2015 5 11

GUYANA

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

No. 104185 MONDAY MAY 11, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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GECOM Chairman says Commission ‘fully prepared and ready’

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– as Guyanese head to the polls today Joint Services ready to maintain state Former of normalcy over elections period President 9 9 Jimmy Carter leaves for home Page

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– after falling ill

Jimmy Carter

UNASUR calls for peaceful elections Page

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Standing at the ready: The top brass of the security services ahead of today’s E-Day

– OAS urges political parties to act responsibly, supporters to be patient

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

94-Year-Old Set to Graduate West Virginia University – more than 75 years after first enrolling A 94-year-old man is set to graduate from college next week, more than 75 years after he started working towards his degree.

In 1939, Anthony Brutto enrolled at West Virginia University, when tuition was $50, according to a university press release.

He studied engineering, physical education and industrial arts, and was close to graduation when he was drafted during World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps for three-and-a-half years, WVU said.

Brutto returned to school in 1946, but was forced to drop out again, this time to take care of his ill wife, according to WVU. He soon started working as a machinist in various factories.

Brutto retired in the 1980s, sculpting in his spare time. But he committed himself to returning to school, and his daughter, Lisa Bridges, who works for the university as a web developer, said she found

Anthony Brutto

out students can get credit for life experience.

“I thought it would be really great at this point in his life for him to be able to get his degree,” Bridges said.

Next week, Brutto will graduate with about 4,500 other WVU students.

“I think it’s great,” Brutto told ABC News today.

His wife, Donna Brutto, agreed.

“I think it’s wonderful that he’s getting this after all these years,” she said.

“He most certainly deserves it.”

April Kaull, assistant director of WVU’s University Relations/News, said Brutto’s story “reflects the determination and perseverance of many students on the WVU campus.”

“He didn’t let anything in his life or the challenges that he faced keep him from his ultimate goal,” Kaull said. “And that’s what we find is a theme among many of our students.” (ABC News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

GECOM Chairman says Commission ‘fully prepared and ready’ – as Guyanese head to the polls today

By Vanessa Narine

GUYANESE and stakeholders in the electoral process were yesterday assured by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally, that the Commission is “fully prepared and ready” to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

“I give you the assurance that the preparations for the General and Regional elections of 2015 have been thorough and all encompassing.

The Guyana Elections Commission would like to assure all stakeholders that it is fully prepared and ready to conduct free and fair and credible elections,” he said in a message to the nation, televised by the National Communications Network (NCN).

The GECOM Chairman noted that a few challenges aside, the Commission has been able to achieve an “almost perfect state of readiness” for the efficient and transparent conduct of the May 11 polls.

“All the necessary technical, administrative and logistical systems are in place in every district; the entire production was planned and executed together with the political parties and their scrutinisers, who collaborated with us every step of the way,” he said, adding: “Electors, you can rest assured that every aspect; every component relating to elections management has effectively and efficiently been carried by the competent and absolutely committed staff under the leadership of Mr Keith Lowenfield, GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and under the guidance of GECOM’s commissioners; together, surely the most knowledgeable and experienced persons who have not only successfully managed several elections in Guyana, but who have shared their experience internationally. I call them the Elections A-plus Team.”

TRUST GECOM Dr Surujbally also noted that all the plans and prepara-

‘Electors, you can rest assured that every aspect; every component relating to elections management has effectively and efficiently been carried by the competent and absolutely committed staff under the leadership of Mr Keith Lowenfield, GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO)’ -- Dr Steve Surujbally tions that went into readying the systems for the 2015 polls were done in collaboration with a host of stakeholders, including political parties, the Private Sector Commission, Chambers of Commerce and religious bodies – and supported by international technical assessors.

“GECOM did not accomplish this alone; at every step of the way, as we attempted to hone our performance that could be equal to the standards associated with international best practice, all stakeholders were involved,” he said.

Consequently, he appealed to all Guyanese and stakeholders to “trust” GECOM. “There are still some elements in our society who, for some reason, may want to cast some doubt or over-exaggerate some minor flaw found in some obscure aspect of the elections and the electoral process. They sidestep the essential and pounce on the irrelevant,” he said, adding: .

“All of this boils down to trust. Already. there is too much distrust on those who want to lead for the next five years. For me, the matter of trust is an either or position; the metaphoric black or white; either you trust GECOM or you distrust us. When you are coming to your conclusion on this question, that conclusion must not be arrived at emotionally or because someone, even someone who you respect, has tried to influence you, and you should not use the methodology of guesswork.”

He underscored the fact that trust in GECOM’s capability must be premised on ‘the real’.

“Your trust in the management capability of GECOM must stem from your empirical and your educated observation from your own experience with GECOM’s actions and achievements in the past

from facts; facts which speak for themselves, and which can withstand any inquiry; from a performance which can withstand local and international scrutiny, which is the model for elections management bodies elsewhere,” he said.

According to him, all concerns raised after the Disciplined Services vote on May 2 have been addressed. “There are no hiccups that I can see right now; I know of none,” Dr Surujbally said.

POLLING STATIONS Today, Guyanese voters will utilise 2,299 polling stations, the largest number of stations ever identified in Guyana, 166 of which are private residences.

“The political parties have received a list of the polling stations for the 2015 General and Regional elections,” the GECOM Chairman said, adding that no more than 400 electors are assigned per polling station.

frequently of GECOM’s training exercises are designed to mitigate all possible errors on Election Day. “ The GECOM Chairman stressed that Election Day staffers will be deployed with the “the full understanding” that electors are GECOM’s employers. “We were given the job to manage these

‘Your trust in the management capability of GECOM must stem from your empirical and your educated observation; from your own experience with GECOM’s actions and achievements in the past; from facts; facts which speak for themselves and which can withstand any inquiry, from a performance which can withstand local and international scrutiny, which is the model for elections management bodies elsewhere’ -- Dr Steve Surujbally

elections and we will not fail you,” he said.

VOTER EDUCATION Civic and voter was another key area of work and Dr Surujbally assured that every communication medium was being utilized to get its civic and voter education messages across to the respective targeted audiences.

“GECOM had conceptualized and has now introduced a rigorous civic and voter education campaign, the primary

‘GECOM calls on all Guyanese, political parties and their followers and all other stakeholders to accept the results of these elections in good faith and not engage in activities that are inimical to the peri and post-electoral peace and tranquility’ -- Dr Steve Surujbally TRAINING On the question of preparation, Dr Surujbally detailed GECOM’s preparations, of which training was a major component.

He said, “GECOM has been continuously engaging its elections day staff in a plethora of training exercises that have seen them being trained, re-trained and refresher trained, as well as further trained, in an effort to have all polling day fully prepared and ready for professional and transparent conduct of the May 11 General and Regional elections. The intensity and

that their vote is secret and known to them alone. The secrecy of the ballot must remain sacrosanct,” Dr Surujbally said.

He added that GECOM produced and distributed 100,000 booklets voting public.

“We encourage you to peruse the information, as the

aim of which is to inform the electorate on everything that they need to know on the electoral process. This has been going on for some time now,” he said.

An advanced feature, according to him, was the use of sign language. “Such is the design of the civic and voter education programme that it also involves the use of sign language…with the help of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), GEOCM has been able to produce a stencil to allow visually impaired persons, an option – an option – to vote independent of assistance, thereby ensuring

answers to your questions lie therein,” he said, “GECOM’s website and hotlines have also been a major feature of its civic and voter education…this year we introduced speedy online access to identification of your polling stations. We have been heartened by the commendations on this initiative.”

WITHIN THE LAW Dr Surujbally also made it clear that GECOM will conduct its activities within the framework of legal and constitutional provisions.

“We at GECOM would like to reassure all Guyanese and the international community of our commitment to do everything within the law, to conduct free, fair, credible, peaceful and a most perfect election,” he said.

As such, the GECOM Chairman urged that Guyanese be accepting of the official results and not engage in any activities not in the interest of Guyana.

“GECOM calls on all Guyanese, political parties and their followers and all other stakeholders to accept the results of these elections in good faith and not engage in activities that are inimical to the peri and post-electoral peace and tranquility,” he said.

MEDIA CENTRE The dissemination of

Dr Steve Surujbally

the preliminary results, Dr Surujbally explained, will be delivered to the Guyanese public via GECOM’s recently established media centre.

“GECOM, with the help of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has set up a media centre to facilitate the efficient dissemination of official election results to the media and to the public, even as the results come in from the field. We are very proud of this,” he said.

Prior to the declaration of the final results, the Centre will be disseminating preliminary data, and as they come in from the different polling stations and districts, with the aim of keeping the viewership informed as to what is happening in the ten districts across the spectrum.

The data is expected to be updated every two hours, as information reached the Commission.

Dr Surujbally said, “We will not sacrifice accuracy of the election result on the altar of expediency.”

All considered, he reiterated that the Commission intends for today’s proceedings to be free, fair, transparent and credible.

“Vote for the political party of your choice, return to your home and wait patiently for the professional tallying, verification and dissemination of results,” the GECOM Chairman concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Afghan clerics uneasy as civil rights movement gains momentum

By Mirwais Harooni and Jessica Donati

and offices.

KABUL, (Reuters)-Pow-

erful religious leaders in Afghanistan are growing uneasy about the challenge to their authority posed by rare civil rights protests in Kabul and widespread anger over the lynching of a young woman wrongly accused of burning a Koran.

The highest religious authority, the Ulema Council, exerts considerable influence in a country that remains deeply conservative despite significant changes since the hardline Islamist Taliban fell in 2001.

But a series of demonstrations in the capital Kabul promoting women’s rights has prompted the clerics to threaten to withdraw support for President Ashraf Ghani in a challenge to his new government.

Some Ulema members say that Ghani, who took office in September, has failed to consult with them and seek their advice to the same extent that his predecessor, Hamid Karzai, did.

Numbering some 3,000 clerics and scholars, and headed by a 150-strong National Council, the Ulema can sway public opinion significantly through mosques across the country that are still the main source of Afghan social cohesion.

In recent months, a women’s rights activist walked around Kabul in a body suit with large breasts and buttocks. In another demonstration, a group of men assembled in public wearing all-covering blue burqas worn by most women in Afghanistan.

“We ask the government

Members of civil society organisations chant slogans during a protest to condemn the killing of 27-year-old woman, Farkhunda, who was beaten with sticks and set on fire by a crowd of men in central Kabul in broad daylight lastThursday, in this file picture taken... to tell them (civil rights groups) to stop. Otherwise, we know how to stop them,” Ulema Council member Enayatullah Baligh, an adviser to the president and university lecturer, told Reuters at his office.

“I have 7,000 supporters who will obey any orders I give them. I can turn Kabul city upside down.”

Baligh blamed the government, which has been hobbled by internal power struggles, for failing to enforce laws that would require it to punish those who offended Islam.

“DEATH TO MULLAHS” While small, the protests have been unusually provocative for Afghanistan, where

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few openly challenge what women’s rights activists say are customs and laws that discriminate against them and perpetuate abuses common under the Taliban.

Further alarming the Ulema has been a much broader public outcry over the brutal killing of a woman in central Kabul in March.

Farkhunda, a 27-year-old Islamic student, was wrongly accused of burning a Koran, Islam’s holy book. She was beaten to death by an angry mob before her body was set on fire and thrown on to the banks of the city’s main river.

During ensuing demonstrations, some people in the crowd shouted “Death to Mullahs” and “Death to the Koran”, language most often used to denounce the United

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States.

Religious council leader Abdul Basir Haqqani recently told a gathering that the Ulema had been more insulted during Ghani’s seven months in power than at any time in Afghanistan’s history.

“These episodes have angered the mullahs (clerics) and I can see they are now drawing a line between this government and the former,” said Borhan Osman, a researcher at the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

“They see the current government as evil, a foreign conspiracy that is allowing a struggle against Islam.”

Ghani’s office sought to occupy the middle ground between religious conservatives and activists, saying it had zero tolerance for re-

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ligious offences but there had been no evidence Islam was insulted during protests linked to the killing.

But the Ulema believes it may not have such a close relationship with Ghani as it did with Karzai, who backed some of its ultra-conservative demands in return for support.

Karzai did introduce the Elimination of Violence Against Women Law in 2009, and oversaw the return of millions of girls to schools after they had been banned under the Taliban.

Yet he was criticized in 2012 for endorsing an edict that called men “fundamental” and women “secondary”, and saying they should avoid mingling with strange men in education, bazaars

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DOZENS ON TRIAL On Wednesday, an Afghan judge sentenced four men to death for their part in Farkhunda’s death, including the caretaker of a Muslim shrine who falsely accused her of desecrating Islam’s holy book.

In all, 49 men, including 19 police officers, went on trial. Some of the police were accused of standing by and allowing the mob to kill her in broad daylight.

