Today as is customary we look back at the events that highlighted in the local sports pages.

Feb 25, 2018 Sports

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Hilbert Foster is president of BCB, promises to lead from the front

After being relentlessly persuaded to rethink his decision to wash his hands of cricket in Berbice, the indomitable Hilbert Foster was elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board.
The elections, which were held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, were called to order by a representative of the High Court.
Before voting began, Colin Bynoe and GCB Secretary Anan Sanasie were nominated as returning Officers with Bynoe winning out 19-15.
Barring some minor glitches, the elections were well conducted as set out by the order of Justice Navendra Singh in the High Court.
Foster defeated Direndranauth Somwaru 18-16 for the position as President. The hard working Foster, who is the secretary and CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports, made a last minute decision to accept the wishes of the stake holders to vie for the position.
Foster, a man who wears many hats, has being looked at near and far for his untiring work in the education, sports, youth, culture, community development sectors among others. He has being credited as the force to his club being awarded the Medal of Service.
Although voting was close the slate representing Foster Swept all the positions available with voting being done over on two occasions due to ties.
Businessman and Former National Coach Albert Smith defeated David Black 18-16, for the position of Vice President, after the first round of voting went 17 apiece.
Jevaughn Stephen the Region 6, Director of Regional Health Services defeated Intiaz Bacchus 18-16 for another Vice President Position, while Head teacher Qualis Winter was elected  unopposed as the other Vice President.
Businessman and farmer Rabindranauth Saywack is the Secretary after defeating Vickram Sieubarran 18-16 on the second round of voting.
Doctor Cecil Beharry is the Treasurer winning 18-16 from Godwyn Allicock.
Ameer Rahaman, a school teacher, takes up the position as Assistant Secretary after winning from Carol Nurse 18-16.
Businessman Winston Roberts defeated Leslie Solomon 18-15 to take up the position of Assistant Treasurer.
Angela Haniff and Albert Smith with 20 and 18 votes respectively were elected BCB representatives to the GCB along with the President and Secretary.
Returning Officer Bynoe, a retired Head teacher and CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital, was commended for keeping things under control and doing a commendable job.
Foster in short speech, said he had to break his own commitment, but assured all his supporters that he will not let them down. He promised to make the BCB the best in Guyana and ranking in the Caribbean.  He said he will be a president for all and will strive to make sure that cricket is once again played throughout Berbice.
The associations and clubs that participated at the electoral process were – Upper Corentyne, West Berbice and Berbice River Cricket Associations; Blairmont, Albion and Rose Hall Community Centers, Police, Mental Hospital, Mounts Sinai, Kildonan Sports Club, Bermine Sports Club, Port Mourant, Whim and Chesney Cricket Clubs.
The associations had four votes each, while the clubs were afforded two votes each.

Regional Super50 Festival
Jaguars lose to Volcanoes by 53 runs on DLS System in semis

Guyana Jaguars, urged on by a large crowd of flag waving fans on a cold night failed to reach their first final since 2015 when they lost to the Windwards Volcanoes by 53 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern System in a truncated semi-final of the Regional Super50 Festival last night at Coolidge.
A well-constructed 105 from 104 balls with nine fours and fours sixes from Tyrone Teophile led Volcanoes to the final where they met defending Champs Barbados as ragged fielding by the Jaguars aided in their own demise.
The Dominican shared in half-century stands with Bajan Kirk Edwards, who made 27 from 52 balls and 107 for the fourth wicket with Man-of-the-Match Kaveem Hodge whose 57 lasted 65 balls and included four boundaries after Devon Smith hit three fours and a six in a 28-ball 25 at the top of the order.
An unfinished 37-run eighth wicket stand in four over between Bajan Kyle Mayers (18) and Shane Shillingford (16) took Volcanoes to 286-7 off 50 overs. Jamaican off-spinner Ramaal Lewis (3-54) was the most successful bowler for the Jaguars who replied with 231 all out in 44.1 overs as five batsmen reached 25 but none got to 50. Left arm spinner Hodge returned with the ball took 3-49 and Larry Williams 2-27.
Sherfane Rutherford led the fight with 49 from 53 balls with four fours and a six, Veerasammy Permaul made 37 from 47 balls with two sixes and two fours while Shiv Chanderpaul struck a brisk 34 from 38 balls with four fours and a six. Chris Barnwell chipped in with 25.

