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ARCHIVES FOR SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

President Jagdeo to address major UN climate event today as…
WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL LEADERS MEET TO DISCUSS ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’
- described as the ‘biggest issue facing the planet’
By Mark Ramotar in Manhattan, New York
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, whose extraordinary vision is set to make Guyana one of the most environmentally progressive nations on earth, will today be making an impassioned call to world leaders attending the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York to support plans to fund the protection of tropical forests as a means to tackle climate change.

The Guyanese Head of State is also scheduled to outline his plans to build Guyana’s economic development around the preservation of its vast forests.

Today, more than one hundred of the world’s most powerful leaders will meet at UN Headquarters on 43rd Street in Manhattan to discuss the biggest issue facing our planet: Climate Change.

The bigwigs, summoned by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, include US President Barack Obama and heads of state from Europe, China, India, Russia and Japan, and of course, Guyana.

The meeting is a key step along the way to a big climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December, which will produce a new treaty to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. That treaty expires in 2012.

Ban Ki Moon has called Copenhagen a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” because the world has “less than 10 years to halt (the) global rise in greenhouse gas emissions if we are to avoid catastrophic consequences for people of our planet.”

‘LAST MOMENT CHECK’: President Bharrat Jagdeo and Adviser to the President Shyam Nokta confer to the launch of Team Earth (Mark Ramotar photo)

But things haven’t been going so well, and observers say it will be a miracle if the 192 countries can agree on what to do come December in Copenhagen.

And in all of this fight, Guyana has continuously been scoring more points for its climate change leadership role, and its deforestation model that seems certain to set the pattern for other forest countries.

Building on this international high profile, President Jagdeo yesterday got tremendous backing from one of the world’s greatest movie stars, Mr. Harrison Forde.

President Jagdeo, who is hailed as one of the world’s most environmentally progressive Presidents, and Mr. Forde yesterday issued a clarion call on the UN to protect the world’s tropical forests as the quickest and most cost effective way to tackle climate change.

Mr. Jagdeo was joined by Mr. Forde in front of a stunning installation of life-size ‘origami’ trees and wildlife to call on world leaders attending the UN General Assembly to provide developing nations with funding to allow them to keep the planet’s tropical forests standing.

‘IN THE SPOTLIGHT’: President Bharrat Jagdeo being interviewed by a CNN Reporter (Mark Ramotar photo)

The president’s address was the centrepiece of a major media event organised by Conservation International and Team Earth in Greeley Square, New York City, ahead of today’s opening of the UN General Assembly.

The life-size origami trees and wildlife, symbolising Guyana’s massive and immensely important forest, was created on site over two days, and then partially destroyed during the event – as a statement about loss of the planet’s forests – by world-renowned origami artist Dr Robert J. Lang. More than 80 percent of Guyana (13m hectares or 44.5m acres – an area approximately the size of England) is still covered with intact tropical rainforest.

Addressing the gathering at Greeley Square, Mr. Jagdeo said: “In the year since I last came to New York to call for forest conservation, the world has lost an area of forest the size of my entire country. This has not only released more Co2 from the atmosphere than every motorised vehicle on the planet – around 20 % of global emissions – but has also reduced the earth’s ability to remove Co2 from the atmosphere.

“This has not happened out of malice or ignorance, but because most of the world’s forested nations have no alternative but to generate income by cutting their forests. Guyana has offered a solution with our plan for low carbon development, and the leaders who will meet at the UN this week have an unprecedented opportunity to put the planet on a new path, where protecting forests is more economically prudent than cutting them down,” the Guyanese leader posited.

Immediate and adequate funding for countries developing forest protection strategies as part of their low carbon development plan is critical. Protecting forests represents one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to fight climate change now, whereas many other strategies may take years to develop. If we wait, these forests will be lost along with the multiple benefits they provide to humanity in terms of climate mitigation, fresh water, erosion control, food and resources.

“On the eve of the UN General Assembly, at which I will join with the leaders of the world to make decisions about climate change and prepare for Copenhagen, it is crucial that we come together as one team, as ‘Team Earth’, to send an unequivocal message that the world’s forests must be saved if we are to stop climate change,” President Jagdeo said.

“While the international community prevaricates, I want to tell you how we, a poor, small, vulnerable developing country, are living up to our commitment to fighting climate change through promotion of forest conservation and sustainable management of forests. We want to recognise the important contribution of several nations and organisations in getting us to this point – in particular Norway, the UK, Conservation International (CI), the Clinton Foundation and WWF,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

For Guyana, he said the imperative to tackle climate change is clear. “Guyana loses around 10% of its GDP every year due to flooding, and it will take up to one billion dollars in adaptation funding to fix this before we can even think about growing our economy,” he pointed out.

Mr. Jagdeo’s address followed the launch of ‘Team Earth’, a cross-sector collaboration bringing together businesses, politicians, scientists, non profit organisations, educators, individuals and children.

FORDE PRAISES JAGDEO
Harrison Forde, in a brief comment to this journalist and NCN’s Martin Goolsaran, shortly before his address yesterday to launch ‘Team Earth’ at Greeley Square in Manhattan, New York, has again lauded President Jagdeo’s committed efforts to make a positive impact in the climate change fight, noting that the way the Guyanese Head of State has gone about it is both “significant and commendable”.

Forde also stated that Mr. Jagdeo’s efforts tangibly demonstrate that once you have the political will to do something, a lot can be achieved.

“We are very grateful for the efforts that President Jagdeo have been making in Guyana…it is a demonstration of his commitment and it is a worthy international example,” Forde said.

“The methods he has used and the way he has gone about it are significant and commendable, and it demonstrates that once you have the political will to do something, a lot can be done,” added the charismatic film star, one of Hollywood’s best loved and most respected actors for more than four decades, and who has been a member of the Board of Directors of CI for 15 years.

Among those making short but passionate climate change pleas at the ‘Team Earth’ ceremony yesterday were Ms. Ann Friedman – an Educator, Conservationist, Philanthropist with a long-standing commitment to expanding understanding of the relationship between human well-being and biodiversity conservation; Dr Fisk Johnson, the Chairman and CEO of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. and a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Director of CI’s Board; Dr Gary Loveman, a former associate professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration; Dr Russell Mittermeier, President of Conservation International since 1989, and someone who is regarded as the world leader in the field of biodiversity and tropical forest conservation; Mr. Howard Schultz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive of Starbucks Coffee Company; Peter Seligmann, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Conservation International; and Mr. Rob Walton, Chairman of CI’s Executive Committee and Board, and who is also the Chairman of Walmart Stores, Inc.

HECTIC SCHEDULE:
While in New York, President Jagdeo is scheduled to attend up to 16 different events, including a round table on climate change that he will co-chair with British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

He is also scheduled to speak during a special side event on REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation).

Mr. Jagdeo yesterday also engaged in a very fruitful bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. He also attended a dinner hosted by the UN Secretary General last night.

“It’s a packed week, and I think it is lending a lot of profile to Guyana. I have already had, earlier today, an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Later tonight, I will be speaking with the Guardian (newspaper), and sometime on Monday, with the Financial Times about our strategy and our views on how we can proceed to have a good agreement in Copenhagen,” President Jagdeo told a news conference at his State House residence in Georgetown on Friday last, prior to his coming here to New York.

He continued in the same vein yesterday, with several international media organisations, including CNN, BBC and Reuters swarming him in New York for interviews. He also met yesterday with the Editorial Board of the New York Times.

Accompanying the President are Mr. Shyam Nokta, Adviser to the President and Head of the Office of Climate Change in the Office of the President (OP); and Mr. Michael Brotherson, Senior Foreign Service Officer and member of the Office of Climate Change at OP.

City hall receives $41M from Government
Garbage collection resumes
By Vidya Persaud and Priya Nauth
AS was promised, City Hall yesterday received over $41M from Central Government in an effort to ensure that residents of the city are not further inconvenienced by a littered and smelly capital.

