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‘Ride for Life 6’ billed for October 10-14

August 17, 2012 By

By Avenash Ramzan

After a meeting involving the relevant stakeholders on Wednesday afternoon, it was decided that the sixth edition of ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage cycling event will be staged on October 10-14, covering a distance of 226 miles of the country’s roadways.

The riders from Team Coco have been enjoying rich returns on Guyana’s soil, and no doubt they will be back for this year’s Five-Stage

Guyana’s Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary of the Sport Ministry Alfred King, Guyana Cycling Federation president Cheryl Thompson, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed and National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) representative Nazim Hussein were present at the meeting.
Speaking to this publication immediately after the officials convened, Mohamed said that now the date has been finalised, work must begin to get all the logistical arrangements in place for the cycling’s signature event on the local calendar.
The activity is a collaborative effort of the Ministries of Health and Sport and the Guyana Cycling Federation.
After travelling to the Ancient County on October 10, the opening stage will be held the following day from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46.6 miles) from 07: 30h; while Stage Two will be on the same day from Rosignol to Georgetown (60.4 miles) from 14: 00h.
Stage Three will take place on October 12 from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09: 00h, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07: 30h the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles.
The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08: 30h and finish in Georgetown on October 14, covering a distance of 62 miles.
As was the case in previous years, the event will be held with the objectives of increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/ Aids among participants and the general public, and increasing HIV/ Aids activism and volunteerism among the participants and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/ Aids.
The event has over the years attracted a large amount of overseas riders, and this year would be no different. Team Coco’s Michael Larsen is the defending champion of the Open category, having won the event in a time of 10 hours, 29 minutes, 39 seconds (10h: 29m: 39s).
Team Coco, a group based in Miami, has been very dominant at the Five-Stage, and this publication understands that a Team Guyana will be assembled to challenge the foreigners.

Filed Under: Sports

Guyana confirmed for Senior Caribbean TT Championships

August 17, 2012 By

Guyana has been confirmed for the 54th Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in the Dominican Republic from August 22- 27.
The other countries that are already confirmed are Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and French Guiana.

Nigel Bryan and Trenace Lowe

Guyana’s male team consists of Brad Belle, Nigel Bryan, Paul David, Paul Meusa and Joel Allen while on the distaff side there are Trenace Lowe, Chelsea Edghill and Natalie Cummings.
In the veterans’ category, Desire Lancaster is the lone female while the male team comprises of Colin France, Patrick Triumph and Raynor Anderson.
Edghill is the lone debutant.
Lowe, Bryan and Belle each gained bronze medals in the 21- and- under category last year and France obtained a silver medal in the veteran’s category.
General Secretary of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, said the team is not as strong since some of the key players are missing. He however noted that it is important for the players to go and compete as the championship will serve to develop their skills and expose them to new challenges.
According to him, the team is in training and the players are eager to go. They will leave Guyana on August 21. Allen, Bryan and Lowe are in the USA; they will join the team in the Dominican Republic.

Filed Under: Sports

Jamzone Masters’ Cup called off

August 17, 2012 By

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The Jamzone Masters’ Cup T20 competition was called off on Tuesday after unsuccessful negotiations with the Hits and Jams Group, West Indies Cricket Board, Guyana Cricket Board and other stakeholders.
The Hits and Jams Group had to enter into talks with the regional and local governing bodies after the WICB Manager of Operations, Roland Holder, had written to territorial board warning that if their players participated in this weekend’s tournament they would have faced likely sanctions since the tournament was not approved.

WICB President Julian Hunte

In a statement issued last Tuesday evening by the HJ Group it stated the it was regrettable that the tournament was called off, highlighting further that their decision was “as a result of the ongoing conflict which has resulted in all cricket in Guyana not being played.”
The statement continued, “The Hits and Jams Group which was in negotiation with the WICB and the GCB and all other partners including sponsors was hoping that the issues surrounding the hosting of the Masters Cup Tournament would have been resolved in time for this weekend’s staging of the T20 competition.
Hits and Jams has since informed the International cricketers who were contracted for the tournament of our decision.
“HJ remains committed to the growth and development of cricket and all other entertainment and sporting activities in Guyana and we look forward to continue playing our part in that development.
“We will continue to work along with the West Indies cricket administrators in the future as we have given our commitment to the hosting of the tournament.”

