Guuyana chronicle e paper 04 03 2018

TUESDAY 3rd April, 2018

No.105233

Gov’t to beef up security at western border

– as reports of ‘El Sindicato’ 03 activity escalate PAGE

Up, up and away!

High tide catches many off-guard

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New union eyes oil & gas sector 10 PAGE

Making sure that the conditions are right so that this baby can take to the skies (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Residents, firemen clash – over late arrival of fire tender

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Victory Valley receiving much – after years of want, needed help Linden residents say AFTER years of neglect and marginalisation, the small community of Victory Valley located on the Wismar shore in Linden is now receiving much desired attention from government officials and residents have expressed their gratitude for the recent developments taking place in their community.

Victory Valley has been for years associated with social ills and as a result was discriminated against. Hence

poverty became rampant and developmentally the community was at an all-time low.

Recently however, things have started to look up for the community and residents have expressed optimism that things will get better since they are no longer forgotten.

A few weeks ago Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, held a community outreach, where the residents pointed out areas where they needed help.

Making the list as a matter of

priority were: three access bridges that were in a deplorable state, the community centre needed de-bushing and fencing and the main access road was so bad that taxi drivers refuse to transport residents to their homes.

Also attending that meeting were Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, Chairman for the Region 10 PNCR Deron Adams and Municipal Councillor Carwyn Holland. Within weeks after the meeting was

held, the three bridges were fixed and the Community Centre has been de-bushed and fenced. Adams said that representation was made for the road to be added to capital works of the 2018 budget.

Adams, in an invited comment, said that from the Party level, the aim is to alleviate poverty within the community while empowering the residents.

“The Valley must no lonVictory Valley Community ger be a place known as the Centre being fenced Valley of Tears. We are trying to empower them (residents) and strengthen them and a community party orto push developmental ganised to raise funds. projects,” Adams said.

It was taken away from An ICT hub was them for some time, also months ago comand permission has missioned in the combeen granted by the munity. Also, MP police to reconvene.

Figueira had recently CDC Chairman Robdistributed street lights erts revealed that the to the community as officials also promised well as conducted food to expedite the regularand clothing drives and isation of lands within on Saturday he shared One of the three newly-constructed the community so that kites to the communi- community bridges farmers will be able ty’s children. to farm comfortably. and forgotten and to now be “I have done a numGarbage collection is another finally given some attention ber of distributions where issue that needs urgent interis something gratifying. hundreds of residents benefit‘We (are) satisfied with vention in the community. ed from clothing, food hamBefore being called Vicpers, baby clothing, strollers, what they doing; we must tory Valley, the community thank the minister, I like how bottles, farming boots, dress, was called Valley of Tears as the minister step in.

She ain’t shoes etc. The ‘Light it Up’ a fitting name to describe the watching face,” Roberts said, initiative saw me contribhigh poverty rate.

For years, alluding to the fulfilment of uting a sufficient amount it has been seen as the ‘Ghetthe promises she made at the of lights to brighten up the community making it a lot recent outreach in a timely to of Linden’ with shacks, pit more comfortable for the manner. He also expressed toilets, dilapidated buildings residents,” Figueira revealed. appreciation to MP Figueira and infrastructures being Giving high praise to who was deemed the ‘peo- common sights. Unconstructhe Government, Minister ple’s MP by the residents. tive social activities became Broomes and MP Figueira “MP Figueira is for poor the norm while drug-dealing was Chairman of the Com- people and he always has and petty crimes became munity Development Council our backs in the Valley,” one prevalent.

The residents have exMr Anthony Roberts known resident said. pressed the need for everyThe residents are also as Jafire. Speaking on behalf of the residents, he told this happy that the officials in- one to rally around them as publication that for years, tervened for the return of now is the time for change Victory Valley was bypassed ‘Valley Vagos’ which was and betterment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Gov’t to beef up police presence at western border – as reports of ‘El Sindicato’ activity escalate

By Zena Henry MORE police ranks will be heading to bordering communities in the country’s western region as reports of members of the Venezuela-based ‘El Sindicato’ gang committing robberies on villagers continue to surface.

Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-committee on Security, Khemraj Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle that after paying a visit to at least four border communities last Thursday, the parliamentary team is convinced that the presence of the violent gang is of grave concern to some residents.

Minister Ramjattan said

that the body visited Moruka, Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma and Mabaruma where informative public meetings were held.

Mabaruma residents, he said, were especially concerned about ‘El Sindicato’, who they say are operating in the southernmost part of the region.

Residents told the parliamentary team that reports out of that area are that persons are being robbed sporadically.

The minister said that whatever will be done to address the matter will be done carefully. “We must act very cautiously; we don’t know whether these people are Venezuelans, Brazilians or Guyanese who can speak Portuguese or

Spanish,” he said.

The minister pointed out that a mixture of persons, some of unsavory character, can be found along these border areas, and it is known that they do involve foreigners from next door countries, and Guyanese as well.

Minister Ramjattan said that ‘F’ Division ranks have been working hard to upkeep security in the interior locations, but given the terrain and area to be covered, it has its challenges.

The Cuyuni River for example, he said, is a long one that is not easy to cover, and much activity takes place there.

As a result, new methods will be used to improve the existing security opera-

tions. The Minister said that an expert within the police arena will be sought for new ideas in addressing security in the locations.

Drones for aerial surveillance is one idea that could be utilised to cover large spaces, and very efficient in identifying areas where illegal activities are taking place.

“These are sensitive areas... so all of that have to be looked at,” Ramjattan noted.

The minister said that the community visit also gave the parliamentary team a chance to check up on police stations and community policing groups in the area.

He said that every effort will be made to improve the state of security in the border locations. “We want to ensure that the services of the police and the army

is efficient in that area,” the security minister asserted.

Minister Ramjattan explained that given that the parliamentary security sub-committee is an “in-camera body”, it is not at liberty to go into great detail about decisions taken at that level, given the matters at reference are of national security.

He noted, however, that when a report is delivered to the full Parliament, citizens would then become aware of the security matters and those that can be made relevantly public.

Early last month, President Granger himself visited the border communities after regional heads informed the government about the need to increase security in those areas due to the infiltration by the Venezuelan ‘El Sindicato’ gangs and an

High tide catches many off-guard

– during day out at Number 63 Beach

By Nafeeza Yahya NOT even the rains could keep fans of hers from all across the country from converging on the ever-popular Number 63 Beach for the traditional kite-flying and day of fun.

And, just as predictably, no one noticed when the tide took a turn, and came creeping back in until it was too late. It’s an annual occurrence that sometimes leaves many a vehicle stuck until the tide recedes.

This year, however, it would cause massive confusion, as many people started to panic and tried to get to the main exit of the beach, thereby causing a heavy traffic jam.

One intrepid driver tried to cut into the line, and got stuck on the sand banks and in the water, thereby causing the traffic to come to a standstill for over two hours.

However, public spirited citizens quickly came to the rescue, and assisted those that were stuck to safety.

True to tradition, thousands showed up with their tents, music, food, drinks and kites, all decked out in outfits specifically bought for this truly Guyanese event: Easter Monday.

It doesn’t matter what

A section of the Number 63 Beach on Easter Monday

race or religion you belong to, Easter Monday at Number 63 Beach and other beaches along the Corentyne Coast is a day that most families look forward to.

It’s the one day they get to go and bask in the sun with family and friends, enjoy just about every delicacy there is to be had, have a few drinks, and spend the day relaxing.

COMES ALIVE This year, despite all-day rainfall in some sections of the Corentyne, the beach quickly came alive a little after 14:00hrs.

Kites dipped and swayed in the sky, kids played in the sand, and music bellowed from vehicles and massive sound systems alike, much to the delight of those in

attendance.

Others chose the scenic route, walking, driving, or riding bicycles, go carts, horses or motorcycles to meet up and lime with their peers.

