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Jamzone Master’s Cup 2011

Ramnaresh Sarwan
Ramnaresh Sarwan - source (tvchaska.net)

Jamzone Master Cup launching Jamzone Master’s Cup officially launched. POPULAR entertainment organizers Hits and Jams Entertainment has added a new flair to this year’s Jamzone summer break festival the 11th of its kind, when they launched their Hits and Jams Master’s Cup Twenty20 Festival at the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture Wednesday afternoon. MCYS’ Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Jamzone Master’s Cup Public Relation Officer (PRO) Sean Devers, Hits and Jams Entertainment’s Rawle Ferguson, popular designer Trevor Rose and members from the competing teams were present at the launching of the two day festival which will be held on 12 and 14 August at the Guyana National Stadium. In his brief remarks, Dr. Anthony said the Government was pleased to be associated with Jamzone because of the high quality of Entertainment they provided and added that it was a good initiative to include T20 cricket as they sought another market using sports. “The excitement of T20 cricket is well known and the names involved in the Master’s Cup should add to the value to this year’s Jamzone activities and help to increase the number of people coming here for the events as the whole county benefits through sports tourism,” Dr Anthony said. He challenged Hits and Jams Entertainment not to stop at cricket but to incorporate more sports in their future events. “You could include other shot sports and maybe have beach volleyball during the segments of events at the Splashmin’s Resort. Our Ministry is working with the Hits and Jams team to ensure a successful cricket tournament and they have our full support” said Dr. Anthony.

Chris Gayle - source (ecricketlivestream.blogspot.com)

Devers informed that some of the biggest names in Regional T20 cricket will collide in what is anticipated to be a pulsating inaugural Jamzone Master Cup T20 cricket competition. “A capacity crowd of over 15,000 is expected on both days of action which will see matches commencing at 1700hrs and 2100hrs respectively while gates will be opened from 1500hrs each day. The winner of the grand final on Sunday 14 August will take home US$10,000 (G$2 Million), while over US15,000 ($3 million) in prize money will be up for grabs,” Devers said. Devers informed that since Hits and Jams Entertainment always strive to have the best talent and expertise, Guyana’s top Umpire Nigel Duguid has already been identified to stand in the final. Leading local umpires Colin Alfred, Shannon Crawford, Davteerth Anandjit and Eddie Nicholas have also been shortlisted to officiate in the mega event which will have players from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados rubbing shoulders with their Guyanese counterparts. Ferguson said cricket was included to create a family event and attract even more people to this year’s activities and said that Chris Gayle, who will be representing the Jamzone Super Stars team, has already sent a warning to the bowlers in the competition. “We have received great assistance from the Government as we continue to work hard to provide quality entertainment, promote tourism and a positive image of Guyana to the rest of the world,” Ferguson added.

Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard - source (connect.in.com)

Defending Guyana T20 champions Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans, Georgetown Pitbulls, New Line Cavaliers and the Hits and Jams Super Stars lineup will do battle for the whopping first prize that is up for grabs in the event. Each team can use up to four guest players and the pugnacious Gayle along with fellow Jamaicans Danza Hyatt and Andre Russell and T&T’s Dwayne Bravo are the overseas players in the Hits and Jams Super Stars side which will be led by former national T20 wicketkeeper Tyrell Tull with Leon Johnson as his deputy. T&T’s T20 star batsman Keiron Pollard, Jamaican fast bowlers Jerome Taylor and Krishmar Santokie along with T&T’s Navin Stuart are in the Georgetown side which will be led by former West Indies skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan who will have Christopher Barnwell as his deputy.

 

Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo - source (apunkadesi.blogspot.com)

Like they did last year, Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans will be banking on their home grown talent which includes West Indies spinner Devendra Bishoo and discarded test players Narsingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon along with Regional T20 sensation Jonathon Foo. The New Line Cavaliers unit, which was once a formidable foe in local; T20 cricket, will include former West Indies leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and the Barbados pair of Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith along with T&T players Denesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons. Tickets for the mega event cost $1,000 for the first night and $1,500 for the second night and should go on sale by weekend, while the crowd on hand will have some form of entertainment during the intervals of all matches.Live radio and television coverage should be provided by the National Communications Network and Devers explained that Regional Radio Broadcasters Line and Length and Regional TV Channel Sportsmax have signaled their interest in providing coverage of the matches.

By – Sean Devers

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Guyana draws 1-1 with host Brazil in PAHF Challenge

Trisha Woodroffe
Trisha Woodroffe

Guyana came from behind for the second time in as many matches in the Pan-American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Challenge to draw with hosts Brazil on one goal apiece.  After a 2-1 victory against Paraguay in their opening encounter, the John Deere sponsored Guyanese would have to settle for a hard-fought draw with the hosts who routed Bermuda by 3-0 in their opening match.  Brazil began the match looking purposeful and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening minutes, but Guyana settled and changed the momentum of the game as the half wore on.  With Guyana seemingly enjoying the better run, it was Brazil who would score first in the 28th minute.  A well executed penalty corner by Brazil saw their lead midfielder Patricia Boos deflecting the ball into the net after it had crossed the goal too far ahead of Alysa Xavier in goal.

