Sri Lanka won the first Test match at Galle against New Zealand.Dimuth Karunaratne scored a century as Sri Lanka achieved record chase in India.The first day of the second Test was marred by rain. For all the Latest Sports News News, Cricket News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Dimuth Karunaratne had led from the front with a brilliant century to give Sri Lanka a record win in the first Test at Galle. In the second Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, Karunaratne stood tall in only 36.3 overs of action which were possible as rain played spoilsport on the opening day of the match against New Zealand. The toss itself was delayed by close to a couple of hours as persistent overnight rain delayed the start of the match.The groundstaff had to work hard to drain the excess water off the covers and some water had seeped in onto the outfield as well. With the lack of sun not aiding the drying process, the Sri Lankan groundsmen had to work incredibly hard to ensure that some action would be made possible. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat and the hosts made one change with Dilruwan Perera replacing Akila Dananjaya. Karunaratne set the stage with his aggressive strokeplay as he tackled Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The opening partnership weathered the first hour with the new ball and Lahiru Thirimanne survived a close chance on 2 when BJ Watling dropped him off William Sommerville. However, the bowler had his revenge when Thirimanne chipped a flighted delivery to Kane Williamson at cover to fall for 2. Kusal Mendis came in and tackled the spinners well by employing the sweep and making good progress.Sri Lanka made smooth progress until the tea break but rain once again delayed the start of the final session by 45 minutes and on resumption, Karunaratne continued to bat well. The partnership between Karunaratne and Mendis crossed fifty but Colin de Grandhomme got the big wicket of Mendis when he got the right-hander edging an away-swinger to the keeper for 32. Angelo Mathews survived a testing couple of overs until rain and bad light brought an end to play.
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Digna Strautmane fulfilling role as ‘inside-out’ forward in 2nd season
Published on January 22, 2019 at 10:48 pm Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez Facebook Twitter Google+ Comments
Digna Strautmane positioned herself on the wing during a recent Syracuse practice and flicked passes to the elbow. Then, she rotated to the low block and battled against other forwards as assistant coach Adeniyi Amadou watched.Five days prior against Pitt, Strautmane guided SU with a season-high 22 points. She knocked down all four of her 3-point attempts, and during the Orange’s 82-50 win on Jan. 22, was the player that Amadou expected her to be when he recruited her from Latvia.Yet, Strautmane didn’t tab the Pitt game as an exemplary performance. It was just another step in the “three-year process” that Amadou hopes will turn Strautmane into an all-around forward. After catching a ball on the block, she lowered her shoulder, squared Raven Fox and went to work.“I feel like I have to improve on something,” Strautmane said. “If I’m shooting better, there’s still rebounding that I have to improve. It’s always something. It’s never a perfect game. It’s still going to be a lot of hard work.”Prior to the season, Amadou and head coach Quentin Hillsman asked Strautmane for decisiveness. She’s answered, averaging the fourth-most points per game (9.4) for No. 13 Syracuse (15-3, 4-1 Atlantic Coast). Strautmane’s registered double-digit points in six of her last eight games. Even her poor performances, like a 3 for 12 shooting output in SU’s most-recent loss against Georgia Tech on Jan. 20, are categorized as “outliers” by Hillsman.AdvertisementThis is placeholder textIn a bolstered forward group that has struggled at times this season — No. 9 recruit Emily Engstler’s season has been a “roller coaster,” and both Kadiatou Sissoko and Miranda Drummond have missed practice time due to injuries — Strautmane is one of the few Orange players that can post and shoot, achieving the “balance” Hillsman looked to create this season.“(Strautmane’s) been really good,” Hillsman said. “She’s really shot the ball well with the last three or four games.”The sophomore’s progression started in the offseason, when she played for the Latvian national team and averaged 10 minutes over the squad’s three games. On a roster full of larger forwards, Strautmane said she filled in as an energy player that dove through the paint and around the 3-point arc.Strautmane’s role with Latvia was a preview of what would await her this season as SU brought multiple new bigs, including Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, Engstler and Sissoko. Last year, Strautmane was one of two true-bigs which forced her to play a more traditional center role in SU’s one-in, four-out offense. This season, Strautmane’s operated as an “inside-out” player.Every morning before the start of the Orange’s season, around 5:45 a.m., Strautmane would hurl shots from different spots on the court at the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center alone. Sissoko, Djaldi-Tabdi and others eventually joined her.While on the court, she watches SU’s offense from the wing and gauges whether or not to post up her defender. With Djald-Tabdi scoring 10.4 points per contest on 59.1-percent shooting, Strautmane’s typically played from the perimeter, where the Latvian has shot the third-most 3s (29) on the team.“We had more opportunities to throw the ball inside and teams would be less likely to help if we have shooters on the perimeter,” Hillsman said. “For us, it’s about creating space. (Strautmane) is a byproduct of that.”Back on the practice court, Strautmane ended her position work and chatted with Hillsman near a set of stationary bikes. Around her, others trickled out of the gym. Strautmane’s presence will be crucial for Syracuse to defeat a Miami team that received votes in the recent AP poll and features forward Beatrice Mompremier (15.9 points per game). But for now, Strautmane grabbed a ball, walked to a far court and shot.“I just have to keep working on it, keep being consistent,” Strautmane said. “If I can improve on that, I’m going to be a better player.”
