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Bartica a leader No. 104545

SUNDAY MAY 8, 2016

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- Township status declared - Granger says could steer Guyana’s path to renewable energy

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Displaced Stabroek vendors frustrated by haphazard 3 relocation plans

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Mothers cannot do it alone

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- they need a midwife, says ‘Sister Eugene’, Guyana’s longest serving midwife

Mahaicony 9 software developer piloting e-learning in the Caribbean Page

- To launch Uber-like cab service in Guyana

Happy Mother’s Day The gorgeous Kristia Ramlagan and her adorable daughter Garbielle, 2015 winners of the Supa Stylistics Mother and Daughter Pageant, arrive for last evening’s competition. The First Lady Sandra Granger is the patron of the event. (Delano Williams photo)

Bartica a leader

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

- Township status declared - Granger says could steer Guyana’s path to renewable energy

By Alva Solomon BARTICA was yesterday enveloped in a festive atmosphere as the gateway to the country’s mineral-rich interior was officially declared Guyana’s newest town, with President David Granger trumping its potential to lead the country’s green revolution. Residents defied over-

cast weather conditions to converge in their thousands near the ferry stelling for the day’s proceedings, where they were joined by Ministers Joseph Harmon, Amna Ally, and Ronald Bulkan; together with Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and New Amsterdam Mayor Kurt Wynter. Addressing the enthu-

siastic gathering, President Granger noted that he has always regarded the town as one of the “finest settlements in Guyana”, and he recalled the historical 1887 ordinance which was passed to make “the community a town.” “What happened between 1887 and 2016 cannot be explained,” the President said, as he pointed out that Bartica has always deserved to be a town, but an error had prevented this realisation all the while. The President told the gathering he was filled with emotion because the occasion was a moment to dazzle the rest of Guyana. “(Bartica) has been known as the gateway to the hinterland, to gold, diamond and timber”, he said, noting that Bartica is now a capital

town. “It is capital of a region that is larger than the Netherlands”, he explained. He noted that the community is well laid out with avenues and streets, and possesses everything needed to be a regional capital, including essential facilities and services such as banks, a hospital and a police station, among others. “There is no reason why Bartica had to be held back so long”, the head of state opined. He said that, in future, the town must not only lead its 15,000 residents, but the entire region. He said the town has to lead the way in producing renewable energy, recycling, and solid waste management. “Bartica is going to be a laboratory for Guyana’s green economy”, the Presi-

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall applauds as President David Granger declares Bartica a town

Soldiers parade through the streets of Bartica

dent predicted. He said he dreams of the rest of the country and foreigners visiting Bartica to view its examples of renewable energy, and noted that the country is moving towards producing cleaner energy. He said the town must set a standard, and illustrate how Guyana can supply enough energy to offset her needs without depending on fossil fuel. He said the community must be the “motor to transform Guyana to a platform in green development”. “Every street, every avenue will be surrounded by green,” he said as he recalled the launch of a tree campaign in the community last year end. The Head-of-State also noted that the small benab at the Bartica airstrip must be

replaced as the community unveils a municipal aerodrome in future. He noted that the environment remains important to the area, and said he was happy to see Mayor Gifford Marshall and Deputy Mayor Kamal Persaud removing solid waste from the community and setting an example. He expressed confidence in the freely elected council delivering the economic and other development which the residents of the town would be proud of. The President also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at First Avenue, and the morning’s event reached its climax when he and Mayor Marshall unveiled a plaque to illustrate the community’s township status amidst loud cheers and merriment. Earlier in the day, President Granger presented a speedboat to the residents of the nearby community of Riverview, and he later visited the Bartica Hospital where the medical institution’s first neo-natal intensive care unit was unveiled. He was expected to witness a hive of activities planned for the Bartica Community Centre ground last evening, and residents were already pouring into the ground during the afternoon yesterday, as Barticians celebrated their community achieving its township status.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Displaced Stabroek vendors frustrated by haphazard relocation plans By Ariana Gordon

STABROEK vendors are calling on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to heed the instructions of President David Granger to ensure that they are relocated in a timely manner. On Friday during his weekly televised programme “The Public Interest,” President Granger said while he was in support of the relocation of the vendors from the Stabroek Market Square, he was disappointed over the delay in having the vendors resettled. “I deeply regret that there has been some delay between the removal of the vendors, the cleaning up of the square and the resettlement. I would urge the City Council to hasten the resettlement, and ensure that every legitimate vendor is given a place to conduct his or her business in a lawful and more sanitary manner,” the President stated. The displaced vendors were promised that they would be relocated to the old Royal Castle site locat-

ed opposite the Linden bus park on Saturday. However, despite this promise, vendors who arrived at the said location Saturday morning after visiting the Clerk of Markets could not occupy the area. Many were seen sitting on their temporary stalls with their items tied up in a corner nearby, while others sought to get information out of City Constables at the site. “I really don’t know what is going on… they told

ing in the Stabroek Market Square, she will comply with the instructions. “I would make more money out there, yeah. I been selling for 25 years, but I will see how it works,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. At approximately 10:00 hrs when this reporter visited the site, only two vending stalls were set up as other vendors who attempted to set up their stalls were stopped by the City Constables.

“Right now, I think is only the President can come here and deal with this matter. We are his supporters and we depend on him. If we are not pleased, there is always another election coming. Mr Granger should step in and protect us; he is our President and we put we trust in he.” us to come here this morning and like they themselves aint know wha going on… this is wasting people time,” a vendor told the Guyana Chronicle. That vendor was backed by another, who said while she prefers to continue sell-

A constable who was manning the entire process was overheard telling the vendors, “You have to register first. Y’all just can’t come here and expect to get a spot…we will help you carry your things outside.” But the entire process of

A vendor moves his mobile cart to the new site yesterday being resettled appeared a tedious one that left scores of vendors frustrated, as they took shelter under the tents provided by the M&CC. “Right now, I think is only the President can come here and deal with this matter. We are his supporters and we depend on him. If we are not pleased, there is always

City Constables stand under the tents at an unoccupied portion of the area identified to accommodate vendors who were removed from the Stabroek Square

another election coming. Mr Granger should step in and protect us; he is our President and we put we trust in he,” a female vendor who gave her name as Elizabeth, said. She berated the constables responsible for the relocation, stating that they “act like pigs.” The woman said she was tired of the entire situation. She said that though they are willing to comply, the process employed by the City Council is frustrating. Even as she explained her plight, a constable was heard saying, “The six persons that were outside they are the only persons we know about… they [additional vendors] got to wait; they can’t just come suh.” Meanwhile, a visit to the relocation site at approximately 16:00hrs saw many more City Constables and vendors gathered. The constables were seen talking amongst themselves, while many vendors sat on their fragile wooden stalls awaiting guidance. A frustrated vendor said she was told to register on May 1 at City Hall to become eligible for a spot at the new vending location. She said she complied, but was told yesterday that she had to re-register. “You think this is easy… these people treating we like we have no value. How much longer they gonna have we

waiting here?” she asked, before indicating that she was at the site since 06:00hrs. “Dem aint got no space fuh yuh yet…dem keep telling yuh wait, wait…is just ‘wait, wait’ yuh hearing whole day,” the angry woman told the Guyana Chronicle. Shortly after speaking with the vendor, City Council officials were seen walking around with what appeared to be a list of the allotted vendors. This publication was informed that Town Clerk Royston King visited the site Saturday afternoon, but according to the displaced vendors, his presence was of no help to them. “We does sell fuh we living…we aint thieving… they treating we suh bai I really don’t know…” Junior, a vendor for 10 years, said. On Friday, City Hall said vendors needed to visit the Clerk of Markets office located aback Stabroek Market to register and at that time they’d be provided with stall numbers. The vendors were also required to sign contracts that would indicate the rules governing them temporarily occupying the location. The 300 vendors affected by the relocation by the City Council are now unsure as to when they’d be able to occupy the new location. Some say they were told on Monday, while others are not optimistic.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Muslim Son of Pakistani bus driver is London’s new Mayor (REUTERS) SADIQ Khan of Britain’s opposition Labour Party was sworn in as Mayor of London on Saturday, becoming the first Muslim to head a major European capital after an election campaign marked by the ruling Conservatives’ efforts to link him to extremism. The son of a Pakistani immigrant bus driver and a seamstress, Khan defeated Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith, the son of

a billionaire financier, by a record margin to secure the biggest individual mandate in British political history. The Financial Times said the result highlighted London’s tolerance, a “remarkable triumph over the racial and religious tensions that have bedevilled other European capitals”. “My name is Sadiq Khan and I’m the Mayor of London,” the 45-yearold said to wild applause at the ceremony at Southwark Cathedral attended

by the city’s police chief, politicians and leaders of different faiths. Khan’s election also puts a supporter of Britain remaining in the European Union at the helm of the global financial centre, even though the issue barely came up in the campaign. Goldsmith and outgo-

their past associations.” Conservatives including Prime Minister David Cameron and Fallon himself had questioned whether London would be safe under the control of Khan, a former human rights lawyer who grew up in public housing in the capital’s inner city. “They used fear and

giving “oxygen” to extremists. During one heated session in parliament, Labour lawmakers accused Cameron of racism when he repeatedly raised the issue. CONTROVERSY, CONGRATULATIONS Khan said he had

workers’ rights and human rights, and now Mayor of London. Congrats, @ SadiqKhan,” Clinton said on Twitter. Sajid Javid, Britain’s business secretary and a Conservative, said on Twitter: “From one son of a Pakistani bus driver to another, congratulations.” Khan’s victory makes

Sadiq Khan (L) and his wife Saadiya attend the signing ceremony for the newly elected Mayor of London, in Southwark Cathedral, London, Britain, May 7, 2016. REUTERS/Yui Mok/Pool ing mayor Boris Johnson favour a vote to leave when Britain holds a referendum on the issue next month. Politicians from all sides lined up to condemn the Conservative Party tactics in the race, but in the aftermath, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon refused to apologise. “In the rough and tumble of elections, you get stuff said, questions asked,” Fallon told the BBC. “I think it is right that candidates for some of the most important offices in Britain do get scrutinised about

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innuendo to try to turn different ethnic and religious groups against each other – something straight out of the Donald Trump playbook,” Khan told the Observer newspaper. Many commentators said the focus on religion had backfired in a city noted for its diversity. During the race Goldsmith had joined forces with Cameron and other senior party members to question Khan’s past appearances alongside radical Muslim speakers at public events, accusing him of

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fought extremism all his life and regretted sharing a stage with speakers who held “abhorrent” views. Sayeeda Warsi, a former Conservative Party chairman, said the campaign had damaged the party’s credibility on issues of race and religion, while Labour politicians called on Fallon and Cameron to stop smearing their candidate. The left-wing mayors of New York and Paris saluted Khan, as did U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. “Son of a Pakistani bus driver, champion of

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him the first Muslim to head a major Western capital. During the campaign he had vowed to tackle the lack of affordable housing in London, oppose the expansion of Heathrow Airport and improve the transport system. The victory in London was one of the few bright spots for Labour, which endured poor results in elections elsewhere, especially in Scotland. However leader Jeremy Corbyn did not attend Khan’s swearing-in ceremony.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Mexican drug boss ‘Chapo’ moved to jail on U.S. border (REUTERS) MEXICAN drug boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was moved on Saturday from a jail in central Mexico to a prison in Ciudad Juarez, a northern city on the U.S. border, in a move that appears to bring him closer to extradition to the United States. Guzman, head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was one of the world’s most wanted drug kingpins until his

JOAQUIN ‘EL CHAPO’ GUZMAN capture in January, six months after he broke out of a high-security penitentiary in central Mexico through a mile-long tunnel. Chapo, or “Shorty,” faces charges ranging from money laundering to drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder in cities that include Chicago, Miami and both Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York. His lawyer, Juan Pablo Badillo, said Guzman was moved early on Saturday, but he was not sure why. “It’s an absurd action, illogical,” said Badillo. “The authorities shouldn’t do this. It was totally unexpected.”