Others took a dip when the water was just right, which was around 16:00 hrs, until all hell broke loose at around 16:30hrs.

That unfortunate little in-

cident aside, what was quite noticeable this year was the smaller number of kites in the sky, which many felt was as a result of the inclement weather and less wind.

Even though family and friends concluded that the day was a fun-filled one, many, like Mr. Kumar Balkumar of Crabwood Creek, are urging the relevant agencies to put better traffic man-

These ladies opted for the best way to beat traffic (Photos by Nafeeza Yahya)

influx of citizens seeking relief from economic and social hardships.

Safety concerns were being raised since villagers said that miners were being robbed and even killed for mining or being present in territories claimed by Sindicatos just over the Venezuelan border. A video of one such incident even surfaced on social media.

Another concern for residents was that citizens from crisis-hit Venezuela were descending on their communities, seeking food and medical attention, thereby adding pressure to the services that are meant for locals. Regional officials asked the government to provide extra medication and assistance.

Military presence was also increased in some areas.

agement and bathroom facilities in place for tourists, especially during the Easter holidays when thousands from across the country and

the world visit.

“The Police should have had better traffic management at the exits when the tide came in,” Mr Balkumar said. “Some people coming in while everybody trying to get out; it should have been a one-way.

“Also, there should be some announcement for when the tide is coming in.”

According to the Badrinarrains of Number 48 Village, “Easter is one of the events we look forward to annually, since it’s one where the motto of ‘One people, one nation, one destiny’ is truly seen in all its glory.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

Israel scraps migrant deportation plan

ISRAEL has cancelled plans to deport migrants en masse to Africa after reaching a deal with the United Nations refugee agency.

More than 16,000 asylum seekers will instead be resettled in Western countries, including Canada, Italy and Germany, according to Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu.

About 16,000 others will be given residency in Israel, he said.

Israel’s Supreme Court had blocked deportations meant to begin on Sunday.

The plan to send the migrants to African countries - reported to be Uganda and Rwanda - was condemned by

Israeli activists and sparked protests.

The new plan will be implemented over a five-year period. Mr Netanyahu’s office described the agreement as “unprecedented”.

“These understandings will allow the removal of more migrants from Israel than in the previous plan,

and under UN and the international community’s auspices,” a statement said.

For each migrant resettled overseas, Israel will give “temporary residence” to a migrant in Israel, Mr Netanyahu told a news conference.

Canada, Italy and Ger-

many are yet to officially confirm their participation in the agreement.

Most of the 42,000 African migrants in Israel are from Eritrea, a one-party state whose leaders have been accused of crimes against humanity by a UN inquiry, and war-torn Sudan.

They say they fled danger

at home and that it is not safe to return, but Israel considers the majority of African asylum seekers to be economic migrants.

Most of them entered from Egypt several years ago, before a new fence was built along the desert border. This has ended most illegal crossings. (BBC)

South Africa’s Winnie Mandela dies at 81 SOUTH African anti-apartheid campaigner, Winnie Mandela has died aged 81, her personal assistant said Monday.

Winnie Madikizela Mandela was the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

The couple, famously pictured hand-in-hand as Mr Mandela walked free from prison after 27 years, were a

symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle for nearly three decades.

However, in later years, her reputation became tainted legally and politically.

Family spokesman Victor Dlamini said in a statement: “She died after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year.

“She succumbed peace-

fully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones.”

Retired archbishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu praised her as a “defining symbol of the struggle against apartheid”, AFP reported.

“Her courageous defiance was deeply inspirational to me, and to generations of activists,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who Mrs Mandela praised earlier this year, was expected to visit the family home later in the evening, African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Gwede Mantashe told reporters.

He added: “With the departure of Mama Winnie, [we have lost] one of the very few who are left of our stalwarts and icons.

She was one of those who would tell us exactly what is wrong and right, and we are going to be missing that guidance.”

Mrs Mandela was born in 1936 in the Eastern Cape, then known as Transkei.

