Guyana Chronicle E-paper 08-12-2018

12th August, 2018

No.105343

Amendments to review act coming

– MoLA warns against PPP using law as political tool 03 PAGE

Jagdeo in ‘hot water’ PAGE 2 – refers to Indigenous people with derogatory term

Nobel 3 Prize-winning author VS Naipaul dies PAGE

27 females detained 9

Spinner Imran Tahir celebrates after taking a wicket as the Guyana Amazon Warriors defeat the St Lucia Stars in their Caribbean Premier League match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (Adrian Narine photo) (See story on back page)

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– following police raid of popular Bikers Bar

WARRIORS

PREVAIL

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

Jagdeo in ‘hot water’ – refers to Indigenous people with derogatory term

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has found himself in hot water after making reference to the nation’s Indigenous people in a derogatory term at his press conference on Thursday.

In excerpts from a recorded Facebook live video streamed on the social media platform, Jagdeo can be heard criticising the Alliance For Change (AFC) and in his comments, he made reference to the support base of the party with the words “every (derogatory word)”.

The recording which was live streamed on the People’s Progressive Party

(PPP) Facebook page has Jagdeo uttering the following words.

“I was in Fyrish Village last week, key activists there said no. I was in Lima in Essequibo Coast, their key activists came to our meeting, they have seen it on the ground ... they have seen it and this is happening…. It is an avalanche, it’s not like trickles, it’s a deluge of their support. Every (derogatory word) who believe that they stood for something that was different now have seen the true nature of the AFC.” The opposition leader in a statement on Saturday disputed the contents of the

video.

According to Jagdeo, his words were “… it is an avalanche, it’s not trickles, it’s a deluge - everybody (cut short), people who believed that they stood for something that was different, have now seen the true nature of the AFC.” Jagdeo said that in the context of his criticism of the AFC, “The discussion had absolutely nothing to do with Amerindians.”

He said the statement was made in the presence of the entire media corps “and not a single person there thought I made a derogatory statement. In fact, there

was an extensive question and answer session and the matter never came up.”

On Saturday, a reporter attached to the Guyana Times, which has close links to Jagdeo and the Opposition, noted in a post under the video posted by former executive of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Lenox Shuman that Jagdeo in fact used the derogatory term.

“The video was not tampered with. This is exactly what was said at the press conference,” the reporter said.

“Only warped minds or desperate politicians (and

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

there are many around now) would think that after a lifetime of struggling for greater respect, rights and develop-

ment for our Amerindian brothers and sister, I would resort to the use of a word that I find personally reprehensible,” Jagdeo said in his statement.

Jagdeo, a former President, is no stranger to controversial statements. In 2015, he was charged for race baiting but the matter was thrown out by the High Court.

The comments by the opposition leader received criticism all day Saturday on social media by members of the public including members of non-governmental Indigenous organisations.

François making life a little sweeter CHOCOLATE has that natural power of turning a bad day into a good one and Chocolatier Linden Francois is creating healthy chocolates right here in Guyana.

His establishment, the Maison François, is located in the City Mall, Regent Street, Georgetown.

Francois described the variety of products that can be found in his business.

“You can find all types of chocolate. We have dairy free. All of my chocolates are made with natural ingredients. There are no chemicals or sugar. I have many flavours; the dairy free one is lemon curd and orange marmalade made with fresh orange peel.”

The 30-year-old said his treats cater to all persons, even those who are following a healthy lifestyle. “Seventy per cent of the chocolate is dark chocolate from Belgium and my cacao (butter) is from Belgium too.”

After operating in the culinary field for over eight years in Paris, London and Dubai, the French-born Guyanese shared his reason for moving back to Guyana and

Some of the chocolates offered at Maison François (DPI photo)

Chocolatier Linden Francois

A wide variety of chocolates on display (DPI photo)

starting up his business.

“I was born in France, but my mother is Guyanese and this is my home too. Growing up I always wanted to open a three-rosette restaurant here, but then I thought there were so many restaurants here,

why not try something different. I wanted to be the first person to open a chocolate eatery in Guyana,” he said.

Francois said while there were initial doubts about whether his business would receive a positive response

from the Guyanese public, the response has been overwhelming.

Internationally certified by a culinary school in Paris, France, he specialises in sugar, chocolate, pastry and wedding cakes.

“If you want your name to be written on one of the chocolates, all of that can be arranged. For persons who prefer white chocolate; if you put in an order or visit me, I sell from a kilo and above,

because white chocolate is not natural and it can be expensive,” Francois explained.

In the future, the young chocolatier plans to open more outlets across Guyana.

“So, anywhere you go you will see Maison Francois, my name and my product.”

The prices for his products are reasonable since he sells 100 grams of chocolate for $1,500 or a chocolate bar for just $300. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

Amendments to review act coming – MoLA warns against PPP using law as political tool THE Ministry of Legal Affairs says the operationalisation of the Judicial Review Act was not contingent on the Civil Procedure Rules and asserted that the opposition’s interest in the new Act is for political purposes.

The ministry said too that it intends to follow best practice and consult with stakeholders before the implementation of the Act, noting that these consultations will ensure that improvements and amendments be made to cure existing lacunas in the current Judicial Review Act and to bring it in line with established regional and international best practices, such as those highlighted by the CCJ and noted in the recent case of The Medical Council of Guyana-v-Jose.

The High Court recently ordered the attorney general to operationalise the Act and an attempt to have the decision stayed until the hearing of an appeal was disallowed

by Appellate Court judge Rafiq Khan last week.

The act was passed in Parliament back in 2010; and although it was assented to by then President Bharrat Jagdeo, it was never implemented. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had argued in court that the reason the Act was not operationalised was due to the absence of the Civil Procedure Rules.

He said now that the rules are in place, it was incumbent on the government to operationalise the Act. However, the Legal Affairs Ministry pointed out that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams had previously refuted all allegations of wilful refusal to operationalise the Judicial Review Act. NO STIPULATION The ministry said that in 2010, there were no stipulations that the Judicial Review Act is by any means contingent upon the existence of the

Civil Procedure Rules.

It outlined that Section 3(1) of the Act provides that an application for judicial review shall be made “in accordance with this and with rules of court.”

The ministry argued that the rules referred to in the Act are the rules that were, at the time, in force and did not expressly or implied refer to any rules of court to be made as alleged by the PPP/C and their allies.

“The PPP/C’s arguments surrounding the issues of enforcement of the Judicial Review Act are misleading.

The hypocrisy of the PPP/C is palpable, since evidence is clear that the refusal of implementing the Act lies with the PPP/C since they had five years to act on behalf of the people of Guyana, from 2010-2015,” the ministry noted. It contends that the PPP’s aim is clear,” as they are using the issue at hand as a political tool and the people must be extremely cautious

of the political propaganda of the PPP/C and the information being peddled in the press.

“It is reiterated that the Judicial Review Act was not dependent upon the passing of the Civil Procedure Rules 2016, as argued before the High Court and it does not negate the fact that the former attorney general and minister of legal affairs refused to bring the very Act into law, which he now argues must be brought into law.”

The ministry said the current government and its ministers are not shielded from any law as alleged by the PPP/C and their allies.

“The remedies for judicial review of state and government actions are still available to litigants, as there are many cases that were brought forth against the current attorney general,” the ministry said.

OVERSTEPPING Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Chambers in its

affidavit appealing the High Court decision contended that the chief justice committed an illegality when by her ruling she purported to dictate to the minister of legal affairs her own timelines to bring the Judicial Review Act into force, in contravention of the doctrine of Separation of Powers and as such, exercised his discretion.

The state added that the chief justice also by her action usurped the discretion vested in the minister of legal affairs by the legislature, to bring into force a legislation which had no timeline and which was clearly within his purview to so do; and that she committed a specific illegality when she failed to apply the overriding objective of the New Civil Procedure Rules to deal with cases in the interest of the parties justly. “… the chief justice committed a specific illegality when she ruled that applicant/ appellant had breached a duty by not bringing the Judicial Review Act into force. That the Honourable Chief Justice

erred and misdirected herself in law when she found that the Applicant/Appellant did not have discretion in the commencement date of Judicial Review, after the Civil Procedure Rules came into force,” the chambers said.

Additionally, the state contended that the chief justice erred and misdirected herself in law when she found that the specific discretion granted to the minister of legal affairs by the legislature had been converted into an obligatory duty to bring the Act into force after/when the Civil Procedure Rules came into force.

It said the findings by the chief justice are unsupported by any legal basis and that the learned justice erred and misdirected herself in law, when she issued a mandatory order to command the attorney general to act within a specified time, when the legislature did not fix a time limit and where there had not been a refusal by the Applicant/ Appellant to carry out a statutory duty.

Nobel Prize-winning author VS Naipaul dies at 85 NOVELIST Sir VS Naipaul, who won the Nobel Prize in literature, has died at his home in London at age 85, his family has said.

Sir Vidia, who was born in rural Trinidad in 1932, was known for works including ‘A Bend in the River’ and his masterpiece, ‘A House for Mr. Biswas.’

The author, who wrote more than 30 books, won the Booker Prize in 1971 and the Nobel Prize in literature in 2001.

His wife Lady Naipaul called him a “giant in all that he achieved.”

She said, “he died surrounded

by those he loved, having lived a life which was full of wonderful creativity and endeavor.”

On social media, people paid tribute to the author and expressed their sadness.

“No-one inspired me to read more than Naipaul,” one person wrote while another added: “His novel ‘A House for Mr. Biswas,’ has stayed with me as a lasting memory for 30+ years.”

Sir Vidia, during his childhood, was read Shakespeare and Dickens by his father, raised a Hindu and attended Queen’s Royal College.

He moved to Britain and was

enrolled at Oxford University in 1950 after winning a government scholarship, giving him entry into any Commonwealth university of his choosing.

As a student, he struggled with depression and attempted suicide.

His first book, ‘The Mystic Masseur,’ was published in 1951 and a decade later he published his most celebrated novel, ‘A House for Mr. Biswas,’ which took over three years to write.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize for “having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us

to see the presence of suppressed histories.”

His first wife, Patricia Hale, died in 1996 and he went on to marry Pakistani journalist, Nadira.

Sir Vidia was outspoken and was known for criticisms of Tony Blair - whom he described as a “pirate” - as well as Charles Dickens and EM Forster.

He also fell out with the American travel writer Paul Theroux, who he had mentored, in a bitter 15-year feud after Theroux discovered a book he had given Naipaul in a second-hand bookshop. They later reunited. (BBC News)

Sir VS Naipaul

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Weedkiller glyphosate ‘doesn’t cause cancer’ – Bayer (BBC) Pharmaceutical group Bayer has dismissed claims that an ingredient used in weed killers is carcinogenic.

The German company, which owns agriculture giant Monsanto, says herbicides containing glyphosate are safe.

On Friday, Monsanto was ordered to pay $289m (£226m) damages to a man who claimed the products caused his cancer.

regulators around the world and decades of experience, that glyphosate is safe for use and does not cause cancer when used according to the label.”

The landmark lawsuit was the first to go to trial alleging a glyphosate link to cancer.

The claimant, groundsman Dewayne Johnson, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014.

His lawyers said he regularly used a form of RangerPro while working at a school in Benicia, California.

He is among more than 5,000 similar plaintiffs across the US. Glyphosate is the world’s most common weedkiller.

The California ruling could lead to hundreds of other claims against Monsanto.

The company said it intends to appeal against the verdict.

A Californian jury said Monsanto should have warned users about the dangers of its Roundup and RangerPro weedkillers.

Bayer completed its $66bn takeover of Monsanto in June.

A Bayer spokesperson told the BBC the two companies operate independently.

In a statement the company said: “Bayer is confident, based on the strength of the science, the conclusions of

What is glyphosate and is it dangerous?

Glyphosate was introduced by Monsanto in 1974, but its patent expired in 2000, and now the chemical is sold by various manufacturers. In the US, more than 750 products contain it.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organisation’s cancer agency, concluded that glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic to humans”.

However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) insists it is safe when used carefully.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also says glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans.

Last November 2017 EU countries voted to renew the licence of glyphosate despite campaigns against it.

BBC North American

correspondent James Cook reported that in California where a judge recently ruled that coffee must carry a cancer warning - the agriculture industry sued to prevent such a label for glyphosate, even though the state lists it as a chemical known to cause cancer.

What happened in the groundsman case?

Jurors found on Friday that Monsanto had acted with “malice” and that its weed killers contributed “substantially” to Mr Johnson’s terminal illness.

Following an eight-week trial, the jury ordered the company to pay $250m in punitive damages together with other costs that brought the total figure to almost $290m.

Mr Johnson’s lawyer, Brent Wisner, said the jury’s verdict showed that the evidence against the product

was “overwhelming”.

“When you are right, it is really easy to win,” he said.

How did Monsanto react?

“The jury got it wrong,” vice-president Scott Partridge said outside the courthouse in San Francisco.

In a written statement, the company said it was “sympathetic to Mr Johnson and his family” but it would “continue to vigorously defend this product, which has a 40-year history of safe use”.

“Today’s decision does not change the fact that more than 800 scientific studies and reviews - and conclusions by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US National Institutes of Health and regulatory authorities around the world - support the fact that glyphosate does not cause cancer, and did not cause Mr Johnson’s cancer,” it added.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

‘No sleeveless’ policy suspended

(Jamaica Observer) PRIME Minister Andrew Holness has instructed that the ‘no sleeveless’ policy, which is a long-standing practice of prohibiting women wearing sleeveless attire from entry into Government buildings, be suspended.

A release from the Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday that Holness has also instructed that a full review of government dress code practices be done.

According to the release, it has been found that while the practice exists to prohibit people who wear sleeveless from entering Government buildings through “dress codes” established within particular ministries, departments and agencies, there is no law or official Government policy on which these are based.

Last year a call by gender research expert Professor Verene Shepherd for the Government to revise its dress code for the public’s interaction with its agencies and departments to reflect a more modern society gained support on social media, with one respondent stating that she was denied health service because she was wearing a sleeveless blouse.

Professor Shepherd had questioned the origin of the “no sleeveless” rule at Government offices and institutions in Jamaica on Twitter after sharing that she went to a high school in St Thomas and the security guard looked into her vehicle and asked if anyone in the group was wearing a sleeveless top.

Her post led to a number of her social media followers, mainly women, speaking out against the rule, the hindrances it has caused, and questioning its necessity in modern society.

Last year, too, prominent attorney-at-law Bert Samuels argued that the ‘no sleeveless’ dress code is unconstitutional.

The attorney said then that refusing to grant individuals entry to public buildings because they are dressed in sleeveless clothing could offend their constitutional right to liberty, freedom of association and freedom of movement.

Samuels said the legislation that speaks to clothing is the indecent exposure law, which prohibits too much exposure of the human body, moreso, the exposure of private parts.

“So where do you draw the line? The exposure of arms does not breach any statute. A sleeveless individual is not unlawfully clad. A sleeveless individual is not breaching any of our laws,” he said.

Yesterday, the release said Cabinet has taken note of the concerns expressed by the public and empathises with the unfortunate experiences shared primarily by women in both extreme and everyday circumstances.

In that regard, Holness instructed the Cabinet secretary to write to ministries, departments and agencies to make them aware that they are not to deny access or services to people based on their sleeveless attire, as this is not the policy of the Government.

