Tranmere Rovers sign Grenadian striker

ENGLAND, September 8, 2009 - Tranmere have today completed the signing of Grenada international Kithson Bain until June 2010.

The Club won an appeal for a work permit for Bain earlier this summer after the striker impressed Manager John Barnes while on international duty.

The 27-year old is an international team mate of Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts and the first Grenada based player ever to move overseas.

Barnes said: "Kithson is a strong, quick striker and I'm pleased to be able to bring him to the Club.

"He was the top scorer in the Caribbean Cup with six goals when I was manager of Jamaica and he carried the Grenada side.

"He will add another dimension to our attacking options and I look forward to working with him."

Kithson will be available for Saturday's home game against Walsall, kick off 3pm.

Source: Tranmore Rovers FC

Grenadian charged with alleged drug possession

NEW YORK, Aug 27, 2009 - A 49-year-old Grenadian man has been arrested and charged by Police in Washington, D.C. for the alleged possession of illegal drugs. The Washington Post reported that Winston Williams was earlier this month indicted on charges of unlawfully possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it. According to the paper, Police seized more than 80 pounds of marijuana and nearly US$40,000 in cash in two separate raids at properties belonging to Williams. Reports in Grenada said that Williams is the brother of Grenada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Dessima Williams. In a brief statement on behalf of the family, Ambassador Williams said that the family is shocked and saddened about the allegations but concerned as family about the welfare of his wife and children and about his health. “While we hope he is proven innocent we are also aware that this is a legal matter and as such there will be no further comment," the statement said.

Williams' family issues statement

Grenada's Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Dessima Williams has learned about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her brother, Winston Williams who has been arrested on drug charges in Washington, D.C.

"The family is shocked and saddened about the allegations but concerned as family about the welfare of his wife and children and about his health. While we hope he is proven innocent we are also aware that this is a legal matter and as such there will be no further comment."

For more information, please contact; Name: Michael Bascombe Email: mbascombe@gmail.com Phone: +1-473-456-9523 or +1-347-549-9293

Shalrie Joseph now holds US Citizenship

Shalrie Joseph on Sunday played his first game in Major League Soccer as an American citizen.

Joseph, who last week took the oath of allegiance, now has dual citizenship in Grenada and the US, where he moved when he was nine.

"I've spent a lot of years waiting and waiting, so it definitely feels good now," said Joseph.

"It makes it easier traveling and everything else, it's a great thing to be able to say you're a US citizen, not everyone gets that privilege. I did a lot of studying, the one thing I didn't want to do was fail the citizenship test. A lot of the guys helped me when we were on the road trips, even Jay and Jeff were doing question and answers. I learned a lot about US history and it definitely helped me with my knowledge." Joseph said he has recovered from the knee injury that hampered him through the summer.

"It’s back to 100 percent," said Joseph. "so now I’m just focused on getting back to the sharpness I had in the beginning of the season.”

Joseph had one assist in New England Revolution's 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake.

IAAF honours Francis in Berlin

by Michael Bascombe

BERLIN, Germany, Aug 13, 2009 – The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has honoured sports administrator, Conrad Francis, as the body held its 47^th Congress in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday.

The congress was part of activities lined up for the 12^th IAAF World Championships in Athletics. Francis, who is now a retired national athletics coach, was honoured as a recipient of the prestigious IAAF Veteran Pin "for long and meritorious service to the cause of world athletics." The high profile ceremony was held at the Congress Hall, of the Convention Centre at Estrel Hotel, Berlin.

The letter inviting Francis for the all-expense paid ceremony was signed by IAAF's Secretary General, Pierre Weiss, and copied to the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA).

Also from the Caribbean receiving veteran pins were Calvin Greenaway of Antigua and Barbuda and Edwin Skinner of Trinidad and Tobago.

Grenadian footballer could be offered professional contract

LONDON, UK, Aug 13, 2009 - MANAGER John Barnes is looking to Grenada international Kithson Bain to add height and strength to Tranmere's attacking options this season.

The 27-year-old could be en route to Prenton Park if Rovers can secure a work permit for his move from the Caribbean.

Barnes said: "Kithson is a big, strong, quick and very powerful striker - and I think we need a bit of strength up front. We have good strong runners in the squad but we are a little bit lightweight. He would be a good addition for us."