The lynching shocked many Afghans and was condemned by Ghani. But before investigators declared Farkhunda innocent of burning the Koran, some religious figures had defended her attackers’ right to protect their faith at all costs.

Civil rights activists said they were determined to promote their cause despite the risk of reprisals.

“What will future generations do? Stay in the same, brutal society?” asked Leena Alam, who played Farkhunda in a recent public re-enactment of her murder designed to raise awareness of abuse against women. “We have to start somewhere.”

Alam said she was hopeful Ghani would do more to protect women through tougher laws, although he had been distracted so far by squabbling within his fledgling government and with foreign trips seeking international support.

“Unfortunately I haven’t seen him do anything yet,” she told Reuters. “We have not seen any leader do anything for women in Afghanistan over the past 13 years.”Reuters/Omar Sobhani

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Opposition party kicks off election campaign in St.Vincent

By Kenton X. Chance KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, (CMC) – The main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) kicked off its campaign for the next general elections Saturday night with party leader Arnhim Eustace telling party supporters that a change in government is needed to rescue the nation’s economy.

At a march and rally in Sion Hill, Eustace, an economist former prime minister and minister of finance, continued his long-running focus on the nation’s fiscal situation, and accused the Ralph Gonsalves government of mismanaging the economy.

He said that under the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) oversight, scores of privately- and government-owned businesses across the country have either closed or downsized.

He listed companies including a cinema, supermarkets, four call centres, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, department stores, fast food outlets, and his own extend-

Opposition supporters display their placards. pact of these developments on the financial wellbeing of ed family’s clothing store.

“All of those businesses Vincentian families.

“There are plenty more have downsized or closed because of the state of the people who used to work economy under Ralph Gon- who are not now working; salves. That’s why they are many more families are sufclosed today, and that is one fering because there is no good reason why we have income for their families. to get rid of him. So, Ralph And when the Prime MinGonsalves, you are gone, ister boasts about welfare, you are gone,” Eustace said. welfare is nothing to boast He said that the list of about. You boast when you businesses that have closed get jobs for people,” he said.

Eustace suggested that or downsized is much longer than he mentioned, adding the situation can be remedied that it does not include estab- by a change in administralishments in rural St. Vincent tion.

“I believe that the people and the Grenadines.

Eustace outlined the im- of St. Vincent and the Gren-

Turks and Caicos on the road to recovery - IMF WASHINGTON, (CMC) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the financial system in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is “gradually recovering: from the 2008 economic crisis.

Following an IMF mission, from April 14-27, to conduct a financial stability assessment under the IMF’s Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), the Washington-based financial institution said banks continue to show “high levels of Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratios, and credit growth remains negative.

“But high levels of capital buffers should help them withstanding a range of adverse shocks,” the IMF said. “While the economy is recovering, the FSC (Financial Services Commission) should remain vigilant and

monitor asset quality and liquidity conditions, and ensure the capital buffers remain.

“The domestic insurance sector is small and do not appear to pose systemic risks,” said the report released on Friday. “ However, the IMF said small depositors and policyholders suffered substantially from the lack of standard safety net tools.

It noted that the British Overseas Territory does not have lender of last resort, namely, a central bank, or a deposit insurance scheme (DIS).

Without government support, the IMF noted that small depositors of a “systemically important indigenous bank, failed in 2010, lost significant amount.”

It said policyholders of a failed local insurance com-

pany, originally a branch of failed Trinidad-and-Tobago-based CL Financial, are expected to lose a considerable sum as well.

However, the IMF said, at this moment, the Turks and Caicos Islands authorities are not ready to introduce a DIS. It said a DIS can function properly when its two preconditions are met: a strong supervisory framework and a special resolution regime for banks that are not viable.

While progress has been made in the first area, the IMF said more needs to be done in the second area.

The IMF said the FSC has made “notable progress” since the previous IMF assessment in 2003 and now has better governance, ample financial resources, and supervisory power.

adines, with proper government, can do much better than they are doing today.”

He also riticized the government’s management of the national budget, saying that while the tourism Authority was supposed to get EC$13.4 million last year to do its marketing, it only received EC$3 million.

“So when you see our tourism is not performing, part of the reason is that the government is broke. They cannot give to the institutions the money which they should … Ralph Gonsalves has mashed up the finances of the country and he will continue to unless we move him.”

Eustace said the government could have found EC$6 million to fund its “Vote Yes” campaign in sup-

port of the proposed changes to the Constitution in 2009, but cannot find the money to disburse to the Tourism Authority.

“I give you that assurance, the New Democratic Party will manage the resources of this country with care and with concern.”

Last year, the government budgeted EC$330 million to do project, and it boasted about what it will fix or build, including roads, Eustace said.

“Out of the 330 million, when December came last year, … they only spent 141 million. Think about that…

So how are you going to get job?

“I can’t tell you how serious this matter is, and why it is vitally important that you put people in office who

understand these issues, who can manage these issues, and make sure that the benefits come to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Eustace also reiterated that an NDP government will be tough on corruption and will use foreign forensic auditors to investigate suspected cases of corruption.

“There will be no commission of inquiry. There will be forensic auditors and if you are caught, you pay the price. I am tired of this nonsense and it is getting worse and worse,” he said.

General elections are constitutionally due in March 2016, but are widely expected this year.

Observers say that the race will be a straight context between the ULP and the NDP.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Here’s hoping for...

A free from fear polls AS THE electorate head to their various polling stations to cast their ballots, many are fearful that if they have read the subliminal messages and warnings of some politicians right, if the elections do not bring the desired results that would give their party victory, they are prepared to take the country down the dark and destructive path that

this country and its peaceful citizens have experienced and endured as a foreseeable event prior, during and post every election in Guyana.

This fear was exacerbated by the violence unleashed against the ruling party’s leaders and supporters several times during their election rallies.

Some of the Opposition

leaders were openly calling for revolution, and encouraging insurrection, if their party is not victorious; and they have never condemned the actions of their supporters, sending encouraging signals instead.

This leads one to conjecture whether these violent, lawless elements have been briefed on the course of actions they took to silence the PPP/C speakers,

which is a crime.

The allegation by the Opposition that the joint services have been instructed to arrest and detain their supporters to prevent them from voting makes one surmise that this may be a deliberate plan to derail the elections, using this ploy.

What is frightening to those who have experienced the destructive course Oppo-

sition protests could take, looting and destroying private and public properties, molesting females, robbing and injuring peaceful citizens, is the dire threat issued by Opposition leaders, who have pumped up their supporters to expect the certainty of a victory, that they would not be able to control their supporters if the elections does not culminate in a victory for the coalition.

It is hoped that the elections would produce no vi-

olent aftermath, and that the processes would be conducted in a free and fair manner, free from fear that citizens would be able to exercise their franchise peacefully; not be robbed of this right, and that the outcome would be accepted by all so that progress can continue, and Guyana can, in the near future, achieve its optimum potential for social development and economic growth.

UNASUR calls for peaceful elections

--OAS urges political parties to act responsibly, supporters to be patient --reminds that GECOM is only official source of results

By Tajeram Mohabir A DELEGATION from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) is here, joining other foreign observer teams monitoring the General and Regional Elections today.

The UNASUR team, which arrived here four days ago, will monitor the voting process at centres at Parika, Region 3; Georgetown, Region 4; New Amsterdam, Region 6; and Linden, Region 10. The team will depart Guyana tomorrow after the elections.

These locations were selected so that the mission could examine whether its recommendations that were made during the last elections, were implemented.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, here in the city, Chief Mission Representative Domingo Paredes thanked Guyana for inviting the South American body to observe the elections.

The team, whose members are all from the UNASUR Electoral Council, comprises representatives from Argentina, Chile, Bra-

zil, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and the Office of the Secretary-General of UNASUR. Paredes said the mission here is not to criticise the electoral process, but to aid in its development, and strengthen solidarity with Guyana in the South American union.

He is hoping that the elections will be peaceful, so that it can serve as a good model for the rest of the region.

The work of the UNASUR team, Paredes said, is imperial, and its objective is part of a wider vision to strengthen democracy across the region.

He called for the voting process today to be a peaceful and transparent exercise, whereby citizens exercise their civic duty without fear.

RESPECT POPULAR WILL “…it is important for the media outlets to assist in this general call for citizens to exercise the most important democratic duty…respecting the popular will, which is sacred to all democracies, and respect the lawful results and exercise all legal means in

UNASUR observer mission’s Chief Representative, Domingo Paredes with other members of the team at the press briefing at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston GECOM -- the only official source of election case of dissatisfaction of democracy, and its mission of the electoral process is results -- the time to ensure any political organisation in Guyana is in furtherance being carried out as planned a complete and accurate or party... it is important to of this goal. by the Guyana Elections The UNASUR team is Commission (GECOM). tabulation process,” a re(have) peace and trust to lease said. guard democracy,” Paredes one of several foreign ob“The OAS/EOM takes server missions in Guyana this opportunity to remind The mission reiterates emphasised the need for candidates Aside from calling for monitoring today’s elec- all political parties and citand supporters to adhere peace, he also urged all con- tions. izens that in the period folMeanwhile, in the run-up lowing the closing of the to the Code of Conduct cerned to facilitate an envisigned by all political parronment of trust and for the to the elections, the Electoral polls, results must be tabuties to ensure order and results of the elections to be Observation Mission of the lated and compiled across a tranquility on Election accepted by all parties in the Organisation of American large territory. The mission States (OAS/EOM) in Guy- calls on all political actors Day and the days therespirit of democracy. after in compliance with The role of UNASUR’s ana said it has observed and to act responsibly and urges national electoral laws and Electoral Council, he said, heard from different stake- citizens to wait patiently regulations. is to preserve and guard holders that the organisation for the outcome, allowing

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

15 observer missions on the ground today FIVE international election observer missions and 10 local observer groups will be on the ground today, Elections Day. The Organisation of American States (OAS), Carter Centre, Commonwealth, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Union of South American Nations are expected to field close to 100 observers.

The Carter Centre is expected to field the

largest mission for the upcoming polls.

The 10 local groups accredited by GECOM include: The United States of America Embassy; the British High Commission; the Canadian High Commission; the European Union (EU) country office; the Private Sector Commission (PSC; the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); Blue Caps; the International Republic Institute (IRI); Guyana Pub-

lic Service Union (GPSU); and the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB).

All observers, both local and foreign, will be required to sign onto certain protocols before they are accredited as observers. The Guyana Chronicle was able to get an exclusive look at these protocols, which outline the roles and functions of the observer groups.

Relative to foreign observers, the missions, according to the protocol,

will be expected to adhere to more than 35 guidelines. In addition to the guidelines, the rights and privileges of accredited election observer groups were also outlined in the protocol.

Similar rights and guidelines apply to local observer groups, which were detailed in a separate document seen by this newspaper.

Under the Election Law (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2000, Section

20 states that: “The Commission may approve of local organisations observing the democratic process involved in any election provided such organisations fulfil such conditions as may be stipulated by the Commission.”

Both protocols, for foreign and local observer groups, state clearly that if GECOM considers that an observer group “wilfully, without restraint, overtly and/or with malice

aforethought breached the modus operandi and protocols” outlined by the Commission, GECOM has the authority to and may rescind/withdraw its accreditation from the individual errant observer or even from the entire observer mission.

GECOM has established around 2,299 Polling Stations throughout the country for today’s General and Regional Elections. (Vanessa Narine)

Brave goose sits on burning nest to protect eggs

By David Strege A CANADIAN mother goose that bravely sat on its six eggs in a nest that was deliberately set afire has been deemed healthy enough to someday be released back into the wild after it was rescued by a wildlife specialist in Erie County, Ohio.

Tim White, wildlife specialist for Erie Soil and Water Conservation District, was walking back to his car with his daughter after finishing some paperwork at the office last Sunday following church when he noticed smoke coming around the corner of the building.

Checking it out, they discovered a Canada goose sitting on a nest that was on fire.

“It wasn’t blazing like a bonfire,” White told the Sandusky Register. “You could see a little blaze around the nest.”

White and his daughter raced back into the office, gathered water sample buckets used for a local stream testing program, filled them with water and

put out the fire.

“She was doing the motherly thing,” White told the Sandusky Register.

“She was very protective of those eggs. She took the brunt of the heat and the fire.”

White said he found cigarette butts in the nest, evidence that the fire was deliberately set. The Erie

County Sheriff ’s Office and the Ohio Division of Wildlife are investigating.

“In addition to losing all her flight and tail feathers, she also singed her tongue,” Heather Yount of Back to the Wild rehabilitation center in Castalia, Ohio, told WTVG of Toledo on Thursday. “We believe she was trying to put out the fire

herself on her feathers.”

The Canadian goose is being given daily shots of antibiotics to prevent infection, and five of the eggs, some with scorch marks on them, were placed into an incubator at the Back to the Wild rehabilitation center.