To ensure the formulation of a proper policy, in the medium term, the release said the minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport has been mandated to formulate, subject to consultation, a Government dress code policy that is aligned with modern considerations as well as the climatic realities of Jamaica.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Addressing alcoholism

ALCOHOL abuse is one of the biggest social and health problems among Guyanese. Alcohol abuse disorder is defined as “problem-drinking that affects a person’s social, economic, or physical well-being.” And, having been identified as a disease by medical experts, it must and can be addressed as such by medical professionals.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15.2% of male drinkers in Guyana consume more than 60 grams of alcohol at least once per month. This, according to the WHO, constitutes heavy drinking. According to their statistics, 15.9% of heavy drinkers have alcohol abuse disorder, while 3.9% may be considered alcoholics. Among Guyanese youth, males on average take their first drink at 11.9 years old and females at 12.5 years. Those statistics are the worst in the Caribbean.

Guyanese are all too familiar with the negative health effects of alcohol abuse.

While vehicular accidents and related fatalities may be the most obvious results, falls, death by fire, homicide, drowning,

and suicide are also effects caused by acute (immediate) intoxication. Long-term (chronic) effects include liver disease, pancreatitis, suicide, stroke, bowel dysfunction, brain disease, psychiatric disorders, cancers, and sexually transmitted diseases, among others. Considering all of those factors, the WHO concludes that problem-drinking cuts 15 years from one’s life expectancy, compared with eight years for cigarette-smoking.

The destructive effects on families, relationships, and social consequences are well known. Children are often most severely affected, as they may go hungry or be subject to abuse or neglect, due to having alcoholic parents. Families can be torn apart, they may become homeless, and children may become orphans.

While the causes of problem-drinking are complex and not well understood, medical experts agree that heredity plays a major part; having a parent who has an alcohol problem increases one’s likelihood of developing the disease. Studies of twins support this view. Scientists believe that peer influence, alcohol availability, and

cultural factors also contribute to the fact that at least 25% of the global population are considered to be chronically dependent on alcohol, while a minimum of 10% of men and 5% of women may be considered alcoholics.

Another major consequence involves effects on the foetus when alcohol is consumed by a pregnant woman. Such a baby, if it survives, may be born with foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This disorder is characterised by low birth weight, deformities of the face, head, and limbs, mental retardation, malformation of the heart, lungs and other organs, and stunted growth. No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

While there is medical evidence which concludes that moderate drinking has some health effects such as prevention of heart attacks and ischemic strokes, such benefits are lost when alcohol is used in excessive quantities.

Clearly, alcohol abuse is a problem that can destroy individuals, families, communities, and by extension, affect entire countries, because the cost of addressing

alcohol-related issues takes a major toll on national economies. Absenteeism from work alone is estimated to cost billions of dollars worldwide. Recognising the problem, what can we do about it?

While the government has a responsibility to provide healthcare services to those affected by this disease, it is up to individuals to take advantage of the available opportunities offered.

First, affected persons and families must recognise the disorder and make a decision to seek help. Second, afflicted persons should be assessed by medical professionals who will then recommend a course of treatment. Third, the problem-drinker needs to stick with the programme.

Fortunately, in Guyana, help is available. Medical aid for alcohol-related issues is offered at any hospital.

At the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, psychiatric and counselling services are obtainable at no cost.

Persons who want more information may call any public hospital, or the suicide-prevention hotline at 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, or 600-7896.

Another valiant but frenetic attempt –– at varnishing the truth

Dear Editor DONALD Ramotar’s letter, “Setting the record straight: Debunking fake news”, published in the August 10, 2018 edition of the Kaieteur News, is yet another valiant, but frantic and dishonest attempt by this former Head of State to defend to the last draw of his breath, his and Bharrat Jagdeo’s administrations from accusations of corruption.

This is the Communist way of presenting the “truth”, in its own version and style, regardless of the many glaring holes and hollowness that will inevitably ring true.

But it is incredible that after so many revealing audits, ordered by the succeeding David Granger administration, with their shocking accounts of mass financial irregularities, in addition to information received

from credible international investigative bodies that point to where stolen assets and money have been stashed, that Ramotar et al are still claiming innocence.

Thus, for Ramotar to state in such an infernal missive that “During the period of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C) government, it was subjected to vile and consistent attacks about corruption,” is nothing short of reprehensible.

As he went on to say, “Most of the allegations were downright lies; some were half-truths (these are often worse than lies) and almost always they were distorted.

“The PPP/C has answered these accusations over and over again.”

Of course, these comments are meant for the Kaieteur News, which media house became a thorn in the side of the former PPP/C government, as it continued to

expose the PPP/C government’s criminal plunder of the State.

It is the right of any media -- once it is fair, balanced and objective, and functioning in the best interests of the people -- to expose and take to task any government whose actions are predatory. For such is part of the functions of the media in a democratic State.

Of course, the PPP/C did answer “these accusations over and over again”, as Ramotar claimed. But the evidence was, and still is, there; and these form the reasons for legal proceedings brought against some of its high-ranking members so far.

This is the crooked narrative that is so constant about the PPP/C’s denial of its incontrovertible involvement in State criminality: “We ain’t do nuttin”.

Assuming that the above contention had been true, one should then wonder why there are objections; refusals, to be specific, from the general banking sector to give very vital information to SARA as

requested.

Editor, the much-vaunted banking laws that govern confidentiality used to be invoked when information on a customer was requested; however, this has more or less been overturned in the face of new regulations that are now employed to investigate the pandemic financial crime of money laundering.

At least, banking houses abroad do cooperate quickly with investigating authorities, lest their reputation comes into disrepute.

These are the kinds of setbacks which Ramotar and the PPP/C continue to use to defend accusations against endemic corruption. But their judgment will come; of this I am quite sure.

For there is no way that these highstate crooks should be allowed to defeat the course of justice.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Providing youth with safe spaces Dear Editor,

GLOBALLY, August 12 is celebrated by non-profit organisations, international charitable entities and governments as “International Youth Day”.

As I put my finger to this phone screen, I wonder what suitable topic would work for this day.

Since its conception in 1999, the United Nations has released a different theme for the day. This year’s theme is “Safe Spaces for Youth”.

Personally, I feel that observances like this can provide organisations and individuals the ability to facilitate conversations that can hopefully turn into action. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that is often practiced.

With every observance, people will wear the assigned colour for the day, upload a status, talk about the importance of the day and then... Well, that’s it!

Similarly, observances like breast cancer awareness walk will have many persons wearing pink and talk about getting checked up.

Are we doing this year-round, or are we only advocating to “fit into the crowd”?

I love this year’s International Youth Day theme. It is true that young people need a safe space. In fact, this “safe space” can enable them to learn more about others and themselves.

How can we make spaces safe? Firstly, you need to have someone who would be known as the facilitator there. Before having this person there, you need to know if this

person has had previous criminal activity, or if they indulge in “suspicious activity”. Suspicious activity is purposely written vaguely, since we can’t necessarily determine from looking at a person if they are a paedophile or not. This is why it is important to properly vet persons for positions like this.

In addition to this, computers and WiFi access should be available since this would allow young people to communicate and connect with others.

Anywhere can be a space for young people, but can it be safe? On July 10, 2018, the Department of Public Information released an article where the Minister of Youth pledged her support in establishing youth spaces countrywide.

It would be funny if this minister is actually reading this article. Don’t worry; I’m not going to throw shade. By the way, “shade” is a term that we youth use to describe as using sarcasm.

Although I applaud this initiative, we need to be realistic. As I said before, anywhere can be a youth space, but what provisions are we making for young people to have a space where they can learn and be themselves? Will this youth space be accessible to youth of different races? Will these youth spaces be accessible to disabled youth? All of these things need to be considered before launching something, as your intention can backfire on you.

When it comes to the safety of young people, we need to engage older persons also.

Bridging the generation gap can be difficult,

Amazon Warriors’ seminal contribution –– to national development

Dear Editor, AFTER being at Providence, I wish to point out the seminal contribution the Guyana Amazon Warriors are making to our national development.

First there is the matter of “national cohesion”, of which we have heard so much during the past three years. But who has done more for national cohesion than the “Warriors” during that time?

Once again, they have created such a positive buzz in our country that the “doomand-gloom” threatening to put us into a national depression has been dissipated like a bad morning mist.

This time around, it was young Shimron Hetemyer from Canje who provided the sparks during the first game at Providence to light up and lift the spirits of the fans in the jam-packed stadium. But every year during the last five years, in every game, one or more “Warriors” have done the same with bat or ball, to make them the most consistent team in the CPL. And if those past five years are any guide, the “Warriors” will bring together our people like no other event to give expression to the aspirational exhortation of our national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”!

But while allowing our people to actually experience that there’s more that binds us together than divide us, a tremendous

achievement in itself, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have brought so many more benefits to Guyana.

According to the research agency, SMG Insight, the Guyanese economy received a shot in the arm of US$14,183,035 in 2017 for the four pool games. This year, the number will expand significantly because of the larger number of games.

But that direct cash injection is just the tip of the iceberg, with almost 500 jobs created and over 5000 hotel rooms booked cumulatively. A big part of that iceberg is the publicity for tourism, since more than 19 million persons saw the very best of our people in living colour!

I was also very impressed with the professionalism with which the event was organised and executed: It was flawless, and should give lie to the report in the NYTimes about Guyana being a sleepy, backwater country.

I am writing this because as a Guyanese, I have become very tired of the negativity about our country.

And when something like the CPL and GAW dispel that negativity, it shows us that things can be different, if only we put our minds and shoulders to creating positivity.

Regards Jenifer Semple

depending on the persons.

The population of youth is expanding.

Advocates for Youth released their annual statistics that indicated, “Young people and children comprise of 40 per cent of the world’s population”.

In Guyana, many young people are at a disadvantage. As we all know by now, it’s difficult for young people to get jobs, as they’re either over or under-qualified. Poverty is also a ripple effect of young people struggling with their future, hence why the crime rate in Guyana is heavily controlled by young people, or as people like to call them, “de ghetto yutes”.

Training workshops are held, but these are hardly ever publicly mentioned, since many of them are organised by organisations with a certain aim for their desired audience.

This letter is dedicated to the hopeless Guyanese youth. I know you may feel that your life isn’t what you wanted it to be. These feelings should drown you into becoming everything you could hate. We have to be stronger than the thoughts in our heads, and what we hear from disapproving persons.

Saying this comforts me; I hope it can provide some kind of solace for you, too.

To know that you are not alone; that you, just like me, feel that your voice is unheard.

Sometimes I feel like my voice is echoed in the abyss, and it can’t be heard by anyone.

That’s why I write: I write for you, for me, and for all of us. To let our government and organisations be more action and less talk.

Most importantly, I want to leave you guys with this small piece of advice: You can advocate for young people and still be young.

Remember, we are the present and the future; we need to stop saying “young people are the future”. Obviously they are, but they are here right now.

How can we build their capacity to actively participate in building and maintaining a positive life for themselves and others? You don’t have to speak the Queen’s English and wear suits when representing young people.

If you are passionate about volunteering for helping young people, you can message ASPIRE Youth Network GUYANA’s Facebook page, or email us at: aspireyngy@gmail.com. Also, if you wanna give us a paid column section or some helpful resources, we would feel humbly grateful with your lovely gesture.

One of de youths dem, Juliana Lopes Repping ASPIRE Youth Network Guyana

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New-wave democracy GUYANA is celebrated today for its “new-wave” democracy, where the framework to protect entitlements of not just the present but future generations under a Natural Resources Fund and a Green-State Development Strategy is being put in place.

For those of us who believe in transforming our freedom in both political and socio-economic forms, this is like a dream becoming true. We are closer today to achieving a dem-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

ocratic system of governance with sustainable economic growth than ever before.

POWERFUL SURGES Powerful surges in our new-wave democracy have been open and credible national and local-government elections, a free media and an independent Parliament.

When the House went into recess on August 10, it had already met for 96 sittings in the first three years of the 11th Parlia-

ment (2015-2020); call it the Granger Presidency.

By the end of 2018, sittings are likely to surpass 110, when the National Assembly would debate the 2019

National Budget, including consideration of estimates for constitutional and statutory agencies.

These sittings under the APNU+AFC Coalition Gov-

ernment would be the single highest number in the first three years of any parliament since 1992. Though truncated, there were only 62 sittings during the 7th

(1997-2001) Parliament (Janet Jagan Presidency), and 88 sittings during the 2011-2014 Parliament (Donald Ramotar Presidency).

the Opposition is doing it, having refined the Big Lie to get sympathy, both as victim and a pathetic loser.

That was clear when I moved a Motion for an Opposition MP to be sent to the Privileges Committee for contemptuous conduct. The Opposition quickly bawled that it would file a complaint with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the United Nations Human Rights Committee that freedom of expression was being suppressed in our Parliament.

crime Bill in Parliament for passage, Opposition MPs hollered that the effort to combat the misuse of computers for criminal purposes, including terrorism, was intended to deny young people access to the Internet. They stitched in an unreal image of Guyana being overrun by all manner of repressive acts in order to whip up external pity.

In regards to our prospects for oil, the Opposition paints a worrying picture of the future of Guyana being afflicted by the dreaded “Dutch Disease”, and about future elections being rigged.

Those postures fit into

the dismal picture of the types of human beings who try to fool others, all the time, so as to get pity. They were described by one writer as having a permanent slogan, “When I lose, I win”.

It brings to mind a statement disputably attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

But for Guyanese, we can remind those who peddle lies and half-truths of what the old people say: “Moon ah run till day ketch am!”

The research on those sittings show as follows:-

DORMANT PARLIAMENT? You could imagine how disappointed I felt when I read a Kaieteur News columnist saying: “There have been very few sittings of the House for 2018”, and that Guyana has a “dormant Parliament”.

Seriously?

Though the bigger picture is up for debate on the Green Paper that proposes the fiscal rule for accessing, using, investing and saving revenues from our petroleum resources, it is unfortunate that critics are preoccupied with raking up and distorting small issues.

This pastime is not an academic deficit, but is either just pure laziness to research the facts, or idle pursuit of a mistaken belief in the Goebbelsian lie that, if repeated

often, could be believed as the truth.

The fallacy regarding fewer parliamentary sittings has been peddled by the Opposition, but it did not catch on. So, like a relay in a marathon race of falsehoods, the KN writer took up the bruised baton, and ran with it.

The absence of the Leader of Government Business in the House did not prevent the National Assembly from meeting on August 8 last for very important national matters. After that sitting, the House went into scheduled recess for two months.

LEAVING JURISDICTION It had become necessary for me to leave the jurisdiction for a much-delayed medical check-up, since I had

triple heart by-pass surgery six months ago. I concede that “private business” didn’t quite explain why I travelled overseas. But I can assure you that it was not on a folly in order to sabotage the Parliament.

On that occasion, I spent 65 days (just over two months) undergoing medical procedures and rehabilitation.

That was the first time in over 25 years, and while I held public office, that I travelled overseas for medical attention.

But the KN columnist insisted, again, that I had gone away for three months, which caused Parliament to be crippled.

