have been getting much better. No mention was made in the article of the US$6.7M USAID-Millennium Challenge Corporation project that was started in 2007 that seeks to, among other things, reduce the costs and the days to start a business nor the legislation that is pending that will make this a reality.

Leading with such a headline is pretty poor taste. A lot of people do not actually read a newspaper article but rather look at the headlines as such those people would not read that Guyana’s ranking actually improved year over year, and if some of those individuals are, say, businessmen in New York who were considering investing in Guyana, they might just decide not to based on that headline.

What Stabroek News continues to do is to paint a bad picture of the country to sell papers.

Government is working to improve a lot of areas in Guyana but everything cannot be done at once. Guyana is getting better over time and I am sure that the next edition of the Doing Business report will show that Guyana has made a big jump in the rankings.

However, it is likely that such a story will not be reported by Stabroek News. When Heritage House, who is not a big fan of this Administration, released their report that classified Guyana as a free country in terms of its press, there was no coverage of that story by Stabroek News.

Such actions points to their chicanery and their lack of responsibility when it comes to what they publish. They should be ashamed of themselves.
QUACIE GALLOWAY
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President was right on Mormons issue
PRESIDENT Jagdeo was right that the Mormons situation could have been “better handled”. This is also true about some other police actions and press statements that leave more questions can answers. They really need a good Public relations Officer that could tell them when and what to say about ongoing investigations. Why must the President be the point man in these cases? Why not the Home Secretary or Police Commissioner if they did not authorize the round up? Surely, they could have seen the same thing as the President? Any investigating as to who authorized the round up, to prevent any reoccurrences? Or is it being left in-house? Was Superintendent Simon Mc Bean really paid during and after returning from training before terminating him, what took so long? No further investigations here either. And we still do not understand why people question our security services, except the Gog. The GoG continue to shoot themselves in the foot, negating some of their good works.
N. AUGUSTUS
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Good work by police in apprehending alleged kidnappers
IT is good to know that the Police Force has worked so hard and so quickly in apprehending the alleged kidnappers in the two recent cases. I do hope that they will be punished to the full extent of the law so that they will learn a lesson and others will see that Guyana does not take kidnapping lightly.

This fast action by the Police Force shows that it is continually adapting to adequately address the changing face of crime and it should be commended and encouraged to continue its good work.

Often people seek to criticize the work of the Force and I hope that they will take into consideration these accomplishments and give the force its due.
T. PERSAUD

Awesome Bolt ends season in style
… wins also for Brathwaite and Walker
HESSALONIKI, Greece, (CMC) – Track and field giant Usain Bolt advertised invincible form again and joined other Caribbean World Champions Ryan Brathwaite and Melaine Walker in winners’ row as the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final ended last evening.

Jamaican Bolt sped to a meet record equalling 19.68 seconds to win the men’s 200 metres while his team-mate Melaine Walker also posted a meet record in landing the women’s 400-metre hurdles in 53.36 and rising Barbadian world star Brathwaite dominated the 110-metre hurdles in 13.16 seconds.

All winners at the two-day meet a picked up a purse of US$30,000.

Running in Lane 5 in the men’s 200 metres, Olympic and World Champion Bolt covered the field quickly and came off the turn with a clear lead, moving further away down the homestretch to crush his rivals.

Again, Bolt was clearly the best, but fell short of his target in his season-ending run.

“I wanted to run faster but I was really tired after the long season. No more races for me, it is time to rest,” he said.

American Wallace Spearmon was second in 20.21 seconds and Antiguan Pan American Games champion Brendan Christian claimed third in 20.65.

Brathwaite got a decent start in the sprint hurdles and quickened in mid-race to take control, stopping the clock just 0.02 seconds outside his personal best and Barbados national record.

The 21-year-old Brathwaite, who created history by becoming the first Barbadian to win a global senior track and field title, won ahead of American Dexter Faulk, who clocked 13.26 for second.

