It could be a Rumble in the National Convention Centre on December 27 when Miss Guyana/World 2001, Olive Gopaul and reigning Miss Guyana/World, Odessa Phillips go head to coiffed head along with 24 other contestants in the Miss Guyana/Universe pageant 2004.

The Miss Guyana/Universe team: Franchise Holder, Odinga Lumumba (sitting at centre) is flanked by his wife, Nickolette, left and Pamela Dillon while standing from left to right are Michelle Cole, designer; Clive Prowell, Sara De Mendonca and Ashton John. (Aubrey Crawford photo)

The fight...er pageant is already being dubbed the `Clash of the champions’ since former queens, reigning queens and a number of contestants in former pageants will be vying for the crown.

But many have questioned Gopaul’s and Phillips’ presence in the pageant stating that they should give others a try. Persons from the beauty pageant world disagree since they point out that their experience could be plus for Guyana when they come up against the rest of the world in the Miss Universe pageant.

Franchise holder, Odinga Lumumba speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Waterchris hotel said the reign of Miss Guyana/Universe Leanna Damond would be cut short so as to facilitate the time to train for the Miss Universe pageant. He said that they have learnt from their experience with Damond and as such they feel that the queen needs five to six months to really train for the international pageant.

Lummuba yesterday told reporters that the contestants include five schoolteachers, two Cyril Potter College of Education graduates, two University of Guyana (UG) graduates, three UG students, two International University of Guyana students and one student of the Critchlow Labour College.

The other local queens expected in the pageant are Evita Walcott, Miss Amerindian Heritage 2001-2003 and Miss Jam Zone 2003, Eletha Stewart. Other high profile contestants include: Teannie Causway, third runner-up in the recently concluded Miss Amerindian Heritage, Zina Edwards, first runner-up in Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2002, Tenesha Leacock, second runner-up in the recent Miss West Demerara Beauty pageant and Angelica Fredricks, who was a contestant in the Miss Guyana/Universe pageant in 2002.

Other contestants are: Karen Duke, Michelle Armstrong, Joylyn Perreira, Ramona Halls, Sergean Elias, Juanita Campbell, Verita George, Dionne Thompson, Shellon Hinds, Melissa Harris, Tricia Chee-Foon, Michelle Playter, Fonseca Peter, Alisa Faria, Moleeva Stanley, Oneca Sam and Crystal Jeffery.

The franchise holder said that they only wanted twenty contestants but because of the overwhelming response 26 girls were chosen. Lumumba said training would commence on November 1, and instead of bringing in trainers from overseas the committee has tasked four local persons with the job. Lumumba said this was because they do not want trainers telling the young women how they should walk on stage which would make then uncomfortable. He pointed out that there are certain basic things that the girls would be taught but they would not all be trained to walk one way.

The trainers are, Vivienne Daniel, who is the trainer/co-ordinator and Clive Prowell, Sarah De Mendonca and Ashton John.

The official launch and the presentation of the contestants to potential sponsors will take place on November 15 while the sashing ceremony will be on December 2.

Events leading up to the big night include the live national television interview, December 14, and swimsuit competition, December 21.

Lumumba added that local designers should collaborate more internationally so as to design better gowns. And this year the contestants would not be saddled with a local designer in the committee as happened in the first pageant. Lumumba said he would not stop any girl and her sponsor from bringing their gown from overseas.