Well ladies and gents, here I am a week later. Guyana is hot as usual and on some days wet as well. It knew cricket was coming !?!
Providence Stadium was nice but it wasn't home...not like Bourda. Too much exposed space. The atomsphere was bad, just like Arsenal's new home in North London. Crowd was only about 5200, so that left about 10000 spare seats. (It's all about the money for the ICC and not about the people who have a true love for the game)
I went down to the game yesterday with SA v SL. Good day out overall but was let down when it came to seating. I booked US$25 seats at the match only to find out when I got there we were sitting on the grass mound and not in the stand. (If the ICC had done the seating plans properly we wouldn't of been there. My old man can't sit on the grass he's in his seventies for God sakes and had enough trouble trying to get him round the ground).
Couple of guys from the CWC VIBES crew were very helpful and we got him over into the seated area. I don't want to think about tomorrows match with Eng v Ire because I have got those $25 seats again and when I checked the tickets last night it said those dreaded words "GRASS MOUND".
I also forgot to take the camera with me yesterday, so no pictures...sorry. But on the plus side I hope everyone saw me in the UK. I was on the cameras yesterday for a good five seconds. (Good looking guy with a red Arsenal shirt and a massive Guyana flag on a pole...only one in the ground).
Internet place is just round the corner from us so I can report a lot more.
Thursday 29 March 2007
Tuesday 20 March 2007
Reporting From Guyana
I'll try my best to post and report from Guyana whilst I'm there. It may be every couple of days it may be once a week but I'll try. Mr Khan at Guyana Chronicle will try to be of assistance to me but as you all know computer resources are limited. Will also get lots of pictures for you guys that didn't go.
Ruff over and out
Ruff over and out
Guyana Countdown
First match in Guyana - 7 days to go (and by the time most of you guys read this I'll be on the plane)
Guyana Countdown
First match in Guyana - 8 days to go (and last day in the cold)
IF YOUR WATCHING THE CRICKET FROM GUYANA LOOKOUT FOR ME !?!
I'M THE ARSENAL SHIRT WEARING, GUYANA FLAG WAVING MAD MAN...HOPE TO BE SEEN ON SKY SPORTS A LOT.
IF YOUR WATCHING THE CRICKET FROM GUYANA LOOKOUT FOR ME !?!
I'M THE ARSENAL SHIRT WEARING, GUYANA FLAG WAVING MAD MAN...HOPE TO BE SEEN ON SKY SPORTS A LOT.
Monday 19 March 2007
Bring on West Indies - Irish skipper
Ireland captain Trent Johnston set his sights on collecting the West Indies' scalp after his boys dumped mighty Pakistan from the ICC Cricket World Cup yesterday.
Ireland, playing in its first ICC Cricket World Cup, defeated the 1992 world champion and one of the game's superpowers, by seven wickets at Sabina Park in one the greatest sensations in the history of the sport.
"We'll take on the West Indies with confidence and give a good performance," said Australia-born Johnston, who hit a huge six to seal the win in the 43rd over as his side chased down 133 and then went to hospital for treatment to an injured shoulder. "We will give it 100 percent and be very competitive."
Steady on boys. We would love to have you in Guyana but we're not going to lay down.
Actually, scratch that...we might get over confident and collapse !?!
Ireland, playing in its first ICC Cricket World Cup, defeated the 1992 world champion and one of the game's superpowers, by seven wickets at Sabina Park in one the greatest sensations in the history of the sport.
"We'll take on the West Indies with confidence and give a good performance," said Australia-born Johnston, who hit a huge six to seal the win in the 43rd over as his side chased down 133 and then went to hospital for treatment to an injured shoulder. "We will give it 100 percent and be very competitive."
Steady on boys. We would love to have you in Guyana but we're not going to lay down.
Actually, scratch that...we might get over confident and collapse !?!
Bob Woolmer dead
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer died Sunday, he was 58.
Woolmer was taken to hospital after he was found unconscious in his hotel room, according to officials. "We have taken Bob Woolmer to the hospital and he is in the emergency ward. We don't know anything more at the moment," Pakistan team media manager Pervez Mir said, according to the Pakistan paper, The News.
A later flash confirmed that he was dead. "Doctors have pronounced Bob Woolmer dead. Bob has passed away and it is very shocking news to all of the team and the team management". "Bob's family and wife were informed by the management about his condition when he was brought to hospital."
Pakistan were knocked out of the ICC Cricket World Cup on Saturday after a shock three-wicket defeat to Ireland. Woolmer was last seen in public when he addressed the post-match media conference at the Sabina Park ground. Ironically, he talked of the stresses of the coaching job. "Doing it internationally, it takes a toll on you, the endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels."
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob Woolmer's family. He was a great coach and behind many West Indies downfalls over the years.
Woolmer was taken to hospital after he was found unconscious in his hotel room, according to officials. "We have taken Bob Woolmer to the hospital and he is in the emergency ward. We don't know anything more at the moment," Pakistan team media manager Pervez Mir said, according to the Pakistan paper, The News.
A later flash confirmed that he was dead. "Doctors have pronounced Bob Woolmer dead. Bob has passed away and it is very shocking news to all of the team and the team management". "Bob's family and wife were informed by the management about his condition when he was brought to hospital."
Pakistan were knocked out of the ICC Cricket World Cup on Saturday after a shock three-wicket defeat to Ireland. Woolmer was last seen in public when he addressed the post-match media conference at the Sabina Park ground. Ironically, he talked of the stresses of the coaching job. "Doing it internationally, it takes a toll on you, the endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels."
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob Woolmer's family. He was a great coach and behind many West Indies downfalls over the years.
Sunday 18 March 2007
Revise Guyana CWC Matches
SUPER 8's (This could be any team in the mix)
Lookin' good for Guyana !!!
Wed 28 - A2 v B1 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - SA v SL)
Fri 30 - D1 v C2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v Eng)
APRIL
Sun 1 - D2 v B1 - Guyana - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Ire v SL)
Tue 3 - D1 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v SA)
Sat 7 - B2 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind v SA)
Mon 9 - D1 v C1 - Guyana - SS2, 1pm
(Poss - WI v NZ)
Lookin' good for Guyana !!!
Wed 28 - A2 v B1 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - SA v SL)
Fri 30 - D1 v C2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v Eng)
APRIL
Sun 1 - D2 v B1 - Guyana - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Ire v SL)
Tue 3 - D1 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v SA)
Sat 7 - B2 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind v SA)
Mon 9 - D1 v C1 - Guyana - SS2, 1pm
(Poss - WI v NZ)
Saturday 17 March 2007
Ireland in Guyana ???
Now by my reckoning the D2 match that will be played in Guyana will hopefully see the Irish play their Super 8 match. On the other hand, it could well be Zimbabwe who play in Guyana if Pakistan carry on their dismal form but this is how I see the group finishing...
West Indies (W3-D0-L0)
Ireland (W1-D1-L1)
Pakistan (W1-D0-L2)
Zimbabwe (W0-D1_L2)
All we can do now is pray for the Irish boys and hope Pakistan beat Zimbabwe !!!
West Indies (W3-D0-L0)
Ireland (W1-D1-L1)
Pakistan (W1-D0-L2)
Zimbabwe (W0-D1_L2)
All we can do now is pray for the Irish boys and hope Pakistan beat Zimbabwe !!!
Guyana - Stadium Coin
The Bank of Guyana yesterday said that on Monday it will release a commemorative coin to mark the opening of the cricket stadium at Providence.
IDB writes off Guyana US$467M debt
THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) yesterday made the long-awaited announcement that its Board of Governors has approved a 100% debt write-off for Guyana on the US$467M loan balances outstanding as of December 31, 2004, from its Fund for Special Operations (FSO).
Guyana, along with Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua, benefited from the historic 100% debt write-off by the IDB, which totalled some US$4.4 billion, the bank announced yesterday.
Under an agreement endorsed by governors of its 47 member countries, the IDB will forgive about US$3.4 billion in principal payments and US$1 billion of future interest payments owed by the five countries, and which totalled about US$4.4 billion.
Guyana, along with Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua, benefited from the historic 100% debt write-off by the IDB, which totalled some US$4.4 billion, the bank announced yesterday.
Under an agreement endorsed by governors of its 47 member countries, the IDB will forgive about US$3.4 billion in principal payments and US$1 billion of future interest payments owed by the five countries, and which totalled about US$4.4 billion.
My Ogle dream coming true.
THE opening of the Ogle airport terminal to accommodate regional flights closed the $400M first phase of the expansion project and paves the way for the second phase which will cost some $600M with major grant financing from the European Commission, Chairman Mr. Michael Correia said yesterday.
President Bharrat Jagdeo hailed the five businessmen – Correia, Anthony Mekdeci, Beni Sankar, Mazahar Ally and Gerry Gouveia – for persevering in their vision for the Ogle airport, commending the private sector, as in the case of the Berbice River Bridge, for investing in public infrastructure. He said the Ogle expansion was “badly lacking” and the completion of the first phase represented “hard work”. The airport is now ready to accommodate the smaller regional airline operators that can provide direct linkages to the international airports in Cayenne, Boa Vista, Porto Ordaz and Paramaribo and to serve as a hub for through traffic from the Caribbean, Correia said at the opening of the terminal building. Upon completion of the second phase towards the end of 2008, Ogle located on the East Coast Demerara, five minutes away from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) headquarters and the Guyana International Conference Centre, will be ready to accommodate the airline operators from the Caribbean, potentially Caribbean Airlines, LIAT and American Eagle, Correia said.