Guzman’s lawyers will meet to plot a course of action, Badillo added. “At this moment, he can’t be extradited,” said Badillo, noting that the legal process is not yet finished. Eduardo Sanchez, a spokesman for Mexico’s presidency, said Guzman’s transfer to the state of Chihuahua was due to upgrades at his previous location, the Altiplano jail in central Mexico, and not part of an effort to deport him to the United States. However, a senior Mexican security official said Guzman should be extradited before July and would probably be housed initially in the U.S. prison in Marion, Illinois, pending trial. “I think they’ll do it in the first half of this year,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A Chihuahua state official, who also asked to remain anonymous, said the presence of a U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez meant Guzman’s handover could be processed faster than through the U.S. embassy. He said he believed Guzman would be moved to the United States in a matter of weeks.

Just across the border from Ciudad Juarez is the U.S. Fort Bliss military base, where Guzman could be taken. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that prosecutors in El Paso, the city on the other side of the border from Ciudad Juarez, had staked a claim to try Guzman if he is extradited. Other U.S. attorneys’ offices with cases against Guzman will also bid to try him first after extradition.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

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

Editorial

The People Who Came THE title of this editorial is borrowed from the school texts which recounted the history of the Caribbean people from our point of view. Every man, woman and child who reside here, their forebears came from different parts of the world, under different circumstances, and while they initially lived through diverse experiences,they have today come to call here home. Whereas it has been said our Amerindian (American Indians) brothers and sisters came to these shores through the Bering Straits during the Ice Age and settled here first, others came after. According to the history earlier told, the Europeans came after and met the Amerindians who were the first people they saw outside of themselves. This recount of history was later debunked by Guyanese-born and internationally acclaimed anthropologist, the late Professor Ivan Van Sertima. In his book “They came before Columbus- The African Presence in Ancient America,” he recounted and provided evidence of the African presence in the Caribbean before Columbus and having trade relations with Amerindians. Thus, where an earlier understanding of history has been shifted given new revelations, what remains undisputed is the treatment meted out to both Africans and Amerindians. Amerindians were first enslaved by Europeans, but fought against the bestial system. Some were decimated from the diseases brought by Europeans and the conditions they were forced to work under; others fled the plantation and went inland. The Europeans thereafter turned ther attention elsewhere for another source of labour which they thought was cheap in acquiring and more suitable for plantation conditions. That source was Africa, which saw the emergence of the slave trade and slavery that lasted for centuries. This trade and source of labour, along with the millions of lives lost in and during the Transatlantic Slave Trade; and sub-human treatment meted out to the enslaved on the plantations, led the United Nations to define this period of the world’s history as the worst crime against humanity. The resistance by the enslaved, including the dignity of suicide rather than living under the brutish system, rebellions and revolutions, along with support from humane Europeans led to the abolition of the slave trade earlier (1807), amelioration (1834) and emancipation (1ST August, 1838) . At the end of emancipation and where the society still maintained a plantation economy, labour was sourced under the indentureship system. This system, though not as brutish as slavery in the sense of being chattel, propertied and unpaid,

living and conditions of work for the indentured were nevertheless inhumane. The European plantoclass under this system sourced labour from Africa, China, Portugal and India, which comprised the majority. Indentureship entailed a system whereby labour was bound. This meant persons entered into the system on contract for a fixed period. They were paid and at the end of the contract allowed to return from where they came. The return passage was shared in part by the indentured and the plantoclass, and the former had to first put up their share in order to receive the other part from the latter. In a society where the freed, indentured and plantoclass co-mingled, there were conflicts. The first resulted from the determination of freed Africans to carve out a life independent of the plantation and efforts by the former enslavers to hinder this. Then with the arrival and presence of other groups, divide and rule became a matter of policy, which created conflicts among the indentured and freed. This notwithstanding, it did not prevent alliances between and among groups on matters, based on solidarity and/or the recognition that in unity success can be achieved. And in this environment where indentureship was abolished and a colonised state existed, together the indigenous from the various racial groups fought for

independence, which was achieved on 26th May 1966 and republican status, which broke the final yoke of domination on 23rd February 1970. In recognition of this storied aspect of our history when it became law to mark 5th May Arrival Day, a date that recognised the first arrival of East Indians as indentured servants, it set in train and created opportunities for collective recognition, understanding of our history, and acknowledgement of contributions made by all groups. While it should never be forgotten how we arrived nor the circumstances and experiences of the past, where all have contributed to making this country what it is today serve as testimony of resilence, common bonds and the ability to overcome and succeed. Our entire culture -i.e. lived social, political and economic experiences-reflect the fusion of diverse historical ways of life, including artefacts and preferences. In that today it can be proclaimed that we are One People (human beings), One Nation (Guyanese of a nation state called Guyana) and One Destiny (the commonality to continue striving for the development of self, collective and country) in testimony of the fact that ultimately while it matters from where we came, what will determine our success is our commitment to stand as one, even in the face of challenges.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

I am unaware of any consultations to rename the Ogle International Airport Dear Editor, MR JEROME Khan has a valid point: My comments about the coincidence of Correia being a dominant operator and shareholder at the Ogle International Airport and the renaming of the airport to Correia could have interpretations; and if one of those interpretations is deemed to be disrespectful to the President, I offer the President my apologies. This Ogle International Airport fiasco is unfortunate, and could and should have been resolved by the past and current Governments. It is clear to me that the President will proceed with the renaming of the airport regardless of the pleas and objections from the majority of the stakeholders at Ogle Airport. That is the democracy of which

I speak; I speak not of shareholders, who make up a very small percentage of the stakeholders of a national public asset and public utility owned by the people of Guyana and managed by a private company. At this point, I am yet unaware of any public, or indeed any, consultations conducted to derive a name for the airport. This might be a small issue to the President in the national scheme of things, but it is a major issue to the operators at the airport. Nevertheless, my disagreement with the President on this one issue should in no way be interpreted as disrespectful to the President; and if it is, I once again apologize to the President. Mr. Khan, learned as he is, has

failed to provide the evidence I have begged him to produce. Instead, he is unsuccessfully crouching behind a transparent veil of renewed baseless accusations of a political nature. Sadly, he attempts to further drag the issue into the political gutter for reasons unknown to me at this time. At this juncture, I could only hope that the Government, as promised, would intervene and resolve the governance issues that severely affect the airport, so that we all could continue with nation-building without the distraction of constant conflict, which seems to plague our country. CAPTAIN GERRY GOUVEIA CEO; Roraima Airways

PSC hails Trusted Trader programme Dear Editor, THE Private Sector Commission wishes to congratulate and thank the Ministry of Business for proposing -- and Cabinet for approving -- the introduction of a Trusted Trader programme for Customs facilitation. The PSC has long advocated for the introduction of such a programme for legitimate businesses, and it is heartening that the Government has taken this step, which will reduce the bureaucratic burden on compliant businesses and ultimately increase Government’s revenue. This programme will also help to improve Guyana’s ranking on the World Bank Doing Business Index, which this year stands at 139 out of 189 countries, with time required for export documentary compliance currently estimated at 200 hours. There are a number of legitimate businesses which have, over the years, shown that they can be trusted to comply with all Government regulations and requirements, particularly in relation to Customs; and these businesses should rightfully be rewarded with more efficient systems for the processing of their goods. Regards, PRIVATE SECTOR COMMISSION

National Air Transport Assoc. urges set-up of Airport Review Panel Dear Editor, BY THEIR very nature, and in essence, airports are regulatory agencies; and for this very reason, airports are managed and controlled by Governments or independent airport management companies. Airports should never be owned/managed or controlled by one airline, because of the obvious conflicts and, more particularly, the untenable situation of: (i) having one airline regulating other airlines; (ii) one airline controlling the distribution of lands; (iii) one airline setting and enforcing the rules; (iv) one airline developing draconian contracts for its competitors; and (v) one airline controlling distribution of contracts. It simply is totally unacceptable to have a situation where one competitor regulates his competitors. The existing anti-competitive environment at Ogle International Airport is a result of Mr Michael Correia serving as Chairman of the Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) whilst also being head of the Correia Group of Companies, which has

two subsidiaries that provide aviation services which compete with the other nine companies at the OIA. This is further compounded by the principal directors of OAI, five of whom are either family or associates of Mr Correia, playing key roles in the management and regulation of the airport. The position of OAI Chairman should be held by someone who is not an aircraft operator; and as such, a competitor should have no role in the management or regulation of the airport. The main concern of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) is with the present governance and management structure of the Ogle Airport. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority is tasked with approval of “post holders” in the airport’s management, and if it carries out this function impartially, can bring about some redress to the present situation. Since an airport being regulated by an operator is unheard of, there is strong need for several interventions by the Minister of Infrastructure, the Hon David

Patterson, with whom NATA has met on November 18, 2015 when its members had brought to his attention their collective experience of abuse, anti-competitive tactics, and dominance by OAI and the Correia Group of Companies. We had also requested that Government assess OAI‘s conformity to the reporting and other requirements clearly stated in the 25year lease between the two parties, which we advised would reveal glaring non-conformity by OAI, and which had in essence contributed to the sad state of affairs at Ogle International Airport. We are appreciative that Minister Patterson, as promised at that meeting, has taken the necessary steps to have this done. As the master lease also caters for establishment of an Airport Review Panel to ensure Government oversight of the lease between Government and Ogle Airport Inc., this is also a great priority for NATA, and will play an even greater role in the way forward to ensure compliance by OAI. The terms of reference for this Airport Review Panel have already been developed,

and once implemented, will offer even much needed redress to the abuse and dominance at this public utility. The unforeseen governance and other challenges arising at this public utility by its being regulated by the operator (OAI) whose board members have vested commercial interests can also be resolved by its being placed under the remit of a national airport authority, under whose remit both of our international airports will reside. NATA is appreciative of Minister Patterson giving credit to NATA for its advocacy that enabled the parking area being developed by OAI for the small aircraft operators. We eagerly look forward to the completion of the lease review and remedial action, the establishment of the much-needed Airport Review Panel, and the long overdue National Airport Authority. Respectfully, ANNETTE ARJOON-MARTINS President, NATA

A MOTHER’S SACRIFICE IS UNENDING

AS THE World celebrates Mother’s Day, it is important to fully understand the purpose of Motherhood. To become a mother is the expectation of every married woman. Women who endorse the sacred institution of marriage are always eager to enjoy motherhood. It is this enthusiasm that influences the sacrifice of being a good mother. Hinduism, the oldest existing civilization, advocates the principle of Mother resting at the pinnacle of Life. In the order of reverence, Mother is placed first; Father, preceptor and guests follow behind. It is a clear indication that the Shastras and other scriptural injunctions give confirmation to the sacredness of motherhood. Hindus see mothers as a representation of production and productivity.

It is in this vein that the Hindus recognize the Earth, rivers, cows, Vedas, Light and the Universe (Prakriti) as a depiction of Mother. It is with this conviction that the Hindus admit that Mother is the unending link in the chain of Life. Mother is beginning-less and endless. The greatest embodiment of sacrifice is mother. Mothers are the only persons to have a dual experience simultaneously -- the pain of giving birth to a child and at the same time the happiness to see a wellborn child. No matter how old we become, we must remember that we are born out of our Mother’s compassion, tolerance, affection, love, might, power and devotion. That is to say, we are all products of positive opulence, and these very propensities are the criteria

for influencing our full process of evolution. Mothers always express unconditional love. When a child asks a mother what she wants, the mother would reply “I want you to be good and happy”. The institution of Motherhood surpasses every other institution. In The Mahabharata, Bheesham Pitamah stated: “Wherever women are honoured, there God dwells”. The way of Life of every Hindu is to protect our daughters, wives and mothers. In the Uttar Kand of the Ramayan, Shree Raam mentioned to his learned brother, Latchman, that no wealth is equivalent to one’s mother and motherland. As we observe this auspicious occasion, it is incumbent upon all celebrants to fulfill the aspirations of their mothers, as well as to be patriotic to our motherland.