It is baffling how some otherwise intelligent folks would give a crooked spin to the truth. I understand why

WHEN I LOSE, I WIN Again, when the government tabled the Cyber-

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

Constituency No.14 gets community centre RESIDENTS living within Constituency No.14, South Ruimveldt Park/Ruimveldt Industrial Estate will now benefit from a brand-new community centre located at the South Ruimveldt Shopping Plaza.

The facility, which is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Public Health and the community, will soon offer Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services, computer classes, reading programmes and sewing classes among others.

Addressing the gathering at the official opening of the centre on Saturday afternoon, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence said that this initiative is one which demonstrates the community taking the necessary steps to develop and prepare for the upcoming oil and gas industry in 2020. The minister also noted that establishment of the centre will assist in the government’s commitment to providing an opportunity to improve the skills of youths in the neighbourhood.

Minister Lawrence and Denroy Tudor assisting this little girl in cutting the ribbon to officially open the community centre (DPI photo)

“I hope that this initiative is one that the community representatives continue to develop and give them the incentive to push for other initiatives which will help in the development of the nation’s future leaders,” Minister Lawrence said.

The minister urged the residents to highlight to their community representatives, possible areas that can be developed for the benefit of all.

Also addressing the attendees was International Desk Coordinator at the Ministry of Public Health, Denroy Tudor who revealed his plans to represent Constituency 14 at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) in November.

“With the establishment of the community centre, I hope to join [the] LGE to become a representative for my community, to push for development and to encourage other young people to do the same.” (DPI)

27 females detained – following police raid of popular Bikers Bar POLICE have detained 27 female foreign nationals after they swooped down at Bikers Bar located at Lot 22 Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday night.

The Nutmeg Street, North Ruimveldt owner/operator of the facility, which once housed a supermarket, was also detained.

Ranks of ‘A’ Division and officers from police headquarters conducted a search of the premises between 21:50 hrs and 23:55hrs, and in the process found a case of liquor. The owner reportedly has no licence to operate any business on the premises, police said in a release.

The Bikers Bar at Covent Garden, EBD, which started operation several weeks ago

Fire destroys Maria’s Linden’s first chicken hatchery Lodge home to push poultry rearing A FIRE of unknown origin completely gutted the upper flat of a Lot 43 Middle Street, Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast home on Saturday evening.

Businessman Farouk Khan is currently counting his losses as a number of household items were damaged during the blaze.

According to information, the family was at a wedding house at Anna Regina when the fire started.

The house was occupied by several family members.

The businessman’s wife Patsy Khan secured the upper flat of the house earlier on Saturday before going to Anna Regina. In the af-

ternoon, she received a call from her eldest son Jairam Sukhu who lives nearby that smoke was emanating from the building.

Sukhu then alerted the neighbours who called the Anna Regina Fire Station and gained entry to the house by breaking the western window in an effort to uplift the keys.

A bucket brigade was formed and most of the flames were extinguished.

The job was completed by members of the Anna Regina Fire Station who arrived soon after. No one was injured and the Anna Regina Fire Station has launched an investigation into the fire.

A SPANKING new chicken hatchery has been established in the community of Amelia’s Ward Linden and residents who rear poultry can now source vaccinated chickens at a reduced cost.

The modern facility was established by private businessman Ramchand Jewan, who has reared chickens for over two decades.

Jewan said his motivation for establishing the hatchery was to ensure that poultry farmers do not suffer unnecessary losses from purchasing unvaccinated birds. He is also constructing a feed factory which will be completed shortly.

The hatchery which cost over $30Million can produce 10,000 chickens within 21

days; another machine to accommodate another 10,000 will arrive in three weeks.

Jewan said NARIE has already come on board to vaccinate the chickens to ensure that Lindeners get the best quality poultry.

“We need to satisfy the people, it’s going to be cheaper, we might start small, but we will have quality chickens…

I want Lindeners to feel comfortable that I am selling them chickens that are vaccinated. I would be happy if people are satisfied.”

Currently, Lindeners pay $6,000 for a bag of feed and Jewan is optimistic that once the business is operational, he will be able to offer feed at significantly reduced prices. He

Ramchand Jewan standing next to one of the machines in the hatchery

plans to give free chicken manure to subsistence farmers in an effort to push food security.

The businessman also plans to construct a bus shed for the benefit of the residents living in the community surrounding the hatchery.

The venture has been welcomed by regional officials. Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Regional Vice-Chairman Elroy Adolph commended Jewan for thinking out of the box.

(DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

Understanding Energy...

What is cost-recoverable?

COST recovery is a straightforward concept, and it’s one that this column has touched on in the past. Given ongoing interest in the issue, we take a deeper dive this week.

Fundamentally, oil-andgas exploration and production contracts usually allow companies to recoup their costs: the money they spent doing the exploration and development, after oil production begins.

Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), like Guyana’s, normally include a cost-recovery mechanism to make up for the inherent risk of drilling in new areas, and government preferences to avoid that risk themselves.

Companies use revenue from the initial oil production, called “cost-oil”, to recover their expenses and operational expenditures over the first few years of a project.

This process essentially

recognises the fact that a government probably has not made any contribution of its own to the huge up-front investments required to tap an oil discovery. They avoid the up-front risk to billions of taxpayers’ dollars, by asking private companies to raise that financing and take on that risk themselves.

The company can recover these sole-risk expenses before the “profit-oil” is split between the government and the companies.

In most countries, companies are allowed to recover all of their costs. Though cost recovery is often confused with some sort of government payment or tax break, it’s important to note that funds for cost recovery come from the sale of oil, and not from government coffers.

Companies can only recover costs that are equal to the expenditures made to produce oil without any

profit margin. It’s dollar for dollar spent. All of these expenditures are declared to the government regulator, and available for audit.

In Guyana’s case, oil companies are entitled to recover 75% of their recoverable costs in a given month, as per the 2016 deal. That last 25% ensures that, even in year one, the Guyana government will collect hundreds of millions in revenue, even before Exxon has recouped its expenses.

But what counts as a recoverable cost?

That’s a more complicated question, and the absence of a clear answer has led many in Guyana to question what will be recovered and what won’t, and even to question whether charitable donations, such as the ExxonMobil Foundation’s gift to Conservation International, could be recoverable.

The answer to the ques-

tions about the Exxon Foundation’s US$10M donation to Conservation International is a plain “no”; the contract covers only Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and the ExxonMobil Foundation is a separate non-profit organisation that is not legally connected to EEPGL, and thus has no legal standing under the production contract.

In terms of the broader question about which costs will be recoverable, Annex C of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement provides a thorough guide that specifies each type of recoverable expense, from training costs and salaries to transportation and equipment.

Recoverable costs include the major expenses that come with more than a decade of exploration and development; things such as drilling, geological and seismic studies, building

warehouses, crewing ships, and operating rigs. Allowing companies to recover these costs without profit is standard in the oil industry, since it incentivises investment and development.

Overall, the provisions that determine recoverable costs in the 2016 contract are very similar to those in other contracts signed by countries such as Indonesia and Angola, and identical to the contracts that Guyana has signed with other oil companies to date.

Expenses that are defined specifically as not recoverable include: any marketing or transportation costs outside of Guyana; any costs for legal arbitration of contract disputes; any fines or penalties imposed by Guyana’s courts; and any costs incurred as a result of misconduct or negligence, as well as several other smaller categories.

The misconduct and neg-

ligence clauses should put the minds of many Guyanese at ease in case of an accident, since any fines from the Environmental Protection Agency would not be recoverable, and EEPGL would be obligated to pay in full.

It is important to remember that even with these cost-recovery provisions, Guyana will receive hundreds of millions of dollars in the initial years of oil production, and then one billion dollars or more per year after the costs are fully recovered.

When handled correctly under the framework of a clear and enforceable production-sharing agreement, cost recovery provisions such as this balance risk and reward: incentivising investment, while making sure the government gets its fair share.

Getting the balance right is key to Guyana’s energy future.

Be your own bosses

…Min. Norton urges young agro-processors MINISTRY of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture Youth and Sport, collaborated with the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to host a youth empowerment agro-processing training programme.

The collaboration dates three years back, and to date, 77 persons from across the country have benefited. On

Friday, several students graduated from the third batch of participants of the programme.

The programme aims to encourage young people to get involved in agriculture and aid in boosting the said sector to reclaim the country’s title of “the breadbasket of the Caribbean”, and it also gears them to become entrepreneurs.

Minister of Social Co-

hesion, Dr. George Norton, admonished the graduates to use their knowledge gained and become their own bosses.

He explained that Guyana fell prey to excessive imports and the prosperity of Guyana lies on their shoulders, to bring us back where we used to be.

“It is a well-known fact that agriculture is the backbone of a country’s economy,

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton (fourth right);Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael (third right); Senior Economic Empowerment Officer, Samuel Saul (fourth left); Acting CEO of GSA, Dr. Dexter Allen (third left) with graduates (Jameel Mohamed photo)

given that Guyana was once celebrated as the breadbasket of the Caribbean and literally it remains that way, even though the basket might not be as filled at this time as it might have been in the past, but certainly can be in the future.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, this bountiful country of ours fell prey to excessive imports. Many of you might not remember the days of buy local, grow more food that was the household slogan here in our country, a reality that we should never lose sight of. In reality, Guyana is too rich to be importing products. We must never have to be importing coconut water, and it has become ridiculous to see us importing plantain chips. I’ve seen pepper sauce made in Trinidad being served at the table where just looking through the window you could have seen the pepper growing.

We have to change things and you the youths must lead the way in this,” Minister Norton said.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton giving his address at the graduation of the Youth Empowerment Agro-Processing Programme (Jameel Mohamed photo)

He also injected that many times the perception of agriculture is not enterprising, but the advancement of technology has diversified the agricultural sector, to the extent where persons don’t necessarily use the soil or be in the sun in order to farm. As such, more persons should get involved.

Senior Economic Empowerment Officer Samuel Saul, stated that one of their objectives is to create an environment that would work towards reducing the unemployment rate amongst our young people. He shared that the idea of having our young people

involved in agro-processing arose from a visit made by their team to the Pomeroon in 2015, when it was observed that there is a lot of wastage of fruits and vegetables. They felt that some of the wastage could be curtailed through the use of agro-processing, so they thought it fit to venture into this programme.

In speaking with the students, all were very much proud of their participation, and expressed that they have gained knowledge that they can now put into practice and also share with others with whom they come into contact.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

New GuySuCo CEO to modernise remaining estates ONE of the key focus areas for the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Dr. Harold Davis jnr, will be to increase the competitiveness of the corporation with the production of high-value sugars – plantation white and direct consumption, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

In a release on Saturday, the ministry noted that a precursor to this will be increased sugarcane yields to beyond 70 tonnes cane per hectare. A land-development programme has already re-commenced under Dr. Davis’s watch as agriculture director and this is being conducted in a highly technically sound manner.

The ministry stated that improving the capacity of the workforce through training and development is a high priority item on his agenda, in addition to attracting high-quality skills to support modernisation of the corporation.

The tasks at hand for Dr. Davis, the ministry stated, are to modernise the three remaining estates which are the production centres. This will entail transforming infrastructure, agricultural and other practices and retooling

Minister Holder and Dr. Davis during their meeting

factories.

In an effort to create and deliver more value, co-generation facilities will be constructed, the factory at the Albion Estate will be upgraded to produce plantation white sugar and consideration will be given to the expansion of production at the Blairmont Estate to accommodate increased production of direct-consumption sugars, among others.

Feasibility studies on co-generation have been completed for two factories and a further study will be conducted on the third. The first co-generation project will commence on Albion Estate within the planned

period.

“In terms of the process for achieving his goals and objectives, focus will be on the establishment of a sound, highly skilled management team with a range of relevant expertise. The production centres – estates-- are the core of the business and strong teams will be built around providing the requisite support to achieve and surpass the 147,000 tonnes production target by 2021,” the ministry stated.

“This approach is guided

by GuySuCo’s new ‘Sustainable Business Model,’ which focuses on achieving a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) – economic/financial, environ-

mental and social and ensures more accountability in all three areas and adding more structure around becoming a more environmentally sensitive business, as well as cost reduction.”

Dr. Harold Davis jnr has been appointed the new chief executive of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. with effect from 13 August, 2018.

He holds a BSc. in Chemistry from the University of West Indies and a PhD in Soil Chemistry from the University of Reading (UK). He has previously worked for Bookers Agriculture International in the United Kingdom, returned to Guyana in 1981 and has worked in various

capacities in GuySuCo, before leaving in 2010 as the agriculture research director.

Since then, he has undertaken consultancy assignments in several countries. In 2016, he consented to undertaking an assignment of agriculture consultant to Guysuco and subsequently accepted the position as agriculture director. He brings a wealth of experience in agriculture and project management to lead implementation of the programme to modernise GuySuCo. Dr. Davis takes over the reins from Mr. Paul Bhim, who was one of the members of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), estab-

lished in 2015 to focus on redefining and to some extent redesigning a more sustainable pathway for GuySuCo; with particular focus on a direction for a more financially sound business. Hence, the particular skills required for the IMC members were: sound financial backgrounds, a good knowledge of the sugar industry and market-oriented competence.

One of the significant achievements of the IMC was to contribute to the ‘State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry,’ which essentially sets the stage for the next phase of the transition programme for GuySuCo with three estates – Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt and a target of 147,000 tonnes of sugar by 2020/2021.

The ministry stated that Bhim, who has a finance bias, has been acting chief executive officer from January 2018 and has done remarkably well at steering the corporation through a difficult period in the absence of a board of directors and yet ensuring that the transition process was smooth. The corporation is now ready to implement its new strategic plan, which is heavily production-based.

Water re-filling standard essential to all suppliers – GNBS THE quality of water for human consumption, especially for drinking purposes, cannot be compromised because of the adverse effects this can have on health and safety, according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNBS, Lloyd David.

To ensure that suppliers conform to the best practices of producing and bottling of water, the Guyana Standard – Requirements for water re-filling premises was developed in 2017.

Recently publicised findings of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department on the quality of water produced by some bottled water suppliers have created a major cause for concern by consumers.

David said the Guyana Standard was prepared by the GNBS through the Technical Committee-- Foods. It stipulates the requirements for water re-filling premises that produce and retail non-pack-

aged water for human consumption.

“In the development of the standard, it was recognised that the number of water re-filling premises have grown over the decade in Guyana as an economic venture to fulfill consumer demands for wholesome drinking water,” he said.

However, David said the methods of producing the water and the way it is offered for sale necessitate the development of requirements. The standard is intended to benefit all water re-fillers and consumers.

In the formulation of the standard, the GNBS PRO said requirements were extracted from a number of other critical standards, which included the Code of Practice for packaged water, the General Principles of Food Hygiene, Specification for the Labelling of

commodities-Part 1: General Principles, Specification for packaged water, and Prerequisite programmes on food safety-Part 1: Food manufacturing.

Therefore, he said the water re-filling standard should

be considered as a very useful document that must be owned and adhered to by all businesses in the bottling and sale of water.

“Consumers have the right to ensure that the operations of these entities are in conformance with the requisite requirements. After all, no one wants his/her health and safety to be affected by water or any other food item purchased for consumption,” he said.

Regarding the requirements of the water re-filling standard, the GNBS official said the standard covers where such facilities should be located, and the design and layout. Such facilities should not be located in areas with objectionable odours, smoke, dust and other contaminants.