Jamaican Dwight Thomas recovered from a bad start to secure third in 13.29 seconds.

Brathwaite believes he could have gone faster with more competition.

“Surely with Liu (Xiang), (Dayron) Robles and (David) Oliver in the race I could have run faster,” said Brathwaite, who is returning home to Barbados Thursday to a massive homecoming put on by the government.

Walker, like Bolt a reigning World and Olympic Champion, was unchallenged in her one-lap hurdles win, coming home ahead of her Jamaican team-mate Kaliese Spencer (53.99) with the improving Trinidadian Josanne Lucas getting third in 54.31 seconds.

Walker, whose win in Berlin came in a career-best 52.42, just 0.08 seconds outside the world record, was satisfied with her run.

“I had a pretty good race. I felt very well during the warm up. I didn’t struggle at the finish,” she said.

American Carmelita Jeter delivered the top performance of the day when she recorded a stunning career-best and meet record 10.67 seconds to capture the women’s 100 metres.

Accelerating powerfully over the last 40 metres, Jeter dismissed Jamaican Olympic and World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser to become the third fastest woman all-time over the distance.

“When I saw the clock, I was in shock and in tears,” Jeter revealed.

Only world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner (10.49) and Marion Jones (10.65) have gone faster.

In a field proliferated by Caribbean runners, Fraser took second in 10.89, a shade ahead of fellow Jamaican Kerron Stewart (10.90).

The third Jamaican in the line-up, Sherone Simpson was fifth in 11.20, while Bahamians Chandra Sturrup (11.17) and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie (11.24) placed fourth and sixth, respectively.

The US Virgin Islands’ LaVerne Jones-Ferrette was seventh in 11.25 and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste finished eighth in 11.27 seconds.

American World Champion Sanya Richards reaffirmed her superiority in the 400 metres, winning in 49.95 ahead of a pair of Jamaicans Novlene Williams-Mills (50.34) and Shericka Williams (50.49).

In the women’s triple jump, Jamaica’s 2005 World Champion Trecia Smith placed seventh at 13.89 metres as Cuban Mabel Gay landed the top spot at 14.62 metres.

Hilaire confirmed as new WICB chief executive officer
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) confirmed Ernest Hilaire as its new chief executive officer (CEO) on Sunday.

The WICB said in a press release that Hilaire’s appointment becomes effective October 1, confirming an early September CMC story.

Hilaire replaces Donald Peters, who departed the post in July, and he will immediately confront the contractual crisis between the WICB and the players’ union that has crippled West Indies cricket.

“The WICB is facing an extremely difficult challenge as it seeks to establish a new framework for the development of cricket in the region and Dr Hilaire is expected to be pivotal in shaping and managing the transformation which is required,” WICB President Julian Hunte stated in Sunday’s press release.

Hilaire becomes the fifth CEO of the regional cricket board in the last nine years, after Gregory Shillingford, Roger Brathwaite, Bruce Aanensen, and Peters.

“The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Dr. Hilaire as CEO and looks forward to a period of stability and organisational growth and development under his leadership,” Hunte added.

Hilaire has had a very close relationship with West Indies cricket, particularly in the last few years, when he served as CEO of World Cup St Lucia.

He had played an important role in the development and presentation of St Lucia’s bid to host matches in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup and was previously appointed tournament director of next year’s Twenty20 World Cup to be staged in the Caribbean.

He was also a former Permanent Secretary of Youth and Sports in St. Lucia, under the Kenny Anthony Administration, during whose tenure the Beausejour Cricket Ground in Gros-Islet and the George Odlum Stadium in Vieux Fort were constructed.

Hilaire is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and possesses an MPhil. (Master of Philosophy) in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD from the London School of Economics.

The post was reported to have attracted more than 30 applicants from the Caribbean, the United States, and from as far way as New Zealand.