Ogle has become the hub of all domestic air transport travel, serving as the base now for some eight operators maintaining a fleet of more than 30 aircraft transporting about 60,000 passengers and 3,000 tons of cargo per year, and representing an investment of about $3 billion in fixed assets, aircraft and equipment, Correia stated. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Mr. Edwin Carrington said with the completion of a proposed five star hotel and a shopping mall, the East Coast corridor in the vicinity of CARICOM headquarters, his office and the conference centre could effectively become “the virtual Brussels of the Caribbean.”
The government is repairing the access road to the airport at a cost of $60M, President Jagdeo said. Correia said the Ogle expansion project is “emerging”. He said the first phase meets all the safety requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These include the construction of a 2,000 feet long and 60 feet wide Class 1A runway built to international specifications, aircraft taxi and parking areas and the opening of the new terminal building today, housing customs, immigration, health and air traffic control. The present terminal building is designed to accommodate about 75,000 passengers per year, Correia stated.
The second phase will also further widen the taxiways and increase the size of the parking aprons. It will provide for additional drainage, fencing, and the installation of runway lights, as well as an improved navigation system and the upgrade of the fire service. “What, we believe, makes this entire development unique is the partnership between the operators of Ogle Airport, the Government of Guyana and CARICOM,” Correia said. He said it was the government and CARICOM that facilitated the European Commission approving a grant of 1.5M Euros for the second phase, representing two thirds of the total cost. “Guyana benefits from the establishment of a second national airport with permanent, immovable infrastructure, built, financed and managed by private investors, supported and regulated by the government,” he said. The second phase will further widen the runway to 100 ft and increase its length to 4,000 ft complying with ICAO’s Class 2C requirements. It will accommodate aircraft such as the Twin Turbo Prop Dash 8, 300 and include the expansion of this terminal to accommodate the movement of 150,000 passengers per year.
President Jagdeo assured the private sector of the government’s continued support and urged the Ogle investors to work to make the airport viable and profitable, and thus pave the way for further expansion. Mr. Carrington said the transformation of Ogle into a regional airport with easy access to Georgetown opens up “limitless” possibilities for investors and tourism.
Woo Hoooo...finally we're getting somewhere !!!
Get ready for Ogle International Airport !!!
Friday 16 March 2007
Thursday 15 March 2007
Wednesday 14 March 2007
STOP THE PRESS !!!!
BOTTLED WATER ALLOWED IN FOR ICC CWC 2007 MATCHES
In a move to ensure that all spectators attending ICC Cricket World Cup matches are well hydrated, the CWC Security Directorate and the ICC have approved the bringing of bottled water into match venues, with immediate effect.
However, as a security measure, all bottle tops must be removed at the point of entry into every stadium.
ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. says this decision was taken with “security and medical considerations in mind and with a view to making sure fans have access to as much water as possible while enjoying the cricket in the Caribbean’s tropical environs. Water will not be permitted in any other types of containers and no liquid other than water will be allowed in plastic bottles.
“This is strictly a health matter and not a question of CWC’s safety and security policies being relaxed. We have been monitoring the weather forecasts throughout the region and the temperatures and humidity are projected to be high.
“The health of all persons at the stadia is of critical importance and keeping well hydrated is a major factor,” noted Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse, Chair of CWC’s Medical, Health & Anti-Doping Directorate.
CWC 2007, she added, will continue its ongoing assessment of this situation throughout the tournament.
WHAT WAS THE OLD EXPRESSION...IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT THEN GET OUT OF THE SUN !!!
WELL DONE TO EVERYONE WHO CAMPAIGNED FOR THE ICC TO BACK DOWN OFF THEIR HIGH HORSES (THEY SAY "assessment of this situation", I SAY BULL).
In a move to ensure that all spectators attending ICC Cricket World Cup matches are well hydrated, the CWC Security Directorate and the ICC have approved the bringing of bottled water into match venues, with immediate effect.
However, as a security measure, all bottle tops must be removed at the point of entry into every stadium.
ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. says this decision was taken with “security and medical considerations in mind and with a view to making sure fans have access to as much water as possible while enjoying the cricket in the Caribbean’s tropical environs. Water will not be permitted in any other types of containers and no liquid other than water will be allowed in plastic bottles.
“This is strictly a health matter and not a question of CWC’s safety and security policies being relaxed. We have been monitoring the weather forecasts throughout the region and the temperatures and humidity are projected to be high.
“The health of all persons at the stadia is of critical importance and keeping well hydrated is a major factor,” noted Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse, Chair of CWC’s Medical, Health & Anti-Doping Directorate.
CWC 2007, she added, will continue its ongoing assessment of this situation throughout the tournament.
WHAT WAS THE OLD EXPRESSION...IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT THEN GET OUT OF THE SUN !!!
WELL DONE TO EVERYONE WHO CAMPAIGNED FOR THE ICC TO BACK DOWN OFF THEIR HIGH HORSES (THEY SAY "assessment of this situation", I SAY BULL).
Let's Revise the Fixtures
SUPER 8's (This could be any team in the mix)
Lookin' good for Guyana !!!
Tue 27 - D2 v A1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak v Aus or SA)
Wed 28 - A2 v B1 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
Thu 29 - D2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak v Eng or NZ)
Fri 30 - D1 v C2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v Eng or NZ)
Sat 31 - A1 v B2 - Antigua - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
APRIL
Sun 1 - D2 v B1 - Guyana - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Pak v Ind or SL)
Mon 2 - B2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Eng or NZ)
Tue 3 - D1 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 4 - C2 v B1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm***
(Poss - Eng or NZ v Ind or SL)
Sat 7 - B2 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Aus or SA)
Sun 8 - A1 v C2 - Antigua - SS1, 1pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Mon 9 - D1 v C1 - Guyana - SS2, 1pm
(Poss - WI v Eng or NZ)
Lookin' good for Guyana !!!
Tue 27 - D2 v A1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak v Aus or SA)
Wed 28 - A2 v B1 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
Thu 29 - D2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak v Eng or NZ)
Fri 30 - D1 v C2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v Eng or NZ)
Sat 31 - A1 v B2 - Antigua - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
APRIL
Sun 1 - D2 v B1 - Guyana - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Pak v Ind or SL)
Mon 2 - B2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Eng or NZ)
Tue 3 - D1 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 4 - C2 v B1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm***
(Poss - Eng or NZ v Ind or SL)
Sat 7 - B2 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Aus or SA)
Sun 8 - A1 v C2 - Antigua - SS1, 1pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Mon 9 - D1 v C1 - Guyana - SS2, 1pm
(Poss - WI v Eng or NZ)
National Stadium (13/3/07)
Still a lot of orange around though. Can't see them being able to cover it up in 14 days (unless they borrow the grass from National Park).
CWC Minority Report
Editor (Guyana Chronicle)
A FEW months ago, it was verboten almost to mention anything negative or even too critical regarding Guyana’s preparations for hosting the CWC 2007 Super Eight matches – it was virtually guaranteed that the stadium would be ready, the city would be clean, the visitors would come in droves, there would be adequate accommodation, and the West Indies would have trounced all their opponents.
Today, even as the green light has been given for Guyana’s hosting of its scheduled matches, some red flags are popping up.
While some of these have been noted recently in the press, yesterday’s article in this paper “Guyana last lap for CWC”, confirms that all may not be well come the end of this month. The most remarkable of revelation concerns the accommodation for the visitors.
Over the past year, Guyana’s accommodation industry has seen an unprecedented boom in construction. Yet there is no way that the existing hotels, including those with little work left to be done, can accommodate some “20-30,000 cricket fans”. In light of this fact, it is curious that only a small fraction of the registered bed and breakfast rooms have been booked. Then there is the element of poor ticket sales. While the “cultural mentality” of Guyanese may be a factor in the lack of sales of the cheaper tickets, the socioeconomic reality of Guyana – where the cheapest ticket represents a decent chunk or all of the average monthly paycheque – can also be a likely factor as well. And supposing that Guyanese are tardy in purchasing their tickets – why is it that the tickets are not being booked by overseas visitors? Taken together, the two elements of unsold tickets and unbooked rooms seem to indicate that the actual number of arrivals may be less than projected. Finally, there is the question of preparation. Surely for an event some two years or more in the making, 48 hours is not the sort of window period that can be construed as comfortable.
It is true that a successful hosting of the CWC matches has the potential of bringing unheralded positive recognition for Guyana – this is something our minuscule tourism marketing budget cannot do and which a sprinkling of annual international reports makes more difficult with each passing year. CWC offers the opportunity of the mass conversion of not only tens of thousands of foreign cricket fans, but to millions of viewers as well, to the beauty we have to offer here.
It is also true that the potential direct socio-economic impact would be tremendous. If we were to assume that some 20,000 fans were to spend on average US$1,000 each on food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment et cetera, that would amount to a US$20 million injection into the local economy within that two week period. And the long term benefits, provided that the visitors enjoyed their stay, wouldn’t be too bad either. That said, the simple fact of the hosting of the event cannot be seen as a panacea for the very problems associated with it.
It is perhaps time that, our best hopes and expectations notwithstanding, we are presented with a detailed minority report on the status of Guyana’s preparation of CWC 2007.
