Chronicle 03 10 2016

No Holiday No. 104487

THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2016

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…groups, PPP want public holiday for LGE

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Economic Powerhouse President David Granger greets enthusiastic residents of Mabaruma, North West District and surrounding communities Wednesday afternoon shortly before a public meeting during which he outlined his vision to turn the community into a township (Alva Solomon photo)

‘It is sad’

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Prison CoI team laments sorry state of Camp St jail

…Pres Granger says Mabaruma can produce food for all Guyana 5 P.

New Anglican Bishop ordained 4

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Amerindians to get back amnesty guns

…as gov't waives licence fee, application process 5 P.

No Holiday 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

…groups, PPP want public holiday for LGE

BY Ariana Gordon MARCH 18, the day designated for the conduct of Local Government Elections (LGE) will not be a public holiday. Government yesterday said there is no need to declare March 18 a public holiday, as LGEs do not attract the same level of enthusiasm and crowds as national elections.

“There is no indication that this will be declared a national holiday. Traditionally in other parts of the world, Local Government Elections are not treated, of course unfortunately, with the same level of importance or urgency as regional or national elections and they are traditionally accompanied by lower turnouts or interest,” Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said yesterday.

He told members of the media at a post-cabinet press briefing that government does not see the necessity for the day to be declared a holiday.

“We do not see the need for a national holiday,” he said, noting the move by the

Ministry of Education to have all public schools closed on March 17 to facilitate the conduct of the long-anticipated elections.

RAMPING UP OF ACTIVISM Instead, Trotman believes that what needs to be done is the “ramping up of activism” relative to the elections. He said citizens need to be urged to vote at the elections as it is a “precious gift to strengthen democracy.”

In a statement to the media, the Ministry of Education advised that all public schools would be closed for the Easter holidays on March 17 and will reopen on April 4.

LGEs are being held for the first time after 22 years and will be conducted in 71 Local Authority Areas (LAA), nine municipalities or towns and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

CALLS FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAY Meanwhile, the opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has issued

a call for government to declare March 18 a public holiday. In a statement to the media on Wednesday afternoon, the party said, “The PPP/C recalls that recent elections days have been invariably declared a national holiday in order to facilitate electors across the political spectrum to vote. The PPP/C recalls that it was the APNU+AFC that was pushing aggressively for Local Government Elections claiming that people were anxious and excited about being empowered to direct their local officers.”

The opposition party argued that thousands of electors reside out of their Constituencies and as such declaring a public holiday would “facilitate easy availability of time and space to exercise the franchise.”

The PPP called on the diplomatic community to take note of the statement by government of there being no need for a public holiday, noting that it can “prove inimical to the interests of the electorate.”

Echoing the sentiments of the PPP was Team Benschop’s Proportional Representative Candidate Salima Bacchus-Hinds. She told the Guyana Chronicle that her team “would like any and everything possible that will ensure persons come out to vote put in place.”

Bacchus-Hinds called on government to reconsider its decision and make the “historic moment” a holiday.

“We have not had Local Government Elections for 22

years…it is a historic moment and to know it isn’t a holiday is disappointing. Government should reconsider its decision,” she told Guyana Chronicle.

Similarly, Michael Leonard of Team Legacy said his group believes March 18 should be declared a holiday.

“Voter education has been very poor so far. GECOM and the Ministry of Communities have not done enough to drum up excitement among the voters,” Leonard told the Guyana Chronicle. As such, his group believes that “if

it is not a public holiday it could deter some voters from coming out.”

Weighing in on the discourse, APNU+AFC’s representative Sherod Duncan said he is yet to find a precedent that speaks to election days being declared holidays. “I can’t find any. When I look back to the last time Local Government Elections were held on August 8, 1994, I cannot find precedence either.”

According to Duncan, “A perusal of that period of our history instead shows there was a low voter turnout with much blame being placed on political parties and interest groups’ inability to bring out

the vote.”

He said whether a holiday is declared or not, “these elections are extremely important for democratic renewal at the local level, especially with respect to a system that is our citizens’ closest contact with their government; a system which offers them the tools for their own empowerment.”

As a representative of the governing APNU+AFC coalition, Duncan said his team will be working “overtime to educate residents of Georgetown about the voting process.”

“We are ready to get out the vote and move Georgetown forward,” he added.

Lucas heads key economic division at Foreign Ministry Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Rawle Lucas has been appointed the Executive Director for Economic Cooperation and Global Trade Investment within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Lucas said his appointment became effective on March 1 and will see him examining “important matters” relative to the international community and the roles Guyana is required to play.

Lucas said his focus is currently on a number of issues but mentioned the Anti-money laundering and

Newly appointed Executive Director for Economic Cooperation and Global Trade Investment within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rawle Lucas

countering terrorism, “major” Trade and Investment issues and the World Trade Organisation, and Intellectual Property Rights.

He explained that much work is to be done at the local level to demonstrate that issues of corruption are being tackled. That aside, he said Guyana’s image needs to be a positive one and efforts are being made to ensure that Guyana is viewed differently.

Lucas intends to examine the “contributions that the region would make with regard to those matters”.

According to him, addressing the identified issues is critical to the country’s ecoTurn to page 3 ►

‘It Is Sad’ 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

…Prison CoI team laments sorry state of Camp St jail

By Ariana Gordon THE CURRENT state of the Georgetown Prison has been likened to that of a “warzone”. Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the recent Georgetown Prison Riot, retired Justice James Patterson told the media on Wednesday.

Justice Patterson’s statement followed a visit to the penitentiary on Tuesday by Commissioners. Government established a Commission of Inquiry into the three-day Georgetown Prison riot last week that resulted in the death of 17 inmates and injury of many others.

“We left there 7 o’clock last night and it wasn’t nice.

What I saw seemed like a war zone that they are now getting back together. I saw two contending factions. One may be described by some as the wretched of the earth and another, as the oppressors. It is sad. We met prison officers who I don’t think, had sleep for three days” the Chairman stated.

Patterson along with Commissioners Dale Erskine, and Merle Mendonca visited the Prison facility on Tuesday and expressed much surprise at the conditions therein. Patterson said he is unsure of what the prison looked like prior to last week’s riots as previous visits to the penitentiary was approximately 30 years ago.

The three-man Commission will begin to take statements from five prisoners today at the Ministry of Public

Service building Waterloo Street, said Justice Patterson who was quick to point out that no one would be shut out.

He said the Commissioners would be making additional visits to the jail.

“I am encouraging them to give evidence. We are not shutting out anybody,” he assured. The Chairman emphasised that nothing would be done in secret. He said the hearings would be open to the public and the media but he noted that if there were cases where witnesses prefer to provide their evidence in-camera, accommodation would be made in that regard.

“If anybody wants to give a testimony in camera, let me get the proof and if the Commission so determines, so be it. We are not going to use that to let people make spurious allegations against anybody and hide under the cover of anonymity,” said Justice Patterson.

Over the years, the issue of overcrowding at the Georgetown Prison has been cause for worry. That, coupled with the living conditions of the inmates there was the subject of human rights discussions. The Camp Street facility currently accommodates 980 prisoners but the facility that is over 132 years’ old was built to accommodate only 600 inmates.

According to the Commissioners, the current ratio at the prison is 10 prison officers to 1000 prisoners.

From all indication, there is a situation at the prison facility that demands attention but

From (l-r) Commissioner, Dale Erskine, Chairman, Justice Ret’d James Patterson and Commissioner, Merle Mendonca

the Commission said it would examine all conditions of the prison system and submit its recommendations to government.

“When we put forward our recommendations, our job is finished. What they do with them is a matter for them,” Justice Patterson said, noting that it was not the role of the Commission to insist that government follows through on the recommendations of the Commission. He made it clear that he was only serving in the capacity of Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry and not an advisor.

Commissioner Erskine, a former Director of Prisons said the ratio of 10 prison officers to 1000 prisoners existed when he was in charge of the Prisons. He admitted that efforts were being made at the time of his tour of duty to remedy that situation. He was not in a position to elaborate on the efforts made at the time but said that “during the inquiry we’d be able to say much more about this.”

In response to concerns raised

Lucas heads key... nomic advancement.

He disclosed that an internal meeting will be held on Friday to discuss the focus of his office. He said work has begun on the strategic plans but those plans will not be completed by Friday. Lucas remains the Chairman of the Board of Directors of GRA and noted that his new posted is just an “added responsibility to my portfolio.”

Lucas, a financial industry accountant with strong analytical skills has been popular for his economic analyses over the years. He currently lectures in Public Financial Management and Public Program Planning at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus and has been doing so since January 2013. Lucas also served as a Senior Foreign Service

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Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before leaving Guyana in 1991.

He received a Bachelors in Social Science Degree in Economics from the University of Guyana, A Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland College Park and his Masters in International Affairs from Carleton University.

over the presence of Erskine as a commissioner given that he served as Director of Prisons, Justice Patterson said “… you can’t somehow shut out people from saying anything about anybody. Now, I was there when he took an oath to be impartial and I expect him to do that. The other thing is the assumption that somebody because of an association will not be fair in his judgment is an oblique attack on the gentleman’s character. You have to come up with something for substantial.”

When asked about the time allotted for the completion of the Inquiry, Justice Patterson said it was too early to determine the longevity of it until “we see how many people want to testify but it doesn’t look like any mentioned time can stand. We start tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Mendonca told the media that based on the observances at the prison on Tuesday the Commission was seeking for arrangements to be put in place for grief counseling for the affected inmates, officers and their families.

That she said was a “chal-

lenge” as there was a paucity of grief counselors in Guyana.

TERMS OF REFERENCE The Commission of Inquiry will investigate, examine and report on the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances at the Georgetown Prison on the morning of March 3 which resulted in the death of the 17 inmates along with the subsequent disturbances at the said location.

The Commission will also inquire into the nature of all injuries sustained by the prisoners during the disturbances; determine whether the conduct of the staff of the Guyana Prisons Service who were on duty at the time of the incidents was in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Guyana Prison Service; determine whether the deaths of the 17 prisoners were as a result of negligence, abandonment of duty, disregard of instructions, inaction of the Prison Officers who were on duty on the night of the March 2 and morning of March 3.

The Commission is ex-

pected to make “comprehensive recommendations” to ensure the safety of the prisons. This will include the examination of the physical infrastructure of the prison, the existing security arrangements in respect to custody, management and control of prisoners, the appropriate treatment of prisoners in compliance with legal and other requirements and the prevention of a recurrence of such disturbances.

By its Terms of Reference (TOR) the three-man Commission must consider the views of stakeholders including the staff of the Prisons and their unions, members of the Judiciary, prisoners accommodated within the Georgetown Prisons, staff of the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Social Protection and any other stakeholders that are deemed appropriate.

“This Commission shall render its report, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Public Security by the 28th March, 2016 or such other date as the Minister of Public Security shall determine,” the TOR stated.

Took cannabis for his asthma A MINI-BUS driver was Wednesday ordered to complete 30 hours of community service by City Magistrate Alex Moore after he admitted to the charge of possession of narcotics.

Leon Kite pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on March 8, 2016 in Georgetown he had in his possession three grams of cannabis.

Kite told the court that he used the drug to assist him with his asthmatic attacks.