The administration last Saturday committed to paying its rates and taxes for the third quarter of 2009 in advance, so that the contractors can receive payment and resume garbage collection by yesterday.

In an invited comment, Acting Town Clerk Ms. Yonette Pluck confirmed that City Council received the money from Central Government through the Ministry of Finance and $5M was added by the City Council for payment to two garbage collections and one disposal contractor.

She assured that the contractors started works around the city market places since Saturday last and resumed normal duties yesterday.

The commitment to make the payment was made during a meeting between members of the City Council, including Ms. Pluck; City Treasurer, Mr. Andrew Meredith; and City Engineer, Mr. Gregory Erskine; and the Ministers of Finance, Local Government and Regional Development, and Transport and Hydraulics.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Kellawan Lall was given the assurance by the two main garbage collection companies – Cevon’s Waste Management Service and Puran Brothers Waste Disposal Services -- that work would have resumed yesterday. The companies, collectively owed $75M for three months’ work, received their payments yesterday.

According to a GINA report, Minister Singh stated that the meeting served to lay a basis for ongoing engagement between the Council and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and that the officers made it clear that Government does not have any outstanding payments to the municipality.

This clarification came in light of recent allegations that Government has been starving the Council of funds.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Mr. Robeson Benn noted that there needs to be a change in the attitude and culture at the City’s management level, along with a change in the management team, since the Council has failed in its obligations to the residents of the city.

Minister Lall pointed out that the city is in a perilous state and that management issues are of major concern.

He stated that there is need for an efficient system which will deliver quality service. The council’s expenditure amounts to more than the $1.2 billion in rates and taxes collected every year.

Outlining the Council’s failure in expanding its revenue base, the Minister pointed out that Congress Place owes the Council over $100M in taxes, but no effort has been made to have this debt serviced.

Referring to a recently-aired programme on the National Communications Network Inc. (NCN) titled ‘The City Hall Issue’, where the Ministers voiced their concerns, the Finance Minister highlighted several instances where Government fully financed the construction of projects within the City, including roads and drainage and irrigation, which is the responsibility of the council.

Referring to the issue of rates and taxes, the Minister stated that Government, over the years, has been continually paying its taxes for government properties in and around the city in a prompt manner, for which it has received relevant statements. He noted that from 2005 to 2009, Government has paid the council over $700M.

The Ministers again highlighted the need for urgent restructuring within the Council since issues of mismanagement and lack of supervision were highlighted as major bottlenecks.

Minister Lall stated that persistent mismanagement is the root cause of the problems encountered by the City, since there is no proper plan; and he said there is need for the body to tailor its activities to match its funds.

Minister Benn reiterated that the bulk of the work done in the city is facilitated by Central Government and he noted that if the Council was doing its job, then Government would have been able to do much more for the City and Guyana.

Government has already spent over $3B on a number of initiatives in the city, including $1.9M on the maintenance and rehabilitation of city roads, over $200M on the rehabilitation of canals and pumps, and $230M on municipal markets and abattoirs, the Minister said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed between Government and the Council for a special programme where Government provides $10M a month to the council to be used for cleaning works in the city.

Minister Singh also stated that at the completion of the Haag Bosch solid waste management programme, Government would have spent $3.7B.

Additionally, the Minister stated that Government remains committed to the holding of local government elections as early as possible to ensure that the residents of the capital and the country receive proper services.

He further pointed out that residents should hold the city officials responsible, since they pay rates and taxes, and should enquire what is being done with the money they pay on an annual basis.

Criticising Kaieteur News..
President Jagdeo maintains present bidding system prevents corruption
By Tajeram Mohabir
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo said Friday that Kaieteur News needs some schooling to understand how the tendering process for contracts works.

“Maybe I need to spend a little more time speaking to Kaieteur News about the tendering process… I think that you need some education about how this works,” the Head of State said in response to a question, by a reporter from that newspaper, on whether there are discrepancies in the awarding of contracts.

Speaking at a media briefing in State House, Mr. Jagdeo explained that Guyana receives loans and grants from several agencies and each has its own procurement rules which are different from that of this Government.

“We are using their funds. We have to use their procurement rules. In some cases, you have an open tender and you have a point system. The person who gets the highest point based on technical capacity and also price, they get the contract.

“In other cases, it is just the lowest price, after you would have pre-qualified. In another situation, like with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), you have a two-envelope system. You had that in the past, where you only open the envelope for the highest ranked bidder.

“So the highest ranked bidder on technical terms might have the highest bid in financial terms but you don’t get to open the other bid for the other bidders, because they are the highest ranked firm. You have to negotiate with them and only when the negotiation fails you can go to the second ranked firm and open their financial envelope. Our laws say the lowest evaluated bid,” he pointed out.

Secret
President Jagdeo said there was a time when engineers’ estimates were secret and many could have been corrupt.

He noted that, “if there were three bidders, they would say they have a point system where the closer you get to the engineer’s estimate, the highest point you get.

“The contractor who knows the engineer’s estimate had an advantage over his colleagues and many used to pass bribes to get the information.

“Today the engineer’s estimate is just a guide, which every contractor should know about, even before the bid, as the lowest evaluated bid is chosen.

“So, if you know the engineer’s estimate, it does not matter to us. It is the lowest evaluated bid through a public competitive process, a sealed process that we go through.

“So a man can easily come like Kaieteur News and say we will get the pump. We define the specification of the pump and we go out to tender. And everyone has the right to tender. We go with the lowest price once the people meet the specifications.

“So Kaieteur News comes along and say we could have gotten it for a $100 cheaper or $10M cheaper. We don’t know if it is the same specification and secondly, we are saying that, if you could have gotten it for $100 or $10M cheaper, why not put in a bid? Because we have to operate based on bids,” the President outlined.

He said it is ironic that Kaieteur News wants the Government to be transparent but “wants us to call, the Minister or Permanent Secretary must call around and say ‘what price you will give me boy?’ or Kaieteur News, what price can you find it for?”

Transparency
President Jagdeo said such a situation will not allow for any transparency and maintained that the only transparent system will be through a public tender.

He conceded that there may be times when the lowest public tender is higher than the actual price but maintained that the current system prevents corruption because “no one in the Government calls the people and say we are buying it from you or you.

“You need to understand that whether we get ripped off, sometimes where we buy things because of the tender is higher than the actual price or the tender makes a huge profit, there may be circumstances where this happens but it is procured through a public tender,” President Jagdeo clarified.

He acknowledged that he cannot put his head on the line for every contractor or government officer in the country but said, unlike in the past, when the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration restricted the Auditor General from auditing some contracts, today that office can audit any contract in the country.

But, even when they are auditing, like the bridge Kaieteur News claimed was built recently when it was constructed a decade ago and not under the project that the newspaper is saying and “you didn’t have the decency, in Kaieteur News, to retract the story.

“Kaieteur News just puts a photo up, regardless of whether it is true or not. When they get a response, they never carry the response. The next day is a new photo that goes up. It’s a campaign, it is not reporting.

“I expect that journalists, at least, would have some modicum of commonsense, if they are writing a story. They have to understand the procurement rules. So read up on the procurement rules,” he urged Kaieteur News.

AUSTRALIA PRIME MINISTER LAUDS GUYANA’S LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd has lauded Guyana’s leadership on climate change. In a bilateral meeting with President Jagdeo in New York, Prime Minister Rudd expressed his country’s interest in collaborating with Guyana in the global effort to address climate change. President Jagdeo also took the opportunity to outline Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

President Jagdeo and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

President Jagdeo and Prime Minister Rudd are in New York for, among other things, the High Level Meeting on Climate Change convened by UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, in the frame work of the sixty fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Australia has committed to supporting Guyana’s MRV System and remote monitoring. This development builds on Guyana’s recent work on developing its MRV System at which several experts from the Australian Climate Office participated. Prime Minister Rudd and President Jagdeo agreed to continue discussions at CHOGM to explore other areas of bilateral cooperation on climate change as well as regional initiatives for CARICOM.