Barnes said he first noticed Bain while he was coaching the Jamaica national team during the Caribbean Cup tournament last season, which Jamaica won.

Barnes explained: "Kithson was a top scorer in the Caribbean Cup. In an average Grenada side he really was the one who carried them.

"When I looked at Kithson in December, I wasn't anticipating getting another job elsewhere. But once I got the job here at Tranmere I have been thinking - and this is not to be unkind - about players we can sign cheaply. That is what we have to look at.

He fits the bill perfectly, not because of the cheapness but because of his ability."

Grenada breached obligations under the Covenant of Human Rights

31 July 2009 The Human Rights Committee concluded today its ninety-sixth session, during which it considered and adopted concluding observations and recommendations on the reports submitted by Tanzania, the Netherlands, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Chad and Azerbaijan on how those countries implement the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. During this session, it also finalized its concluding observations on the situation of civil and political rights in Grenada, which the Committee reviewed in the absence of a report on 18 July 2007, at its ninetieth session. In concluding observations on the fourth periodic review of Tanzania, the Committee welcomed the enactment of the Spinsters and Single Parent Child Protection Act of 2005 in Zanzibar, abolishing the imprisonment of unmarried women who had become pregnant, as well as the de facto moratorium on the death penalty, which has been in force since 1994. The Committee was concerned at the high number of reported incidents of mutilations and killings of persons with albinism. Other concerns included that the practice of female genital mutilation still persisted and that impunity for perpetrators prevailed and that corporal punishment was still available as part of judicial sentences and was also permitted within the education system. Following its consideration of the fourth periodic report of the Netherlands, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Committee welcomed, for the European part of the Netherlands, a new law that allowed for the exclusion from the home of perpetrators of domestic violence. It noted with concern, among others, the low participation of women in the labour market and the existing pay gap; the high number of euthanasia cases; and inadequate measures taken to combat child abuse. For the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Committee recommended, respectively, that prison conditions be improved and that the duration of pre-trial detention be brought in line with the Covenant. Regarding the initial report submitted by Chad, the Committee welcomed the adoption of a law prohibiting female genital mutilation, early marriage and domestic and sexual violence. Among principal concerns was the impunity with which serious human rights violations were committed, including murder, rape, forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture, destruction of property, forced displacement and attacks against the civilian population. The continuing high level of corruption in Chad also concerned the Committee. Among recommendations, the Committee asked Chad to consider abolishing the death penalty or re-implementing the moratorium on it and that it take appropriate measures to enforce the rights of persons in custody. Having reviewed the third periodic report of Azerbaijan, the Committee welcomed, inter alia, the agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct regular visits in prisons and detention facilities and the adoption of a national programme to combat domestic violence. One of the major concerns of the Committee remained the extensive limitations to the right to freedom of expression of the media and reports of killings or beatings of journalists. The Committee also expressed concern regarding the persistence of violence against women, in particular domestic violence, and reported incidents of violation of non-refoulement of asylum-seekers. Having considered the situation of civil and political rights in Grenada in the absence of a report, the Committee regretted that Grenada had not submitted its initial report, due on 5 December 1992, which amounted to a serious breach of its obligations under the Covenant. Among positive aspects, the Committee welcomed the abolition of the mandatory death penalty in 2002. The Committee was concerned that corporal punishment, including flogging and whipping, was still administered in accordance with the Criminal Code, the Prisons Act, and the Education Act of 2002. Among recommendations, the Committee said Grenada should provide without further delay for an independent judicial review of the convictions of the 10 members of the “Grenada 17” still in detention. During the session, the Committee considered 34 communications from individuals submitted under the first Optional Protocol to the Covenant. The first Optional Protocol, for the 111 States that have ratified it, allows review by the Committee of complaints from persons alleging violations of the terms of the Covenant. In private meetings the Committee's decided that 9 communications were inadmissible, 14 Views were adopted, 2 communications were deemed admissible and consideration would be discontinued for 9 communications. The Chairperson informed the Committee that 3 new State party