Ghana Golf Association schools Sports Media
The Sports Media in Ghana have been encouraged to contribute positively to the development and promotion of Golf. At a one day seminar to sensitise the Sports Press on reporting on Golf, the President of the Ghana Golf Association (GGA) Dr. Felix K. Frimpong urged journalists to learn the rudiments of the sports in order to give accurate educative and entertaining reports.Giving a historical background of the sport in Ghana, he hinted that Golf was introduced in the colonial era, 1900 and it was played among the European sailors before the country attained independence.He said Golf is not a sport for the rich or bugouise in society as some people presume, but a sport for everybody, both sexes and also a game that creates linkages.According to Dr. Frimpong, Golf is a game that promotes discipline and good health as partners must be honest in recording results and one swing about 200 times and bends over 32 times in a handicap.He noted that an individual who plays Golf must abide by the rules and regulations, be registered with a club or pay to play in tournaments and be healthy.Dr. Frimpong stressed that the aim of the G.G.A. for now is to develop Golf to be an education based profession or sport and revealed that they have developed three Academies in Achimota, Tema and Kumasi where kids and the youth who wish to play are trained. The Vice President of the G.G.A. Mr. Michael Aggrey told the 34 participants to be friendly to Golf and know that the sport is also producing international champions like Amos Kobla, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Golf player of the year, who won the Nigerian Open and regarded as one of the best players on the African continent. He and Group Captain F.A. Gyimah-Kwakye, the General Secretary of the G.G.A.demonstrated how Golf is played with clubs and showed how and when the different clubs are used, by amateurs who should be rewarded less than $250 and professionals who earn billions of dollars, like American hero Tiger Woods.Mr. Aggrey revealed that most of the best Golf courses are in the Western region where most expatriates working for mining companies have developed wonderful courses and blessed with good weather that preserve the grass.Some of Ghana’s best Golf courses can be found in Achimota, Tafo, Kumasi, Bob Nam Kin and Tema.The one – day seminar which attracted experienced and rising sports journalists from television, radio, print and internet was organized by Prime Val Consult. It was sponsored by Doscar Travel & Tours and Euro Tours.
2014 World Cup play-offs: An open letter to Egypt
Ahead of their crunch double header against Egypt in the Brazil 2014 qualifying play-offs, ‘Ghana’ sends a word of caution to the PharaohsDear brother Egypt,I write you this letter with mixed feelings and I believe you are quite conscious of what has prompted it.You do know how much I loathe to have to contest anything with you due to the mutual affection and respect we share, but it seems on this rare occasion we have been forced into each other’s path to Brazil 2014. We have always been intimate, of course, ever since the day my founding father Kwame Nkrumah married the beautiful Fathia on the recommendation of then Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser and begot three beautiful offspring, two of whom are active players in modern-day Ghanaian politics.That said, we have had our occasional grudges in the past. You rubbished the ‘host and win’ mantra I adopted during CAN 2008 by winning the title on my territory, only for me to exact cold revenge the very next year at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup you hosted, by becoming the first African side to claim the ultimate prize at that level. Your own team didn’t reach too far on that occasion as I rightly recall.Level peggings, then, eh? Well, not exactly.The fact that you beat me in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finale to secure your seventh and most recent continental title means we still have one more score to settle, and that I intend to do in some style on October 13 and on the weekend of November 15-19. Forget the 3-0 thumping I dished out to you last January ahead of the 2013 Afcon; that was just a warning of what I am capable of.Besides, let’s face it: you currently aren’t the force you have always been, having missed successive Afcons. What you once were, I now am, and I’d prove that when we meet. Don’t think I would be intimidated by whatever atmosphere you’d have to offer when I visit, for my own Baba Yara Stadium itself is a veritable fortress.And, to think of it…You taught my people the worth of having a local coach on the evidence of what magic Hassan Shehata worked while in charge of your national side and, just when we took a leaf from your workbook by appointing locale Kwasi Appiah as coach, you switched to our old ways by hiring an expatriate, American Bob Bradley – the very man whose USA team fell flat before our Black Stars at the last World Cup – and so maybe you could take some tutoring from us in that regard as we prepare to show you just how much we’ve learnt. There isn’t much else I can say for now. I would do the remainder of the talking on the pitch when the fixtures are due. All that remains is to count the days left till the first leg, and then the contents of this letter would seem ever so real to you.Until then, read this thrice a day, pray your hearts out, and ponder on the words of Exodus 14:13.We’re coming for you.Sporting regards,Kofi Ghana.