BOUNTY FARM LTD HANDICAP SQUASH TOURNAMNET

Nyron Joseph wins open Category, Michael Alphonso best in category A

 The finals for the Bounty farm Ltd Handicap Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club saw Nyron Joseph giving the crowd the type of game they have come to expect from the talented player. In the last match of the tournament he sparred with Alex Cheeks, while he climbed the 20 points handicap disadvantage to easily win the first game 15-2.  Alex came back to take the second game but couldn’t hold it for the third, which Nyron dominated with superior play to win15-9.
Nicholas Narine took care of Adam Alves having to overcome a -12 to Adam’s +5 handicap. Nicholas couldn’t climb fast enough in the first game but buckled down in the second and third to win 6-15, 15-11, 15-7.
Michael Alphonso was on true form against Abosaide Cadogan who put up a good fight but was unable to overcome his genius deception. The fast pace and shot selection in this match was exceptional and the level of squash from these youngsters outstanding.
For third place Kirsten Gomes beat a much improved James Mekdeci in two straight games in a well-controlled match.

Port Mourant Training Centre is the BVA champion club of the year

 A number of individuals and clubs were rewarded as the best in their category when the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) held its annual awards and presentation ceremony for 2017. The activity was held at the Port Mourant Training Centre Hostel, Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice.
There were a number of criteria used for selection including – Three nominations for each category. The club or individual had to have maximum participation during the year. The issue of discipline and fair play was also a factor, while the level of participation and the commitment to the game was also looked at.
A committee led by President Levi Nedd selected the awardees.
The male champion club of the year was the Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC).
The PMTC continued where it left off from years before with dominant performances throughout, outshining others whether nationally or internationally. Despite some shortcomings it continues to play a high standard of volleyball throughout the country. In 2017 it won all but one of the tournaments that it participated in.
The female champion club award went to the Port Mourant females.
Despite having its ups and downs in terms of female participation due to schooling and other factors, they won all but one of the tournaments they participated in. A number of them also represented Guyana in Suriname and French Guiana.
The GuySuCo Training Centre Port Mourant (GTCPM) has been recognized as the junior club of the year.  They can be labeled as the nursery for volleyball development in Guyana. Through the years they have been the nucleus of the Guyana IGG teams.
The BVA volleyballer of the year is Samuel Fraser of the PMTC. Over the years he has shown much dedication to the sustenance and development of the game locally and internationally. He was adjudged an accolade of excellence when Guyana defeated French Guiana and won the tournament in French Guiana. He is disciplined and exhibit good sportsmanship.
Ronaldo Bobb of the PMTC is the male volleyball player of the year. He has the right approach and is very discipline towards the game. Although only on the circuit for a few years Bobb has made Guyana proud on numerous occasions. On one occasion the Suriname ambassador to Guyana was amazed at his performance during the IGG held in Suriname.
Female volleyballer of the year is Candacy Mentore of the Port Mourant Female Volleyball Club.  Mentore has been performing outstanding throughout the year and has set the pace for others to follow.  She is one of the most vibrant and most dedicated participants in the female category winning the MVP award on numerous occasions.
The Junior/most promising player of the year is Andy Rohoman of the No52 Survivals and the Tagore Secondary School.
He was adjudged the MVP of the BVA Inter Secondary School’s tournament, after leading his school to victory.  He excelled in the IGG tournament in Suriname and on a tour to Trinidad. He was awarded best attacker while in French Guiana in the Under 20 tournament.
Errol Chase, who wears many hats, was selected as the Referee of the year. He is the most certified around and during the year performed duties as the technical advisor in most of the tournaments held in Berbice. He represented Guyana as Chef De Mission and Female coach, while in French Guiana. He also conducted a refreshers course in refereeing for referees in the BVA.
The most disciplined player award was presented to Tyrone Farley a junior player from the Corriverton Jets volleyball club.  He has exemplified all of the attributes pertaining to the award it was stated.

 

