Franchise holder of the Miss Global (Jamaica) contest, Lachu Ramchandani (stooping), poses with 11 of the 14 beauty contestants at a welcome reception at the Doctor's Cave Beach Hotel in Montego Bay, on Tuesday. Others in the photo include Ranchandani's wife, Bina (far left), family member Prem Samtani (right front row) and Carey Wallace, managing director of Negril Escape. - Photo by Noel Thompson

Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Fourteen of the 16 contestants in the Miss Global International Pageant arrived in the island on Tuesday to start final preparation for the pageant, which is slated for Sunday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St. Andrew.

The pageant is being held under the theme 'Uniting the World Through Beauty and Tourism'.

Countries being represented are Jamaica, Bahamas, Zambia, Botswana, Guyana, Malaysia, Uganda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Belgium, Nicaragua, Barbados, India and Holland.

Franchise holder, Montego Bay businessman Lachu Ramchandani, confirmed yesterday that plans were in their final stages for the event.

Proud of hosting

"Jamaica should feel proud to host this international event once more. This augurs well both for our tourism sector and our overall image," said Ramchandani.

Weston Haughton, the production director of the event, says it will be a very exciting production with an Afro-Caribbean theme.

"Last year, Zimbabwe won, so we are doing an opening production number in recognition of the former winner," Haughton states.

The production will include dancers and drummers from L'Acadco, choreographed by L'Antoinette Stines, who was one of the choreographers for the Cricket World Cup opening ceremony in Greenfield, Trelawny.

This will be followed by the contestants wearing national costumes, one of the exciting segments that the Jamaican audience enjoyed last year.

Great designs

Camille Box will wear the Jamaican costume designed and made by Elaine Dryer of Fashion Whirl, based in Kingston.

The evening's presenters will be Alicia Moulton - CVM at Sunrise host - and Andrew Lawrence, a popular Jamaican actor/singer who was nicknamed the 'voice of the stadium' at the cricket opening ceremony.

The production will also feature contestants parading in swimwear during their talent presentation and an evening wear parade. As usual, there is the question-and-answer segment for the top five. Sectional prizes for Most Aware, Most Talented and Most Congenial will be judged by the contestants. A special trophy will also be presented for Best Costume.

The winner will be awarded cash and numerous prizes including a trip to London, courtesy of Air Jamaica.

The inaugural competition was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in May 2006.