Rain has final say in GCA/Cellink Plus final
…GNIC, Everest declared joint winners
By Calvin Roberts
THE waterlogged boundary areas around the perimeter of the world renowned Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground yesterday, left the umpires with no choice but to call it a day on the final day of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Cellink Plus sponsored three -day final between Everest Cricket Club (ECC) and the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) respectively.

A picture tells a thousand words and there is no difference here, as the water is visible around the boundary edge at the famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground yesterday. (Photo by Calvin Roberts)

ECC were set to either resume or declare their first innings on 235-4, with former Guyana and West Indies Udner-19 opener Rajendra Chandrika unbeaten on 150 and Troy Gonsalves 29, this was in reply to GNIC’s first innings score of 137, in which former national Under-19 fast bowler Leon Scott took 5-63.

The rains came a mere seven minutes before the umpires were set to take the field for the resumption of play at 09:00h.

With only an outright guaranteeing sole ownership of the championship trophy, GNIC who entered the competition and the match as joint champions with Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) whom they defeated in their semi final match by 27 runs, now shares the trophy with ECC.

The presentation of the championship trophy, as well as other individual prizes earned throughout this year’s tournament, which is being sponsored to the tune of $750,000, will be done on Friday at the GCC pavilion from 17:00h.

Smith’s 80 fails to saveWindies from defeat
KLERKDORP, South Africa, (CMC) – West Indies failed to hold off Cape Cobras’ rampant late surge and lost by three wickets with two balls to spare in their unofficial ICC Champions Trophy warm-up fixture on Saturday.

Batting first, West Indies posted 327 for seven off their 50 overs and the Cobras responded with 329 for seven off 49.4 overs at the Markotter Stadium in North West Province.

For the West Indies, the experienced left-hander Devon Smith cracked a stroke-filled 84 off 118 balls with nine boundaries.

Smith hit nine boundaries before being dismissed in the final power play as he tried to accelerate the run-rate.

The Nevisian 19-year-old left-handed opener Kieran Powell, and wicket-keeper/batsman Chadwick Walton also stroked half-centuries.

Powell hit a solid 62 off 53 balls with eight fours and two sixes while sharing in an innings-best stand of 79 for the second wicket with Smith.

Walton, batting at No.6, made the most of his opportunity. He smashed the ball with power to make 69 not out from 62 balls with seven crisp boundaries.

There were also good knocks from opener Dale Richards, 33 off 31 balls, and Darren Sammy, who crashed a fiery 31 from just 14 balls.

Sammy, who led the side while captain Floyd Reifer rested, struck four boundaries and a six.

West Indies appeared to tighten their grip on the game when pacer Kemar Roach grabbed two wickets in his first three overs as the Cobras stuttered to 92 for four and later 128 for five.

But Richard Levi hit 84, Bryan Canning 71 not out, and Andrew Puttick 52 in the Cobras’ thrillingly successful run-chase.

Roach finished with three for 62 off 9.4 overs and his new-ball partner Tino Best claimed two for 63 off 10.

The West Indies will have another warm-up match on Monday against North West Dragons in the suburb of Witrand.

Before the September 22 start of the ICC Champions Trophy, West Indies will play official warm-up matches on September 18 against South Africa and Sri Lanka on September 20.

West Indies open their Champions Trophy campaign on September 23 against Pakistan in Group A

WEST INDIES Innings
Dale Richards c Philander b Kleinveldt 33

Kieran Powell c Levi b van Zyl 62

Devon Smith c and b Kleinveldt 80

Travis Dowlin c Kleinveldt b van Zyl 3

David Bernard b van Zyl 6

Chadwick Walton not out 69

Darren Sammy c wk Canning b Zondeki 31

Royston Crandon run out (Canning/Philander) 15

Nikita Miller not out 1

Extras (b1, lb4, nb11, w11) 27

TOTAL (7 wickets, 50 overs) 327

Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-139, 3-148, 4-170, 5-241, 6-296, 7-325