Design should prevent access by unauthorised persons;

processing areas (floor and walls) should be washable and cleanable; and materials used should not be a source of contamination. Processing areas should also be drainable.

“Workers changing facilities, toilets, eating areas, fuel storage areas are also addressed by the standard.

These must be catered for by all establishments and properly located to prevent cross contamination. The standard requires that storage tanks be made of inert materials and must be cleaned regularly. Cleaning and sanitation schedules must be established and records kept as evidence of implementation,” David noted.

According to the standard, water re-filling facilities must be labelled with the brand name or trademark, if any, the address of the facility, net content of bottle water sold, the source of the water used, and the recommended storage conditions. Treatment modi-

fication to water, if permitted by authorities, must also be stated.

The standard further states that all records pertaining to certification, maintenance, sanitation, production, water quality test, pest control, waste management and recall must be maintained. Personnel handling product should refrain from activities such as smoking, chewing, spitting and eating. They must be trained and have food handler certificates.

Testing of water quality is a requirement of the standard.

Testing must be done by a recognised laboratory to ensure compliance with microbiological requirements and other parameters for purified water.

Nonconformance by water refilling stations can be significantly reduced if all those involved in such business make the effort to purchase a copy of the standard from the GNBS and adhere to the requirements.

12

Free our young people IT was surprising to hear Dr. Clive Thomas’ proposal that Guyana emphasise direct cash transfers from oil wealth as a pillar of overall development efforts; but from an economist’s point of view, that’s understandable. The reasons for such proposals, while they are aimed at poverty alleviation, often have nothing to do with the poor, but rather typical economic arguments about efficiency.

This is far from the way that the conversation around the transfers has played out, however, with fierce debate

filling social media. There is a division in economics between what are termed “salt water” and “fresh water” economists, largely due to the overwhelming influence of the radical University of Chicago-style arguments (being next to a fresh-water lake as it is) versus the more orthodox ones of Harvard University (situated next to the salty ocean). In a nutshell, the Chicago school economists think the less government involvement in the economy the better; and so they would give away every dime of oil revenue for the simple reason

that they believe the free market will allocate funds where needed efficiently, and similarly, households spend in the most rational way.

More conventional economists, such as those at Harvard, tend to argue that there are times when the government should intervene, and times when they should not.

This corresponds with the IMF orthodoxy which Dr. Thomas mentioned as likely to be against his idea. Since then, both our president and the leader of the opposition have expressed their doubts about direct transfers, which

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018 is not surprising, given that they are likely to be advised by more orthodox, conventional thinkers.

They have also cited the political dangers, which can hardly be ignored with the spectre of Venezuela looming over our shoulder. I believe that there is a case for both the orthodox and unorthodox, given the scale of Guyana’s needs, but such solutions will require perhaps a delicate hand.

What I really value and appreciate about Dr. Thomas’ idea, is the concept of putting some money into the hands of those who can best allocate it--the people. But I think what the president is saying is, we’ve got to find a way to couple this with long-term investments that will ensure lasting wealth.

My perspective on crafting policy is that one must ask what the right thing is to do, then ask what the pragmatic thing is to do, and push forward where those two intersect. This, I believe, yields policies that tend to bring people together, because it is reasonable, taking into account differing views. Today, I am calling for stipends for

students.

I think we have grown accustomed to the devastatingly low levels of education locally, not grasping that in many ways, Guyanese education represents such a shocking divergence from the norm that it’s hard to say anything is more important.

Reflect, for a moment, on the fact that the Bureau of Statistics recently noted that only 2.3% of the population, the equivalent of less than 20,000 persons, have a bachelor’s degree! The average in the developed world is around 30%! Reflect, again, on the fact that multiple reports put the migration of Guyanese with bachelor’s degrees at over 80%! The Bureau of Statistics even said that 10% of the population have no schooling at all!

What does it even mean to receive “no schooling?”

We can, and must, do better. Paying a decent wage to Guyanese, especially young Guyanese, to go to university, technical schools, or even something as basic as go back to get a Maths and English pass at CSEC is the type of desperately needed redistributive effort that will lead us

to long-term prosperity.

With a glut of finances post-2020, this is more than affordable; it will build the robust, skilled workforce any developed economy must possess, and we cannot seriously be contemplating a development path without such major adjustments.

This epitomises the “teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime” ethos, and, duly, I think would prove acceptable to both camps.

At its core, though, stipends for students represent a belief that Guyana’s young people are not just the future, but the present. If we can’t prioritise them when the numbers are this desperate, then when will we prioritise them at all? When there are literally no qualified people in the whole country?

We have an opportunity to demonstrate the type of heroism our founding fathers did when they advocated for our freedom all those years ago: free our young people from these chains! Incentivise them to go back to school! Let them live not in dependence, but with dignity.

Chinese contractor granted permission to import stone MINISTER of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, has confirmed that the government has granted the contractor working on the East Coast Demerara road expansion project, approval to important stone even as there are several local stone producers.

At least two stone producers have expressed concern as they feel local producers were being left out.

The Guyana Chronicle has learnt from at least one major stone producer that his company has not been receiving requests for stone.

Asked if his company is in a position to fulfil the demand that may flow from the ongoing works, while at the same time servicing the other projects in which he currently might be involved, he said yes.

This publication also

Machinery and equipment being used by the contractor on the East Coast road expansion project

made contact with three other producers who refused to comment extensively on the matter.

This newspaper learned that some of the local producers had met officials of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to discuss expectations. timelines and demands Minister Patterson clarified that a few months ago, the decision was made for the contractor working on the

A stockpile of stone on the northern side of the ECD Highway waiting to be put to use

East Coast Demerara project to import 60 tonnes of stone over a six-month period, as they needed some 15,000 tonnes per month.

“They were getting about 6,000 tonnes from Toolsie and BK and some others never submitted their samples,” Patterson noted.

He explained that since the project is an internationally funded one, there are some guidelines which ought to have been followed, coupled with specifications. One had to do with prospecting suppliers submitting stone of a specific grade and quality as preferred by the contractor.

The minister said that after the samples were not provided within a certain timeframe and the project had to go on, lest there be delays

and costs overruns, the contractor was allowed to import the stone over the six-month period. It was hoped that the six-month period would have allowed the local producers to get their houses in order.

Patterson said that the period given to the contractor to import the stone has not yet expired.

“It was agreed, because we did not want the work to be delayed and that gives our local guys the time to get their work in order; and I think we have an MoU to that effect. Also, some of these guys have their projects running and we were afraid that if we tell the contractor to go and take stones from that, that we would have a national shortage,” said Patterson.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

AGM to hire retrenched Businesses invited to Kids India 2018 GuySuCo workers …the largest children’s products exhibition in India

By Navendra Seoraj WORKERS who were laid off from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) have been given an opportunity to take up jobs in the mining sector, with the Guyana Goldfields Inc, Aurora Gold Mines (AGM).

Earlier this year, cashstrapped GuySuCo had to lay off some 4,000 workers in order to keep the sugar industry viable, but government had forged ahead with training for those former employees, with support from the Small Business Bureau and other stakeholders.

Evidently, the private sector has also provided opportunities for the ex-workers. According to a letter from AGM, the company offered skilled persons the opportunity to turn their technical training towards employment in the mining sector.

AGM made the offer to workers during a recent fiveday recruitment exercise.

As part of the exercise, the company’s recruitment team endeavoured to secure the services of the ex-employees to boost the efficiency of the mining operations.

“This was also in recognition of the fact that many of these employees who were recently laid off were graduates of the sugar industry’s training centre, and possess many years of experience in

much-needed skill areas,” said the company.

The recruitment was done in communities close to various sugar estates that have been either closed or down-sized, including Corriverton, and on Sunday at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School at Rose Hall.

Interviews were also completed on Monday at the Canje Secondary School and on Tuesday, at the Enmore Community Centre.

On Wednesday, the same opportunities were offered at Wales, West Bank Demerara, for persons to be employed as positions become open.

AGM’s human resources team led the exercise, supported by personnel from the various departments scouting for technical talents, including the mines, mill, maintenance workshops and security and camp services.

The prospective employees were told that this exercise was held to refresh and update the company’s skills database, so that they could be considered for employment in currently existing vacancies, as well as for any job openings that may subsequently arise, especially in the face of the company’s expansion plans.

Residents of those areas turned out in huge numbers, eagerly seeking information about the company’s operations.

Over 30 persons participated in the on-the-spot interviews at Corriverton, over 200 persons were present in Canje and Berbice, and an additional 200 persons at Enmore to vie for these job opportunities.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, had in the past said that government is ready to support the private sector in their effort to absorb the retrenched sugar workers.

Members of the private sector had mobilised teams and visited communities where persons are directly affected by the down-sizing of the sugar industry.

“It has been admirable that they can begin to show that they are cooperative entities and that they think about the population,” said Scott, adding that he lauds the efforts of the private sector to ensure that the workers do not remain unemployed for long.

A few months ago, a fair was organised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and received support from various ministries, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and over 20 local companies.

The event saw close to 800 residents of Patentia and surrounding areas being hired on the spot by various private and public companies.

Bandits rob taxi driver at home A 41-year-old taxi driver was robbed after three bandits, two of whom were armed with guns, invaded his home at around 23:10hrs on Friday.

Reports indicate that Reshi Pasha of Doctor Dam, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, was assaulted and robbed of $230,000 in cash, his cellphone, a gold chain, and other electronics.

On the night in question, the victim, who lives with his mother, drove his vehicle into his yard and parked. He exited and while proceeding

to his front door he turned around and saw three males with jerseys covering their faces, coming towards him.

He ran to the back of the yard and was followed by two of the men. He tried to run around the other side of his house where he was confronted by the other male who was armed with a hand gun.

One of the suspects then dealt him several lashes to his face and took him at gunpoint to his door and demanded he open it.

At this point, the vic-

tim’s mother saw the commotion and opened the door, which allowed all three of the suspects to enter the house.

Two of the suspects proceeded to ransack the house while the other suspect held the victim at gunpoint.

The robbers then collected the valuables and made good their escape through the front door.

Pasha went to the West Demerara hospital where he was treated and sent away and a report was made to the police.

Unidentified body found in Canal #1 drain POLICE, through a 911 call, discovered the body of an unidentified male East Indian clothed in an orange t-shirt, a three-quarter cream cargo pants and a black hat, floating face down in the middle of a drain in Canal Number 1, West Bank Demerara.

Reports indicate that the body was fished out by police who then checked the body for marks of violence, but none was seen.

The body was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where it is awaiting identification and a post-mortem examination.

BUSINESSES and companies in Guyana interested in networking with providers of children’s products and sports goods can have the opportunity at the sixth edition of “Kids India 2018,” being hosted from September 4-6, 2018, at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India.

President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Halim Khan, said the event is the largest fair for toys, children’s products and sports goods.

“The fair offers participating companies opportunities for doing business and networking with buyers and purchasing decision makers from large retail stores, departmental stores, stand-alone outlets, premium stores, distributors, retailers, e-commerce and wholesalers at a single platform. Kids India is expected to see participation from 150-plus exhibitors, showcasing over 300-plus brands and attracting over 5000 visitors,” the Chamber President explained.

Further, he explained that under the International Travel Visitors Reimburse-

President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Halim Khan

ment Programme, Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) would reimburse the cost of Travel (Economy Class Airfare + Stay) to International Visitors up to a maximum of US$1,000 to businesses or companies with a proposal.

He explained that Kids India has made it very convenient for retailers/e-tailers to interact with the right manufacturers or suppliers in this industry across the world.

Boasting a population of over a billion, India

ranks among the most important growth markets in the world. The second largest nation on the planet has a very young demographic, with 47 percent of the Indian population under the age of 25 and is therefore also seen as a rapidly growing market for the consumption of toys in the coming years.

In addition to that, with rising wages in China, the toy manufacturers are looking to India for producing toys.

Khan said international visitors must register online at www.kindindia. co.in.

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Representatives of PROPEL share a moment with farmers and children from Hope Estate (Samuel Maughn photo)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

Farmers start onion trials at Hope Estate FARMERS of the Hope Estate are becoming less dependent on traditional cash crops and have turned to the cultivation of onions

with the help of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) through its PROPEL initiative.

In an effort to foster crop diversification in the farming community, PROPEL has approached ten female farmers and two male farmers to plant the crop collectively on a specific plot of land which was identified by the Hope Coconut Industries Limited.

“Farmers have been facing many constraints with marketing traditional vegetables…so we want to promote crop diversification and see how well onion adapts to the conditions,” said PROPEL’s Agriculture Extension Facilitator, Jason Persaud, in an invited comment.

He said a team from WUSC has already done preliminary soil testing but the actual cultivation of the first set of onions will commence in two weeks.

“Right now the farmers are doing land preparation and we have even created a planter box at the coconut industries; training was already done too,” said Persaud.

The farmers will work together to ensure that the crop is sustained and well cultivated. Persaud said the weather is conducive for the cultivation of onions.

If they plant young onions, a new crop could spring up and be ready for harvesting in three months. However, if they use seedlings it could take up to four months.

A Corentyne farmer had harvested some 450 pounds of organic onions from his Phillipe Farm, East Berbice.

It was the largest harvest for a single farmer since implementation of the trial project by Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce and Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL), in partnership with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Kewal Mangar, the NAREI extension officer attached to the project, had said that there are at least three other farmers who were part of the PROPEL project, who have gone on to become independent onion farmers.

He said the Mercedes variety of onions has been more successful thus far and that NAREI is working closely with farmers of the non-traditional both in and out of the field and providing technical advice in addition to identifying potential markets for their produce.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

CGX names well in honour

of Indigenous people CGX Energy Incorporated announced its next exploration well with an Indigenous naming and blessing ceremony by the historic Aleluya Indigenous Group.

The ceremony, a collaboration between CGX and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, was held on Friday at the Umana Yana in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who is also currently performing the duties of prime minister, and ministers of Government and other guests.

CGX Energy Incorporated latest exploration well, which was named ‘Utakwaaka’, is expected to be drilled in November 2019 in the company’s Corentyne Block offshore Guyana.

CGX Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine noted, giving the well an Indigenous name is a departure from the norm in the oil industry. “[It is] to pay homage to and take strength sustenance and blessing from the wealth spring of spirituality and philosophy of our indigenous peoples.” Traditionally, wells are named by the geologists who select the location.

Minister Greenidge noted that many Guyanese are proud of CGX for the work it has done in the country and its determination and resilience in exploration in the oil and gas industry.

“What we have achieved now … is

Members of the Aleluya Indigenous Group blessing CGX Inc’s latest exploration well ‘Utakwaaka’ (DPI photo)

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and CGX Executive Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine after unveiling the name of the well (DPI photo)

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge speaking at the naming and blessing ceremony (DPI photo)

in no small measure to the persistence of CGX itself in working with Guyanese, its technicians, [and] investors to ensure that notwithstanding the disappointments … today we can celebrate.”

The naming of the well coincided with the company’s 20th anniversary. Professor Narine said it is important to CGX Energy Incorporated that the resource it is exploiting is used to enhance “that which we hold valuable rather than let it in

itself define value to us.”