A FEW months ago, it was verboten almost to mention anything negative or even too critical regarding Guyana’s preparations for hosting the CWC 2007 Super Eight matches – it was virtually guaranteed that the stadium would be ready, the city would be clean, the visitors would come in droves, there would be adequate accommodation, and the West Indies would have trounced all their opponents.
Today, even as the green light has been given for Guyana’s hosting of its scheduled matches, some red flags are popping up.
While some of these have been noted recently in the press, yesterday’s article in this paper “Guyana last lap for CWC”, confirms that all may not be well come the end of this month. The most remarkable of revelation concerns the accommodation for the visitors.
Over the past year, Guyana’s accommodation industry has seen an unprecedented boom in construction. Yet there is no way that the existing hotels, including those with little work left to be done, can accommodate some “20-30,000 cricket fans”. In light of this fact, it is curious that only a small fraction of the registered bed and breakfast rooms have been booked. Then there is the element of poor ticket sales. While the “cultural mentality” of Guyanese may be a factor in the lack of sales of the cheaper tickets, the socioeconomic reality of Guyana – where the cheapest ticket represents a decent chunk or all of the average monthly paycheque – can also be a likely factor as well. And supposing that Guyanese are tardy in purchasing their tickets – why is it that the tickets are not being booked by overseas visitors? Taken together, the two elements of unsold tickets and unbooked rooms seem to indicate that the actual number of arrivals may be less than projected. Finally, there is the question of preparation. Surely for an event some two years or more in the making, 48 hours is not the sort of window period that can be construed as comfortable.
It is true that a successful hosting of the CWC matches has the potential of bringing unheralded positive recognition for Guyana – this is something our minuscule tourism marketing budget cannot do and which a sprinkling of annual international reports makes more difficult with each passing year. CWC offers the opportunity of the mass conversion of not only tens of thousands of foreign cricket fans, but to millions of viewers as well, to the beauty we have to offer here.
It is also true that the potential direct socio-economic impact would be tremendous. If we were to assume that some 20,000 fans were to spend on average US$1,000 each on food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment et cetera, that would amount to a US$20 million injection into the local economy within that two week period. And the long term benefits, provided that the visitors enjoyed their stay, wouldn’t be too bad either. That said, the simple fact of the hosting of the event cannot be seen as a panacea for the very problems associated with it.
It is perhaps time that, our best hopes and expectations notwithstanding, we are presented with a detailed minority report on the status of Guyana’s preparation of CWC 2007.
Tuesday 13 March 2007
Pray for a good result today !!!
Pray, knowing that if we beat Pakistan today we will most probably finish top of group D. West Indies will then play 3 matches in Guyana (joy joy joy).
But then on the other hand we could lose to Ireland !!!
But then on the other hand we could lose to Ireland !!!
Guyana Exchange Rates
http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi
1 GBP = 388.517 GYD
1USD = 201.450 GYD
1CAD = 172.324 GYD
1 GYD = 1 GYD ... HA HA HA
I guess these are current market prices. The rates in Guyana will be a bit less.
1 GBP = 388.517 GYD
1USD = 201.450 GYD
1CAD = 172.324 GYD
1 GYD = 1 GYD ... HA HA HA
I guess these are current market prices. The rates in Guyana will be a bit less.
Monday 12 March 2007
CWC fans have their way !!!
Rum, beer, water smuggled into match venue
By Darryl Heeralal
TRUST in a Trini to find a scheme to beat the system every time.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) rules for the 2007 Cricket World Cup bans plastic bottles, tins and alcoholic drinks from the match venues, so fans grudgingly complied on the first day. Some threw away their beverages before entering the match and others chose to drink them.
When fans got into the venue and realised that all the food and drink prices, nuts and doubles included, were in US dollars, that was another story.
By yesterday's match between Pakistan and South Africa, we Trinis found the way to beat the rules. It was no longer rum, beer, water, juice and soft drinks in bottles and cans, but zip-lock bags. At the end of yesterday's games, some people were boasting how many bags of beer they drank and others how many bags of rum they had guzzled.
A couple of people also hid small plastic bottles of water and less sobering drinks in between their sandwiches and lunch boxes and were able to sneak pass the security checks. And for food, mostly everyone walked with their sandwiches and plastic bags filled with snacks. Even the nuts vendor hired an assistant to pass out nuts for him and collect money. Nutsmen are banned from throwing packs of nuts to their customers.
For those who preferred to buy lunch, they had to pay for the KFC in US dollars or the equivalent in our money - $35 for a dinner special and $25 for a snack pack. As early as 6 a.m., fans had started gathering at the gates for yesterday's game that was long sold out before the first ball was bowled.
President George Maxwell Richards and First Lady Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards were at the ground for the first half of the day, while embattled Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson, took in a couple of overs in the afternoon.
"The ICC could have all the rules they want but cricket is we thing and we going to enjoy we way. All we have to figure out now is how to sneak in iron and drum to make noise in the oval," one fan said at the end of yesterday's game at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground at UWI-Spec, St Augustine.
World Cup action kicks off in Trinidad with the first group match at the Queen's Park Oval on March 15.
Yall ain't seen nothing yet, wait till the games reach Guyana - Guyanese are the most resourceful people in the world, watch how they gun beat all them systems put in place fuh cheat em...hehehe wait an see.
By Darryl Heeralal
TRUST in a Trini to find a scheme to beat the system every time.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) rules for the 2007 Cricket World Cup bans plastic bottles, tins and alcoholic drinks from the match venues, so fans grudgingly complied on the first day. Some threw away their beverages before entering the match and others chose to drink them.
When fans got into the venue and realised that all the food and drink prices, nuts and doubles included, were in US dollars, that was another story.
By yesterday's match between Pakistan and South Africa, we Trinis found the way to beat the rules. It was no longer rum, beer, water, juice and soft drinks in bottles and cans, but zip-lock bags. At the end of yesterday's games, some people were boasting how many bags of beer they drank and others how many bags of rum they had guzzled.
A couple of people also hid small plastic bottles of water and less sobering drinks in between their sandwiches and lunch boxes and were able to sneak pass the security checks. And for food, mostly everyone walked with their sandwiches and plastic bags filled with snacks. Even the nuts vendor hired an assistant to pass out nuts for him and collect money. Nutsmen are banned from throwing packs of nuts to their customers.
For those who preferred to buy lunch, they had to pay for the KFC in US dollars or the equivalent in our money - $35 for a dinner special and $25 for a snack pack. As early as 6 a.m., fans had started gathering at the gates for yesterday's game that was long sold out before the first ball was bowled.
President George Maxwell Richards and First Lady Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards were at the ground for the first half of the day, while embattled Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson, took in a couple of overs in the afternoon.
"The ICC could have all the rules they want but cricket is we thing and we going to enjoy we way. All we have to figure out now is how to sneak in iron and drum to make noise in the oval," one fan said at the end of yesterday's game at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground at UWI-Spec, St Augustine.
World Cup action kicks off in Trinidad with the first group match at the Queen's Park Oval on March 15.
Yall ain't seen nothing yet, wait till the games reach Guyana - Guyanese are the most resourceful people in the world, watch how they gun beat all them systems put in place fuh cheat em...hehehe wait an see.
Sunday 11 March 2007
WANTED !!!
These two characters are wanted harden Guyanese batsmen. Over the past few years we have slowly watched their downwards spiral.
At the moment we suspect that they have been replaced in the team with rather bad clones as not to cause panic.
If anyone has seen these two gents, please send reports to the West Indies Cricket Board preferable before the World Cup starts on Tuesday
Lara fury after Windies collapse (BBC)
West Indies captain Brian Lara had some strong words for his players after their dismal nine-wicket defeat in the warm-up game against India in Jamaica.
The Windies capitulated to 85 all out within 26 overs and Lara said: "It's chronic the way we keep collapsing. "We have to do some serious talking about it. We need to bat a lot more professionally if we want to win. "If you want to be world champions you have to play consistently and we need to apply our minds." Despite his anger at his side's display Lara was happy to pay tribute to India's performance. "You must give India credit because they put the ball in the right areas and they reaped the rewards for it," he said.
India captain Rahul Dravid was keen to play down expectations after his side's easy victory.
"This win doesn't mean that we will turn up next time and win," he said. "Every game of one-day cricket is different. West Indies are a very good team, and I am sure that they will rebound, since they play well at home and have beaten us consistently here. "We see this victory as a good boost of confidence for us leading into the main competition." Dravid said the match emphasised the need for his side to be more flexible, since it was the fast bowlers who set up the win. "I do not think you can enter a World Cup with only one plan and every time you are going to use this one plan," he said. "I think it has to vary and you will see that teams will have to adapt to the different conditions and be flexible according to the situation. "We hope to do this and we think we have the players that can do it. "We have an idea in our minds about the kind of combinations we want to play, and the players we want to pick, but there are too many variables, so only time will tell."
HA HA HA...ABOUT TIME TOO !!!
The Windies capitulated to 85 all out within 26 overs and Lara said: "It's chronic the way we keep collapsing. "We have to do some serious talking about it. We need to bat a lot more professionally if we want to win. "If you want to be world champions you have to play consistently and we need to apply our minds." Despite his anger at his side's display Lara was happy to pay tribute to India's performance. "You must give India credit because they put the ball in the right areas and they reaped the rewards for it," he said.