Guyana would hold their nerve and make several good runs to threaten the Brazil goal and their efforts paid off in the final minute of the half when Trisha Woodroffe was first onto the rebound from a penalty corner shot.  Woodroffe settled the ball in a split second and flicked it powerfully high in the net and over the diving Brazilian goalkeeper for the equalizer.

Guyana Female Hockey Team
Guyana Female Hockey Team

The second half would see end-to-end action with chances for both sides but as the game entered the closing minutes it was Brazil who seemed to gain the edge and pressed into the Guyana half for the win.  Fine defending from Guyana sweeper, Ulrica Sutherland and goalkeeping from Alysa Xavier however shut out the Brazilians leaving the game drawn at full time.  Coach of the Guyana team, Philip Fernandes, expressed satisfaction at his team’s performance indicating that the last time the two teams met, which was in 2005, Guyana lost 0-5.  Fernandes indicated that inexperience caused his team to lose focus and structure in the dying minutes and that they would need to improve in that area.

Guyana and Brazil are now tied on top of the pool with 4 points each from two matches followed by Uruguay with 3 points from one match while Paraguay and Bermuda are yet to secure points.  Matches continue today (August 3rd) with Uruguay taking on Paraguay at 10:00hrs and Guyana facing Bermuda at 12:00hrs.

By Philip Fernandes

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PAHF Pan American Challenge: Hockey ladies open with 2-1 victory over Paraguay in PAHF Challenge

Team Guyana
Team Guyana

A diving finish by right wing Amanda Garnett sent the Guyana ladies into wild celebration as the goal signaled their first lead in a game that saw them drop behind from the outset.  The Guyanese ladies played the second match of the opening day as the PAHF Challenge began on July 31st in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Despite a good start, Guyana conceded in just the third minute to Maria Servian Giosa of Paraguay when Guyanese left back, Marzana Fiedtkou, lost her footing and the ball deep in the Guyana half.  Paraguay made good on their counter-attack and were up by one goal in just the third minute of the match.  Guyana controlled most of the possession for the rest of the half and forced the game into the Paraguayan half but a number of corners and run-of-play chances were squandered as the Guyanese, in their golden Dixie Lee gear, tried to settle their nerves and the pressure of being down.

The second half would see an improved performance by the Guyanese who earned their 7th penalty corner of the match and first of the second half in the 61st minute.  Striker Kerensa Fernandes, who was unfortunately on the substitutes’ bench during the penalty corners of the first half, blasted home a rocket of a shot past the Paraguayan goalkeeper to draw her team even.  Fernandes would have a golden opportunity to put her side ahead when she intercepted an errant Paraguayan pass in defense but found the sliding goalkeeper with her hurried shot.

Gabriella Xavier, who had been enjoying a productive game in midfield received the ball from the right and made a long through pass to the Fernandes high on the left wing.  Fernandes, noticing the Paraguayan defenders being caught out, threaded her pass across the face of goal to find the sliding right wing Amanda Garnett for the winner in the 60th minute.  Although Paraguay would threaten through a few long counterattacking runs, the Guyanese looked firmly in control of the match and maintained their lead for the rest of time.

Earlier in the day, hosts Brazil made light work of Bermuda with a 3-0 victory after gaining a 1 goals lead at the very end of the first half.  Favourites, Uruguay, take the pitch for the first time on Monday August 1st against Bermuda at 10:00 while Guyana faces Brazil at 12:00 in the following match.

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Hikers Hockey: Hikers Juniors Excel in Trinidad Leagues

Trevon Younge, Jamarj Assanah
From Left: Trevon Younge, Jamarj Assanah

Hikers Hockey Club junior players Jamarj Assanah and Travon Younge have been creating quite a stir in Trinidad over the past two weeks, where they have been competing for the Queen’s Park Hockey Team in under 19 and Trinity leagues. In their first under 19 match against Petrotrin, Queen’s Park playing without a goal keeper and two players short, went down 4-8. However Assanah announced his arrival in that game by scoring a hat trick for his adopted team in their loosing effort. Their second match took place in the Trinity league where Assanah was once again on the scoring sheet along with fellow Guyanese Jerazeno Bell, as the pair scored their team’s only goals in their 2-0 defeat of Notre Dame. On Wednesday evening Queen’s Park overwhelmed Fatima 8-1 in the Trinity league, with Bell, Assanah and Younge all contributing one goal each.