Avinash Persaud wins BAL Yokohama Tires Inaugural Golf Tournament

 The weather was good, the Course was playable though a little tough after several days of on-and-off rain, but Avinash Persaud (8 times Guyana Open Champion,) put on a fine champion’s performance to beat the rest in a very competitive field to claim the first BAL Yokohama Tires Golf-tournament at Lusignan.
One can wager that veteran golfers Patrick Prashad and Fazil Haniff, and even recovering from injury Pur ‘I love that winning feeling’ Persaud, did not think that the Course was a difficulty. In fact their 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th places, (only 1 stroke behind Avinash), was a tie that had to be determined by the ‘Back 9’ count.
This tournament marked the first Yokohama Tires of Beharry Automotive Limited – Guyana household name ‘BAL’ sponsored Golf Tournament, with a commitment for another tournament later in the year.
Marketing Officer of BAL, Ms Ulex Sloth, who was on hand to present the prizes, reiterated the Company’s support for golfing in Guyana. Ms Sloth delighted those present when she announced that in addition to the trophy, the Best Gross for the day attracted a prize of 4 brand new tyres of the winner’s choice.
At the end of the day’s play the winners were: Best Net 1^st – Avinash Persaud 71/2; 2^nd – Patrick Prashad 72/9; 3^rd – Patanjalee ‘Pur’ Persaud 72/20; 4^th – Fazil Haniff 72/13; Best Gross – Avinash Persaud, 73; Nearest The Pin – Kassim Khan, 6 ft.
Other golfers that scored in the top ten were Papo Haniff 73/6; Deanand Bissessar 75/22; Joaan Deo 75/18; Roy Cumming 77/11; Maurice Solomon 78/25; and Balgobin Ragnauth 79/18.

GABA to host knockout B’Ball tourney at CASH next month

Basketball will return to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) early next month as the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) under the stewardship of President Adrian Hooper, is preparing to host an all-division knockout tournament.
The competition, which bounces off on March 3^rd, will feature nine teams in the Open division while the 2^nd and Junior (Under-23) divisions will feature six teams each going head to head in riveting knockout play.
Matches will be played from Monday to Thursday for three consecutive weeks and are expecting to be action packed following the successful hosting of the GABA’s last tournament, the Banks DIH sponsored Open, 1^st and Under-23 leagues.

 

Forbes Burnham 3-Stage Memorial Cycle Road Race
Anthony (senior), Fraser (junior) and veteran Choo Wee Nam take first stage in Berbice

Calculated riding form Michael Anthony, Donovan Fraser and Paul Choo Wee Nam resulted in them winning the first stage in the senior, junior and veteran categories when the annual three-stage Forbes Burnham Memorial cycle road race was contested yesterday in the Ancient County of Berbice.
Sponsored by the Burnham Foundation and coordinated by the Flying Stars Cycling Club (FSCC), the cyclists began the demanding journey at Corriverton with their final destination being, Main Street, New Amsterdam.
There was an early break away by John and Anthony from #63 Village but connecting with the duo at Macedonia village were Choo Wee Nam, Andrew Hicks, Paul DeNobrega, Shane Boodram, Marcus Keiler, Enzo Matthews and Jornel Yearwood.
The bunch stayed together until they entered #19 Village where Boodram dropped off the pace and he was joined by Keiler. Coming close to the finish line, Hicks unfortunately suffered a puncture at the New Amsterdam Hospital which put paid to his chances of finishing in the top flight.
The remaining stages are being contested today.

Exhilarating performances displayed at ASK-G National Karate Championships

Some surprising and stunning performances were recorded by Karatekas at the YMCA, Thomas Lands when the Association do Shotokan Karate – Guyana (ASK-G) held its 2018 National championships.
A release form the organization stated that Joel Kellman’s Empi Kata was excellent for a Brown Belt level despite not winning a medal. However, Two superb Kata performances by Roger Peroune stole the show.
Speed, timing and sharpness of technique mesmerised the judges and spectators earning him first place. Kellman, one of the future stars of the sport once again performed creditably in the Kumite, placing 3^rd place amongst the Black belts.
However, Peroune eliminated his first opponent in very short time and the final match against seasoned veteran Keith Beaton saw him being victorious acquiring the coveted Kumite first place.
There were 40 categories, 20 in Kata and 20 in Kumite contested which showcased athletes in the 5-6, 7-8, 9-11,12-14 and 15-17 years old categories battling each other for supremacy.
The Female Katas were as strong as their Male counterparts earning Rebecca Wesley first place, while the Kumite saw two disqualifications due to excessive contact; Kristine Ramkissoon emerged victorious.
In the 15-17 males, strong performances from Trevon Miller and Charles Benjamin earned them first and second place respectively in the Kata division. The Kumite saw just as fiery combat as the adults resulting in Trevon Miller and Shemar Parkinson placing first and second.
Over 80 competitors drawn from the East Bank, East Coast, West Bank, West Coast and Georgetown, participated.
The officiating judges were Clinton Moriah, Bhagwandin Persaud, Roger Peroune, Keith Beaton, Mahadeo Ramotar, Malcolm Francis, Laurence Lowe, Patrick Gurahoo, Leonard Leuwassie and Rebecca Wesley.

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