Portmore United not returning to Clarendon FA
Since the start of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season, Portmore United have not played at their customary Ferdie Neita Park home ground in St Catherine.Portmore played their first game of the season at Spanish Town Prison Oval. However, the majority of their seven home games have been contested at the Juici Park Field or at Middlesex International College, both in Clarendon.This move has left some football observers and even Portmore United fans to conclude that the club, formerly known as Hazard United – who played out of Clarendon before moving to St Catherine in 2003 – intends to re-establish its allegiance with the Clarendon FA.Surface is under renovationHowever, Portmore’s general manager, Clive Marshall, refutes that claim and explained that their reason for not playing at Ferdie Neita Park this season is because the surface is under renovation and they are only halfway through the project.”No,” Marshall declared when The Gleaner asked if the club intends to return to their original parish. “We are waiting until Ferdie (Neita) is ready. It’s just to get Ferdie Neita up and running again.”It has been two years since that rumour (returning to Clarendon) has been running. The truth is, we are doing some remedial work on Ferdie Neita and the weather (drought) has been holding us up. Hopefully, we can get a few more showers (rain) like we got the other day, and, by January, we can be back at Portmore,” he continued.Even though the former champions have had to endure the disadvantage of not playing at their regular home venue, it has clearly not affected them greatly. They currently lead the standings and have won two and drawn their last three at home and have won four of their last five matches.”We were trying to get the PLCA to change the fixture because we wanted to use Prison Oval as our alternative, but every time we have a home game, Rivoli have a home game as well, and that is why we have to be all over the place,” Marshall explained.”Ferdie (Neita) is 50 per cent through its completion, it just needs water. We planted some new grass seeds and got it fertilised, it’s just for it to get constant water and then roll it, and by early in the year we should find ourselves playing games over there again,” he stated.
Competitive game The Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) has reintroduced a mini basketball programme in order to resuscitate the sport locally. The programme, which came back last September, has the blessings of the Jamaica Basketball Association and is being conducted islandwide in schools and communities, noted Calvin Dennis Martin, co-ordinator of the programme. “The programme started last September, bringing basketball to schools and communities. The feedback has been good so far, as the youngsters have been turning out and are eager to learn,” Martin told The Gleaner. Martin also said that they have been to parishes such as Hanover, St James, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew to date, but intend to cover the other parishes as well. “Basketball seems to be dying, so the plan is to resuscitate the sport here,” Martin added. An Under-13 Mini Basketball tournament was held over three weekends and ended last Saturday, with Rae Town Warriors beating Majesty Lakers 14-11 in the final at Breezy Castle in Rae Town. Damion Robinson of Rae Town was voted MVP of the tournament. He scored a game-high eight points in the final to lead his team to the trophy. Coach of Rae Town Warriors, Rolondo Moodie, said the game was highly competitive as the youngsters played hard. “Basketball never really seems to be an important sport in Jamaica, so this is a good move to highlight the sport. The game was competitive, but our team dug deep and came out the victors in the end,” Moodie said. Moodie and Deveraux Preston of Majesty Lakers are both recent graduates of the JBA/INSPORTS coaching certification course. Meanwhile, the INSPORTS All-Island Community Football League continued last Sunday, with matches in Westmoreland and Kingston and St Andrew. The results read: Whithorne 0 Walks Road 0; Pullet Lane 0 Bastard Cedar 0; Roaring River 0 Friendship 3; Cornwall 2 Deans Valley 0; V-Cup 1 Georges Plain 2; Blackness 0 Bath 0; Three Miles River 3 Frome 3; Petersfield 3 Shrewsbury Legend 0; Belgium 1 12th Street 0; Harmony Town 0 Darling Street 1; Park 3 New Market 1; Majesty Gardens 1 Drama 0; Hagley Park 2 West Side 1; Conscious United 0 Parade Gardens 0; Caribbean Striker 0 Progressive Youths 0; and Zim Strikers 6 Vision 2.