When making his ruling on the matter the magistrate took into consideration the fact that the defendant did not waste the court’s time. He had pleaded guilty to the charge and the fact that he had only a small amount in his possession went in his favour.

He was ordered to complete his community service with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

Kite has to return to court for a report.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

New Anglican Bishop ordained

By Svetlana Marshall

REVEREND Father Charles Alexander Davidson was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Guyana yesterday before an overflowing congregation at the St. George’s Cathedral. He replaces Bishop Cornell Jerome Moss who died in March 2015 after taking up the position in 2009.

The ordination and consecration ceremony was attended by President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland and Archbishop of the West Indies Primate and Metropolitan, the Most Reverend Dr. John W.D. Holder.

The religious ceremony started with a Liturgical Procession and included the Cathedral Chapter, the Bishop-elect, visiting Bishops and members of the House of Bishops of the Province of the West Indies.

As the procession entered the western doors

A section of the congregation including President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland and his wife Justice Jo-Ann Barlow that witnessed the ordination yesterday of Bishop Charles Alexander Davidson at the St. George’s Cathedral.

Reverend Charles Alexander Davidson, Bishop of the Diocese of Guyana.

of St. George’s Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, those in attendance stood and melodiously sang the

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Processional Hymn 384, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!”

After a series of hymns and readings, Rita Hunter, who spoke in the Amerindian dialect – Miriam Cush-English – described the characteristics of a bishop using the First Let-

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ter of St. Paul to Timothy, taken from the third chapter beginning at the first verse.

“The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way – for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

He must not be a recent convert, or he may be

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puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.”

Reverend Hugh Chapman – Rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, Florida, USA – delivered the sermon, and it was not long after representatives of the Diocese and Province presented the Bishop-elect to the Archbishop.

CONFORM TO THE DOCTRINE Just before being consecrated, Bishop Davidson promised to “conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the church in

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the Province of the West Indies…”

In the charge read by the Archbishop, he was told that as the chief pastor, he must share with the other Bishops a special responsibility to maintain and further the unity of the church while upholding discipline.

As the ordination unfolded, he was anointed and presented with a bible.

“Receive this Cross, the sign of Salvation, and may you never be ashamed to confess the Faith of Christ Crucified, Risen, Ascended and Glorified,” the Archbishop said as he placed the Pectoral Cross on Reverend Davidson.

A Bishop’s ring was also placed on his finger. He was subsequently presented with the mitre and the pastoral staff.

The ceremony was also graced with the presence of a number of Bishops from the Caribbean, including The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Windward Islands, Aruba and Belize.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Economic Powerhouse …Pres Granger says Mabaruma can produce food for all Guyana

Mabaruma residents came out in their numbers to greet President David Granger on his first visit to the North “You have the econoWest District administrative my of this country in your

By Alva Solomon capital since assuming the hands because Mabaruma PRESIDENT David Granger presidency, touched down in can produce food for all of Wednesday afternoon named Mabaruma shortly after 4 pm Guyana”, the President told a Mabaruma as the country’s yesterday and was accom- large responsive crowd at the economic powerhouse and panied by Natural Resources recreational park in the North with Local Government Minister , Raphael Trotman West District community. He Elections (LGE) on the hori- , Minister within the Minis- said that the region has the zon, the Head of State listed try of Communities ,Dawn capability of supplying food several priorities for the soon Hastings. Minister within the for export to Caricom neighto be established Mabaruma Ministry of Health, Karen bours Trinidad and Tobago Town Council, including ed- Cummings was already on the and Barbados. ”You are an ground to greet the President economic powerhouse and we ucation of children. want you to tell us in Central The President , who was and other officials.

Amerindians to get back amnesty guns

…as gov’t waives licence fee, application process GOVERNMENT has waived the application fee for firearm licences for Amerindians and will return to them guns turned over during last year’s gun amnesty programme, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has announced.

Trotman during a post-cabinet press briefing on Wednesday told reporters that during September 1 to October 14, 2015, when the firearms amnesty was instituted, many Amerindians who had unlicensed firearms surrendered them to the relevant authorities with the expectation that they would be considered for firearm licences.

“Since then, the lack of firearms has created hardships for some communities, whose residents are unable to hunt and whose crops are being damaged by roving

animals including wild hogs; and we are told of increased incidents of attacks by jaguars.”

As a result, the minister said Cabinet has agreed to the non-destruction of the firearms retrieved during the amnesty and “to the return of firearms to indigenous persons who surrendered their weapons during the firearms amnesty and to issue licences to them.”

He said too that the firearms licence application process would be waived to expedite the granting of the licences to indigenous communities.

When asked what justification could be given by government for its decision, Minister Trotman said the justification would be that the subject minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, has the power to make such decisions. “Indigenous

people voluntarily coming forward with shotguns with [the] belief that they were respecting the law and at the same time with the expectation that the law would recognise that they had a legitimate need, that they would protect life and property and that the government would accept that some consideration would be given to them.”

Minister Trotman said the APNU+AFC administration made a promise to the indigenous people that they would “look into their matters and I think we are keeping that promise.” He added that the firearms will be restored through the village council system.

“We are not waiving the granting of licences, we are waiving the application fees, which is within the remit of the minister,” Trotman added.

Government… to tell us what you need to unleash that potential”, the President told the gathering who sat and stood along the rubber walk outside the recreational park.

“No longer will anybody sit down in Fort Street, Kingston and decide what is best for you, no more should the Central Government overrule your decisions but you in your constituency will be able to decide what is best for you”, he said. The President noted that democracy will open the door to the development of the residents and their children, as he made reference to next week’s LGE elections.

Noting that Mabaruma is one of the older communities in the hinterland, the Head of State told the gathering that the hill-top community should have been a town before several of the current townships. He added: “you have everything that a town needs”. He said that the community has been in a state of backwardness, with no form of development. This will end next weekend at the LGE polls, he said, noting that the residents’ votes will put them in a position of control over the constituencies in which they live. He said that the community has number responsibilities to make the community a leading town, with the advent of LGE The President said that the residents regardless of where they live in the region, will be able to take to the table “their personal experiences and personal desires to bring about a change in this great region”. He told the residents that the Barima/Waini is four times the size of neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago but he noted that the region

has been unable to open its full potential , noting that the decisions for the community has been decided by Central Government in the Capital City , for years.

He said that the region has the potential and opportunity, and the services for development are available there.

“Because every single thing that you need in this region you can produce”, he told residents. “You have gold and diamond in this region, you have timber, tourism”, he said, but he noted that the previous administration did little, such as overseeing the continued operation of the aged Lady Northcote ferry. He said the vessel is incapable of supplying the needs of the region.

The President said the government would like to see the sub-region opening up to trade and investment and the manufacturing sector. ”We want to see a strong region, we want to see businessmen coming in from Trinidad and Barbados and Suriname, flying into an aerodrome here, an international airport at Mabaruma , making deals to buy your produce.” The President said that there is need for infrastructural development in the region, including the establishment of road networks linking Mabaruma with Moruca and Port Kaituma.

“I have a dream too that one day you and your children would get into a car right here in Mabaruma and drive all the way to Achiwib” the President added, noting that the region cannot develop without infrastructure. He said that the sub-region must become a powerful capital with medical and educational facilities, including an agricultural school at Hosororo Hill. To this end he implored on youths to enter the agro-processing sector. He said factories and restaurants are ideal for the region, as

well as a thriving business sector in the business hub at Kumaka.

He said that he knows some persons did not support the government but according to him, persons should think of themselves as residents of the Barima /Waini and as citizens of the soon to be established town.

ELECTRICITY Mabaruma and its connecting communities have been receiving six hours of electricity each night from 5 pm and the President noted that there is no reason why this should have been happening, as he questioned how the community will be able to run its enterprises without power. To this end, the Head of State promoted the establishment of renewable energy sources, such as solar and hydro power. ”So that you can get cheap and green electricity.“ As regards the children, the Head of State noted that the government, from the inception, has been supportive of children and their educational future. To this he said that the three B’s initiative, the bus, bicycles and books, has taken effect across the county. ”We want every child to go to school”, he said, as he noted the arduous distances by water and roads many children have to travel to reach to school. He said children no longer will drop out of school, but will be supported by the government, to ensure that the communities are educated.

The President was greeted by a large crowd on arrival at the Broomes Air Field at Mabaruma. He greeted and interacted briefly with eager supporters who gathered to witness his arrival. He was expected to travel back to the capital city this morning.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Rethinking lifestyle choices

THERE is an aspect to our lifestyles whereby eating and drinking carry a sense of merriment, without much thought given to what is consumed, the quantity, health/nutritional value, the impact on our bodies and ultimately overall health and longevity. Once it tastes good or makes one feels good, that is all that matters. Physical activity is also not generally seen as important and vital to sustaining healthy lifestyles. Such outlook carries consequences.

In 2015 the World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded a warning about the “health epidemic” facing Caribbean countries and urged governments to take urgent action to meet global targets to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to the WHO, NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person. NCDs are of long duration and generally slow progression, resulting in 82 percent of premature deaths (i.e. before 70 years) due to four main types: cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma, and diabetes NCDs are prevalent in low and middle- income countries, the category Guyana falls in, and this in part has to do with poverty, lifestyle choices and access to quality health care. Where people are seen as pivotal to development and development is hinged on the environment (personal and external) within which the people operate, the WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan in launching the “Global status report on non-communicable diseases 2014” called for global efforts to tackle and change the course of NDCs epidemic.

In 2011, Guyana along with 189 countries committed to global mechanisms to reduce the avoidable NCDs burden, including a global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013-2020. In 2013 the Ministry of Health prepared Guyana’s Strategic Plan, which is a public document. This document includes areas of Risk factors, NCDs progress indicators; Framework for action; Surveillance; Public policy, advocacy and communication; Project Management and Results log frame. The responsibility for achieving these goals requires collaborative efforts and commitment. For whereas the WHO 2014 report states premature NCD deaths can be significantly reduced through government policies reducing tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, and delivering universal health care, such success is reliant on the people’s involvement and support It is important to recognise that management of this epidemic requires proper planning that factors in the efficient and effective use of resources. To this end, fighting NCDs has to be holistic, inclusive of reliance on statistical evidence of pre-disposition to certain diseases among specific demographics (age, race, income, locale, etc). Government and corporate policies can take into consideration establishment of Health and Wellness Centres at the workplace,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Congratulations despite low voter turnout Dear Editor,

THE Ministry of Communities wishes to express thanks and congratulations to all members of the disciplined services who voted in Tuesday’s historic local government polls.

The same sentiments are extended to the hard-working staff of theGuyana Elections Commission (GECOM) who conducted the exercise competently. The ministry is, however, disappointed about multiple reports of a low turnout.

The Ministry of Communities sincerely believes in the truth of Article 12 of the Constitution which states, “Local Government by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part of the democratic organisation of

the State.” In other words, in the absence of functional local government there can be no real democracy. And citizens will agree that democratic renewal at the grassroots is much needed in Guyana.