She was a trained social worker when she met her future husband in the 1950s.

They were married for a total of 38 years, although for almost three decades of that time, they were separated due to Mr Mandela’s imprisonment.

It was Mrs Mandela who took his baton after he was jailed for life, becoming an international symbol of resistance to apartheid, and a rallying point for poor, black township residents who demanded their freedom.

Five years later, she, too, was jailed by the white minority government she was fighting against.

But Mrs Mandela, an icon of the struggle, also found herself mired in controversy.

She was heard backing the practice of “necklacing”, the putting of burning tyres around suspected informants’ necks, and was accused of conducting a virtual reign of terror in parts of

Soweto by other members of the ANC in the late 1980s.

She was also found guilty of kidnapping, and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for her involvement in the death of 14-year-old township militant, Stompie Seipei. She always denied the allegation, and the sentence was reduced to a fine.

Mr Mandela, who stood by her throughout the accusations, was finally released from prison in February 1990.

But two years later, their marriage crumbled.

The couple divorced in 1996, but she kept his surname and maintained ties with him. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

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Prisoners get warder drunk, ‘beat out’

TWO prisoners have escaped from a maximum security jail in the Colombian capital, Bogotá, by getting a guard drunk and convincing him to let them go to go buy more alcohol.

The two inmates never returned, and police are currently hunting for them.

Colleagues of the guard at

La Picota jail said his breath smelt of alcohol and he refused to be breathalysed.

The prison director said the production of homebrewed liquor inside the prison was common despite frequent checks.

The two fugitives were identified as Jhon Gutiérrez Rincón, a FARC rebel who

Criminals clone Top Cop’s credit card

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A 44-year-old businessman, who used the credit card belonging to the Police Commissioner, Anthony Anderson, to pay for his son’s school fees, is due to re-appear in court on May 1.

A local radio station reported that Earl Hobins had his bail extended when he appeared before the St Andrew Parish Court last Thursday.

He had been charged by the Fraud Squad after J$83,000 (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents), procured through the illicit

use of Anderson’s credit card, was used to pay his son’s school fee at a prominent high school.

Police said that members of a criminal network had cloned the credit card of the top cop, and stolen more than a $1M from his account over a one-week period.

The investigations began last month, and the police are working on a theory that two people, including a woman, created two cloned cards which have been used to purchase appliances, vehicle parts and personal items.

was sentenced to 40 years in prison for kidnapping in 2003, and Olmedo Vargas, who had recently demobilised from the FARC rebel group, but was awaiting trial for alleged theft.

The prison authorities said they had not been able to detect any damage to the structure of the prison or its

gates and they were therefore working on the assumption that a guard colluded to help them escape.

That version of events coincides with the statements of other guards who said they had seen the two inmates drinking with one of the guards and that they had convinced the guard

to let them leave on the promise they would came back with fresh supplies of alcohol.

In an interview with Colombia’s FM radio [in Spanish], prison director Col Germán Ricaurte said there had been “a lack of professionalism, a lack of professional ethics, in which one of

our officials seems to have broken security protocols and this facilitated the escape”.

“The weakness of this official meant that he ingested this liquor and these inmates took advantage of that to convince him that they needed to leave [the prison],” Col Ricaurte explained. (BBC)

No word yet on missing Haitian journalist --IACHR expresses concern over the disappearance PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called on the Haitian authorities to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the disappearance of the photojournalist, Vladjimir Legagneur.

Legagneur, who worked for the newspaper Le Matin and online news agency LoopHaiti before becoming a freelancer for local media and non-governmental groups, went missing since March 14 after going on an assignment to report on the living conditions in Grand Ravine, one of the most violent areas in recent years.

IACHR said that the authorities must undertake the necessary measures to “determine the situation and whereabouts” of the photojournalist and that they must also carry out an investigation “into the alleged events that led to his disappearance”.