Filed Under: Sports

Guyana beat Suriname 2-1; T&T hammer SVG 3-0

August 17, 2012 By

Guyana’s Under-20 Jaguars saved the best for last by defeating old rivals Suriname 2-1 in their final Group game of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) FIFA Under-20 World Cup Qualifying competition at Victoria Park, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday afternoon.

Daniel Wilson

After suffering defeats to Trinidad and Tobago (2-1) and the host nation (3-1), the young Guyanese turned up the heat on the Surinamese who had won their previous matches, needling SVG, then hammering T& T 3-0.
In a fierce game that saw a total of five yellow cards (Suriname 4, Guyana 1) and one red card (Jamaal Booker in the 89th minute), the Surinamese cantered into the lead in the first half when M. Darson breached Guyana’s defence and goalkeeper in the 18th minute.
It was a lead that the confident Dutch players enjoyed up until the 60th minute when Booker blasted the nets to draw the Jaguars level.
Scoring against the run of play added much needed confidence and momentum to the Guyanese offense.
Then Guyana were duly rewarded with a penalty in the 84th minute. Daniel Wilson made no mistake in converting for Guyana which took the lead 2-1.
Even with the eviction of Jamaal Booker with one minute to go to regulation time, Guyana was able to hold out for the win.
In the feature game, Trinidad and Tobago defeated the home team St Vincent and the Grenadines 3-0 with all the goals being scored in the first half.

Filed Under: Sports

Guyana to host WI Fullbore championships in October

August 17, 2012 By

The Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) will host the West Indies Fullbore championships during the second week in October. The tournament is expected to attract shooters from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and host Guyana.

The Guyanese shooters will hope to exploit home advantage to the fullest

The Jamaicans are the defending champions following their narrow two-point win over Guyana in the short range team match in Antigua last year. The Guyanese however, hold the long range title which they won in Barbados in 2010.
National fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud said recorded shoots will start from next week, while at the start of September training sessions will be held twice weekly.
Persaud said the lineup will include Ransford Goodluck, Lennox Braithwaite, Richard and Dylan Fields, Dane Blair, Charles Deane, Claude Duguid and Peter Persaud.
Retired ACP Paul Slowe and Ryan Sampson, two other members of the team, will miss training due to overseas engagements.
The West Indies championships will run for five days with three days set aside for individual competition while the final two days will be the team matches.
Guyana last hosted the championships in 2007 where they won the short range title, but was edged out by Trinidad and Tobago in the long range match.

Filed Under: Sports

GFF to roll out eight-year development plan

August 17, 2012 By

By Avenash Ramzan

In an effort to ensure the holistic development of football from Pee Wee right up to the senior level, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will commence work on an eight-year development plan, with recommendations from key stakeholders within the fraternity.

Franklin Wilson

The ambitious plan, which is geared at charting the way forward for local football, should be finalised by the end of the year.
The disclosure was made recently by Deputy General Secretary of the GFF, George Rutherford, who said the whole thrust behind the idea is to set a solid platform to catapult Guyana as a strong football force, not just in the Region, but worldwide.
The GFF’s map on the way forward comes at a time when the Golden Jaguars- the senior national footballers- are enjoying a purple patch, touching unchartered territories in the third round of Qualification for the 2014 Football World Cup in Brazil.
“We have recognized that while he have arrived at the stage of the World Cup Qualifiers, and having reached this stage [third round] for the first time, what we really need to do is have a strategic plan that would point us in the direction what we need to do at the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 levels,” Rutherford explained.
He added, “We also need to recognize what kinds of technical competences we need in the areas of coaching and refereeing, and in the administration of football.
So what we have done is to develop an eight-year development plan, and so we have embarked on a process that will lead us, hopefully before the end of the year, to come up with such a plan which will give us some notions of what it is we need to do with the resources we have.”
Rutherford intimated that the reason for putting in place a cadre of different age group players is to ensure cohesion and create camaraderie among the footballers.
“At the same time, we would be on the lookout for others to join those squads, so that our development plan will be one that will put us in the direction of ensuring we know what we have and what we need to do,” he said.
Rutherford divulged that this age group plan will also take into account the abundance of football players in the diaspora.