From all accounts the young pair have been performing exceedingly well, with Younge producing solid performances in his mostly defensive roles, while Assanah has been reeking havoc on opposing defenses with his silky smooth stick work from his attacking midfield possitions. The two players are expected play several other matches for Queen’s Park before returning to Guyana on August 8th.

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Digicel Horse Racing Classic: “King Maker” rules on race day!

From Right - Chris Jagdeo receives trophy and cheque from Digicel Representative

It was a day full of excitement at the Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club on Sunday July 24th as horse racing fans from across the country assembled to witness the first ever Digicel Horse Racing Classic.

Minister of Labour and avid horse racing fan Manzoor Nadir opened the day’s festivities by applauding Digicel for pulling off the most lucrative sponsorship by a corporate entity locally. In excess of $10M in stakes was made available by the company.

Hundreds of race fans turned out to witness the 10 race meet and excitement could be felt from the time one walked into the breezy venue on the bright sunny afternoon.

The feature race of the meet was undoubtedly the most electrifying of all for the packed turf club. The total purse was valued $2.2M with the winner galloping away with $1.2M in prize money.

The race was 1600 meters long and from the time the horses left the stall the crowd erupted in excitement. As they navigated the first turn Champtress’ considered a favorite in betting circles, broke free from the crowd and seemed to be the clear winner. But as the horses approached the 4th turn and into the straightaway King Maker made a move from the crowd to challenge the leader.

King Maker takes top honors ahead of Champtress (Adrian Narine Photo)

With just 50 meters to the finish line King Maker proved her worth and edged out Champtress just in front the grand stand to provide a perfect photo finish. Though many bettors were visibly upset by the result, Tribian Jagdeo; trainer and son of stable owner Chris Jagdeo, was jubilant at the victory. Jagdeo said “I’m very happy about everything. I was confident of a win this afternoon because he was running pretty good with the heavier horses earlier and today 15lbs made the difference.”
King Maker performed well in Trinidad & Tobago by winning 3 impressive races but Sunday’s win was the first on home soil, as such the trainer requested the song “Plane land” by Richie Spice as a fitting tribute.

According to one of the race officials the turnout at the turf club on Sunday was the largest seen in recent memory. If all goes well Digicel will be hoping to make the horse race meeting an annual event.

By – Andrew Ross

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Government Technical Institute (GTI) wins Digicel Schools Football Championships!

PM Samuel Hinds(center) with the Victorious GTI team. (Adrian Narine photo)

PM Samuel Hinds(center) with the Victorious GTI team. (Adrian Narine photo)

Decked out in bright red uniforms, Government Technical Institute (GTI) took to the field with an air of confidence in front of a supportive crowd at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground. It is that confidence combined with skilful play throughout the competition that saw GTI defeating Christianburg/Wismar Secondary to become the inaugural Digicel Schools Football Champions.
Top goal scorer of the championships and finals MVP Jermain Junior was the first to strike in the 20th minute after persistently attacking the Lindeners’ defensive line. Less than 2 minutes later Lawrence Higgings however equalized in spectacular fashion sending a message to the city side that they would have to work to life the title. In an apparent answer to the challenge Darren Peters displayed some fancy footwork before drilling GTI’s second goal into the back of the net.

Darrel Fraser continued the scoring in front of the large crowd by adding to the tally of GTI in the 51st. not to be outdone Trenton Lashley reduced the deficit to one goal when he struck in the 57th minute. Keifer Adonis and Darren Peters sealed the deal for GTI with their contributions despite a late goal by Lashley.

Though a 5-3 victory Is to be considered a convincing victory GTI missed several uncontested shots to goal. The team performed exceptionally throughout the championships however and played hard to earn the championship.

In the third place playoff New Amsterdam Technical Institute edged out an impressive Region 7 side in Waramadong Secondary, 3-2, on penalties after both sides scored 4 goals apiece in regulation and extra time. Waramadong, who was also voted as the most disciplined team of the tournament, showed impressive skill and were singled out as a team to watch in next year’s competition by Digicel CEO Gregory Dean in remarks following the finals.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds presented the championship trophy to the victorious GTI team which sparked wild celebrations on the field.

117 school teams participated in the inaugural championships and in the words of Dean next year’s competition “will be bigger and better.”

By – Andrew Ross

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Hikers Hockey Junior Development Program – Travon Younge and Jamarj Assanah for three week Stint in Trinidad & Tobago

From left: Trevon Younge and Jamarj Assanah of Hikers Hockey Club
From left: Trevon Younge and Jamarj Assanah of Hikers Hockey Club

The Hikers Hockey Club, junior development program realized one it’s main goals this week, when it partnered with Queen’s Park Hockey Club of Trinidad & Tobago to enable two of it’s most promising young players to compete in the Trinidad & Tobago outdoor leagues.

