Construction of Biker Fest ramps underway

Aug 12, 2010 Sports

Professional Skateboarders, Benji Galloway (right) and Jeff Ferris work on one of the many ramps that will be in place for the stuntmen and women at Sunday's Biker Fest.

-professionals transforming National Park

United States-based Professional Skateboarders, Jeff Ferris and Benji Galloway are transforming the National Park according to international specifications for the invasion of some of the leading stuntmen and women for Sunday’s mega event, Biker Fest.
The professionals, who have worked at activities throughout the world and in Jamaica, were busy yesterday constructing the ramps for the event that is expected to pack the venue, which will be a hub for skateboarders, roller-blades, BMX and Big Bikers.
Galloway explained that the ramps are a careful process for construction since the surface cannot be rough and since it has to be strong enough to withstand pressure. Galloway and partner, Ferris were adamant that the National Park will be impressive.
“We want to make this perfect. We have been in this since around 1986 so we know what it takes to make these ramps and this venue ready for such events. We use a combination of plywood and metal to ensure that this is a sturdy and strong base,” Galloway said.
They were convinced that with the kind of effort that is going into the preparation of the venue, it is going to definitely be a special show.
Ferris believed that their work is on stream for Saturday, which is the date set aside for practice sessions and tryouts.
Coordinator, Carey Griffith, who is a part of the Biker Fest Committee, told Kaieteur Sport that a lot of work has already gone into making the National Park special for the event and he confident that Galloway and Ferris will do excellently with their preparation.
Griffith said that the event is on course to become one of the biggest events this summer. He said that patrons should get their tickets early to avoid the late rush. The show will start at 6pm but he was of the view that spectators should be seated one hour before.
“There is going to be a lot of good, clean fun and I have been saying all along that patrons should not try any of the stunts before or after the event. The stuntmen and women are professionals and fans should not dare attempt any of them,” Griffith warned.
He informed that tickets are available at Nigel’s Supermarket, Exclusive Styles, Two Brothers Gas Station, Wireless Connections, Randy’s Inn and White Castle Fish Shop.

GCB considering Legal action against WIPA

WICB explains 33% cut of participation fee

By Sean Devers
Word that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was considering legal action against the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) could again put Guyana’s participation in the Airtel Champions League T/20 cricket tournament from September 10-26 in jeopardy.
Concerns over a contract dispute first surfaced even as the Guyanese were preparing to face Barbados in the final of the Caribbean 20/20 Championships in Trinidad last month but the possibility of the Guyanese, who beat Barbados by one wicket to earn the right to represent the West Indies in South Africa, missing the tournament was averted after Guyana’s Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony and the country’s Director of Sport Neil Kumar met with Skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan, Coach Ravindra Seeram and some members of his team to discuss Government support for Guyana’s preparations.
Last night there was talk of the GCB filing an injunction against WIPA who yesterday said it shares the Guyanese players concern about ‘being kept in the dark’ about the arrangements for their participation in the CLT/20 competition.
The WICB says it intends to retain one third of the participation fee of US$500,000 and
WIPA said it was unaware of any other Board retaining any part of the Participation Fee. WIPA is of the view that retaining such a large sum could have a direct negative impact on Guyanese cricket and its players.
When contacted last night the WICB confirmed that no monies were deducted from the TTCB for last year’s participation but explained that this was so because the Regional Board did not incur a cost to send Trinidad and Tobago for last year’s Champions League since they qualified by virtue of winning the 2008 Stanford 20/20 regional title in Antigua.
This year the WICB claims it spend US$2 million to run off the Caribbean Championships and an official last night told Guyana’s Kaieteur News that the competition, which was played in Barbados and Trinidad and involved 8 teams, was run at a financial loss.
If Guyana does not travel to South Africa there could be legal repercussions for the GCB and the WICB while Guyana as a country would lose a tremendous opportunity to be exposed on the world stage.
When contacted GCB President said that the executives had agreed to seek an Attorney took look at the matter but appeared unaware that an injunction was filed.
GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie disclosed that a lawyer is looking at the matter but declined further comment. Singh also did not say why the GCB had not responded to the contract document which was sent to them by WIPA two days after Guyana were crowned Champions on July 31.
Guyana’s Minister of Housing and Water, Irfan Ali, who is acting Sports Minister in the absence of Dr Frank Anthony, said he was unaware that an injunction was being filed and re-confirmed Government’s commitment to Guyana’s preparation for South Africa.
Guyana’s performance in the Caribbean 20/20 tournament, especially their 4-run victory against dethroned Champions Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-finals, has caused euphoria in Guyana similar to what transpired when Guyana won the inaugural Stanford 20/20 title in 2006 and their has been an outpouring of support from Guyanese both at home and abroad as the South Americans prepare for their toughest cricket assignment yet.
The team’s official preparations commenced on Monday and two senior players informed that they hope to focus fully on getting physically, technically and mentally ready for the CLT/20 tournament and the ongoing contract dispute between the GCB and WIPA, their legal representatives, is an unwanted distracted as they aspire to bring their country and the entire Caribbean glory in much the same way Trinidad and Tobago did last year. Head of the WIPA Dinanath Ramnarine told Kaieteur News last night that he was also unaware of a GCB injunction.
“I would be very surprised if they do that and what would be the basis for such action? I never heard someone file an injunction to prevent people from negotiating on behalf of their members,” the former West Indies Test leg-spinner added. “That would be a first but if that is in fact so, we stand ready to deal with it. WIPA only interest is in doing what is in the best interest of the players and West Indies cricket and we really hope that all involved can understand the importance of cricket to West Indies and work together for the common good of reviving the game in the region,” Ramnarine said.
Guyana is scheduled to play its first match in South Africa on September 12 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.