On Wednesday, Dr. Jamie Lindstrom of Animal Clinic Northview deter-

mined there was no lasting damage to the Canada goose’s feather follicles, and new ones will grow back when it naturally molts this summer.

On Friday, Yount told GrindTV in an email, “There is a possibility that the fire damaged the eggs beyond repair and they may not hatch, but we are

not giving up on them. We will be incubating them for the remainder of their incubation period to make sure we give them the best chance possible.”

If they do hatch, wildlife officials will attempt to reunite them with the mother and release them together into the wild sometime in the summer.

“At this time, we also have Canada goose eggs that were orphaned,” Yount told GrindTV. “Geese are great moms, and will often adopt babies that are not theirs, so if she accepts her own offspring back, we may also add in the orphans so they can grow up in the wild with a wild Canada goose. Growing up wild is the best thing for them.”

“At the very least,” White told GrindTV in an email, “she should be well enough again after a bit to have another go at raising a brood should none of the eggs hatch…

“Just glad I happened to be where I was at that opportune moment!”

(GrindTV)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Former President Jimmy Carter leaves for home --after falling ill

CITING ill health, former United States of America (USA)’s President Jimmy Carter departed Guyana yesterday for Atlanta.

Reports are that he was accompanied by several other persons, including his personal aides.

However, according to a statement from the Carter Center, its electoral observer mission will continue its work and will keep Carter informed of developments.

“President Carter is hopeful about Guyana’s election and expressed his commitment and that of The Carter Center to sup-

porting Guyana in the days ahead, stressing the need for a peaceful process before, during, and after the election,” the statement said.

Since April, the Carter Center deployed a team of five experts and six medium-term observers throughout the nation. They have since conducted observations in all 10 of Guyana’s electoral districts, and held meetings with a wide range of actors, including political parties, the election commission, civil society organisations, and the judiciary.

The medium-term observer team was to have

Jimmy been joined by more than 50 short-term observers from 24 countries, and co-led by Mr Carter; Ambassador Audrey Glover of the United Kingdom; and former Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Billie Miller.

Carter The Carter Centre’s electoral observer mission will witness the electoral process, including voting, counting, polling, and tabulation. The Carter Center’s assessment of the electoral process will be based on

Guyana’s Constitution, its national legal framework, and its various obligations for democratic elections under public international law, including relevant regional and international agreements.

Today’s election will be the 100th to have been observed to date by the Carter Center. Twenty-six years ago, in May of 1989, The Carter Center sent its first ever team of election observers to Panama, where their work exposed General Manuel Noriega’s scheme to falsify tally sheets to swing the elections in favour of his handpicked candidate. That set in motion a series of events that led to Noriega’s downfall, and the

instalment of the rightful president.

It also established the Carter Center as a leader in what was then the still relatively new field of election observation.

In the intervening years, the Center’s observation teams have witnessed elections in 38 countries. Their arrival, always at critical times in a country’s history, helps ensure that human rights and democratic values are respected, and inspires confidence in the voting process.

The Carter Center has developed a reputation as a trusted, impartial witness who speaks the truth.

Carter was first in Guyana for the 1992 General and Regional elections.

Joint Services ready to maintain state of normalcy over elections period THE HEADS of the Joint Services met for final operational briefing and have assured the Guyana populace that they are fully prepared and ready to ensure that today’s General and Regional Elections is executed in a safe, secure and stable environment, and a state of normalcy is maintained throughout the period.

Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud met with the top brass of the Security Services on Friday last.

According to a public statement issued subsequently, “Commanders at all levels are now clear on their duties and tasks, to ensure the stability and security of the nation is maintained during the entire election and post-election period.”

Troops are currently deployed to all regions across the country and have been urged to maintain their professionalism

Brigadier Mark Phillips and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud following the operational briefing ing was geared towards the middle and lower at all times and under all arise. circumstances.

Earlier this year ranks echelons of the services In addition, they will from the Security Services and was meant to exerensure that their actions are were engaged in remedial cise the junior command in keeping with the legal training ahead of today’s element in managing different internal security framework governing their historic poll. conduct in Internal Security A media release from scenarios.

During training, ranks Operations. the GDF at the time had The Guyana Defence stated that, “the training is reviewed regulations, laws Force is deployed in all timely in wake of Guyana’s and procedures, and acPolice Divisions so that preparation for the 2015 quainted themselves with at short notice they will General and Regional Elec- their specific roles in Internal Security Operations. b e r e a d y t o a s s i s t t h e tions.”

The GDF is not the lead police should the need That round of train-

agency in the conduct of Internal Security Operations, and the Inter-Services Training brought to focus its supportive role to the civil powers.

Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar, earlier in the year placed the rank and file of the GDF on high alert in anticipation of today’s General and Regional Elections.

He made the proclamation while delivering the charge to the top brass of the GDF when they congregated at the Officers’ Complex at Base Camp Ayanganna for their Annual Conference last February.

At the time, President Ramotar expressed the “fervent hope” that the elections climate “is one of peace (and where) good sense will prevail, even as contesting political parties and their supporters, as is their democratic right, vigorously conduct their campaign.”

Speaking in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Pres-

ident warned that in such an election climate, “forces of reaction and fragmentation must not be allowed to fester in our society.”

Ranks of the Disciplined Services have already voted ahead of today’s date set aside for the general populace so that they can be inlying and ready, should the need arise.

Ramotar said early voting on the part of the Disciplined Services was meant to ensure that the ranks are able to stand guard on May 11, when the rest of the electorate take to the polls.

“Any attempt to create a feeling of insecurity and fear among our citizens or in any segment of our population, based on rumour, subjective gutter politics or worse, must be publicly frowned upon and action taken by the security forces to arrest any such tendency.”

This, he said, must be done through the application of the “full weight of the law and our Constitution,” against those culpable.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

The celebrity chef who brought posh curries to Canada

By Rob Boffard

IT WAS a determination never to serve chicken tikka masala that almost stopped the career of celebrity chef Vikram Vij, just as he was starting out.

Today, Mr Vij is one of the best-known chefs in Canada, a regular on the country’s TV food shows, and the author of best-selling cookery books.

People queue around the block to eat at his three Indian restaurants in Vancouver.

And his curry-ready meals are stocked at supermarkets across the country.

Yet for all the success, and his multi-million dollar fortune, it almost didn’t happen.

For back in 1994, when Mr Vij opened his first restaurant in Vancouver, aged 30, his refusal to serve the standard dishes available in most Indian eateries in Canada meant that customers were very thin on the ground.

And despite being backed by an investment of 23,000

Mr Vij continues to sell dishes not found in a regular Western world curry restaurant

Mr Vij’s first restaurant almost didn’t survive its first year

Canadian dollars ($19,000; £12,500) from his father, the restaurant - Vij’s - came close to having to shut down in its first 12 months.

Mr Vij, now 50, says: “It

was like I had hit rock bottom; I had reached the point where I had no more cash.”

Things were so bleak that he had to encourage customers to order dishes that had a

higher profit margin.

“If they ordered a chicken curry, I would say ‘Order the lamb’, because I knew that the profit on the lamb was maybe a dollar more,”

Mr Vij (second right) has been a judge on the Canadian Dragons’ Den

he says.

“So, if at the end of the day, even if we just made $10 more, it was $10 in my pocket.”

Thankfully, Mr Vij soon found out how vital good reviews are for restaurants.

In the months that followed, a string of food critics penned very positive reviews about Vij’s, praising both its upmarket Indian cuisine, and the good service. This resulted in diners arriving in ever greater numbers.

So much so that within a few years, Vij’s needed to relocated to a much larger premises. And Mr Vij has never looked back.

‘EGOTISM AND NARCISSISM’ Born in the Indian city of Amritsar to a relatively wealthy family, as a child Mr Vij wanted to be a Bollywood actor before gravitating towards a career as a chef.

Aged 19, he left the country to train in classical cooking in Salzburg, Austria.

Upon graduating, he got a job at a hotel in Banff, a small town in the Canadian province of Alberta, nestled in the Rocky Mountains.

It was there he remained until opening his own restaurant in Vancouver.

Mr Vij’s restaurants remain popular with diners With Mr Vij’s wife, Meeru Dhalwala also heavily involved in the business, a second restaurant opened in 2004, followed by a third in Vancouver, and another in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

There is also a mobile food cart that moves around Vancouver, and a factory kitchen which makes the ready meals. And a new restaurant will soon open at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the first place that Mr Vij worked in Canada.

As Mr Vij’s restaurants became increasingly well known, he started to be invited onto cookery TV shows, which further increased his profile. He has also been a

judge on the Canadian version of the Dragons’ Den entrepreneurship show, and with his wife, written two cookbooks.

He gets a little uncomfortable when asked to talk about how he deals with being a public figure, but admits that the promotion is good for business.

“I think you need a little bit of that egotism and narcissism,” he says. “Particularly for someone who is as much of a public figure as he is a businessman.

“You know, your face and your personality are very much part of the brand.”

COALS TO NEWCASTLE On a day-to-day basis Mr Vij now works as the front of house at his main Vij’s restaurant in Vancouver, meeting and greeting diners.

He describes the restaurants as his “babies”.

“They’re created by me and Meeru, who has done an extremely good job of maintaining the kitchen, the staff, the ladies, and managing the whole thing,” he says.

“So I am totally involved in this, and continue to be involved.

“The day I’m not involved with my own business, that’s the day I will be underground basically.”

Looking ahead, Mr Vij now wants to start selling his ready meals internationally; including exporting them to India.

“The long-term vision is to take my Indian food ... back to India, and say ‘look, one of your sons left the country, he went to Canada, he became successful, and now he’s giving back to the country the same love and passion’.

“I always think of India as my my mother; it would be like cooking for my mother.

“One day I want to be able to tell my mum that ‘look, you gave me all this love and nurturing, and I’m giving it back to you’.”

(BBC)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Bandits target Route 32 minibus – rob all hands on board

By Leroy Smith

PRESIDENT of the G u y a n a P re s s A s s o c i ation Neil Marks was among several persons in a minibus who were robbed yesterday aft e r n o o n a t Vr e e d - e n Hoop by two bandits, w h o w e re a r m e d w i t h a handgun and ice pick

respectively.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the minibus, which was travelling from the West Coast Demerara to Georgetown just after noon, stopped to pick up two male passengers at the Vreed-en-Hoop junction, when one of the men made their way to the

back of the minibus while the other took up a position close to the driver.

When the minibus reached on the East Bank Demerara in the vicinity of Eccles, the bandit who was sitting at the back of the vehicle whipped out a handgun, and pointed the weapon at passengers in the rear of the

vehicle. He then began robbing those who were seated next to him while the other bandit directed the driver to turn off the public road to a desolate roadway that leads to the National Milling Company, NAMILCO. On the lonely roadw a y, p e r s o n s w e r e r e portedly relieved of their

personal effects and valuables, including cash. The President of the Guyana Press Association, Neil Marks was reportedly relieved of several thousand dollars and a laptop computer.

Police sources who spoke with this publication confirmed that there was an incident and stat-

e d t h a t o f a l l t h e p e rsons, who were robbed, only one person, a female nurse, reported the matter to the police at the Ruimveldt Police Station.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that that the men, after robbing the passengers, used a mud dam to make their way into Agricola.

Police issue wanted bulletin for – over city Roger Khan associate wharf arms find THE Guyana Police Force yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for 33-year-old Mark Crumwell, a former policeman and associate of convicted drug kingpin, Shaeed Roger Khan.

The wanted bulletin follows the discovery of two AK-47 assault rifles, fifteen pistols, and a quantity of ammunition on Friday at a city wharf. The arms were at the time being uplifted by a 23-year-old man of Friendship, East Coast Demerara.

The items seized on Friday included two AK-47 assault rifles, four .40 caliber pistols, eleven 9mm pistols, fifteen extra magazines for firearms, 489 rounds of various calibre and a body protection vest. The discovery was made by customs officers as the man was clearing the shipment.

According to police in their wanted bulletin

yesterday, Mark Crumwell, also known as ‘Demon’, was born on March 29, 1982; resided at addresses in Buxton and Friendship, East Coast Demerara; and is of African ancestry.

The Guyana Police Force is seeking information on the whereabouts of the man and persons are asked to make urgent contact with the police on telephone numbers 2256411, 229-2557, 225-8196, the 911 emergency number or the nearest police station.

The force assured citizens that all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Mark Crumwell is no stranger to law enforcement. In 2003 he along with two others were arrested by a joint police and army operation in Buxton while in a car carrying arms. The vehicle, a black Honda Civic, back in 2003 (at the

peak of the crime wave) bore registration plate PEE 7976 which was reportedly sold by an overseas-based Guyanese to another man who at the time of the arrest in 2003 was also before the courts for arms possession.