It is very evident that no one has the blessing to fully experience heaven or hell, but every child of this world can testify to being a product of a mother and motherland. In the Shreemad Bhagawat Gita, Shree Krishna always reminded Arjuna of this Mother when he saw it fit to indulge Arjuna to pursue his path with confidence. In the Mahabharata, when Shree Krishna was leading Arjuna on the battlefield, he told him that his enemies are unconquerable. “Only if you secure the blessings of the Universal Mother you will become victorious; therefore, be recipient of your Mother’s blessings today, and be victorious forever”. The Viraat Sabhaa Guyana wishes all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. (By Pandit Rabindranath Persaud, President Viraat Sabhaa Guyana)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Mothers cannot do it alone - they need a midwife, says ‘Sister Eugene’, Guyana’s longest serving midwife

By Jeune Van Keric “THERE is a great joy in bringing a baby into the world. The mother cannot do it alone, she needs a midwife.” So says Javitrie Eugene, Guyana’s longest serving midwife. ‘Sister Eugene’, as she is fondly called by those in the nursing fraternity, has been a midwife for 42 years, having been tutored in 1974 at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing by the now deceased Paulene Daniels and Hettie Green. Her association with this noble profession goes back 48 years when, on September 16, 1968, she and 28 other trainee nurses entered the service, becoming batch mates of what was loosely referred to back then as ‘Batch 27’. By 1972, she’d become a Registered Nurse. Two years later, she became a Registered Midwife. She would quickly move up the ranks thereafter, becoming a Ward Sister in 1980. As Ward Sister, she worked in all the wards at the New Amsterdam Hospital, and was later made Nursein-Charge of all the wards at the Mahaicony Hospital, where she successfully delivered her first set of twins.

days after my mother died, I took my mind to the labour room at the New Amsterdam Maternity Ward and that helped me.” It’s a lesson she feels is worthwile sharing with other practising midwives. “Do as you were taught; practise what you were taught, so when it comes time for ‘exams’, you just reflect on your clinical practice and your theory.” Another lesson is the importance of adhering to protocol. “One of the things that guided us,” she said, “was protocols. We had protocols; we knew what to do before the doctor comes.”

PRECIOUS MOMENTS There were many other precious moments that she savoured. “I enjoyed doing rounds with the doctors. We used to be questioned by the doctors, and that helped us. When I wrote my midwifery examinations three

As a tutor, ‘Sister Eugene’ was responsible for the oversight of the Psychiatric Nurses Practitioners Programme, which was a diploma programme run by the Dalhousie University in Novia Scotia, Canada, from where the first batch of 12 registered nurses received certification. The objective of that programme, according to ‘Sister Eugene’, was to train staff to be able to recognise the symptoms of mental health, and ably manage them by using specific nursing skills earned during the two-year period. She was also tasked with coordinating and managing the first batch of psychiatric patient care assistants, which came on stream four years ago; managing and upgrading specialised courses for Nursing Assistants; assisting with the training of Pharmacy Assistants; and investigating complaints from all the hospitals in Berbice. MORE THAN A JOB

ROLE OF A MIDWIFE Giving the Guyana Chronicle a quick rundown of what the job entailed, ‘Sister Eugene’ said: “As a midwife, we were taught that we had to obtain special data from the newborn, such as the head circumference, length of baby, the status of the baby at birth, and the Apgar Score, which is an overall assessment of the baby. “After birth and bathing of the baby, an assessment had to be done for abnormalities, such as imperforated anus and vagina, and baby’s eliminations. If 24 hours pass and the baby did not eliminate [urinate or defecate], it is worrying. I also had to examine the genitals just after bathing the child. “I had one case (in which) the child had an imperforated anus. However, doctor’s intervention rectified the condition.” ‘Sister Eugene’ recalled performing a vaginal examination on a patient one day while a student midwife, and feeling something soft. “I was not certain what it was,” she said. “I called my midwife, and she, after examining the expectant mother, found that the baby had anencephaly, which is a serious birth defect in which there is the absence of the major portion of the brain, skull and scalp. This condition occurs during the embryonic development.” One can well imagine how traumatising that must have been for ‘Sister Eugene’, but she didn’t let that unfortunate incident faze her. “I loved midwifery. I recall my first delivery of a female child; she is still alive, and is a pharmacist today.” And call it uncanny, but many of the children she delivered seem to have followed her into the medical profession. However, there was this one little incident that, try as she might, she couldn’t seem to put behind her. “My oldest patient,” she recalled, “was a 52-year-old. She did not want to carry the baby home, but I coerced her into doing so by telling her that baby will take care of her in her advanced age.” It’s a prediction that was right on the money, as according to ‘Sister Eugene’, “That is exactly what is happening today!”

OVERSIGHT ROLE

Javitri Eugene, right, was given the longest serving midwife award by Taramattie Barker, Chief Nursing Officer of the Ministry of Public Health But life for ‘Sister Eugene’ was not just about delivering babies, as, at one time, she worked at the Skeldon Public Hospital as an assistant to the Ward Manager, before being sent to the Port Mourant Hospital to do duty as a Staff Nurse Midwife, and returning to the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital to do bedside nursing. It was between 1986 and 1987 that she became a Health Science Tutor/Nurse Educator, having undergone training at the University of Guyana and the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, to which institution she would subsequently return as Tutor 1 and 2, then Senior Tutor, serving in this latter capacity until her retirement in 2015. Looking back on those latter years, ‘Sister Eugene’ said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my career as a nurse educator. I was pleased with the successes we used to have. There were times when we did not get good results, but that was not often. We did much self-introspection, and that helped us, despite having few tutors in recent times.”

As ‘Sister Eugene’ would observe in retrospect, “Nursing is more than a job: you have to have a calling; you have to have a love for people; you need to put into practice that human touch, especially in midwifery, when people are in pain.” She recalled several instances when her patience was put to the test, including being bitten on the breast once by a mother who was in labour. “The patients’ lives depend on us, the caregivers; so if we don’t go to work when we should, then the strain will be on our colleagues, and this can affect the quality of care,” ‘Sister Eugene’ said, adding: “Nurses need to be punctual always. Be on time for duty, and be regular. We need to remember the Florence Nightingale Pledge, which is a daily reminder for all nurses…. We are humans, and we must err at times, but that must not give us the passport to do it always.” Asked if she had a chance to do it all over again, what she would have done, ‘Sister Eugene’ promptly replied that she would have taken up the offer to study medicine when asked by a former Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Health. “I said I did not want to do so,” she said. “He tried to coerce me, but at that time I had my family…. My two sons were small, and my husband was working away from home. “I thought then that it would have been too long to be away from them; they would have needed my help in their school life. However, I have no regrets.” Currently, ‘Sister Eugene’, or ‘Sister D’ as she is sometimes called, is very active as a Family Life Instructor, having been a married mother of two for over 40 years. She also works with children in the Sunday School Department of the Grace Temple Assembly of God church in New Amsterdam, Berbice, and is the host of the weekly telecast, ‘Children’s Bible Hour’. She was born at Plantation Foulis, West Coast Berbice, and is one of eleven children born to the now deceased Jaiwantee and Ramkellawan, both farmers. She attended the St Alban’s Anglican School and the Ashram School in Mahaicony, where she received her secondary education. She currently lives in Pope Street, New Amsterdam. On International Midwives Day, observed annually on May 5, Javitri Eugene was awarded for her long years of service in the field of midwifery by Taramattie Backer, Chief Nursing Officer in the Ministry of Public Health. The ceremony was held at the St Francis Community Developers Headquarters in Port Mourant, Corentyne.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Mahaicony software developer piloting e-learning in the Caribbean - to launch Uber-like cab service in Guyana

By Neil Marks WHEN the government of Trinidad and Tobago was forced to abandon its laptop for schools project, it turned to testing Caribbean eBooks Limited and its innovative Learnit programme. What caused the schools laptop project to flop, was the fact that many schools did not have Internet access, so placing laptops in the hands of schoolchildren without any content was simply useless. And it wasn’t just Trinidad and Tobago that had this dilemma. In countries such as Guyana and others in the Caribbean, the common problem is schools’ inability to access the Internet, and develop a customised programme of education, using laptops provided by the government. And then there are the other issues, such as preventing students from accessing pornographic websites. ENTER SHELDON BLAIR What Caribbean eBooks Limited was doing was developing tablets for schoolchildren from kindergarten to primary, but it needed someone to generate content for the tablets. And that’s where Sheldon Blair, the self-taught Mahaicony software developer, came in. Blair was handed his

first computer, an old IBM desktop, at the age of 12. And after his father became fed-up with having to pay to fix it every now and then, he decided to pick it apart and put it back together. And that’s how he started on the road to developing computer software. He even dropped out of the University of Guyana’s computer science programme because, as one lecturer told him, he was wasting his time; he was way ahead of what was being taught at UG. On the road to completing his degree at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus, Jamaica), Blair is today pioneering the development of educational software in the Caribbean and hopes the Guyana government can buy in. With Caribbean eBooks, Blair developed a programme called Learnit SDNet. “What this does is take content from the Internet and load it to the servers of the specialised tablets. So, once a person has the tablets, they can utilise the textbooks which are loaded on; access video tutorials and so on,” Blair told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview. LEARNIT TECHNOLOGY The Learnit Servers and Tablets provide interactive, innovative technology that addresses the concerns that

SKILLS Computer Diagnostics & Repairs; Cellphone

Modification; Wired & Wireless Networking; Web design; Graphic Design; Public Speaking; Electronic Point of Sale; Windows Server Administration; BioMetric Accounting; Software Development.

Other Training/Skills

* Cisco Routers modification * Network Installation and Management * CCTV Surveillance installation and maintenance * Video Communication – Polycom Service * Software Development & Mgt. – LarSoft School Manager v1.7, Microsoft I.I.S, Success Maker Enterprise * PeachTree ( Sage 50 ) and QuickBooks Accounting * iOS & Android Software Development * BioMertic Accounting Installation and Management * Architectural Design * VoIP and Sip Communication * Mobile and Internet Marketing

time of day, uncouth drivers, prolonged delays, and of crucial importance, security. QiK KABS will utilise mobile-based devices, Internet and GPS technology to provide accurate and reliable services. The ‘app’ will allow a person to locate and book a taxi nearby. Once you book, you will see a photo of the driver picking you up, and you can also share the information with a close family or friend, so they will be able to know when you are picked up and the stops the car makes along the way. The ‘app’ will be helpful to drivers as well. In Guyana, where most homes are without a lot number, the ‘app’ will allow drivers to see your exact location and get there. QiK KABS users will benefit from Open Wifi access at popular locations in and around the city of Georgetown to facilitate booking and other Internet access needs with two hours access free per day, and options to purchase additional Online time. Non QiK KABS users will also have the option of 30 minutes access free per day, with options to purchase additional Online time.

Sheldon Blair

come with using technology in the classroom. It is capable of uploading all available classroom materials onto wireless Learnit Servers for easy access on students’ laptops and Learnit tablets. Each child is able to learn at his own pace, so that no child is left behind, unlike the chalk-and-talk process which forces all children to learn at the same pace, which is a problem for slower learners. In addition, Learnit is able to track the progress of individual students. Included on the server is Khan Academy, a personalised learning resource for all ages, which offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalised learning dashboard that empowers learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. It tackles Mathematics, Science, Computer Programming, History, Economics, and more.

QIK KABS At the moment, Blair, through his company Broadlink Development, is developing an application called Qik KABS, a splitting image of the transnational transportation service, Uber, to solve the taxi woes of Guyanese, woes which one can build an endless list upon, such as fluctuating prices for the same drops on a different

THE FUTURE From the time he was in primary school, Blair knew he would be into the ‘tech’ field one day, but he just wasn’t sure how or what he would be doing. His interest then was doing “something electrical” like his father. With his skills, Blair is focused on helping others, especially children, and that’s very obvious, because, ever since he left school, he has worked in the education sec-

How Qik KABS will work

tor. And his gig with Caribbean eBooks solidifies that. He started out at the Mahaicony Primary School as a Pupil Teacher in October 2005, and worked there for six months until he was old enough to work in the formal public sector. His next job was at the Department of Education in Region Five, where he worked as the Regional ICT Technician. Next, he moved to Xxtreme Support Services as a part-time supervisor and analyst. His job was to supervise the shift staff, while analysing and developing resolutions to problems for an Online game in real-time mode. In October 2006, he joined the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Teachers Training as an ICT Technician to manage and maintain their database, computers and network in Guyana. In July 2009, he took up an offer at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) to be their webmaster/technician (Systems Administrator). There, he deployed and managed the Success Maker Software in all government schools in Guyana, and also sourced and developed ICT-related content for the training of teachers and staff in the Ministry of Education. He also helped train teachers in basic computing. Going forward, Blair doesn’t see his focus changing. “I just want to use my skills to help people, children especially. And that’s why my work is focused on developing educational materials,” the father of two said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Mahaicony software developer piloting e-learning in the Caribbean - to launch Uber-like cab service in Guyana

SKILLS Computer Diagnostics & Repairs; Cellphone

Modification; Wired & Wireless Networking; Web design; Graphic Design; Public Speaking; Electronic Point of Sale; Windows Server Administration; BioMetric Accounting; Software Development.