The ministry repeats, too, that if you do not vote, other people who vote will choose your community representatives, and you will have no voice in the decision-making process. The importance of having a voice in decisions that directly affect you cannot be overstated. The councillors elected by the people who vote will make decisions on what bridges and roads to repair or build; they will decide where playgrounds are to be constructed; they will be responsible for garbage col-

lection, cleaning of drains and parapets, provision of healthcare services, pest control, noise-nuisance control, and all other aspects of community life. Can anyone, therefore, afford not to vote?

Guyanese have not had the opportunity to cast a ballot since 1994. These current elections will go down in history as the pivotal moment when Guyanese took power into their own hands; the moment when citizens took control of their own destinies. The remainder of Guyanese will have an opportunity to be part of history on March 18, by going to your designated polling place and casting a ballot. You cannot afford to miss this unprecedented opportunity. The Ministry of Communities en-

courages you, again, to make use of your vote. Your vote is your voice.

Additionally, the ministry encourages candidates to redouble and intensify your campaign efforts in the time remaining. If you do not know where your particular polling place is located, you can obtain that information by calling GECOM on 2250277 to 9 or 226-6557, or, visiting the website at www. gecom.org. If you visit the website and enter your ID Card number, you will be informed of the location of your polling place.

Yours faithfully, Mark DaCosta For the Ministry of Communities

HTNTP calls for reconstruction of Kitty Post Office Dear Editor, HEALING The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP) independent candidate in the Kitty/ Subryanville Constituency2, Alfred Park, is calling on the APNU+AFC administration to immediately begin the reconstruction of the Kitty Post Office. This facility was torn down some time ago because of its dilapidated state.

Addressing a community meeting on Friday, March 4 at Earl’s Avenue in Subryanville, Mr. Park stated that the non-functioning post office is causing much frustration and hardship to the residents, especially the

pensioners. They have to use the Campbellville Post Office or other post offices in the city.

The constituency candidate also called for the upgrading of the Kitty Health Centre and the Farnum Playing Field in Subryanville, which could be developed into a state-of-theart sport facility with floodlights and proper accommodation. This will ensure that the youths engage in meaningful activities.

Touching on other plans for residents of his constituency, Mr. Park announced that once elected, he will work to ensure a “laptop in every home,” as well as assisting

where in addition to educating the workforce on healthy lifestyle practices, the facilitation of opportunities/incentive for engaging in physical fitness, screening for NCDs can also be done. If we are talking human wellness as a prerequisite for development, it is cheaper to invest in preventive care (education, changed lifestyles, consult and testing services) rather than on sick care.

Where poverty is prevalent in our society, the State has to invest in healthcare centres, community centres, recreational facilities and so forth. This responsibility can also be shared through community and corporate citizenship. Healthy dietary practices also go a far way in ensuring preventive care. This requires education to recognise and appreciate the nutritional value of food (including beverages). For instance, less sodium (salt) intake reduces/prevents high blood pressure, consump-

residents to rehabilitate their homes…especially those of senior citizens.

Other key areas that the aspiring councillor will pay attention to include the re-establishment of public sanitary conveniences, as well as the upgrading and expansion of the municipality’s Maternal & Child Care Centres and Day Care operations. He further stressed that he will support strict monitoring of the city’s Building Code, along with the proper management and maintenance of the six municipal markets.

The municipality of Georgetown is responsible

for an area of over 15,325 square miles, with administration of over 100 miles of road, hundreds of bridges, some 300 miles of concrete and earth drains, a number of channels that flow in to the Demerara River…as well as the collection and disposal of over 100 tons daily of waste and garbage. Once elected, Mr. Park assures that he will work to ensure that these facilities and services will be upgraded plus maintained.

Regards Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP)

tion of alcohol to liver disease, fat (oil) for high cholesterol and so forth.

Some societies have laws and policies whereby the restaurant/fast food industry empowers customers on nutritional value as part of the menu card/board. This allows the customer to make informed choices. There are also instances of control (ban, reduction) of ingredients in publicly prepared food. In the instance of tobacco, it has moved from health warnings on the packets, to being banned in certain public spaces, given that users and bystanders are susceptible to lung cancer.

Lifestyle changes are not easy. It requires will, commitment and determination, but ours is the collective duty and responsibility through public awareness, education and other forms of empowerment that would ensure Guyana plays its role in meeting the 2020 goal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Joint services participate in exercise “Holdfast”

THE Joint Services, comprising the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service on Wednesday commenced participating in a twoday Command Post Exercise (CPX), “EXERCISE HOLDFAST” at the Base Camp Ayanganna Auditorium as part of their preparations for the Local Government Election (LGE) scheduled for March 18, 2016.

Exercise Holdfast is aimed at practicing the officers and ranks of the Joint Services in the development of critical thinking and effective responses to potential problems which may be experienced during the LGE, a release from the GDF said.

On Wednesday morning

be taken should an untoward eventuality occur. One such potential scenario could be the outbreak of civil disobedience which threatens the lives of citizens who seek to engage their right to exercise their constitutional franchise at the place of poll.

The CPX allows officers and ranks to not only be

Joint Services ranks during their interactions as part of Exercise Holdfast the officers and ranks assembled at 1000 hours and were briefed as to what was expected from them during the exercise before being placed

into several syndicates. The syndicates were provided with a series of scenarios, of incidents likely to occur during the LGE. The Syndi-

cate’s members are meant to study these scenarios within an operational context with the view to exacting the most desirable course of action to

Remembering the late Harold “Lightweight” Kissoon WHILE I cannot vividly recall seeing in the print media an artist’s impression/ sketch; photograph, plan and last but not least and most important, a budget of expenditure, which in my estimation could be hundreds of millions. Of course, all in the interest of accountability and transparency, in relation to the completed Durban Park, Entertainment Centre and Recreational Facility.

Editor, it would be remiss of me to not mention that while such a massive undertaking is extremely welcome, nevertheless, “John Public” ought to have some meaningful insight, as to how the taxpayers’ dollars, if any is being spent; cost over-runs, duration and the sports disciplines that will benefit.

Suffice it to say under whose jurisdiction would the facility fall? Maintenance costs, equipment, labour force et.al.

Meanwhile, since a lot has already been said at this juncture, reference is hereby being made to the subject matter: the late Harold “Lightweight” Kissoon. A former M&CC Councillor, Social Activist, Community Worker and Sports Administrator extraordinaire, “Lightweight,” as he was fondly called was also a founding member of the now defunct Lodge Rovers Football Club. Additionally, it was the late individual, who firstly organised the only true and meaningful, Lodge Village Day of Sports: Circle Tennis, Cricket, Football, Basketball, Cycle Races, Athletic Road Race and Bird Racing.

This was/is against the backdrop of the current “bubble sessions” filled with lewd

and noisy pollution emanating from Sound Systems/Stereo Sets! The late individual, despite his political differences, never discriminated, based on ethnicity. He was always receptive and accommodating to one’s views. In two instances, the first between 1993-96, Harold included myself as part of a delegation to meet with the former Minister of Human Services,The Honourable Indra Chandarpal, towards Durban Park’s restoration.

Parade Ground’s restoration, to facilitate the re-inculcation of Christ Church Secondary School, Inter-House, Junior and Senior Football Competitions, initiated a discussion with officials from the M&CC. Finally, before I forget, the then Georgetown Football

League (GFL) and presently Georgetown Football Association (GFA) under the presidencies of Messrs Winston Callender and Oliver Hinckson, at the insistency of “Lightweight” was in pursuit of becoming a “perspective lessee” of land at Durban Park, for a football facility. While a banked track for cycling, closer to Homestrech Avenue, in the vicinity of the former grandstand, became a reality, utilising manual selfhelp labour! As a mark of respect, dignity and honour in memory of the late Harold “Lightweight” Kissoon, a major part of the sports’ facility must be named in his memory for his sterling contributions, vision and development of sports, not restricted to Lodge alone and Durban Park, by

extension. Honourable mention should also be made to Steve Grant, a long-standing resident of Lodge; former M&CC, Councillor, the late Rudolph “Coffee” Harris and others too numerous to mention. With the phenomenal achievements the late individual truly deserves honourable mention at the commissioning of Durban Park, with his name on a plaque!

Respectfully Yours, LESTER SEALEY

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prepared for their respective roles, but also to understand the individual and collective role of their respective organisations. With members of the Disciplined Services already having cast their ballots, the exercise will in part aid in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the conduct of the LGE.

Plaisance teen stabbed to death

By Navindra Seoraj

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-old Sherwyn Lynch was on Wednesday stabbed to death by a man who is yet to be identified.

The teen, who hails from Plaisance, East Coast Demerara according to his neighbour who wished to remain unidentified, was found face down on the Plaisance Railway Embankment.

Lynch’s neighbour disclosed that, “I was traveling home to Plaisance from UG when suddenly the bus stopped and everyone came out to see a body that was lying face down on the roadside. And when they turn him over I saw it was Sherwyn.”

She said it appeared as though he had suffered three stab wounds on the left side of his body.

Passersby took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Speaking

Sherwyn Lynch to the Guyana Chronicle his sister, Tomika Solomon said that she was notified of the incident at around 21:00hrs and rushed to the hospital where she confirmed the sad news.

Solomon described her brother as a kind-hearted individual, who had “no problems with people from the neighbourhood and always kept to himself.”

Lynch leaves to mourn, his two sisters and brother, as well as his father and uncle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

Gov't bemoans low voter turnout

By Ravin Singh

The Ministry of Communities has expressed disappointment with the low voter turnout for the Tuesday’s balloting of the disciplined services.

In a letter to the editor of this newspaper, the ministry while thanking all members of the disciplined services who voted in Tuesday’s historic local government polls and as well as the “hard-working staff of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)” said it is however, disappointed about multiple reports of a low turnout.

“The Ministry of Com-

munities sincerely believes in the truth of Article 12 of the Constitution which states, “Local Government by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part of the democratic organisation of the State.” In other words, in the absence of functional local government there can be no real democracy.

And citizens will agree that democratic renewal at the grassroots is much needed in Guyana.”

The ministry added: ”if you do not vote, other people who vote will choose your community representatives, and you will have no voice in the decision-making process.

The importance of having

a voice in decisions that directly affect you cannot be overstated.” According to the ministry councillors elected by the people who vote will make decisions on what bridges and roads to repair or build; they will decide where playgrounds are to be constructed; they will be responsible for garbage collection, cleaning of drains and parapets, provision of healthcare services, pest control, noise-nuisance control, and all other aspects of community life. “Can anyone, therefore, afford not to vote?” the ministry asked in its statement.

The ministry further stated that Guyanese have not

had the opportunity to cast a ballot since 1994. “These current elections will go down in history as the pivotal moment when Guyanese took power into their own hands; the moment when citizens took control of their own destinies. The remainder of Guyanese will have an opportunity to be part of history on March 18, by going to your designated polling place and casting a ballot. You cannot afford to miss this

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

unprecedented opportunity.

The Ministry of Communities encourages you, again, to make use of your vote. Your vote is your voice.”

SMOOTH PROCESS Meanwhile, the first phase of voting at the LGE was unanimously declared as a “smooth process” by not only the country’s elections regulatory body, but participating groups and political parties as well. Two decades after it was last held, Guyanese will go to the polls next Friday to elect new local government representatives.