Did not bat: Tino Best, Kemar Roach

Bowling: Kleinveldt 10-1-71-2, Zondeki 10-1-88-1, Philander 9-0-59-0, Olivier 8-0-60-0, Ontong 6-0-31-0, van Zyl 6-1-13-3

CAPE COBRAS
Andrew Puttick c Sammy b Miller 52

Alistair Gray lbw b Roach 5

Staan van Zyl b Roach 4

Henry Davids b Bernard 7

Justin Ontong c Sammy b Best 32

Richard Levi c Crandon b Roach 84

Bryan Canning not out 71

Vernon Philander c Bernard b Best 46

Rory Kleinveldt not out 5

Extras (b2, lb6, w15) 23

TOTAL (7 wickets, 49.4 overs) 329

Bowling: Best 10-0-63-2, Roach 9.4-0-62-3, Sammy 9-0-61-0, Bernard 9.3-0-42-1, Miller 7-0-49-1, Dowlin 0.3-0-14-0, Crandon 4-0-30-0

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-28, 3-58, 4-92, 5-128, 6-227, 7-322.
Did not bat: Monde Zondeki, Mario Olivier

Alpha versus Pele match abandoned after 76 minutes
..--Conquerors and GDF play to goalless stalemate
THE Georgetown Football Association’s/Cellink Plus Premier League fixture between defending champions Alpha `The Hammer’ United’ and Pele was abandoned afterv76 minutes of play, while Fruta Conquerors and GDF played to a goalless stalemate.

Playing at the Tucville ground on Friday evening, Alpha United’s Dwain Jacobs registered an 11th minute goal to give his team a 1-0 lead after evading a challenge down the right wing and shot the ball instantly into goal on the run of play. However, Pele’s custodian failed to make a clean save and the unmarked Jacobs was able to pounce on the loose ball and finished with a clinical shot into the net.

Thirteen minutes later Pele’s attacking mode paid dividends when Solomon Austin secured the equaliser with a header from a corner kick.

Alpha United were subsequently reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute when Philbert Moffat was given marching orders by referee Roy McArthur.

With the score remaining unchanged at the interval, surprisingly it was Pele that was more dominant after the resumption and had two opportunities to establish the lead, but were let down by poor finishing from O’Kenny Fraser.

A subsequent attack by Alpha resulted in a Pele defender handling the ball, thinking that it was out of play and upon realising it, an opposition player kicked it into the goal, resulting in the referee awarding the goal while his (Referee) assistant stood her ground.

The mix up in communication and signaling brought a few spectators unto the field of play, causing the match to end prematurely.

A meeting of the GFA executive will be held shortly to determine the outcome of the match.

However, Alpha United continues to lead the points standing with 31 points, while GDF and Sunburst Camptown both have 25 points.

Fruta Conquerors has 20 points and occupies the fourth spot in the points standing and they are followed by BK International Western Tigers on 11 points.

DCC lift Survival Travel Agency trophy
WATCHED by a fair sized crowd on Friday night at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground on Lance Gibbs Street Queenstown, the DCC Special Select Squad recorded a first victory over the Floodlight Team.

A picture tells a thousand words and there is no difference here, as the water is visible around the boundary edge at the famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground yesterday. (Photo by Calvin Roberts)

The match started with national opener Christopher Barnwell hitting the ball to all parts of the ground in scoring 91 and together with Zahiff Hussain 21 raised an opening partnership of 110 in 11 overs.

The Floodlight team was unable to rebound and DCC raced to a solid 202 off their allotted 25 overs. The best bowler for Floodlights was Reaz Hussain 3 wickets for 24 runs.

When Floodlight replied they were taken by surprise when skipper Roger Harper opened the bowling and put a tight noose around the Floodlight batsmen. They eventually reached 149 all out with Surendra Nauth top scoring with 49, Bedi Ramjewan 27 and Dindial Lakhan 26. Best bowler for DCC was Shawn Massiah 3 for 14 runs off 4 overs and this was a hat trick.