India captain Rahul Dravid was keen to play down expectations after his side's easy victory.
"This win doesn't mean that we will turn up next time and win," he said. "Every game of one-day cricket is different. West Indies are a very good team, and I am sure that they will rebound, since they play well at home and have beaten us consistently here. "We see this victory as a good boost of confidence for us leading into the main competition." Dravid said the match emphasised the need for his side to be more flexible, since it was the fast bowlers who set up the win. "I do not think you can enter a World Cup with only one plan and every time you are going to use this one plan," he said. "I think it has to vary and you will see that teams will have to adapt to the different conditions and be flexible according to the situation. "We hope to do this and we think we have the players that can do it. "We have an idea in our minds about the kind of combinations we want to play, and the players we want to pick, but there are too many variables, so only time will tell."
HA HA HA...ABOUT TIME TOO !!!
No news is good news !!!
Well people...no real news to talk about from Guyana.
Overall slow day in Guyana anyway.
Overall slow day in Guyana anyway.
Saturday 10 March 2007
Not all traffic lights will be in place for world cup
By Heppilena Ferguson (Stabroek News)
The long awaited installation of new traffic lights at some 50 junctions across the city will not be finished in time for the cricket world cup games and the authorities may have to resort to giving priority to the route leading to the stadium at Providence. According to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, the lights only arrived in the country yesterday and so were not yet in the hands of the relevant authorities. Most of the traffic lights in the city have been inoperable for several years now and the government had been recently urged to do something about this in time for the Rio Summit and the World Cup.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, project engineer Kadri Parris said that as of now workmen have completed in excess of 85% of the road cuts for the purpose of placing conduits to allow cables for the traffic lights. He noted however the work was delayed to some extent for security reasons during last weekend when Guyana hosted the 19th Summit of the Rio Group. However he said the grounding of posts for the lights should start next week. The first world cup game will be played in Guyana on March 28 and hordes of tourists and cricket fans are expected to descend on the country prior to this. When asked whether the majority of lights could be up and running in time for the games, Parris said the project was on schedule and according to him its duration runs into the month of April. "So while we're working to expedite the process and see how fast we could finish, we have to ensure that we maintain engineering integrity," he explained. Parris said however that they have to decide to make those areas along the route to the stadium at Providence, priority areas.
When the installation deal was signed with the Indian firm CMS Traffic Systems Limited, the Government Information Agency (GINA) in a statement had said that the work was scheduled for substantial completion by February and "should be fully operable by March." The lights are being procured and installed under a US$2.1M line of credit from the Export-Import Bank of India under an agreement inked between the governments of Guyana and India on November 7. Traffic lights will be installed at intersections at Camp and Lamaha streets, Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Church and Main streets, the East Coast Highway and Courida Street, the East Bank Highway and the Eccles access road, Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street and on the Ogle Airstrip road and the railway embankment road. Earlier in the year more than $240M was spent to plant 424 street lights from Better Hope to Golden Grove along the East Coast Demerara Highway. However, Carifesta Avenue which currently has no road lights had become a cause for concern for many.
Yesterday, Minister Benn said he was not sure whether anything could be done in that area at the moment and whether resources were available to put lights along that stretch of road.
Meanwhile, lights have also been installed from the Russian Embassy to Better Hope, along the Mahaica-Rosignol Highway, at the Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges and approaches, from Timehri to Republic Park, from the Ruimveldt Police Outpost to the Demerara Harbour Bridge and from the bridge to Vreed-en-Hoop and from the Kitty pump station to the Seawall Bandstand.
OK so most of out Christmas lights will not go up around town. We really needed the traffic lights to put a little colour and into GT after they white-washed the place.
Reports say they only arrived in Guyana yesterday !!!
The long awaited installation of new traffic lights at some 50 junctions across the city will not be finished in time for the cricket world cup games and the authorities may have to resort to giving priority to the route leading to the stadium at Providence. According to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, the lights only arrived in the country yesterday and so were not yet in the hands of the relevant authorities. Most of the traffic lights in the city have been inoperable for several years now and the government had been recently urged to do something about this in time for the Rio Summit and the World Cup.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, project engineer Kadri Parris said that as of now workmen have completed in excess of 85% of the road cuts for the purpose of placing conduits to allow cables for the traffic lights. He noted however the work was delayed to some extent for security reasons during last weekend when Guyana hosted the 19th Summit of the Rio Group. However he said the grounding of posts for the lights should start next week. The first world cup game will be played in Guyana on March 28 and hordes of tourists and cricket fans are expected to descend on the country prior to this. When asked whether the majority of lights could be up and running in time for the games, Parris said the project was on schedule and according to him its duration runs into the month of April. "So while we're working to expedite the process and see how fast we could finish, we have to ensure that we maintain engineering integrity," he explained. Parris said however that they have to decide to make those areas along the route to the stadium at Providence, priority areas.
When the installation deal was signed with the Indian firm CMS Traffic Systems Limited, the Government Information Agency (GINA) in a statement had said that the work was scheduled for substantial completion by February and "should be fully operable by March." The lights are being procured and installed under a US$2.1M line of credit from the Export-Import Bank of India under an agreement inked between the governments of Guyana and India on November 7. Traffic lights will be installed at intersections at Camp and Lamaha streets, Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Church and Main streets, the East Coast Highway and Courida Street, the East Bank Highway and the Eccles access road, Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street and on the Ogle Airstrip road and the railway embankment road. Earlier in the year more than $240M was spent to plant 424 street lights from Better Hope to Golden Grove along the East Coast Demerara Highway. However, Carifesta Avenue which currently has no road lights had become a cause for concern for many.
Yesterday, Minister Benn said he was not sure whether anything could be done in that area at the moment and whether resources were available to put lights along that stretch of road.
Meanwhile, lights have also been installed from the Russian Embassy to Better Hope, along the Mahaica-Rosignol Highway, at the Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges and approaches, from Timehri to Republic Park, from the Ruimveldt Police Outpost to the Demerara Harbour Bridge and from the bridge to Vreed-en-Hoop and from the Kitty pump station to the Seawall Bandstand.
OK so most of out Christmas lights will not go up around town. We really needed the traffic lights to put a little colour and into GT after they white-washed the place.
Reports say they only arrived in Guyana yesterday !!!
Stadium more or less ready for Super Eight matches
By Miranda La Rose (Stabroek News)
The Guyana National Stadium at Providence is basically ready for the Super Eight world cup matches at month end and the eight-acre parking lot would be completed in time. Although the works on the extension of the four-lane highway from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to the stadium would not be completed in time for Cricket World Cup, it would be serviceable. Completion is now scheduled for mid-May.
Meanwhile, technical consultant at the stadium, Walter Willis foresees no problems for persons living on the East Bank Demerara commuting to and from their homes. However, the Police Traffic Department would be issuing guidelines and some form of identification to be on vehicles for access to some areas close to the stadium. This process is being worked out between the Guyana Local Organising Committee of the ICC CWC 2007 and the police. Asked about the status of the four-lane road from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to the stadium and at what stage of construction it would be for the Cricket World Cup matches to be held locally, Willis told the media yesterday that the Providence Bridge would be completed and the verges cleared of debris by March 22 for the ICC CWC West Indies 2007 Inc. to take over in full the stadium venue for the matches.
Asked why the work was so much behind schedule, Willis, the Ministry of Public Works project engineer, said that initially the extension of the four-lane road was scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2006. However, the contractor Seereeram Brothers in their initial proposal had scheduled the date of completion by March, 2007. Work on the Providence Bridge is to be substantially completed by March 22. Before the project began last June, the government "tried to get them to see how they could complete the project by the end of December," he said, adding that once the work had begun the completion was not possible by yearend for several reasons. The main reason, he said, was that in order to have the stadium completed by October 2006, the stadium project required the services of Seereeram Brothers to pave the access road so that the Indian Vice President would have had a good access (dirt) road for the dedication ceremony of the work done by the Indian contractor, Sharpoorji Pallonji. Following that there was the ICC CWC West Indies Inc venue tour on November 16, 2006 and to obtain a blue or green rating, this meant that the ring road around the stadium had to be completed or most of the work had to be substantially nearing completion. Again the services of Seereeram Brothers were used.
Following the November tour was the February 6 tour, which was a pivotal one, Willis said. In order to get the go-ahead to host the games, substantial work had to be completed on the car park and the access road had to be paved to an acceptable stage. "Again the services of Seereeram Brothers were used to get the access road completed to the stage where it is at so we could get the go-ahead to host the games," he said.
The ICC CWC West Indies Inc had required that all infrastructural works for the ICC CWC 2007 tournament be completed by December 31. Willis estimated that getting the access road completed and other infrastructural works in the stadium complex done took Seereeram Brothers off their own work site for about 50 days. "This is time we have to give back Seereeram Brothers to get back to completing the four-lane extension," he said.
"Another challenge" that impacted on the progress of the road, he said, was that the government asked for the Providence Bridge to be opened to traffic so as not to be embarrassed by traffic congestion when the dignitaries attending the Rio Summit were coming to and from Georgetown or when they moved about. Once the Rio Summit ended, work restarted. Most of the "permanent work" on the bridge and carriageway would be completed by March 22, Willis said. At present, the sub-contractor, Courtney Benn Construction Company along with Seereeram Brothers, and the Ministry of Public Works "are taking all the steps to have this bridge and main carriageway to the stadium completed for the first ball bowling on March 28."