George Rutherford

“One thing our plan will certainly take account of is the fact that Guyana is a country that has a very large migration population, and because in the diaspora we have lots of Guyanese there, whatever we do at the local level we recognize that we will have to do and be on the lookout for talents we have overseas,” the veteran football official acknowledged, noting that the ultimate aim is to ensure Guyana continues to make strides up the football ladder.
Rutherford felt the need for executives of the GFF and stakeholders of the football fraternity to be in “retreat mode”, as they kick off discussions on the proposed content of the eight-year development plan.
Acting president of the GFF, Franklin Wilson, said a small committee has also been set up to pull off the retreat. Apart from Rutherford, the committee will include national coach Wayne Dover, Brazilian Fitness Trainer Americo Falopa, Technical Development Officer Lyndon France and national coach Jamaal Shabazz.
Wilson said male and female players, both at the senior and junior levels, will be consulted on the way forward.

Filed Under: Sports

Super-bike racer Kevin Graham in full gear for Caribbean championships

August 17, 2012 By

By Ravendra Madholall

Canada’s veteran super-bike rider Kevin Andrew Graham is preparing eagerly for the upcoming 2012 Caribbean Motor Racing Championships to be held in Barbados on September 1 at Bushy Park.
Having represented Guyana for almost two consecutive decades, the 43-year-old Canadian-born champion rider is anxious to continue with the dominance he left off last year at all three Caribbean Championship races, which were held in Jamaica, Barbados and the final leg in Guyana.

Graham with his bikes

With Guyana languishing at the bottom of the points table after the initial round at Dover Park, Jamaica, this year, the stalwart rider is very optimistic they can rebound in the final two encounters, particularly with the final competition slated for November at the South Dakota Circuit in Guyana.
According to the sensational rider, his Kawasaki 600cc bike is ‘revving’ nicely and that gives him the confidence to make a big impression in Barbados where he has done tremendously well over the years.
“I [am] confident of doing well in Barbados; I am very familiar with the track and I think we have a good team too to come out successful,” Graham told Caribbean Times International Magazine.
Graham, who will be vying for supremacy in the super-bike category, was preparing for a strong challenge from Guyanese Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira.
However, Vieira, who was outstanding at Dover Park winning three races, might miss out on this occasion owing to an automobile accident he was involved in last June in Suriname.
“Stephen is an excellent rider and what he has done for Guyana for the past five years, he would have been a good competitor not only for me but also for the other Caribbean opponents from Barbados and Jamaica, but let us hope he will be fit and ready to defend his title in Barbados,” Graham said.

Graham and colleague Guyanese Stephen Vieira

Other Guyanese riders who are expected to compete in Barbados are Maurice Mendez, Gregory Lopzes and Robi Persaud among others, while Barbados will have their local ‘King’ rider Arthur Cumberbatch and the versatile Brook Miller. Jamaica again can pin their hopes high on the experienced pair of Stephan Chin and Halquin Rodney. Both riders will be sporting a Suzuki 600cc.
With stiff challenge anticipated from the local boys, the experienced Graham is not too apprehensive about that. He feels his familiarity with the track and his longevity in the sport will be adequate enough for him to outclass his rivals.
“I know Barbados riders are very good and having home advantage, they will want to come hard at us, but I am ready and equipped to take up the challenge; my bike is in good shape and that is very encouraging as well,” Graham declared.
Meanwhile, Graham also told this publication that he was thinking of retiring from the sport during his participation in last year’s local meet in Guyana, but because of his profound love for it, he still wants to race competitively at the Caribbean Championships and annual race meeting hosted by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club.
“This is my life over the past 18 to 19 years. It is something that I really love and like doing; yes, I am getting a bit old now and the youths might want the chance to showcase their skills, but I just have a passion for racing especially on the bike so I may go on for another year or two; let see what happen,” Graham related.