When contacted for a comment after Tuesday’s vote a confident Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, noted that the process had been “a smooth one.”

He said that while the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was still in the process of ascertaining the percentage of voter turnout, it was safe to day that the day was incident-free. “I am happy that we have successfully completed this phase of

Local Government Elections 2016,” Lowenfield said.

But while he deemed it to be a success, the opposition People’s Progressive Party had earlier in the day raised concerns about a “significant number” of electors presenting themselves without any form of identification in order to vote.

According to the party, early reports from some stations had suggested that up to half of the voters were showing up without their National Identification (ID) Cards.

“When asked to explain this significant anomaly, the information given, in the case of Police Force members at Brickdam, was that they had been ‘briefed’ to show up with their ID Cards,” PPP said in a statement.

And although this claim was not rejected by the CEO, he sought to clarify that voting without an ID card is provided for in the law. “Yes I can say that ranks did show up without their identification cards, and we did speak about the use of identification card for voting at these elections. But it was a matter of choice for them and it was within the ambits of the law.

We understand the concerns of the party but nothing is wrong with ranks voting without IDs, it is provided for in the law and we can’t change the law” Lowenfield said.

Agreeing with the CEO that the process was indeed a “smooth one” was a running First Past the Post candidate, Mark Benschop. A political activist too, Benschop, who is leading Team Benschop noted that there was nothing unusual or alarming about the day’s activities to suggest that anything had been compromised. And the successful execution of this leg of the election, he said, was credited to the elections regulatory body that did a “fine job.”

But his concern was far from that of the PPP. Though he fancies the chances of his candidates at the polls, Benschop was disappointed at the turnout of voters. “The Joint Services have had a very poor turnout which I

estimate was under 40 per cent” he said, lamenting that this represents less than half of the eligible persons who could vote.

And while he was satisfied overall with the way the elections were held, similar views were expressed by Holbert Knights, Chairman of Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA). Speaking with this publication, he ex-

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

plained that things had been quiet in Bartica, since there were only three polling stations in that area and most of the voters had not been registered within that vicinity.

Nevertheless, he expressed the view that the day’s proceedings were relatively quiet and that there was nothing unusual about the exercise.

And in an almost-repetitive fashion, similar sentiments were echoed by the elections campaign manager of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Leonard Craig. AFC is one of the major political parties comprising the APNU+AFC coalition. Like those who spoke before him, Craign lauded GECOM on the successful completion of this phase of the elections, noting that all administrative processes employed

by GECOM seems to have been adequate. “We believe the elections went smoothly and that the concern raised by the PP was not sufficiently large enough to raise concern” the campaign manager said.

Taxi driver placed on $30,000 bail A TAXI DRIVER was on Tuesday placed on bail after he appeared before City Magistrate Dylon Bess charged with assault and breach of the peace.

Tory Daniels of Bachelors Adventure pleaded not guilty to both of the charges which stated than on March 4, 2016 he

assaulted Raymond Lall, and on that same occasion, he was charged with the use of threating behavior. He was placed on $10,000 bail on the assault charge and $20,000 on the threatening behavior charge.

Daniels is expected to make his next court appearance on April 4, 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

Guyana to participate in mock prison riot in U.S

FIVE Prison Officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will be attending a four-day Mock Prison Riot (MPR) in the United States of America (USA) from May 1 upon the invitation of the United States government.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman at Wednesday’s post Cabinet press briefing said Cabinet has approved Guyana’s participation at the MPR which is being held at the decommissioned West Virginia State Prison in Moundsville, West Virginia.

“The Mock Prison riot facilitates tactical training, technology deployment and demonstrations resulting

in candid practitioner feedback that shapes the law enforcement and corrections industry on a global scale.

The training being offered is expected to increase the capacity of the Guyana Prison Service to respond to prison unrest or other similar emergencies,” said Minister Trotman.

According to the MPR website the MPR is a fourday comprehensive law enforcement and corrections tactical and technology experience, including 40,000 square feet of exhibit space, training scenarios, technology demonstrations, certification workshops, a Skills Competition, and unlimited opportunities for feedback,

networking, and camaraderie on a global scale.

Guyana’s participation in the MPR follows what has been described as the worse prison riot in the history of the country, which resulted in the death of 17 inmates and injury of several others.

Those selected to attend are Chief Prison Officers Peter Barker, Seon Charles, and Kirk Joseph along with Cadet Officer Cafela Hale and Princpal Officer 2 Lionel Cave.

Should one of the identified prison officers be unable to attend the MPR then Prison Officer 2111 Martin Rajmangal has been selected as the alternate.

Mini malls for street vendors M&CC constructing malls alongside city streets

By Shauna Jemmott IN an attempt to clean up the city of Georgetown and regularize vending, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has embarked upon a plan to construct mini malls alongside city streets, renting spaces to street vendors.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that although Article 28:01 of the Mayoral and District Council Act states that street vending is not legitimate, the Council has considered the fact that many people are poor and are trying to make a daily living in an honest way.

She said while the M&CC never wanted to put vendors out of business, they have come up with the new project as part of a wider plan to beautify the city, while still encouraging entrepreneurship.

The construction of a mini mall comprising nine stalls on Orange Walk and Regent Road, just outside the Bourda Market, is part of the Council’s initiative to allocate stalls, giving particular consideration to vendors with special needs and those who have been vending along the roadways, Lewis said.

“We cannot just take people off the street,” Lewis told

GWI evaluating food-based agent to improve water quality GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) has commenced evaluating a food-based agent, Seaquest, which has the ability to improve water quality by reducing the effect of iron content in water.

The programme is part of GWI’s overall water quality improvement programme being executed by the company’s Scientific Services and Technical Services Departments, the water company said in a press release.

PILOT STUDIES The product is being evaluated in the communities of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara; Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara; and Ithaca, Berbice. These communities were deemed ideal for the testing of Seaquest because the content of the water received by residents is high in iron.

GWI Chief Executive, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles and the project team attended meetings in those communities in order to provide information to residents on the Seaquest product.

Scientific Services Manager, GWI, Donna Canterbury is quoted in the release as saying, “Seaquest is a foodbased agent which has the ability to chemically disable the iron present in water from oxidizing.”

SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION The product has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture

The Mayor and City Council constructed this mini mall just outside Bourda Market along Orange Walk and Regent Road, Bourda as part of a plan to regularize vending and beautify the city of Georgetown (Samuel Maughn Photo)

the Guyana Chronicle.

Yesterday being designated International Women’s Day, Lewis said the Council also recognised that the vending population is dominated by women, a majority of whom are single parents, and they are “earning honest dollars to sustain their families.”

The council is also looking at other locations around the city where vending can be done in legitimate and sanitary conditions.

SPECIAL PROJECTS Lewis also disclosed that the construction of a wholesale depot at Merriman’s Mall is

almost complete and the La Penitance market and a few other popular vending spots have been identified for special market development projects.

The reconstruction of the Kitty Market is underway and priority for allocation of stalls will be given to those who were already owners of stalls there as well as those vending along the road outside the market.

The council is undertaking these projects with the hope that vending would be properly regularized and each vendor has a comfortable place of business, Lewis explained.

Harold Stiefel of Aqua Smart providing GWI with training on SeaQuest

(USDA), the Drinking Water Inspectorate, London and has been certified by NSF International (National Sanitation Foundation), United States.

It is safe for consumption by humans and animals.

Seaquest is a product of Aqua Smart Inc., a United States-based company which facilitated several presentations for GWI and will be assisting with the application of the product in the communities identified for the pilot studies.

“The product has been shown to significantly reduce the effects of iron present in water such as discoloration,” said the Scientific Services Manager, and “if these pilot tests are successful we can anticipate substantial improvements in the quality of water distributed by GWI.” The product has been utilized successfully in a number of countries, including the United States, Belize and the Bahamas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

Turkish gov’t donates two ambulances VARIOUS medical institutions across the country have long called for improved emergency transportation within the health sector, and yesterday, the Turkish Government made a donation of two well-equipped ambulances to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the MOPH, Minister of Public

Health Dr. George Norton expressed the Guyana government’s appreciation for the two well-equipped ambulances valued at $25M. “These ambulances were locally procured and forms part of a project which was approved by the Turkish International Co-operation and Development Agency (TIKA), under the Turkish Cooperation Fund,” said the Public Health Minister.

One of the ambulances, he said, will be stationed at the Skeldon Hospital, Berbice, but the location for the other one is still to be decided.

“I wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Turkish government for these ambulances which will no doubt go a long way in improving emergency response,” said Dr. Norton as he assured the officials of

TIKA that the ambulances will contribute towards the improvement in the delivery of health care.

He noted that the Ministry welcomes all the support it can get since keeping the nation healthy is not something it can do alone, but requires the support of all relevant stakeholders and assistance from international donors as well.

Associate Professor of International Relations and Director of South America of TIKA, Mehmet Ozkan hands over the keys for the ambulances to Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton

Guyana to participate in mock prison riot in U.S FIVE Prison Officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will be attending a four-day Mock Prison Riot (MPR) in the United States of America (USA) from May 1, upon the invitation of the United States government.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman at Wednesday’s post Cabinet press briefing said Cabinet has approved Guyana’s participation at the MPR which is being held at the decommissioned West Virginia State Prison in Moundsville, West Virginia.

“The Mock Prison riot facilitates tactical training, technology deployment and

demonstrations resulting in candid practitioner feedback that shapes the law enforcement and corrections industry on a global scale. The training being offered is expected to increase the capacity of the Guyana Prison Service to respond to prison unrest or other similar emergencies,” said Minister Trotman.

According to the MPR website, the MPR is a fourday comprehensive law enforcement and corrections tactical and technology experience, including 40,000 square feet of exhibit space, training scenarios, technology demonstrations, certification workshops, a Skills Competition, and

unlimited opportunities for feedback, networking, and camaraderie on a global scale.

Guyana’s participation in the MPR follows what has been described as the worse prison riot in the history of the country, which resulted in the death of 17 inmates and injury of several others.

Those selected to attend are Chief Prison Officers Peter Barker, Seon Charles, and Kirk Joseph along with Cadet Officer Cafela Hale and Princpal Officer 2 Lionel Cave. Should one of the identified prison officers be unable to attend the MPR then Prison Officer 2111 Martin Rajmangal has been selected as the alternate.

S

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Committee in place GOVERNMENT has appointed several persons to serve on the Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Committee, said Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman on Wednesday.

At a post cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Trotman told the media that the Advisory Council which is statutorily appointed provides guidance to the President on the implementation of capital punishment.

The life of the previous Council he said came to an

end on June 30, 2015. “Cabinet has agreed to the reconstitution of the Prerogative of Mercy Board and the appointment of members of its Advisory Council,” said Trotman.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams will chair the Advisory Council and its other members are: Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Major Melissa Stuart, Commanding Officer of the Legal Services Division of the Guyana Defence Force, Attorney

Chandrawattie Persaud, Journalist Bert Wilkinson, Medical Practitioner Surendra Singh, and a representative of the Ministry of State.

Treaty Officer, Ministry of Public Security Hermilla Gladstone, will serve as Secretary to the Council.