reports had been received this week, two of which were initial reports. The Committee also held its fifth informal meeting with States Parties, where States and Experts addressed, inter alia, the harmonization of working methods with other treaty bodies; the complementarity of the work of the Human Rights Committee with the Universal Periodic Review; and collaboration between the Committee and the Human Rights Council. The Committee also held a discussion on human rights indicators and the influence of parliamentarians on the implementation of human rights. Also during the session, the Committee considered progress reports on follow-up to its concluding observations and follow-up to the Committee's decisions on individual communications. During its next session, which will take place in Geneva from 12 to 30 October 2009, the Committee is scheduled to consider reports from Moldova, Switzerland, Croatia, Russian Federation, and Ecuador. Concluding Observations on Grenada under Review Procedure Having considered the situation of civil and political rights under the Covenant in Grenada in the absence of a report on 18 July 2007, the Committee regretted that Grenada, despite numerous reminders, had not submitted its initial report, which had been due on 5 December 1992. The Committee considered that that amounted to a serious breach of Grenada’s obligations under article 40 of the Covenant. Among positive aspects in the review, the Committee welcomed the abolition of the mandatory death penalty by Grenada in 2002. It also welcomed the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act 2001 and the Domestic Violence Summary Procedure Rules, as well as of the Child Protection Act of 1998. The Committee noted with concern that the state of emergency proclaimed in 2004 in Grenada had not been brought to the attention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Grenada should provide the Committee with more detailed information on the way it ensured that measures derogating from its obligations under the Covenant did not involve discrimination solely on the ground of race, colour, sex, language, religion and social origin. It should also establish a mechanism by which it informed other States parties to the Covenant, through the intermediary of the Secretary-General, of the rights it had derogated from in time of public emergency. Another concern was the potentially overbroad reach of the definition of terrorism under the Terrorism Act of 2003, which might extend to conduct, which, although unlawful, should not be understood as constituting terrorism. The Committee was also concerned at the seemingly mandatory nature of life imprisonment sentences for those convicted of terrorist acts. The Committee was concerned that corporal punishment, including flogging and whipping, was still administered in accordance with the Criminal Code, the Prisons Act, and the Education Act of 2002, and that the law provided for the sentencing of women and girls to solitary confinement in lieu of corporal punishment. It was also noted with concern that, despite indications that the convictions of the “Grenada 17” rested on a trial not respecting all the guarantees of the Covenant, 10 of the original “Grenada 17” remain detained, having recently been re-sentenced to 40-year terms, of which they had already served the majority. Grenada should provide without further delay for an independent judicial review of the convictions of the 10 members of the “Grenada 17” still in detention. The Committee was further concerned about information received according to which overcrowding was a serious problem in places of detention in Grenada, and about reported poor conditions of detention, as well as the fact that, under domestic law, reduction of the diet of a detainee for up to three weeks without even medical supervision might be and had been imposed as a punishment for violation of prison regulations. Other concerns included that the Criminal Code penalized same-sex sexual activities between consenting adults and that libel might be pursued in criminal courts. Members of the Committee The States parties to the Covenant elect the Committee's 18 expert members who serve in their individual capacity for four-year terms. Article 28 of the Covenant requires that "they shall be persons of high moral character and recognized competence in the field of human rights." The Committee members are: Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia); Mohammed Ayat (Morocco); Lazhari Bouzid (Algeria); Prafullachandra Natwarlal Bhagwati (India); Christine Chanet (France); Ahmed Amin Fathalla (Egypt); Yuji Iwasawa (Japan); Helen Keller (Switzerland); Rajsoomer Lallah (Mauritius); Zonke Zanele Majodina (South Africa); Iulia Antoanella Motoc (Romania); Michael O'Flaherty (Ireland); José Luis Perez Sanchez-Cerro (Perú); Rafael Rivas Posada (Colombia); Krister Thelin (Sweden); Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom); Fabian Omar Salvioli (Argentina); and Ruth Wedgwood (United States). The Committee Chairperson is Mr. Yuji Iwasawa.

YOUNG BOXER FOR INTERNATIONAL CAMP & CHAMPIONSHIPS

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 7 – The Grenada Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) is pleased to announce that Imrod Bartholomew has been selected to participate in the International Amateur Boxing Association - AIBA Training Camp and World Boxing Championships to be held in Italy, August 10 to September 12, 2009.