Waving the chequered flag

He has been riding and racing professionally since 1993 and he has received countless trophies for his stunning performances on the bike, while he thrilled crowds with his spectacular display and admirable skills on his Kawasaki 600cc.
“I always want to have the chequered flag lay in my hands after each race; I have done it on a number of times and it was very exciting; I have been racing in and for Guyana for a long time now and I really enjoyed the track there and the events these guys put up on an annual basis,” the Toronto resident mentioned.
Graham possesses a wealth of experience at the highest level, and said he is willing to share this knowledge to any aspiring motor-bike rider. He stated he has been a regular competitor in Guyana, and feels ‘talking’ about the sport frequently helps him personally.
Moreover, Guyana will be sending a strong contingent again in Barbados. They will have to emerge as champion in both Barbados and Guyana to retain their title, while Vieira’s chance of keeping the championship might be in jeopardy after Barbados Cumberbatch was placed second at the completion of the first leg in Jamaica.
However, according to report, the marquee rider Vieira is recuperating well in United States of America where he is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Filed Under: Sports Features

Interview with a queen

August 17, 2012 By

Ayana Ucebeie Harris, the 2012 Miss Guyana Jamzone queen, strongly believes that pageantry builds self-esteem. Her perspective of the competition is that it significantly helps young girls to be well-rounded individuals – as it did for her.

Ayana Harris, Miss Guyana Jamzone 2012

The queen eliminated a bevy of beauties to become the 12th Miss Guyana Jamzone queen. This 23-year-old beauty will represent Guyana at the third Miss Jamzone International pageant this August, with hopes of wearing her second crown for 2012.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the third year University of Guyana student said she won her first pageant, Miss Guyana Junior, at just 14 years old. She later went on to place first runner-up at the inaugural Guyana Model Search contest in 2009 and third at the Miss Guyana Universe 2011 pageant.
“Since nursery I started modelling. My first pageant was at Central High School where I won the Miss Central High Junior. I was in second form. My second pageant was Miss Talented Teen; I was just 13 years old. I took a brief break because of school. I grew up in a very strict household with my aunts and grandmother. Education is priority in my home. After some time I went back into pageantry. This was when I placed third runner up for 2011 Miss Guyana Universe. Modelling and I have a ‘husband and wife’ relationship. We separate sometimes and get back together; we’re close knitted like husband and wife,” the queen revealed.
Ayana’s biggest support is her 64-year-old grandmother, who also has a knack for fashion. “I can remember when I was younger, buying 6-inch stilettos for her because she is short. But she pulled it off perfectly. She is all for make-up and very up-to-date with fashion trends; even now she hasn’t changed. She has been and still is a fashionista. She is my biggest influence,” Ayana said fondly.

Pageantry
The new Jamzone queen said she is prepared to face off with the international contestants come August month-end. She is very close friends with former Guyanese pageant winners, and is under their tutelage.

Ayana (center) shares her winning moment with fellow queens Miss UN Soyini Fraser (left) and Miss Guyana Universe 2011 Kara Lord

“I know the international contestants are bringing their best and I have to match up and excel. I am training right now in public speaking and getting my outfits ready. Olympia Small-Sonaram and Pat Coates are my designers. Pageantry has boosted my self-confidence and self-esteem. It has made me bolder and braver. I’m more comfortable with my body because I have been skinny all my life, but not by choice. Pageantry has helped me in these areas. I encourage other young girls to get into it. It motivates you to be a role model and to build individuality. It makes you a rounded individual,” Ayana outlined.
Being in pageantry for years has made Ayana resilient to criticisms. She noted that she has leant that not everyone can be won over. She realises that people will heckle and say demeaning things but the power of ignoring is key. “Constructive criticisms I welcome; anything else I ignore. This is ideal in pageantry because if you can’t handle people criticizing then you won’t last long. You have to grow a thick skin; go out there and do your best,” she encouraged.

