WICB retains lawyer as advisor on CARICOM proposals
CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):In the clearest sign yet it intends to resist the recommendations of CARICOM’s Governance Review Panel, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) says it has retained the services of Dominican lawyer Anthony Astaphan.During its regular quarterly directors’ meeting in Rodney Bay Saturday, the WICB announced that Astaphan would serve as an “adviser to look at the recommendations for the CARICOM final report on governance of cricket”.Astaphan, a senior counsel and former president of the Bar Association of Dominica, delivered a presentation to directors during the morning session of the meeting on Saturday.A WICB release quoted Astaphan as saying that the way forward “will look at how both organisations can work together for the benefit of the improvement of cricket on and off the field”.”A full paper will be prepared and will be available for presentation to the prime ministers’ committee,” the WICB said.The move is a significant development, especially following on the heels of a meeting between CARICOM and the WICB in Grenada recently – the first between the two bodies following the release of the controversial Governance Report which has recommended the “immediate dissolution” of the WICB.The report also calls for “the appointment of an interim board whose structure and composition would be radically different from the now proven, obsolete governance framework”.Chairman of CARICOM’s Cricket Governance Committee, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, said last month he was confident the WICB would get on board with the recommendations.”Since they (WICB) were part of the process that agreed to set up this committee and to accept its recommendations and to implement it, I don’t see how they can afford to do otherwise,” Mitchell said at a press conference in St George’s to announce the recommendations of the report.WICB President Dave Cameron has since expressed concerns about the involvement of governments in the affairs of the regional cricket body, stressing that it was important for sporting bodies to remain autonomous.”We’re not saying we don’t want the governments to participate. We’re saying that the decisions of the organisations must not be influenced by governments,” the Jamaican said last month.The Governance Report Panel was chaired by University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus principal, Professor Eudine Barriteau, and also comprised Sir Dennis Byron, president of the Caribbean Court of Justice; West Indies cricket legend Deryck Murray; Warren Smith, president of the Caribbean Development Bank, and Dwain Gill, president of the Grenada Cricket Association.
England beat Pakistan in T20 DUBAI, UAE (AP): England beat Pakistan by 14 runs yesterday in the first Twenty20 match at Dubai International Stadium: Scores: England 160-5 (Sam Billings 53, Eoin Morgan 45 not out, James Vince 41; Sohail Tanvir 2-31) defeated Pakistan 146 all out (Sohail Tanvir 25 not out, Sohaib Maqsood 24; Reece Topley 3-24). Pakistan vs India in Sri Lanka ISLAMABAD (AP): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given the green light for the country’s cricket team to play a limited-overs series against India in Sri Lanka next month, Pakistan media reported yesterday. Private television channel Geo News says Sharif told the Pakistan Cricket Board that it could send a team to play against India at a neutral venue. The cricket boards of Pakistan and India have been in a stalemate for months over a venue for the series. India had refused to play in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan’s home away from home, and Pakistan rejected the prospect of playing the series in India. Giles Clarke, who heads International Cricket Council’s Pakistan Task Force, organised a meeting between PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and BCCI president Shashank Manohar last week in Dubai, where Sri Lanka was chosen as the possible venue. Both cricket boards signed a memorandum of understanding last year to play at least six series from 2015 to 2023, with Pakistan hosting the first one in December. India in control NAGPUR, India (AP): Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were among the wickets yesterday as India pressed for victory in the third Test after dismissing South Africa for a meagre 79. South Africa was 32-2 in their second innings chasing 310 for victory after India’s second innings folded in the interim for 173 in under two sessions. The cushion of a 136-run first-innings lead gave the home side a lot of leeway since the highest team total in this low-scoring series, being played on spin-friendly pitches, was 215, scored by India in the first innings in Nagpur. Ashwin had figures of 5-32 and Jadeja took 4-33 as the visiting side was dealt a serious blow in its quest to level the four-match series at 1-1. Top-ranked South Africa, resuming on an overnight total of 11-2 in reply to India’s first innings of 215, put up a disappointing show in their first innings.
Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson RK Ilagan weeps as San Sebastian bowed out of NCAA Season 93. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.netAfter San Sebastian bowed out of the Finals race, Stags coach Egay Macaraya is sticking to the positives in his team’s performance this past NCAA Season 93.“We have our heads up. We have nothing to be ashamed of because we did our best. It just so happened that we fell short,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT The Golden Stags made it to the Final Four for the first time since Season 89 in 2013, marking its return in the post-season after the “Pinatubo Trio” era.However, that run was cut short after San Sebastian lost to San Beda, 71-76, on Tuesday in the final level of the stepladder semis.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogBehind the heroics of Michael Calisaan and Jayson David, the Golden Stags did everything they could to extend their season.Unfortunately, the odds just caught on San Sebastian, with the Red Lions making a living from the charity stripe as they shot 25-of-36 to the Golden Stags’ 3-of-6. Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’
Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set LATEST STORIES Keys to Victory: Lyceum-San Beda Finals series Macaraya, though, is keeping his optimism going forward knowing that everyone from this core will return next year.“Hopefully, everybody is healthy next year. We will continue the hard work and standard that we all agreed on. I know that we will have a bright future next year,” he said.Aside from Calisaan and David, also back in the fold next season will be guards Ryan Costelo, RK Ilagan, and Renzo Navarro, as well as swingman Allyn Bulanadi.Macaraya also expressed his elation with the outpour of support for his team.“We’re very happy that the San Sebastian community again is united and very supportive. That’s one of our goals and visions: to bring back the glory days of Baste and we’re one step in achieving it,” he said. “Hopefully, next year we can do better.”ADVERTISEMENT Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ MOST READ It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments
Our indefatigable Legislative Correspondent Leroy Sonpon yesterday gave the public an alarming report that President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Armah Jallah, is facing the wrath of his Senate colleagues. They are threatening to seek his removal as Pro-Temp President.According to Correspondent Sonpon, Pro-Temp Jallah is in trouble partly for the same reason some people in the House are—they are showing clear signs of being very close to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. According to Correspondent Sonpon, these Senators contend that Pro-Temp Jallah has “clandestinely” connived with the Executive. They further accuse the Pro-Temp of “a secret and procedural dealing with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, without the Senate Plenary approval.”The aggrieved Senators include Margibi’s Oscar Cooper, River Cess’ Francis Paye and Matthew Jaye, Grand Gedeh’s Alphonso Gaye and A. Marshall Dennis, Maryland’s Dan Morias and J. Gblehbo Brown, Bong’s Jewel Howard Taylor, Bomi’s Sando Johnson and Morris Saytumah, Lofa’s George Tengbeh, Grand Cape Mount’s Varney Sherman, Nimba’s Thomas Grupee and Gbarpolu’s Daniel Naatehn.These Senators, according to Mr. Sonpon, also view with utter displeasure the apparent siding of Senate Pro-Temp Jallah with the anti-Tyler faction in the House, which is against the Senate’s earlier decision not to take sides, but to intervene in order to help resolve the leadership crisis in the House. But these Senators suspect that Pro-Temp Jallah is siding with the anti-Tyler faction, which also enjoys the support of the Executive.Is the Executive, in particular President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, also trying to interfere in Senate affairs as she has reportedly done in the House of Representatives? Remember Information Minister and Unity Party (UP) Secretary General Eugene Nagbe’s letter recognizing the anti-Tyler faction in the House and declaring that UP will do business with them?The burning question is why is this woman, President Sirleaf, always playing with fire? Does she not yet know that any attempt to influence any part of the Legislature borders on unconstitutional behavior? Why is she bent on engaging relentlessly in Machiavellian behavior, and to what end? Does she not know that she is treading on dangerous ground? The budget process is already stalled due to the bitter controversy over the Alex Tyler Speakership, with one faction, led by Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue, holding separate sessions away from regular session presided over by the Speaker. This has put the entire country at risk. The 2016/2017 National Budget, which was submitted by the Executive since last May and should have been approved by July 1, 2016, is still languishing in the Legislature due to the bitter feud in the House. Does she want another faction in the Senate, too? How then will the government function without a budget or with a quarrelling Legislature where it is impossible to do the people’s business? If indeed the President insists on doing business with the Hans Barchue faction, which is not only unconstitutional but even treasonable, does she not know that she risks further alienation from the entire Legislature—the House and now the Senate? Does she also not know that this has very serious consequences for the unity of the country? Only yesterday Correspondent Sonpon reported on the Observer front page that 14 Senators have recognized what they insist is the “constitutionally elected Speaker Alex Tyler.” Because of this and other serious realities, we think it would be prudent for President Sirleaf to sue for peace both within the House and the Senate. The first thing she must do in this direction is to end her support to the Barchue faction and persuade all in that faction to honor the Constitution of Liberia and reunite with the plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alex Tyler. Constitutionally there is no other way. Read the Constitution and tell us whether it stipulates any other function of the Deputy Speaker than to act in the absence of the Speaker. The Constitution also provides absolutely no room for “factions.”Having, therefore, twice taken the oath of office to “uphold, protect and defend the Constitution of Liberia, so help me God,” Ellen has no alternative but to take this fool’s advice by calling on the Barchue faction to dissolve itself and reunite themselves with the constitutional House Plenary and start doing again the people’s business. This must begin with this most urgent and pressing business—approving the 2016/2017 National Budget and sending it forward to the Senate for concurrence.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