Bartholomew, 23, is a Light Heavy (178 lbs or 81 kgs) and won the silver medal at the 2008 OECS Boxing Championships. He is unbeaten so far this year with wins over Jamie Bullen of Carriacou, Karim De Allie and Jewel Lewis.

The young boxer leaves Grenada on Sunday to participate on the training camp ahead of the Championships in Milan which starts on September 1.

As part of the programme, AIBA has selected young talented boxers from the countries and coaches having financial difficulties to develop boxing. This programme will not only provide crucial training experience but also support them for the entire period of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Milan 2009.

AIBA said it will continue this important development programme after Milan by selecting the best 10 boxers among the boxers from the "Road to Milan" training camp at the end of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Milan 2009 and will support their continuous training from 2010 and participation in various events to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games and to earn the medals they deserve.

The programme, called "Road to London," will maximize the facilities and programs in the AIBA Boxing Academy.

“We were given very little time to have all his documents ready but we couldn’t allow this opportunity to pass us,” said GABA’s President Ralph James.

“Imrod is an intelligent young man with 11 CXC subjects and the future looks good for him. He is always punctual, disciplined and his work ethics is exemplary. Imrod is the ideal athlete for any coach and will be an excellent ambassador for Grenada.

The XV edition of AIBA World Boxing Championships will be attended by 700 Athletes and 400 Team Officials representing 143 Countries, with the presence of over 300 accredited media.

During the 11-day competition period over 500 matches are scheduled for the awarding of 11 world titles, one per weight category: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, 69, 75, 81, 91 and +91kg. Bouts are composed of 3 rounds of 3 minutes each, with one-minute break between one round and the other.

GABA is very grateful to his employer – the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) for granting him leave.

“We will also like to express our thanks to Mr. Joseph "REDS" Perreira and the St. Lucia Amateur Boxing Association for assisting with ground transportation and accommodation in St. Lucia, the Italian Consulate in Grenada, the French Embassy in St. Lucia and the Grenada Olympic Committee”.

TEAM GRENADA FOR IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

by Michael Bascombe

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 5 – Four (4) Olympians are included in a six-member Grenada team for the 12^th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany, August 15-23.

The Grenada Athletics Association (GAA) has released the names of the team members who will compete in five events.

The team also includes two athletes who have competed in the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki – Triple Jumper Randy Lewis and Neisha Bernard-Thomas in the 800m.

The other members who are all making their World Championships’ debuts are Rondell Bartholomew, Joel Redhead, Trish Bartholomew and Patricia Sylvester.

Lewis and Bernard-Thomas have been competing in Europe over the past few months and should be competition ready for Berlin. Lewis’ best effort in the triple jump for the year has been 17.17m in June while Bernard-Thomas clocked 2:02.02 at the Jamaica National Championships in Kingston in late June.

Rondell Bartholomew, who only last week copped bronze at the Pan-American Junior Track and Field Championships in Trinidad, will be hoping to better his season’s best of 45.58 seconds in the 400m when he finished runners-up to Kirani James at the Junior CARIFTA Games in St. Lucia in April.

Redhead had an outstanding outdoor season for Bethune-Cookman University in South Florida and clocked a personal best of 20.49 seconds in the 200m at the NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Arizona in June.

Trish Bartholomew posted a season’s best of 52.01 seconds in the 400m in May bettering her Beijing Olympic Games’ performance of 52.88 seconds while Sylvester will compete in both the triple and long jump events. She had season’s best performances of 6.43m in Belem, Brazil and 13.76m in La Habana, Cuba.

Roster – 12^th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Berlin, Germany

Men

200m: Joel Redhead

400m: Rondell Bartholomew

Triple Jump: Randy Lewis

Women

400m:

Trish Bartholomew

800m:

Neisha Bernard-Thomas

Triple & Long Jumps:

Patricia Sylvester

Coach:

Albert Joseph

---

Grenada bagged two medals at Pan-Am Jrs.

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 4 – Grenada returned with two medals from the Pan American Junior Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad.

World Youth 400m champion, Kirani James continued his dominating form over the one-lap event with a comfortable victory in 45.43 seconds on Friday. Rondell Bartholomew picked up the bronze in 46.61 seconds.

The other competitors – Akim Bowen, Josh Charles and Shakir Simmons – didn’t medal in the weekend championship.