Ousted president Zelaya returns to Honduras
By Gustavo Palencia
TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Ousted President Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras yesterday almost three months after he was toppled in a coup, and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy in the capital to avoid arrest.

Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya, centre, meets with advisors and members of his cabinet inside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, yesterday. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Reuters photographer Edgar Garrido saw Zelaya with aides and his wife in the embassy, and the leftist president gave media interviews from inside the building.

Zelaya's ouster on June 28 in a dispute over presidential term limits plunged Honduras into its worst political crisis in decades, and was criticized by U.S. President Barack Obama, the European Union and Latin American governments.

His return raises the stakes for the conservative de facto government, which was installed after the coup and which has defied international pressure to let Zelaya return.

De facto ruler Roberto Micheletti wants Zelaya, an ally of Venezuela's socialist President Hugo Chavez, arrested.

"I am here in Tegucigalpa. I am here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue." Zelaya told Honduran television. He told the Venezuelan-run television network Telesur he was fulfilling the will of the people who wanted him returned to power.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 Zelaya supporters gathered outside the main U.N. building in the capital shouting "Yes, we did it!"

Soldiers toppled Zelaya and sent him into exile after he upset conservative opponents, who accused him of wanting to change the constitution to allow presidents to seek re-election. Zelaya, who was due to leave office in January after elections in November, has denied he was seeking to extend his time in power.

The United States confirmed Zelaya was back in Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and a staunch U.S. ally during Cold War conflicts in Central America.

"At this point, all I can say is reiterate our almost daily call on both sides to exercise restraint and refrain from ... any activities that could provoke violence, " said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly.

Washington has pushed for Zelaya's return but Latin American left-wing governments have accused the Obama administration of not being critical enough of the coup.

In New York, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said he was hopeful Zelaya's return could start a new stage in negotiations to end the Honduran crisis.

The head of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza, said Honduras' de facto rulers "should be responsible for the safety of President Zelaya and the Brazilian Embassy."

Honduras is a major coffee producer but exports have not been affected by the crisis.

Erica freed on no-case submission
Delivered fatal stab while defending herself
By George Barclay
JUSTICE James Bovell-Drakes, the presiding judge in the Alexander Village manslaughter trial, yesterday ruled that accused Erica Fredericks, 25, was being brutalised by her jealous 25-year-old husband, Keon Adolphus, now dead, when she grabbed a nearby knife and made the fatal stab.

A freed Erica Fredericks and her mother embrace each other as they leave the Court.

The judge delivered his ruling by accepting a defence no-case submission by Attorney-at-law Mr. Mark Waldron, who at the close of the prosecution’s case had submitted that the State had failed to produce a prima facie case for his client to answer and urged the judge to free the accused at that stage without calling on her for a defence.

The jury was sent out of sight and hearing to permit a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to take place during which the law as related to the case was discussed by the judge and the lawyers involved.

Prosecutor Miss Zamilla Alli had, in her opening address at the original trial, set out to prove that the accused had used more force than was necessary. But according to the evidence led by the star witness for the prosecution, he supported the story as told by the accused who said that she had attended a concert on the night of November 17, 2007, and had returned home on the morning of the 18th, when her boyfriend, now deceased, received her with blows and would stop only to start the beating again. The star witness Orlando Williams testified that he spoke to the deceased telling him to stop the beating but he continued to cuff and slap the accused until she was bleeding from the mouth.

According to the witness, the accused at one stage pelted the deceased with a knife but missed her. Keon was in the process of beating her when she grabbed a knife and stabbed him. Keon fell and the accused expressed sorrow at what had happened and took him to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In his ruling yesterday, the judge said that from a review of the evidence, it appears that the deceased had no intention to injure the deceased, but for her, it was the relentless onslaught that caused her to hit out in defence.

The judge commended defence counsel Waldron for his conduct of the case. He told Prosecutor Zamilla Alli that she had done well but could not make blood out of stones.

An excellent gesture by School of the Nations
The recent gesture by the private education institution the School of Nations to provide free after school classes for youths in the Tiger Bay community is indeed an excellent initiative and gesture. This is another demonstration of how the private sector could contribute to the social development of communities and dispel the perception that private enterprise is all about making profits.

Such a fine gesture should be emulated by other similar institutions to further enhance and boost educational development in communities across the country.

Of course we are all aware of the history of Tiger Bay which once was a feared community because it was a nest for criminal activity which has left an unfortunate stigma attached to it. But too often we make the mistake of attaching stigmas but do nothing or very little to correct the situation and just continue to label such communities as “bad communities” and ignore them.

However, communities do not just become “bad” but rather they result from socio-economic conditions such as poverty, lack of education opportunities and local leadership etc.

So while this gesture by the School of Nations may seem to be a small one, in reality it will make a significant impact in the long term by helping to educate youths of that community thereby preparing them to enter into the wider world of higher education and employment.

Dr Brian O'Toole, the Director of the school made some pointed and pertinent observations during the registration of the first batch of youths: “We feel that the period between 11-14 years, which we call junior youth, is a very special time. During these years he or she leaves childhood behind and undergoes profound transformation.”

He added that School of Nations, therefore wishes to offer an after school programme that will enhance the spiritual and intellectual capacities of junior youth.

“We believe that this programme will contribute to junior youth developing the gem-like qualities that they possess and will help along the path of creating a better society. A key part of this programme will be the development of moral excellence,” O’Toole said.

Of special note and interest here is the fact that a key component of the programme will be the development of moral excellence. This is most welcomed because there is growing concern about the deterioration of moral standards in our society, particularly among the younger sections of the population.

It is clear that in today’s world the private sector is playing an increasing role in the education sector complementing the public education system which to a great extent relieves some of the pressure from the latter, particularly with respect to higher education in both developing and developed countries.

The Bologna Process is by far the most important development of higher education in today’s Europe. While bringing about those structural changes a wider range of opportunities for the further improvement of quality in all higher education across institutions and systems of higher education which should lead by 2010 to the creation of the European Higher Education Area, the Bologna Process is also expected to generate institutions and for a closer co-operation between various kinds of higher education institutions, including the private ones.

Since 1990, the number of private higher education institutions has substantially increased in Europe, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. In the case of this region, one may even argue that such a development has led to the emergence of a new systemic paradigm of higher education. According to currently available information, enrolments in the private sector of higher education reached about 25 percent of the total number of students in countries such as Poland, Romania and Estonia, while the share of private institutions in the Central and Eastern European systems of higher education in general is quite substantial.

Due to historical and other reasons, the institutional and student shares of the private sector in the Western European systems of higher education are much smaller. However, more recently private higher education institutions have been established in countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria and Germany. (Source: Project designed and implemented by UNESCO-CEPESin collaboration with“Leon Ko?mi?ski” Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (LKAEM) and the World Bank)

Of course there was a period when private educational institutions were non-existent because of the policy of the government at the time.

However, all that changed with the change of government in 1992 and today private educational institutions are springing up through out the country, as indeed they have an important role as a partner in as we seek to foster, expand and advance education development in this country

Television station owner attempted to create disunity in Essequibo
I believe that Guyana is feeling the effects of the global financial meltdown that commenced last year, hence, the low prices being offered by millers which are influenced by the international trade of rice.

Guyana has not been spared of the effects of the financial crisis that is affecting even the highly industrialised countries where farmers and other industries are subsidized to ensure their sustainability to compete on the international market.

As such, rice farmers must be pleased about government’s intervention to make available G$400M to support the rice industry in these difficult times. This re-emphasises the fact that this government is caring and cognisant of the realities that farmers and other ordinary citizens face on a daily basis.

There are many opposition and mischievous elements that are exploiting farmers due to situation of low paddy prices for their own political or other gains. If half of these people genuinely care for rice farmers they would have either supported the government in finding solutions or provide assistance to the farmers independently if they genuinely wanted to help farmers.