Utakwaaka, a Phillipai word, means the dawn of a new day, a ray of light a ray of hope, Ovid Williams of the Aleluya Group explained. The Aleluya Indigenous Religion is considered one of the oldest known and only practising Indigenous religion in Guyana.

The group is made up of Indigenous people from the Phillipai and Amokokopai villages located in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock noted partnership is important and commended CGX for its collaboration.

“This is a significant step for the oil sector and the indigenous people of Guyana.

It is in recognition of this intricate relationship shared with the indigenous people of Guyana and the natural environment and resources,” said Minister Allicock. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

YOUTH

can never expire

DEVELOPMENT

– says youth advocate

These young men pose with # Extra, the youth newspaper that was launched on Saturday (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

By Vishani Ragobeer THE “Just Youth It” conference, now in its fifth year, has directed focus on creating safe spaces for youth so that they may be able to express themselves and boost their own development.

This is in keeping with the theme for International Youth Day “Safe Spaces for Youth” which is being celebrated today.

The conference fea tured a packed day of events involving breakout sessions in the morning when youth benefitted from various areas of learning such as animation, entrepreneurship and robotics after which they were given an opportunity to work on civic engagements projects.

The main event, however, was the afternoon conference during which all the youth converged to network and listen to a few presentations.

Speaking here was youth advocate Eden Corbin, who said: “The call for more emphasis and deliberate attention to be placed on youth is one that will never expire.”

He also noted that youth have been synonymous with the future but their development is one which begins when persons make a deliberate move to create an environment where youth feel safe and welcomed. This is where the concept of safe spaces comes in.

For him, safe spaces need not always be a physical structure but it must be one that allows youth development to occur.

“A safe space occurs within a conversation,” he said, adding: “It is wherever someone feels comfortable sharing something.”

Adding to this was British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, who noted that when promoting youth development, youth must be cognisant of the role they must play.

“Hold your leaders and your representatives to the highest standards and demand that they represent you,” Quinn charged.

He added: “Demand that your voices are heard and that your opinions are acted upon and when possible, use your vote to get people elected who represent your views.”

Youth must be seen and not only heard,” he said.

“It is the young people who have driven the Commonwealth agenda on clean oceans and on the need to tackle issues such as plastic pollution; it is young people who demanded access to education; it is young people who have stood up to and demanded action on violence against children,” he said.

At the conference, the Guyana Chronicle launched its monthly youth paper: #Extra which is also seeking to provide a platform for youth.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

The school where children plant, harvest and eat together

ELVIS Cortés Hernández grabs his lunch and sits down with his friends.

We’re at the General Lázaro Cárdenas school in Ajalpan, deep in the heart of Mexico’s Puebla province and the ten–year–old is chatting about the school’s vegetable garden, one element of its progressive food policy. “I like to eat in the school dining room because they give me carrots, broccoli and fruit,” he says, crushing a piece of mango with his teeth.

The pupils’ involvement in the initiative goes much further than just sitting down to eat lunch together each day: all 96 students, with occasional help from their

dren ate, their grades have also gone up. “We are discovering that students’ poor marks are definitely caused by unhealthy eating,” says the School’s Director, José Cirilo Cruz Peralta. “It was a good moment to try and link these two things and make something positive out of it.”

Stalks of coriander and carrot tops sway in the hillside breeze creating a verdant classroom for the pupils as they sit on the side of the whitewashed vegetable beds.

“Prof Cirilo,” as the school’s director is known, uses the garden to teach the children more than just how to look after themselves and the environment.

Two members of the

the family. As her children’s knowledge of food and sustainability increased due to their involvement in growing the food for the school table, they educated her in turn.

“Now,” she says, “we know how to make compost, how to grow the plants, look after them and then harvest them.”

There has, however, been one “casualty” of the school’s move to a sustainable food policy—and that is the school snack shop.

Before the garden yielded its delicious produce (currently on the menu is chard, carrots, spinach, beetroot and cauliflower), parents used to give their children pocket money with which to buy snacks.

As their nutritional

The school’s vegetable gardens are inspiring a culture of healthy eating that is spreading to the children’s home life as well (FAO/Fernando Reyes Pantoja) parents, also have a hand in growing the food themselves in the school’s very own garden. Raised plant beds were put in place by the country’s ministry of agriculture in conjunction with FAO methodology after a study by local NGO, SURCOS, discovered high levels of malnutrition in the Náhuatl community in the town of Ajalpan. Eighty– seven percent of youth were found to be suffering from health issues caused by poor diet, itself a product of the economic hardships suffered by the families of the school kids.

The garden, which is currently producing 13 different types of vegetables and is also home to a henhouse, has been responsible for more than just an uptick in the students’ health. Since the school decided to take an active role in what its chil-

school staff, Juan Arturo Córdoba and Matilde Cruz, explain that they use the garden to aid lessons in multiplication and division as the pupils use rulers to measure out perimeters and areas for the seed beds. Basic biology lessons are supplied by the hens, who also provide between 15 and 18 eggs each day for the dining room.

The school gives breakfast and lunch to its students every weekday, and the children’s enthusiasm within their educational compound has spread to their home life.

Some parents are following the school’s example and creating their own garden plots at home.

Leticia de Jesús Carrera, whose children attend General Lázaro Cárdenas, says that before the garden’s existence she did not have enough money to buy vegetables for

knowledge increased, however, they understood that, more than processed snacks or junk food, a plant-based diet would sustain their kids throughout the long scholastic day. “It didn’t do them any good,” says Enedina Nery Maldonado, another mother. “We decided to close the shop down because it was selling everything that we know isn’t good for our children. This sort of food does terrible damage to their bodies, affecting everything from their teeth to their gut.”

As well as watching the daily progress of the vegetables, the pupils get their hands dirty, planting the seeds and even harvesting the crops when they are ready for the cooking pot.

As natural science lessons go, it is a vital and enduring one, with a practical side sorely absent in many parts

of the world. “The Prof”, whose black leather jacket belies his gentle manner, calls it “a good solution to bad eating, without having

to bring food in from far away.” He ends with a welcome truth.

“We are sowing seeds and harvesting the produce

in our playground. That has created a culture of healthy eating in the school which has spread to the children’s homes.” (FAO)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 12, 2018

Aries After the storm, the Sun is shining, spreading its harmonious energies throughout your world. To be held in the accepting embrace of a wise one can offer guidance and solace where needed. Nevertheless, your level of suspicion is at an all-time-high. Give people the benefit of the doubt unless there is solid proof something secret is going on behind your back. To take advantage of this maximum cosmic potential, share your thoughts with the faith that others can be trusted. Honesty breeds honesty.

Taurus Boredom can creep up on you like a shadow in the night if you’re stuck in the same old routines. Your craving for love intensifies as you search for more meaning in your life. Beautifying your surroundings lifts your spirits and eases the restless hunt for adventure. Everything you need is right in front of you; it is just hard to see when your mind is closed. You can make dreams come true by applying a little ingenuity and a great deal of courage. Push through the resistance and color your world.

Gemini It feels like you are learning a new language when you dare to express yourself in completely new ways. You rejoice in your newfound freedom from worry as you trust to move even further down the path of becoming your most authentic self. There’s no time to wonder what anyone thinks when you are on the edge of transformation. Dare to face the judgement of others and accept that you can only find peace when you learn to love yourself.

Cancer You seek practical solutions after finally gaining clarity about where you need to put your focus. The planets are blessing you with a sensible know-how attitude today. If you leave little room for emotional insecurity to play out its regular trick, you find the energy to start crossing tasks off your to-do list. You prefer to meet life within your own parameters, but your curiosity nudges you to explore new avenues for income or housing. The future is now.

Leo Your patience is mightily tested when you decide that things are taking too long now. Feeling blocked from moving forward triggers an emotional reaction where you get easily annoyed by the smallest disturbance. Don’t take it out on those who don’t deserve it. Reality is catching up with your big plans, and it is nothing to be angry about even if it seems unfair. Downplay the drama and honor your obligations today. Count to ten and then count to ten again.

Virgo It may sound funny but too many options can produce a stressful situation. It's nearly impossible picking only one item from an overflowing buffet. You could have a hard time advancing beyond doubt without the help of your heart. You might be skeptical of the benefit of swimming in the emotional waters, worried that you will romanticize life and end up making bad choices. But choose you must, life simply demands it. Cut through all the irrelevant trivia masking your intuition and you can discover the truth.

Libra Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t always have to be the most charming version of yourself. It's perfectly normal to feel a bit low energetically on occasion, especially if you have been burning the candles at both ends. Adopting a what-you-see-is-what-you get attitude is how you let go of futile self-restraint.

To feel safe that people love you for who you are, you should know that they love you on a rainy day too. And a true friend understands if you need to snuggle up alone with a book and tea instead of getting together. Let yourself off the hook for being human like everyone else.

Scorpio You are aspiring to be a more grounded version of yourself, even if it seems to go against your emotional nature to be practical. You are releasing the grip your feelings have on your willpower, setting yourself free to live on earth fully present. Details in relation to communications or breakdowns in networks need to be met with humor and pragmatism. Shying away from drama can turn this day into a veritable tornado of efficiency.

Sagittarius What goes up must come down is one of those natural laws that also applies to tales of exaggeration. A lesson you likely know all too well. You tend to creatively weave into daily life dreams of extraordinary experiences, when in fact, life is full of dreary, dull and uneventful moments. But you could use a quiet day to clean up around the house and pay some bills. Finish old business and tie up loose ends while you have the chance. Adventure returns before you know it.

Capricorn Faith doesn’t always come easy to you and you can be a tough one to convince of anything that you haven’t seen with your own two eyes. Right now you are working for self-empowerment, and monetary freedom is part of that dream.

You may discover you can't pursue your ambitions without taking any risks. Reshuffle your schedule and see if you can fit in another project. The heart of the matter is related to trusting your talents. If you think you can do it, you will do it.

Aquarius There is a little voice of self-criticism deep inside you can't ignore today. You worry whether or not you are hypocritical now, boasting about how life should be and living it differently. The truth is you are beautifully imperfect; being human with tears and fears is a lot more vulnerable than pretending to be perfect.

It is human to fail and human to succeed. Be all of it, ashamed of nothing. Free to live and free to love is a motto you can stand by.

Pisces Seeing yourself in others is not easy. The reasons you interact with certain people might be hard to understand, but eventually you will realize that despite your differences, you can learn a lot from them. Your core values are being challenged now to check if your idealism gets in the way of future success. Sustainable living is not just about eating vegan. It is also about efficient use of time and energy. Control your thoughts and watch your life find its natural rhythm.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Three charged with kidnapping, rape of foreigners

(Trinidad Guardian) THREE men, among them a national from the Dominican Republic, have been remanded into custody after appearing before a Chaguanas magistrate charged with the kidnapping and rape of three women which occurred over the period July 25 to August 2, 2018.

The Police Service said Nicholas Babwah, 26, a fisherman of Morne Diablo, Penal, his brother Kevon Babwah, 32, an AC technician of Scott Road, Penal, and Starling Gutierrez, 20, a Dominican Republic national residing in Chaguanas, were denied bail when they appeared in court yesterday to answer the charges.

Nicholas Babwah The statement from the police said Nicholas Babwah faces 11 charges which included one count of kidnapping, three counts of false imprisonment, six counts of rape and one count of grievous sexual assault, while Kevon Babwah faced three counts of false imprisonment and one count of indecent assault and Gutierrez faced one count of kidnapping for ransom.

The matter has been transferred to the Siparia Magistrates’ Court and adjourned to August 13.

Two of the victims of the Dominican Republic were kidnapped from the Chaguanas district and held hostage at a house along Quarry Street, Morne Diablo, from July 25 until their release on July 29.

According to the police, the women were released in exchange for the third victim, a Venezuelan woman, who was kept against her will at the house from July 29 to August 2 when she was rescued by a party of officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, South Western Division Task Force and San Fernando Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Gutierrez was arrested in the Chaguanas district on August 1 while the Babwah brothers were arrested at the scene of the alleged incident on August 2.

Investigations were headed by acting Senior Supt Ajith Persad, acting ASP Anderson Pariman and Inspector Nicholas Thomas, all of the Port-of-Spain CID while charges were laid by acting Cpl Girwar, of Chaguanas CID on Thursday.

The police are appealing to members of the public to like and follow the TTPS via its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for the latest news and information on matters of interest to the general public.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Chelsea, Spurs win ...

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:15 hrs Brighteyebushytail 08:50 hrs Geographe Bay 09:25 hrs Rosie Bubbles 10:00 hrs Elusive Wolf 10:40 hrs Got Your Back IRISH RACING TIPS Curragh 08:55 hrs Rockview Spirit 09:25 hrs Astrospeed 10:00 hrs Fulminate 10:35 hrs Sergei Prokofiev 11:10 hrs Spirit Of Valour 11:45 hrs Gopsies Daughter 12:15 hrs Lethal Power ENGLISH RACING TIPS Leicester 09:00 hrs Pesto 09:35 hrs Rotherhithe 10:10 hrs Saving Grace 10:45 hrs Lucky Lucky Man 11:20 hrs Makambe 11:50 hrs Nampara 12:25 hrs Perfect Symphony WINDSOR 09:15 hrs Gallovie 09:50 hrs Two Blondes 10:25 hrs Goodnight Girl 11:00 hrs Bullingdon 11:35 hrs Madame Bounty 12:05 hrs Time To Perfection 12:40 hrs Percy Prosecco

From page 25

transfer business may have eased after Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli scored as Mauricio Pochettino’s team began the campaign with an entertaining 2-1 victory at Newcastle United.

All three goals came in a frantic opening 20 minutes on Tyneside, with two headed goals for the north London team coming either side of Joselu’s equaliser for Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle.

Like several clubs who had players competing at the World Cup, Spurs have had to cope without several key performers during pre-season and Pochettino was delighted with the approach his players had taken.

“I feel very proud. The players showed great character and commitment,” he said.

“We fought hard and they deserve full credit because the mentality was amazing.

“It wasn’t easy to connect everything in a few days a massive challenge - but we kept going and made a massive effort in our performance.”

Well-taken goals by Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha fired confident-looking Crystal Palace to a 2-0 win over promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic said his team needed to adjust quickly to the new level of quality they will face.

“The Premier League is more power, more speed and more quality and we must adapt,” he said.

“We have to trust ourselves and work hard and we know we can play better than today.”

Cardiff City also tasted defeat on their return to the elite - midfielder Ryan Fraser’s first-half goal and forward Callum Wilson’s late strike securing the three points for Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

The other promoted team, Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers, hosted Everton in the late Saturday game.

Argentine Roberto Pereyra scored twice - the first a superb volley - as Watford enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Champions Manchester City begin their title defence at the Emirates against Arsenal today while Liverpool, tipped by many to challenge Pep Guardiola’s side this season, host West Ham United.

Manchester United kicked off the season on Friday with a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford.

25

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

OMSCC stages inaugural Over-60 feature TORONTO, Canada -The inaugural Over-60 game, organised by the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) came off with a bang at the Ashtonbee Reservoir last Sunday with Ed Pestano’s X1 emerging winners of the NasCup, sponsored by Naseer Baksh.