Bowen was 15^th in the 100m preliminaries in 10.76 seconds and didn’t qualify to the next round; Charles also failed to advance in the 200m finishing in 22.68 seconds while Simmons was 9^th in the shot put with a distance of 16.75m.

The 400m relay team of James, Bartholomew, Bowen and Charles finished 5^th in 3:11.91 (3 mins 11 point nine one seconds) behind winner the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada and Jamaica.

The United States easily dominated the tournament with 21 gold medals, 22 silver and 13 bronze medals, followed by Cuba (6-0-0), Mexico (3-4-2), Jamaica (3-3-8) and Canada (3-3-7).

Brazil (2-6-5), Colombia (2-1-1), Argentina (1-1-0), Grenada (1-0-1), Chile (1-0-1), Panama (1-0-0), Trinidad & Tobago (0-4-1), Puerto Rico (0-1-0), Venezuela (0-0-1), the Bahamas (0-0-1), Barbados (0-0-1) and Paraguay (0-0-1) completed the standings.

Commentary - What’s next for Kirani?

by Michael Bascombe - Grenada

The future of world junior track star Kirani James and the next move in his aspiring track career have been the subject of much discussion over the past few months.

The debate is worthwhile since it has brought several issues to the fore. Among them are the challenges James could face if he is over-exposed at an early age. Another is his choice of when and where to attend college.

Kirani James is considered a huge asset to Grenada and the entire Caribbean. While I support every effort to get him the best education, I do not support the view that he should begin college at the age of 16. His youth coupled with the rigorous track programme in the United States college system (running every weekend which he has not done before) may be too much for him.

A good choice is to have James spend another year in Grenada developing both his physical and mental stamina. In addition, he has a good coach at home and has shown consistent improvement every year. One of our common mistakes is the tendency to change coaches too soon especially when our athletes are doing well under one coach.

This raises the question of where should Kirani James go? One possibility is Texas A&M University. The reason: One of our most celebrated track athlete and recently famed sportsman, Alleyne Francique is now a track coach at Texas A&M University. In his first year as part of Pat Henry’s coaching staff, Francique won both men’s and women’s team titles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. This option will allow James to benefit from a perennial track programme and the mentoring of someone with a shared national and cultural background. As such, James’ attendance at Texas A&M University is an option which could be considered in the future.

Another possible training centre being discussed is Jamaica. However, their programme may not help this young athlete since they are not producing good 400m runners. Clearly, their structure is not very promising in that event.

If moving abroad is a must, then a junior college in the USA might help as there won’t be too much pressure to race every week, and there’ll be less fear of burn out.

While we glow in the spotlight of Kirani James, let us consider what assistance we should provide to Rondell Bartholomew, another 400m competitor, who is equally talented. Bartholomew, James, Joel Redhead and Joel Phillip could be a formidable quartet for a future 4x400m relay team.

James’ coach, Albert Joseph, has done a tremendous job with him so far and efforts should be made to get him to the next level of coaching. A scholarship at St. George’s University would also help in his education.

This is the time for the coach, athlete, parents and sports officials to sit down and determine the right option for this young treasure from the Spice Isle.

Grenada's PM to give National Address

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, THURSDAY, JULY 30th, 2009_ Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas, will address the nation this evening on matters of national importance.

The Prime Minister will update the nation on the government’s management of the country and the progress of discussions with Canada on the removal of the visa restriction.

The national address will be carried on radio, television and streamed on the internet from 8.00pm this evening.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister

BANGLADESH GO ONE UP IN DIGICEL SERIES AFTER CLINICAL WIN

By Imran Khan

ROSEAU, Dominica - Despite a five wicket bowling performance from the exciting Barbadian pacer Kemar Roach, Bangladesh spoiled the Dominican party when they cruised to a handsome 52 run victory over the West Indies in the first ever international match played in the nature isle.

Chasing 247 for victory, the Windies wobbled to 194 all out from 43.4 overs at the newest international venue in the Caribbean – the Chinese funded and built Windsor Park – to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match Digicel Series.