For the first time I saw a television station owner visit Essequibo in an attempt to create disunity and spread chaos in an effort to promote himself. How much more selfish a man can get. Rice Farmers had a legitimate cause and the television owner offered no solutions other than protest and cast blame on those genuinely trying to help as in the case where the Minister of Agriculture made representation for farmers to government resulting in financial and other support for farmers.

In closing I would like to say that Essequibians are peaceful and hardworking people and will not be led astray by some who are fighting to show their relevance as an opposition party. The television owner had portrayed himself as someone who could assist, but in the end he had nothing to offer. Shame on him for misleading farmers!
SURAJ SINGH
Farmer/Entrepreneur
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Investigation into misuse of funds at Transport and Harbours Sports Club ongoing
I refer to the Freddie Kissoon’s article in the Kaieteur News regarding the new Transport and Harbours Sports Club. I will be first to admit that this is indeed a beautiful facility which ought to be put into use as soon as possible.

The letter writer was clearly not well informed and sought to aimlessly write around the issue. For the records, a committee was already established to manage the affairs of the Sports Club. Several plans have already been formulated, the implementation of which is hampered by the still ongoing investigation into the misuse of funds.

It would not be prudent for me to disclose any finding from the investigation to date. However, I would like to challenge Freddie to provide evidence to support his claim that ‘There was not one single thread of evidence of fraud or over-spending’. We cannot continue to have these loose canons use their columns in the print media to make careless statements just so as to be sensational and create mischief. Please my friend, provide a copy of the official report to support you claim.

I would also like to point out that many who worked with Mr. Robeson Benn admitted that he is one of the nicest persons to work with except if you are lazy and corrupt.

I have personally seen him go way beyond the call of duty to assist many ordinary citizens. Colleagues of Mr. English confessed that he was treated no differently by the Minister.

Unfortunately, the very nature of his ministry’s work (dealing with issues of squatting and encumbrances on roadways) often puts him into conflict with persons who break the law; this in itself creates a wrong perception of the individual.

I only sought to put the facts into perspective since I am long convinced that the letter writer is a nut on the loose end about to fall. BUT you may want to challenge me on that!
C. BLACKMAN
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Bisram should provide answers to questions posed to him
I am writing to follow up on the requests of Messrs. Anand Daljeet and Freddie Kissoon for Mr. Bisram to answer their questions on the NACTA polls. Kissoon tells us that “Daljeet has a PhD in Science” from a Toronto university and Daljeet tells us he is an expert on polls. I don’t think their questions are unreasonable. These are their questions: Was the July poll done from NY or in Guyana? Did Bisram travel to Guyana for the poll – it is an important question because as Kissoon said he did not see Bisram? Was the poll done over the phone or were people contacted face to face because Kissoon said he was not telephoned or interviewed? Did Bisram consult pollsters in Guyana? – Kissoon said he was not consulted. Were cell phones included in the sample because as Daljeet said if cell phones are not included then the findings are biased and Kissoon said his cell was not rung? Were Guyanese not living in Guyana also included in the poll because Daljeet said he was not interviewed in Toronto? Were the interviewers from Guyana or did they come from America? Did Bisram pay the interviewers? If the interviewers come from America, did Bisram pay their transportation – that is an important question because it can lead to bias? Did Bisram withhold taxes from the staff and did he turn over the tax to the government? Did Bisram pay the workman’s compensation tax so that the staff can claim benefits when they retire? Where does Bisram get the money to do the poll – it is an important question because if he uses his own money it can lead to bias and it is unprofessional, an anomaly, as Kissoon rightly penned, to use your own money? Is Bisram a teacher – an important question because are pollsters supposed to be teachers? Did Bisram graduate from any polling university – an important question because as Daljeet tells us Canada has several universities of polling and pollsters attend them before they do polls? What is NACTA? –an important question because if NACTA has a lot of executives, members and board of directors, the poll will be credible. In Canada, as Daljeet tells us, pollsters have a very complex business organisation with Directors, CEOs, etc. Does Bisram have a website? If not then the polls are null and void as Daljeet, the scientist, and Kissoon, the pollster, tell us. Did Bisram follow the Daljeet’s protocols of conducting polls like the pollsters do in Canada? Did the poll find President Jagdeo to be popular? If so, then the poll is null and void because Kissoon says Jagdeo cannot be popular. Why doesn’t Bisram want to give us the names and telephone numbers and addresses of the 700 people he claims the poll interviewed – in Canada, as Daljeet tells us, the newspapers publish the names and contacts of people interviewed? This is important so the country knows how their neighbors think about the government and opposition. Why doesn’t Bisram want to give us the names and phone and address contacts for the poll takers? In Canada, as Daljeet reminds us that the newspapers publish this information which is important so that they can be publicly known and no one will want to harass or intimidate them.

Mr. Bisram, please answer the questions – they are very important for Daljeet and Kissoon. I am deeply impressed in Daljeet’s qualification and I too feel I can get a PhD in Science if he tells me the name of the university. I will apply right away although I ain’t finish high school.
CYNTHIA LONDON
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Hydropower project a big boost for Guyana
With the new development of Brazil having an interest on the 800 MW hydropower project and will have its technical officials in Guyana on 10/2 or 10/3 for a discussion, this could definitely be a major boost for this country.

I hope it will be a very fruitful discussion and I also believe that representatives from the opposition and the private sector might have a lot to offer during that meeting.

That is, if an invitation is extended.

On the other hand, does this also mean's that the present pilot project of pre-paid meters installation by the GPL will be put on temporary hold should the two governments come to an agreement for the implementation of the hydro power project?
T. PEMBERTON
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The Mayor should demit office
AFTER listening to City Hall complaining about being starved for funds and hearing government’s side, I am convinced that the Mayor does not care and has no interest in the City. It is disappointing to see the council encountering the same problem several times a year which just shows that the people there cannot manage the affairs of the city.

If the council collects billions of dollars from government in rates and taxes every year, what does it do with all that money? The Council does not maintain drainage and irrigation, roads or public infrastructure in the City. As a matter of fact, all that it does is deal with the garbage disposal but even that one thing they cannot do. If government is expected to take care of everything in the city then why is there a council?

The council should tell the citizens how much money it collects in rates and taxes every year and show what it does with it. If the council received over $700 million from the government in rates and taxes since 2005 what has it done with that money?

If the Council was smart, it would have taken the millions it has to pay to the garbage collectors and purchase garbage trucks. With the trucks then the council would be able to manage the garbage disposal problem but then again with the management issues this would probably be a problem too.

Why isn’t the Kaieteur News highlighting this? It all screams of corruption and yet the newspaper which seems to be obsessed with pointing to issues and projects that speaks to corruption is conveniently mum. Why doesn’t the paper take the Council to task for its mismanagement and misappropriation of funds and blatant incompetence?

The residents of the city should take the council to task and force it to function properly, since after all the elected leaders are accountable to the people. The current situation in the city is unbearable, having to pass by piles of garbage along the roads is a discouragement to anyone and the city’s solution was to spray the garbage. How does that help? It still points to an unsanitary situation that could have serious health implications.

I think that the Mayor should indeed do the right thing and demit office. The city, I am sure, would be a much better place with his departure.
LAURA SINGH
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Ramadan brings out humility and spiritual power
THE Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity extends to the nation of Guyana and all Muslims a most blessed and joy filled Eid Mubarak.