Other Training/Skills

Sheldon Blair

How Qik KABS will work

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Digicel rolls out 4G service

THE Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Guyana, Mr Kevin Kelly, has said the telecommunications company is looking forward to the sector being liberalized. He noted that that development would bring many benefits to Digicel customers here, including cheaper international calls, Internet use in the home, and introduction of landline service. Speaking at the launch of the company’s superfast 4G network in the mining town of Bartica yesterday, Kelly promised that the Guyanese customer would be able to benefit from a “whole lot of arrangements” with the sector being liberalized. And speaking at the company’s Digicel Store in First Avenue, Bartica, Kelly said the communications giant chose the mining community to launch its 4G service as an example of its nationwide coverage. He said that 24 hours prior to the launch, the company received the go-ahead from Minister of Tourism with responsibility for Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, to unveil the service. He said that some 40 to 50 communities across the country can access the 4G service this weekend, and 100 mobile sites are enabling the service. He said that within the coming months, all Digicel customers will be able to access the service. Kelly told the Guyana Chronicle that 80% of Digicel’s customers will be able to access the service this weekend. “We are going to keep current value as they are, free calls and free texts along with cheaper megabytes”, he said. Digicel Guyana has noted in a release that the 4G service is being introduced as Smart Bundles consisting of bigger data bundles and free talk and texts to all local numbers. “These new packages will be available to all portpaid and prepaid Digicel customers”, the company said. It noted that, in addition to its Georgetown customers,

Digicel Guyana CEO Kevin Kelly is flanked by staff following the launch of the company’s 4G network. At right is PRO Vidya Sanchara, and next to her is Digicel’s Head of Marketing, Ms. Jacqueline James persons at Linden, Port Kaituma, Kwakwani and Mahdia can access the 4G network. The company said its 4G smart-plans for its postpaid and business customers are also in tuned. Postpaid customers will be contacted and upgraded to a suitable 4G plan during the

week of May 9. For prepaid customers, persons can continue to utilize the *136# platform to activate the 4G plan. The company is urging customers to visit its Facebook page or make contact via its Customer Care lines for additional information and clarifications on the 4G network.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

GPL staffers at the commercial office in New Amsterdam, Berbice were ready to serve customers yesterday morning

GPL extends business hours in East Berbice

THE Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) yesterday began its extended business hours’ service at its commercial office in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The arrangement is that the office will be opened every first Saturday of the month from 09:00 hrs to 13:00hrs. Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam, Winifred Heywood, who visited the office, said she was very pleased with the weekend service, which is geared towards serving public servants who work during the week. Deeming it an indication of the utility’s efforts to en-

hance its service to customers in that region, she urged customers to stay connected by visiting the office to pay their bills, since no one wants to be disconnected. Region Six Chairman David Armogan deemed the GPL move a clear indication that the company is aiming to improve its services and foster better relations with customers. Armogan noted that the initiative is a good one, and goes to show the power company is taking its corporate responsibility seriously. GPL Customer Services

Manager, Silviena Charles, said the company is focused on improving its services not only in the city, but in all areas across the country. She noted that the extended busi-

ness hours would facilitate customers visiting the office to make payments as well as queries. Charles said the GPL is always seeking to enhance

its services, foster better customer relations, and is willing to go the extra mile in the interest of improvement. Commercial Officer Amett Skinner concurred

with Charles’s remarks. She said the extended business hours implemented by GPL represented a wellthought-out strategy that caters for customers.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

HINDS’SIGHT

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Dr David Hinds

The Guyanese people have to stand in the way of the AFC triggering a return to dictatorship

NE of the problems of post-colonial politics in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia is the dictatorial manner in which the leaderships have treated with power. Generally, with some modifications, they have continued the authoritarian form of governance inherited from colonialism, in the process never learning how to even-handedly deal with dissent. It meant that the people have spent a lot of their energies fighting off authoritarian governments. In some countries, there have been periods of respite, when the viciousness of the state and government was brought under relative control. No so in Guyana; except maybe for a short period under Desmond Hoyte, we have spent our independence living under the heels of bad governments. The PPP government of 1957-64, with its agenda of ethnic domination, facilitated the rise of the PNC dictatorship, which so badly over-reached that it allowed space for the PPP, in 1992, to resume its sinister agenda in the name of democracy. By the time the PPP was finished with Guyana in 2015, we had become the most authoritarian state in the Anglophone Caribbean, and one of the most vicious in the world. Enter the APNU+AFC government. After 60 years of bad governance, an electoral revolt by half of the population brought the Coalition to power. Many of us from the radical tradition gave the Government our blessings. One party with a radical history, the WPA, is actually a junior partner in the Government. We support the Government not for racial reasons, as President Ramotar thinks, but because we think it offers the best opportunity to put a brake on authoritarian governance. One-party governments had ruined Guyana, so a multi-party Government, with its inherent checks and balances, was seen as an alternative. For me, it is the first time I can say I support a Government in my country. I knew that we were placing power in the hands of people, some of whom, for the most part, have had little or no history of struggle and no proper political upbringing. In fact, many of them had demonstrated little understanding of politics and of the country in general. There is very little ideological grounding; what passes for ideology is often a simplistic regurgitation of the latest political jingle. This is always a political dilemma for us. The political parties create a political class of people, and the only qualification to be a part of that class is to be a party member or a friend of the party. That is not to say that the political class has no virtue. To the contrary, its members bring a lot to the table. They bring access to resources and skills, which in the

modern political world are important ingredients of governance. In the case of this coalition, many of the leaders bring a level of patriotism and decency that were absent in the immediate past government. One hopes that these qualities will, in the final analysis, overcome the weaknesses. This is the chance the country always has to take. This past week, my confidence that this Government has what it takes to overcome its weaknesses was somewhat shaken. Even though I was disappointed by the ministerial salary hike and the many missteps this past year, my confidence was not shaken. For me, they did not amount to political sins. But the statement emanating from the AFC this past week troubles me, not because it was directed at me personally, but because it betrays a political mindset that we have been fighting off for sixty years. If the coalition government goes the way of previous governments, that AFC statement would go down as the first warning sign. That press statement stinks of political arrogance and power drunkenness, which are key ingredients of the authoritarian mindset. It is for that reason that the leadership of that party has to be scrutinized and checked. I have a sense which faction of the party wrote that statement, but since the others have not distanced themselves from it, they all, including those whom I consider to be up-full, must bear responsibility for the authoritarian intent therein. In that statement, the AFC, whose ranks are littered with people who never lifted a finger in the fight for freedom, told Guyana that they are in the business of sharing out freedom. The party targeted me, but the message to the country is clear. The AFC has its usefulness and many areas of strength, but in the matter of the fight for freedom, it has no history or credibility. In my 40 years of political activism, I can count on the fingers of one hand those in the AFC leadership whom I had seen on the frontlines in the struggle in defence of and for freedom in Guyana. When many of us were being bashed, beaten, jailed and killed fighting for freedom, these people were nowhere to be seen. To paraphrase CLR James: what do they know of the fight for freedom who only freedom know? There are people in the AFC’s short history who stood up to be counted, who were in the trenches, who know what the fight for freedom is, and who are worthy of the positions they hold. My remarks are not directed at them. They are directed at those with whom we took a chance in 2015 in the interest of the country. We knew that many of them lacked proper political upbringing. We knew that there was a preoccupation

with office and prestige. We knew there were vestiges of the old middle class chauvinism in the party’s ranks. We overlooked the fact that the party’s rhetoric of new politics was a contradiction of the old politics of holding on to parliamentary seats that belonged to other parties. We knew that when we were on the streets after the 2015 elections protesting the stealing of those elections, the AFC, having secured its “quota of seats”, told us to get off the streets. Is the AFC succumbing to the poison of power? The AFC has never embraced resistance as a legitimate form of political expression. No wonder its members boast of the no-confidence motion; they actually believe that that is what brought the PPP to its knees. So since they initiated it, they won freedom for us. Consequently, they could now decide who enjoys it and who does not. That narrow reading of history, if not checked, would lead Guyana right back to the dark days of dictatorship. It is not Joe Harmon and the PNC who publicly told David Hinds he should be glad they afford him freedom of speech; it’s the AFC. That is instructive. It says to us that the new is not always better. It says to us that that party is fast becoming power drunk. AFC members see it fit to use their power to attack and threaten David Hinds, but they have not used their power to recover a single cent of the assets stolen by the PPP cabal. They have not used their power to push for justice for Courtney Crum-Ewing and the many who were murdered over the last few decades. They have not issued press releases against the merchants of death that still stalk Guyana. They have not attacked the clear censorship and political bullying in the state-owned media. They stopped hollering at the PPP since they got the throne that the PPP had. They have not used their power to stand up for the dignity of street vendors, the poor and the powerless. The Guyanese people have to stand in the way of the AFC triggering a return to the cruel politics of pre-2015. I want this coalition government to work, but I am not willing to pay the price the AFC is asking. It was our poetic voice of resistance, Martin Carter, who, in one of his post potent Poems of Resistance, said the following: “No! I will not still my voice! /I have too much to claim.” More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

EU Delegation Head meets Minister Hughes - Discuss improved Internet access, new telecoms legislation

AMBASSADOR Jernej Videtic, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Guyana, met this week with Minister Catherine Hughes, who has responsibility for tourism and public telecommunications, at the minister’s office, and among the topics discussed was the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company’s (GTT) impending introduction of Fourth Generation (4G) wireless service across Guyana, which is expected to be some ten (10) times faster than the existing 2G bandwidth speeds. Ambassador Videtic spoke about the benefits of Fifth Generation (5G) technology, which is already working in some of the most developed countries in Europe. Minister Hughes and her team, which included Lance Hinds, former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and founder of the Brainstreet Group, provided the EU diplomats with a synopsis of the new Telecommuni-

cations Liberalization Bill which is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly shortly. The Minister’s Office has stated that the bill has been perused by several key stakeholders, including the two main players in the telecommunications sector, GTT and Digicel Guyana; the Private Sector Commission and related non-governmental organizations that were invited to make recommendations. Minister Hughes said it is very important that all stakeholders are comfortable with the contents and structure of the legislation. “The new Telecommunications Bill was crafted to create an open, competitive sector that will be attractive to new investors while enabling current operators to expand their services into unserved and under-served areas, and offer lower prices to customers,” the minister’s office has said.