The real battle for this year’s Red Stripe Premier League title will begin this weekend.Semi-final action will kick off next Sunday with promoted Portmore United facing Humble Lion in a semi-final first-leg match at the Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon. Match time is 3:30 p.m.The other first-leg semi-final will see defending champions Arnett Gardens tackling last season’s beaten finalists, Montego Bay United, at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in the Monday night encounter, starting at 8:40 p.m.Both semi-finals are expected to be close and exciting.Portmore United, who ended the preliminary round with the most points have, under the guidance of head coach Jeffrey Hewitt, played some good football during the first three rounds. They will look to players such as captain Omar Daley, Ewan Grandison, and Ricardo Morris to give them an early advantage.On the other hand, Humble Lion, who are being guided by Vassell Reynolds, will rely on Wolry Wolfe, Ricardo Cousins, and Levaughn Williams.On Monday, fireworks are expected when Arnett visit Montego Bay.Arnett’s coach, Jerome Waite, will look to key players like Vishinul Harris, captain Oneil Thompson, and Kemal Malcolm.Montego Bay United’s coach, Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis, will counter with ace goal scorer Owayne Gordon, Dino Williams, and Allan Ottey.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has added his voice to the ongoing debate on the state of emergency. He said the President has all rights to exercise a range of powers and to curtail rights available to citizens and residents under the Constitution.“We must note, however, that during a state of emergency, the Constitution authorizes the President to exercise a range of powers and to curtail certain rights otherwise available to citizens and residents of this nation during normal times,” Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor said when he delivered his charge to lawyers and judges at the opening of the October Term of the High Court on Monday.The Chief Justice declared: “We urge all citizens and foreign nationals residing in our country to be cognizant of the limitations on the exercise of certain constitutional and statutory rights during this period of the state of emergency,” adding that “They must remain cautions, alert and obey all measures declared and enunciated to fight the Ebola virus.”Delving into the constitution, Chief Justice Korkpor said, “while our constitution provides for a government with three co-equal branches, each with separate powers and functions, it is absolutely essential that these branches coordinate and cooperate with one another during the critical period of our nation to achieve the common goal of eradicating the Ebola virus.”Cooperation by the three branches of government, the Chief Justice noted, did not mean that any one branch will relinquish any of its powers to one or the other two branches.“It does not mean for example, that the Judiciary will not perform its traditional role as a disinterested and impartial arbiter of disputes, whether such disputes are between the other two branches of government or between one and two of them, and one or more or two or more private citizens,” he explained.He said that each branch must work in harmony with the other branches just as ordinary citizens of the country with different backgrounds and persuasions are required to work together to eradicate the virus.“After all, there can be no Legislative, no Executive or Judiciary Branch of Government, if the virus overwhelms us all. We must first act to survive as a people, government and country before we can even talk of the separation of our branches of government,” he counseled. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
After a long wait, Government seems poised to appoint the Commissioners for the Law Reform Commission with three candidates for the positions having been shortlisted from the interview panel.This was related by Attorney General Basil Williams during an interview with the media on Monday. According to Williams, these commissioners will be appointed after President David Granger returns from Cuba, where he is seeking medical treatment.“We hope to activate them. They’ve shortlisted three persons. When the President returns, it is actually for the names that were identified by the panel… so when the President the only thing left is to appoint these commissioners.”Pressed for the names of the candidates, all Williams would say is that they are experienced individuals in drafting laws.In January 2016, Government had approached the National Assembly, passed the Law Reform Commission Act no. 4 of 2016 and appropriated millions for the Commission’s establishment.According to the Act, the Commission will have the duty to “keep under review all the law applicable to Guyana with a view to its systematic development and reform, including in particular the modification of any branch of the law, the elimination of anomalies, and the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments.”It is also mandated by the law to receive and consider suggestions for the reform of the law. These suggestions, according to the Act, can be made on the invitation of the Commission and can come from Judges, public officials, lawyers and the general public.The Commission also has to “prepare and submit to the Minister specific programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to reform including recommendations as to whether such examination should be carried out by the Commission or some other body.”In order to fulfil its functions, it is allowed to set up law reform committees that would examine particular aspects of the law to make their recommendations. These committees, according to Section 8 (2) of the Act, do not have to be restricted to legal professionals.During his budget presentation, Williams had argued that the Commission would undo the laws Guyana inherited from the United Kingdom before independence, “many (of which) are archaic and irrelevant to our society.”There are a number of legislative acts likely to be scrutinised and changed if the Commission comes on stream. This includes the laws pertaining to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), laws criminalising same sex relations and laws regarding possession of marijuana.The parliamentary opposition has been vociferous in declaring that nominees to the commission should be made from different groups.In its recommendations, the People’s Progressive Party had noted that the Association of Legal Professionals, the University of Guyana, Private Sector Commission, the religious community, labour unions, human rights groups and the political Opposition should be represented.
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREOregon Ducks football players get stuck on Disney ride during Rose Bowl event Fraud allegations can also still be reported by telephone by calling 800-544-6861 and by fax at 626-457-9797. All Fraud Hotline complaints will be reviewed and investigated, if appropriate. The public can now report fraud, waste and abuse in Los Angeles County government on the Web at www.lacountyfraud.org., officials said Monday. Since its inception in 1988, the county’s Fraud Hotline has been one of the most powerful detection and prevention tools available to county management and has saved taxpayers about $16 million, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said. “Reporting online is secure, fast and easy,” Antonovich said. “Anyone who believes or has evidence that fraud, corruption, waste or misuse of county resources involving county employees, contractors and vendors have occurred should file a report. “Informants may identify themselves or remain anonymous. Some of the types of fraud commonly reported to the hotline include identity theft, misuse of equipment, bribery and acceptance of gratuities, conflict of interest and improprieties involving contractors, procurement and management.” 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
About the authorCarlos VolcanoShare the loveHave your say Real Madrid coach Zidane ready to unleash Hazard against PSGby Carlos Volcanoa month agoSend to a friendShare the loveReal Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is ready to unleash Eden Hazard against Champions League opponents PSG.Zidane insists that Hazard will be available to begin the match after returning from injury, with the Belgian making his debut as a substitute against Levante at the weekend.”I think he’s ready to play, he’s had more training sessions now,” Zidane explained when pressed on the fitness of Los Blancos’ biggest signing this summer.”You know that I’ve always thought that [Hazard can play a pivotal role for Madrid]; he’s decisive, he can make the difference, and the fact that he’s at Real Madrid shows that.”I don’t want to compare, but I think that he will be a very important player and his future will be formidable at Real Madrid.”Hazard’s first major test in a white shirt will come in Paris, up against the reigning French champions.”We expect a lot from PSG and from Real Madrid, but we’re at the start [of the season] and we can do better,” Zidane analysed.”We have to improve and do it on all levels, and I think it’s the same for PSG.””I don’t know [what PSG are missing], but I think that they’re a team that are always improving; they’re a big club but winning the Champions League is not easy.” 