The game, played in honour of founding members Albert Ramcharran, Dharam Lall, Edwin Pestano, Henry DeCastro and Lloyd Daligadu and also all the previous and current Board Members and sponsors, saw Pestano’s side reach 117 for five in the penultimate delivery of the 12-over affair in a hotly contested affair which was nevertheless played in a very friendly atmosphere.

Pestano’s X1 were replying to the 115 made

Sponsor Nasser Baksh (right) hands over the winning trophy to skipper Ed Pestano

by Dharam Lall’s team which also had their fair share of “retired outs” as the opponents.

Most Valuable Player

of the winning combination, Hardat Ramcharran, slammed three sixes and a similar number of fours in a top

score of 35 before retiring while opener Roger Sunich also hit 31 with four fours and two sixes. Ganesh Ramraj also weighed in with three sixes and a four in his quick-fire 23.

Earlier, Prakash Ramoutar (29) and Errol Ten-Pow (25) led the way for Dharam Lall’s side. Ramoutar was voted the MVP. At the presentation ceremony, OMSCC president Azeem Khan announced that the Over-60 games will be a yearly event with teams vying for the NasCup. Baksh, who also participated in the game, pointed out that he was delighted to be involved in sponsorship.

Both teams also received monetary cash incentives. (Frederick Halley).

Chelsea, Spurs win away as promoted teams struggle

By Simon Evans

HUDDERSFIELD, England (Reuters) - Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed away wins on the opening Saturday of the Premier League season while promoted Fulham and Cardiff City were given quick reminders of the tough task they face on their return to the top

flight.

Goals from N’Golo Kante, Jorginho (penalty) and Pedro gave Chelsea an impressive 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town as their new Italian coach Maurizio Sarri watched his team respond well after enduring early pressure from David Wagner’s side.

Chelsea gave a debut to the world’s most expensive

goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Athletic Bilbao for £72M last week, but the Spaniard had little work to do.

Sarri, who took over from Antonio Conte in July, said that he now had a month to try to shape his new side before midweek Europa League games were added to the mix.

“We are lucky now because for three to four

Warriors prevail... from back page

innings together with a crucial third-wicket stand as they added some 83 runs in 9.4 overs, at a run rate of 8.58.

Simmons, once a Warriors recruit, had struck five colossal sixes in his 39-ball 45 before he was dismissed in the 17th over, edging behind off Emrit.

At that point, the Stars had needed 29 runs off 21 balls, but lost a flurry of wickets, including Pollard (32) and Rahkeem Cornwall in the 19th over, which eventually shattered any hopes of a victory.

Having gone with an unchanged side, Chadwick Walton had given the Amazon Warriors the fillip early on, as they raced to a great start, but it was all spin after that quick start. 17-year-old Qais Ahmad pulled things back during his fine spell of 3-15 with support from Hodge and later

by Cornwall.

The right-hander Walton took the fight to the opposition, outscoring his partner Luke Ronchi by some distance.

The Jamaican peppered the boards with astonishing frequency from the word go, blasting four fours and a six in the first six

overs. With Ronchi not hanging around either despite getting little of the strike, the 50 came up inside the Powerplay overs.

However, after being put down by Lendl Simmons on the long-off boundary, Walton was stumped soon after off leg-spinner Ahmad for a 24-ball 31.

Shimron Hetmyer, who has been in sublime touch, joined Ronchi, and began with some forceful blows, hitting Ahmad for his first of three boundaries before he decided to mete out special treatment to Kieron Pollard, with back-to-back boundaries in the ninth over.

The frustration of Pollard, Stars skipper, grew markedly by then, as he tried venting it out animatedly on Hetmyer.

Ronchi then greeted Kesrick Williams with a maximum down the ground.

However, the Stars did well to pull things back with Ahmad managing to snare the wickets of Hetmyer and Shoaib Malik in a space of eleven balls.

Both batsmen were undone by ripping googlies, with the left-hander edged behind for 21, while the Pakistani was

weeks we can work with only one match a week, so we have to improve in this month,” he said.

“Then it will be difficult with three matches in a week, with the suspension for the national teams. I hope in this month to improve the team,” he said.

Spurs fans’ concerns about their club’s lack of See page 24

MVP Hardat Ramcharran (left) collects his trophy from Ed Pestano

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 12, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Mohammed Hafeez & Jason Mohammed (2) 2013, 2014 & 2016

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who took most wickets in last season’s Hero CPL? How many?

(2) Which two teams (other than the Warriors) have contested a CPL game against each other at Providence?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

bowled through bat/pad.

Ronchi, laboured his way to 42, but he had become edgy towards the end.

He completely missed an arm ball from Mark Chapman, but was unlucky to be dismissed lbw.

Sherfane Rutherford and Jason Mohammed struggled to apply the finishing touches.

The Warriors will face off with Barbados Tridents this evening from 18:00hrs.

SCOREBOARD GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS innings C. Walton stp. Fletcher b Qais Ahmad 31 L. Ronchi lbw b Chapman 42 S. Hetmyer c Fletcher b Qais Ahmad 21 Shoaib Malik b Qais Ahmad 8 J. Mohammed not out 20 S. Rutherford not out 16 Extras: (b-1, w-2) 3 Total: (four wkts, 20 overs) 141 Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-86, 3-98, 4-113.

Bowling: Mohammad Sami 2-0-20-0, K. Hodge 4-0-24-0, M. McClenaghan 1-0-15-0, K. Pollard 2-0-14-0, Qais Ahmad 4-0-15-3, K. Williams 3-0-28-0, R. Cornwall 3-0-16-0, M. Chapman 1-0-8-1.

ST LUCIA STARS innings A. Fletcher lbw b Imran Tahir 14 D. Warner lbw b Imran Tahir 11 L. Simmons c Ronchi b Emrit 45 K. Pollard (c) c Mohammed b Emrit 32 M. Chapman stp. Ronchi b Green 2 R. Cornwall b Emrit 3 K. Hodge b Paul 0 Qais Ahmad not out 9 M. McClenaghan not out 9 Extras: (nb-1, w-12) 13 Total: (seven wkts, 20 overs) 138 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-30, 3-113, 4-116, 5-120, 6-120, 7-126.

Bowling: Sohail Tanvir 4-0-19-0, C. Green 4-0-28-1, R. Emrit 4-0-26-3, Imran Tahir 4-0-23-2, K. Paul 4-0-42-1.

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Ravens Sports Club seeking to soar to new heights again

By Elroy Stephney

RAVENS Sports Club of Richmond on the Essequibo Coast was one of the dominant forces in cricket within North Essequibo for a considerably long period of time.

The Club was formed during the 1970s by a core of dedicated and talented residents of the village. Once formed, the club engaged in numerous competitions at the village and committee levels.

It was during those early openings that the club began to emerge as a durable and competitive entity by win-

Sewnarine, Kishore Manram and Latchman Rajpaul; stalwarts who formed the core of the club’s skilfulness and attractive display on the field.

They would then set the stage for the next batch of budding cricketers who reigned during the late 80s and 90s. It was during this period that the club soared to unprecedented heights.

The era was spearheaded by former national senior selectee Jaimini Singh who led as captain and premier all-tounder. The hugely talented Singh fashioned many unforgettable innings and literally stamped his

Ravens Sports Club members and fans celebrate one of many victories during their glory days

Jaimini Singh (right) and Latchmikhant Narine, Ravens’ best duo, share a moment together ning several championships.

The formative success was presided by the likes of the (late) Hyatt Ally, Deonarine

authority on the club’s rapid and meteoric rise.

While Singh will remain as the Club’s best-ever play-

er, he had admirable support from the his brother Michael Singh, Latchmikhant Narine, Dennis Benjamin, Mahendranauth Benneth, Cedric Beaton and Neil Gopaul; most of whom were selected for Essequibo senior inter-county squads.

In fact Jaimini Singh led Essequibo to a rare victory against Berbice with a brilliant unbeaten 94 in a four-day inter-county encounter in the early 2000s while Latchmikhant Narine was unfortunate not to have represented Guyana at the junior level after performing creditably as a teenager with the bat.

Their pivotal and dominating display, however, enabled the next generation of cricketers from the club to continue the stewardship. During the mid-2000s

the club saw the emergence of another core of exciting players who upheld the club’s impressive track record.

It was during this time that the club earned a quarter-final spot in a national inter-club competition though they lost to Albion who had in their line-up Narsingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon at the time.

The Club’s brand of cricket was transformed considerably as the advent of T20 cricket saw the players become even more attacking and adventurous.

Leading the club during that phase of play were Tribuwan Roopnarine, Punraj Singh, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Mervin Sukhnandan Safraz Ally and the late Timur Rambarran.

While the club remained

Downes returns with ITF Level 1 certification

NATIONAL Men’s Open Tennis champion Anthony Downes has returned from St. Vincent where he was successful in attaining his International Tennis Federation (ITF) Level 1 certification.

Downes was assisted by ExxonMobil and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to pursue the intense 12-day course, the first step in furthering his aim of using modern coaching methods to take the game of tennis to a higher level in Guyana.

Downes will head the list of coach-

es in the newly-formed Advantage Tennis Academy, which is committed to the growth and development of tennis in Guyana and the Caribbean.

With the aim that all members should enjoy their involvement in the sport and for those who wish to compete, Advantage Tennis will prepare them to play against the best competition both locally and internationally.

Advantage Tennis Academy will be based at the Le Resouvenir Tennis Club and has the blessings of Guyana

Lawn Tennis Association president Samuel Barakat, who said, “Anthony has been our best player for some time, an 8-time winner of the GBTI Open, Guyana’s premier tennis tournament.

To have such a high quality player take up the mantle of coaching augurs well for the development of the game”.

Advantage Tennis Academy has a website www.tennisguyana.com where more information about its programmes and service offerings can be found. Interested persons can also make contact through email.

a formidable force, migration of key players began to inevitably affect its performances.

Notwithstanding, tremendous credit must be showered on the club’s manager Denish Singh who was instrumental in uniting the team during a difficult period.

While the heydays have surely disappeared, Ravens can be proud of securing a lasting legacy - one of establishing a unit that was united and strong in the principles of discipline, character, collective team effort and passion for the game.

Villagers are now concerned that the club is non-existent and there will no longer get to witness the next generation of players from the club.

The Richmond Community Ground is still in

wonderful condition where the former heroes, including Jaimini Singh, Latchmikhant Narine, Dennis Benjamin and Tribuwan Roopnarine, played so many unforgettable innings and captured glory for the Ravens Sports Club.

It is quite sad indeed for the club to be reduced to history at this time: yet many hope that they can rise again to unparalleled heights with the will and commitment that once defined their image and success.

Only time will tell whether the present crop of cricketers from the village will seek the inspiration and have the humility to take up the mantle and keep the flag of the Ravens Sports Club soaring to the heavens once again.

Anthony Downes

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Woakes’ maiden Test century, England dominate India at Lord’s Chris Woakes celebrates his maiden Test century at Lord’s.

(London Evening Standard) LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chris Woakes struck a maiden Test century and Jonny Bairstow added 93 as England dominated the third day of the second Test at Lord’s yesterday, reaching 357-6 to open up a significant 250-run lead over India.

Arriving at the crease with England 131-5, Woakes - back in the side as a replacement for Ben Stokes - scored freely in a partnership of 189 with Bairstow, bringing up his century

with a pull for three.

Bairstow looked set to join him in getting his name on the Lord’s honours board, but the Yorkshireman fell for 93, caught excellently by wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik after he nicked a Hardik Pandya delivery.

Woakes, who ended the day unbeaten on 120, struck 18 boundaries at the home of cricket and was joined at the crease by effer-

vescent youngster Sam Curran (22 not out) who again looked confident after impressing with both bat and ball in the opening Test at Edgbaston.

After rain washed out the first day’s play and interrupted much of day two, bad light brought proceedings to a close with England in a commanding lead.

Earlier England had stumbled to 89-4 in reply to India’s first-innings 107, with the hosts’ top order again failing to impress.

In the eighth over, Keaton Jennings missed a straight delivery by Mohammed Shami and was trapped lbw for 11.

In the following over, Alastair Cook (21) was caught behind after he nicked a swinging delivery from Ishant Sharma which brought

20-year-old debutant Ollie Pope to the crease.

The right-hander played some positive strokes and scored quickly as he looked to rebuild alongside captain Joe Root, but as lunch approached he was trapped lbw by Pandya.

Root was watchful for much of his innings until his dismissal by Shami lbw for 19 from 53 balls signalled the break.

Jos Buttler was the one wicket to fall in an afternoon session dominated by the hosts, trapped lbw for a breezy 24 by the impressive Shami who claimed three wickets.

Thereafter Bairstow and Woakes dominated a dejected India attack with England scoring at almost four-and-a-half an over in a positive batting display.

England lead the five-match series 1-0.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA first innings 107 ENGLAND 1st innings Alastair Cook c Dinesh Karthik b Ishant Sharma 21 Keaton Jennings lbw Mohammed Shami 1 Joe Root lbw Mohammed Shami 19 Ollie Pope lbw Hardik Pandya 28 Jonny Bairstow c Dinesh Karthik b Hardik Pandya 93 Jos Buttler lbw

Mohammed Shami 24 Chris Woakes not out 120 Sam Curran not out 22 Extras: (b-7, lb-10, nb-1, w-1) 19 Total: (six wkts, 81.0 overs) 357 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-32, 3-77, 4-89, 5-131, 6-320.

Bowling: Ishant Sharma 19-3-88-1, Mohammed Shami 19-4-74-3 (nb-1) Kuldeep Yadav 9-1-44-0, Hardik Pandya 17-0-66-2 (w-1), Ravichandran Ashwin 17-1-68-0.

Asher-Smith completes European double, downs Schippers

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith conclusively ended the reign of Dafne Schippers as Europe’s sprint queen when she raced to victory in the 200 metres in the Olympic Stadium yesterday to complete a magnificent European Championships double.

After consigning Schippers to bronze when winning the 100 metres easily on Tuesday, Britain’s Asher-Smith offered an even more telling blow in the Dutchwoman’s best event as she sped to victory in 21.89 seconds, the world’s fastest time this year.

Silver medallist Schippers, twice a world champion over the half-lap, ran her fastest race of the summer but was still beaten by the huge margin of a quarter of a second in 22.14 seconds.

By successfully defend-

ing her 200m crown, the 22-year-old Asher-Smith joined some of the great names who have achieved the 100/200m European double at the same championships, like Schippers herself (2014) as well as Poland’s Irena Szewinska (1974) and the ‘flying Dutchwoman’ Fanny Blankers-Koen (1950).

The history graduate made a slice of her own in quite dazzling fashion, racing out over the first 50 metres to leave Schippers trailing and then maintaining the gap over the last 75 metres where the Dutchwoman would normally thrive.

Poland’s Adam Kszczot became the first man ever to win a hat-trick of 800m titles when he raced to another stunning victory, tracking down France’s world champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse on the crown of the final bend and sprinting away to

win as he liked in 1 minute 44.59 seconds.

Bosse faded on the home straight and had to settle for bronze, with Andreas Kramer coming through to equal his Swedish record and take silver in 1:45.03.

Kszczot’s Polish team mate Justyna Swiety-Ersetic won the women’s 400m in 50.41 seconds but there was heartbreak for Greece’s Maria Belibasaki, the runaway leader who gave everything, broke her national record but, with legs turning to jelly, tumbled over the line 0.04 sec adrift.