Left arm spinner Abdur Razzak who picked up 4 for 39, delivered critical wickets for his team’s jaunty performance and was appropriately rewarded with the Man of the Match prize. In his first over – the second of the innings – he sent back debutant daredevil opener Dale Richards for 1. After opening the bowling alongside medium pacer Sayed Rasel (8-0-30-1) Razzak returned later to bowl the second debutant, Travis Dowlin, for 10 and when Darren Sammy was engineering a late order rally, Razzak trapped him lbw for a boundary less 28 from 38 deliveries.

The 27 year old who is also a member of the IPL’s Bangalore Royal Challengers squad, collected his third career four wicket haul when he claimed his third lbw victim – last man and the third debutant Nelon Pascal for a duck. Pascal’s demise formalised the Windies collapse below 200 despite a composed half century from Grenadian left hander Devon Smith.

With the Windies backed into a corner at 42 for 4, Smith, striking the ball with an almost effortless crispness, combined with David Bernard Jr to put on 78 for the 5th wicket. But when he was adjudged lbw for 65 (84b, 3x4) the innings took a nose dive and never recovered to seriously threaten the Bangladeshis who were clinical in completing the victory.

Bernard continued his excellent form with the bat, getting 38 (62b, 3x4) to add to his three half centuries in the recently completed Digicel Test Series which Bangladesh won 2-0.

After Richards fell in the second over, wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher was bowled by Rasel in the third, and captain Floyd Reifer continued his unpleasant parade with the bat when he miscued an on drive and was caught at point for 3. The score was then reduced to 23 for 3 and the run chase was stuck in a rut.

A 41 run seventh wicket partnership between Sammy and Rawl Lewis (21) revived the innings later on but the Windies had dug themselves too deep a hole.

In the first half of the day, Roach, playing in only his third ODI, bagged a career best 5 for 44 as he led the Windies bowling in restricting the Tigers to what should have been a manageable total but which proved to be beyond the Windies’ reach.

Out of form batsman Mohammad Ashraful scratched around for a top score of 57 from 95 balls with five fours and captain Shakib Al Hasan extended his batting form from the Test matches to hit a controlled 54 from 60 balls with three fours. Having also bowled eight overs for 26 runs and dismissing Smith, Shakib would have been a strong contender for the Man of the Match award.

The critical innings for Bangladesh though was a rapid 42 from 39 deliveries by all rounder Mahmudullah who spanked two fours and two sixes as he aided in pushing the Bangladeshi score towards the 250 mark. His 79 run sixth wicket partnership in exactly 11 overs with Shakib is what transformed their total from being merely modest to competitive on the slow pitch. Despite Windies coach John Dyson calling for pace and head curator Richard LeTang promising to respond, the pitch was disappointingly leisurely and it was no surprise that both teams played their full complement of slower bowlers.

Roach did not let the lack of pace deter him though as he took the wicket of Tamim Iqbal with the first delivery of the match, and like Razzak, returned and broke partnerships at vital junctures. He is the only bowler who has consistently caused the Bangladeshi batsmen discomfort of any kind. While the medium pacers and spinners bowl competently they are not causing the batsmen alarm or nervous spells.

After the early loss of Tamim, Junaid Siddique (36) and Ashraful added 74 in 16.4 overs to lay the foundation which Shakib and Mahmudullah capitalized on later, despite a spirited bowling performance from Bernard whose 10 overs cost only 31 runs and he also pocketed Siddique’s wicket.

The Tigers have now extended their win streak to four matches on the tour after triumphing in both Digicel Tests and the warm up game against the Vice Chancellor’s XI. The Second Digicel ODI will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.

Ball Dogs take early lead in GFA Premier League

GFA NEWS

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, July 27, 2009 – Ball Dogs FC took an early lead in the Premier League of the Grenada Football Association (GFA) with a convincing victory on the weekend.

Ball Dogs defeated former champions G.B.S.S. FC 4-0 in the second game of a double header at the National Stadium on Saturday. The win gives Ball Dogs a superior goal difference in the points standing.

In the earlier game, Tempe All Blacks FC and St. Paul’s FC played to a 1-1 draw in a second division encounter.

On Sunday, defending champions Hurricanes FC edged past another former champion Paradise FC 3-2 at Alston George Park in Victoria, St. Mark.

The other match played featured a home derby between Queen’s Park Rangers FC and Fonetnoy United DC at the National Stadium. Rangers recorded a convincing 3-0 win to sit behind Ball Dogs in the standings.