Fasting for not one, two or three days, but day after day for thirty days is extraordinary. It is a magnificent love affair between the Creator and the Created. The more than one billion Muslims in the world observe this day with sincere expectations and love for it is the will and command of the Almighty. The command which causes the Muslims to do without potent and approved foods, drinks and relations as sanctioned by the Almighty Creator Allah – Lord of the Worlds, out of the Ramadan. But during the month of intense heat and fire (Ramadan), Man is commanded to deny himself. To exert himself more in prayers, early mornings, late at nights in addition to the five compulsory prayers daily. To give to Muslims and Islamic Propagation the Zakaat, and to be charitable to non-Muslims and all of mankind, even the animals and the environment. He has to pay year after year on the same wealth and property

There is truly a mighty and grand purpose in all of this. The faster experiences true hunger, and only one who fasts like the Muslims, doing without water and foods all day long, understands hunger, feel the pangs of starvation, the burning of the raging heat in the stomach and the throat, as those in severe poverty. This brings out in Him great humility and indeed, great humanity, for he can relate to starvation, and will share more and more to those in need.

The constancy of the fast, the constant recitals of Quran, and the physical form of Islamic Prayers, make the faster robust and dynamic, but more than that, he has fasted as the great prophets of all, like Moses, like Abraham, Noah, the mystical master Jesus Christ and our beloved prophet Muhammad, May Allah Be Pleased with them all, therefore, He/She the faster become divine like the Prophets and Seers, true vice-gerents of Allah on the earth. Like the Prophets they have imbibed the Divine, he has been touched with the Divine, and if practiced could divinely heal mankind of mental and physical distresses, even heal the problems in the environment, by his touch and thought and recitations of the Mystical Verses and chapters of the Glorious Quran.

The Quran teaches us: “That fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may achieve taqwa.”

God Almighty is the master physician, and he did not merely order, recommend or instruct Fasting, he has prescribed it, for it is good for the faster himself, but even better yet, for the community and the world. His prayers and sacrifices heal the world, and he himself becomes a healer. He is closer to his Lord, who listens and will answer his petition and prayers for those in need.

May Allah be blessed with us and may he accept our fast and make us great and beloved Leaders in our communities and the world at large A Muslim can never go to bed knowing his neighbor is hungry. This is part of the constitution of Islam in service to mankind.
Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak.!
Khuda Hafiz
HAJI ROSHAN KHAN
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Sad day for fans of Guiding Light programme
CAN anyone think of a programme, either on radio or television, which has lasted for the past five or six decades? Up to Friday, September 18, 2009, there was a programme on television which lasted for over seven decades and came to an end. The viewers and fans of the television serial ‘Guiding Light’, aired weekday afternoons on American Television Network Columbia Broadcasting Systems (CBS) are literally still in tears about the cancellation of their beloved soap opera and today’s tearful final episode.

The network CBS announced the show’s cancellation early this year due to poor ratings and rising costs to produce and make such programmes. Daytime soap operas, as many people know, are a dying genre of television viewing. This began to take place just after the start of the new millennium. So, what happened to the millions upon millions of people who used to tune in to daytime shows on TV? Many persons have more channels and shows to choose from now; more people (including women who make up the majority of viewers for these soaps) are working and find little time to watch soap operas, and rising cost of living with the global economic crises are proving heavy for producers and even the U.S. TV networks to still have these shows on their airwaves and on their programme schedules.

Guiding Light, last Friday, joined sterling shows such as Another World, Port Charles, Sunset Beach , Ryan’s Hope, Santa Barbara , The City and of most recent Passions (which was cancelled last year by DirecTV and NBC both). Today, Guiding Light has put out its light which has been burning for over 70 years. That’s a real long time if you ask me. Indeed, it is the longest running scripted programme in television history. It began on radio back in 1937 and continued until 1952 when it began its futuristic run on American network CBS. A soap opera which garner so many years on the air and have to end always is sad for me. Any show for that matter which has entered people’s lives and homes for years upon years and has to somehow end their run is always sad.

With the death of Guiding Light comes the speculation as to which soap opera will next come under the axe. Daytime fans and viewers have every right to be nervous as it has appeared that each New Year will bring another show under cancellation. (2008 PASSIONS and 2009 GUIDING LIGHT). Days of Our lives contract with NBC will be up for renewal next year (2010), and with ratings for that show not too good over the past years (though it has kept steady reasonable ratings [higher than other shows in previous months at #3 on the Nielsen Ratings Chart in August]) there was high chatter as to the future of that show.

There are now only seven soap operas remaining on the U.S. TV line- up. The two that are doing very well and may be on for many more years to come are The Young & the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Those fans have little to worry about, although all of these shows have announced huge budget cuts and staff salary cuts to level costs.

Many networks such as NBC are trying to phase out the soap opera genre and this has fuelled the belief of many that its only soap on the air (Days of Our Lives) would soon face cancellation.

Fans of the Guiding Light must now console themselves and join the bandwagon of broken hearted soap opera fans that have lost their favourite shows over the past years—shows which gave them memories that will surely last a lifetime.
LEON JAMESON SUSERAN
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The rice industry has come a long way
FALSE: The first part of Mr. Jinnah Rahaman missive, states that Minister of Agriculture allowed the GRDB to authorise the signing of contracts between a US based company, sea rice, and some rice millers.

True: No contract was authorised by GRDB and the therefore the Minister did not allow anything. Also it is important to note that the Minister of Agriculture does not interfere with the work of the GRDB, which is left to the Board of Directors and Management. The role of the Ministry is to give the support that is necessary for the production and marketing of all agricultural commodities including rice. Providing the necessary enabling laws and regulations, but do not interfere with the spirit of the free economy.

False: Mr. Doerga is not a leading rice miller; in 2008 his company exported 1,538 tonnes of rice that represent 0.63% of the total export for that year. The Company he is the Managing was a leading rice mill; but today it is relegated to being a small operator with some very large assets that was sold to him at concessionary prices by the previous administration.

True: The Millers are discussing their contract price with the buyers; this is how it was done before and is still being done, the Government, the Minister nor the GRDB fixed or arranges any price for the sector.

False: The Board is a hand-picked few by the Minister.

True: The RPA is the only agency that has fought for the farmers’ right when dogs were turned against them by the previous regime, when there were total neglect to the basic support for services to the industry including drainage and irrigation. Mr. Jinnah Rahaman, was one of them who, “cut and run”, leaving the farmers. Today he is back and after seeing the progress of the RPA is trying to take it over. This matter is engaging the attention of the High Court.

I close in stating that the rice industry has come a very long way and the figures are that to prove itself, despite issues outside the manageable capacity of those in authority such as the global financial and food crisis. However, Guyana’s rice industry will continue to play an integral role ensure employment and food security.
SALEEM HAMID
Extension Officer (rtd)
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Happy about $400M set aside to assist rice industry
I am happy that President Bharrat Jagdeo will set aside $400 million to assist the rice industry. Therefore, there is need for intelligent and skillful policies to be implemented to utilise this fund.

The Guyana Rice Producer's Association (RPA) has a rice farmers’ data base of every rice farmers in all the rice growing regions and their acreage. The first survey was done by the late Fazal Ally and all extension officers to register all rice farmers in the country. This survey was funded by the Building Community Capacity Project (BCCP) through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

According to the former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Reepu Daman Persaud the information obtained from the survey will be a very powerful tool for future disasters, planning and key decision making for the industry. This survey was upgraded by the General Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj and is accurate and can provide the kind of information the President is looking for in order to assist farmers.

It will better prepare the Ministry of Agriculture to execute their task in a more efficient and effective manner for relief. I will suggest to the President that those farmers who had to pump water to save their crops be given more assistance. (1)There should be a fund set aside from the rice levy for future disasters (2) Upgrade the drainage and irrigation systems (3) Inventories of all machines working and those that are out of order in Region 2.
MOHAMED KHAN
Former Extension Officer

Jones wins Mr. Guyana bodybuilding title
.-Fortune retains Miss Guyana Open title
By Calvin Roberts
WITH the absence of defending champion Mark ‘Uno’ Perry and the veteran Linden Sharpe, 2009 Novices champion Oswin Jones dominated his other two competitors in the over 176lbs and the Mr. Guyana pose down, to win the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) 2009 Mr. Guyana title at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) Sunday night.