Extended overseas stints with foreign clubs was one of the recommendations made by the junior players themselves at a junior development camp held by the club last year. However this particular project was the brainchild of long time Hikers member Jerazeno Bell who now resides in the twin island republic and competes for Queen’s Park. The two players who will benefit form this project are Jamarj Assanah and Travon Younge, both players will be training and competing with Queen’s Park on artificial turf for a three week period. The players arrived in Trinidad on Thursday morning and are scheduled to play their first matches this weekend.

The Hikers Hockey Club intends to make this project an annual event, where promising junior players are given the opportunity to train and compete abroad during the summer school break.

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Digicel Caribbean Junior Squash Championships: Guyana is the best in the Caribbean!

Guyana cemented their dominance of Caribbean squash by winning the team title on July 14 in the Caribbean Areas Squash Association and Digicel sponsored Junior Squash Championships 2011. This is the seventh consecutive year the local side has won the competition. The impressive performance in the singles stage of the championships was carried over into the team segment and the result was Guyana being declared the overall winners in the weeklong competition.

In the male team finals it appeared that a competitive afternoon of squash was expected since heading into the third match of the afternoon the scoreline read 1-1. Alex Arjoon however shifted the balance in favour of the hosts and dispatched his Trinidadian counterpart in a hard fought 5 set match. After that there was no turning back and the remainder of the male team marched on to a convincing 4-1 victory over their island neighbours.

Earlier in the day the female side sealed the team title in similar style suffering only one match loss to Jamaica. The most exciting match in the female team finals was between Guyana’s Akeila Wiltshire and Jamaica’s Mary Jo Mahfood. Wiltshire was tested by a mixture of aggressive strokes and soft touches by the talented Jamaican. After dropping the second and fourth game the tenacious Wiltshire bounced back in impressive fashion to win 11/6 9/11 11/6 6/11 11/9.

The senior squad will be keen on taking some of the confidence drawn from their junior colleagues when they compete in the CASA senior tournament to be hosted by the Cayman Islands in August. Next year looks to be challenging since five players from the victorious side will be elevated to the senior platform. That development will mean that new players without regional exposure will have to take over. The coaching staff is nonetheless confident of going 8-straight in 2012. For now the team is relishing in their hard fought victory.

By – Andrew Ross

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Digicel Caribbean Junior Squash Championships: Guyana through to team finals!!!

The finals are set! Guyana’s defending girls team will take on Jamaica and the guys are poised to go up against Trinidad and Tobago on July 14 to decide the team championships.

Guyana have already secured the singles titles during the first leg of the Digicel Caribbean Junior Squash Championships 2011. The hosts are hoping to expand on those victories and secure the overall title thus cementing their place as the best squash team regionally.

In order to make it to the finals the local girls, led by no. 1 seeded Ashley Khalil, dispatched the strongest looking side Trinidad and Tobago in mall order. The Twin Island Republic was defeated 5-0 by the best female players in the Caribbean.

The male team were not to be outdone by their female compatriots and defeated their Jamaican counterparts in similar fashion winning all their games. Jamaica defeated the Cayman Islands females 4-1 to set up the matchup against the Guyanese. Meanwhile Trinidad and Tobago squeezed past Bermuda to advance to the finals against Nyron Joseph and company.

Given the level of play witnessed in the championships thus far an exciting day of squash is expected at the Georgetown club.

By – Andrew Ross

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Digicel Caribbean Junior Squash Championships: Guyana on track to win overall Junior Squash Title

Guyana continued displaying a dominant performance in the second day of team competition in the 2011 Caribbean Areas Squash Association’s Digicel Junior Squash Championships.

Both the male and female teams recorded comprehensive victories without losing a single game on Tuesday. The boys took on the Bahamas and under 15 singles champion Nyron Joseph had the most challenging match of the day against Donovan Mc Donald. Joseph dropped one set but bounced back to win the match 11/5 11/5 7/11/11/6. Deje Dias, Jean-Claude Jeffrey, Jason-Ray Khalil and Patrick Fraser also recorded straight set victories to finish the day 5-0 ahead of the Bahamians.

The local boys also took on the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States at the Georgetown Club and recorded a 3-2 victory maintaining their winning composure. Jason Ray Khalil defeated Stephan Joseph, Nyron joseph beat Jason Doyle and Ben Mekdeci beat Samson Viville in straight sets.
Mary Fung-a-Fat, Kayla Jeffrey, Victoria Arjoon, Akeila Wiltshire and Lydia Alphonso all recorded victories when they competed against the Cayman Islands. The 5-0 victories firmly places Guyana in a dominant position to defend the overall title in this year’s competition.

Trinidad and Tobago also continued a good showing in the team category defeating the Cayman Islands and Barbados in the boys and girls categories respectively. The Twin Island republic however lost to Jamaica.

By – Andrew Ross