The Council members will serve for a period of three years commencing February 1, 2016 and ending January 2019. Under Article 188 1 (A) of the Constitution of Guyana, the President has the power to grant any person concerned

in, or convicted of, any offence under the laws of Guyana, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful condition.

The President may also grant to any person a respite, either indefinite, or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an office. He may also substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on any person for such an offence or remit the whole or part of any punishment imposed on any person for such an offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the State on account of such an offence.

Article 189 (1) of the

Constitution makes provision for the establishment of an Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which shall consist of the Attorney General who is to be chairman, along with not less than three and not more than five other persons who shall be appointed by the President and of whom one shall be a person who is a qualified medical practitioner.

Article 189 (2) says that a person who is a member of the Advisory Council cannot be a member of the National Assembly and not less than three of the members so appointed shall be persons who are not public officers. Last year, former president Donald Ramotar

came under fire for his decision to pardon a child killer, Ravindra Deo who was serving a life imprisonment sentence for killing 8 year-old Vishnu Bhim of Annandale East Coast Demerara in 1994. Prior to this sentence he was given the death penalty, which was later commuted to a life sentence. Deo was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering the eight year old child. He was convicted by a jury in December 1995 and sentenced to death by Justice Claudette Singh.

Ramotar in his defence said the decision to pardon Deo was based on representation made by the Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Council.

New Guyana School and “Solutions for a better Guyana” NEW GUYANA School Inc. is excited to announce the launch of its six-week project management program, “Leading Dynamic Community Projects in the 21st Century.” The official launch date for this program is April 12, 2016.

New Guyana School Inc. believes this program will reshape the way community projects are executed and completed according to specifications.

“New Guyana School Inc. also believes that we can be as developed as our international counterparts with project management,”

says, Mrs. Barbara Welch, Administrative Manager of the School.

According to Mrs. Welch, “The institution wishes to partner with the government and private sector to offer the global standards of project management.” Their theme is: ‘Solutions for a better Guyana.’

Welch said that participants will learn how to meet stakeholders’ requirements, identify and manage risks, resources and so much more. She encourages all who were involved in projects to get on board.

Founded in 1994, the New Guyana School was established to provide quality education at the nursery, primary and secondary levels. Since then, New Guyana School Inc., an arm of the New Guyana School was established to offer professional training by providing quality training programs, excellent teachers and quality resources.

More information on New Guyana School Inc. is available at www.newguyanaschool.com, by email at info@newguyanaschool.com or by phone at 690-4400 or 225-2135.

50 women honoured

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

… for sterling contributions to women’s affairs

By Jasmaine Payne FIFTY women who have all been actively involved in their communities were honoured on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre,Liliendaal, for their outstanding contributions.

The awardees were nominated by members of the regional administrations across the country. Many of the women gushed about how grateful they felt to be recognised for their years of work. They also commented on how refreshing it is that both Guyana and the world at large are making significant strides towards promoting gender equality.

Cheryl Sampson, who hails from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), has been an active promoter of women’s rights for over 40 years. “I feel proud. It has been a long time I’ve been doing women’s work and development. As such, to be identified today by my region, I feel proud,” she said. Though education is her main field of work, Sampson is also the current Chairperson of the National Congress of Women, which is the Women’s arm of the People’s National Congress.

She also serves as the Deputy Chairperson on the Women and Gender Equality Commission and has participated in other projects throughout the Caribbean. She welcomed the fact that Guyana has a government which is very interested in women’s affairs.

Sampson also observed that with such leadership, Guyana could very well reach the United Nations goal of “Planet 50:50 by 2030.”

Ann Baker has been promoting cultural development and sporting activities in her community of Mocha and was among those women honoured from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). “Right now I am so warmed that somebody remembered me along the line for the work that I did; right now I’m overwhelmed,” she said.

Across Region Five, Carol Smith Joseph has been involved in promoting community development and also works closely with women and children. Being acknowledged for her work not only made her feel grateful, but she expressed that it was good that her work has finally been recognised, so that more

Linden Hospital. The women admitted to being both surprised but elated that they were selected for the work that they have been doing.

Aside from the awardees, a number of prominent women who attended also shared in their pride and honour.

Guyanese designer and entrepreneur Sonia Noel, who has just wrapped up her weekend exposition “Women

great to see the distance we have come so far as regards gender equality. “We have been able to get a lot more men to pay more than lip service to the equality of women. That’s one great leap ahead and I see us doing much more of that in the future,” she said.

In expressing their grat-

Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence presents Ms Ann Baker with her award on the occasion of International Women’s Day

Devina Deputron presents President David Granger with a token of appreciation on behalf of the women at the International Women’s Day event on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal

in Business Expo,” applauded the event and the current direction in which Guyana is travelling with regard to women empowerment. “I think we are trying our best and within the last few years we have done much more for women… I think with the mandate of the UN we are definitely heading in the right direction, so I’m looking forward to where we are going to be,” she said.

Mrs Sita Nagamootoo presents Ms Cheryl Sampson with her award for sterling contributions to women’s affairs

persons could be made aware of the need to promote such development among women.

“I am happy that they have finally realised that I deserved this award, and words are not enough to thank the persons who made this possible,” she said.

‘WE ARE GOING SOMEWHERE’ Amrita Thomas stated that for years she strongly

believed in the importance of ensuring that women are pushed to the highest level of their capabilities and so to be recognised for her work is an honour. “I have a strong belief for my women folk and this award gives me hope that we are going somewhere,” she said. Moreover, the award now serves as encouragement for her to continue in her work of educating and helping women

in her native Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Both Mayfil Greene and Marilyn Thomas from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) expressed similar sentiments of gratitude regarding the honour bestowed on them. Greene is active in ensuring that there is effective drainage and garbage collection in Linden while Thomas works with women and young girls at the

GIVING LOVE More than that, she said, Guyanese should also get into the culture of giving love and being “our brothers and sisters keepers,” adding that as women climb to higher heights with the provisions being made through gender equality, they will also be able to help other women to reach those heights as well.

GREAT LEAP Former Minister of Information Yvonne Harewood-Benn, said that it is

itude, the women presented President David Granger with a token of appreciation following his feature address at the event held in honour of International Women’s Day. The token took the form of a painting which represented not only a woman’s role in society, but the transformational role that the new administration is playing in Guyana’s development.

“I felt like it was the most suitable piece in light of the situation of things,” said Devina Deputron, the young artist who created the piece she named “Goddess.” The abstract work of art represents Mother Nature and her attempt to right all the wrongs in society such as corruption, crime and pollution by absorbing their negative energy and producing a brand new, optimistic result.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

Women’s role in election monitoring high on BRIDGE agenda

WOMEN’S participation in election monitoring is among a number of issues to be discussed during a three-day workshop and roundtable on democracy, governance and elections which got underway here Monday at the Marriott.

It’s a subject that’s especially close to the heart of Ambassador Monorma Soeknandan of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, under whose auspices, in conjunction with the United Nations (UN), the meeting is being held.

“I am happy to see that, on the eve of International Women’s Day, we are also going to pay attention to gender aspects within the context of Election Observations,” Ambassador Soeknandan said at the event’s opening ceremony, as she urged the room full of mainly male participants to support women in the area of elections observation, as they, too, have an important role to play in that process.

Like Ambassador Soeknandan, UN Resident Coordinator, Khadija Musa also spoke of the need for women to participate in the electoral process.

“I wish to conclude by highlighting the need for supporting women’s political participation particularly; it is very important in ensuring peace and inclusive electoral process in a more stable and democratic society,” Musa said.

She also made the point that the mere idea that the role of women in democracy and elections is on the agenda for the electoral workshop speaks to the important role that women play in society.

VARYING ASPECTS Among topics to be dis-

cussed during the course of the meeting, officially titled Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE), are the varying aspects of the electoral process, such as electoral systems, observation, frameworks, voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

According to Ambassador Soeknandan, election observation is an essential element of CARICOM’s efforts to promote and maintain its democratic values.

“It builds the public’s confidence in the electoral process, and assures them that the process is transparent and that the rights of the participants are protected,” she told the close to 40 workshop participants who are drawn from CARICOM member states, the CARICOM Secretariat and other regional and intergovernmental organisations.

As for the recommendations that stem from electoral observation teams, Ambassador Soeknandan said when implemented, they invariably prove useful to electoral offices in reviewing and updating systems.

She recalled that during the late 1990s and the early 2000s, CARICOM governance support to its Member States was in the form of mediating political conflicts and defusing politically-charged situations before they erupted into violence.

The Region, she said, has since evolved, in that the political processes are a much more peaceful affair.

“Notwithstanding, it was recognised that regular monitoring and evaluation of the electoral processes of Member States would increase the public’s confidence, and give legitimacy to the process,” she said.

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally (centre) sharing a light moment on Monday with another participant of the BRIDGE workshop. At left is GECOM Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

CARICOM OBSERVER MISSIONS Giving an insight into CARICOM’s involvement in electoral observer missions, Ambassador Soeknandan said it first started in 2000, and has to date seen the dispatch of more than 25 missions, with many of its members being either Elections Commissioners or Chief Elections Officers.

She was quick to note, however, that though CARICOM Observer Missions have traditionally been small, team members have always been extremely qualified and experienced.

“More importantly,” she said, “team members are familiar with the political scenery of the Caribbean, its traditions, culture, characteristics and are in a better position to monitor and evaluate the process to ensure its conformity to both international and domestic laws.

“They understand how to conduct their business and how to communicate with the society members, because they themselves are an integral part of it.”

One of the main purposes of the workshop, the Surinam-

ese diplomat, whose official designation is CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, said is to provide an important venue for the exchange of experiences, good practices and lessons learned by representatives of the various CARICOM electoral observer missions.

“Participants will also be in a position to share experiences and good practices on the various aspects of election observation missions with other international organisations such as the African Union, the Organisation of American States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Organisation for Security Cooperation in Europe, as well as to have exchanges on the promotion of women’s participation in the electoral process,” she stated.

KEY ROLE Ms Musa, whose role it was to bid the participants welcome, said “Credible, genuine and inclusive elections are necessary to consolidate democracy and promote human rights.”

She then went on to note the key role elections play in bringing about sustainable

peace and development in societies.

“It is, of course, the responsibility of sovereign states to ensure periodic and genuine elections that reflect the will of their people,” the UN envoy said, adding: “However, when requested, the international community and regional organisations should be willing to step in to support nationally-owned and led efforts for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.”

She noted that the CARICOM Bloc has made “important progress” in conducting periodic and genuine elections in the past, while noting that there are many things that can be learned from the region and from the participants of the workshop.

Musa, who is also the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Resident Representative here, said over the past 30 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of countries around the globe that have turned to conducting periodic elections.

ENCOURAGING TREND This, she said, is an en-

couraging trend, notwithstanding the fact that the “complexity of the challenges facing elections and election observers has also continued to increase.”

Election observation, she said, “has proved to be of great help to the efforts by Member States to conduct transparent and peaceful elections, particularly through the impacts that such missions can have on public confidence in electoral processes and their results, and also through sound recommendations that can assist national authorities to improve their processes.”

The United Nations only deploys election observers if mandated by the United Nations Security Council or the General Assembly.