Media reports last week said that the police were investigating the mangled remains of a corpse to determine whether or not it is that of the missing journalist who was last seen near a gang-controlled area of the capital.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created by the IACHR to encourage the defense of the right to freedom of thought and ex-

pression in the hemisphere, given the fundamental role this right plays in consolidating and developing the democratic system.

Last week, the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM) called on the Haitian authorities “to deploy all the necessary resources to shed light” on the “worrying” disappearance of the journalist and the National Association of Haitian Media (ANMH) has also expressed concern at the silence of the police and judicial authorities following the disappearance the 30-year-old Legagneur.

Last week, the spokesman for the National Police of Haiti (PNH), Frantz Lerebours, said the authorities

have received no information regarding the journalist’s disappearance.

“In such cases, without a ransom demand, we fear a fatal outcome,” he said, adding “the situation is very worrying but we cannot presume of his death without having found his body.”

Last month, hundreds of people including journalists took to the streets urging the authorities to continue the search for the 30-year-old photojournalist and his wife, Fleurette Guerrier, said she always stayed in contact with him whenever he went out on risky assignments.

She said that when she called him and got no response hours after he had left the house March 14, she contacted police.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

The Georgetown seawalls and development WE need not tell Guyanese how appealing the sound of the rolling waves on the seawall is, and how invigorating it is to feel the cool sea breeze. One of Georgetown’s great assets is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, even though this is a bit dimmed by the colour of the water that washes our shores. The relaxing experience, however, endures. What can we do at the City level to take advantage of this?

Anyone taking a stroll near the Kingston Seawall would certainly be able to take in the seawall’s vast beauty, despite memories of the countless stories about robberies and the like happening there. Given the recent controversy over an alleged shootout between police and suspected bandits which happened on that very spot, this worry must certainly be at the back of many Guyanese’s mind. It is an unfortunate circumstance which, while improvements have been made, hampers the very effects that make the wall so appealing.

This raises the question of what can be done to both increase security at this national asset and encourage businesses to make use of opportunities to develop the area. Clearly, coordination on a few fronts is the way to truly develop the Kingston Seawall area. Government had signalled since 2016 that the Kitty and Kingston wa-

terfront areas have been identified for the development of state-of-the-art facilities and the proposed project includes boardwalks, recreational areas, modernised ramps for ferries and water taxis, and a dockyard for yachts. Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the presentation of the 2016 budget, had made mention that, “The initiative will serve as a recreational and tourist attraction and will create opportunities for small business development.”

Those who have had the opportunity to travel extensively will note the scale and quality of commercial development projects on waterfronts and how much vibrancy they bring, not just to the immediate area, but the city at large.

A lingering question when anything substantial is being done at the seawall is maintaining its structural integrity, given its obvious importance to keeping the Garden City dry. It is unlikely that minor developments will degrade this integrity; however, an evaluation by an engineer with the appropriate expertise should certainly be considered. Given recent overtopping at various points along the wall, this is all the more important to look closely at.

Letting this literal and metaphorical sleeping giant

remain in its current deep slumber, however, must certainly be worth the risk, especially as little if any structural change to the wall and its supporting infrastructure would be required. What is, however, required is the will to bring businesses, residents, law enforcement and experts together to change the current state of affairs. The minor businesses which serve the wall currently should not be undervalued, but we can certainly get much more from a key national landmark.

In time, the City Council may be able to bring these stakeholders together, but this really should be high on their list of priorities. Urban development is but another component of national development and we are sure Guyanese would collectively agree that what is good for Georgetown is good for Guyana.

We can certainly turn the Kingston seawall around, and many more urban development projects are sure to follow.

Bringing Guyana into the 21st Century Dear Editor I HAVE in the past strongly advocated for the formation of at least one new political party as a vehicle through which to channel better and more effective government for Guyanese. I am pleased to announce the formation of the Democratic National Congress (DNC), which will contest the 2020 national elections to form a full government under the theme ‘Bringing Guyana Into the 21st Century.’ As a preliminary estimate, we only require twenty persons to assume ministerial portfolios for a resounding victory at the polls.