He said, "We would like to have all the main civil works closed one week before so that the ICC CWC has some level of confidence that things are ready here and we don't have works going on while players and spectators are coming in from Timehri."
Committed labour - Force lacking
Noting that there were not many problems with technical and administrative staff, Willis said there were at times problems with the workmen on the ground and to get the work done on time, "we have been giving incentives to the sub-contractors who have met their targets." Over the last six months, he said, there had been no shortages of either cement aggregate or sand. "The thing we seem to suffer more from is a lack of a committed labour force." The contractors have indicated that by mid-May the extension would be completed. The work to be finished after the completion of the Super Eight Series would be the laying on of the second layer of asphalt. So far the work has remained within the US$3.5 million budget.
Answering questions, generally in terms of match readiness, Willis said much was in place. He said there was a good pitch and field for play, accommodation for players, officials, spectators, a good public address system, security cameras in place, and the security zoning fence was completed. The air conditioning unit, water supply and sewage disposal all looked as though they were in order and were said to be so. Willis said that in terms of government's work on the stadium, that was still behind in getting some of the drains completed. While the fencing was completed some gates are still to be installed. These works are expected to be completed by March 19.
Drainage
On the drainage of the field, he said that every time it rains the subsurface field and pitch drainage system goes into effect. He explained that as the water percolates through the sand, it is collected in the underground manifolds and drains in the peripheral concrete ring drains found around the field. He said that since the construction of the pitch with the underground drainage system began, it has performed well so far in the various stages of rainfall. Commenting on the completion of the parking lot, which would accommodate some 2,500 cars between the stadium and the Buddy's International Hotel, Willis said that the filling should be completed by today. There are three sub-contractors, including BK International and Mohamed Rahim and Sons. It is expected that they would complete all the works, including the cutting of earth drains and placing some culverts in the area within another week or two. The works are being executed at a cost of $35 million.
The Guyana National Stadium at Providence is basically ready for the Super Eight world cup matches at month end and the eight-acre parking lot would be completed in time. Although the works on the extension of the four-lane highway from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to the stadium would not be completed in time for Cricket World Cup, it would be serviceable. Completion is now scheduled for mid-May.
Meanwhile, technical consultant at the stadium, Walter Willis foresees no problems for persons living on the East Bank Demerara commuting to and from their homes. However, the Police Traffic Department would be issuing guidelines and some form of identification to be on vehicles for access to some areas close to the stadium. This process is being worked out between the Guyana Local Organising Committee of the ICC CWC 2007 and the police. Asked about the status of the four-lane road from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to the stadium and at what stage of construction it would be for the Cricket World Cup matches to be held locally, Willis told the media yesterday that the Providence Bridge would be completed and the verges cleared of debris by March 22 for the ICC CWC West Indies 2007 Inc. to take over in full the stadium venue for the matches.
Asked why the work was so much behind schedule, Willis, the Ministry of Public Works project engineer, said that initially the extension of the four-lane road was scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2006. However, the contractor Seereeram Brothers in their initial proposal had scheduled the date of completion by March, 2007. Work on the Providence Bridge is to be substantially completed by March 22. Before the project began last June, the government "tried to get them to see how they could complete the project by the end of December," he said, adding that once the work had begun the completion was not possible by yearend for several reasons. The main reason, he said, was that in order to have the stadium completed by October 2006, the stadium project required the services of Seereeram Brothers to pave the access road so that the Indian Vice President would have had a good access (dirt) road for the dedication ceremony of the work done by the Indian contractor, Sharpoorji Pallonji. Following that there was the ICC CWC West Indies Inc venue tour on November 16, 2006 and to obtain a blue or green rating, this meant that the ring road around the stadium had to be completed or most of the work had to be substantially nearing completion. Again the services of Seereeram Brothers were used.
Following the November tour was the February 6 tour, which was a pivotal one, Willis said. In order to get the go-ahead to host the games, substantial work had to be completed on the car park and the access road had to be paved to an acceptable stage. "Again the services of Seereeram Brothers were used to get the access road completed to the stage where it is at so we could get the go-ahead to host the games," he said.
The ICC CWC West Indies Inc had required that all infrastructural works for the ICC CWC 2007 tournament be completed by December 31. Willis estimated that getting the access road completed and other infrastructural works in the stadium complex done took Seereeram Brothers off their own work site for about 50 days. "This is time we have to give back Seereeram Brothers to get back to completing the four-lane extension," he said.
"Another challenge" that impacted on the progress of the road, he said, was that the government asked for the Providence Bridge to be opened to traffic so as not to be embarrassed by traffic congestion when the dignitaries attending the Rio Summit were coming to and from Georgetown or when they moved about. Once the Rio Summit ended, work restarted. Most of the "permanent work" on the bridge and carriageway would be completed by March 22, Willis said. At present, the sub-contractor, Courtney Benn Construction Company along with Seereeram Brothers, and the Ministry of Public Works "are taking all the steps to have this bridge and main carriageway to the stadium completed for the first ball bowling on March 28."
He said, "We would like to have all the main civil works closed one week before so that the ICC CWC has some level of confidence that things are ready here and we don't have works going on while players and spectators are coming in from Timehri."
Committed labour - Force lacking
Noting that there were not many problems with technical and administrative staff, Willis said there were at times problems with the workmen on the ground and to get the work done on time, "we have been giving incentives to the sub-contractors who have met their targets." Over the last six months, he said, there had been no shortages of either cement aggregate or sand. "The thing we seem to suffer more from is a lack of a committed labour force." The contractors have indicated that by mid-May the extension would be completed. The work to be finished after the completion of the Super Eight Series would be the laying on of the second layer of asphalt. So far the work has remained within the US$3.5 million budget.
Answering questions, generally in terms of match readiness, Willis said much was in place. He said there was a good pitch and field for play, accommodation for players, officials, spectators, a good public address system, security cameras in place, and the security zoning fence was completed. The air conditioning unit, water supply and sewage disposal all looked as though they were in order and were said to be so. Willis said that in terms of government's work on the stadium, that was still behind in getting some of the drains completed. While the fencing was completed some gates are still to be installed. These works are expected to be completed by March 19.
Drainage
On the drainage of the field, he said that every time it rains the subsurface field and pitch drainage system goes into effect. He explained that as the water percolates through the sand, it is collected in the underground manifolds and drains in the peripheral concrete ring drains found around the field. He said that since the construction of the pitch with the underground drainage system began, it has performed well so far in the various stages of rainfall. Commenting on the completion of the parking lot, which would accommodate some 2,500 cars between the stadium and the Buddy's International Hotel, Willis said that the filling should be completed by today. There are three sub-contractors, including BK International and Mohamed Rahim and Sons. It is expected that they would complete all the works, including the cutting of earth drains and placing some culverts in the area within another week or two. The works are being executed at a cost of $35 million.
British High Commission staff in clean-up exercise
(Guyana Chronicle)
THE staff of the British High Commission in Georgetown yesterday traded their computers and pens for brush cutters, rakes and cutlasses.
The trade-in, the High Commission said, was in aid of cleaning up Independence Park, or Parade Ground, in preparation for the upcoming Georgetown International Fair and the sprucing up efforts for Cricket World Cup. Wearing tee-shirts with the slogan 'Lash it in de bin - cricket comin', High Commissioner Fraser Wheeler and his deputy Malcolm Kirk, along with their wives and the staff, raked and cut grass and picked up garbage in and around the park. Before getting all dirty, the High Commissioner donated ten garbage bins to the Mayor and City Council to assist in the council's work. The High Commission said he urged that more careful thought be given to how persons who litter are dealt with.
On hand to receive the bins was Mayor Hamilton Green who, in thanking the British High Commission, urged that school children be encouraged to keep a clean environment. First use was made of the bins to collect the many plastic bags, bottles, straws and other waste that had been carelessly dropped. The High Commission said that for the staff, it was an opportunity to give something to the community and to share some time away from the office in a worthwhile endeavour. “They took to the cleaning with gusto and before afternoon, the ground was visibly cleaner and the bins and garbage bags were filled with grass and litter”, it said.
At least we're good for something !!!
THE staff of the British High Commission in Georgetown yesterday traded their computers and pens for brush cutters, rakes and cutlasses.
The trade-in, the High Commission said, was in aid of cleaning up Independence Park, or Parade Ground, in preparation for the upcoming Georgetown International Fair and the sprucing up efforts for Cricket World Cup. Wearing tee-shirts with the slogan 'Lash it in de bin - cricket comin', High Commissioner Fraser Wheeler and his deputy Malcolm Kirk, along with their wives and the staff, raked and cut grass and picked up garbage in and around the park. Before getting all dirty, the High Commissioner donated ten garbage bins to the Mayor and City Council to assist in the council's work. The High Commission said he urged that more careful thought be given to how persons who litter are dealt with.
On hand to receive the bins was Mayor Hamilton Green who, in thanking the British High Commission, urged that school children be encouraged to keep a clean environment. First use was made of the bins to collect the many plastic bags, bottles, straws and other waste that had been carelessly dropped. The High Commission said that for the staff, it was an opportunity to give something to the community and to share some time away from the office in a worthwhile endeavour. “They took to the cleaning with gusto and before afternoon, the ground was visibly cleaner and the bins and garbage bags were filled with grass and litter”, it said.
At least we're good for something !!!