The other game, a second division fixture between New Hampshire FC and Combined Northerners FC didn’t play.

PRIME MINISTER ACCEPTS RESIGNATION FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL

Office of the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Thomas said while he regrets the circumstances, his decision was based on his commitment to keep his promises to the people of Grenada to restore high ethical standards, procedures, practices and integrity in public office.

Mr. Thomas reaffirmed his government’s commitment to good governance and transparency in public office and respect for the independence of institutions.

“On behalf of the government, I wish to thank Mr. Bristol for his contribution to Grenada over the past year,” the Prime Minister said.

Lamenting the poor state of sports reporting in Grenada

by Michael Bascombe

It wasn’t surprising that when junior track stars Kirani James and Nickhelia John and their coach recently returned to Grenada from the IAAF World Youth Championships in Italy to a reception at the Maurice Bishop International Airport that local media attention immediately shifted from the athletes’ performances to the non-appearance of the youngsters' parents at the welcome home.

Ironically, the same media which deemed James and John’s exploits insufficient and unworthy of consideration for the lead story in their newscasts or on their newspaper front pages, attempted to create a storm in a teacup over the absence of the parents.

On this note, the Grenada Athletics Association must be commended for taking the bold step of apologizing to the parents for the obviously unintentional omission that occurred at the MBIA reception.

Lest the media forget, it was just two months ago that a group of athletes, led by world champion Kirani James, assembled in the same area after the Junior CARIFTA Games, minus the parents. There was no public outcry then.

It brings me to the point I have been making over the past few years that support for our sportsmen and women is pathetic and insincere. We love to bask in the glory of these aspiring icons and loathe to honour them.

The fact that Kirani James grew up in a very tough neighbourhood called “Gun Battle” in the parish of St. John is more reason why the media should also highlight the positivity of his exploits. James’ triumph over adversity should become a regular part of sports coverage and not limited to moments of glory at events like the IAAF World Youth Championships.

Sadly, sensationalism is the order of the day and it’s playing a major role in determining the quality of the journalism profession.

As a matter of fact a sports administrator said that a journalist showed more interest when he faked a story about a youth chopping another in the Gun Battle community. “The journalist was hungry for more details and persons that could be contacted. The same journalist showed no similar interest, though, in checking the IAAF website to get details about Kirani,” the administrator said.

The latest example of the sensational trend in sports reporting occurred when a local television titled its headline sports story, “Football season opens in front of empty stands.” No effort was made to find out why the format for the opening of the season was changed. Even though two games were played as indicated in the brief story, no effort was made to provide the scores.

But who must be blamed for this poor state of sports reporting in Grenada? Media managers must take full responsibility since they have failed to take remedial action over the years.

As late as seven years ago the Grenada Broadcasting Network had two full-time sports reporters under the management of Hamlet Mark, Troy Garvey and Richard Purcell. They received quarterly and sometimes monthly updates on sporting events for possible live coverage on the network. Unfortunately, that practice ended with their departure and no attempts were made to permanently fill the void.

I am not aware of any full-time sports reporters at any of the other media houses – electronic or print.

I am appealing to media managers to tap the services and expertise of people like Alvin Clouden (photography), Ian “Flyers” Redhead, Trevor Thwaites, Ray Roberts, Harold Pysadee, Rawle Titus, Michael Bascombe, Irvine Simon, Hamlet Mark, Derek Seon, Cheney Joseph, Pele Darbeau, Anthony “Jericho” Greenidge, Paul Roberts, Selwin Noel, Carlos Thomas, Stephenson Worme, Lester Smith, Claudius George, Lincoln “Toro” Depradine, among others. All of these individuals were instrumental in the development of sports reporting in the ‘80s and early ‘90s.

There used to be special media features dedicated to sports such as The weekly Sunday Sports programme, organised by the Department of Sports and hosted by Carlos Thomas, the annual “Brain of Sports” Quiz Contest hosted by Ray Roberts and the weekly Saturday Sports Special hosted by a number of sports journalists over the years. Now, the main programme is Sunday Sports hosted by New York-based Harold Pysadee.

And despite the latter providing the content free to radio stations, by and large Harold's efforts go unnoticed and unappreciated.