The Party’s official launch and public discussion forum is due to be held soon. The draft constitution of the DNC is as follows: The Democratic National Congress will be committed to the following principles: 1. Guyana be governed as a Democratic Republic, where the authority of the state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people through their elected representatives; 2. Preservation of a sound, effective political system for choosing and replacing governments through free and fair elections;

3. Encouraging and facilitating the active participation of the people as citizens, in politics and civic life; 4. Recognize the income levels of our citizens and the address of unemployment as central to our efforts in advancing welfare growth; 5. Delivering effective government which recognizes private industry, innovation and workers, as central to the attainment of our country’s goals of a standard of living where we can enjoy the fruits of our labour, achieve our goals, be healthy and happy; 6. Protection of the human rights of all citizens; 7. Enforcement of the Rule of Law, where the laws and procedures of Guyana apply equally to all of our citizens; 8. Freedom of Expression – Everyone is guaranteed the right to communicate with each other and express ideas freely in an open and fair society.

The core objectives of the party, which I propose as the DNC’s contract with Guyana, are as follows: The DNC’s Contract with Guyana 1. Maintain the Constitution of Guyana so that it reflects the will and wishes of

the People.

2. Promote economic prosperity for all by creating an enabling environment which provides the legal, regulatory and physical infrastructure to support innovation and industry within the private sector.

3. Ensure that the income levels and unemployment are central to the DNC’s policy framework.

4. Provide the physical and social infrastructure to ensure a mobile, healthy, educated work force.

5. Guarantee social, cultural and religious freedoms to all ethnic groups.

6. Guarantee equal rights of citizens under the law.

7. Guarantee freedom of expression and freedom to associate.

8. Develop and maintain Guyana’s national security to safeguard against both internal and external threats.

9. Work with the United Nations Commissions on Human Rights to facilitate the adoption of its universally established rights, to the extent that these rights reflect our country’s values, customs and traditions.

The Democratic National Congress rejects all forms of racism and race-based

politics and policies. Our constitution has been shaped to reflect the wishes and aspirations of all Guyanese. Individuals both at home and abroad may consider the above policies as something to which they can commit.

The success of the DNC at the 2020 national elections hinges on Guyanese themselves responding to the challenge of leadership, and security of our democracy and way of life as a people. It also involves the allocation of tremendous resources and effort to create the political machinery to create a solid administrative framework which will deliver on the needs of Guyanese.

This is a call to all Guyanese to take their stand against what obtains under the coalition and PPP, to establish their future for themselves. A successful democracy depends on the policies and leadership of its people. Join us today so that together we can Bring Guyana Into the 21st Century.

Regards Craig Sylvester Party Leader, DNC

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

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Observing lawful and fair termination - from private and public sector employment

Dear Editor, THE right to work and to continue working are guided by national and international laws, the application of which demands principled and fair treatment without discrimination and with due process and natural justice.

The system of industrial relations is informed, influenced and functions within the norms of national legislation, international labour standards, and regional labour policy of CARICOM. The Constitution of Guyana, the Labour Laws, and International Labour Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ratified

by Guyana as treaty obligations and as international law, provide the legal basis, foundation and framework for the conduct of labour relations by the Government, its agencies, and social partners, represented by trade unions and employers and their organizations. Together, these instruments constitute the Labour Code of Guyana.

The general declaratory principles of the Constitution of Guyana include the right to work, the right to equality of opportunity and treatment in all aspects of employment, and impose a duty on the State to protect the just rights and interests of citizens. Chapter III of the Constitution affirms the

fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual and entitle every citizen, basic rights without distinction and discrimination, including the right, regardless of his/her race, origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, subject to the rights and freedoms of others and the public interest, to freedom of conscience, of expression, assembly, and association.