Mr. and Miss. Guyana 2009!!! Oswin Jones (left) and Alicia Fortune display their spoils after being Mr. and Ms. Guyana 2009 at the National Cultural Centre Sunday night.(Carl Croker photo)

Defending Miss. Guyana Open champion Alicia Fortune was a lone competitor in that category, which made it easier for her to retain her title, after disposing of Soca Artiste Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts in the Ms. Body Fitness competition.

Universal Fitness gym’s Clint Duke won the Under165lbs category from Total Fitness’ Marlon ‘Bolo’ Bennett and the Guyana Defence Force’s Alfred Jordan who placed second and third respectively, while national 100 meters champion Rawle Greene who like Fortune was a lone competitor in the 165-176lbs category, walked away with that title.

Alfred London another representative from Total Fitness Gym, made light work of Dennis Mohammed to win the Masters division, but it was Jones who set tongues wagging, from the time he graced the stage for the athlete’s parade, to being adjudged Mr. Guyana, even though he shared the thoughts of many with guest poser Eustace ‘Robocop’ Abraham.

The 25 year old plant attendant at the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) who started out in the sport at the age of 19, displayed for the judges and those in attendance, a well defined upper body, with abdominals that can be likened unto a rippled river, as he defeated Mohammed and national heavyweight champion Mitchell Rogers to take the Over 176lbs category.

From the time he took the spotlight for his routine pose, to the judges awarding him the Mr. Guyana 2009 title, Jones wooed the crowd which included Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony, as well as Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr. Desiree Fox, leaving many to wonder what would have been the outcome, if Perry and Sharpe were competing.

Earlier in the night’s proceedings which got underway 30 minutes late for reasons unknown, Duke found himself staving off stiff challenges from Jordan (who needs to perfect the use of the stage,) and Bennett whom many thought had won that division, as he was well defined in more ways than one compared to Duke.

Bennett presented a clean cut Herculean like body to the judges and how he did not take that division from Duke who has been gracing the stages at many a bodybuilding show around the country, was a surprise to many who spoke of it, until Jones’ appearance.

Andel Cameron, Lester Heywood and Travis Peters completed the top six in the Under- 165lbs division and even though they presented well sculpted bodies for judging, their inexperience on using the stage showed, which eliminated their chances of posing much of a threat to the top three.

Some fans expressed their disappointment at the bodybuilders’ body who were on show in the premier event on the calendar of the GABBFF, even calling for their money back, until Abraham graced the stage for his guest posing routine.

Making an entrance from the back in darkness with the flashbulbs of the photographers present going off in full paparazzi style, Abraham who was a member of the Guyana Police Force until he resigned and migrated to Canada in 2001, brought life to a show that need same.

He had recently competed in the National Physique Committee (NPC) where he placed second to the reigning Mr. Tennessee and no doubt, proved to be the next big thing on the bodybuilding circuit for Guyana after world renowned Hugh Ross.

Apart from earning themselves automatic selection on the national team for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) championships which is slated for Grenada from the 1st to 4th October, where they will be joined by Duke, Greene and London as the Guyanese representatives, both Jones and Fortune won for themselves free air tickets compliments of Caribbean Airlines.

Prior to the athletes going through their routine poses, speeches were made by both Dr Anthony and president of the GABBFF Frank Tucker.

In his welcoming remarks, Tucker who is also president of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association and the Central and Southern Caribbean Bodybuilding Federation, stated athletes, irrespective of their sport, use bodybuilding movement to develop their bodies.

“Some people use bodybuilding as a means of staying healthy and fit even if they are not involved in the hardcore aspect of the sport hence bodybuilding has lots of scope to make our country better in terms of health and fitness.

Athletes irrespective of their sport, all use bodybuilding symmetries to develop their body for that particular sport for strength and power, which makes bodybuilding very important in their lives” said Tucker.”

Minister Anthony charged the GABBFF to combine with the other strength sports such as weightlifting and power lifting, to combine the synergies to establish a national centre.

“Bodybuilding has changed drastically, as it has become part science and part art for the athletes” said Dr. Anthony.

He continued, “When the athletes perform on stage, that’s the artistic side of things while the flexing of the muscles is the scientific side of it and we need to combine the three synergies of the strength sports and move to a national level, wherein we establish a center and employ gifted and qualified coaches to attend to the needs of those who will be visiting the centre, as we need more Hugh Ross’ and Sylvan Gardner flying the Golden Arrowhead on the international scene for us.”

GFF Super League Sunburst Camptown, Seawall FC,
Topp XX, Milerock register victories
By Michael DaSilva
SUNBURST Camptown, Seawall FC, Bakewell Topp XX and Milerock all registered victories when play in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Super League continued on Sunday with five matches at four venues.

Playing at the world famous GCC ground, Sunburst Camptown inflicted a 2-0 margin of victory over their Georgetown counterparts GDF, while the West Demerara side Seawall United recorded a similar margin of victory over their East Demerara counterparts Victoria Kings at the Plaisance ground.

Topp XX of Linden beat Rosignol United of West Berbice by a 3-1 margin at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground and Milerock, also of Linden, edged Liquid Gold of Bartica 1-0 at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Also playing at the GCC ground on Sunday evening was Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA) defending Premier League champions Alpha `The Hammer’ United who were held to a 2-2 draw by East Demerara’s Buxton United.

In the feature match of a double- header card at the GCC ground, Nigel `Powers’ Codrington and Kwame LaFleur netted Sunburst Camptown’s two goals in the 26th and 41st minutes respectively.

In the opening match, a Gordon Henry 36th minute goal and another from Howard Lowe accounted for Alpha United’s two goals against Buxton United who replied with two goals of their own off the boots of Jamal Phyll and Clive Andries in the 63rd and 75th minutes respectively.

At the Plaisance ground, Clement Brown registered a double for the eventual winners (Seawall FC) in the 67th and 9th minutes in their 2-0 win against Victoria Kings.

Up at the Bartica Community centre ground, Linden’s Milerock recorded a 1-0 win against the home side Liquid Gold with the winning goal coming off the boot of Jermaine Mc Bean in the 80th minute.

At the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Bakewell Topp XX beat Rosignol United 3-1 to record their first victory from two matches.

The former five-time Kashif and Shanghai champions lost their opening match against Liquid Gold by a 0-1 margin.

In the feature game at the GCC ground on Sunday evening, GDF started off in an attacking mode while Sunburst Camptown kept their composure, but launched several counter-attacks.

The soldiers who are pointless after two matches had several goal scoring opportunities but failed to convert them, as Sunburst Camptown’s stout defence stood up to the test. The team’s offensive players converted the two easy opportunities that were presented to them.

The team coached by its president Troy Mendonca was awarded a corner kick that was taken by Codrington from the right corner and he (Codrington) executed a swerving cross with the inside of his right boot that sent the ball into the centre of the opposition’s goal, over the head of GDF’s custodian and his team’s packed defence.

Fifteen minutes later, Codrington made a set play that saw LaFleur latching on to the ball and finished with a clinical shot that had goal written all over it from the time the ball left his boot.

The victory for Camptown earned them three points, taking them to four points after three games.

They lost their opening fixture 1-3 to Alpha United and were subsequently held to a 1-1 draw by Milerock.

To date the team has scored four goals and conceded two.

GDF on the other hand is yet to find their target while conceding three goals in two matches.

Prior to Sunday night’s 0-2 defeat, the Army team lost by a 0-1 margin to Victoria Kings.

Despite the 1-3 loss to Topp XX, West Berbice’s continue to head the points standing with six points from three matches. They won their first two before losing on Sunday evening.

In their opening game, they edged Victoria Kings 2-1 then went on to defeat Buxton United 2-0.

To date the team has scored five goals and conceded four.

Alpha United is second in the points standing with five points from one win and two drawn matches. They have so far scored six goals and conceded four.

Camptown to date has scored four goals and conceded two for four points.