Jernej Videtic, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Guyana, meets Minister Catherine Hughes

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Independence musing - remembering outstanding Guyanese arts and sports THE post-independence period has seen an upsurge in opportunities in sports and entertainment. The nation will remember Lennox Blackmore, who won the Commonwealth Welterweight championship in boxing, the treatment he received by the Government and people, and the moment of pride. On Blackmore’s return home, the Forbes Burnham administration gave him an honour befitting that of pride and the international prominence he brought to the country. The people had the opportunity to see him, and by extension share his victory and the pride of the Golden Arrowhead, given the events hosted for him by the Government. His victory was an inspiration for society, and for young men who pursue boxing as an opportunity to climb the socioeconomic ladder. This was also a period when our athletes excelled. Guyanese watched with pride sprinters such as James Wren Gilkes, Lionel Schultz and June Griffith; the Hunte brothers, Victor Rutherford, Jolyn Joseph and others in cycling; Roy Fredericks, Clive Lloyd, Colin Croft et al in cricket. This was also the period when sportsmen and women were prepared, with support by the Government, for the Olympics, and for regional and other international competitions. There is the famous story of Lloyd, who was going through a lean period and had signed a contract to play cricket in Australia. The Guyana Government intervened, and had him released from the club to return and lead the Guyana team in the regional cricket tournament. It was an act that paved the way for him to lead the West Indies Cricket Team, where he developed the most formidable cricket team the West Indies have ever seen. In the music industry, Guyana has the privilege of claiming persons such as Pamela Maynard, Ivor Lynch, Mark Holder,

Aubrey Mann, Dave Martins, Eddie Grant, Rudy Grant and others. In swimming, we had the McIntyres from Linden, who dominated the field for some time. In track and field, systems were put in place and supported to bring out the athletic prowess by means of such competitions as the Public Sector, Joint Services, GUYMINE, GuyStac, GuySuCo and inter-group competitions. At the schools (primary and secondary) level, while the brainchild of the then British Guiana (Guyana) Teachers Union was to incorporate sports as extra-curricular activities into the schools’ calendar, it also instilled discipline, the value of team spirit, and created breeding ground to prepare athletes for wider competition at the national and international levels. The teachers union needs to be commended for its vision and foresight. Post-independence Government had seen it fit to intensify the partnership in maintaining the programme. Where our exemplars are alive, it is fitting tribute to invite them and have them feature as part of the jubilee events, even moreso that sports and entertainment are financially lucrative industries. Their presence will not only aid in pride, but hearing their stories, including the challenges they had faced to get where they are, can serve as inspiration for others. It was our own Dave Martins who, in one of his songs, asked where are our heroes, and enjoined the importance of showing them off. And our heroes do not only come from the Government, academia, political and trade union communities, they come from every strata of society. As the nation prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence, one cannot help but contemplate upon the appreciation Guyanese have for their heroes, and reminisce on this aspect of our post-independence legacy to have these notable Guyanese play an integral part in those celebrations.

Standing head and shoulders over many is our own Eddie Grant, who remains an international artiste of repute. Grant is not only acclaimed for his music from a purely entertainment standpoint, but also his lyrics, some of which are revolutionary and speak to injustices happening around the world. A notable song is “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna”, wherein he dealt with the apartheid system in Southern Africa. Through this song, Grant brought attention to injustices committed against black people by a white establishment, and the song served as a medium to galvanise support in Europe against apartheid. The commonality in Grant’s “Jo’Anna” song is our historical realities of fighting for self-determination by toppling systems of oppression. This son of the soil extended support for others outside of Guyana in a period when the powerful British and United States governments gave support to apartheid leaders, more particularly the South Africa Government that incarcerated Nelson Mandela who was fearless, bold and gutsy. Eddie is an icon whose work cuts across all continents and notably in Europe, where his career continues to soar. Today, as it is observed, Cuba is being opened up to the world, the Rolling Stone band is billed to be in a major concert later this year. This concert is sponsored by a number of international companies who have interest in accessing the Cuba market. And this makes me think now, more than ever, that an ample opportunity is being presented to us, with the influx of Guyanese and foreign tourists during this period, to have a concert by Grant and other local artistes. Would it be possible for the Jubilee organisers to look into the feasibility of this and give Guyanese across the socioeconomic spectrum the rare treat of seeing this son of the soil perform live?

Connecting digitally for the Good Life: A case for Government intervention By Floyd Levi OVER the many weeks since this series of articles on the good life has been published, readers have been given various perspectives centred on how the good life can be facilitated through multi-sectoral approaches. As promised, we will also explore how Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can lead to the good life for all Guyanese. It must be noted that, at a conceptual level, the good life essentially refers to the kind of life an individual would like to live (that is acceptable by society as a whole). Within this construct, the good life will mean different things to different people. For adolescents, the good life may mean being in constant close contact with Floyd Levi friends; for entrepreneurs, the good life could be about increasing productivity and the utilization of available resources to expand businesses; for millennials and others who thrive on being in the know, ready access to information may characterize the good life. Preservation of cultural identity and spiritual growth may also signify the good life for those who seek a higher purpose. In each of these examples, and in many other scenarios, using ICTs to connect digitally is an excellent pathway to achieving the good life. So what does it mean to connect digitally? Simply put, it means using digital platforms such as the Internet and other enabling ICTs to reach out to groups or individuals for specific purposes. Many of us may remember the bygone years when inter-

acting with people far away meant exchanging letters, with lengthy delays in between. In those days, if there were urgent matters to attend to, citizens who had access to technology had the option of making expensive long distance phone calls, or even sending a short telegram. Like people everywhere, most Guyanese are now quite aware that the Internet, computers and smart phones afford us almost instantaneous global communication. Ubiquitous and “always on”, digital connections not only provide for real time communication within social groups, but also between employers and employees, businesses and customers, teachers and students. Access to these digital technologies helps to significantly improve the quality of life of all citizens by allowing them to earn a living; attend to their social needs; and, very importantly, interact with their Government. Connecting digitally in modern society is of such importance that it is acknowledged by the United Nations Human Rights Council as a basic human right “which enables individuals to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression”. Developmental experts have also championed the widespread use of the Internet for small states like Guyana, because of its importance to individual and national prosperity, economic growth, productivity, and social inclusion. Recognising that many Guyanese still aspire to the digital good life, the questions therefore are: what hindrances are preventing our citizens from connecting digitally? And what role can Government play to ensure that they may enjoy the good life? Within Guyana, Internet access is not the same across all sections of the populace. This is mainly because ICT services are provided by private companies that are focused on profit margins. Factors such as a community’s location, size, and socio-economic status are generally used by telecommunications service providers to determine whether a sound business case can be made for delivering Internet and telephone services

to particular communities. Consequently, the deployment of Information and Communications Technologies is focused mainly in the large population centres along the coast and in the profitable mining districts scattered throughout the interior. Excluded from this digital good life, where Internet and ICTs are readily available and at reasonable cost, are hundreds of poor remote and hinterland communities. Typifying this digital divide are indigenous communities such as Masakenari in South Rupununi, Kabakaburi in the Pomeroon, and farming communities like Mara and Lighttown along the East Bank of the Berbice River. It is generally accepted that, as part of the social contract, Governments have an obligation to guarantee the basic human rights of their citizens. Within this construct, one may justifiably argue that since the private sector has failed to deliver affordable Internet to a sizeable portion of the population, Government owes disenfranchised citizens a duty of care, and therefore has a responsibility to ensure that the means to connect digitally are readily available. This position is supported by eminent UN Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue, who posits that “the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and accelerating development and human progress; [and that] ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states”. Of necessity, Government’s vision of the good life for all Guyanese must take into account the urgent need for bridging the digital divide by fostering an enabling environment where Internet access and ICTs can be extended to poor, remote and hinterland communities. Please send comments and questions to info@egovguyana.net (Floyd Levi is the Head of the eGovernment Agency. He is also currently conducting PhD research on "The influence of Social Exclusion on Transnational Organized Crimes in Guyana.")

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

In aftermath of the Ecuadorian earthquake…

UNASUR and CELAC must expand mitigation methods to deal with natural disasters By Odeen Ishmael THE foreign ministers of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) met at the organization’s headquarters, north of Quito, on April 23, to discuss the continental bloc’s plans to help Ecuador deal with the catastrophic earthquake by which it was hit on April 16. That disastrous earthquake killed more than 650 people and seriously injured 12,500 others. It also destroyed 7,000 buildings, damaged about 2,400 more, and left homeless more than 26,000 residents in the western coastal area of the country. ASSISTANCE So far, over 2,000 rescue workers, mostly from UNASUR countries, have arrived in Ecuador to help in rescue efforts and to remove bodies buried under the rubble. The Ecuadorian Government stated that “there has been an extraordinary response from at least twenty-four countries around the world, but especially from our neighbouring South American countries, and moreso from the UNASUR and other nations in the Americas, who expressed their solidarity through aid and rescue workers.” Countries in the regional bloc, such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia, have donated tons of medical and humanitarian supplies, and have sent teams of rescue workers. The first group of rescue workers arrived from Venezuela within twenty-four hours after the earthquake had struck. Actually, even before the establishment of UNASUR almost a decade ago, South American countries

have been very quick in rendering assistance to their neighbours at times of natural disasters. For instance, they responded rapidly when Chile was hit by earthquakes, and when there were disastrous floods in Guyana (in 2005) and Bolivia (in 2015). At the UNASUR meeting, both the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister (Guillaume Long) and the Secretary General (Ernesto Samper) reminded the participants that Ecuador is not alone in experiencing "very tough times," but Uruguay and Chile, after months of drought, have suffered from torrential rains that caused deaths and massive damage to infrastructure. ECONOMIC PRESSURES President Correa said that about US$3 billion would be required to reconstruct the country. This is itself a very steep challenge to the country’s economy. Mainly due to declining income from oil, Ecuador's biggest earner, economic growth is expected to be near zero this year; and exports of bananas, flowers, cocoa beans and fish could be negatively affected by ruined roads and port delays as a result of the earthquake. Fortunately, the oil industry did not suffer any serious damage, and the main refinery of Esmeraldas was due to start up again, and to function at full capacity. To finance the costs of the emergency, the Government announced that some $600 million in credit from multilateral lenders was immediately activated. It has also signed off on a credit line of $2 billion from the China Development Bank to finance public investment. China has been the

largest financier of Ecuador since 2009, and the credit was negotiated before the earthquake.

urgent establishment of a special regional permanent unit to quickly coordinate assistance to affected countries. This body should meet on a planned regular basis to map out strategies, thus ensuring its effectiveness as one of the best forms of disaster preparedness. NECESSARY CORPS

Dr. Odeen Ishmael In addition, President Correa announced that sales tax would be raised from 12 per cent to 14 per cent. He explained that all Ecuadorians have to shoulder the burden of the earthquake, and it should not be disproportionately placed on the people in the affected areas. IMPORTANT STRATEGY The disaster in Ecuador illustrates the importance of actions to mitigate problems arising out of such tragic circumstances in the region. While UNASUR’s Mechanism of Coordination and Mutual Assistance can effectively assist in the event of natural disasters, that process must be expanded and streamlined to effect re-development of societies and economies that suffer from widespread natural tragedies. The Argentine volunteer group known as the White Helmets (managed by the UN) is extremely useful in this regard, as evidenced by its work in Haiti over the years. Regional and hemi spheric institutions just cannot wait until disasters strike before they begin to mobilize resources; thus it is now necessary for the

Back in 1994, at the first Summit of the Americas in Miami, Guyana’s late President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, urged Latin American and Caribbean countries to coordinate their efforts to implement initiatives to combat inequality and boost their human capital. In this respect, he proposed the establishment of a “corps of development volunteers” drawn from all the countries of the region and aimed at supplementing the work of the White Helmets (which include medical specialists)

to assist in emergency situations in various countries. Dr. Jagan envisaged that the corps of development volunteers — disaster relief workers, health workers, engineers, teachers, social workers, scientists, among others — would assist in regional countries affected by natural disasters, and in special social and economic follow-up programmes to help in their recovery. While this proposal won unanimous support at the summit, and was included in the summit’s action plan, it was never implemented. Dr. Jagan also incorporated this idea in his proposal of a New Global Human Order, which was, in November 2000, adopted by the United Nations for implementation. However, much political foot-dragging has slowed down this process, but it is now imperative that either UNASUR or

the larger Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) takes the lead to establish this corps of development volunteers to assist in Latin American and Caribbean countries affected by natural disasters — earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, epidemics, etc. — and also, at the same time, help to battle poverty, ignorance and disease in the region. (Dr. Odeen Ishmael, Ambassador Emeritus (retired), historian and author, served as Guyana’s ambassador in the USA (1993-2003), Venezuela (2003-2011) and Kuwait and Qatar (2011-2014). He actively participated in meetings of UNASUR from 2003 to 2010, and has written extensively on South American integration issues.)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Essequibo farmers getting help to battle caterpillar infestation