In the morning, Spain had celebrated a double triumph as Alvaro Martin and Maria Perez struck gold in the 20km walk races at the European Championships yesterday.

The pair won their titles after a trying morning for organisers when investiga-

tion of a suspected gas leak forced them to delay the start of the women’s race on the city centre course by nearly two hours.

They then had to face the logistical headache of staging both races at the same time on a tight circuit but the congested joint race passed off without problem as a large, enthusiastic crowd cheered the Spanish success.

Martin, a 24-year-old from Llerena, enjoyed the first major title of his career, making his move to victory on the penultimate of the 20 one-kilometre loops and ensuring a Spanish one-two with Diego Garcia Carrera finishing runner-up.

Martin clocked a season’s best one hour 20 minutes 42 seconds, six seconds clear of Garcia Carrera, while Vasiliy Mizinov won the bronze two seconds further back.

Dina Asher-Smith of Britain celebrates after winning a gold medal yesterday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. (REUTERS/Michael Dalder) In the continued absence of a Russian team because of the IAAF-imposed doping ban on the national federation, Mizinov was one of the Russians cleared by their doping review board to compete as an Authorised Neutral Athlete.

Like Martin, who took off his cap and waved to the crowd before the end, the diminutive 22-year-old Perez won with enough to spare to ensure the last of her 20 circuits was effectively a lap of honour.

Yet her victory was even

more emphatic as she won the women’s race by nearly half a minute in a championship best 1:26:36.

Perez, a silver medallist in the European Under-23 championships only last year, graduated to her first senior international title after hauling back a break from Czech Anezka Drahotova.

She then forged away herself mid-race with Drahotova taking the silver in 1:27:03, while Antonella Palmisano, of Italy, won the bronze in 1:27:30.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Krishnadat Ramoo making waves in Toronto

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – Off-spinning all-rounder Krishnadat Ramoo has made an enterprising start to his first stint on the Canadian scene. Representing Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) in the Elite League, Ramoo has been quite a force to be reckoned with.

After missing the first three games of the 2018 season, Ramoo had a somewhat under-par performance in his first, versus Victoria Park, when he failed to score and took one for 28. However, the soft-spoken but dynamic player has been a churning out brilliant performances with both bat and ball ever since.

Ramoo has already claimed 16 wickets - by far the best by a HACC player - at a miserly cost of 6.75 runs per wicket, including two five-wicket hauls. In his second game against Ambassadors, Ramoo had the

amazing figures of five for 18 in seven overs and followed this up for with five for 19 in 10 miserly overs versus Superstars/Islaanders with HACC romping to easy wins.

He also took three for 27 in nine overs against defending champions Highland Creek in a nail-biting one-run victory.

While Ramoo hasn’t been that prolific with the bat in the 50-over version, his fine 71 against Highland Creek played a major role in HACC’s narrow win, allowing the club the luxury of leading the point-standings after eight matches with four still remaining.

Ramoo, however, showed batting mettle in the T20 tournament with impressive scores of 64, 46 and 41 against Ambassadors, Knightly and Victoria Park respectively while his best bowling was three for 32 against Knightly.

The now 28-year-old Ramoo’s cricketing career has had its ups and downs but the all-rounder still feels he has much to offer

Krishnadat Ramoo the sunshine game.

At the still ripe age of 20, the Bush Lot, West Berbice cricketer was making headlines for Universal DVD Berbice Titans in the DJ Stress T20 Cricket Festival, playing alongside the likes

of Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Ryad Emrit.

Ramoo was part of the Royston Crandon-led Universal DVD Berbice Titans who trounced Gayle’s New Line Cavaliers in the 2010

final, played at the Guyana National Stadium, after going down to the same side the previous year at the Albion Cricket Club ground. His two for 28 included Gayle.

Prior to that he was voted the best bowler and also grabbed the man-of-thematch award for his four for 28 in the semi-final versus Gizmos and Gadgets Georgetown Pitbulls.

These fine performances, coupled with others on the local scene, saw Ramoo named in the standby list for Guyana’s team to the historic T20 tournament in South Africa.

Ramoo previously represented Berbice at both the Under-17 and U-19 levels in 2006 and 2008 respectively and by 2009 was part of the Berbice senior four-day team despite failing to make the final X1 in the Inter-county tournament.

By 2010 he, however, donned Berbice colours, playing mostly in the oneday version. He has been representing West Berbice in the Guyana Cricket

Board (GCB) Franchise tournament since its inception, including serving as captain in 2017 and has been churning out impressive performances which seemed to have gone unnoticed.

In the interim, Ramoo has been plying his trade in Trinidad and Tobago, Boston and more recently Toronto, Canada. Between 2011 and 2015 he turned out for Victoria United in the second division tournament while he has been representing Yorkshire from 2016.

In 2014, Ramoo skippered Victoria United to championship honours while he also led Yorkshire to the second spot in this year’s tournament, earning them promotion to the Premiere League.

In the United States, Ramoo has been playing for Riverside Cricket Club in the Boston Commonwealth Cricket League where his team placed second in 2016 and reached the final in 2017.

“their voices and effeminate nature”, which the defendant refuted.

Stokes also denied being angry about not being allowed back into the club, where he was with fellow England player Alex Hales.

The court heard Stokes had first played with Hales in 2011, prompting prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis to suggest “you’d recognise his voice would you not?”. The defendant agreed he would.

But when Corsellis asked whether he heard Hales call out to him, “Stokes stop, Stokes no…”, during the incident, he said he did not.

“Did you not appreciate that the person who grabbed you by the arm was Alex Hales? Do you not remember he tried to grab you?” said Corsellis, to which Stokes said “no.”

The cricketer also denied feeling enraged when his friend Hales was “ran at with a glass bottle” by Ali. Stokes replied: “Throughout this whole incident my whole focus was where Ali was and where Hale was, from the moment I was verbally

threatened and my friend Alex was run at with a glass bottle.”

Ben Stokes’ attire, demeanour, speech and poise have all remained the same throughout several hours of giving evidence.

Most of the time he remained standing, with the occasional request to sit, which eases the back pain with which he is apparently suffering.

Many of his responses have been short and mostly themed around having little memory of the night he is being quizzed over.

Prosecuting, Corsellis asked: “Were you enraged?”.

“No, at this time my sole focus was to protect myself,” Stokes replied.

He was then asked by the prosecution whether he tried to retaliate against Ali after being disarmed by him, which he denied.

Corsellis asked: “Is it what we see on the footage - an angry man who has lost all control?”

Stokes replied: “Absolutely not.”

The trial continues.

(BBC Sport)Caption:

Stokes admits to throwing several punches

By Chris Sandys, BBC News

ENGLAND cricketer Ben Stokes admitted throwing several punches at a man outside a nightclub in Bristol, a jury has heard.

The Durham all-rounder, who denies affray, has taken to the stand for a second day at Bristol Crown Court.

Stokes, 27, said: “It’s clear in my statements that I admit to throwing multiple punches.”

He is on trial alongside Ryan Ali, 28, whom the cricketer is alleged to have knocked out, outside the Mbargo club.

Ali has also denied a charge of affray while Ryan Hale, 27, was acquitted of the same charge on Thursday.

Stokes told the court he felt “constantly under threat”

by Ali and Hale who he claims made homophobic slurs to two gay men, Kai Barry and William O’Connor.

But when questioned by the prosecution, he admitted “slapping” but not knocking out Ali or being very drunk.

He agreed he had had at least 10 drinks, including

pints of beer, vodka and lemonade as well as “a few” Jagerbombs, which are shots usually mixed with energy drinks.

Under cross-examination

by Ali’s defence counsel, he was questioned whether he had misheard what was being said.

But, he maintained Ali and Hale made homophobic comments outside the club in the Clifton triangle area of Bristol during the early hours of September 25 last year.

Stokes told the jury he was not “threatening or aggressive” towards the men.

“I’d say I was verbally saying ‘I don’t think you should be saying that to these two guys because they’re gay’,” he said.

He also said he could not remember the specific homophobic words used.

“As I’ve said I can’t recollect anything specific, but I’m very clear the words used were a homophobic nature.”

As the prosecution began its cross-examination of the cricketer, the jury was shown CCTV pictures from outside

Ben Stokes arrives at court with his wife Clare. (PA photo) Mbargo, where he was denied entry.

EFFEMINATE NATURE Stokes admitted trying to bribe doorman Andrew Cunningham with £60 to get in, but denied it was as much as £300.

He also denied being spiteful and aggressive or making derogatory marks about the doorman’s tattoos or throwing a cigarette in his direction when he was refused entry.

The court heard Cunningham perceived Stokes as “mocking” the gay men’s mannerisms” and mimicking

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

CPL CRICKET

Australian Smith backs Tridents to break three-year title drought

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Former Australia Test captain Steve Smith has backed Barbados Tridents to break their three-year title drought and win this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The 29-year-old, currently serving a one-year ban from international and Australian domestic cricket, is part of the Tridents squad who open their campaign in the popular T20 tournament at Guyana National Stadium at Providence today against Guyana Amazon Warriors.

“I don’t see any reason why the Tridents can’t go the whole way. It’s a good side, it’s got a good balance of players, some seriously talented players – overseas and West Indians – so it’s a good squad and hopefully we can go the full distance this year,” Smith said.

“I’m looking forward to playing in my first CPL. I had a great training session with the boys on Tuesday and got to meet a few of them. It’s a good bunch of guys so I’m looking forward to this tournament and hopefully I’ll be able to

Tanvir fined 15% of match fee after middle-finger gesture Sohail Tanvir

GUYANA Amazon Warriors fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has been fined 15% of his match fee for making an obscene gesture during his team’s home game against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Thursday. Tanvir accepted the sanction handed to him by match referee Denavon Hayles.

The incident occurred during the 17th over of the Patriots innings, when Tanvir dismissed Australian Ben Cutting with a yorker that crashed into the middle stump. As Cutting began walking back, Tanvir showed him a double-middle

finger, with Cutting’s back turned to him. One ball before the dismissal, Tanvir had been dispatched for a six over long-on by Cutting.

Tanvir finished his spell with 1 for 24 in four overs, which was instrumental in restricting the Patriots to 146 for 5, before the Warriors ran down the target in 16.3 overs, with six wickets in hand.

Tanvir was the highest wicket-taker in the previous season, and was subsequently retained by the Warriors, for the maximum price of US$160 000.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

make a good impact on the Tridents.”

Tridents last won the tournament in 2014 but have struggled in recent seasons, leading to a revamp of the franchise.

Kieron Pollard, who led them for five years, has moved on to St Lucia Stars and West Indies Test and one-day captain Jason Holder has taken over the captaincy.

Holder is one of nine Barbadians in the lineup, with the likes of Test stars Roston Chase and Shai Hope also included, along with

veteran T20 star Dwayne Smith.

Australian Smith headlines four overseas players in the squad, joining South Africa’s Hashim Amla, New Zealander Martin Guptill and Pakistan’s Mohammed Irfan, and said he believes they can play a key role in the Tridents’ success.

“I’m looking forward to playing with Hashim. I’ve played against him a lot and he’s a class player. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes about his business,” Smith said.

“There’s Jason Holder

Australian Steve Smith has backed Barbados Tridents to go all the way the West Indies captain, Shai Hope who looks a quality young player as well, and I’m looking forward to playing with these guys and seeing what I can learn off them as well.”

Smith has dominated the Test arena in recent years and holds the highest average of any modern-day batsman with 61.37. He has also amassed 6 199 runs from just 64 matches with 23 hundreds.

He has also adapted well to the shortest format, already with a hundred under his belt, and said success in T20s did not call

for a massive adjustment.

“I don’t change my game a great deal between formats, probably just turning different gears,” he pointed out.

“Obviously in T20 cricket you need to go a little bit harder than in the other forms so just having those gears and making sure I’m trying to be as smart as I can with my batting and hopefully have an impact for the team.

“I wouldn’t say I have any personal performance targets. I would just like to help the Tridents win games of cricket and enjoy myself over here.”

Dhawan should have got a second chance - Sunil Gavaskar

FORMER India captain Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the team management’s decision to drop opener Shikhar Dhawan for the second Test against England at Lord’s.

Gavaskar asked what the “criteria” for dropping Dhawan were, when the lefthander had made nearly as many runs as M. Vijay and KL Rahul combined in the first Test at Edgbaston, which India lost by 31 runs.

In the first Test, Dhawan made 39 runs across two innings, while Vijay and Rahul, who comprised the rest of the Indian top order, scored 46 between them.

On Friday, India made two changes, replacing Dhawan with Cheteshwar Pujara and bringing in a second spinner in Kuldeep Yadav at the expense of the third seamer Umesh Yadav. Kohli did not provide any reasons behind those two changes.

Gavaskar did not agree with the decision to drop Dhawan. “My point about Dhawan is that he is always dropped after one Test,” Gavaskar told Mumbai Mirror.

“Others get another opportunity. He should have also got a second chance.

If you look at the scores in the first Test, he scored more runs than Murali Vijay and KL Rahul. So, what are the criteria?”

Dhawan has been dropped on previous overseas tours too. On the last trip to England in 2014, Dhawan missed the final two Tests, after opening in the first three. He then missed the final Test of the four-match series on the 2014-15 Australia tour.

Then, during the South Africa tour this January, Dhawan was left out

for the final two Tests, having played the opening match in Cape Town.

Gavaskar pointed out Dhawan batting left-handed gave India’s line-up variety. He also felt the think-tank ought to have played a sixth specialist batsman instead of fielding four bowlers and Hardik Pandya operating as a batting all-rounder.

“It (selection) should be according to the pitch. It should be six batsmen where you don’t know what the opposition has in store for you.

“He (Dhawan) is a left-hander.

If he was a right-hander, I can understand that you want to go with the younger option of Rahul. He should have been retained and the team should have strengthened the batting. In Australia, South Africa and England, you need to go with six batsmen in the first Test.”

This is the second time in the last week that Gavaskar has questioned India’s decision-making. Earlier this week, he had been critical of India’s lack of preparation with the Duke ball, having played just a single three-day practice match before the Test series.

On Friday, after being put in to bat on a dank morning, India were immediately in deep trouble at 15 for 3 with Vijay, Rahul and Pujara back in the pavilion. It did not help that conditions were ripe for swing bowling and India folded for just 107.

To adapt to overseas conditions, Gavaskar said the key element was temperament - something he said only Kohli had so far shown. Ajinkya Rahane, India’s vice-captain, seemed to have agreed, but said it would be “harsh” to say too much when the conditions favoured the fast bowlers to this extent.

Rahane said facing someone like James Anderson in swinging

conditions needed a lot of discipline.

“He (Anderson) didn’t bowl one short ball. He was just bowling there and there - four-five-metre length.

And that is really crucial on this wicket.

“If you’re bowling that length, you’ve got to bowl consistently. Then as a batsman, you have to leave the ball or you’ve to back your methods consistently. You cannot think that if you play three maiden overs, you’ve got to be ready to play another three maiden overs after that. It’s all about patience in these conditions and trusting your methods and backing your ability.”

Rahane said the batsmen would need to adapt quickly and learn from their opponents. “You have to conquer every situation; you have to be positive in every situation.