Gov’t unfazed with court action over 2017 AFCON debt
The Sports Minister has called the bluff of businessman Magnus Rex Danquah who has served notice he will sue the government to recover over $525,000 owed him for preparing Ghana’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations hosting bid documents. According to the Auditor General’s report, RICS Consult belonging to Rex Danquah was sole-sourced for the preparation of the document.The report stated that sole sourcing such a contract was in violation of Section 40 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) which requires procurement entities to seek approval from the Public Procurement Authority before they engage in single source procurement, and should have also signed an official document.And Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah has told the Public Accounts Committee that his office will not pay the supposed consultancy fee. “Since there is no existing contract between the Ministry and RICS Consult which my accountant has testified, then there is no way we are going to pay the said amount. For all, we know we are have already settled $125,000 and that is all we are going to pay,” Asiamah told the committee Tuesday.But, Rex Danquah says he will go to the courts to seek interpretation over the Sports Ministry’s decision not to pay the amount. “We delivered on what we were expected to do,” Mr Danquah said, adding “we had a meeting with the then Chief Director and it was agreed that my company should discount the debt because we did not win the bid and we discounted the debt and minutes of that meeting is available.”“So for me…to be told that there was no contract when the people themselves admit and accepted that the spirit of the work was done because all these things we used the money to do it…I think it’s a subject for the court,” he added.Ghana lost the bid to Gabon.
Dodgers’ Chase Utley will retire at end of 2018 season, ‘ready to be a full-time dad’
Utley was drafted by the Dodgers out of Long Beach Poly High in the second round of the 1997 draft. He chose to attend UCLA instead, re-entered the draft three years later, and was chosen 15th overall by the Phillies in 2000.“I’ve had a lot of different tools that help guys perform at this level,” Utley said. “One of those tools is confidence. The Philadelphia fans brought that confidence out of me.”Now, he will wind down his career with the Hall of Fame a realistic goal. Utley’s five-year peak from 2005-09 of 39.7 WAR (7.9 WAR per season) was the second-highest amongst second basemen since Joe Morgan (1972-1976). Only 13 second basemen have a higher career wins above replacement total according to Baseball Reference.If those statistics are not enough, Utley’s intangibles could punch his ticket to Cooperstown.“Probably the most well-respected guy in our clubhouse,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Utley.“You’ve got to look at this sport of baseball, like football – how many tackles you made, how many touchdowns you made – baseball there’s a lot more to it because there’s 162 games,” said Gary Adams, Utley’s coach at UCLA. “I guarantee you, he was all out for 162 games. He never took his foot off the gas.”Friedman told the Southern California News Group last year that he would try to keep Utley in the organization once his playing days are over.The feeling is believed to be mutual on Utley’s part, though he did not outline his immediate post-playing plans Friday.“I’m hoping that he’ll still want to be a part of this organization and help us – the player development side, the special assistant kind of thing,” Roberts said. “I’m hoping that he can assist me as well.”INJURY UPDATESRoberts said third baseman Justin Turner is day-to-day after straining an adductor muscle on a check-swing in San Diego.“We want to make sure he’s ready to go in the second half,” Roberts said. “I’m not going to put him in position to hurt it any worse.”Max Muncy got his second consecutive start at third base in Turner’s stead.Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session. He’s expected to throw another bullpen in three to five days, Roberts said, “hopefully just continue to ramp up the intensity and the volume.”ALSORoberts shuffled his starting rotation for the weekend. Alex Wood will pitch Saturday, Clayton Kershaw will pitch Sunday and Rich Hill will be available out of the bullpen both days. … Roberts said Hill threw a light bullpen on Friday. … Reliever Zac Rosscup, claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, will join the Dodgers’ 25-man roster on Saturday. … Reliever Pat Venditte was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Friday’s starting pitcher, Walker Buehler.UP NEXTAngels (LHP Andrew Heaney 5-6, 3.84 ERA) at Dodgers (Alex Wood, 5-5, 3.88 ERA), Saturday, 4:15 p.m., Fox/11 Utley, 39, has played 1,907 games over 16 major league seasons with the Dodgers (2015-2018) and Philadelphia Phillies (2003-2015). He is signed through the 2019 season but will forego the final $1 million on his contract.Utley is batting .231 with one home run, 14 RBIs and a .313 on-base percentage in a platoon role through Thursday. He leads the team with nine pinch-hits in 22 at-bats, a .409 average. Utley was hit by a pitch for the 201st time Thursday, which leads all active players and ranks eighth all-time.In explaining his decision to retire, Utley said being a full-time father to his two young sons outweighed his desire to be a part-time baseball player.“The thing I’m having the most difficult time with is being a part-time dad,” he said. “That’s really the reason I’m shutting it down. I’m ready to be a full-time dad.”Sign up for our Inside the Dodgers newsletter. Be the best Dodger fan you can be by getting daily intel on your favorite team. Subscribe here.A six-time All-Star, Utley won his only World Series ring in 2008 with the Phillies. The Dodgers will travel to play the Philadelphia Phillies 10 days from now, and Utley’s announcement pre-empts the typical East Coast media blitz he could expect there. Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error
PreviousDodgers infielder Chase Utley fields the ball during practice before Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)Dodgers players, including, Kenley Jansen, Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill and Austin Barnes, listen to teammate Chase Utley (not shown) during a Friday news conference at Dodger Stadium where Utley announced that he will retire at the end of the season. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) SoundThe gallery will resume insecondsThe Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley and Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada lie on the ground after Utley slid into Tejada’s leg while he was trying to turn a double play during Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Tejada broke his leg as a result of the collision. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley has been a mentor to several of the younger players on their roster in recent years. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, left, and infielder Chase Utley talk before a 2016 playoff game in Washington. Utley has been a mentor to several of the younger players on the roster in recent years. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)Dodgers infielder Chase Utley, center, walks into an interview room at Dodger Stadium on Friday where he announced that he will retire at the end of the season. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley always believed in hard work and doing the little things that could become pivotal in a game. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)Dodgers infielder Chase Utley said he will retire at the end of the season so he can spend more time with his family. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)Dodgers infielder Chase Utley walks on the field during batting practice before Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Dodgers infielder Chase Utley throws the ball during practice before Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley scores from second off a single by Justin Turner during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Monday, July 9, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)Dodgers infielder Chase Utley fields the ball during practice before Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)The Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)NextShow Caption1 of 16The Dodgers’ Chase Utley talks about his decision to retire at the end of the season during a news conference prior to Friday’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Libby Cline, Contributing Photographer)ExpandLOS ANGELES — About a month ago, Chase Utley found peace in the idea of retiring after the 2018 season. The Dodgers headed out on a road trip to Anaheim last week, and Utley informed president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman of his decision. Thursday in San Diego, Utley let his teammates in on the secret during a closed-door “chat.”Friday, the Dodgers returned home for a three-game series against the Angels. Utley convened his first in-person press conference as a Dodger to inform the media.All of his teammates and coaches crowded into the interview room to attend the conference in person.“It was a big moment,” Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger said.