EXTENSION Officers of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) are on the ground assisting farmers of Wakapoa, Curimaru, Myrie and Yarrashirima affected by the caterpillar infestation. On Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Extension Officers operating in Region Two were informed about the infestation in the riverine communities, NAREI reported, and they found that over 200 acres of cassava farms were infested. NAREI will be assisting the farmers with chemicals (best-tac, fast-tac, or alpha-cypermethrin) to combat the pest, NAREI said in a press statement, noting that the chemicals are available on the local market. Extension Officers will be conducting informal training sessions to educate farmers about the safe and effective usage of the chemicals for optimal results. In addition, NAREI will be working closely with the Toshao and Village Council to ensure all affect-

- Over 200 acres of cassava farms affected

NAREI extension staff on a visit to Essequibo cassava farms infested by caterpillars ed farms are treated. “NAREI is cognizant of the devastating effects the caterpillar infestation

would have on crops and by extension the communities. “As such, farmers are asked to be watchful and

report any abnormalities to Extension Officers immediately,” NAREI stated.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Aircraft Assoc. disappointed Ogle airport will be renamed

THE National Air Transport Association (NATA) has registered its disappointment that the Ogle Airport will be renamed despite its objections. NATA is objecting to the Government’s decision to rename the Ogle Airport as the Eugene F Correia International Airport, on the grounds that such a move will foster an even more anti-competitive climate at the airport. President David Granger is expected to unveil the new name of the airport on Monday. “As a responsible, national body we have employed every legitimate means to let Ogle remain Ogle. We engaged every politician possible and trusted the Government’s sin-

cerity when we were asked to work out our differences with the Correia-controlled Ogle Airport Inc. We were therefore shocked to learn that without any discussion with us, the President named May 9 as the date for the renaming,” NATA said in a recent statement. The Correia Group of Companies, headed by Michael Correia, owns 67% of OAI, but NATA represents approximately 90% of the aviation industry. On April, 22, 2016, three of NATA’S nine members – Air Services Limited, Roraima Airways Limited and Wings Aviation Limited – applied to the Commercial Division of the High Court for an injunction to be filed against OAI to prevent the renaming of the airport. However, the injunction was subse-

quently discharged by the Judge in Court on May 3. The association has since appealed the High Court’s decision. “Our trust and reasonableness have been misinterpreted and we could only resort to the courts for relief. Indeed, at this stage we have matters pending before the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Our plea to the Court of Appeal that it at least hears our appeal, before the Government acts, has not found favour with that court,” the association posited. NATA said instead of enquiring into the violations of the Lease Agreement, the breaches of basic rules of good governance and abuses by the Correia group over the rest of the operators, the government engages in

a misguided renaming that rewards the very group. “A name change involving 10 aircraft operators, the international aviation community and the general public is serious business. It requires co-ordination and co-operation by all concerned. Every billboard, statutory and other paraphernalia will need to be changed, at costs some of which have to be borne by the government.” Last September, President David Granger had called on OAI’s Board of Directors to rename the airport in recognition of the contributions made by the late Eugene F. Correia, who had served as the country’s first Minister of Communications, Shipping and Aviation.

Sunday May 8th, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Monday May 9th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday May 10th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Guyanese excels in cellular and molecular biology studies

(Daily Press, Virginia) CANDACE Barnes travelled quite a bit to make Hampton University, as the institution’s slogan goes, her “home by the sea.” The Georgetown, Guyana, native made the 2,300-mile distance work over the last four years, and will graduate Sunday morning from HU with a degree in cellular and molecular biology. Barnes is quiet but confident as she talks about her time at Hampton, during which she maintained a 4.01 GPA. “Achieving the grades that I did, I attribute that partially to my upbringing in the educational system in Guyana,” Barnes said. “I think that that was very important in preparing me for Hampton and being able to achieve those high grades. And I think I’m also happy that I was able to move into a new society in a completely different culture and, you know, make a name for myself.” While keeping up those grades, she served as president of the Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honors Society and treasurer of the Frederick D. Inge Biology Club. She also helped as a peer mentor for participants in the Student Support Services program. Abiodun Adibi, an associate professor in the department of biological services, served as Barnes’ academic adviser during her four years at HU. “I knew from the getgo that she is a special student,” Adibi said. “She approaches all her activities with confidence and a positive attitude. You can see that she has an insatiable appetite for learning, and as a result, she’s always in the conference room or some other areas studying, so for that reason I’ll say that her academic transcript is undoubtedly a very good reflection of her academic ability, and that’s due to her persistence and dedication to her studies.”

Adibi praised Barnes’ ability to prioritize her studies, saying that her study techniques are effective. Barnes, like most college students, admitted to bouts of procrastination, but that isn’t evident on her transcript, Adibi pointed out. “She’s able to adapt to

be able to do that.” Last summer, Barnes conducted work on microbiology and genetics during an internship at Syracuse University. She will next pursue research in neuroscience through an assistantship at the University of Florida. She plans to eventually

Candace Barnes, a cellular and molecular Biology major from Georgetown, Guyana, who is graduating Sunday, has maintained a 4.01 GPA at the Hampton University, and she is the president of the Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honors Society. (Judith Lowery / Daily Press) all the teaching techniques and get a good grade from all her classes,” Adibi said. “It’s something that’s very, very unusual to find somebody from that far away and that they would

work in medicine. One recent summer was spent volunteering in an emergency room back home. She says her research plans will better help her understand her future time

in the medical field. Barnes was one of two students honored with the President’s Cup at Honors Day this year. The award goes to students who are academically and civically outstanding, President William Harvey said.

“The thing that impresses me in life are people who are willing to try to make the world better, through their leadership, through their good citizenship, through their participation in matters in society

that matter. That is what impresses me,” Harvey said. “You can always get a bookworm that might have a 4.0, but you get somebody who’s not only smart but understands the value of good citizenship.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Maduro finally receives Ambassador Miles

AMBASSADOR Cheryl Miles has presented her credentials to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in downtown Caracas on Wednesday, Venezuelan media has reported. Ambassador Miles submitted her credentials when

the German, Egyptian, Indonesian and Mexican Ambassadors submitted theirs. In mid-February last year, the career diplomat was accredited by Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Delcy Gómez Rodríguez, after several months of delay, but President Maduro ordered his Foreign Affairs

Minister to stay the accreditation of Ambassador Miles after accusing Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, of launching a verbal attack on Venezuela while on official duty in the United States. “It is nonsense to initiate the diplomatic way of regularisation, the appointment

Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Cheryl Miles, presenting her credentials to Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas and admission of ambassadors, and suddenly go to the United States to launch attacks against Venezuela,” Maduro had said. In response, Minister Greenidge had reiterated Guyana’s commitment to bilateral relations between the countries. It was only after participating in a meeting between President David Granger and UN Secretary-General Ban

Ki-moon in New York last September that President Maduro agreed to accredit Guyana’s ambassador. Ambassador Miles previously served in Venezuela from 1985 to 1992. She was recalled to Guyana, and served as Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being posted as Ambassador to Brazil. In 2008, she returned to Guyana after a nine-year

stint in Brasilia, but the then Bharrat Jagdeo administration chose to discontinue her service, and so she left, parting amicably with the Government and ending 34 years of service to the profession. Miles was the first new ambassador to be named by the coalition government which took office after the May 11 elections last year.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Stoinis spares debut Coach Webster blushes for Amla wants more

HASHIM Amla managed just one run on his Indian Premier League debut for Kings XI Punjab, but the efforts of Marcus Stoinis helped secure a nine-run victory over Delhi Daredevils. Former South Africa captain Amla replaced Shaun Marsh, who withdrew from the Kings XI squad due to a back injury, and made his first IPL appearance in Mohali yesterday. Despite scoring just one run off five balls before being run out, Amla’s blushes were spared by Stoinis, who became the first player this season to combine a half-century with a three-wicket haul in one match. The all-rounder chipped in with 52 runs as the target was set at 182, and he added a trio of wickets as the Daredevils

were restricted to 172-5. Kings XI put on 45 runs during the powerplay and lost captain Murali Vijay (25) to Chris Morris (2-30) before Amla was run out by a combina-

med Shami (1-34) having matched Stoinis’ 52 off 11 fewer balls. Strong unbeaten cameos from David Miller (11) and Axar Patel (16), whose five-ball stint included a

Player of the match Marcus Stoinis works one away on one knee during his knock of 52. tion of Zaheer Khan and international team-mate Quinton de Kock after a series of close calls in the seventh over. Stoinis kicked on and hit the match’s first maximum straight down the ground as he and Wriddhiman Saha mounted a 58-run partnership. The Australian was caught off Zaheer (1-25) at long-on, before Saha was accounted for by Moham-

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pair of sixes, resulted in Kings XI posting 181-5 at the close of their innings. De Kock (52) and Sanju Samson (49) mounted a fine start in response, but Stoinis (3-40) dismissed the opening duo to leave the Daredevils requiring 61 runs off 38 balls to win. And the Australian added the scalp of Sam Billings (6), caught behind by Saha as Delhi fell well short.(Omnisport).

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Guyanese teams to attend Penn State Relays US-based former Guyanese athletic coach, Mark Webster, who organised the Guyanese team of Fort Wellington athletes that recently participated in the Penn State Relays, says that irrespective of struggles faced he still has plans to continue taking teams to the Relays. Webster said despite the initial unenthusiastic support from other clubs to take up the offer to participate at the event, he is still hopeful of the day when he can see a plethora of Guyanese athletes at the event. And possibly with the support shown for the Fort Wellington team, other teams can now feel encouraged to come on board with the initiative. “The goal is to have teams from Corentyne right up to Linden, once they meet the criteria, go up and compete because that’s how it’s been done throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Canada, schools, colleges, they’re all going up to compete, so why not Guyana?” Webster said during a press briefing yesterday. It was a few weeks ago that news broke of the relatively unknown clan of 15 athletes from Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, travelling to the US to participate at the annual Penn State Relay in the US. It all began when Webster and fellow former Guyanese athlete, Tanya Barry, approached clubs in Guyana to attend the event over a year ago, but were not given much support, Fort Wellington being the only club that took his offer seriously. With a team secured, the next challenge for the team was securing the financing, overlooking a budget of over $4 million. Though funding was solicited from the Government, none was forthcoming. However, that did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Fort Wellington team, and on 27 April they arrived in the US to participate at the April 28 – 30 Relays. Next, the team faced the challenge of having to participate the very next day after they arrived, in a climate they were not completely prepared for. “The very next day [after they arrived in the US] they had to compete and this is when things started to get hectic, because of the change in climate, the cold was a bit too much. We’d had some cramping issues with some of the athletes, and that sort of hindered the progress a bit, but when they quickly realised how serious it is, they started to dress warmer and get serious,” Mark explained. The female side was disappointed when the team of Denita Jackson, Amesha Theusday, Amela Theusday and Allesia Grant were disqualified from the Girls’ 4x100m, while the 4x400m team did not finish their event. The boys’ side came third in the high school boys’ 4x100m, but won their 4x400m heats in a time of 3:26.95s. Despite not making it into the finals, the potential of the athletes has been noted and an elated Webster shared that at least seven of the athletes have been marked as potential scholarship awardees, pending completion of their secondary school exams.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

International Six are Sash Sawh memorial dominoes champs INTERNATIONAL Six staved off a stiff challenge from Mavericks to emerge winners of the ninth annual Sash Sawh memorial dominoes tournament, organised by Sash’s Secretariat and played last Sunday at Ernest Shop, Canal Number One, West Bank, Demerara. After a fiercely contested five rounds, saw International Six entered the sixth and final round lagging in

second place, with the scores reading: Mavericks 65, International Six 62 and Canal Six 59. The eventual winners registered a whopping 17 games to come out top while Mavericks could only manage 12 to finish in second place on 77. Canal Six brought up the rear on 69. For International Six, Dillon Griffith and Intikab ‘Corby’ Ali led the way with the maximum 18 games each, the former

copping the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award by virtue of “giving away” less games..Hilbert ‘Bumpy’ Ali supported with 17 games. The top players for Mavericks were Basudeo Dwarka and Doodnauth with 14 games each while Govil Persaud, Vishnu Persaud and Deoraj Singh secured 13 each. Scotty Ramroop (17 games) was the top marker for Canal Six while Avie

Persaud scored 14, Although emerging victorious, International Six skipper Manniram ‘Packer’ Shew and Claude Stuart strolled down lovers’ lane as did Kadar Seopaul of Canal Six. The winner’s trophy as well as those for the secondand third-placed teams, was donated by Sash’s Secretariat while Trophy Stall sponsored the MVP prize. Among those responsible

MVP Dillon Griffith collects his prize from Indra Jagmohan.