The opening of the April session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018.Much pomp and ceremony is slated to attend this occasion, with a Police procession marching along the streets of Georgetown and ending at South Road, before the Demerara High Court.Guyana Times understands that Justice Sandil Kissoon, who was presiding over criminal matters in Berbice, is set to be placed on rotation in Demerara. Justice Kissoon last week sentenced Hemwattie Abdulla and her friend Seerojini Permaul to death for the brutal murder of Hemwattie’s husband, Abdool Majid, in 2012.High Court Judges Navindra Singh, Simone Morris-Ramlall and James Bovell-Drakes presided over the January session in Demerara. Justices Singh and Bovell-Drakes presided over murder, manslaughter and attempted murder cases, while Justice Ramlall presided over matters at the Sexual Offences Court. Justice Ramlall passed lengthy prison terms on several men who were found guilty of rape, especially those involving young children victims.Notably, over 140 listed cases in Demerara relate to sexual offences.One of those sentenced was Rohan Daniels, called Shine Buck, who was sentenced to life, with possibility of parole after 40 years, on two counts of child rape. Another case was that of Ganesh Chaitram, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia after he was found guilty of child rape of a female relative in 2016.Justice Singh’s court secured several convictions, including wife killer Miguel Barker, who was sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment for murdering Donessa Barker in 2015, after he had accused her of infidelity. Additionally, Hofoswana Awena Rutherford was last month found guilty on two counts of manslaughter in relation to giving her children rat poison to consume in 2014. She will be sentenced on April 9.
The Government of Guyana is pleased to support a new initiative to save the jaguar (Panthera onca). In an unprecedented global commitment to saving the jaguar, key jaguar range states and leading international conservation organisations joined together to launch the Jaguar 2030 Conservation Roadmap for the Americas, which was presented on the side of the Conference of Parties (COP) 14 of the Convention on Biological Diversity currently being held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.The Guyana delegation, from left: Odacy Davis, Deputy Commissioner, Protected Areas Commission; Dr Patrick Chesney, Coordinator, MEAs ACP Project Caricom; Stacy Lord, Programme Lead, Biodiversity Resources Management Programme Area, Environmental Protection Agency; Dr Vincent Adams, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency and Diana Fernandes, MEAs Coordinator, Department of EnvironmentThe roadmap aims to strengthen the Jaguar Corridor, ranging from Mexico to Argentina, by securing 30-priority jaguar conservation landscapes by the year 2030. This bold, regionally-focused initiative will pave a new path to strengthen international cooperation and awareness for jaguar protection initiatives, including those mitigating human-jaguar conflict and connecting and protecting jaguar habitats, and stimulate sustainable development opportunities, such as eco-tourism, that support the well-being of communities and indigenous peoples coexisting with this species.Jaguar conservation transcends the intent of safeguarding a single species. Successful jaguar conservation maintains forests, carbon, biodiversity, watersheds, and national and cultural heritage.Odacy Davis, Deputy Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, on behalf of Guyana, welcomed the new initiative and indicated Guyana’s commitment to the process, noting that the pathways proposed in the roadmap will lend to further conservation of the species, and enable the country to address increasing threats. She further stressed the importance for the inclusive participation and sharing of best practices among range countries and partners.Also at the launch, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Panthera and Government representatives announced the creation of the first-ever International Jaguar Day to be celebrated annually on November 29. This day will raise awareness about threats facing the jaguar, conservation efforts ensuring its survival and the role of the jaguar as a keystone species whose presence is indicative of a healthy ecosystem – the foundation for a sustainable future for wildlife and people alike.The launch of this roadmap was preceded by a high-level forum held in New York on March 1, 2018, where 14 jaguar range countries, international and national partner organisations, launched the Jaguar 2030 New York Statement at the United Nations headquarters.Minister of State Joseph Harmon in his comments at the high level forum stated that “the jaguar represents much more than just an animal; it is a part of a way of life of our people.”The New York Statement recognises that investing in the conservation of jaguars and their habitats can improve broader efforts to manage natural resources, strengthen community livelihoods, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.The Department of Environment and its agencies – Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, Protected Areas Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency – will continue to contribute to the finalisation of the roadmap and its implementation in the Americas.