“Maybe we will need to learn from their batting unit how they bat in such conditions, which shots are important, which shots you can play. Many times in England you cannot only stay defensive. You need to understand which shots you can play, maybe the cut shot or the late cut. The earlier you learn all that, the better it would be for you.”

Asked to explain the reason behind India going with a second spinner when conditions were more in favour of seam bowling, Rahane suggested it was Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri’s decision to go with Kuldeep. “It’s about what captain and coach think.

In the end, it’s the captain’s decision and I felt Virat was backing Kuldeep,” Rahane said.

“We’ll have to wait and see. Because of the conditions, definitely yeah, it helped fast bowler(s). But Kuldeep is a quality bowler. Umesh bowled really well, but it’s about the combination and it’s about what captain and coach think.” (ESPN Cricinfo).

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Russell’s hat-trick and 40-ball ton devastate Trinbago Knight Riders PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Twenty20 star Andre Russell plundered an astonishing, unbeaten hundred and also grabbed a hat-trick, as he dragged Jamaica Tallawahs to a dramatic come-frombehind four-wicket victory over reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders in a

at backward square leg in the seventh over, Russell stormed to his half-century off 22 balls and required only another 18 deliveries to reach three figures – his second in T20s – and also surpass 4 000 runs in his 257th match. “(It’s my) first game as a captain at this

Jamaica Tallawahs captain Andre Russell celebrates his hundred against TKR in the third match of the Caribbean Premier League at Queen’s Park Oval on Friday night. (Photo courtesy CPL) thriller here Friday night.

Chasing a record 224 for victory in the third match of the Caribbean Premier League at Queen’s Park Oval, Tallawahs found themselves in strife at 41 for five in the seventh over and staring at a heavy defeat.

Arriving at the crease with Tallawahs facing an improbable required run rate of well over 13.5 runs per over, captain Russell unfurled a magnificent 121 off just 49 balls to propel his side over the line with three balls remaining.

The right-hander crunched six fours and 13 sixes in a phenomenal display of power-hitting, posting 161 for the sixth wicket with fellow Jamaican Kennar Lewis (52) – the joint highest-ever partnership in the CPL. Dropped off the first ball he faced when Ali Khan misjudged a top-edged slog sweep

level, definitely it’s a good start. I am going to enjoy this till it lasts. The hard work has been paying off,” Russell said afterwards.

Russell had earlier starred in the TKR innings, snatching a hat-trick in the final over to finish with three for 38, as the home side reached 223 for six off their allotted 20 overs.

Sent in, TKR appeared to have put the contest out of sight when Colin Munro topscored with 61 and fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum and struck 56, en route to the highest total in CPL history.

Chris Lynn chipped in with 46 while left-hander Darren Bravo got 29 as TKR frenetically gathered 77 runs from the last five overs of the innings.

Sunil Narine (7) picked out long on with left-arm spinner Imad Wasim in the second over with 10 on the board but Munro and Mc-

Cullum then anchored the innings beautifully.

First, Munro hammered five fours and three sixes off 42 balls, putting on 98 for the second wicket with Lynn, who belted four fours and three sixes in a 27-ball knock.

When both fell in the space of 19 balls for the addition of 22 runs, McCullum took charge of the back end of the innings, adding 86 for the fourth wicket with Darren Bravo who slammed a couple of fours and sixes in a 16-ball cameo.

All told, McCullum faced just 27 balls and counted five fours and four sixes.

West Indies seamer Kemar Roach leaked 30 runs from the penultimate over but Russell removed McCullum, Bravo and Denesh Ramdin (0) in the final over which cost only 11, to slow TKR’s momentum somewhat.

The Tallawahs run chase started disastrously when Glenn Phillips (6) miscued the third ball of the innings to short third-man off pacer Ali Khan (3-24) and Andre McCarthy tugged the fifth delivery to mid-on, to depart without scoring.

Ross Taylor (1) and Rovman Powell (1) fell in successive overs to leave Tallawahs

on 16 for four in the fourth over and opener Johnson Charles thrashed five fours in a 16-ball 24 before playing back to a Fawad Ahmed (2-46) googly and falling lbw.

Russell then sensationally transformed the contest. He blasted Fawad for a pair of sixes in the 11th over which cost 15 runs and also ripped into off-spinner Narine in the next over with another brace of sixes – the second of which raised his half-century.

Captain Dwayne Bravo came under assault from Russell in the 13th over, giving up 22 runs and seamer Javon Searles saw 18 runs come from his opening over – 16th of the innings – as Russell and Lewis combined to take him apart.

The game was still in the balance with 53 runs required from the last 24 balls but Russell took 20 from the 17th over bowled

by Dwayne Bravo and 17 came from the next from Fawad, even though Lewis perished after striking four fours and two sixes off 35 balls.

By then, Tallawahs needed just 16 from the last two overs and Russell put the game to bed in the final over when he cleared the ropes at long-on with Narine.

SCOREBOARD

TKR innings S. Narine c Powell b Wasim 7 C. Lynn c Russell b Santokie 46 C. Munro c Taylor b Zampa 61 B. McCullum c Powell b Russell 56 DM Bravo b Russell 29 J. Searles not out 6 D. Ramdin c McCarthy b Russell 0 DJ Bravo not out 0 Extras: (lb-4, w-13, nb-1) 18 Total (6 wkts, 20 overs) 223 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-108, 3-130, 4-216 , 5-216, 6-216.

Bowling: Santokie 4-0-41-1 (w-4), Wasim 4-0-23-1 (w-2), Roach 4-0-64-0 (w-2, nb-1), Russell 3-0-38-3, Zampa 4-035-1 (w-1), Powell 1-0-18-1.

TALLAWAHS innings G. Phillips c Ahmed b Ali Khan 6 J. Charles lbw b Ahmed 24 A. McCarthy c Lynn b Ali Khan 0 R. Taylor lbw b Ali Khan 1 R. Powell b Gabriel 1 K. Lewis c Searles b Ahmed 52 A. Russell not out 121 I. Wasim not out 3 Extras: (lb-2, w-6, nb-4) 12 Total: (6 wkts, 19.3 overs) 225 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-15, 4-16, 5-41, 6-202.

Bowling: Ali Khan 4-0-24-3 (w-3, nb-1), Gabriel 3-0-28-1 (nb-2), DJ Bravo 4-0-60-0, Fawad Ahmed 4-0-46-2 (w-1), Narine 3.3-042-0 (nb-1), Searles 1-0-18-0 (w-2).

T&T, Barbados eye lead; Leewards edge ahead

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – Opener Navin Bidaisee struck his second half-century of the tournament as leaders Trinidad and Tobago took firm aim at first innings lead, dominating Jamaica on the opening day of their third round contest in the Regional Under-19 Championship here Saturday.

In reply to Jamaica’s 190 for nine declared, T&T reached the close at Arnos Vale Stadium on 129 without loss, with Bidaisee unbeaten on 63 and opening partner Cephas Cooper on 49 not out.

Bidaisee has so far faced

99 balls and struck six fours and two sixes while Cooper has counted eight fours in a 105-ball innings.

Seamer Rivaldo Ramlogan had earlier taken three for 35 and left-arm spinner Justyn Gangoo, two for 23, has Jamaica’s innings never got off the road, forcing them into a declaration.

Opener Ricardo McIntosh top-scored with 56, Raewin Senior got 23 and Carlos Brown, 20, but Jamaica failed to mount any real strong partnerships.

At Park Hill, Barbados were in sight of first innings lead against Guy-

ana, thanks to a handsome unbeaten 61 from opener Nico Reifer.

At the close, Barbados were 133 for four, still requiring a further 70 runs to overhaul Guyana’s first innings total of 203.

Barbados lost the usually free-scoring Shian Brathwaite without scoring in the opening over but Reifer held the innings together, adding 43 for the second wicket with Mekhail Marshall (20) and a further 54 for the third wicket with Kadeem Alleyne who made 35.

Reifer has so far faced 125 deliveries and counted six fours and a six while Alleyne’s knock was a cameo, requiring just 35 balls and including three fours and a couple of sixes.

Opener Kevelon Anderson had earlier top-scored with 71 but Guyana suf-

fered a collapse after choosing to bat first. Anderson, who faced 106 deliveries and belted 10 fours and a six, was the mainstay of the innings as Guyana lost their last five wickets for just 22 runs.

Joshua Persaud slammed a quick-fire 39 from 30 balls with eight fours and a six, adding exactly 50 for the second wicket with Javid Karim who made 25.

When three wickets perished for 19 runs, Anderson put on 61 with Kevin Sinclair for the fifth wicket and a further 47 for the sixth with Junior Sinclair (15), to mar-

shall the innings before the collapse ensued.

Leg-spinner Camarie Boyce once again led the Barbados bowling with three for 27.

At Sion Hill, Elroy Francis stroked 52 as Leeward Islands grabbed first innings lead over Windward Islands.

Opting to bowl first, the Leewards rolled the Windwards over for 115 and had reached 119 for seven by the close.

Demari Benta chipped in with 38 while Lincoln Durand has so far picked up five for 28.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 12, 2018

Dey returns to winning ways at Lucozade 11-race cycling meet PSL Trojan cyclist Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey unleashed an explosive sprint ahead of a four-man breakaway to claim the feature race of the Lucozade cycling programme at the National Park yesterday.

Dey returned to winning ways with a powerful sprint just pipping Christopher ‘Chick Legs’ Griffith on the finish line with Jamual John coming in third while Kemuel Moses was fourth. Dey’s winning time was one hour 19 minutes.

Meanwhile, the top four riders dominated the 35-Lap Schoolboys and Invitational, lapping the rest of the field in emphatic fashion.

Over in the Juniors category, Adealie Hodge took top honours while Paul Cho-

Wee-Nam was the first Veteran Under-40 and Nigel London was the top Veteran Over-50 cyclist.

The Lucozade 11-race cycling programme made its return to the National Park under the organisation of Carlton Wheelers Cycling Club.

Results 1st Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey 2nd Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith 3rd Jamual John 4th Kemuel Moses 5th Romello Crawford 6th Paul De Nobrega 7th Paul Choo-Wee-Nam 8th Marcus Keiler 9th Nigel London

Canadian superbike Championship Round 5

Curtis Dey (right) crosses the finish line just ahead of Christopher Griffith and Jamual John to take the Lucozade 11-race title.

CFU Boys’ U14 Challenge

Ninth-place finish for Vieira Guyana down Bonaire 5-1 to record first victory as bike problems continue

(By Stephan Sookram in Canada Compliments of the National Sport Commission and Mohamed’s Enterprise)

BIKE troubles continued for Elliot Vieira who is competing this weekend in the Canadian Superbike Championship’s round five in Bowman, Canada.

The Guyanese, who is riding in the

“Really, with the way the bike is operating at the moment I’m glad I could have finished within the top 10. Also track time is important as I continue to ‘shake down’ the bike and I guess the main thing here is to have fun.” he said.

“Hopefully we can brainstorm through the evening and find the problem in time for tomorrow’s (Sunday)

THE National U14 Boys’ team registered their first win of the CFU Boys’ U14 Challenge when they defeated Bonaire by a 5-1 margin on Friday in their third match of the tournament at the Ergilio Hata Stadium, Curacao, at 18:00hrs.

Among the goalscorers were Shoran James who netted a hat-trick, Kevon Scott and Rajan Ramdeholl with one goal apiece.

According to head coach, Bryan Joseph, while Guyana dominated possession during the match, conversion of those chances proved to be a challenge.

“The 5-1 result does not truly reflect the amount of possession we had and the number of chances we created. We did create quite a number of chances but we just could not finish. It’s a good result for us.

There are a lot of positives from the game.”

One such positive, according to Joseph, was the willingness of the team to execute the national playing philosophy. “The opposition

was not of the quality as the two previous games, but I’m happy the team showed willingness to put the ball down, play through the lines as well as try to be positive in possession without making rash decisions.

That is a major part of the playing philosophy that we are trying to instil so it was good to see the players take it on board and bring a good result at the end of the game.”

Looking ahead to their final match against Aruba today, Bryan said the team will seek to build on the positives: “Going forward to our final game today, we look to build on the positives and do things even better and improve on the weaker areas.”

The starting lineup U14 team, led by midfielder Ramdeholl was as follows: Gerald Whittington (GK), Kevin Mullin, Brandon Solomon, Oswin Archer, Tyquan Brumell, Shoran James, Rajan Ramdeholl, Samuel Garnett, Keishawn Smith, Daniel Lowe and Devon Padmore.

Elliot Vieira during the race at Canadian Tyre Motorsport Park. (Stephan Sookram photo) Liqui Molly Pro Sport (600cc) class aboard a Yamaha R6, finished race one yesterday ninth after starting 17th.

However, while his charge through the pack took him 8 places further up the ladder, bike troubles stalled his bid for a better finishing position and also hindered his start.

“The problems continued from Friday into yesterday (Saturday). The bike loses power through a specific section of the track. We made a lot of changes, but none of them seemed to work. The problem worsened in the race as it went on.”

race. I’ve got a great team of guys with over 80 years of racing experience helping me and I know we can figure it out.”

A part of his team is former Canadian Champion and Guyanese-born Clive Ng-aKien and mechanic William Shimping as well as those who helped thus far.

Vieira returns to action today starting ninth aboard the blue number 33 bike, sponsored by Adventura Gold, Roadsport Auto Group, WASP Performance, K&J Auto Body, DynoJet, Bickle Racing, Snow City, Brooklyn Cycle Racing, Gp Bikes and Gimoto.

Guyana National U14 Boys’ team

Hero Caribbean CPL

Warriors prevail

in nail-biting finish

Keemo Paul disturbs Kavem Hodge’s stumps

Rayad Emrit celebrates with his teammates after taking a wicket at the back end of the innings.

A

By Rajiv Bisnauth

MID a passionate and excited crowd, the Guyana Amazon Warriors prevailed in a low-scoring, nail-biting contest by three runs in match 4 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) against St Lucia Stars last evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

In a dramatic finish, the game had all the ebbs and flows throughout and in the end the Stars could not prevent a miserable 13-match losing streak.

Chasing 141 for victory, the Stars ponder over the botched run-chase, and eventually reached 138-7, as the hosts’ pace and spin combination ensured the losing streak continued for the Stars.

Besides the bucketful of tricks that leg-spinner Imran Tahir possesses in his armoury in terms of his googlies, top-spinners and leg-breaks that had the Stars’ batsmen perplexed last night, with figures of 2-23, it was the medium pacers, Rayad Emrit (3-26), and Keemo Paul, who held their nerves together in the final two overs in the run chase.

With 23 required in the final two overs, Emrit took two wickets and gave away just seven runs before Paul took the wicket of Kavem Hodge and gave away just 13 runs in the final over to help three-time CPL finalists prevail in the end.

Stars’ chase gathered slow momentum for most of the innings. The openers failed to find a middle ground in orchestrating the chase as they vacillated between forward defence and scratchy slogs.

However, the Proteas leg-spinner removed both David Warner, who may have felt very unlucky, and Andre Fletcher in his first over, at 30-2 inside the seventh over. Warner made 11 off 21 balls, while Fletcher struggled to a 17-ball 14.

Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard then held the

Saturday’s match attracted another huge turnout. (Adrian Narine photos) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See page 25 SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2018