Indra Jagmohan hands over the winning trophy to International Six skipper Manniram ‘Packer’ Shew while other players of the victorious team look on.

for the staging of the annual tournament are United States-based Guyanese Mark Dookhan, Navin Mahabali, Vishnu Persaud, Bibi Ali, Sandra and Indra Jagmohan. The organisers would like to express sincere thanks to the proprietor and family of Ernest Shop for allowing the venue to be used to host the tournament from the commencement. April 22 last marked 10 years since the late Satya-

deow ‘Sash’ Sawh, his sister Phulmattie Persaud, brother Rajpat Rai Sawh and security guard Curtis Robertson were killed in an attack on Sawh’s home at LBI, East Coast Demerara. Sawh was Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock, with responsibility for Forestry, and was later named the acting Minister of Agriculture, the designation which he held up to the time of his death.

Kohli hits second ton as RCB chase down 192

“I HOPE it doesn’t prove costly,” a miked-up George Bailey murmured after narrowly missing an opportunity to run Virat Kohli out. Kohli had been on 4 at the time. He ended up smoking an unbeaten 108 off 58, made a chase of 192 look almost routine and steered Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory over Rising Pune Supergiants. Supergiants’ total was founded on fifties from Ajinkya Rahane and Saurabh Tiwary and, even more so, on a litany of errors from Royal Challengers in the field. But, led by Kohli, and boosted by crucial knocks from KL Rahul and Shane Watson, Royal Challengers brought the full force of their batting might to bear on a hapless bowling attack. A chase of 192 requires a good start, and it was provided by Kohli and Rahul. There were three quiet at the start before a series of classy drives - along the ground and through the air - took the score to 94 without loss by the 11th over. Supergiants hit back in the next over when legspinner Adam Zampa, on IPL debut, dismissed Rahul and

then the dangerous AB de Villiers as well. With 89 needed off 42, Shane Watson combined lusty strikes with streaky

Virat Kohli celebrates his second century of the IPL season edges and before the bowler Thisara Perera knew it he had given away five

fours in an over. With back-to-back sixes off Rajat Bhatia, whose slow cutters had started to become predictable, Watson brought the equation to 50 off 30 balls. The next two overs belonged to Supergiants - RP Singh dismissed Watson and R Ashwin, introduced in the 17th over, conceded just seven. But Kohli remained. He plundered four sixes and a four off Zampa and RP Singh to leave just four runs to get off the final over, and applied the finishing touch himself. Kohli became the quickest batsman to 500 runs in an IPL season; achieving the landmark in eight innings, one better than his team-mate Chris Gayle, who was left out of the XI yesterday. Unlike their captain, the Royal Challengers bowlers and fielders were off their game. Missed chances have been a persistent irritant for them this season, but they graduated to a battering ram of woe today. Tiwary was dropped twice in as many balls in the sixth over; Stuart Binny missed a straightforward chance at short cover and Sachin Baby was unable to hold on despite

getting both hands behind the ball at point. Tiwary received a third life, on 25, when Rahul fluffed a stumping and went on to make 52 off 39 balls. It was his second fifty in three matches. The worst of Royal Challengers’ errors came in the eighth over, when Rahane was surprised by Varun Aaron’s extra bounce and the ball popped up towards where silly mid-on might have been. Both the bowler and Watson, running in from midwicket attempted to get under it, but no one went for the catch. The ball landed barely a foot from Watson. Rahane finished with 78 off 48 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. His sixth half-century of the season put Supergiants on course for a total over 200. They went into the final five overs with eight wickets in hand and that allowed the batsmen coming in to look for runs despite risk. Supergiants did get 53 off these overs, but they needed a lot more considering Kohli was going to be in his happy place - with a target to chase. (ESPN Cricinfo).

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

TWIN TONS ON CAPTAINCY DEBUT

IN the history of Test cricket dating back to the inaugural Test between Australia and England in Melbourne in 1876-77, only two players have distinguished themselves by scoring separate hundreds in their very first Test as captain. The first to achieve the feat was the Australian batting sensation and stylist Greg Chappell who distinguished himself with two high quality innings of 123

GREG CHAPPELL and 109 not out against the West Indies at Brisbane in the first Test of a six-match contest in 1975-76. The younger Chappell had taken over the reins of captaincy from his older sibling-the stable and seasoned, Ian-and he brought to the job charisma and confidence as the most enterprising Aussie batsman of his time. Greg was a fluent, right-handed batting artist who had compiled a fashionable century (108 from number seven) on debut against the Englishmen at Perth in 1970-71 and together with Ian, became the first pair of brothers to register centuries in the same Test innings at the Kennington Oval, London in 1972. In 1974, playing against the New Zealanders in Wellington, the pair achieved the unique feat of brothers scoring hundreds in each innings of the same Test-Ian 145 and 121; Greg 247 not out (his highest Test score) and 133. He was leading a strong side that had demolished England in Australia a year earlier which included both

Ians-Chappell and Redpath, Alan Turner, Rick McCosker, Rod Marsh, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thompson, Gary Gilmour, Max Walker and Terry Jenner. The West Indies, on the other hand, was being led by a relatively new captain in Clive Lloyd who won his debut series against the Indians 3-2 in India in 1974-75. He had also led the West Indies to victory against Australia in the first World Cup final at Lord’s in 1975 and he had several young and exciting players in his squad including the fast bowlers Andy Roberts and Michael Holding and the batsmen Alvin Kallicharran, Lawrence Rowe, Vivian Richards and Gordon Greenidge. In the first Test in Brisbane, the West Indies won the toss and went on the attack from the onset, indulging themselves in a flurry of boundaries and losing wickets cheaply and at regular intervals. In fact, the visitors were stationed on 125 for six at lunch which consisted of two hours and 18 eight-ball overs and were soon bundled out for a manic 214 in just 220 minutes of batting using up just 37.5 overs in the process. At one stage the innings was in tatters at 81 for five which included an attacking 46 off 36 deliveries with six fours and a six from the left-handed opener Roy Fredericks. It was left to the wicketkeeper, Deryck Murray (66 off 69 balls) and the debutant Michael Holding (34) to bring some respectability to the scorecard by putting on a vital 72 run partnership for the seventh wicket as the left-arm medium pacer Gary Gilmour (4/42) and the fast bowler Dennis Lillee (3/84) did most of the damage. Resuming on the second day at 94/0, Australia batted consistently well to end their innings at 366 and enjoyed the luxury of a healthy 152 run lead despite the veteran off-spinner Lane Gibbs’ effort of 5 for 102 off a marathon 38 overs. Aided by Alan Turner’s 81 at the top of the

Inside

order and the wicketkeeper Rod Marsh’s contribution of 48 in the middle, the captain took control of the game by carving out a splendid knock of 123 in just under four hours of batting during which he stroked 15 fours and two sixes on his way to his tenth Test century. The game was moving at a rapid pace and at the end of day two, the Windies were stuttering

VIRAT KOHLI at 8 for one with Gordon Greenidge bagging his second duck of the match and the team in trouble, still trailing by 144 runs with nine wickets in hand. Early on the third day the West Indies were rocked back at 50 for three but a 198 run fourth wicket partnership between Alvin Kallicharran (101) and Lawrence Rowe (107) together with another half-century (55) from Deryck Murray ensured that the team got to a competitive 370.

Edge

With Edwin Seeraj After the exertions of the first three days of the contest, the teams enjoyed a ‘rest day’ and the Aussies were set a target of 219 early on the fourth morning. They were in a spot of bother at 60 for two but Ian (74 not out) and skipper Greg with his second hundred of the match (109 not out) featured in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 159 to romp to an eight-wicket victory. Greg again played superbly in his record-breaking innings spread over 157 minutes, taking up 172 deliveries and laced with 14 fours and a six. He ended his illustrious 87-Test career with 7110 runs at an average of 53.86 with 24 Test centuries and as captain he won 21 of his 48 Tests. C h a p p e l l ’s re c o r d stood for 38 years until the Indian batting ace, Virat Kohli emulated him when the Indians and the Australians faced off at Adelaide in late 2014. The right-handed Kohli had taken over the captaincy from Mahendra Singh Dhoni and had proven

himself as a top-quality, combative performer and leader at varying levels of the game. He lost the toss to Australia’s Michael Clarke and saw his bowlers suffered in the Adelaide sun as the hosts piled up a massive 517 for seven declared with Steven Smith (162), the opener David Warner (145) and the skipper himself (128) taking full advantage of a docile track. The pacers Mohammed Shami (2/120) and Varun Aaron (2/136) and the leg-spinner Karn Sharma (2/143) bore the brunt of the onslaught. India responded positively through half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinka Rahane and Murali Vijay but it was Kohli’s effort of 115, which was studded with 12 elegant fours, that ensured his team totaled 444 and reduced the lead to a manageable 73. Australia’s hero was the off-spinner Nathan Lyon who bowled remarkably well to earn figures of 5 for 134. When Australia batted a second time, David

Warner duplicated his first innings performance with another blistering ton (102) which allowed his team to declare at 290 for five, setting the Indians ample time to acquire the 364 runs needed for victory. The opener Murali Vijay again batted with a great degree of purpose but fell agonisingly just one short of his century but it was Kohli who etched his name into the record books with another masterful innings. With very little support from the other batsmen, he fashioned his second hundred of the game-a classical 141-with the aid of 16 exquisitely timed fours and a six to take his team to 315 all out-just 48 runs short of an amazing victory. Lyon trumped him by bagging 7/152 in the second innings (12/286 in the match) but he had set a marker and at present has entrenched his position as one of the top players of his era in all three formats of the game.

Anderson will not retire in 2016

JAMES ANDERSON

ENGLAND bowler James Anderson says he has discussed retiring but this summer will not be his last in the game. Anderson, who turns 34 in July, is England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker with 433 from 113 matches. “I have spoken to a few people about retirement and what they felt when they retired,” said Anderson, who is set to play for England in the first Test against Sri Lanka on 19

May. “They all said ‘keep going because you’re retired for a long time’.” When asked if this summer would be his last, the right-arm pace bowler told BBC Sport: “Definitely not.” Anderson, who signed a new twoyear contract with Lancashire in October, added: “As long as I’m fit and I’ve still got the hunger and passion to play then I’ll keep doing it as long as possible.”(BBC Sport)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Slingerz FC ‘sling’ Fruta 8-1, Pele march past GDF 3-1

––Julian Wade nets helmet-trick for Slingerz SLINGERZ Football Club demolished Fruta Conquerors by a `whopping’ 8-1 margin, while Pele marched past the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 3-1, when play in the 12th round of action in the Guyana Football Federation’s Stag Elite League continued at the Leonora Sports Facility, West Coast Demerara on Friday evening. Slingerz’s Julian Wade was relentless throughout the second half of play, finding the back of Fruta Conquerors’ net in the 47th, 76th, 85th and 86th minutes, while team-mates Trayon Bobb and Domini Garnett were no less

merciful as they both netted doubles. Bobb opened the scoring for the West Demerarabased Slingerz in the 31st minute and recorded his double in the 88th minute. Garnett on the other hand recorded his double in the 70th and 89th minutes. Scoring for Fruta Conquerors was Eon Alleyne, who found his target in the 45th (+4) minute. The win for Slingerz is their 11th from 12 matches and they are still at the top of the points table with 34 points. They drew one of their matches and to date have scored 35 goals while

conceding seven for a plus 28 goal difference. Fruta Conquerors remain second in the points standing with 28 points after 12 matches. They have won nine, lost two and drew one and scored 30 goals while conceding 21. In the opening game of the double-header card, Dwayne Lawrence, Solomon Austin and Anthony `Awo’ Abrams scored for Alpha United in the 52nd, 68th and 79th minutes, while Delroy Fraser netted for the soldiers. The win for Pele takes them to 17 points from five wins, five losses and two

Slingerz’s Julian Wade (centre) who scored a helmet-trick is flanked by his teammates Trayon Bobb (left) and Domini Garnett, both of whom netted a double each. drawn games. To date, they have scored 14 goals and conceded 15. GDF on the

YBG tournament continues with victory for five schools THE Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National Schools Basketball Festival, Georgetown & East Coast Regionals continued on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. There were five games played: two female and three Under -14 matches. In the first game of the day, Tutorial High School girls defeated Charlestown Secondary in a low- scoring game with a final scorecard of 8-1. Denique Ross topscored with four points, while Afisha Brutus and Natisha Nurse both chipped in with two points each for the Tutorial side. Charlestown’s lone point came at the free- throw line from Romona Barnes. Bishops’ High School took on rival Queen’s College in the second female game and defeated them handily with a scoring display of 18-5. Sileena Arjune topscored with six points, while Kesann Charles and Jayla Jones added eight points between them. Rebecca Persaud and Sandhya Indarjeet combined for the QC girls’ five points. In the Under-14 contest,

President’s College edged Marian Academy by one point in what was a tightly contested game, 25-24. The President’s College side held their nerves on the final play of the game and gutted out a win in an exciting game. Rakin McDonald had nine points and three rebounds, while Richard Semple backed him up with seven points for the East Coast side. Corey Graham had 10 points and seven rebounds, while team-mate Jether Harris added nine points

for Marian. Bishops’ High School male followed up their female counterparts and knocked off Queen’s College as well in another blowout game. The game ended 29-10, with the Bishops’ bench playing most of the second half. Timothy Richards, Tyrone Singh and Duwon Younge set the tone early for the Bishops’ side with 10, seven and six points respectively. Lugard Mohan poured in nine of QC’s 10 points.