In 2003, when the occupants of the car were searched by army ranks it was discovered that the men had on their persons, a .45 Smith and Wesson pistol and a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol along with a total of 23 live rounds. At the time, Crumwell was a constable in the Guyana Police Force while his accomplices where identified as civilians Marlon Osborne and Marvin Sears.

Marlon Scott, nicknamed ‘Trini’, who was forced to flee his village of Buxton after being shot at, worked there as a mechanic, and after the incident he was escorted out of the vil-

Wanted: Mark Crumwell

lage by the Guyana Defence Force. Persons unknown to the police then burnt his home down.

In 2008, Crumwell again became the subject of police operations when he was arrested for tossing firecrackers at the Presidential booth in the Guyana National Stadium during a Kashif and Shanghai football tournament at which

then President Bharrat Jagdeo and several government officials were present.

On Friday, 23-year-old construction worker Jamal Murphy of Friendship, East Coast Demerara was arrested by the police after he showed up at the city wharf to uplift a shipment which was registered to him from a sender in the United States who also shares his last name.

After the shipment was opened in his presence, customs officers observed that the shipment which was mostly filled with foodstuff also had inside it a large bag which they also opened and found the weapons and other items.

Police sources told this newspaper that the pistols are likely to carry a very high price since they come with sensors.

Investigators reported to this newspaper also that

when the young man was pulled in for questioning he sounded very confident about what he was saying but he did not give them much information, only to say that he was uplifting the shipment for a man who he only knows as a “tall red person”.

The police are of the view that the man might have been schooled by legal minds prior to heading to uplift the shipment. The police yesterday carried out a search at the young man’s home where some documents were removed from the premises to aid in their investigation.

Among the documents were papers which suggested that the 23-yearold had received another shipment sometime last month from the very person but the contents of that box are not yet known.

Cops make 154lb cocaine-in-fish bust at CJIA HIGH drama unfolded yesterday on the West Coast Demerara just after noon when ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch came under fire from a businessman they were approaching to effect an arrest following an earlier cocaine bust at the Ched-

di Jagan International Airport.

The businessman was identified as one Mohamed who usually exports frozen seafood, mainly to the United States.

Information reaching this publication stated that the man asked one of

his employees, a labourer whose name was given as Komal Ramgobin, to oversee a shipment of frozen fish that was to be loaded on a Caribbean Airlines flight at the CJIA. However, he was observed acting in a suspicious manner by Police Narcotics Branch ranks.

The labourer was questioned and when his shipment was examined, a total of 48 parcels of cocaine in eight different boxes were found beneath the frozen fish.

The substance was tested and weighed and confirmed to be cocaine weigh-

ing approximately 154 lbs.

Police sources told this publication the businessman, who is said to be a licensed firearm holder, was not known to them previously.

After the police showed up at the man’s place to question him about the co-

caine, he ran into his house and discharged rounds at them. After the police followed their Standard Operating Procedures and called for backup, they staked out the area and when the backup arrived the businessman surrendered to the police.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Miner says he’s alive by the Grace of God – after being pinned by falling tree

By Shirley Thomas A 60-year-old gold mining prospector, struck down and pinned by a falling hardwood tree at Black Water in the Cuyuni, is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that it was miracle performed by God that he is alive today.

He is also thankful that he was able to promptly muster up $400,000 to pay his air-travel costs from Black Water to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, or he might not have rallied out, waiting to accumulate cash.

The victim, Earle John,

who hails from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, but works at Eteringbang, after being rescued, was airdashed to the city and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital by ambulance. He was admitted to the institution nursing injuries to his head, back, a broken upper femur (upper right leg) and five broken ribs – three on the right and two on the left side.

John, whose condition was fairly stable yesterday, related his tragic experience to the Guyana Chronicle.

He recalled that on Tuesday around 09:30 hrs, he was standing at the roadside at

Black Water, waiting for his daughter, when the incident happened.

At that time, there were two Brazilian nationals working in the area – one was an equipment operator felling trees with an excavator and the other, a service man assisting him.

John recalled that as work proceeded, the excavator targeted and pushed a tree, but by a dint of misfortune it bounced, turned around and struck another tree, bringing it down on him with all its might. The branches of the tree struck the hapless miner on the head, back and ribcage, and

pinned his right leg to the ground. He lost consciousness momentarily.

On seeing what had happened, the two Brazilian workers rushed to his rescue, but had difficulty getting him out from under the tree. They quickly went in search of their colleagues and with additional assistance managed to lift him down to the waterside to get him transported by boat to San Martin, a few miles away. It cost him a whopping $120,000 to St. Martin, which fortunately he was able to pay. He was later transported to Eteringbang where he spent the night

at the Police Outpost until he was able to muster up another $275,000 to charter a flight out to Ogle and still more cash to be transported to the city by a private ambulance.

John recalls that it cost him $401,000 to get from the point of injury to hospital in Georgetown, and he shuddered at the thought of what might have been his fate if he couldn’t pay up.

Meanwhile, he suffered excruciating pains over the two and a half days he waited to be seen by a doctor and finally on Thursday he arrived at the GPHC where he was triaged, X-rayed and treated by a doctor.

On account of his leg having been swollen considerably, it has not yet been

placed in cast, but he continues to receive medical treatment for which he is grateful. Having suffered debilitating injuries to his body, he will very likely be hospitalized for the next several weeks, but in the meantime, he is unable to stand or sit up.

However, the injured miner has another story to tell about being grossly under-compensated by the Brazilians for the debilitating injuries they caused him. However, John insisted that he did not take the paltry penny they gave him as compensation, but out of desperation, since he urgently needed to raise $401,000 in order to reach the Georgetown Public Hospital in an emergency.

John Earle, injured by a falling tree at Black Water, Cuyuni River

Lumber truck porter suffers broken jawbone AN 18-year-old porter working on a lumber truck at Kwakwani, Region 10, was on Saturday night rushed to the Georgetown Pub-

lic Hospital nursing a fractured jawbone and multiple injuries to his mouth.

The young man who does not wish to be pub-

licly identified had just finished loading timber onto the truck and the hasper was in the process of strapping the timber in position when it snapped,

backfired and struck him under the chin.

He was initially rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, then later transferred to the

Georgetown Public Hospital. An X-ray done there revealed that the chin was broken and some teeth dislodged as well.

The teen remains warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital and is to have corrective surgery done soonest.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

June 15 and 16 are new dates for CSEC exams – following shift to facilitate elections THE Ministry of Education has said that with General and Regional Elections set for May 11, w h i c h w o u l d h a v e re sulted in a clash with a few Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations, the new dates for these examinations w e re a p p ro v e d b y t h e Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

“Candidates are reminded that examinations which should have been written on May 11 and 12, 2015, are now scheduled to be written on June 15 and 16, 2015, respectively,” the ministry has said in a release.

CSEC examinations

are scheduled for June 15: 09:00 hrs: Agricultural Science (double award) – Paper 2, Agricultural Science (single award) – Paper 2, Theatre Arts – Paper 1; and at 13:00hrs: Electrical and Electronic Technology – Paper 1 and Food and Nutrition – Paper 2.

CAPE exams scheduled for June 15: 09:00 hrs: Geometrical & Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1- Paper 2; History Unit 1 – Paper 2; Art & Design Unit 1& 2- Paper 2 & 3; and at 13:00hrs: Communications Studies -Paper-2.

CSEC exams scheduled for June 16: 9:00hrs: Home Economics: Management – Paper 2, and Technical Drawing – Paper 2; and at 13:00 hrs: Electrical and Electronic Tech-

nology – Paper 2. CAPE exams scheduled for June 16: 09:00 hrs: French Unit 2 – Paper 2 and Environmental Science Unit 2 – Paper 2; and at 13:00hrs: Pure Mathematics Unit 1 – Paper 2 and Agricultural Science Unit 2 – Paper 2.

On January 26, during a press conference held at the National Centre for Education Research and Development (NCERD), Education Minister Priya Manickchand, along with Registrar of CXC, Glenroy Cumberbatch and other senior Education officers, announced that the new dates for the examinations which should have been written on May 11th and 12th, 2015, are now scheduled to be written on June 15th and 16th, 2015, respectively.

Manickchand explained that at all times during the discussions and deliberations the Ministry’s paramount consideration was the best interest of the candidates. She said the Ministry of Education is “always keen to ensure that examinations are conducted in a smooth and effective manner” through consultations with the CXC and other stakeholders.

The Education Minister also assured that despite the fact that Guyanese candidates will be sitting the exams at a later date, their results will be available on time with the rest of the region.

“CXC will mark all scripts and issue results at the same time the CXC/ CAPE results were origi-

nally scheduled to be delivered. CXC will officially inform the candidates about this change in timetable. The Ministry of Education shall also take all necessary steps to ensure each and every candidate is informed of the timetable change,” Manickchand stated.

The Ministry of Education also reiterated that although the Guyanese candidates will be sitting the exams at a later date, their results will be available the same as the rest of the Region. Students will not be disadvantaged in any way as the paper will be similarly weighted.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Greater attention being paid to marketing Guyana abroad

--as locals prepare for premier manufacturers expo in Barbados

By Tajeram Mohabir GO-Invest, Guyana’s primary contact agency for investors and exporters, will be ramping up promotion of investment opportunities both in Guyana and overseas.

As part of the promotion drive, the agency will remodel its website by making information available in Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese.

GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Keith Burrowes told the Guyana Chronicle that the website will be interactive and some staffers have already begun taking courses in Spanish to become fluent in the language.

“GO-Invest in its promotional drive has seen the need to engage investors from Guyana’s neighbouring countries. A part of this effort includes sponsoring junior and senior staff to study Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese and French,” he said. All staffers, the CEO noted, will have to become versed in these major languages.

Additionally, GO-Invest has installed a three-sided massive lighted sign at its main office at 190 Camp and Church Streets, Georgetown.

This massive sign which reads “Ready, Set, GO-Invest…We are with you every step of the way” in Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish is seen as necessary in providing a conducive environment for foreign language speaking investors.

GO-Invest is also working on a paper that it will present to the Office of the President. The strategy document re-examines the Incentive Regime Act, which looks at concessions, with a view of making Guyana a more investor-friendly country.

Burrowes also told this publication that greater attention will be placed on working with the leading players in the private sector, and a closer relationship will be forged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote investment opportunities in Guyana more

GO-Invest CEO, Keith Burrowes aggressively abroad.

BARBADOS EXHIBITION GO-Invest is currently preparing a delegation of approximately 25 individuals and companies to attend the BMEX 2015, Barbados’ premier exhibition for manufacturers in St Michael on May 22-25.

The contingent is made up of persons and companies engaged in handicraft, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processed foods and forest products.

GO-Invest previously visited Barbados at least twice before with delegations and have found each visit to be a huge success.

This visit is aimed at increasing trade between Guyana and Barbados as well as trade with other Caribbean countries which will also be in attendance.

GO-Invest is encouraging the Guyanese population in Barbados to come out and support Guyana at BMEX 2015.

Go-Invest mission is to contribute to Guyana’s economic development by promoting and facilitating local and foreign private-sector investment and exports in accordance with the country’s approved investment and export strategies.

GO-Invest is currently working on an in-depth analysis of investment in Guyana

for the period 2010-2014.

“We have noted that in 2010, GO-Invest facilitated a record over 500 projects -- the largest number of projects in its history,” Burrowes said, but pointed out that between 2011 to 2013, the number of projects facilitated by GO-Invest saw a steady decline, and in 2014, an increase was noted.

While there was a large number of projects in 2010, the value of investment was minimum since most of the projects were at prefeasibility phase, or just starting up.

In 2011, the Go-Invest CEO said, many of these projects began developing, hence, an increase in the value of investment.

GO-Invest was established under the Public Corporations Act in 1994 as a semi-autonomous body and comes under the direct purview of the Office of the President.

The CEO answers to a Board of Directors which is comprised of representatives of both the private and public sectors.

GO-Invest is divided into two divisions: one responsible for Investment Facilitation and Promotion and the other for Export Promotion. With these divisions, GO-Invest offers a full complement of services to local and foreign invesThis sign was recently mounted at the headquarters of Go-Invest, so tors and exporters. as to appeal to potential non-English-speaking investors

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Girl, 20, takes her life soon after grandma dies

15

--she couldn’t bear to live without her ‘nani’

By Jeune Vankeric TWENTY-year-old Seema Sumar loved her grandmother in life, and even more in death.

“How much will I love,” I asked myself, as I gazed through the window of a taxi which was transporting me to New Amsterdam, Berbice.

I was returning from an assignment on the Upper Corentyne when I caught a glimpse of two coffins in a yard at Number 57 Village.

“Is whose funeral,” I asked the youthful driver.

“Is a woman and she granddaughter,” he responded.