The aim of the threeday workshop, which ends today, is to address issues of why and how to observe elections, international obligations and the principles for election observation, the impact of observation, the latest trends and challenges in the area of election observation as well as to promote women’s participation through election observation.

Turkish agency donates conference systems to Foreign Affairs Ministry THE Turkish International Co-operation Development Agency (TIKA) yesterday donated conference systems valued US$9,500 to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge noted that Guyana and Turkey established diplomatic ties in May 1973 and that country has co-operated with Guyana and the Region. “CARICOM and Guyana have benefited from TIKA’s contributions to the economic and social development, especially in the areas of health, agriculture and education.”

He said the equipment handed over will equip the ministry’s main conference

facility. During 2014, the Government of Turkey under its official development aid pledged funds to support the health sector.

HEALTH PROJECTS Minister Greenidge said Guyana has benefited to the extent of US$100,000 for health projects within the scope of Turkey’s expo 2020 candidacy campaign and the funds were disbursed to establish a presidential commission on non-communicable diseases.

He said the implementation was done jointly with PAHO and Guyana benefited by the way of procurement of basic equipment for most of the primary health-

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge receives one of the many conference systems from TIKA Coordinator Mehmet Ozkan in the presence of other officials

care facilities. “This intervention enabled us to boost our capacity to deal with four categories of non-communicable diseases. In the

second instance a sum of US$127,000 was provided for the purchase of two wellequipped ambulances to enhance the efficiency of the

service by the public hospital system to the populace of Guyana.”

Underscoring that the Government of Guyana had

previously received an official delegation from TIKA, Minister Greenidge said that delegation had the objective to promote and strengthen co-operation in education, health, agriculture and tourism. As a consequence of that visit, a number of projects were approved by the Government of Turkey.

TIKA Colombia Programme Office Co-ordinator Mehmet Ozkan is willing to assist Guyana in the aforementioned fields, especially agriculture. He said if more projects are done, TIKA will be visiting Guyana more frequently and co-operation on various projects and topics will evolve.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

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Gov't to craft action plan to battle El Niño

President David Granger in discussions with (at his right) Ministers Sydney Allicock, Ronald Bulkan and Joseph Harmon. Ministers Raphael Trotman and Noel Holder are sitting second and third from left respectively, while Director General of Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission; Retired Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup is at fourth from right

GOVERNMENT will soon craft an action plan to tackle the El Nino phenomenon even as it continues to concentrate its efforts on bringing immediate relief to communities affected by the crisis.

To this end President David Granger on Wednesday met with key ministers and other stakeholders to facilitate increased ministerial collaboration for the scaling-up of plans to prepare for future cycles of dry weather. At the meeting, President Granger instructed that a Ministerial Task Force be set up under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture to be responsible for the creation of an action plan that focuses on immediate relief for affected communities. The Task Force will also focus on medium and long term plans, including the drilling of additional wells and increased water harvesting when the rainy season returns, a Ministry of the Presidency release stated.

While a Task Force has been functioning under the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) since October 2015, the President noted that there was a need for wider ministerial collaboration. The current Task Force will continue to function and will report on its activities to the CDC. This body will include, in addition to the CDC, the Ministry of the Presidency, represented by the Minister of State, the Ministry of

Natural Resources and the Environment, the Ministry of Communities and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs.

Additionally, all of the key agencies, within the Ministries, with responsibility for various aspects of tackling the El Niño impact will participate in the work of the Task Force. This includes the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC). In addition, the Ministry of Public Health will provide a representative to focus on potential risks for water-borne illnesses and other health related issues.

Chairman of the NDIA, Mr. John Piggot has been earmarked to chair the body.

The work of the Task Force will be resourced, following the completion of an approved action plan. During the meeting, Minister Harmon, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Raphael Trotman, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder, Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan and the Director of the CDC, Mr. Chabilall Ramsarup provided an update to the President on the situation and the work that their Ministries and Agency

Jury empanelled A MIXED jury at the Demerara Assizes was Wednesday empanelled to begin trial of Ganga Persaud for attempting to murder Sumintra Rampersaud on July 28, 2009.

The offence is alleged to have been committed at Zeelugt, West Coast, Demerara.

The accused who had pleaded not guilty is expected to conduct his own defence.

The prosecution, headed by Miss Narissa Leander, will deliver the opening address to the jury when the trial resumes today.

has been doing to tackle the now 10 month old dry spell.

It was noted that Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9) is the worst affected area. However, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region 2), Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region 3), Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5) and East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6) are also affected to varying degrees, particularly in rice farming and agricultural areas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 10, 2016

Today is World Kidney Day WORLD KIDNEY will be observed today under the theme,”Kidney Disease and Children – Act Early to Prevent It” and the Kidney Foundation of Guyana will be observing the occasion with a live discussion programme this evening on NCN from 9:00 pm with two persons living with chronic kidney disease.

The Kidney Foundation of Guyana was launched on World Kidney Day 2011, and has as its mission: to promote public awareness of prevention, treatment and the consequences of kidney and urinary tract infections; to support national healthcare efforts at reducing obesity, diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure; and to encourage partnerships that mobilise financial and other resources to assist individuals who suffer from, or are susceptible to these diseases.

World Kidney Day aims at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of Kidney Disease and its associated health problems worldwide. In a statement the foundation said this year’s theme is encouraging “us not to wait until it is too late.

Act now before it is too late.” According to the Foundation, the kidneys main job is to remove toxins and excess water from the blood. They help to control Blood Pressure, to produce red blood cells and keep bones healthy.

They also control levels of minerals and molecules, including sodium and potassium and help control how acid our blood is. Everyday our kidneys carefully control salt and water in our body so that our Blood Pressure remains the same.

Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday, March 11, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Smith’s breezy 44 guides ussies to T20 series win

(REUTERS)-Captain Steve Smith scored a breezy 44 to guide Australia to a six-wicket win over South Africa in the final Twenty20 International yesterday and a 2-1 series victory.

After electing to bat, South Africa posted 178 for four in their 20 overs, boosted by a magnificent unbeaten 97 from Hashim Amla.

Australia paced their reply perfectly, however, and profited from a fine opening stand of 76 between Shane Watson (42) and Usman Khawaja (33).

Those two fell in a single Imran Tahir over, but any thoughts South Africa had of clawing their way back into the game evaporated as a composed Smith, whose runs came from just 26 balls, and David Warner (33) added 79 for the third wicket.

Australia reached their target with four deliveries remaining, but never looked like falling short.

They head off to India for

Steve Smith

the World Twenty20 where they open their campaign against New Zealand on March 18.

Opener Amla proved the anchor for South Africa’s innings as he caressed an unbeaten 97 from 62 balls that included eight fours and four sixes.

Quinton de Kock (25 from 13 balls) and David Miller (30 from 16) provided impetus, but the innings slowed when Faf du Plessis and Rilee Roussow, in for the rested AB de Villiers, took 28 balls to score a combined 20 runs.

South Africa take on England in their first match of the World Twenty20, also on March 18.

EBECC 50-over tournament bowls off Sunday THE East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee (EBECC) champion of East Bank Essequibo 50over cricket tournament bowls off this Sunday at the Parika Ground.

The tournament consists of eight teams: Tuschen Southside, Hyde Park, Vergenoegen, Tushen Sports Club ‘A’, Tushen Sports Club ‘B’, Zeelust

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:55 hrs Princess Pearl 09:35 hrs Antonia Major 10:15 hrs By Jove 10:55 hrs Amazing Strike 11:30 hrs Mombela English Racing Tips Carlisle 10:00 hrs Nafath 10:35 hrs Dakota Grey 11:05 hrs Knock A Hand 11:40 hrs Fly Home Harry 12:15 hrs Sean Ban 13:25 hrs Reivers Lad Southwell 10:10 hrs Busy Street 10:45 hrs Claude Greenwood 11:15 hrs Rain In The Face

Sports Club, Parika Sports Club ‘A’ and Parika Salem.

The game on Sunday will see Parika Sports Club playing Zeelugt in a day/ night encounter, starting from 14:00 hrs.

The organisers are asking all teams to be at the Parika Ground for 12:00 noon for the official March Past of the teams..

11:50 hrs Trust Me Boy 12:25 hrs Crosse Fire 13:00 hrs HAB Reel 13:35 hrs Big Shoes Chelmsford City 13:50 hrs Bracken Brae 14:20 hrs Red Rose Riot 14:50 hrs Slovak 15:20 hrs Toumar 15:50 hrs Coillie Cailin 16:20 hrs Compton Prince American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Crowd Funding Race 2 Ogermeister Race 3 Big Thrill Race 4 Legend of Lorelei Race 5 Our Luck Race 6 David Rocks Race 7 Just Got Out

GRFU preparing for busy season

THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), after naming a new Executive Committee last week at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), is preparing for a busy season, both locally and internationally.

Peter Green was returned as President, and will have Joshua Griffith as his senior Vice President, Elwin Chase as Junior Vice President, and Petal Adams returning as Honourary Secretary.

Seyone Heywood (Honourary Treasurer), Ryan Gonsalves (Asst/Sec. Treasurer), Daniel Anderson (PRO), while Committee Members Sabola Gray, Delroy Gordon and Colin Sultan make up the new GRFU Executive Committee.

First on the GRFU’s agenda is conclusion of the GTT sponsored Division-1 15’s tournament on Saturday March 13, which will see the University of Guyana (UG) Wolves tackling the Yamaha Caribs at the National Park Rugby Field.

The UG Wolves sits on the pedestal with 21 points after five matches and Yamaha Caribs trailing second with 16 points from the lot. The top two teams are distantly followed by Pepsi Hornets 11 points from five games and Police in the cellar from equal matches.

Following the conclusion

of the GTT tournament, the GRFU will turn its attention to Rugby Americas North’s (RAN) Caribbean Championship, and will commence trials for the upcoming international matches against Barbados (April 23rd) and Jamaica (May 21st) at home before travelling to Trinidad and Tobago for the final game in the Southern Zone in June.

Training sessions are scheduled to be conducted Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays under the watchful eyes of the union- appointed coaches Lawrence Adonis, Clinton Clarke, Theodore Henry and Kenneth Grant Stuart.

Also, according to a GRFU release, the National Under-19 Male team will be participating in this year’s RAN Championship in Miami, in July.

The Union is therefore asking all eligible players that are under 19-years old with the dream to represent their country in the sport of Rugby, to register, as well as attend training sessions with Coaches Lawrence Adonis and Troy Yhip.

Female Rugby players will also be returning to the International arena, with the GRFU aiming to participate at the RAN’s 10’s and 7’S tournaments within the Caribbean.

Oman stun ...

From backpage

to opener Tamim Iqbal to lift his team to 153-7 with an unbeaten 83.

Left-hander Tamim carried his bat through the innings, hitting six fours and three sixes in his 58-ball knock to notch up his fourth half-century in the shortest format of the game while all his batting colleagues struggled.

The Netherlands appeared well on course for an upset win until they lost their way by losing three quick wickets to finish on 145-7.

They were 112-3 in the 16th over but were reduced to 121-6 before Mudassar Bukhari and Pieter Seelaar smashed paceman Al-Amin Hossain for 16 in the penultimate over to keep Netherlands interested.