(Articles 40, 145, 146, and 147) The Prevention of Discrimination Act No. 26 of 1997 protects against unlawful discrimination. Part II, Section 4 of the Act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of: race, sex, religion, colour, ethnic origin, indigenous population, national extraction, social origin, economic status, political opinion, disability, family responsibilities, pregnancy, marital status, or age, except for the purposes of retirement and restriction on work and employment of minors. The Act also prohibits discrimination against a person by distinction, exclusion or preference, the intent of which is to deny equality of opportunity or treatment in any employment or occupation.

Part III, Section 5 of this Act protects against discrimination in employment; for it is unlawful for any employer or his/her agent to discriminate in relation to

recruitment, selection, or employment on any grounds, except where genuine occupational qualifications exist in keeping with this Act. These are clear lawful obligations, but there are some serious concerns about the actions of employers or their agents on the application of fairness in bringing an employment relationship to an end by termination, dismissal or constructive dismissal.

The application of fairness relates to: 1. procedural fairness requiring that an end of employment should be in accordance with a fair procedure; and 2. substantive fairness which requires that there should be a fair reason for ending an employment contract.

The usual valid grounds for termination by employers or their agents, must: i) Relate to work performance issues; ii) A series of work related infractions not so serious as to warrant summary dismissal; iii) Serious misconduct; iv) By mutual consent; v) By required notice; vi) For reasons of redundancy relating to the operational requirements of the enterprise; and vii) End of contract without the option for renewal.

Where there is an option for the renewal of an employ-

Help us implement the Gatekeepers’ Programme Dear Editor, THE Gatekeepers’ Programme was launched under former Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to train lay counsellors--individuals who would possess the skills and knowledge to be proactive first responders in tackling suicide and abuse. A number of persons who were trained under this programme indicated to The Caribbean Voice that the programme was beginning to make an impact when it was dropped, after Dr. Ramsammy was replaced by Dr. Bheri Ramsarran as Health Minister. Since the launch of our campaign in 2014, we have been lobbying for a return of this programme, and while the current government did promise to bring it back, a timeline to do so has not been set up.

Consequently, we reached out to Seva International, an NGO based in

India and they offered us a trainer for a period of one year. While we are not paying for the services of the trainer, we need to cover her living expenses and the cost of the training programme for the year, estimated at just under US$32,000. Towards this end, we have set up a gofundme account and are humbly requesting readers of this newspaper to help us realize the goal of implementing this training program by donating (no amount is too small) to our gofundme account which can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/lay-counselor-training-program or through the gofundme link at the top of the cover (first) page on our website, www.caribvoice.org. We also implore you to please share the link as widely as possible and urge family, friends and colleagues to support our efforts.

Regards The Caribbean Voice

ment contract at the end of the current contract, there must be valid reasons based on one of the seven grounds listed above, for the non-renewal. End of an optional renewal of a contract must not be used as pretext, excuse, or reason for preferential replacements.

The valid grounds for summary dismissal under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act No 19 of 1997 must relate to the capacity and conduct of the employee at work for good and sufficient cause relating to serious misconduct on the job. Section 4 of this Act

states clearly the several reasons which are not valid or constitute good or sufficient cause for dismissal or for disciplinary action against an employee, including race, sex, religion, colour, ethnic origin, national extraction, social origin, political opinion, family responsibility or marital status. A dismissal on any of the several grounds listed under section 4 of this Act would constitute unfair dismissal. On terminations and dismissals on the initiative of the employer, the burden of valid proof rests with the employer.

The issue of construc-

tive dismissal flows from actions or the conduct of the employer, his agent, or manager making it difficult or untenable for the employee to continue working and may be forced to resign or leave the job on own initiative. An employee in such a situation can be deemed to have been unfairly dismissed, and can challenge the employer in a court of law. The burden of proof to establish “constructive dismissal” rests with the concerned employee.

Regards Samuel J. Goolsarran

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Bartica mayor to empower residents – through capacity building programmes

MAYOR of Bartica Gifford Marshall has said he plans placing more emphasis on building the capacity of Barticans.