In the last game of the night, St. Rose’s High also won by blowout, beating Plaisance Secondary 24-3. Jaheem Barton poured in eight points, while Shamar Bristol contributed five points for Roses. Kurt Sampson scored two of Plaisance’s three points. The tournament is sponsored by Digicel Guyana (Bigger Better Network), Edward B. Beharry (Champion) and Company Ltd and Banks DIH LTD (Powerade).

Part of the action from Friday night’s match

Nyquist storms to Kentucky Derby win UNBEATEN favourite Nyquist won the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby yesterday at Churchill Downs. The colt, trained by Doug O’Neill, scored an eighth straight victory and gave jockey Mario Gutierrez his second win from two rides in the race. Nyquist held off the challenge of the fast-finishing Exaggerator, with Gun Runner third, before a 167,227 crowd. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the US Triple Crown, won by American Pharoah last year. Nyquist will now attempt to

Jockey Mario Gutierrez celebrates atop Nyquist after winning the 142nd Kentucky Derby. (Rob Carr)

emulate American Pharoah by going on to win the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. It was a second triumph in the race, known as the Run for the Roses, for Gutierrez, O’Neill and owner J Paul Reddam, who succeeded four years ago with I’ll Have Another. “It was an amazing feeling. I have a 100 per cent record on Nyquist. I only had to push him out,” said the jockey. “If he sees something coming he keeps going as fast as he needs to go.”(BBC Sports)

other hand is fifth in the points standing with 14 points from their 12 matches. They have won four, lost six and drew two and scored 18 goals, but conceded 25. GDF is down to be in action once again tonight

at the same venue against Monedderlust in the opening game of another double-header card, while Fruta Conquerors is scheduled to meet Georgetown Football Club in the feature game.

Winner to be decided today in EBFA/Stag Beer Elite Super League THE winner of the East Bank Football Association’s (EBFA)/ Stag Beer Elite Super League will be determined today at the Grove Community Centre ground, where the final two matches of the league will be contested. In the opening contest which is scheduled for a 13:30hrs start, home side and defending champions Grove Hi-Tech will come up against Mocha Champs, while the feature game brings together Herstelling Raiders and Diamond United. Grove Hi-Tech is currently heading the points standing with 12 points, two more than Herstelling Raiders and all Grove needs is a draw to clinch the title. A win will be even better. However, should Grove lose and Herstelling win their match against Diamond United, it will see Herstelling carting off the spoils. To date, both Grove and Herstelling have won five of their six matches in the eight-team tournament and both have suffered one loss each. Grove Hi-Tech currently has a goal difference of plus nine as against Herstelling’s 0. In the opening game of the league in March this year, Grove had defeated Herstelling by a 4-1 margin. The winner of the tournament will receive $300,000, while the second, third and fourth-place teams will earn $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. Also up for grabs are prizes for the Most Valuable Player, the Highest Goal Scorer, the Best Goal Keeper and the Most Disciplined Team.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday May 08, 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) Glen Maxwell (King XI Punjab) (2) Sourav Ganguly (KKR)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ at the end of the IPL 2012? (2) Which team won the IPL 2012 title?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 8, 2016

Barbados Festival of Speed…

Guyanese aiming to recover from qualifying troubles (By Stephan Sookram in Barbados, compliments of Ming’s Products and Services)

THE Guyanese participants at the Barbados Festival of Speed got off to a rocky start with qualifying yesterday, which meant that both Kristian Jeffrey and Calvin Ming will start their respective classes today, down the order. Ming, who returns to the Suzuki Challenge Series SR3 Cup (Radicals) with a new machine, will no longer be the “newbie” as the double Caribbean group four champion Jeffrey joins the party this weekend. Apart from the Radical, which Jeffrey has rented this weekend, he is also participating in the Suzuki Challenge Series Swift cup with his newly sponsored

team Suzuki car. However, neither got the reception they were looking for during the Qualification yesterday, as they both qualified down the pecking order. In the Radicals, Ming could muster only 7th on the grid with a best time of 1:00.090, while today’s pole winner, Suleman Esuf, was only 1.1 second quicker with a 58.930 time. The f4 and F1600 driver added that his team is still working on the car, saying that they have had just under a week to get it set up to his style and driving preference. “We’re trying to work on the car right now to get it ready for the race day [today]. The plan today is to get a good start and try to move up the field as quick as I can, so I can stay with the front set and not get left behind,”

Kristian Jeffrey (right) and Calvin Ming (left) pose for a photo. (Ackeem Thomas Photography)

Ming contended. Second place on the grid belongs to Stuart Maloney, followed by his brothers Sean and Mark in that order, then David Coelho and Jack Manchester. Jeffrey will have to start ninth on the grid in the radicals after not being able to qualify due to mechanicals problems yesterday. In the swift series, he will start eighth on the grid of 12 cars. His 1:17.879 seconds in his first swift outing was just over half a second off the pace of polesitter David Summerbell’s 1:17.219. “It’s two different, complete cars; jumping from the Radicals straight to the Swift. I had limited time on the swift, but in the earlier sessions we got down to an earlier time in P3 (3rd prac-

tice) and I just ran into some traffic during qualifying, so I really didn’t get to put down a good lap-timing,” he said. The newly minted sportsman of the year continued, “Because I was jumping out of a radical into a swift, I only got to put down three laps. I know in the race, I think I have a decent pace to match the front-runners, so it’s just about getting a good start and going from there.” The highlight of this weekend’s activity is that of current Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will do several exhibition runs in his 2013 Mercedes F1 W04 as well as several other vehicles. There will also be autograph signings and special treats for fans when the gates of the Bushy Park Raceway open at 09:00hrs.

Guyana Olympic Association hosts Leicester beat Everton, lift EPL Trophy successful Sports Journalism seminar

L-R sitting Bert Wilkinson, Carolyn Walcott, Noel Adonis. Standing: journalists who participated IN what was informative as well as interactive sessions, the Guyana Olympic Association Sports Journalism Seminar was held yesterday at Olympic House with all-round success. The seminar was intended for sports reporters and journalists from popular media houses in Guyana. It also offered participants the opportunity to interact with fellow reporters/ journalists within the “Sports” field. The programme was divided into two sessions: a morning session and an afternoon session. The morning session featured two sports editors . The editors serving on the panel were Stabroek News’ Donald Duff and the Guyana Chronicle’s Leon Horatio. The first session covered topics such as who is a sports journalist ; why is sports coverage important to national development; what are the basic requirements of sports reporting; the language of sports reporting and how to frame a sports

story. In each topic, reporters weighed in and gave their thoughts and opinions on what was said, in addition to listening to the experiences of members of the panel. Also weighing in was senior journalist Bert Wilkinson and Director, Centre for Communication Studies at the University of Guyana, Carolyn Walcott. The two formed the panel for the second session. The seminar then broke for a buffet- style lunch, which featured more interaction before resuming for the second segment. In the second segment, Walcott touched on the ethical principles in reporting and sports reporting. Journalists were again free to engage in discussion with some of the big names chipping in. At the seminar’s end, all who took part were awarded certificates of participation to show by GOA Vice- President Noel Adonis.

LEICESTER City captain Wes Morgan hoisted the Premier League trophy aloft to a burst of pyrotechnics yesterday as one of sport’s most captivating stories reached its giddy climax. Following a 3-1 win over Everton in their final home game, the 5,000-1 outsiders, whose exploits have captivated fans around the world, got their hands on the prized trophy at an exultant King Power Stadium. After the players had been called up one by one to a hastily constructed on-pitch plinth -- the biggest cheers reserved for star players Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante -- Morgan was handed the trophy by competition winner Steve Worthy, a lifelong Leicester fan. “It is fantastic,” said Leicester’s inspirational 64-year-old manager Claudio Ranieri, who was at Morgan’s side as the Jamaica international centre-back raised the trophy above his head. “The people have been unbelievable. Thank you to them. They push behind us all season. I was very, very, concentrated on being

calm and of course I am very, very happy. I think it was an amazing moment for me. I am not the youngest! “To lift the trophy is something special. You are champion of the Premier League. That is something special for me, of course, because I won some cups in Spain and Italy, but to be champion here is fantastic.” Morgan said: “It was an unbelievable feeling to finally get my hands on the trophy. I had to hold back the tears. I held them back and lifted it up. It was the best feeling in the world.” The 25kg trophy was decorated with ribbons of blue, for Leicester, and yellow, representing the royal house of Thailand, home country of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Vichai and his fellow club directors joined the players on a lap of honour as Leicester’s fans, who saw their team narrowly avoid relegation last season, launched into a chorus of “Leicester till I die!” It was followed by “Barcelona, we’re coming for you!”, in a nod to next season’s hotly anticipated Champions League campaign.(AFP)

Manager Claudio Ranieri (left) and captain Wes Morgan (right) lift the Premier League trophy (Getty)

Guyanese aiming to recover from qualifying troubles see story on page 35

‘We will invest heavily in coaches’, says EDFA President Alfred King By Rajiv Bisnauth AMIED at embracing a structured programme for development, President of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Alfred King revealed that the association plans to invest heavily in coaches, since it’s the way forward for the next generation of football stars. King made the disclosure yesterday at the Department of Culture Youth and Sports, where the EDFA handed over a complete football coaching kit to six clubs on the East Coast of Demerara. “We believe that we must start with the coaches, and we started that earlier in the year where 30 persons were exposed to two days of coaching. Currently we are in the process in putting together an effective programme to ensure our coaches go through what will be a license kind of experience, and we are hoping, therefore, that an instructor from Trinidad and Tobago, who we are engaging through Golden jaguars football coach Jamal Shabazz will be here by mid or end of

Secretary of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Gidel Austin hands over part of the football coaching kit to Coach of the BV Triumph United Kester Garnett. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo) this month to work with coaches in order to enhance their skills and competence,” King said. He added “And then once that is done we attach these coaches to various

teams and charge them with the responsibility to go back and implement some of the things they would have learnt”. King is optimistic that with the kind of strategy in

the making, the requisite atmosphere for football development on the East Coast will be better off over the next few years. “Once we have real strong clubs that will be

competing nationally, we will have more players who will be vying for national places at every level of football,” King concluded. Meanwhile, the clubs benefitting from yester-

day’s donation are Ann’s Grove, Buxton Stars, BV Triumph United, Victoria Kings Football Club, Bachelors Adventure/Paradise Sports Club and Golden Stars.

Coach Webster wants more Guyanese teams to attend Penn State Relays see story on page 31

US-based former Guyanese athletic coach, Mark Webster (left), poses with the Fort Wellington team Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016