The Floodlight team despite loosing made a monetary contribution of $60,000 to the Demerara Cricket Club. All trophies for this match were sponsored by Survival Travel Agency of Sheriff Street

India seek to break finals jinx
By Jamie Alter in Colombo
INDIA's inability to win when it matters is infamous, and today’s final is a step towards setting things right

India have aspired to be the best one-day team in the world for some time, but once they reached the top they lasted barely 24 hours before suffering a bout of vertigo. As the old cliché goes, it's often harder to stay somewhere than it is getting there.

This Indian team, for all its potential, remains weighed down by the history of a trend that has bordered on the unacceptable. MS Dhoni doesn't read much into the past, but India's inability to win when it really matters is infamous. South Africa have nothing on India.

Going into this final, a proper test before of the Champions Trophy, what India don't have is a batting order with any sort of form.

Much will depend on what kind of platform Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, at No. 3, can provide. Sri Lanka just don't give up at home and if India are to win, the batting will have to be superior

. India's biggest concern has been chasing in finals. In 20 tournament finals they have played since 2000, India have had to chase 14 times. Nine of those chases were in excess of 270.

Taking a start is crucial in any game but when it's a final, it becomes extremely important. Since 2000, India's opening partnerships in finals are not very impressive, averaging 36.94.

There have been two centuries; Sourav Ganguly's 117 against New Zealand in the ICC Knockout in 2000, and Tendulkar's unbeaten 117 versus Australia in the first final of the CB Series last year. Tendulkar followed that up with 91 in the next game that took India to CB Series glory, but since 2000 only two other Indian batsmen have reached 90 in a tournament final.

India are depleted by Virender Sehwag's absence, and the records of two of three main batsmen, when it comes to tournament finals, are nothing to boast of.

Tendulkar has always been a class apart and his average in finals is marginally lower than his career average - 43.45 as compared to 44.33, with a century and three fifties since 2000.

Dravid and Yuvraj Singh have fantastic one-day records, but when you isolate their performance in tournament finals, their numbers resemble those of below-average players.

Dravid - with 10646 one-day runs to his credit - averages 29.00 in tournament finals against a career average of 39.42. A proven real match-winner since in limited-overs cricket, Yuvraj's batting average in finals dips to 20.31.

Considering he's featured in the most finals for India this decade, Yuvraj's numbers are thoroughly disappointing. Dravid has managed a decent start in seven of 12 finals but hasn't ever pressed out a match-winning contribution. Yuvraj, after that heroic 69 against England at Lord's in 2002, has scored one half-century.

India can rightly claim to be the second best one-day team in the world and this could be the single most important aspect in their favour heading in to the final.

In the dress rehearsal for this match they suffered their biggest defeat, in terms of runs, on Sri Lankan soil. Dhoni and Gary Kirsten will no doubt have taken a close look at footage from that game.

If the Indians bat as they did against Angelo Mathews' gentle seam they may as well not bother turning up.

Catches were missed and the ground fielding was erratic. In a crunch game, these factors are critical. Sri Lanka also have the edge in the field and by virtue of a fortress known as the Premadasa, not to mention the experience that two legends bring to a finals situation.

In 19 finals this decade, Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 27 wickets; Sanath Jayasuriya has scored 1032 runs. Among India's current batting line-up, only Tendulkar, Yuvraj and Dravid have played more than two finals against Sri Lanka.

After Saturday's defeat, Dhoni admitted that the result has robbed them of some momentum going into the final. "The only positive we can take from today is that it's behind us and the only thing that went right was the warm-up session. We then lost the toss and everything else went haywire. It was one of the worst days at work

As Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara size up each other's team, history suggests Sri Lanka are a safe bet. They have yet to lose a final at home this decade. Sri Lanka have not lost in seven previous finals between the two teams. Five were in Colombo: Sri Lanka won three, with the ICC Champions Trophy final and its replay being washed out. It's clear where the advantage rests.

