Year: 2011

“New boys” ready to represent Windies

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The four newcomers in the West Indies team are all eager and excited to “represent” the people of the region against Pakistan. The four — Danza Hyatt, Krishmar Santokie, Ashley Nurse and Christopher Barnwell – were last week named in the 13-man squad to face Pakistan in the Digicel T20 International in St Lucia on April 21. Santokie, the 26-year-old left-arm seamer from Jamaica, has been the most outstanding bowler in the two seasons of the WICB’s Caribbean T20. When he got the call to represent the West Indies, there…

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Valthaty ton pulls off superb chase

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The IPL’s northernmost franchise found a hero with roots in the south, as Paul Valthaty stunned Chennai Super Kings to clinch a maiden win for Kings XI Punjab this season after a disappointing performance in their opening game. Valthaty was a surprise promotion to the opening slot, instead of the regular Shaun Marsh, and he answered the call with a blistering start, keeping his team on par with the required-rate in the middle overs and surging again at the death to complete victory after achieving a spectacular century. At 27,…

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Berbice Schools’ Table Tennis Competition successful

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The Berbice Schools Table Tennis Competition, which was held on Saturday, April 09th at the Berbice High School Auditorium, came off with a bang. Organised by the Steering Committee of the Berbice Table Tennis Association, the tournament was sponsored by the Youth, Sport and Culture Ministry. Over 72 players participated, with players’ ages ranging from eight to 21. The competition, an indication of the resurgence of table tennis in the Ancient County after a hiatus of close to two decades, was keenly contested in all five categories of play. Five…

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Thinking ahead

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Despite finishing as runners-up for the second consecutive time in a Cricket World Cup tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a proactive approach (some may say bold step) in revamping critical aspects of its cricket operation. A few weeks ago, skipper Kumar Sangakkara gave up the captaincy of the limited overs’ teams so that young players could be groomed to lead the country into the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The same day vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene relinquished his post. Less than 24 hours after, the entire…

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Running out of real estate in Brazil’s slums

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Brazil has at least six million fewer houses than it needs. And now, as the country’s booming economy fuels a real estate bubble, it’s the poor who are getting squeezed out. As the makeshift apartments in Rio’s slums sprout extra stories, real estate experts say Brazil’s shortage of affordable housing has reached a breaking point. Buyers are reeling from a one-two punch: countrywide inflation coupled with speculation as Brazil prepares to host the Olympics and World Cup. Industry insiders worry the mounting costs are threatening to place homes beyond the…

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T&T public servants to get TT$600M payout

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The decision of the Public Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago to accept a five per cent wage settlement with government, estimated to cost TT$600 million, is now being termed a “sell-out.” The accusation was levelled against PSA President Watson Duke by angry public servants and union leaders on April 09th. They are calling for Duke, whom they say acted in a “high-handed manner,” to tender his resignation immediately. Meanwhile, union leaders, political analysts and economists, who have estimated the proposal to cost in excess of TT$600 million, have all…

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Patterson: Haiti elections a victory for democracy

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Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson, the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom’s) Special Representative on Haiti, says the March 20 presidential election in the French-speaking country is “a welcome victory for democracy”.  The election was won by 50-year-old musician Michael ‘Sweet Micky’ Martelly, who received at least 70 per cent of the votes. His only challenger was the former Haitian First Lady Mirlande Manigat, 70, who has since said she will not contest the preliminary result. The final results will be known on April 16. Patterson, who was addressing the United Nations…

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Jagdeo urges youths not to take party’s struggles for granted

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The Demerara County Conference of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C), held on Sunday, April 10th, gave unanimous support to Donald Ramotar as that party’s presidential candidate. The event, held at the Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, is the second of three conferences planned with the aim of garnering supporters’ views on the central committee’s decision regarding the presidential candidate. The reception Ramotar received in Essequibo Coast, Region Two, was outdone at Diamond, EBD on Sunday, as tassa drummers met him at the entrance of the conference hall and…

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REDjet to operate in Guyana from April 18th

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By Devi Seitaram REDjet, the Caribbean’s newest low-cost airline, will officially launch its service here on April 18th. The airline will be offering Guyanese the opportunity to fly one- way to Barbados, Trinidad, or Jamaica, starting at only US$9.99 minus government tax. All flights will be non-stop, as the company seeks to revolutionise the aviation industry in the Caribbean. REDjet received its air operator’s certificate from the Barbados Aviation Authority only last week, and the Guyana government has granted the company an operator’s certificate as well. REDjet’s co-founder Ian Burns,…

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Nobel laureate visits Kaieteur Falls

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Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Chairman of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr Rajendra Pachauri, who is currently on a one-day visit to Guyana, said he was heartened by President Bharrat Jagdeo’s commitment to the fight against climate change. Dr Pachauri, accompanied by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and a high-level team of representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), visited the Kaieteur National Park and the Baganara Island Resort during a guided tour to view some of Guyana’s spectacular sights, particularly the majestic Kaieteur Falls. Members of…

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