Man Utd boss Solskjaer: Greenwood proving himself natural finisherby Paul Vegasa month agoSend to a friendShare the loveManchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels Mason Greenwood is proving himself a natural finisher.The youngster has burst onto the scene this season, scoring in the Red Devils’ Europa League win over Astana and in their Carabao Cup victory over Rochdale. Solskjaer said: “He’s proven when he’s been on the pitch, Astana and Rochdale, when you get him in the box he’s dangerous.”What’s pleased me about him is he doesn’t turn down chances to finish when you’re not 18 yet and you keep trusting yourself.”So I’m not worried about him at all but we’ve managed him, can’t just throw him in the deep end all the time he’s proved in those games he’s ready for it, Premier League.”I’ll have the weekend to think about it.” About the authorPaul VegasShare the loveHave your say
In 12 months time, on 1 July 2015, this will be further extended to include all existing tankers of 3,000 gross tonnes, extending to cargo ships of 50,000GT from 1 July 2016.This will mark a major expansion in the proportion of the merchant fleet that is subject to the mandatory carriage of ECDIS.The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is providing free guidance via the global ECDIS seminar programme and creating ECDIS specific ADMIRALTY publications to help relevant stakeholders meet the implementation requirements.Jason Scholey, Senior Product Manager at the UKHO, commented:“1 July 2014 is a landmark date in the transition to ECDIS, as it marks the first occasion when a class of existing ships other than high-speed craft will be required to carry ECDIS. “Whether it is the physical installation of ECDIS onboard, the delivery of type -specific training for crew or the necessary revisions to bridge policies and procedures, this is a considerable undertaking.“Our aim is to help all owners and operators to be ECDIS- ready, to comply with regulations on ECDIS carriage and to make best use of it as a navigational tool that will help them to sail safely and efficiently. AVCS is the right solution to help them to achieve those goals. It contains 100% official ENCs, offers the most comprehensive global coverage and it operates on all makes of ECDIS. At no extra cost, AVCS also comes with the unique ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (AIO), a valuable passage planning tool that shows ADMIRALTY T&P NMs and extra navigationally significant information to aid safer navigation.”The scope of coverage offered by AVCS has continued to grow and now includes over 13,000 ENCs covering over 4,000 of the world’s biggest and busiest ports, including many with unique coverage not offered by any other chart service.Features and benefits offered by the ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service include:› The most comprehensive global coverage available› 100% Official, certification provided› Operates on all ECDIS makes› Free unique ADMIRALTY Information Overlay featureSince launching the global ECDIS seminar programme in 2011, the UKHO has provided FREE expert guidance on the ECDIS transition to over 2,300 delegates. By the end of 2014 that is projected to exceed 3,400 delegates in 55 locations.Press Release; July 11th, 2014 zoom All existing passenger ships of 500 gross tonnes and all new cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnes are required to carry ECDIS from their first survey after 1 July 2014.
Colombo: The newly-appointed chief of the Sri Lankan Army has dismissed the allegations of human rights abuses during the brutal civil war with the LTTE, describing the military actions as a “humanitarian operation.” Lt Gen Shavendra Silva was named as the new Army Commander by President Maithripala Sirisena last week, evoking strong criticism from the US and the minority Tamils. Silva headed the Army’s 58th Division in the final battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in 2009 and his brigade was accused of attacking civilians, hospitals and stopping humanitarian supplies to trapped Tamil civilians. Also Read – Saudi Crown Prince ‘snubbed’ Pak PM, recalled jet from US His name was mentioned in the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2013, alleging rights abuses by the Sri Lankan Army. There were no war crimes committed. What we did was a humanitarian operation to free people from a group of terrorists , Silva told reporters in Kandy on Sunday. Silva was treated as a war hero for his contributions to ending the over three decades old separatist conflict. The Tamil civilians appreciated our action to free them from terrorists, he said, adding that he only did his job as a soldier. Also Read – Record number of 35 candidates in fray for SL Presidential polls Those (Tamils) were our own people so we had a duty to protect them. The civilians know how well we protected them, Silva added. Critics say Silva’s appointment as the Army chief may strain Sri Lanka’s cooperation in UN Peacekeeping operations and the defence cooperation between the US and Sri Lanka. Besides the US, Canadian and European Union embassies too have expressed concern over Silva’s appointment as the army chief. There is a rule of natural justice, Silva said, referring to international allegations of war crimes against the Sri Lankan troops.