Between 2001-03 and 2007-09, when India had justifiable claims to be the second best ODI team in the world, the silverware continued to elude them, with the exception of the CB Series in 2008 and the Natwest Series in 2002.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy this month and in terms of planning for 2011, today’s final is the first step towards salvation. (Cricinfo)

Fennell concerned at slow progress of Commonwealth Games
NEW DELHI, (Reuters) - Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell has requested an urgent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the slow pace of work ahead of next year's New Delhi games, the PTI news agency reported yesterday.

"With only a year to run until the Games, I feel I must personally brief the prime minister of India on the lack of preparations and seek his input in developing an appropriate recovery plan," PTI quoted Fennell as saying.

"I'm looking forward to some urgent actions in order to bring about the successful celebration of the games in 2010."

The CGF general assembly is due to meet in New Delhi early next month to assess the work a year ahead of the Oct 3-14 games. Construction of many venues, including the athletes' village, is behind schedule, forcing the postponement or shifting of many international meetings planned as test events.

Authorities are also planning elaborate security following militant attacks in Mumbai last November which killed 166 people and the ambush on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore in March.

KP DOUBT..
Pietersen doubtful for tour of South Africa
ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has admitted he cannot guarantee he will be fit for the tour of South Africa.

The 29-year-old has suffered complications in his recovery from the Achilles tendon surgery that forced him out of the last three Ashes Tests.

"I saw a couple of surgeons during the week but it's slow at the moment. I've got an open wound in my leg," he told BBC Sport.

"But I'm really hoping to be back for the South Africa tour at the moment."

South African-born Pietersen has already been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy, which starts in South Africa on September 22.

But England are scheduled to return to South Africa on November 1 for a lengthy tour that comprises two Twenty20 fixtures, five one-day internationals and four Test matches.

Pietersen is desperate to be fit for the tour but he suffered an infection to the scar tissue in his Achilles in mid-August and it seems that the complication has not cleared.

He was operated on initially in late July after his movement became increasingly restricted through the first two Ashes Tests.

The injury first surfaced on England's tour of West Indies in March.

However, Pietersen's recovery was slowed when he strained the tendon again while playing for the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League in April.

The Hampshire right-hander then missed the one-day series when West Indies made a return visit in May.

Despite clearly struggling at the crease, he averaged 38.25 from four innings at Cardiff and Lord's in the Ashes series, only Jonathan Trott and Andrew Strauss averaging higher among England's players.

The ECB originally estimated Pietersen would be absent for six weeks and he was named in England's initial 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy, but not in the final 15-man party. (BBC Sport)

Drama queen Serena lets 'all hell break loose'
By Pritha Sarkar
NEW YORK, (Reuters) - "All hell broke loose" is how original bad boy of tennis John McEnroe described drama queen Serena Williams as she went kicking and screaming out of the U.S. Open on Saturday.

Williams has made a cameo appearance in medical drama ER and lists acting as a hobby but she does not need to rely on a script to produce her own drama.

On Day 13 of the hardcourt major, wide-eyed fans at Flushing Meadows witnessed the latest episode to unfold around the 11-times grand slam champion.

Facing Kim Clijsters in a hotly anticipated semi-final showdown at the Open, an angry outburst from Williams resulted in one of the most bizarre endings to a match on a grand slam stage.

With the Belgian on the brink of victory, defending champion Williams was called for a foot-fault on a second serve to go match point down.

Astounded by the verdict, Williams immediately saw red and threateningly marched up to the official. She waved her racket ominously and thrust the ball into the lineswoman's face as she launched into a tirade.

"I swear to God I'm... going to take this... ball and shove it down your... throat, you hear that? I swear to God," Williams told the line-judge.

The lineswoman reported her to umpire Louise Engzell for verbal abuse. Having already received a warning earlier in the match for smashing a racket, Williams was handed an automatic point penalty for "unsportsmanlike conduct," giving Clijsters the match and a final date with Danish ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki.

