The 12 delegates of the pageant are to be officially introduced to the media and sponsors at a cocktail this evening at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

However, they should have made their first appearance last night at a gala dinner, fashion show and dance to launch an AIDS campaign by the Courts furniture store, the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Miss Guyana Committee.

Over the past month or so, the 12 selected to take part in the pageant have been given tips on dieting, modelling and makeup, plus periods of exercising, Pageant Coordinator Mr. Derek Moore told reporters yesterday.

On pageant night, the delegates will compete for the crown amidst a spectacular show in which local artistes will be mainly featured, he said.

Ms. Gopaul who represented Guyana at the Miss World Pageant in South Africa last November, was described as a "fine ambassador for Guyana" by Moore who said the Miss World Committee wishes her well for the future as she is a "tremendous" person.

He said Gopaul will be performing on pageant night, September 7, and one of her pieces will be a song written about her experience as Miss Guyana and the Miss World Pageant.

Assistant Pageant Coordinator, Ms. Andrea McAdam said that sponsorship is coming along well, and that it has been a case of the business community coming forward rather than the committee seeking out them.

She is confident that all the delegates will be sponsored in time for a sashing ceremony in two weeks.

Colgate Palmolive, Lux, Boyo's Fashions, Dalgety Herbal Teas of the UK, and Caribbean Topaz, also of the UK, are sponsoring different aspects of the pageant.

A grand fashion extravaganza, featuring designs by a pool of local designers is billed for the Red House on August 3rd.

A talent competition is also to be held before the pageant.

Last year, the Miss World pageant did not feature a swimsuit competition, but rather video taped the delegates at locations in South Africa and showed a montage during the pageant, and it will be the same for the local pageant, Moore said.

Arrowpoint and Baganara island resorts, Whitewater Tours and the Splashmins Fun Park have been roped in for this aspect of the competition.

The tape of the girls will be showed on national television and the Guyanese public will be given a chance to vote for their favourite delegate. This will make up for about 10 per cent of the total scores, Moore indicated.

Members of the committee, besides Moore and McAdam are 2nd Assistant Coordinator and Chief Chaperone, Ms. Phoolkumarie Copsammy and trainer Mr. Christopher Goodridge.

Mr. Basil Williams is the attorney for the pageant. Ms. Gopaul is also involved in preparing the delegates for the pageant.

The Miss Guyana World franchsie is owned by Guyanese born UK businessman Mr. Ken Chung and his local partner is Moore.