FINAL OVER F a s t b o w l e r Ta s k i n Ahmed bowled a tight final over to calm Bangladesh’s nerves as their opponents failed to find the boundaries, needing 17 runs for victory.

Openers Zeeshan Ma-

qsood and Khawar Ali gave Oman a blistering stand of 69 in 8.3 overs before both inside-edged medium pacer Kevin O’Brien on to their stumps.

Ireland underlined their superior experience of playing in ICC tournaments by reducing their opponents to 90-5 in 14 overs.

Although the sparse crowd at the picturesque stadium, with the Himalayas in the background, could not have envisaged what would follow, Aamer Ali and Jatiner Singh brought Oman back into the contest with a 47-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Ali hit 32 off 17 balls and was out in the final over with his team still needing four runs from two balls.

But it did not prove too damaging as Sorensen, unable to grip the greasy ball due to heavy dew on the ground, bowled a high full toss that went through the legs of the wicketkeeper for four, sparking wild celebrations among the Oman players.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Pakistan, India World T20 match shifted to Kolkata

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, (Reuters)-The most anticipated match of the World Twenty20 between hosts India and arch-rivals Pakistan was shifted to Kolkata yesterday over concerns about security in the original venue for the March 19 clash at Dharamsala.

The marquee contest between the neighbours ran into trouble with Indian war veterans in the state of Himachal Pradesh, where Dharamsala is located, opposing the hosting of a match against Pakistan after militants killed seven security personnel in a Jan. 2 attack on the Indian Air Force base at nearby Pathankot.

Pakistan said yesterday it had arrested several members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group, which is suspected of masterminding the attack near Dharamsala

ICC chief executive David Richardson and 25 km (16 miles) from the Pakistan border.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) delayed the departure of the men’s and women’s teams and sent a delegation to review security at Dharamsala, which boasts one of India’s most beautiful stadiums with snow-capped mountains in the background.

After Himachal Pradesh chief minister

Virbhadra Singh’s warning of possible disruption, the organisers took the “difficult decision” to shift the contest from the picturesque sleepy hill town to Kolkata’s usually boisterous Eden Gardens.

“We looked at the security situation and we agreed in the end that the level of uncertainties that exist around that match was too great to take a risk,” International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson told reporters.

“The safety and security of the event is of paramount importance to the ICC and we’ve taken into consideration the concerns shared with us by our security advisors as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board.”

Richardson, however, all but ruled out a sanction against the state cricket association in Himachal Pradesh.

Regal Softball Cricket team sets eyes on Florida Cup

A spirited Regal Softball Cricket team has their eyes set on the Florida Cup 2016, slated for March 11 to 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

All of their players are in good shape and form, while preparations off the field have put the players in a great frame of mind to bring back the top spoils.

Regal Softball Cricket Team is the double champions of the Guyana Softball Cup, having won both the Masters and All-Star categories last November at the Demerara Cricket Club Ground in Queenstown,Georgetown Last July, the Masters team finished as runners- up in the Independence Cup which was played in July 2015 in New York.

However, in their debut season in the Florida Cup 2015, the Masters failed to make it to the play-offs, but team Manager Mohendra Arjune said the hard work the players are putting in, along with their confidence will go a far way in seeing the team do much better in 2016.

Preliminary matches will be played on March 11-12 at the Brian Piccolo Sports Park and Velodrome, while the finals will be held at the historic Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale.

Raymond Harper Central Broward Regional Park is the only international cricket venue on American soil and it has been that way since Sri Lanka and New Zealand played the first international match back in May 2010.

The touring party will include a Media Manager in local cricket journalist and Sports Producer, John Ramsingh.

Team owner and Masters batsman, Mahendra Hardyal, welcomed Ramsingh on the team and said he (Ramsingh) will have his work cut out in getting timely reports back to Guyana while he will also be doing commentary on the Public Address systems in the matches involving the Regal Team.

The 13th annual Florida Cup is being played in cel-

ebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary and will be played in two categories: Masters for males over 45 years old and the All-Stars category for males of any age.

The other teams from Guyana are Floodlights and Floodlights Legends in the Masters category, and Wolf Warriors in the All-Star category.

Regal team; Troy Kippins (Captain), Mahendra Arjune, Eoin Abel, Longsford Klass, Peter Persaud, Eric Thomas, Larry Singh, Rudolph Rodrigues, Rudolph Baker, Mohamed Rafi, Mahesh Chunilall, Fazleem Mohamed, Raymond Harper, Shawn Messiah, Amarnauth Boodhoo, Mohendra Arjune (Manager) and John Ramsingh (Media Manager).

The team’s journey to South Florida is made possible through the support from the Director of Sport Christopher Jones and the National Sports Commission, Kawal Narine of Jemtex International in New York, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Regal Sports, Top Brandz Distributors, Crown Mining Supplies, Lennox Cush of Stars Party Rentals, Mr. Danny Persaud of Ink Plus and Mr. Joseph Ramkumar of Payless Variety Store.

“We had to make this decision for safety and security reasons. I don’t think it’s reasonable to suggest that we’ll be taking disciplinary action against the state association in that province.”

The ICC official said the organisers were still awaiting an absolute assurance from Pakistan of their participation in the sixth edition of the tournament.

“The decision has just been conveyed to them... We are now obviously very hopeful that they would now board the plane and come to the event.”

BITTE R NEIGHBOURS Top cricket countries have refused to tour Pakistan since 2009 when gunmen attacked a bus carrying a visiting Sri Lanka team near Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, had said on Monday that there was no question of the country not playing in the tournament but that other venues needed to be considered to replace Dharamsala.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since becoming separate countries in 1947, two of them over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Bilateral cricketing ties between the neighbours remain suspended after gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in a three-day rampage in 2008 which India blames on a Pakistani militant group.

Pakistan’s cricket team have in the past received a hostile reception in Mumbai, venue of the second semi-final of the World Twenty20 which got underway on

Tuesday, where members of a regional political party dug up a pitch in 1991 on the eve of a test match.

Richardson said if Pakistan reached the last four they would play their semi-final in New Delhi on March 30.

“If Pakistan makes the semi-finals, their semi-final won’t be played in Mumbai,” Richardson said.

“We’ve chosen the venues where Pakistan is due to play very carefully, taking into account safety and security issues.”

Pakistan open their tournament on March 16 against a qualifying team in Kolkata before the match against India three days later. They will also face New Zealand on March 22 and Australia on March 25, with both of those matches in Mohali.

Guyana through to quarter finals

GUYANA blasted their way into the quarter-finals at the `Peru Under-19 Junior International World Ranking tournament held in Lima, Peru at the Regatas Club Badminton Courts.

Sunburst World Ranked Player and National Junior and Senior Champion of Guyana Narayan Ramdhani reached the quarter finals in

the Boys Singles by defeating Gabriel Urteaga Hammond: 21- 11, 21-14.

He then teamed up with No. 2 National Junior Player Jonathan Mangra, to reach the quarter finals in the Boys Doubles by defeating Mariano Novoa and Gustavo Alfredo Salazar: 21-17, 21-14.

This is Ramdhani’s first International tournament for

2016, after recovering from a knee ligament injury he picked up at the Suriname Open International late November 2015.

The tournament continues this evening with the quarter finals and the Medal Round.

Jonathan Mangra lost his Singles match to Mariano Novoa: 17-21, 21-12, 18-21.

Notable Dates

VIVIAN Harris was on the way to acquiring the pseudonym `Vicious’ when he collided with American Garland Johnson.

The fight was held on March 10, 1998; just four months after Harris became a professional.

The Guyanese junior welterweight won the four-rounder by Unanimous Decision, his first that went the distance, and ended Johnson’s career in the ring. Harris was just 19 years old at the time and would go two more years and 12 fights before

Vivian Harris

suffering his first defeat.

Coming up against Ray Oliveira in Rhode

Island on February 25, 2000, Harris lost by Unanimous Decision, as he was frustrated throughout the 10-rounder by the more experienced American’s jab and quick combinations.

Seven fights and two years later `Vicious’ was crowned World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Association (IBA) junior welterweight champion following a second round of Cuban- American Diosbelys Hurtado.

At age 24, Harris became the youngest Guyanese to win a world title.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Depression blighted my cricket career – Paul Persaud

By Rajiv Bisnauth REGARDED as one of the most talented Guyanese batsman during the mid-1980s and 1990’s, Paul Persaud played 17 FirstClass matches for Guyana between 1991 and 1995.

The gifted left-hander made only one century and three fifties, but debilitating mental illness during that period has blighted his cricket career.

With remarkable and heart-rending candour, Persaud tells for the first time what really happened: how his cricket career came to a sudden end.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport after he returned to Guyana from the USA for the first time in 15 years, the 44-year-old admitted that he suffered from depression during his playing days, and

as such his promising cricket career was affected tremendously.

The mental illness first reared its ugly head in 1991 when his mother died.

However, during 1991 and 1995, Persaud tried to cope with the death of his mother, but never recovered from the tragedy fully.

He eventually suffered a nervous breakdown late in 1995, and was sidelined for 14 months. He was scared, anxious, didn’t think he belonged, and the only way he could cope was by shutting himself off from the world. It was almost as if the world was against him.

“My mother was the closest person to me, and after she died it really affected me, both as a person and as a cricketer,” Persaud said.

But with the help

of family members and friends, Persaud recovered somewhat, and by late 1996 he resumed his cricket career, with the aim of making the national team once more, but that was not the case.

After a successful first division season in 1997, when he scored his first double hundred, Persaud was among 22 players selected for Guyana trials in 1998.

However, after he was not selected in the national setup, Persaud then went to Trinidad and Tobago where he joined the Clarke Road Cricket Club.

Paul Persaud

“I was qualified to play for Trinidad and Tobago , since I lived there for more than three months, but after I was not selected for the Trinidad team despite making 27

and 64 in the trials, I felt disappointed again, and I began to feel down. I felt like my cricket career was coming to an end, and that really hurt me,” Persaud pointed out.

A reversion in his depression stepped in once more and Persaud quit the game and flew to the United States of America in 2000.

After recovering fully for the second time from his depression, Persaud worked in the Delivery Service(in that country).

Apart from playing 17 First-class games, Persaud represented the Guyana youth team, and is the only Guyanese batsman with over a 1000 runs at that level.

Persaud also represented the West Indies in three ‘Youth Tests’ in 1990 against Australia.

Brazil vows anti-doping legislation ready to go

By Andrew Downie

S A O PA U L O , ( R e u ters)-Brazil will not risk being kicked out of their own Olympic Games and is confident of passing key anti-doping legislation before next week’s deadline, the country’s anti-doping authority told Reuters yesterday.

With the Olympics starting in Rio in August, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) set a March 18 deadline for Brazil to be in accordance with the organisation’s doping rules.

“There are only five working days to make it happen but it will happen,” said Marco Aurelio Klein, the national secretary of

the Brazilian Anti-Doping Authority.

“I am sure we will do it because there is no alternative. It is of fundamental importance for us to host the Olympic Games.”

Brazil was warned last November it must bring its sporting justice system in line with WADA guidelines.

Currently, state and national courts hear anti-doping cases but under WADA rules such cases must be heard by an independent specialised tribunal.