“A woman and her granddaughter?” I questioned.

“Yes, you heard me right,” he replied, as though he’d read my thoughts.

“The old-lady dead, and the girl could not live without she nani, so she kill she-self,” he continued whilst keeping his eyes on the roadway, and manoeuvering from the animals which were eating the paddy being dried along sections of the thoroughfare.

Having marked the location, I vowed secretly to return to get the story; and I sure enough did.

Initially, the male relatives who were having a drink days after the burial were reluctant to share any detail. They said I had gone too late.

“You should have been here before,” they argued.

“But no one informed me,” I responded sheepishly, before relating how I got wind of the incident.

“OK! OK!” said the

Natram Sumar, recounting the events resulting in the death of his mother and niece

man with the glass of vodka. “But who you say you wukkin’ for?” he asked, whilst staggering before me to have a better look at my press pass.

Satisfied with what he saw, he said: “I see! I see!

So you want a story! OK!” Meanwhile, Maureen, a family-friend, came to my rescue. She offered me a bottle of aerated drink before inviting me to the back-yard to another house, where we sat on its shaky stairs.

Maureen had known the family for over 20 years; ever since she got married. She lived a street away. It was just before midnight when she was summoned after Dularie ‘Nani’ Sumar was not responding to the urgent calls of her granddaughter.

Her granddaughter, Seetara Devi Sumar, fondly referred to as ‘Seema’, shared the same bed with her grandmother. She had been doing so since

she was an infant. Her grandmother cared for her, as Seema’s mother was just too young to take up motherly responsibilities.

‘Seema’ had reported that ‘Nani’ was groaning heavily, and that her repeated calls to her went unanswered.

‘Nani’ was 70 years old; she was a U.S. citizen. She went to America regularly, but her vacation could not exceed two weeks, as ‘Seema’ would be calling for her to return to their Number 57 Village home.

‘Nani’ or ‘Mai’, as she was sometimes called, was expected to leave for the United States on April 21. Her bags were already packed.

‘Seema’ had bought new clothes, like the rest of the household, to take the trip to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where the elderly woman would board the airplane.

But that was not to be, as Dularie Sumar died in

her sleep, just next to her granddaughter.

“Mai! Mai!” Seema shouted. “Ow Mai! You dead and gone! Meh can’t live without you!” she bawled.

Words of comfort by other members of the family were thrown aside by Seema; she was adamant that life would be meaningless without her grandmother.

Her constant remarks of death caused members of the household to keep an eye on her.

Subsequently, the police were notified of the old woman’s death. Her body was taken away, and plans were on stream for the funeral arrangements.

But Seema’s remarks remained unchanged. ‘‘Mai! Mai! Ow Mai! You dead and gone! Meh can’t live without you.”

So, the following day, further funeral arrangements had to be put in place. Maureen was using the landline telephone. Seema was speaking to her overseas-based uncle on her mobile phone. During that period, a relative stopped by in a car. That relative had gone to the market, and

had returned with some groceries. Maureen hung up her phone and left to assist the relative with the groceries.

Seconds later, shouts for Seema filled the house. Seema! Seema! they all shouted. But the eerie silence signalled that something was wrong.

Footsteps raced through the two-storied house; the doors to the various rooms were opened hurriedly as they all searched for the 20-year-old girl who idolized her grandmother.

“No friends; no outings; no Facebook interaction; nothing. Seema lived and loved her ‘Mai’, Maureen recalled as she related the story.

It was in an aunt’s room that they found her, suspended by her sister’s shalawar shawl. She was already dead.

Her maternal uncle, Natram Sumar, called Baljeet, a devout Christian, was at his farmlands when he heard of the tragedy. He opined that the spirit of death had possessed his niece shortly after his mother’s demise.

“You see, they were

in the same bed. After my mother died, Seema’s countenance changed; and all she spoke of was death.

I believe the death spirit got a grip of her,” he surmised.

“You see, Seema never went anywhere,” he said. “My mother used to attend the Full Gospel Church down the road, but Seema did not go.

I believe she was weak mentally; she could not rationalise, because she did not socialise. She had no friends; no boyfriends; no one… Her two younger sisters used to go out, but she remained at home. After she wrote CXC, she stayed home. She could have gotten a job, because she passed her subjects, but she preferred to be with she ‘Nani’. She believed life was over after ‘Mai’ died, and so she tek she life.

“Like they lived, they died: Together, not leaving the other behind.

“No pictures, no movable possessions; we placed all in their coffins; they have nothing to return for, as they are together forever,” sighed Baljeet.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Mother, son shot in South Ruimveldt home invasion A MOTHER and her teenaged son were early Saturday morning shot and injured by bandits who invaded their South Ruimveldt Gardens home with intent to commit an armed robbery.

A police report said that around 02:45hrs on Saturday, three men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, broke into the home of 39-year-old Manya Valenzuela at Cadet Lane, South Ruimveldt Gardens. Valenzuela is an em-

ployee of Air Services Ltd. On entering the home, they confronted Valenzuela and her 19-year-old son, Donovan, who put up a gallant resistance but both he and his mother were seriously injured.

Manya Venezuela sustained three bullet wounds, one to the chin, another in her shoulder, while the third struck her neck, grazing the esophagus.

The woman’s son, Donovan, was shot in the right

instep.

However, faced with the stout resistance, the bandits beat a hasty retreat, escaping through the back door without getting a chance to take anything away from the home.

Valenzuela and her son then summoned help and were rushed to a city hospital where they were admitted and rendered emergency treatment.

On arrival at the hospital, the mother was admitted to theatre for emergency sur-

gery while her son was treated for the wound he sustained to his instep.

Yesterday, Donovan’s condition appeared to be stable, but Manya, particularly with the injury to the throat, remains under close medical watch.

This violent home invasion, less than 24 hours before Mother’s Day, ruined all plans by the mother and son for spending a Happy Mother’s Day in their home.

Police are continuing their investigations.

One in custody over murder of Essequibo pensioner POLICE on the Essequibo Coast arrested a young man of Paradise Village Saturday morning to assist with investigations into the death of a 65- year-old pensioner who was discovered floating in the Atlantic Ocean near the Exmouth seawall last Thursday morning.

According to reports, Harry Richard Etwaroo, a pensioner who lived with his wife and grandchildren at Paradise Village on the Essequibo Coast, had left his home very early Wednesday morning to look after his cows on the sea dam but never returned home.

Reports said a search was launched for him by his wife, children and neighbours and his lifeless body was discovered early Thursday morning floating in the Atlantic Ocean near the seawall at Exmouth.

A daughter of the deceased, known as ‘Baby’, said her brother had to tie a sling to one of her father’s foot to pull him from the water up the steep slippery concrete seawall. She said her father’s face had bruises and the skin was peeling.

65-year-old pensioner, Harry Etwaroo

Reports said it was observed that the pensioner’s throat was slit.

Police who arrived on the scene promptly removed the body to the Suddie funeral parlour. A post-mortem was conducted on the body on Friday to determine the cause of death.

Relatives have suggested that the pensioner who is well known in the village probably was consuming alcohol with his friends on the seawall when he met his tragic death. Police investigations are ongoing.

(Rajendra Prabhulall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Granny says Bobbi Kristina not doing well at all --’Whatever the Lord decides, I’m ready’ BOBBI Kristina Brown has made no improvement, her grandmother has revealed.

Giving a heartbreaking update on the 22-year-old’s condition to ET, Cissy Houston conceded that the life of her granddaughter is completely in God’s hands.

“She’s the same; she’s not progressing at all,” the 81-year-old said.

“She’s not gone yet, but you know, whatever the Lord decides, I’m ready for her...

I have nothing to do with that; that’s His job; it’s His territory, you know? And I understand it.”

The only daughter of the late Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown was found face-down and unresponsive in a bathtub in her Georgia home on January 31.

While she was taken out of a medically-induced coma, she remains unresponsive, and family sources have indicted she has irreversible brain damage.

On Friday, Bobbi Kristina’s father and her mother’s sister-in-law Pat Houston were legally granted co-guardianship of her estate.

Both Bobby and Pat spent the day in DeKalb County Courthouse in Georgia, after which their respective lawyers released an official statement explaining: “Both parties are working harmoniously to ensure Krissi receives the best possible medical care.”

“Both Mr. Brown and Ms. Houston are jointly responsible for decisions related to Krissi’s care and medical needs,” they said.

When asked about the development, Cissy replied: “It came alright; it was fine.

“We’re a family; that works together for the best.

You want the best for whomever or everybody we can,” she said. “We can be on the other side too, if you make us be, but we are not going to do that: there’s no reason for that. That’s why I’m concerned. So, that’s the end of that.”

Bobby Brown was married to ‘Bodyguard’ star Whitney Houston for 14 years, and finalised their

Aries To those around you, you might appear to be your usual logical, rational self.

Actually, you may be drawing a lot of your ideas and insights from deep within your psyche. You’re probably drawing on experiences from your past, even if you aren’t consciously aware of it. Even though the source is unorthodox, whatever you come up with is likely to have a lot of practical value.

Taurus To friends and colleagues, you may seem to have suddenly acquired acute business sense. Your experience has joined with knowledge acquired from others to enable you to formulate practical ideas for advancement. You may have lost faith in your goals, but now they seem more attainable. What you’ve wanted for a while could be within your grasp. You could make some real progress.

Gemini Today you’re likely to experience a heightened level of intuition and how to use it. This could mean advancing a career, furthering a personal goal, or helping a friend. Right now you may be especially good at sizing up people, and you’re instinctively aware of how to deal with them. Make use of this ability while you can, because right now it could lead to success and good fortune.

Cancer Friends or a group with which you’re affiliated could want you to help them formulate a workable plan for advancement. You’re in just the right frame of mind for this, and therefore willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. You might be the centre of attention at some point, perhaps sharing your skills with associates. Don’t forget your own goals. They could be advanced today, too.

Cissy Houston and her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina in happier times back in June 2012 divorce in April 2007, which nullified his claim to her estate.

Pat, meanwhile, is married to Whitney’s older brother, Gary, and serves as the current President of The Whitney Houston estate.

Currently, Bobbi Kristina’s estate is worth approximately $20 million. The es-

tate was bequeathed through her mother Whitney’s will when she died in 2012.

“I’d like to thank everybody who was praying,” Cissy continued. “Who really knows the worth of prayer; and I’m sure it’ll get through. It’s all I can tell you; I’m just waiting for whatever happens.

Leo Career interests are advanced through clear, logical thinking and the sound application of good business sense. Financial interests look especially promising now, so seize any opportunities for advancement that come your way.

Working with others is likely to prove profitable, and could bring you closer to them, too. Roll up your sleeves and go to it. The results could surprise you.

Virgo Social events, perhaps business related, could put you in touch with people in fascinating fields or from foreign countries. Logical thinking and a philosophical attitude enhance your communicative gifts, so people will be drawn to you to hear what you say. You could make important contacts. Take notes.

This evening could be a key turning point for your future plans Libra Ideas and insights coming from deep within your psyche are likely to increase your effectiveness in whatever work you do today. Your mind is particularly practical and logical. When coupled with an increased intuition, these abilities are invaluable. You might be most effective working solo, but if that isn’t possible, you should still accomplish whatever you set out to do, and do it well.

Scorpio Today you could attend more than one social event. Some of your professional colleagues will probably be there. Conversations are going to focus primarily on business development and the economy in general. A lot of useful information could result from social contacts with others in your field. Write it all down. You will want to remember it so you can make use of it later.

For Monday May 11, 2015: 11:00hrs For Tuesday May 12, 2015: 12:00hrs For Wednesday May 13, 2015: 13:00hrs

Sagittarius A friend might drop by and want you to keep them company while they run errands. This might be a good idea, not only for the diversion from routine but also because something might happen in the course of these short journeys that points you in a new and very positive direction. Your mind could suddenly be flooded with ideas. Make the most of it.

Capricorn An older person you’re very fond of could visit or call and ask for your advice on practical matters. Clear and logical thinking enhances your intuition, and you might be able to put this ability to work not only for your friend but also for yourself. Your own interests will be advanced today in some way, so expect a good day.

Aquarius Logical and focused thinking could lead to social, career, or financial advancement. Your organisational ability and industry are keener than usual. You’re likely to be able to make sense of murky matters that might not have been clear before. Paperwork could prove challenging, but you will be able to get through it today where yesterday you might have found it too daunting.

Pisces You might be feeling very communicative today. Concentration, logical thinking, and a heightened ability to put ideas into words enhance your own communicative abilities. Therefore, your gift of getting directly to the point in any matter is likely to clear previously clogged channels, impress others, and increase your self-confidence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Sporting organisations in T&T told to put financial ...

From back page has received over the last few years.