Not since McEnroe was defaulted from a fourth round match against Mikael Pernfors at the 1990 Australian Open -- when he swore at the umpire, supervisor, and referee -- has a singles player suffered such an ignominious exit from such a high profile match.

But Williams remained unrepentant for her tirade even though the lineswoman told the chair umpire that she felt threatened.

"She says she felt threatened? She said this to you?" she asked the reporter who fielded the question.

"I've never been in a fight my whole life, so I don't know why she should have felt threatened."

FIERY AMERICAN

However, Saturday's incident was just the latest to surround the fiery American.

"I'm drama, and I don't want to be drama," Williams said in May at the French Open where she labelled Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez "a cheat" following a controversial point in their third round match.

"I'm beginning to think it's me because I do have a lot of drama, and it's always something, whether it's my life with friends, with anybody. It's like I have the most dramatic life. It's so ridiculous."

In 2003, a sobbing Williams accused another Belgian Justine Henin of "lying and fabricating" following another controversial semi-final defeat at Roland Garros.

A year later, the American lost a hotly contested quarter-final with compatriot Jennifer Capriati at the U.S Open after being on the receiving end of several bad line calls.

The incident led to umpire Mariana Alves, who made an incorrect overrule, being removed from officiating duties from the championships that year while U.S. Open officials apologised to Williams.

"Every time you look around, it's like I mean, there was an incident with Justine, and then there was another incident with Jennifer Capriati. Always some drama," Williams said in May.

"Even in Australia this year I had a bad call, and I was just like, why?

"I'm like one of those girls on a reality show that has all the drama, and everyone in the house hates them because no matter what they do, drama follows them. I don't want to be that girl."
Unfortunately, on Saturday, she was once again "that girl".

Newspaper reaction to Serena losing her cool
(Reuters) - Newspaper and website reaction to Serena Williams surrendering her U.S. Open title after getting a point penalty "for unsportsmanlike conduct" on match point down in her semi-final against Kim Clijsters.

Los Angeles Times

Let's get right to the point. Serena Williams should be fined heavily and suspended for a while from the pro tennis tour. Let's see what kind of guts tennis, a sport normally soft on discipline, has this time. If she were a football player, she'd be out for the season.

Washington Post

Serena says she didn't threaten the lineswoman, but if somebody came toward me with a tennis racket I'd have felt threatened, and I'd have come out of my seat to prepare for a physical confrontation.

It seemed like a really, really bad call -- a stupid and petty call to come up with a foot fault there. Replays certainly suggest it wasn't a foot fault. If I was Serena Williams I'd have been enraged, too.

But to go on and on like that and let yourself become that distracted when a grand slam championship is on the line and you're within reach of winning the second set? I don't get that 1984 McEnroevian lack of control from a woman who is such a champion. It cost too much.

Kansas City Star

Tennis fans are going to remember for a long time the ugly sportsmanship of Serena Williams on Saturday night. The incredibly boorish behaviour by Williams took away from a superb performance by Clijsters, who outplayed Williams much of the match.

ESPN.com

We may disagree on whether Serena Williams is the real No. 1 in women's tennis, but we all knew the U.S. Open semi-final that pitted her against Kim Clijsters would look like a real final. The jaw-dropping way in which the match ended simply makes Sunday night's final even more of an anticlimax.

Will anyone remember that this was a riveting, high-quality match between two strong, compelling and charismatic players in a sport that desperately needs them right now? Will there be any replays of the long rallies that featured crisp, smart, powerful and varied shot-making? Probably not, and that's a shame.

Newsday.com

Williams, the best player in the game, was knocked out of the tournament because of a tantrum. I don't know if this is more ridiculous or sad. What I do know is every youth tennis coach needs to play a tape of the tantrum that Williams threw at the end of the game to every one of their players. It will become the ultimate "Do not do this" instructional video, surpassing even some of John McEnroe's lowest moments.