Brazil has new legislation ready but the government will likely pass a decree rather than a law because there is so little time left for debate, Klein said.

Although authorities have been discussing the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday March 10, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) South Africa (2) India Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the finalists of the first ever ICC T20 World Cup? (2) Which team won the last ICC T20 World Cup? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

National secretary of Aurelio Klein. changes since before November, Klein said the Christmas recess, followed by the southern hemisphere’s summer holidays

the Brazilian Anti-Doping Authority Marco and annual carnival celebrations robbed them of at least half of the 120 days they had to work with.

“These four months had

a different impact in different countries,” Klein said.

“In Brazil, the 120 days was probably closer to 50 days.”

While the new system

must be in place by March 18, international officials refuse to countenance the idea that South America’s first host nation could be banned from its own games if it does not meet the deadline.

“Realistically speaking I wouldn’t think so,” Dick Pound, chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) independent commission, told Reuters when asked about that possibility.

“To do away with the host country? In the real world I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Brazil’s preparations are often last minute. Half the stadiums built for the 2014 World Cup were delivered late and much of the promised infrastructure was never delivered at all.

Two changes to Guyana Jaguars PCL squad VETERAN batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Christopher Barnwell have been included in the Guyana Jaguars 13-man squad for the ninth round WIVB/PCL four day game against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in Antigua starting tomorrow.

The duo replaced the

Chanderpaul, Barnwell return for 9th round out-of-form Assad Fudadin and Robin Bacchus.

Guyana Jaguars the defending champions are well place to retain the title with 125 points. The squad departed for Antigua yesterday.

The full squad reads:

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh (V/Captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble (Wicketkeeper), Christopher Barnwell,

Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton, Esuan Crandon (Head Coach), Rayon Griffith (Assistant Coach/Manager) Beverley Nelson (Physiotherapist).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 10, 2016

Thomas, Amsterdam chances of making it to 2016 Rio Olympics very slim-Blake

By Michael DaSilva

GUYANA’S chances of securing a spot in the boxing championships at the 2016 Rio Olympics are very slim, as the two boxers selected to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the Olympic Qualifiers in Buenos Aries, Argentina, beginning today are a bit inexperienced.

This is the view of Manager/Coach of the two boxers Sebert Blake, who, prior to their departure for Argentina on Tuesday evening, told Chronicle Sport even though Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas have been

in the sport for some time, they have not had sufficient exposure to real competitive competition, regionally and internationally.

Blake disclosed that Thomas, a member of the Guyana Police Force, is the more experienced of the two, having represented Guyana on numerous occasions, but has not faced seasoned amateur boxers, while Amsterdam, a member of the Guyana Defence Force, has only fought once outside of Guyana and that was last year, when he won the light heavyweight title at the Caribbean Develop-

ment Championships that was held in Barbados.

Dennis Thomas

Both Thomas and Amsterdam have dominated their

divisions (Middleweight and light heavyweight respectively) on the local scene for the past four to five years.

“I hope Amsterdam will be able to overcome the jitters of fighting at such level” Blake stated, adding, “Only two persons from each of the weight divisions from the Americas will be able to qualify for their Rio Games in Brazil”.

With regards to Thomas, Blake who has been actively involved in the sport for many years ,said Thomas is very experienced and has a strong chance of making it to

the final in his weight division in Argentina, but during his preparation, he (Thomas) did not get the opportunity of sparring with experienced boxers and this could be a setback for him.

Blake added “All in all, I see the zeal in them to make it to the Olympics and bring it home”.

Since 1996 when `Big’ John Douglas qualified for the Atlanta, USA Olympics, has any Guyanese boxer qualified for an Olympic.

Blake is of the opinion that Guyana’s amateur boxers are more technically equipped than their coun-

We must learn to accept change WITH the growing debate as to if professional boxers should be allowed to compete at Olympic Games in the future, one administrator has added his voice to the argument which supports the cause.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle has stated categor-

…. GBA prewsident on professional boxers at Olympics ically that while there are both sides to any argument, athletes and sports must adapt to the ever-growing world of their respective disciplines.

Ninvalle, who in 2014 scored a first for Guyana and the English speaking Carib-

bean when he was elected to the International Boxing Association (AIBA)executive committee in 2014, has told the world that, “We must learn to accept change. All it says is more competition” He lent credence to his

argument of allowing professional boxers to compete at the Olympics, adding, “I’ve seen, and this is my opinion, I’ve seen we have professional footballers playing at the Olympics, we’ve had professional

GFA STAG Premier League

Beacons get first point with draw against Santos ...Riddim Squad too strong for Flamingo BEACONS Football Club secured their first point in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) STAG Premier League, following their 2 – 2 draw with table-leaders Santos FC on Tuesday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground.

Flamingo’s miserable showing in the league continued after losing 3 – 1 to Riddim Squad, who scored their second win in five outings.

In the Beacons/Santos clash, many expected the league leaders to walk away with the win, given the fact that their young squad was in superb form, winning their four previous matches

GFA STAG Premier League Current Points Standings

to remain unbeaten in the eight-team tournament.

Dwayne McLennon, who finished the night with a double, put Santos in the lead ten minutes into the contest, before making it 2 – 0 eight minutes later.

However, Fabian Grainford fired in Beacons’ first goal in the 22nd minute but his side trailed 2 – 1 at the end of the first half.

As the two sides battled in a heated exchange, though failing to find the net, it was Chris Galloway who would pulled the ‘rabbit out the hat’ for Santos with his goal in the closing seconds of regulation (90+3 minutes).

The result was a fitting one for Beacons, who lost their four previous outing in the league.

Riddim Squad outplayed a hapless Flamingo with Sheldon Holder (6th), Dwayne O’Reilly (10th) and Aqwill Liefde (90+4) scoring for the Mocha Arcadia based team. Flamingo’s goal came off the boot of Leon Yaw in the 34th minute.

Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts Santos FC 5 4 0 1 8 4 +4 13 Western Tigers 4 3 1 0 10 4 +6 9 Police 4 3 1 0 6 1 +5 9 Riddim Squad 5 2 1 2 5 3 +2 8 Northern Rangers 4 1 2 1 5 7 -2 4 Camptown 4 1 2 1 4 7 -3 4 Flamingo 5 1 4 0 5 10 -5 3 Beacons 5 0 4 1 7 15 -8 1

Steve Ninvalle basketball players at the Olympics when it was an amateur sport.”

He opined that the move will auger well for the sport, continuing, “ It’s all about who can step up to the plate.

I’ve heard the argument that people are saying, well how

terparts in the Region and further afield.

According to Blake, the problem preventing local boxers from making it to the big stage is the fact that “the judges kind of being lenient to the more seasoned fighters” Blake stated.

This however is debatable.

Blake feels that the time has come for the Guyana Boxing Association to start looking at its nursery programme and placing emphasis on it.

“We need to focus on our youths and I’m sure we will do well for 2020”.

can a Mayweather come back but how can a Mayweather come back and fight a three round fight (as against his usual 12).

“It’s a whole different thing. So it’s not a win win for the professional guys,” Ninvalle continued adding that the deal is not sealed as yet.

“AIBA has called for an extraordinary congress. It is not a done deal, it must be passed at the extra-ordinary congress in Switzerland in June, and so it is not a done deal.”

P ro f e s s i o n a l b o x e r s would be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games in August in Rio de Janeiro, provided this decision is ratified when the proposal would be put to vote.

T20 crop comparable to Windies legends-claims Sammy

WEST Indies skipper Darren Sammy believes the current T20 crop could be comparable to the legendary team of the 1970s and 80s that dominated the world game.

The regional team perhaps once the most feared in the Test and One Day International formats have long since lost that reputation on the world stage.

The shortest format of the game, however, has proven to be a different scenario entirely, with the team not only boasting some of the world’s most sought after players but also having claimed the world title in 2012.

“We dominated the world for a good 17 years,” Sammy said at a news conference.

“We had some great players. Right now we are doing that in Twenty20 cricket as we have 15 potential match-winners,” he added.

“It’s one format of the

game we are really confident about. When I see all this quality in the dressing room, my job becomes very easy as a captain. I don’t have to tell these players how to go about it. They are seasoned and know their jobs.”

One such player is big left-handed batting star Chris Gayle widely considered to be among the world’s best players.

It is Gayle who tops the list of six-hitters in the tournament with 49 and he is also second on the list of runs scored with 807 in 23 games.

Sammy is confident his teammate will make a big difference to the team’s chances of claiming a second world title.

“Chris is a massive figure not only on the field but off the field as well. To me he’s the best Twenty20 batsman, the most destructive one.”(Sportsmax.com)

Thomas, Amsterdam chances of making it to 2016 Rio Olympics very slim-Blake

See story on page 27

Wade, Bobb fire Slingerz FC past Alpha United

I

N what has grown to become one of the most heated rivalries in local football, the Slingerz versus Alpha United did not disappoint fans, when the two sides met last evening at the Tucville Community Centre Ground in the opening game of the STAG Elite League Finale double-header.

In the end, it was Slingerz FC who kept their unbeaten record in the League intact, after edging Alpha United 2 – 1 in an exciting contest.

The two teams had played to a goalless first half, despite both sides getting their fair chances of finding the net.

However, veteran striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams in the 60th minute, scored for Alpha United to give the ‘Hammer’ a 1 – 0 advantage.

But things took a turn after Alpha United was reduced to nine men. Anthony ‘Natural’ Benfield and Abrams were both shown the ‘red’.

The Vergenoegen based club, winners of the League’s Genesis Championship (Slingerz FC), took advantage of the short-handed Alpha United, and would equalise through Dominican Julian Wade and Trayon Bobb to put the icing on the cake for Coach Joseph Wilson’s team.

Meanwhile, up to press time, the score between home side Fruta Conquerors and Monedderlust was nil.

Slingerz FC hero Trayon Bobb controls the ball during his side’s 2 – 1 win over rivals Alpha United. (Adrian Narine photo).

GRFU preparing Oman stun Ireland on World T20 debut for busy season …Bangladesh hold nerve to win MUMBAI,(Reuters)-Oman celebrated their first appearance at an International Cricket Council event by stunning more fancied Ireland by two wickets in a World Twenty20 match in Dharamsala yesterday.

A team made up of mostly expats from India and Pakistan, Oman chased down Ireland’s total of 154-5 with two balls to spare after needing 14 runs off the last over.

It all went wrong for

Rugby action in the National Park (See story on page 24) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

paceman Max Sorensen who served up two no-balls for bowling high full tosses as Ireland’s hopes of making it to the main draw from Group A faded.

Bangladesh avoided Ireland’s fate earlier in the day as the Asian Test-playing nation staved off a spirited fightback from the Netherlands to kick off their campaign with a tight eight-run victory.

Fresh from their impressive Asia Cup show at home

where they defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka to reach the final, Bangladesh would have liked to prove they are a much better side than to be competing with the associates for a place in the Super 10 stage.

But impressive bowling from seamers Timm van der Gugten (3-21) and Paul van Meekeren (2-17) restricted Bangladesh after they were put in to bat and it was left

See page 24

Oman players soak in their famous victory over Ireland in their World T20 qualifier, Group A, match on Dharamsala, yesterday.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 , 2016