Last November, Government approved TT$9 million to the TTFA with much of it allocated to salary and stipend arrears for the technical team members and the players on the men’s senior team.

However, funding to the Association has been halted temporarily while the Minis-

try awaits the submission of the audited financials.

Just last month, the Ministry announced that it commissioned an independent financial and procedural audit into the operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control.

Government says it wants to ensure accountability and transparency in state funding in line with the guidelines of the State Enterprises Performance Monitoring Manual (SEPMM).

AB de Villiers sets ...

From back page 31 balls to reach his century against West Indies in January.

The South Africa batsman told ipl20.com: “I have played the game for 11 years now at the international level. I know my game pretty well and that is the secret to success in most sports. I feel the same every single time I play. I just try and earn my right to get on top of the bowlers and that is how I play every game.” de Villiers plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore alongside West Indies batsman Chris Gayle, who scored the fastest ODI 200, against Zimbabwe during the World Cup. Gayle also holds the IPL record with the 175 not out he scored against Pune Warriors in April 2013.

Andrew Symonds’ unbeaten 117, for Deccan Chargers against Royals Hyderabad in 2008 - the IPL’s first season, was the best by a non-opener before de Villiers. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Liverpool’s shortcomings see top four hopes fade away

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Liverpool’s Rodgers told Sky Sports. hopes of qualifying for the Champions League all but ended yesterday after a 1-1 draw at Premier League title winners Chelsea epitomised a season of shortcomings.

Liverpool went behind after five minutes at Stamford Bridge when John Terry headed Chelsea in front but Steven Gerrard grabbed an equaliser when he nodded home just before halftime.

Brendan Rodgers’ men huffed and puffed in search of a winner to close the gap on fourth-placed Manchester United, who won 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but had to settle for a point.

With two games remaining, Liverpool have 62 points from 36 matches, six behind Louis van Gaal’s United who also boast a better goal difference (+25 to +11).

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard looks “I think we got off to an awful start. A dejected. (Reuters/Carl RecineLivepic) disappointing goal from our perspective,”

“We got ourselves back into the game, a good header from Stevie, and I thought in the second half we were outstanding; we just lacked that bit of quality in the final third.

“It’s happened too much this season.

We’ve started games poorly and we’ve been punished for it.”

Liverpool scored 101 Premier League goals last term, with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez netting 52 between them to help the Merseysiders finish runners-up to Manchester City.

However, Rodgers could not find a suitable replacement for Suarez following his move to Barcelona, while Sturridge has missed large parts of the season with persistent injuries.

Fellow forwards Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have all been below par at Anfield as Liverpool failed to build on last season’s success.

Captain and talisman Gerrard will join LA Galaxy at the end of the season and the 34-year-old former England skipper said the club must bolster their ranks with new signings.

“We’ve shown we’ve come up a bit short. I think it’s important the lads get some rest, the owners try and dig deep and help Brendan out,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.

“There’s a great core of players here. This league is getting more and more difficult every year. We lost Suarez, we haven’t had Daniel Sturridge; it’s been tough.”

Rodgers agreed his squad lacks strength in depth.

“We are missing three in Suarez, Sturridge and young John Flanagan,” he told the BBC. “The players we have had have given everything but we are fifth and that’s probably where we are at the moment.”

THE Sports Xchange) - Forward Paul Pierce banged in the winning jumper at the buzzer as the short-handed Washington Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks 103-101 in Game Three of their Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series on Saturday.

Guard Bradley Beal and forwards Nene and Otto Porter each scored 17 points as the Wizards survived a furious comeback by the Hawks and took a 2-1 lead in the best-ofseven series against the top seed in the East.

Game Four is in Washington today.

Washington played their second straight

Even without Wall, who suffered five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand in Game One, Washington led comfortably throughout and was up 91-70 with 9:54 remaining.

Schroder and guard Jeff Teague each scored 18 points for the Hawks, who trailed by double digits for most of the game.

Forward DeMarre Carroll scored 14 points, snapping a streak of six games with at least 20. Atlanta forward Paul Millsap (flulike symptoms) came off the bench and had eight points.

Forward Kyle Korver, the only starter to play during the final minutes, had six points.

Pierce buzzer-beater lifts Wizards past Hawks game without injured All-Star guard John Wall and won at home despite blowing a 21-point fourth-quarter lead.

Sparked by their second unit, Atlanta stormed back with a 21-3 run, including 17 straight points, to get within three points with 3:12 remaining.

Forward Mike Muscala’s three-pointer tied the score with 14.1 seconds.

Pierce, defended by Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, hit a step-back jumper just inside the three-point arc as the buzzer sounded. He finished with 13 points.

Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) drives to the basket past Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) in the third quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 103-101.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Strauss faces biggest test as Ashes loom

By Ed Osmond

LONDON, England (Reuetrs) - England cricket director Andrew Strauss faces a frenetic start to his reign as he looks to appoint a new coach to galvanise a struggling team for the home Ashes series against Australia.

The highly respected former captain moved quickly to end Peter Moores’ unhappy year in charge of the side and the identity of his replacement will dominate Strauss’s agenda in the coming weeks.

Whether or not Moores was badly treated by the England and Wales Cricket Board will be debated long and hard but the cold reality is that, having taken over following the humbling 5-0 defeat in the last Ashes series, he failed to improve the team.

A depressing World Cup this year in which England were eliminated at the group stage after playing a turgid and outdated style of cricket was followed by a frustrat-

ing drawn Test series against a modest West Indies side.

Moores decided to recall Jonathan Trott as an opener and the experiment

England’s Alastair Cook looks depressed after defeat in the third Test.

Action Images via Reuters/Jason O’BrienLivepic)

ECB should ‘hang heads in shame’ over Moores sacking - Stewart

LONDON, England (Reuters) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should “hang their heads in shame” over their sacking of coach Peter Moores, according to former captain Alec Stewart.

Moores was dismissed on Saturday shortly after Andrew Strauss was appointed England’s director of cricket, though reports of his sacking were leaked during the team’s washed-out one-dayer against Ireland on Friday.

Moores, who also spent two years as coach between 2007 and 2009, bore the brunt of criticism for a dismal World Cup, in which England failed to progress from the group stages, and the drawn Test series against the West Indies.

“The fact that all these leaks came out the day before the man was officially told - you’ve got to show a bit of respect to employees,” Stewart, England’s most capped Test cricketer, told the BBC. England assistant coach Paul Farbrace will take charge for the two-Test series against New Zealand which begins on May 21 but Stewart said appointing a permanent successor quickly was vital.

“There are a couple of names being bandied about, both Australians, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer.

“They’ve either got someone lined up already, to have made this decision, or they’re going to have to find someone pretty quick.”

Stewart was also touted as a possible candidate for the director of England cricket role but said the appointment of former cap-

tain Strauss was an astute move ahead of the Ashes series starting on July 8.

“He’s captained his country and when you’re captain you make bold decisions, you make brave decisions, you make decisions you believe in,” Stewart said.

PETER MOORES “I don’t take it that Andrew Strauss is a ‘yes’ man or he’s too close to that dressing room. If he has to be cut-throat then he will be.

“It’s going to be tough. Australia are the best side in the world.

They’re going to start as the underdogs, but the underdogs do sometimes win.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said the dismissal of Moores, who won 19 of his 52 matches in charge across all formats of the game, was “disgraceful”, adding that the ECB needed to demonstrate some “quiet authority and integrity.”

was an unmitigated failure, the 34-yearold retiring from international cricket after admitting he was no longer up to coping with the demands of Test cricket.

Trott followed Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior out of the England fold, leaving captain Alastair Cook with just four other players who have experienced Ashes success.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad should still form a potent opening bowling partnership, particularly in home conditions, and Ian Bell and Joe Root are proven Test batsmen.

With Gary Ballance established at number three in the order, the batting looks in reasonable shape, but the new coach will have many other decisions to make to find a team capable of mixing it with the powerful Australians.

Strauss may be tempted to appoint an Australian coach with Jason Gillespie and Justin Langer among the favourites for the role.

Former fast bowler Gillespie, 40, has enjoyed success as coach of English county Yorkshire and is reportedly keen to step up to international level.

The 44-year-old Langer formed a prolific opening partnership with Matthew

Hayden and knows Strauss well after they played together for Middlesex but he has strong family ties to his native Western Australia.

Langer famously once said that he took his baggy green cap to bed with him because he loved it so much and it is hard to envisage such a proud Australian trying to plot the downfall of his beloved fellow countrymen.

Paul Farbrace will lead England in the two-match series against New Zealand starting on May 21, giving Strauss a short window in which to find the right man for the job long-term.

As captain of two Ashes-winning teams, Strauss knows what it takes to beat the old enemy and he may care to think back to a famous day in Brisbane in November, 2010 to find inspiration.

Having scored a typically compact and stylish 110 in the first Test, Strauss watched Cook and Trott share an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 329 to lift the touring side to an extraordinary total of 517 for one declared.

Surveying that surreal scorecard at the close of play, Strauss could little have imagined the situation he finds himself in less than five years later.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Murray stuns clay king Nadal to win Madrid Masters

By Iain Rogers MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Andy Murray continued his remarkable run on clay when he pulled off a stunning upset to dethrone home favourite Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2 in the Madrid Masters final yesterday and claim his second title on the surface in a week.

Following up his debut triumph on the red dust on Monday in Munich, Murray denied Nadal a third straight triumph in the Spanish capital -- and record fifth overall -- and raised fresh doubts over the Spaniard’s form heading into the French Open.

The Briton’s strong performances this week suggest he may be a real contender in Paris, when holder Nadal, who has struggled for consistency since returning from injury and illness, will be bidding for a record-extending 10th Roland Garros crown.

“To play Rafa in Spain is extremely tough and this is the reason why we play tennis for these matches,” Murray said after receiving the trophy from Spain’s Queen Sofia.

“It’s one of the toughest things in tennis to try to beat Rafa on clay,” added the 27-year-old.

“I’ll keep trying to play well over the next few weeks with Roland

Garros just around the corner.”

Murray had never beaten third-seeded Nadal on clay in six attempts but raced into a 3-0 lead

Britain’s Andy Murray raises up his trophy after winning the final match over Spain’s Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, yesterday.

(Reuters/Sergio Perez)

at the futuristic magic box arena and fended off three break points to close out the set.

The world number three broke Nadal twice more to open a 4-0 lead in the second and finished him off on his first match point when the Mallorcan sent a weak forehand return into the net.

Nadal, 28, congratulated Murray for a “great season” and said he would try to keep working back to top form at this week’s Rome Masters before heading to the French capital.

“Obviously, this wasn’t the match I wanted or expected to play today,” Nadal said.

“Although it’s not nice to end it like this, it has been a very important week for me, very positive, in which I rediscovered sensations I had not had on a tennis court for a long time,” he added.

It was Murray’s 10th Masters crown and 33rd career title, while Nadal missed out on a record-extending 28th Masters and 66th title overall.

Nadal needed a win to stay fourth in the world rankings and he will drop to seven when they are updated, putting him outside the top five for the first time in a decade.

Kiwis close in on victory over Somerset in first tour match

NEW Zealand need four wickets on the final day at Taunton to ensure their tour of England starts with victory.

Black Caps bowlers Mark Craig and Doug Bracewell ended the day with two wickets apiece to give the tourists a commanding advantage. Their late burst took four Somerset wickets for 19 runs.

Home-side batsman James Hildreth is unbeaten on 62 but only he and Tom Abell (43) reached double figures.

Somerset bowler Tim Groenewald earlier took career-best figures of 9-136.

Groenewald ended New Zealand’s second innings in the morning session and Somerset made a solid start to theirs.

Chasing 344, the hosts reached 104-2 before off-spinner Craig struck twice in his first two overs to prompt the collapse that leaves New Zealand in full control.

Scores: Somerset 204 and 142 for 6 (Hildreth 62*) require a further 202 to beat the New Zealanders 237 and 310 (Santner 94, Groenewald 5-65).(BBC Sport)

Australia in West Indies 2015 May 30-1 Jun Warm-up game (opponents TBC), Antigua (Sir Vivian Richards Stadium) (16:25 BST) June 5-9 1st Test, Dominica (16:25 BST) 13-17 2nd Test, Jamaica (17:25 BST)

Hamilton loses Pakistan hopes to renew to Rosberg in India ties with series in UAE Spanish GP

By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said yesterday it expects bilateral series with India to resume in the United Arab Emirates in December but there was no confirmation from its powerful cross-border counterpart.

The series in the UAE will feature three Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said in Kolkata after meeting Indian board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya.

“The security situation (in Pakistan) is improving fast but we know that right now India would not be able to come for a full tour,” Khan told Headlines Today news channel.

“We therefore have decided that we’d play in the UAE,” said Khan, adding the boards have signed a memorandum of understanding to play each other five times over eight years.