Also on four points is Milerock with one victory and a draw. They have so far recorded two goals and conceded one.

Victoria Kings have three points from a win and two losses. Also on three points are Topp XX and Liquid Gold with one victory and one loss each, but Topp XX has three goals to their credit while Liquid Goal has one.

Sitting at the bottom of the points table is the pointless GDF who scored three goals in their two losses while conceding a similar amount.

Fernandes makes smooth start at Forexx World Open
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, (CMC) – Guyana’s international squash star Nicolette Fernandes made a smooth start to the Forexx World Open on Sunday, easily defeating South African Adel Weir in her first-round qualifier.

Fernandes, contesting her first World Open Championship since 2006, needed just 29 minutes to eliminate Weir in straight games at the Frans Otten Courts.

Weir gave a spirited performance but the former World No.27, in her comeback year from injury, reeled off a solid victory 11-7, 12-10, 11-6.

“She was running for everything so it was a tough match, I'm happy to get through it in three,” said Fernandes, who recently recaptured the Caribbean Women’s title.

"Last time I played the World Open was three years ago, so it's nice to be back and to get the first match out of the way,” she added.

In the second round of qualifying to get into Wednesday’s start of the main draw, the 26-year-old Fernandes will face Hong Kong’s Joey Chan, who had drawn a first-round bye in qualifying.

The first-round victory gave Fernandes a boost for Monday night’s match against Chan.

“I think I'll feel more comfortable (in the second round), even though I'm playing a stronger opponent,” she said.

Forced out of the game in April 2007 because of a career-threatening knee injury, Fernandes returned to the pro circuit in March this year.

Inactivity had plunged her out of the Top-200 in the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) ratings and she is back on the rise, showing at 103rd in the September rankings.

At the 2006 World Open in Belfast, Fernandes had scored the biggest win of her career when she upset World No.8 and tournament sixth seed Jenny Duncalf, of England, 9-3, 9-0, 9-7, in the first round.

She lost her second round match to the Briton Laura-Jane Lengthorn but her triumph over Duncalf and other good results earned her the World’s “Most Improved Player” prize at the 2006 WISPA Awards in London.

Walton Hall lift NBS 40-over Trophy
WALTON Hall Sports club (WHSC) was crowned the 2009 New Building Society (NBS) 40- over cricket champions on Sunday after they trash Anna Regina Young Achievers Sports club by 9 wickets at the Anna Regina Sports Club Ground.

Taking first strike in hot sunshine on a pitch that offered the bowlers a fair bit of assistance, Anna Regina Young Achievers were skittled out for 136 off 36 overs with only Cecil Boodram 38 and Deon Amsterdam 26 making any meaningful contribution.

Walton Hall bowlers led by spinner Suresh Sukdeo 5 for 19 off 5 overs, being the main destroyer, was well supported by Unvindra Balgobin with 2 for 18 off 5 overs and Devindra Balgobin 2 for 31 off 8 overs.

WHSC in turn replied with 141 for 1 off 22 overs with opener Devindra Balgobin stroking an unbeaten 51 not out which included eight fours. He was well supported by fellow opener Suresh Persaud who made 46 with five fours and a six and Suresh Sukdeo 19 not out.

Walton Hall Sports Club took away the winners’ trophy and $25,000 in cash while Anna Regina Young Achievers took away the runners up trophy and $15,000.

Suresh Persaud finished the competition as the batsman with the most runs scoring 170 runs, got a trophy for his effort while Rajiv Manichan with 20 wickets took away the trophy for the bowler with the most wickets in the competition.

Suresh Sukdeo was name the man- of- the- match in the finals for his fine all round efforts.He received a trophy.

The day’s play was watched by a large crowd and members of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee and officials representing the sponsors. (Brandon Cabose)

Great first day at Sunderland AFC for Digicel Kick Start clinics
…Coach Carlton Fairweather, impressed with Caribbean footballers
Sunderland, England: The Digicel Kick Start Clinics footballers completed their first day of training at Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light today, with coaches Carlton Fairweather and Ian Dipper putting the eight footballers through their paces.

Sunderland AFC Coach Carlton Fairweather, supervising the players as they go through their paces.

The first day of the week-long training camp kicked off with each footballer undergoing a complete physical by the Academy’s medical staff.

Following that, the footballers took a tour of the Academy where they visited the media area, training rooms, IT and educational rooms and changing rooms, before taking to the pitch for their first training session.

Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light coach, Carlton Fairweather, was impressed by what he saw on the first day, saying: “It’s great to have the guys here with us in Sunderland. They had a good first day - despite the cold weather - and I’m looking forward to seeing them in action over the coming week.”

Coach Fairweather - who is in charge of the Under 13, Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16 teams - was assisted by Coach Ian Dipper and Academy of Light Manager, Ged Mc Namee. The on field session focused on ball possession and technique using small boxed areas with the players working in pairs and interchanging at intervals.

Coach Fairweather added: “The boys have good technique and I think today’s session worked well for us. Tomorrow, they will be training with the Academy’s 15s, Under 16s and Under 18s and we should be able to assess them to see how close or far away they are from our boys.”

Before closing off the day with some games in the games room, the footballers had a recovery session in the pool. “This was basically for relaxation to get their muscles loose again. They’ve been in the ice bath as well and that will obviously help with their recovery for tomorrow,” Fairweather conclude

Cricket set for Champions Trophy
… hosts South Africa face Sri Lank in opener today
CRICKET's second biggest 50-over event, the biennial Champions Trophy, begins in South Africa today, as the sport's top eight teams vie for glory.

The tournament was to have been held in Pakistan last year but was postponed and moved because of security concerns.

Two teams from two groups of four will form the semi-finals, with the final to be staged in Centurion on 5 October.

England face South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka but are without star men Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

Group A consists of holders Australia, India, Pakistan and the West Indies.

The England team were thrashed in the recent 50-over series against Australia, with only a narrow victory in the final match preventing them from becoming the first team to lose a series 7-0.

Without Flintoff and Pietersen their chances appear remote, and they begin with a daunting day/night contest against the talented Sri Lankans in Johannesburg on Friday.

Kumar Sangakkara's highly-regarded Sri Lanka side begin the competition against the hosts in Centurion..

South Africa, the world's number one side, have not been in competitive action since the ICC World Twenty20 in England in June but skipper Graeme Smith said his side were ready to make an impact.

He said: "One of our major challenges as a team going into this tournament is our lack of games, but we have really focused hard in the last three weeks to train as well as we can by making it as competitive as possible.

"We have created a lot of scenarios and challenges which will best enhance our abilities.

"The guys are motivated and excited and I think we can use the freshness to our advantage by getting in and playing good cricket up front."

Counterpart Sangakkara was in optimistic mood as his team look to win the trophy for the first time outright, having shared the title in 2002 when the final and the reserve day against India was washed out.

In the last two months they have won a five-match series against Pakistan and won triangular series games with New Zealand and India, before losing in the final to Mahendra Dhoni's side.

"Everyone here is a professional unit and whether they have played recently or not won't matter because you are always in training and up to the challenge of playing," Sangakkara said.

"It is nice to have had a bit of cricket, but the only advantage of that is that we have been competing under pressure.

"Everyone in our team is confident, but our recent wins are not going to count for anything."

The popularity of the 50-over format of the game has waned since the introduction of Twenty20 and speculation about its future is rife, with a general air of apathy surrounding a second world tournament in the space of three months, following the ICC World Twenty20 won by Pakistan.

Lessons have been learned from the torturous 2007 World Cup, which comprised 16 teams and took more than six weeks to complete its 51 matches, with only 15 games over a far more sensible two-week period in this competition.

The loss of crowd-pullers such as Flintoff and Pietersen, plus India's cavalier opening batsman Virender Sehwag, is unfortunate, however, and some big-hitting, action-packed close contests are urgently needed if the event is to continue in the long term. (BBC Sport)

Ashes loss still hurts - Ponting
CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting admitted Australia's one-day series victory over England could never compensate the pain of losing the Ashes.