Fashion tip
The beauty queen prefers a natural look. She described herself without makeup and fancy hairdo as being “natural and not as a pillow head.” She tries to maintain her neat look even without enhancements, and she encourages every woman to try to do the same.
“Do not let go of yourself. Continue to be that diva you have always been. Take time out to focus on yourself. Get pampered and splurge now and then on something that’ll make you happy. Wear clothing that’ll make you comfortable. I prefer stilettos because you don’t have to try too hard to look sexy if you have on high heels. Occasionally flats are good too,” she advised.

Being sashed queen by former Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011

The 2012 Jamzone Queen’s plans
Ayana said if she does not win this pageant, she plans on throwing in her sash and taking up coaching. She has said this before but her love for pageantry always takes her back on the stage. If she does make her mind up this time, Ayana stated she still wants to be involved in pageantry by coaching young girls. Her focus will also be on completing her degree and fulfilling career goals.
She is not giving up her dream though which is to walk on the international runway in London or Paris in a Valentino outfit.
“Jamzone is a tourism pageant and although there is no platform, I have to sell my country. I have a very dramatic piece planned and I have invested a lot of character in it. I plan on making it fun and creative when I’m on the stage,” Ayana disclosed of her plan in competing with the other delegates slated for late August at Splashmins Fun Park and Resort.
Ayana enjoys modelling, watching cricket and football, cooking and interacting with friends and family via social networks. She hopes to become an established marketing consultant after completing her studies at UG.

Filed Under: Features

Recognising the talents of young people

August 17, 2012 By

Guyana National Junior Squash team: A group of athletic winners

On Sunday we celebrated International Youth Day, and one local group of youngsters to take note of is the Guyana National Junior Squash team.
International Youth Day was created by the United Nations and first celebrated in 1998. The event is now marked on August 12 each year, and aims to celebrate the contribution youths make to society. This year we celebrated this day under the theme, ‘Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth’.

Coach Carl Ince

The Guyana National Junior Squash team has definitely built a better Guyana, as they place their country on the international squash competition map.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Andrew Arjoon, president of the Guyana Squash Association said most of the players from this group come from the association’s nursery programme which is held Saturday mornings at the Georgetown Club. The classes are held from 9:00 a.m and accommodate all levels of junior players from beginners right up to junior national level.
This programme, he added, was started more than twenty five years ago, and has served to provide almost all of the junior national representatives over that time. It is currently supervised by the national coach Carl Ince with the assistance of some of the senior players of the programme.
Ince continues to produce Caribbean champions.
Over the years, he has produced fifteen different individual champions who have won a combined total of 39 Caribbean junior titles, and under his guidance his teams have won the overall title eleven out of the fourteen years he has been national coach. He hopes that his team will continue its successful run.
Arjoon mentioned that traditionally, the older players are expected to give back to the programme by volunteering their time to train the younger players as they develop. This formula, Arjoon noted, has worked successfully over the years.
Arjoon stated that the ages of the players range from 6 to 18, since Under-19 is the highest division on the junior competitive circuit, though a number of players that are over 19 still volunteer their time.
The national representatives are selected by a panel of three persons convened by the Guyana Squash Association; this always includes the national coach.
“The team has produced a number of Caribbean champions over the years. Most recently, Guyana has the phenomenal record of 8 consecutive Overall Team titles and 7 consecutive Girls’ Team titles. The juniors recently returned from Jamaica where they came away with the Girls Team championship, the Overall Team championship and placed third in the Boys Team. A number of these players will be representing Guyana at the senior level in the upcoming Senior Caribbean Championships in Trinidad on August 18 to 25,” Arjoon revealed.