India cancelled bilateral cricket series with its neighbour after Pakistani militants killed 166 people

in Mumbai in 2008 but hosted Pakistan in 2012-13 for a short limited over series.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur “It’s not that I’m hopeful, I’m very positive that we should resume our bilateral cricketing

ties,” Khan said.

“If the approval of the government is required, fine, but we should make a very clear decision ... the world wants to see Pakistan and India playing each other,” he added.

Pakistan have not hosted international cricket since the 2009 attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team which forced them to play home matches in the UAE. Hosting the world’s most followed cricket team is naturally a lucrative prospect for the PCB but there was no immediate commitment from the Indian board.

“Regarding the resumption of bilateral cricket ties, it was felt that it is desirable to recommence such cricket contact,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur said in a statement.

“Since there are certain matters that need to be addressed and considered, it was decided to take appropriate steps. The two boards would be in regular touch and review the situation,” Thakur added.

GRANOLLERS, Spain (CMC) - Lewis Hamilton lost to team mate Nico Rosberg at the Spanish Grand Prix settling for second position as Rosberg gained ground on his championship lead yesterday.

He finished in second place to Rosberg who had pole position and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was third.

Hamilton fought back from a slow start after he was stuck behind Vettel before switching to a different strategy to get ahead.

“I got a bad start, had lots of wheelspin but it was a good race,” said Hamilton.

“Nico did a fantastic job and I was just grateful I could get back up to second. This was a difficult weekend for me and I’ll take this.”

NICO ROSBERG Hamilton has won three of five races this season, with Vettel the only other driver to beat him when the German won the Malaysian GP in March.

Hamilton, whose grandfather is Grenadian, has finished in the top two for 12 straight races since retiring at last season’s Belgium GP in August.

He leads Rosberg by 20 points.

Hamilton and Rosberg will race again at the Monaco GP in two weeks’ time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Lehmann limits his coaching tenure … Aussie mentor believes role has a shelf life due to hectic international schedule and players’ need for change

DARREN Lehmann says he has the “best job in the world”, but don’t expect the Ashes and World Cup-winning coach to be doing it forever.

In the next two years leading up to the Champions Trophy, Australia travel to the West Indies, England, Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka, along with two jampacked home summers, leaving roughly two months of free time for those players not involved in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Lehmann, his support staff and the players who represent their country in Test, One-day international and T20 cricket spend on average 300 days on the road each calendar year.

And the constant traversing of the globe, playing three formats of the game, is why Lehmann says the position of head coach is one that comes with a short life expectancy.

“If you have a young family it’s tough – they’re at school and all those sort of things.” Lehmann said.

“But it’s the best job in the world.

You’d love to be able to do it for 20-30 years.

“I don’t think you can. I think players need change occasionally.

“I won’t be doing it forever, and hopefully I get to exit in my own way.

“That means we’re playing pretty well and going okay.

“If you lose a few in a row you never know, you’re under pressure again.

But that’s just the way it is.”

One way to lighten the coach’s load could be to drop a format like players often do towards the end of their career.

Michael Clarke was a three-form player before exiting T20 international cricket in 2011 and then one-day cricket following the World Cup triumph.

Upon taking the role almost two years ago, Lehmann was advised against sharing the job by his coaching peers.

But the former left-handed batsman likes the idea of letting another coach step in to gain experience, just as NSW coach Trevor Bayliss did for the T20 international series against South Africa last November, aided by assistant coach Brad Hodge.

“I had some good mentoring conversations with different international coaches and they’re of the opinion splitting the role is not the way to go as a head coach,” he said.

“Splitting the role (with specific) assistants and (into) disciplines is a bit easier to (provide) longevity for them (support staff).

“As a head coach you need to really drive what you want to do.

“Your captain’s a big driver in that as well.

“What you can do is when you have

the end of a long tour take a break and let someone else take over a tour for a short amount of time.”

Lehmann has had a golden run since taking over the reins from former coach Mickey Arthur on the eve of the 2013 Ashes, reclaiming the urn six months

later in emphatic fashion and guiding his charges to World Cup glory in March this year.

The 45-year-old signed a one-year contract extension in October last year to see him in the top job until June 2017, taking him through to the 50over Champions Trophy in England.

While Lehmann refused to rule out the possibility of helping another nation, the decision to relocate to foreign climes is not solely up to the 27-Test veteran.

“I don’t think my wife would like that too much,” he laughed, when asked if he could see himself in charge of another country.

“You never say, never, do you?

“I’m enjoying this role. It’s a role I didn’t set out to do when I started coaching but I’ve fallen in love with the role and I’ve been lucky enough to have a bit of success.

“You’re only as good as your players. The players have been brilliant and bought in to what we’re trying to do.

They should get all the credit.

“They’ve been exceptional over a tough period of time in the past few years.

“For them, they help you look maybe a little better than you are. I’m pretty pleased for them.

“From my point of view, it’s a case Darren Lehmann has experienced of taking each series as it comes and plenty of success already as Australia see what happens. coach. (Getty Images)

Suriname take revenge on Bermuda but face relegation INDIANAPOLIS, United States (CMC) – Suriname avenged a crushing midweek defeat by turning the tables on Bermuda on the final day of the four-nation ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 qualifying tournament at Indianapolis World Sports Park on Saturday.

Suriname won by seven wickets with an over to spare as both teams finished with a 1-5 record.

It was the second time Suriname have upset Bermuda in the past two years, having defeated them by five wickets in a Division One T20 match in Florida in March 2013.

But victory on Saturday could not prevent Suriname from facing relegation back to Division Two because of a far inferior run rate to Bermuda’s.

Tournament winners Canada, meanwhile, completed a 6-0 clean sweep by beating United States (4-2) by 23 runs in the day’s second match.

Having chosen to bat first, Bermuda

DAVID HEMP

lost Dion Stovell in the second over for two before David Hemp (28) and Tre Manders (21) steadied the ship by adding 52 for the second wicket.

Muneshwar Patandin dented Bermuda’s hopes when he had Hemp stumped by wicketkeeper Khemraj Jaikaran standing up to the medium pacer.

Two balls later Manders fell to Patandin (2-18) and Bermuda never found any momentum, closing on 99 for seven, as slow bowler Wasim Akram Haslim, later named man-of-the-match, shackled them with three for 15.

He then turned the screws on Bermuda, who bundled out Suriname for 55 on Tuesday, by adding 60 for the first wicket.

Bermuda captain Janeiro Tucker had a hand in all three Suriname wickets to fall, having Patandin caught for 21 in the 12th over, running-out Haslim for 39 and then bowling Gavin Singh for a duck with his gentle medium pacers.

That left Suriname 68 for three, midway the 14th over but their batsmen held their nerves. With the scores level captain Mohindra Boodram lofted a six down the ground off the last ball of the 19th over. Boodram finished unbeaten on 26, having added 35 for the fourth wicket with Shazam Ramjohn.

Opener Ruvindu Gunasekera played a starring role in Canada’s second victory of the week over the U.S., hitting three sixes and a four in his 48-ball 54 and adding 60 for the second wicket with Nitish Kumar (25) as their innings closed on 127 for six.

Leg-spinner Timil Patel, who removed man-of-the-match Gunasekera at the end of the 16th over, finished with three for 20.

The U.S. lost openers Steven Taylor for 18 and Fahad Babar for 33 and never threatened to challenge Canada, closing on 104 for eight, as Jimmy Hansra and Nikhil Dutta picked up two wickets apiece.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Gebrselassie retires from competitive running

By Gene Cherry

chester Run today where he ran his last competitive race,” the statement said.

Gebrselassie was quoted as saying: “I am retiring from competitive running, not from running. You cannot stop running, this is my life.

And I am still enjoying my farewell tour like today in Manchester.”

His manager, Jos Hermens, could not be reached to explain the new statement.

“Yes, probably a kind of retirement!” Hermens said in a text message alerting Reuters to the new statement.

(REUTERS) - Haile Gebrselassie, considered one of athletics’ greatest distance runners, said yesterday he was retiring from competitive running.

The Ethiopian’s long-time manager at first said it was not the end of Gebrselassie’s career, but later issued a press release saying the runner had retired from athletics.

“Running legend Haile Gebrselassie announced his retirement from competitive running at the Great Man-

Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie during an interview after the race where he announced his retirement (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

Earlier, Hermens had texted Reuters: “No, he’s not retiring; he will be in Glasgow in October. He’ll probably never retire.”

Gebrselassie, 42, had told BBC Sport he was retiring from competitive running after finishing 16th in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday.

But it is not the first time he has talked about calling it quits.

Gebrselassie had tearfully retired five years ago after knee problems forced him to drop out of the New York City Marathon.

But he returned to racing

a few months later.

Hermens admitted Gebrselassie was training a lot less than before, “so may be kind of a farewell trip in the UK!” the manager said of Gebrselassie’s upcoming race in Glasgow.

The soft-spoken Gebrselassie achieved success both on the track and the roads during his long career.

Almost unbeatable on the track in his prime, he won his first of eight indoor and outdoor world championships at Stuttgart in 1993 and went on to hold world records from the 5000 metres to the

marathon.

His Olympic medals came in the 10 000 metres in successive Olympics, 1996 in Atlanta and 2000 in Sydney.

Gebrselassie will now focus more on his businesses in Ethiopia where he is involved in real estate projects, owns four hotels, a coffee plantation and is an automobile distributor, his management company’s statement said.

“He will also remain a running ambassador and wants to stay active in athletics.”

Chelsea competed for All Greys start round two Premier League dignity John Fernandes Insurance second division hockey tournament

at top of points table

THE veteran side of ex-national players, All Greys, will go into the second round of the John Fernandes-sponsored second division men’s hockey league at the top of the points standing when the tournament continues this weekend at the St Stanislaus College, ground, Carifesta Avenue.

With half of the league matches completed it is All Greys who lead the way with 10 points, followed by Hikers on nine, GCC with seven, Saints with three and Old Fort yet to pick up a point.

Two weekends ago, All Greys took the upstarts, defending champions Hikers, to school to remain unbeaten after the fifth

match in the league.

The action-packed weekend started on Labour Day when All Greys struggled to get past an organised Saints side, who played good disciplined hockey for most of the match before a moment of brilliance from striker Sheldon Corlette gave All Greys the narrow victory.

Corlette picked up the ball near the top of the scoring area and pulled left to give himself just enough room to unleash a reverse tomahawk shot that looped over the keeper and ended up in the top right-hand corner of the goal. GCC then made light work of Old Fort, running away 4-0 victors.

All Greys received a walkover from Old Fort

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

before Hikers came roaring back from a 0-1 deficit to edge Saints 2-1, thanks to a Leon Bacchus goal in the final minute of the match.

The GCC and Saints match saw another tactical battle between an organised Saints defence and a creative GCC front six.

It took an individual run from forward Stuart Gonsalves to unlock the Saint’s defence before Patrick Edghill tapped in at the last post in the dying minutes of the game to earn the victory for the Bourda side.

The feature match last weekend between Hikers and All Greys lived up to expectations.

The game started as a cagey affair before All Greys grasped an early lead through midfielder Alan Fernandes in the 5th minute.

Hikers responded three minutes later through a Leon Bacchus equaliser.

The first quarter ended 2-1 in favour of All Grey after a spectacular Gavin Hope’s overhead deflection which beat an advancing Jason Hoyte.

Attack after attack was turned back by a stout All Greys’ defence and, with Hikers growing increasingly desperate, All Greys took advantage and counterattacked with great efficiency, sealing the match in the fourth quarter through another Alan Fernandes goal.

- Mourinho

LONDON, Reuters -It was not a vintage Chelsea performance but manager Jose Mourinho said his newly-crowned champions competed for the dignity of the Premier League in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool yesterday.

The visitors welcomed Chelsea on to the pitch with a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge and the hosts responded by taking the lead after five minutes when John Terry headed in from a corner.

Visiting captain Steven Gerrard capitalised on some slack defending to nod home the equaliser just before halftime but neither side could make the decisive breakthrough in the second half.

“It was a proper game. It was not a pre-season game. Both teams were trying to get a result. Were Chelsea at their top? No. But were we at a level where we show we want to compete? Clearly,” Mourinho told the BBC. “It’s normal, people like Jon Mikel Obi, Loic Remy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, many weeks without playing, in the second half they felt it.

“The second half was a bit difficult for us but we competed for what we have to compete for, the dignity of the Premier League.”

Gerrard, teased by Chelsea fans about his slip last season which allowed Demba Ba to score at Anfield and undermined their title hopes, got a standing ovation when he was substituted as he prepares to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season.

Mourinho was delighted Gerrard, a

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho player he tried to sign for Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, was given a warm send off by the home crowd.

“I’m so happy with that. The negative song Chelsea fans sing for him is respect for an old, dear enemy that fought so much against us in every competition,” the Portuguese coach said.