Tourism Ministry announces ‘Guyana Gift and Craft Show’
(Guyana Chronicle) By Michel Outridge
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad has announced that his ministry will host ‘Guyana Gift and Craft Show’ on March 29.
It would include a wide range of Guyanese handicraft and a special production titled ‘Guyanese Roots and Rythms’ and will be declared open by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Prashad said the hosting, at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, would be the first of its kind and bigger than the annual Guyexpo trade fair and exposition.
At a press conference in his ministry, he declared that the cost of such an inaugural event would be astronomical but the response has been great. He announced that 122 persons have since paid and registered for the showing which is scheduled to have an extravagant opening.
Prashad said major sponsors are on board and the added cultural attraction is being organised by Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento. It will depict Guyanese history through song and dance and a 90-minute uninterrupted video of hinterland scenes.
He said there will be a minimal entrance fee at a time when people from across the world would be visiting for Cricket World Cup (CWC).
Alluding to a duty to sell Guyana, he said assurances on security have previously been given by Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee and the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Greene. With Prashad yesterday, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Gerry Gouveia lauded the successful completion and hosting of the Rio Group Summit last weekend. Representatives of Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Ansa McAl and Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), among others, were present, too. Gouveia said CWC will be of similar importance to the summit and his Roraima Group of Companies is also involved in showing off Guyana to the world.
Also at the media occasion, Chief Executive Officer of Go-Invest, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva said thousands of business people are expected here for CWC and 19 agencies must create a ‘One Stop Shop’ at the show to attract investment. He said government officials will be there to give relevant information to business people who may want to make purchases. Da Silva said, apart from the professional cubicles, a special area has been set aside for Creole foods. Madhoo-Nascimento said her presentation is unlike any other, very different and exciting and she is especially pleased to take part with her theatre experience and a cast of more than 100 seasoned actors. She said the video will be shown at 18:30h each day, followed by dancing, singing and acting.
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad has announced that his ministry will host ‘Guyana Gift and Craft Show’ on March 29.
It would include a wide range of Guyanese handicraft and a special production titled ‘Guyanese Roots and Rythms’ and will be declared open by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Prashad said the hosting, at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, would be the first of its kind and bigger than the annual Guyexpo trade fair and exposition.
At a press conference in his ministry, he declared that the cost of such an inaugural event would be astronomical but the response has been great. He announced that 122 persons have since paid and registered for the showing which is scheduled to have an extravagant opening.
Prashad said major sponsors are on board and the added cultural attraction is being organised by Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento. It will depict Guyanese history through song and dance and a 90-minute uninterrupted video of hinterland scenes.
He said there will be a minimal entrance fee at a time when people from across the world would be visiting for Cricket World Cup (CWC).
Alluding to a duty to sell Guyana, he said assurances on security have previously been given by Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee and the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Greene. With Prashad yesterday, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Gerry Gouveia lauded the successful completion and hosting of the Rio Group Summit last weekend. Representatives of Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Ansa McAl and Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), among others, were present, too. Gouveia said CWC will be of similar importance to the summit and his Roraima Group of Companies is also involved in showing off Guyana to the world.
Also at the media occasion, Chief Executive Officer of Go-Invest, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva said thousands of business people are expected here for CWC and 19 agencies must create a ‘One Stop Shop’ at the show to attract investment. He said government officials will be there to give relevant information to business people who may want to make purchases. Da Silva said, apart from the professional cubicles, a special area has been set aside for Creole foods. Madhoo-Nascimento said her presentation is unlike any other, very different and exciting and she is especially pleased to take part with her theatre experience and a cast of more than 100 seasoned actors. She said the video will be shown at 18:30h each day, followed by dancing, singing and acting.
Friday 9 March 2007
The VAT issue continues.
Had a complaint from the wife today (not good).
She was talking to her mother and sister in Guyana last night and as it turns out they were complaining about VAT on food stuff.
Now looking at GINA's website on VAT (http://www.gina.gov.gy/vat/vatupdate.html), they are saying that there are some zero rated items and some that are exempt. I'm not too sure but I think over here (in the UK) almost all foods if not everything is VAT free (Someone can help me out here).
Zero rated items are; Basic Food Items, Medical Services, Educational Services and materials, Electricity, Utilities (except telecommunications), Locally produced building materials, Vehicles four years and older, Computers.
Basic Food Items are; Bread, Rice, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Milk, Baby Formula, Split Peas, Onion, Garlic, Potatoes
Fruits (except apples, grapes, dates, prunes, peaches, plums and strawberries).
Vegetables (except olives, carrots, black eye peas, pigeon peas, chick peas, (garbanzos), radishes, broccoli, cauliflower).
Exempt items are; Kerosene, Propane (cooking gas), Gasoline, Diesel.
Now...what have the government got against us ?
I can have bread in the morning when I get up but no butter or cheese? I can also have a cup of milk with sugar and water but no tea bag or coffee?
Lunch and dinner is not looking bright right now.
Lets see...lunch...slice up a couple potatoes or plantains and fry them in the oil for chips (phew...oops VAT on salt)
OK...dinnertime...dahl, rice and some kind of vegetable curry (tastes like crap though because salt is on the VAT list again)
ARE PEOPLE IN GUYANA REALLY EXPECTED TO EAT SELECTIVELY BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO FEED THE WHOLE FAMILY ???
OR SKIP LUNCH TO SAVE A MEAL ???
WHAT ARE WE TO DO, KEEP IN LINE OR HALF STARVE OUR PEOPLE TO DEATH ???
She was talking to her mother and sister in Guyana last night and as it turns out they were complaining about VAT on food stuff.
Now looking at GINA's website on VAT (http://www.gina.gov.gy/vat/vatupdate.html), they are saying that there are some zero rated items and some that are exempt. I'm not too sure but I think over here (in the UK) almost all foods if not everything is VAT free (Someone can help me out here).
Zero rated items are; Basic Food Items, Medical Services, Educational Services and materials, Electricity, Utilities (except telecommunications), Locally produced building materials, Vehicles four years and older, Computers.
Basic Food Items are; Bread, Rice, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Milk, Baby Formula, Split Peas, Onion, Garlic, Potatoes
Fruits (except apples, grapes, dates, prunes, peaches, plums and strawberries).
Vegetables (except olives, carrots, black eye peas, pigeon peas, chick peas, (garbanzos), radishes, broccoli, cauliflower).
Exempt items are; Kerosene, Propane (cooking gas), Gasoline, Diesel.
Now...what have the government got against us ?
I can have bread in the morning when I get up but no butter or cheese? I can also have a cup of milk with sugar and water but no tea bag or coffee?
Lunch and dinner is not looking bright right now.
Lets see...lunch...slice up a couple potatoes or plantains and fry them in the oil for chips (phew...oops VAT on salt)
OK...dinnertime...dahl, rice and some kind of vegetable curry (tastes like crap though because salt is on the VAT list again)
ARE PEOPLE IN GUYANA REALLY EXPECTED TO EAT SELECTIVELY BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO FEED THE WHOLE FAMILY ???
OR SKIP LUNCH TO SAVE A MEAL ???
WHAT ARE WE TO DO, KEEP IN LINE OR HALF STARVE OUR PEOPLE TO DEATH ???
CWC 2007 Sky Sports Timetable (UK Only)
Cricket World Cup 2007 - Live Times
NB - If there is rain (Guyana in mind), each match has been alloted a reserve day. The match will therefore be played the next day.
MARCH
GROUP STAGE
Tue 13 - Pakistan v West Indies - SS1, 2pm
Wed 14 - Australia v Scotland - SS1, 1pm
Wed 14 - Canada v Kenya - SS1, 1pm*
Thu 15 - Ireland v Zimbabwe - SS1, 1pm
Thu 15 - Bermuda v Sri Lanka - SS1, 1pm*
Fri 16 - England v New Zealand - SS1, 1pm
Fri 16 - South Africa v Holland - SS1, 1pm*
Sat 17 - India v Bangladesh - SS2, 1pm
Sat 17 - Pakistan v Ireland - SS2, 1pm*
Sun 18 - England v Canada - SS2, 1pm
Sun 18 - Australia v Holland - SS2, 1pm*
Mon 19 - India v Bermuda - SS1, 1pm
Mon 19 - West Indies v Zimbabwe - SS1, 1pm*
Tue 20 - Scotland v South Africa - SS1, 1pm
Tue 20 - Kenya v New Zealand - SS1, 1pm*
Wed 21 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe - SS1, 1pm
Wed 21 - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh - SS1, 1pm*
Thu 22 - Scotland v Holland - SS1, 1pm
Thu 22 - Canada v New Zealand - SS1, 1pm*
Fri 23 - India v Sri Lanka - SS1, 1pm
Fri 23 - West Indies v Ireland - SS1, 1pm*
Sat 24 - England v Kenya - SS1, 1pm
Sat 24 - Australia v South Africa - SS2, 1pm*
Sun 25 - Bangladesh v Bermuda - SS3, 2pm
SUPER 8's (This could be any team in the mix)
Tue 27 - D2 v A1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 28 - A2 v B1 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
Thu 29 - D2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
Fri 30 - D1 v C2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
Sat 31 - A1 v B2 - Antigua - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
APRIL
Sun 1 - D2 v B1 - Guyana - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Ind or SL)
Mon 2 - B2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Eng or NZ)
Tue 3 - D1 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 4 - C2 v B1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm***
(Poss - Eng or NZ v Ind or SL)
Sat 7 - B2 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Aus or SA)
Sun 8 - A1 v C2 - Antigua - SS1, 1pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Mon 9 - D1 v C1 - Guyana - SS2, 1pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
Tue 10 - D2 v A2 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 11 - C2 v B2 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm***
(Poss - Eng or NZ v Ind or SL)
Thu 12 - B1 v C1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Eng or NZ)
Fri 13 - A1 v D1 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Pak or WI)
Sat 14 - A2 v C1 - Grenada - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Sun 15 - B2 v D1 - Barbados - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Pak or WI)
Mon 16 - A1 v B1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
Tue 17 - A2 v C2 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm**
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Wed 18 - D1 v B1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm**
(Poss - Pak or WI v Ind or SL)
Thu 19 - D2 v B2 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Ind or SL)
Fri 20 - A1 v C1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Sat 21 - D2 v C2 - Barbados - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
SEMI-FINALS
Tue 24 - 2nd vs 3rd - Jamaica - SS1, 3pm
Wed 25 - 1st vs 4th - Saint Lucia - SS1, 2pm**
FINAL
Sat 28 - Final - Barbados - SS2, 2pm
* = Background interactive match - press the red button to watch this match
** = Continued on Sky Sports 2 at 7pm
*** = Continued on Sky Sports 3 at 7pm
NB - If there is rain (Guyana in mind), each match has been alloted a reserve day. The match will therefore be played the next day.