60 Million Euros plus 5m in Variables: Miralem Pjanic signs for Barcelona
Football Club Barcelona and Juventus have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Miralem Pjanić. The cost of the operation will be 60 million euros plus 5m in variables.The player will sign a contract with the club for the next four seasons, until the end of the 2023/24 season, with a buy out clause of 400 million euros.The player will remain with Juventus until the 2019/20 season is over.Born on 2 April, 1990 in Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Miralem Pjanić is a versatile player who after becoming a key member of the Juventus squad is joining Barça to show his quality in midfield. He began his career in French football at Metz in 2007. Despite relegation, the midfielder had an excellent season and subsequently made the move to Olympique Lyonnais. Pjanić then began to make a name for himself in the world of football and became an essential member of the French side, helping them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history during the 2009/10 season.After playing 115 games and scoring 16 goals he headed for Italy, where he joined AS Roma in 2011. During 5 seasons and 200 games he scored 30 goals and gave 40 assists before signing for Juventus in 2016. In Turin he once again showed his maturing talent and became a vital cog in one of the best club side’s in the world, winning Serie A three times, as well as two Coppa Italia and one Italian Super Cup with la Vecchia Signora.Pjanić played for the Luxembourg national side at youth level but at senior level he chose to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is the 3rd most capped player in their history (92 games) and the 6th best goalscorer (15) and played at the 2014 World Cup and could figure in the Euro2020 competition next summer if Bosnia and Herzegovina can make it through the play offs.Pjanic has played in every midfield position, whether that be as an attacking midfielder at Metz or in a slightly deeper role at Olympique Lyonnais and Roma. His ability to join attacks whilst coming from deep as well as his excellent free kick taking abilities have seen him score his fair share of goals. Furthermore, his technical quality, vision of the game and commitment make him one of the best midfielders in football today.
Jose only landed Spurs job after Levy realised he could not get Rodgers
TOTTENHAM turned to Jose Mourinho to save their flagging season – after failing to land Brendan Rodgers.Mourinho was appointed as head coach this morning less than 12 hours after they sacked Mauricio Pochettino.2 Spurs tried to sound out Brendan Rodgers before they turned to Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty – Contributor2 Jose Mourinho is all smiles after being named the new Tottenham managerCredit: Getty – ContributorChairman Daniel Levy says he has brought in a winner after handing the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss a contract until the summer of 2023.But the Mail claim his first choice to replace Pochettino was actually Leicester manager Rodgers.They say Levy had initially tried to sound out whether the former Liverpool and Celtic boss would be open to moving to North London.But he discovered that any attempt to persuade the Foxes to allow Rodgers to leave would be impossible, so immediately set his sights on Mourinho instead.It is believed the Spurs hierarchy had started to consider parting company with Pochettino last month as the side stuttered in their league form.A series of disjointed performances from the squad had suggested the players were not responding to the instructions of their manager any longer.The 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United proved to be the decisive game which led to Levy deciding the time had come to make the change. Latest Tottenham newsHARRY ALL FOUR ITKane admits Spurs must win EIGHT games to rise into Champions League spotGossipALL GONE PETE TONGVertonghen wanted by host of Italian clubs as long Spurs spell nears endBELOW PARRSpurs suffer blow with Parrott to miss Prem restart after appendix operationPicturedSHIRT STORMNew Spurs 2020/21 home top leaked but angry fans slam silver design as ‘awful”STEP BY STEP’Jose fears for players’ welfare during restart as stars begin ‘pre-season’KAN’T HAVE THATVictor Osimhen keen on Spurs move but only if they sell Kane this summerIt is suggested talks about Poch leaving began over the first week of the international break.But the Argentine was not about to walk out on the club and lose a pay-off, leading to the wrangle spilling over into this week.Once an agreement was finally reached, talks with Mourinho gathered pace and it became easy for the two parties to reach an agreement. Tottenham appoint Jose Mourinho as new manager less than 24 hours after sacking Mauricio Pochettino
M&CC in a perpetual state of financial crisis (Pt 2)
Dear Editor,We were presented with information that the Council is considering foreign trips in 2018 for the Mayor and others, including attending a Sister Cities Project in China, participation in Dragon Boat Racing in China, a trip for the Mayor and her “Team” to attend the 21 Century Maritime Committee meeting (the Mayor had signed the 21 Century Maritime Agreement on her last trip to China – isn’t this the domain of foreign affairs?), and a trip for the Mayor to attend the Caribbean Conference of Mayors in Kingston, Jamaica. I had previously argued in Council that these foreign trips have not yielded any tangible benefits for the citizens of Georgetown and given the never-ending financial crisis at Council, all foreign trips should be halted.The administration headed by Town Clerk Royston King and Mayor Chase Green have challenged interventions by the Communities Minister to correct some of their actions. For instance, they challenged the Cabinet’s decision to suspend the parking meter By-laws when it was presented by the Minister and the Town Clerk even hired an attorney to communicate that challenge to the Minister’s authority. Then there was the letter from the Communicates Minister to the Town Clerk which was carried in some newspapers which clarified the authority of the Town Clerk due to complaints from