GFF, DFA officially ink MoUBy Jemima HolmesA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Football Federation and the Denmark Football Association is expected to not only create a relationship between the two but assist in Guyana’s quest to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.GFF and DFA Presidents Wayne Forde and Jesper Moller sign the Memorandum of UnderstandingThe MoU between the two football associations was first revealed back in June, when the Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde made the disclosure while highlighting some areas that the Memorandum would cover.Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon at the Pegasus Hotel, the ink was finally applied to paper, marking the beginning of Guyana’s quest towards the FIFA 2026 World Cup.However, the MoU will take under its wing many branches of Guyana’s football, ensuring that the sport is adequately developed over the coming years.“Today we’re able to establish the terms of our collaborative efforts in the coming years for the implementation of some of the key strategic objectives and programmes. The objectives of our collaboration are in the areas of coaching education, infrastructure development, competition management and professional football league development, women’s and grassroots football, youth football development, referees development, governance and administration,” Forde disclosed.Furthermore, the GFF President went on to break down the particulars of the projects that will be undertaken.“Coaching education will certainly develop the quality of players that we develop over the next couple of years. Infrastructure development, there’s several infrastructural projects that we want to work on. Women’s football, we’re nowhere close to where we need to be so we will collaborate to implement some strategies. Youth development, referee development we’ve found very challenging in recent times so we’ll try to establish an elite referees programme and the overall governance and administration of the game can do with some further improvements,” Forde explained.At the head table were CONCACAF’s Senior Project Officer Howard Mc Intosh, GFF President Wayne Forde, DFA President Jesper Moller and UEFA’s Head of International Affairs Ava PasquierOn the other side of the MoU was Danish Football President Jesper Moller, who was happy about finally being able to make the partnership official. When probed about the timeline in which Guyanese can begin to see the fruits of the agreement and what Denmark can take away from the partnership, Moller had this to say:“If I sign an agreement like this, in one or two years the Danish media will ask me what happened? Did you execute? Or was it some speeches and then a signing. So I have to deliver, that’s very important for me,” he stated.“Football is developing and that’s why we are trying to go far away to learn. As I told you, we are trying to learn the academy structure because we don’t have that in Denmark. And besides grassroots and women’s football, we would like to prepare for our participation for the World Cup in ‘26 in this climate, the heat. So we have a lot of things to learn and that why we’re doing this with the help of UEFA assist,” Moller went on to disclose.Meanwhile, the MoU also received the blessing of CONCACAF, through Senior Project Officer Howard Mc Intosh who revealed that the body is happy with the progress that Guyana’s football is making.“The GFF has demonstrated a level of leadership. We at CONCACAF are very comfortable and very happy with what we see happening with football in Guyana. The leadership, the necessary governance, the level of administration that is taking place and of course you see it on the field kike what happened with the Gold Cup. And we’re here to pledge our continued support,” Mc Intosh expressed.