MARCH
GROUP STAGE
Tue 13 - Pakistan v West Indies - SS1, 2pm
Wed 14 - Australia v Scotland - SS1, 1pm
Wed 14 - Canada v Kenya - SS1, 1pm*
Thu 15 - Ireland v Zimbabwe - SS1, 1pm
Thu 15 - Bermuda v Sri Lanka - SS1, 1pm*
Fri 16 - England v New Zealand - SS1, 1pm
Fri 16 - South Africa v Holland - SS1, 1pm*
Sat 17 - India v Bangladesh - SS2, 1pm
Sat 17 - Pakistan v Ireland - SS2, 1pm*
Sun 18 - England v Canada - SS2, 1pm
Sun 18 - Australia v Holland - SS2, 1pm*
Mon 19 - India v Bermuda - SS1, 1pm
Mon 19 - West Indies v Zimbabwe - SS1, 1pm*
Tue 20 - Scotland v South Africa - SS1, 1pm
Tue 20 - Kenya v New Zealand - SS1, 1pm*
Wed 21 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe - SS1, 1pm
Wed 21 - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh - SS1, 1pm*
Thu 22 - Scotland v Holland - SS1, 1pm
Thu 22 - Canada v New Zealand - SS1, 1pm*
Fri 23 - India v Sri Lanka - SS1, 1pm
Fri 23 - West Indies v Ireland - SS1, 1pm*
Sat 24 - England v Kenya - SS1, 1pm
Sat 24 - Australia v South Africa - SS2, 1pm*
Sun 25 - Bangladesh v Bermuda - SS3, 2pm
SUPER 8's (This could be any team in the mix)
Tue 27 - D2 v A1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 28 - A2 v B1 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
Thu 29 - D2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
Fri 30 - D1 v C2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
Sat 31 - A1 v B2 - Antigua - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
APRIL
Sun 1 - D2 v B1 - Guyana - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Ind or SL)
Mon 2 - B2 v C1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Eng or NZ)
Tue 3 - D1 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 4 - C2 v B1 - Antigua - SS1, 2pm***
(Poss - Eng or NZ v Ind or SL)
Sat 7 - B2 v A2 - Guyana - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Aus or SA)
Sun 8 - A1 v C2 - Antigua - SS1, 1pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Mon 9 - D1 v C1 - Guyana - SS2, 1pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
Tue 10 - D2 v A2 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Aus or SA)
Wed 11 - C2 v B2 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm***
(Poss - Eng or NZ v Ind or SL)
Thu 12 - B1 v C1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Eng or NZ)
Fri 13 - A1 v D1 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Pak or WI)
Sat 14 - A2 v C1 - Grenada - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Sun 15 - B2 v D1 - Barbados - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Ind or SL v Pak or WI)
Mon 16 - A1 v B1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Ind or SL)
Tue 17 - A2 v C2 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm**
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Wed 18 - D1 v B1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm**
(Poss - Pak or WI v Ind or SL)
Thu 19 - D2 v B2 - Barbados - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Ind or SL)
Fri 20 - A1 v C1 - Grenada - SS1, 2pm
(Poss - Aus or SA v Eng or NZ)
Sat 21 - D2 v C2 - Barbados - SS2, 2pm
(Poss - Pak or WI v Eng or NZ)
SEMI-FINALS
Tue 24 - 2nd vs 3rd - Jamaica - SS1, 3pm
Wed 25 - 1st vs 4th - Saint Lucia - SS1, 2pm**
FINAL
Sat 28 - Final - Barbados - SS2, 2pm
* = Background interactive match - press the red button to watch this match
** = Continued on Sky Sports 2 at 7pm
*** = Continued on Sky Sports 3 at 7pm
All about money !!!
By M.Bacchus
YES indeed, nothing to do with the spectators.
Rather disturbing that one cannot take into the cricket grounds any liquid, except for medicines, for The Cricket World Cup.
Now, they are asking, nay telling, a West Indian to watch a game for 7-8 hours, not accounting for the time they got to the ground, that he/she cannot take any liquid refreshments into the ground. Instead they are making them buy these in the ground at rip off prices. The same crap was employed at the FIFA Football World Cup 2006 in Germany. However, those spectators had approximately 2 hours to survive without liquid if they wished. Otherwise, they had to pay €3-00, approximately US$4-00, for a glass of water, plus €1-00 deposit for the glass.
Back to the Cricket World Cup. For the locals, the tickets are very expensive for a start, hence the slow uptake, on top of which they are asking the same spectators whom they are daily encouraging/begging to buy match tickets, to find extra cash to buy their refreshments at
double or treble the cost in the grounds as they would pay outside.
It’s not about cricket, it’s more like corporate greed...we may be hosting the games, but it’s the big, ah mean de bully boys show... Worst, if you are supporting let’s say De Windies, do not wear a Windies Shirt with the "Digicel" name/logo imprinted on it. If you do you'll have to watch the game bare back, go home and change or worst lose your ticket money.
This goes for all supporters, be it Indian, Australian, English...etc. Supporters wearing a team’s strip that have a sponsors name/logo which may be considered a competitor of the official sponsors, the ICC, call them, "Partners", will be asked to remove said item and may be refused entry into the ground. They are blatantly saying, we want your money, buy a new team strip.
To add insult to injury, billboards within a few miles of the grounds must be covered up. They are telling the local manufacturers and retailers that they cannot advertise their products to the world, but the corporate world is given the freedom to demand and get what they want. How does this benefit the region? How can a local producer/manufacturer have the names of their products/services seen by visitors to their countries?
Where can they get that sort of exposure to entice visitors to buy their products or enjoy the services they may provide? The big boys get their money, transfer it outside of the region and therefore out of the local economies. I think that the West Indies Cricket Board was either duped or were negligent, for they failed to read the fine print. That or they were too weak to argue their case, even possibly enthusiastically supported the idea, since Mr. Derhing was in Germany during the FIFA Football World Cup.
The governments cannot be blamed, by the time they were told to pass legislation, outlawing what the ICC termed "Ambush Marketing", they had already invested too much money and time into hosting the games to really not do what they were ordered.
To all governments, the ICC Champions Trophy will be held in the Caribbean, in a few years time. Sort these problems out soon, look after and defend the rights of your citizens. The Caribbean region is not exactly awash with money, many of its' citizens live in or close to poverty.
But we must not deprive them of going to watch a game of cricket if they so wish. The governments must insist that all unwarranted restrictions such as those listed above, be removed from all contracts between the WICB & the ICC. With all these restrictions, maybe the local confederation of both the small and large businesses should organise a Trade Exhibition to show off their products....worth thinking about.
YES indeed, nothing to do with the spectators.
Rather disturbing that one cannot take into the cricket grounds any liquid, except for medicines, for The Cricket World Cup.
Now, they are asking, nay telling, a West Indian to watch a game for 7-8 hours, not accounting for the time they got to the ground, that he/she cannot take any liquid refreshments into the ground. Instead they are making them buy these in the ground at rip off prices. The same crap was employed at the FIFA Football World Cup 2006 in Germany. However, those spectators had approximately 2 hours to survive without liquid if they wished. Otherwise, they had to pay €3-00, approximately US$4-00, for a glass of water, plus €1-00 deposit for the glass.
Back to the Cricket World Cup. For the locals, the tickets are very expensive for a start, hence the slow uptake, on top of which they are asking the same spectators whom they are daily encouraging/begging to buy match tickets, to find extra cash to buy their refreshments at
double or treble the cost in the grounds as they would pay outside.
It’s not about cricket, it’s more like corporate greed...we may be hosting the games, but it’s the big, ah mean de bully boys show... Worst, if you are supporting let’s say De Windies, do not wear a Windies Shirt with the "Digicel" name/logo imprinted on it. If you do you'll have to watch the game bare back, go home and change or worst lose your ticket money.