citizens and some Councillors. And when the Central Government decided to assist the Council with an additional $200 million recently with recommendations on how the money should be spent, they decided to go ahead with a plan they had already decided upon. The Mayor even publicly accused the Communities Minister of meddling in the affairs of the Council while she conveniently forgot the assistance the Council received from Government to pay the garbage contractors, repair Council roads, repair the Kitty Market and the pending repairs to the Stabroek wharf.We were now informed that the Town Clerk has plans to add a new ‘research and development department’ to the already over-bloated City Council staff but he has not yet provided any details even though this item was on the 2018 Budget discussions. This is in addition to Wardens he hired who are attached to his office and who are duplicating the functions of staff in other departments.After having read many letters and articles about corruption and mismanagement at the City Council, you have to wonder what could be done to correct this situation since Central Government appears unwilling to “rock the boat” at City Hall perhaps due to overarching political considerations. But I strongly believe that the welfare and interests of the citizens must take precedence and this situate must be corrected post-haste. While this list is not comprehensive or all-inclusive, there are a number on actions and positions that can be taken including the Government finally accepting that the Council is bankrupt and that the Town Clerk, Mayor and Finance Committee Chairman are incompetent and have utterly failed in the discharge of their responsibilities and should be removed from office immediately.A robust forensic audit is necessary due to the lack of accountability and transparency in the financial dealings of Council where billions have been spent and the Auditor General has been unable to perform complete audits. A team of experts from the various Ministries and the Guyana Revenue Authority is needed to examine systems and procedures in place or a lack thereof and to make recommendations in the areas of finance, engineering, security, health, accountability, transparency and good governance. I strongly believe that the City’s Public Health Department and Day Care Centres should be turned over to the Health/Education Ministries perhaps until such a time when competent and effective management returns to City Hall and when Council is financially viable. The close examination of the workforce is necessary to ensure that there is no redundancy and that workers and management staff possess the right qualifications and/or experience for the positions they hold. And finally, the election of competent Councillors who can understand and make recommendations on financial, legal and social matters and who will not be just seat-warmers or rubber-stamps and will be willing to stand up and challenge any actions that are not in the best interests of the citizens of Georgetown.Yours sincerely,Bishram Kuppen –CouncillorMayor and Councillorsof the City ofGeorgetown
Senegal Face Off with Mali; Gambia vs Guinea
The Sierra Leone U-20 national team in readinessSenegal will face off with Mali in the first game and Gambia will clash with Guinea in continuation of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) tournament at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.The second match will bring Mali and The Gambia face to face to decide who join the elite group that could eventually move on to the next stage of the tournament.In the first two games on Tuesday, host Liberia could not take advantage of the fact that they were playing at home and despite the presence of soccer legend President George Manneh Weah in the VIP Stand, they suffered a 3-0 humiliating loss.Their opponents, Baby Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire did not have mercy on the home team and wrapped up a 3-0 humbling that has become the talk of the town.Though Deputy Minister Andy Quamie has said the Liberian government wants to use sports to rebrand and that’s why the government is in 100% support of Junior Lone Star team, however, with the humiliating defeat of the team, questions abound about what level of support the government provided.The Daily Observer has learned that the Junior Lone Star players were being paid LD200 per training, during the preparation stage for the tournament.Sports officials may have done some good during the team’s preparation but the performance of the team against the young Ivorians proved that there was something seriously missing in the team’s camp.As it became evident, the players could not rise above their mediocre performance to match that of the Ivorian side. Their ball possession was faulty and coordination was flawed. The man of the match for Junior Lone Star was the goalkeeper who had to work overtime to avoid a massive loss.In fact, the Ivorians’ technique worked well for them. They played man to man in the first 45 minutes and by the second half, it became apparent that their Liberian opponents had lost their sense of direction in the match.With the team unable to gain authority over their game, they just followed the Ivorians as they dictated the pace of the game. It was no wonder that they scored their three goals in this half.Junior Lone Star still have Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau to play in their group and except some serious changes are made in the team, including the technical team, Liberia’s game would be disappointing.While we stand to be corrected, the players should assert themselves to understand their current dismal position and the humiliation that their first massive loss has brought to the country.Junior Lone Star must redeem themselves in their next match to win the hearts of the people otherwise any loss against their next opponents would expose them to shame and they will live to regret it.If a man is defeated at home despite the massive home support, just imagine what could happen when he is before his opponents and there is no one to cheer him up!Junior Lone Star must rise and shine, period!Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)