The tourists missed out on an unprecedented 7-0 series whitewash as England clung on for a tense four-wicket win at the Riverside.

"We would have lost the one-day series 7-0 to win the Ashes," said Ponting.

"The Ashes is the one series that every Australian wants to be part of, it's the pinnacle of Test match cricket."

He added: "All we could do after that series was to put it behind us and move on and we've done that really well.

"Some fresh faces have done really well, we've played really well throughout the series and we have a lot of positives coming out of the last few weeks."

The defeat in Chester-le-Street means Australia slip from first to third in the one-day rankings as they defend the Champions Trophy.

However, Ponting questioned the validity of a seven-match series with every other major Test-playing nation in South Africa preparing at altitude for the two-week tournament.

"I've always been against seven-match series," the 34-year-old said.

"Every other team is in South Africa playing practice matches while we're here finishing off this series. We know the reasons for it but seven games head-to-head is a bit too many.

"We can't get carried away with what we've done, we've got a few big games coming up in South Africa."

All-rounder Cameron White was named man- of -the series for his assured performances batting up the order while Ponting was rested for the first three matches.

"It gave me a chance at the top of the order, I haven't done much of that but hopefully if any of the other players are resting, I can cover from any spot from one to seven," said White.

"Our job was to provide plenty of energy to the group, we provided a kick-start at the series and it rolled on from there.” (BBC Sport)

Renault handed suspended F1 ban
…Briatore banned from the sport
RENAULT have been handed a two-year suspended ban from the Formula One world championship after admitting to race-fixing while Flavio Briatore has been banned from the sport.

The French car manufacturer, appearing before an FIA World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris, had said it would not contest accusations the team ordered Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr to crash his car into a wall at last year's Singapore Grand Prix so that Spanish team mate Fernando Alonso might win.

"The ING Renault F1 team admitted that the team had conspired with its driver Nelson Piquet Jr to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, in breach of the International Sporting Code and F1 Sporting Regulations'" the FIA statement read.

The suspended ban will last until the end of the 2011 season.

"The World Motor Sport Council considers Renault F1's breach relating to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to be of unparalleled severity," the statement added.

"Renault F1's breaches not only compromised the integrity of the sport but also endangered the lives of spectators, officials, other competitors and Nelson Piquet Jr himself."

Former team boss Briatore was banned from any further involvement in Formula One, including driver management. The team's head of engineering Pat Symonds was banned for five years from FIA-run events.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso was exonerated of any involvement at the hearing.

"Mr Alonso was not in any way involved in Renault F1's breach of the regulations," the FIA said.

Piquet Jr had been granted immunity by the FIA before the hearing.

FIA president Max Mosley said after the hearing that the team would remain in Formula One, but Renault F1 chairman Bernard Rey did not comment. (Eurosport)

Corinthians crushed 4-1 despite Ronaldo’s return
By Pedro Fonseca
RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) - Ronaldo’s return from a two-month injury layoff could not save Corinthians from a 4-1 home thrashing by Goias in the Brazilian championship on Sunday.

Bolivian substitute Pablo Escobar’s late equaliser dashed Sao Paulo’s hopes of snatching top spot from Palmeiras when they were held 1-1 by Santo Andre, while Adriano scored his third goal in two games in Flamengo’s 3-0 win over Coritiba.

Title holders Sao Paulo, who have won the last three championships, are equal with Palmeiras on 44 points but are in second on goal difference. Palmeiras, who have a game in hand, play Cruzeiro tomorrow.

The two are a point ahead of Internacional, beaten 2-0 at Vitoria on Saturday, while Goias are fourth with 42 points after 25 matches.

Sao Paulo went ahead in the 18th minute with a fine volley by midfielder Jean from left back Junior Cesar’s cross but squandered many chances to increase their lead.

Escobar scored 18 minutes from time with a shot that went under keeper Rogerio Ceni.

“We allowed Santo Andre to equalise and it’s logical we regret losing the chance to go top,” Ceni told reporters.

RONALDO’S COMEBACK
Three times FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo, playing for the first time since July 26 after surgery on a broken hand, had little part in the action of a match dominated by Goias.

Former Boca Juniors forward Iarley scored once in each half and Fernandao and defender Joao Paulo also found the net to keep Goias in the top four Libertadores Cup qualifying places.

Dentinho pulled one back for Corinthians who are sure of their place in the 2010 South American club championship as Copa Brasil winners.

Flamengo went ahead against Coritiba at the Maracana with a free kick by their 37-year-old Serbian playmaker Dejan Petkovic.

Adriano, returning to the form he enjoyed at Inter Milan, exchanged a one-two with Petkovic before hitting a brilliant left-footed lob over the keeper for the second and midfielder Willians scored the third.

“I must play really well with my club to stay in the national team and I’m only going to manage (to go to the World Cup) if I play like this,” said Adriano, booked for taking off his shirt to celebrate his 13th goal of the championship.

“I’ve been looking after myself on and off the pitch and thank God the controversies surrounding my name have stopped.”

Bottom team Fluminense, runners-up in last year’s Libertadores Cup, sank deeper into the relegation mire with a 5-1 defeat by Gremio.

World’s footballing family bids farewell to Bobby Robson
By Mike Collett
DURHAM, England, (Reuters) - Bobby Robson was described as a “footballing colossus” as some of the sport’s greatest names attended a memorial service for the former England manager yesterday.

More than 1,000 people, including Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and current England manager Fabio Capello, were at the service in Durham’s 11th century cathedral to pay tribute to Robson who died on July 31 aged 76 after a long battle with cancer.

Former players including Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker joined representatives from soccer’s governing bodies FIFA and UEFA as well as Barcelona, one of the four overseas clubs he coached, inside the cathedral in Robson’s native north eas

This is a day to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and all he stood for,” said the Bishop of Newcastle, Martin Wharton, a season-ticket holder at Newcastle United, the club Robson watched as a boy and then managed from 1999 to 2004.

Under heavy damp, skies in the city’s main square, more than 2,000 people paid their respects to a man described as “a footballing colossus” by Bishop Wharton.

The service was beamed live to Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground, Fulham’s Craven Cottage in London, where he played and also managed, and Ipswich Town’s Portman Road where he won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 before being appointed England manager in 1982.

Lineker, who led England’s attack under Robson in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, said he was “the single most enthusiastic and passionate man I’ve ever met in football” and described being handed his international debut in 1984.

“He immediately made me feel relaxed, introducing me to some of my idols, like Peter Shilton and Bryan Robson,” said Lineker, whose former England team mates Paul Gascoigne and Terry Butcher were also in the cathedral.

“He told me he’d been watching me for awhile and thought I’d score a lot of goals. He made me feel 7ft tall.

“He put me on the bench to face Wales but did bring me down to earth somewhat when he pointed at me with about 20 minutes to go and said, ‘Get warmed up Garth’.”

GENEROUS APPROACH
Ferguson spoke of Robson’s generosity when he was still a young manager at Aberdeen who were drawn against Ipswich in the UEFA Cup the season after Ipswich had won the trophy.

“He allowed me to watch them train, and after a 1-1 draw there we beat them 3-1 in the second leg. He came into our dressing room afterwards and said that anyone who beat his side deserved to go on and win the trophy.

“He influenced me then and he will always influence me.”

Robson dedicated his last months to raising money for cancer research and Ruth Plummer, of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, explained how he helped raise 500,000 pounds within weeks of launching an appeal for money for new clinical trials.

“There were donations through our website, from the north-east, all over the country and all over the world,” she said. “It was phenomenal, the love that came through for him in those donations.”

The service ended with Tenors Unlimited singing Nessun Dorma, forever associated in England with the 1990 World Cup when England lost to West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.

“It was a very moving ceremony,” said Gascoigne. “He was a great man, and will never be forgotten.”