This goes for all supporters, be it Indian, Australian, English...etc. Supporters wearing a team’s strip that have a sponsors name/logo which may be considered a competitor of the official sponsors, the ICC, call them, "Partners", will be asked to remove said item and may be refused entry into the ground. They are blatantly saying, we want your money, buy a new team strip.
To add insult to injury, billboards within a few miles of the grounds must be covered up. They are telling the local manufacturers and retailers that they cannot advertise their products to the world, but the corporate world is given the freedom to demand and get what they want. How does this benefit the region? How can a local producer/manufacturer have the names of their products/services seen by visitors to their countries?
Where can they get that sort of exposure to entice visitors to buy their products or enjoy the services they may provide? The big boys get their money, transfer it outside of the region and therefore out of the local economies. I think that the West Indies Cricket Board was either duped or were negligent, for they failed to read the fine print. That or they were too weak to argue their case, even possibly enthusiastically supported the idea, since Mr. Derhing was in Germany during the FIFA Football World Cup.
The governments cannot be blamed, by the time they were told to pass legislation, outlawing what the ICC termed "Ambush Marketing", they had already invested too much money and time into hosting the games to really not do what they were ordered.
To all governments, the ICC Champions Trophy will be held in the Caribbean, in a few years time. Sort these problems out soon, look after and defend the rights of your citizens. The Caribbean region is not exactly awash with money, many of its' citizens live in or close to poverty.
But we must not deprive them of going to watch a game of cricket if they so wish. The governments must insist that all unwarranted restrictions such as those listed above, be removed from all contracts between the WICB & the ICC. With all these restrictions, maybe the local confederation of both the small and large businesses should organise a Trade Exhibition to show off their products....worth thinking about.
West Indies flop again !!!
85 all out and a top score of 22 by Lara.
Anyone think we've got a chance of winning this world cup ???
Anyone think we've got a chance of winning this world cup ???
Barbados- Barbadian Police gets treated like Guyanese Visitors to Barbados
CARICOM condemns search of police officers in Barbados Published on Thursday, March 8, 2007.
The searching of Police officers in Barbados by ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 security officials has been condemned by Caribbean officials responsible for regional security mechanisms for the tournament.
Chairperson of the CARICOM sub committee for CWC security, Mia Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, says she is most disturbed at such a development and stressed that, on the regional front, every effort was made to guard against any such development.“It must be understood that in every CARICOM Member State police officers are accorded certain responsibilities under the law. Their authority as set out in law cannot be varied by any agreement. It will not be tolerated,” she said.“I am most disappointed that such a thing could have happened and wish to stress that I hope it will not happen again and that CWC will assure that their private security understand the limitations to their powers,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
The action was also condemned by Barbados’ Commissioner of Police. The searching of the police officers at the start of the warm up match between Scotland and Sri Lanka on Monday in Barbados has been the subject of widespread public outcry in that country.The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the action by CWC officials was most unsatisfactory and will not be supported.“The Caribbean is hosting Cricket World Cup 2007 and the governments have made a tremendous financial investment in this tournament. We are committed to its success but there has to be an understanding and an appreciating of the laws as well as of certain norms, procedures and practices. We will not stand by and accept such treatment of police and other law enforcement personnel. It is unacceptable,” she stressed.She added that there had been prolonged discussions between CARICOM Member States and CWC officials long before the commencement of the tournament in respect of this issue. These discussions had clarified the role and responsibility of the national police forces in relation to enforcement of law and order and the primacy of the police in respect of national security within any Host Country, over and above the role of CWC officials or private security. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the authority of the police was a fundamental element of national law that could not be ignored or suborned.She added that there will be dialogue with CWC officials to ensure that such action will not be repeated.
Couldn't happen to a nicer set of people !!!
The searching of Police officers in Barbados by ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 security officials has been condemned by Caribbean officials responsible for regional security mechanisms for the tournament.
Chairperson of the CARICOM sub committee for CWC security, Mia Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, says she is most disturbed at such a development and stressed that, on the regional front, every effort was made to guard against any such development.“It must be understood that in every CARICOM Member State police officers are accorded certain responsibilities under the law. Their authority as set out in law cannot be varied by any agreement. It will not be tolerated,” she said.“I am most disappointed that such a thing could have happened and wish to stress that I hope it will not happen again and that CWC will assure that their private security understand the limitations to their powers,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
The action was also condemned by Barbados’ Commissioner of Police. The searching of the police officers at the start of the warm up match between Scotland and Sri Lanka on Monday in Barbados has been the subject of widespread public outcry in that country.The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the action by CWC officials was most unsatisfactory and will not be supported.“The Caribbean is hosting Cricket World Cup 2007 and the governments have made a tremendous financial investment in this tournament. We are committed to its success but there has to be an understanding and an appreciating of the laws as well as of certain norms, procedures and practices. We will not stand by and accept such treatment of police and other law enforcement personnel. It is unacceptable,” she stressed.She added that there had been prolonged discussions between CARICOM Member States and CWC officials long before the commencement of the tournament in respect of this issue. These discussions had clarified the role and responsibility of the national police forces in relation to enforcement of law and order and the primacy of the police in respect of national security within any Host Country, over and above the role of CWC officials or private security. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the authority of the police was a fundamental element of national law that could not be ignored or suborned.She added that there will be dialogue with CWC officials to ensure that such action will not be repeated.
Couldn't happen to a nicer set of people !!!
Barbados - BBC sports journalist gives Barbados a failing grade for CWC 2007
"The problems begin at the airport. There are only four customs counters. The time taken to clear television equipment through ranges from an hour to two hours. Foreign media crew expect long waits.
"The flight schedules are awkward and there are only a couple of connecting flights for passengers from the Indian subcontinent.
"Travel within Barbados is hard. A distance of five kilometres, the distance between my hotel and the Kensington Oval cricket ground, takes an hour or more and taxi fares are never less than $15.
"Restaurants are struggling to keep up. The time taken to serve pizza at the pizzeria in a mall opposite my hotel was an hour and twenty minutes. Many of the waitressing staff seem new to the job.
"These may be teething problems. But internet facilities are unreliable. More than two thirds of the hotels have no internet. Internet cafes are few and far between. Places with broadband are limited and the speed is often not good enough to send television stories.
"If you think you can overcome this by calling office/home, you are in for a shock. A $5 phone card allows you to talk for only for a minute to the UK and India. To compound problems, some hotels charge $3 every time one uses a calling card from the room phone." Before most of those partisan to whatever start raising their lances to tilt at whatever windmills?
This Mr Majumdar is a sports historian and a university lecturer in Melbourne, Australia! Bajans also have a long way to go when it shows responsibility for their surroundings even after any kind of event, be it sporting or otherwise...
What do you expect...make a second rate island feel like their king of the Caribbean. This was being touted as Barbados' World Cup and some nobody islands supporting. Couldn't happen to a nicer island !!!
"The flight schedules are awkward and there are only a couple of connecting flights for passengers from the Indian subcontinent.
"Travel within Barbados is hard. A distance of five kilometres, the distance between my hotel and the Kensington Oval cricket ground, takes an hour or more and taxi fares are never less than $15.
"Restaurants are struggling to keep up. The time taken to serve pizza at the pizzeria in a mall opposite my hotel was an hour and twenty minutes. Many of the waitressing staff seem new to the job.
"These may be teething problems. But internet facilities are unreliable. More than two thirds of the hotels have no internet. Internet cafes are few and far between. Places with broadband are limited and the speed is often not good enough to send television stories.
"If you think you can overcome this by calling office/home, you are in for a shock. A $5 phone card allows you to talk for only for a minute to the UK and India. To compound problems, some hotels charge $3 every time one uses a calling card from the room phone." Before most of those partisan to whatever start raising their lances to tilt at whatever windmills?
This Mr Majumdar is a sports historian and a university lecturer in Melbourne, Australia! Bajans also have a long way to go when it shows responsibility for their surroundings even after any kind of event, be it sporting or otherwise...
What do you expect...make a second rate island feel like their king of the Caribbean. This was being touted as Barbados' World Cup and some nobody islands supporting. Couldn't happen to a nicer island !!!
VAT Refunds
For non-residents, certain items are allowed as VAT free purchases and refund forms may be uplifted from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
On Monday a special desk and booth will be put in place by the GRA to administer these forms and to verify the purchases for which refunds are being claimed.
Khan said that checks may also have to be made with the seller of the item, hence refunds will not be issued at the airport and a cheque will be mailed within 30 days. Cheques will be payable in US, Sterling or Canadian currency. Non-residents who purchase items and paid in excess of $20,000 in VAT and which are exported as accompanied baggage will also be eligible for a refund. The Commissioner noted that non-registrants will be required to produce proof of original tax or sales invoices to the GRA on or before departure for the claim to be processed.
Apart from gold jewellery, what are we going to buy with a excess of $20,000 VAT to export from the country ???
On Monday a special desk and booth will be put in place by the GRA to administer these forms and to verify the purchases for which refunds are being claimed.
Khan said that checks may also have to be made with the seller of the item, hence refunds will not be issued at the airport and a cheque will be mailed within 30 days. Cheques will be payable in US, Sterling or Canadian currency. Non-residents who purchase items and paid in excess of $20,000 in VAT and which are exported as accompanied baggage will also be eligible for a refund. The Commissioner noted that non-registrants will be required to produce proof of original tax or sales invoices to the GRA on or before departure for the claim to be processed.
Apart from gold jewellery, what are we going to buy with a excess of $20,000 VAT to export from the country ???
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