“After that, the standing applause is amazing. To get it at Anfield he gets it week in week out, year after year but away from home it shows a lot.

“Moments like that and when Crystal Palace come here and fight and win, Burnley fight like lions, us losing at home to a League One team in Bradford, moments like that make this country special.”

Chelsea have 84 points from 36 games, 11 more than second-placed Manchester City, and visit West Bromwich Albion and host Sunderland in their final two matches of the season.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 11, 2015

Curtly Ambrose autobiography reveals what Steve Waugh said that sparked famous battle CURTLY Ambrose has detailed how close his famous mid-pitch stoush with Steve Waugh came to breaking into a physical fight, with the West Indies legend revealing he told the Australian batsman he would knock him out.

The photo of Ambrose being restrained

by Windies captain Richie Richardson while being stared down by Waugh was one of the defining images of cricket in the 1990s.

It came to represent Australia’s determination to break the Windies’ stranglehold over global cricket, which the Aussies did with victory in the 1995 Frank Worrell Trophy series.

Twenty years on from that famous encounter, Ambrose has released an autobiography entitled Curtly Ambrose – Time to Talk, in which he discusses the flashpoint with Waugh.

The famously media-shy paceman reveals it was fellow quick Kenny Benjamin who sparked the battle by telling Ambrose that Waugh had “cursed” at him.

“When I finish my stare at a batsman I turn around pretty quickly and therefore I didn’t hear him,” Ambrose wrote.

“But the more I thought about what Kenny had said, the more I became heated inside. I thought, ‘No, I can’t allow this to just slide’.

“We had our battles previously but nothing was ever said so I thought this was

disrespectful.

“He had scored runs against me in the past and I had never said anything. And here

In his tour diary, Waugh said he was asking Ambrose “what the f— he was looking at” that kick-started the alterca-

Skipper Richie Richardson intervenes and tells Ambrose to forget it. in Trinidad I was controlling the situation, had the better of him and he said this, so I wasn’t happy.

“I had always respected him and figured he respected me as well.”

tion.

However, according to Ambrose it wasn’t even an insult that sparked his rage, but rather Waugh’s admission that he swore previously.

“I approached Steve Waugh and asked him if he’d sworn at me. That’s when he snapped back, ‘I can say what I want to say’, which was as good as admitting he’d sworn at me,” Ambrose wrote.

“That was when I ripped into him and let him have it: ‘Man, don’t you effing swear at me again.’ And I don’t swear a lot so for me to use expletives it was clear that my anger was at boiling point.

“I lost it. If he had said nothing to what I had asked him, or even told me he didn’t swear, it would have ended right there, but when he came back at me again with all guns blazing, there was no holding back.

“I got seriously heated. I told him, ‘Man, I will knock you out – here and now.

I don’t care if I have no career left’.

“That was when Richie intervened and told me to forget about it, and it was a good job he did because my ability to restrain myself was gone.”

Ambrose appears to have a level of respect for Waugh now but admitted the two have never discussed their famous run-in.

Ambrose is now involved with the Windies as their bowling coach and after a couple of fiery team talks inspired them victory in the third Test against England, he’ll be hoping to do the same when Australia tour the Caribbean next month.

A quick read of his book should do the trick.

Jadeja, McCullum lift Super Kings to No.1

CHENNAI Super Kings almost confirmed themselves in the playoffs with a comfortable 12-run win against Rajasthan Royals that took them to the top of the table with 16 points.

They still have two games at hand. Royals, on the other hand, were now placed precariously, needing a win from their last league game against Kolkata Knight Riders to qualify.

Scores: Chennai Super Kings 157 for 5 (McCullum 81,

Second DCB trial match set for May 12 THE Demerara Cricket Board’s (DCB) second trial match is scheduled to bowl off on May 12 and conclude the following day.

According to a release, the two-day match will be contested at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) between a squad of 30 players selected to battle for a spot on the Demerara side, for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Four-Day Competition.

These players are asked to report to the venue promptly at 09:00hrs: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Christopher Barnwell, Vishaul Singh, Leon Johnson, Steven Jacobs, Joseph Perry, Paul Wintz, Trevon Griffith, Raj Nannan, Zaheer Mohamed, Gavin Moriah, Steven Sankar, Robin Bacchus, Brian Sattaur, Gajananad Sooknanad, Leon Morgan, Kumar Bishundyal, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Dexter Soloman, Yatesh Dhanpaul, Imtiaz Hack, Roopnarine Ramsundar, Leron Primo, Daniel Barker, Almando Domain, Dellon Caleb, Dellon Williams and Steffon Brown.

Morris 3-19) beat Rajasthan Royals 145 for 9 (Jadeja 4-11, Super Kings accelerated by picking up 31 more runs in the next 17 balls.

Mohit 3-25) by 12 runs.

By the time he was dismissed, in the 18th over, the score The positions the teams were in the table had an air of “I told you so”, so had the pattern the game followed after Super had swelled to 132. MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo then pushed it to 157 with late hitting.

Kings decided to bat on a sluggish pitch.

Royals knew they needed runs early on before the introThe batsmen generally struggled for timing but Brendon McCullum, the only batsman to make a half-century in the match, braved the sapping heat to set up Super Kings for another sub-160 total. Then Ravindra Jadeja picked a bagful of wickets after a 15day barren spell to derail Royals’ chase.

It hasn’t been a high-scoring season in Chennai this year. The home team batted first in each game; but only twice were they able to go past 160. Still, such has been their control on this ground Ravindra Jadeja’s stunning 4/11 spell wrecked the Rajasthan Royals chase at that except Mumbai Indians, the the MA Chidambaram Stadium yesterday. no one else was able to breach duction of spin. Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson started the target.

After the early losses of Dwayne Smith and Suresh well, but once Mohit Sharma had Rahane top-edge a pull, Raina, McCullum played an innings slightly out of char- Royals’ innings lost steam. Jadeja then ran through the middle order in a spell that read 4-0-11-4, the highlight being the acter: it did not feature all-out aggression.

He hit a six, a boundary then go back to nurdle the ball in gravity-defying catch by Bravo at the long-on boundary.

Royals were left needing 65 to win from the last five the gaps. And such was the necessity, too, as the ball did not come on to the bat. That he found success was not surprising, overs. There were a few flashes of aggression from Sanju Samson, but the team slowly caved in to fall well short. his fast hands allowing him to generate pace on the ball.

McCullum reached his half-century, his third 50-plus score That Dhoni did not use R Ashwin at all reiterated Super Kings’ control. this season, in 44 balls including five fours and two sixes.

The loss was Royals’ first under Steven Smith’s capThe run-rate at that stage - the 13th over - hovered just above six an over. Despite fatigue setting in, he ensured taincy this year.(ESPN Cricinfo).

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

Curtly Ambrose autobiography reveals what Steve Waugh said that sparked see story famous battle on page 27

Powell dominates 100m in world leading 9.84 seconds FORMER world record holder Asafa Pow- a comfortable win. Okagbare was second but both were caught by the fast-finishing ell restored pride to the Jamaican camp in 11.06 seconds with Felix third in 11.18 Shaunae Miller of The Bahamas in an imwith a world-leading 9.84 seconds in the seconds. pressive 22.14 seconds. Bowie clocked 22.29 100m in silencing a strong field including In arguably the performance of the meet, for second. Sherone Simpson was fourth with American Ryan Bailey, while newcomer the emerging American Jasmin Stowers threw 22.64 seconds.

Elaine Thompson proved to be ‘The Real down the gauntlet in the 100m hurdles with a Meanwhile, Jamaican-born Sanya McCoy’ in winning the 100m in 10.97 magnificent 12.39sec clocking in establishing Richards-Ross of the U.S. continued seconds at the Jamaica Invitational Inter- a new meet record, lowering her world-lead- her good form in romping home in the national Meet at the National Stadium, ing mark set two weeks ago by .01 seconds. 400m in a world-leading 49.95 seconds.

Saturday night.

Spurred on by a large crowd, Powell brought the house down in making a grand return to competitive action on local soil.

He left the blocks like a bullet, kept his form well and powered home in 9.84 seconds, the 84th time he has dipped below the 10-second barrier.

But, more importantly, he defeated Bailey, who felt the wrath of the Jamaican public for his ‘throat-cutting’ gesture toward Usain Bolt after anchoring the U.S. to victory in the 4x100m at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas last week.

Bailey, who was booed throughout despite a concerted effort to win over the crowd, clocked 9.93 seconds to finish second ahead of Nesta Carter in 9.98 seconds.

Jamaica’s Andrew Fisher was fourth in a Former world record holder Asafa Powell (right) crosses the finish line to win personal best of 10.01 seconds.

Thompson, who had the world-leading the men’s 100m in 9.84 seconds ahead of American Ryan Bailey (left) and Nesta time of 10.92 seconds done at the UTech Carter (centre).

Classic a few weeks ago, showed that she will be a force to be reckoned with in the 100m, beating a world-class field in 10.97 seconds. Stowers was miles clear of the Jamaican Richards-Ross thwarted the challenge of Thompson, 22, the training partner sister pair of Danielle Williams (12.77) and her compatriot Francena McCorory and of sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shermaine Williams (12.89). actually won going away. McCorory was wasn’t the best away but recovered well Jamaica’s premier sprinter Shelly-Ann second in 50.73sec with Jamaica’s Stepheand led Commonwealth Games champion Fraser-Pryce was third in the women’s 200m nie McPherson third with 50.98 seconds.

Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria and Amer- in 22.37 seconds. Running in her bright orThen the nation’s promising quarter-miler ican star Allyson Felix at the half-way ange outfit, Fraser-Pryce came off the bend Javon Francis, running from lane two, ran mark before impressively pulling away for on the shoulders of Tori Bowie of the U.S., the race of his life and dipped below the

Sporting organisations in T&T told to put financial house in order

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Trinidad and Tobago’s governing sporting organisations have been

urged to put their financial house in order if they are to continue receiving funding from the government.

Sport Minister Brent Sancho (centre) pays a visit to Bourg Mulatresse.

Sports Minister Brent Sancho has reiterated government’s position as sporting organisations move to produce audited financial statements following a mandate from the state.

The sports minister is insisting on full accountability and proper monitoring across all areas of sport.

Sancho’s latest appeal comes as the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has been mandated to provide audited financials for the millions of dollars the organisation See page 21

45-second barrier for the first time clocking 44.90 for third behind the Asian record holder Yousef Al-Masral of Saudi Arabia with 44.59 seconds. Olympic champion Lashawn Merritt of the U.S. was second in 44.80 seconds.

Earlier, in the women’s development 400m, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson won impressively in 51.43 seconds ahead of the African pair of Tjipkapora Herunga of Namibia in 52.27, and Kabange Mupopo of Zambia third in 52.67 seconds.

Former Munro College star Delano Williams of Great Britain took the men’s 400m development event in a personal best of 45.42 seconds ahead Dylan Borlee of Belgium with 45.70, with Ibra Anne Mame of France third in 45.92 seconds.

In the women’s 3000m steeple chase, despite finishing last in 12:03.86 minutes and being lapped, Jamaica’s Danielle James got a rousing applause as she sprinted home nearly three minutes after the race was won by Bridget Frenek of the U.S. in 9:46.44 minutes. American Sarah Pease in 9:55.19 outsprinted Puerto Rico’s Beverly Ramos with 9:55.33 for second spot.

Kori Carter of the U.S. took the women’s 400m hurdles in 55.12 seconds, catching Jamaica’s Janieve Russell at the last hurdle to win going away. Russell clocked 55.29 seconds and held off American Tiffany Williams in 55.35 seconds.

American 2008 Olympic 400m bronze medallist Bershawn Jackson easily won his pet event in 48.47 seconds. It was the 60th time Jackson had dipped below 48.5 seconds and was well clear of Jamaica’s Leford Green with 49.22 seconds. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jeffrey Gibson of The Bahamas was third in 49.42 seconds. (Jamaica Observer)

AB de Villiers sets new IPL record

SOUTH African AB de Villiers hit 133 not out, to set a new Indian Premier League record for the highest score by a non-opening batsman.

de Villiers, 31, hit 19 fours and four sixes in his 59-ball innings as Royal Challengers Bangalore made 235-1 and beat Mumbai Indians by 39 runs.

AB de Villiers hits 19 fours and four sixes in his 59ball innings.

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The second-wicket partnership of 215 between de Villiers and Virat Kohli, who made 82 not out, was also a record.

“I have played much better before but things went my way today,” he said.

In the 2015 World Cup, de Villiers made the fastest one-day international 150.

He took 64 deliveries to reach that milestone, finishing on 162 not out from 66 balls as South Africa thrashed West Indies by 257 runs. de Villiers also holds the record for the fastest ODI hundred, taking only See page 21 MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015