The national junior squash team posing for a photo at the Georgetown Club

Team players
Shomari Wiltshire, Boys U13, at the age of 8 has secured both the U11 and U13 titles without conceding a single game.
Daniel Islam, Boys U13, this will be his first international tournament, and with the exposure gained, should skyrocket his game as he aspires to one day becoming a Caribbean champion.
Anthony Islam, Boys U13, loves the game of squash and is very enthusiastic about the game; once he continues in this vein will surely be one to look at in the future.
Ben Mekdeci, Boys U15, is the BU13 Casa Champ and will step up a category. Having gained some height since last year, this will definitely help against his new, stronger opponents.
Patrick Fraser, Boys U15, won the bronze in Guyana, his persistent playing style and attitude drives him to go for more glory at this year’s Caribbean championship.
Alec Melville, Boys U15, is an avid squash player. After having his first taste of Casa squash, Alec is coming out hungry to compete for his share of glory.
Nyron Joseph, Boys U17, secured his first Caribbean title last year. Stepping up a category this year will be challenging but Nyron is in full form to compete with the best of them.
Jean-Claude Jeffrey, Boys U17, a Canadian-based player is a top contender for this year’s title, having won the U15 gold two years ago.
Andrew Peroune, Boys U17, has great racquet skills, reach and temperament along with a great work ethic that has resulted in significant improvement to his game.
Jason Ray Khalil, Boys U19 and team captain, having won the U17 title last year is looking to continue in the same vein this year.
Steven Xavier, Boys U19, Steven is a tough fight for anyone. Since this is first year in the U19 category it will be a difficult task but no one is as prepared as he.
Rebecca Low, Girls U13, is the National U13 champ. She hopes that her long days of training will pay off in this her 2nd Junior CASA Tournament.
Sarah Lewis, Girls U13, is a newcomer to the squash scene. She hopes to make her debut mark on the Caribbean league.
Taylor Fernandes, Girls U15, is the current National U15 Champion. She has achieved her long needed breakthrough and has shown great improvement in all aspects of her game.
Larissa Wiltshire, Girls U15, turns into a fierce combatant on court. She hopes that this year she can follow in her sister’s and father’ footsteps of becoming Caribbean title holders.
Victoria Arjoon, Girls U17, has gone overseas to St. Georges, Rhode Island for school. She hopes to add this year’s win title to her vast collection.
Winning her first Casa title last year, Akeila Wiltshire, Girls U17, has ignited her progress and she hopes to take her second consecutive title.
Mary Fung-A-Fat, Girls U19, and Girls captain and veteran, won her first Junior Casa Crown with her title win in Jamaica and she hopes that in this, her last year, she will again be successful in Jamaica with another victory.
Ashley De Groot, Girls U19, Ashley is going for glory, and will push herself to the limit to get there as she seeks to claim her first Junior CASA Title.
Gabrielle Fraser, Girls U19, another Canadian-based player hopes her intense training can prove to be the deciding factor in helping her to secure her first Caribbean title.
The group continues to play their best, showing great athleticism and they hope to take away the champion title at their next competition. We celebrate their valour for aptly representing Guyana wherever they go.

Filed Under: Features

The Potaro

August 17, 2012 By

The source of the Potaro River is in the Mount Ayanganna area of the Pakaraima Mountains in the north Rupununi Savannahs. This river flows into the Essequibo River.
Nine waterfalls stream along the Potaro River, most notable are Kaieteur Falls and Tumatumari Falls. Below Kaieteur Falls lies Amatuk Falls and Waratuk Falls.
Chenapau is a small Amerindian village located in forested terrain along the Potaro River south of Kaieteur Falls. Menzies Landing, a small settlement that is a 20-minute walk upriver from Kaieteur Falls, is the main staging area for upriver travel.
Upriver from the falls, the Potaro plateau stretches out to the distant escarpment of the Pakaraima Mountains. This area is rich in diamonds and gold, while the mineral potarite is named for the Potaro where it was first discovered. (Photos by Nicholas Laughlin)

Filed Under: Travel & Tourism