0Shares0000Wilshere out for six weeks after surgeryLONDON, United Kingdom, Sep 17 – West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss up to six weeks after having surgery on an ankle injury.The 26-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Arsenal in the summer, underwent the operation in London on Monday after spraining an ankle in training last week. Wilshere started West Ham’s first three games of the season, but was taken off during the 1-0 loss to Wolves and missed out as West Ham won their first game of the season at Everton on Sunday.It’s the latest injury setback for a player who struggled with injuries constantly during his time with Arsenal.When he signed, the West Ham board initially wanted to offer him a one-year deal over fitness concerns, although he eventually secured a three-year contract after Pellegrini pleaded his case.West Ham’s head of medical Richard Collinge said the procedure had gone as planned: “We envisage he will only need a relatively short period of rest and will then start his rehabilitation.”“Jack is focused and determined to get back training and playing as soon as possible,” he added.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
“It’s tough to lose like this when you’re right there,” Boller said. Even tougher for McNair, who had a hand in four of the Ravens’ six turnovers. One pass slipped out of his hand and was returned 34 yards by linebacker Landon Johnson for a touchdown. His tipped interception set up Palmer’s go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. “I think the defense answered every question,” said Palmer, who was 20 of 32 passing for 194 yards with two touchdowns. “What did they have, six, eight, seven turnovers? Every time I looked up, I heard the crowd and I figured it was another turnover.” It made the difference in a game of attrition. The Bengals had to work with a makeshift offensive line missing three starters by the second quarter. They also briefly lost kicker Shayne Graham, costing them on an extra-point try. Even receiver Chad Johnson limped off at one point, evidently suffering from a cramp. The Pro Bowl receiver and incessant self-promoter came up big for the Bengals, catching five passes for 95 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown. “I told you I would give you a show,” Johnson said. Both teams overcame significant injuries to set up the frantic finish. Safety Ed Reed returned a punt untouched 63 yards for a touchdown that put the Ravens ahead, 20-19, early in the fourth quarter and silenced the crowd of 66,093, the second-largest in Paul Brown Stadium’s history. Reed had to return kicks because B.J. Sams severely sprained a knee. The emotional lift didn’t last long. McNair had the most to do with that. In his second season running the Ravens offense, he had one of his worst games. McNair fumbled on a sack, muffed a handoff to running back Willis McGahee, and let the ball slip out of his hand on a pass attempt, setting up Landon Johnson’s easy touchdown. “The turnovers, that’s unacceptable,” said McNair, who was 20 of 34 passing for 203 yards. “I have to give my team a chance. It starts with me on five of those six turnovers. I’ve got to correct that.” Despite all that, the defending division champs had a chance to hold the lead and pull out one of those make-or-break games on the road. Instead, McNair let it slip away with his last error. His high pass deflected off the hands of Derrick Mason, and Robert Geathers made a diving interception that was upheld on review. Two plays later, Palmer threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the final lead.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! NFL: Former USC star Palmer throws two TDs for Cincinnati. By Joe Kay THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CINCINNATI – What was left of the Bengals held on for a win that hurt so good. With wounded players shuffling off the field in waves, Cincinnati pulled off the kind of victory Monday night that could set the tone for a season – that is, assuming no one else gets hurt. Carson Palmer threw his second touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, and a suspect defense pulled off a goal-line stand in the closing seconds that preserved a 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens. “We know it’s going to be a hard-fought game when we play these guys – tough, physical,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “It’s important to win the physical football games because you put so much into it.” In a bruising season opener matching the last two AFC North champs, the Bengals (1-0) were the last one standing – barely. Baltimore (0-1) had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds with Steve McNair sitting on the bench, out with a strained groin. Kyle Boller drove the Ravens to the 1-yard line, where a penalty and Baltimore’s sixth turnover sealed it. Todd Heap was called for pushing off on his touchdown catch, then had a pass bounce off his shoulder and into the hands of diving lineman Michael Myers with 1:13 to go. 
Rafa Benitez enjoys a rather favourable reputation at Liverpool Football Club, after all, the Spanish manager did lead the Merseysiders to Champions League glory back in 2005.He went on to leave the club by mutual consent in 2010 with his held high before stints at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli.However, it seems that not everyone the tactician worked with at Anfield was entirely sold on his methods.Ryan Babel, who joined the Reds from Ajax for £11.5 million in 2007, following a superb set of performances for the Netherlands’ Under-21 side, certainly isn’t convinced.Although Benitez is believed to be on the brink of a move to Real Madrid after he admitted that he will leave Napoli at the end of the season, Babel doesn’t think his former manager is well suited to the Bernabeu.Well, it certainly seems that way after he claimed that the 55-year-old won’t get the best out of Los Blancos superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Meow.Meanwhile, given that Babel is currently plying his trade in Turkey with Kas?mpa?a after failing to fulfill his potential with Liverpool, maybe it’s Benitez who is having to have the last laugh? Too far? Let us know in the comments below… 2 2 Ryan Babel with Rafael Benitez 