Marshall told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the capacity building programme

is aimed at empowering the residents of Bartica, even as the Town Council presses ahead with its infrastructural developments.

“We want to focus on programmes and activities that will impact people directly,” Marshall told the

DPI on Sunday. The mayor said the Town Council is examining the establishment of a centre for persons with disabilities in Bartica.

Marshall said that small businesses will also be targetted. Programmes and activities aimed at empow-

ering small businesses and improving the economic climate in the town will be rolled out within the coming months, he said.

“Also, we want to work with our young people where business is concerned. So, we’re going to spend a lot of time over the next couple of months empowering our people,” Marshall said.

The mayor and his deputy, Nageswari Kamal Lochandprashad, were recently re-elected by the Town Council during its internal elections.

With six months remaining before Local Govern-

ment Elections (LGE), Marshall noted that the council was “able to achieve most of our infrastructural work that we set out to do for the three-year period”.

Marshall said that in the coming months, the council will focus on the installation of street lights and the rehabilitation of roads. The Bartica Town Council is working to develop a longterm plan for community development in line with being a green town, he explained.

“We need to ensure that residents understand that whatever they do today will impact 10, 15, 100 years from now and we need to

preserve this environment … for future generations,” Marshall said.

President David Granger, at the opening of the Power Boat Regatta on Sunday, commended the town council for the changes it has achieved in just two short years.

“Mayor Marshall and his Deputy, Kamal, set out to make Bartica a clean, ‘green’ and safe town,” the President said, “and they are well on the way to achieving that objective.

“This is a model, and I wish that every other town would emulate this example.”

Masked bandits rob Chinese at Sheriff Street residence FIVE masked men robbed three Chinese nationals of cash and electronics on Sunday at their Sheriff Street, Georgetown residence.

Reports are that the victims, who live in a three-storey concrete building, arrived home around midday in a silver-grey motorcar and upon entering the yard were confronted by the gunmen.

Three of the men, who were armed with handguns, took their quarry into the house

where they kept guard over them in the lower flat.

As though on cue, the two other accomplices proceeded to ransack the house, taking whatever suited their fancy, before turning their attention to the occupants, whom they relieved of their valuables.

When they were satisfied, the robbers fled the scene.

The police were subsequently summoned and an investigation is underway.

Study finds…

Less than 10% of working population have degrees THE first-ever local continuous quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS) has found that less than 10 per cent of the working population have post-secondary degrees.

According to the report that was done by the Guyana Bureau of Statistics in conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the educational achievement in Guyana has a pyramidal structure which shows that 5.6 per cent of the working-class have post-secondary certifications and qualifications.

The study, which was done in the third quarter of 2017, has revealed that only 2.3 per cent of the population have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, 0.3 per cent have a Masters, and 0.2 per cent have Doctorates or the equivalent.

Statistics have also shown that 9.9 per cent of the working population received no schooling, while the majority of the working class have primary education, which was recorded at 48.3 per cent, and upper secondary education at 24.3 per cent.

In the third quarter of 2017, the total population aged 15 and above residing in Guyana was 550,831 persons, with the majority, some 72.3 per cent, being based in urban areas.

The labour force participation rate for all persons aged 15 and above was 56 per cent, roughly equal to the corresponding 2012 value of 55.7 per cent.

“The finding has two implications: on the one hand it entails a shortage of highly qualified human resources in the labour market and on the other, it indirectly confirms

the seriousness of the issue of outward migration of tertiary-educated people, which may explain the relatively low educational profile and skills portfolio of the economically active population,” the report indicated.

At the launch of the report last month, IDB Representative to Guyana, Sophie Makonnen, explained that the LFS is important to productivity, and preventing Guyana from falling into a skills gap.

“In other words, such an assessment should indicate where Guyana’s workforce stands, and enable policymakers to plan accordingly,” said Makonnen.

Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Hector Butts, had also said the LFS bulletin is critical and will aid in the objective of decision-making.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Residents, firemen clash – over late arrival of fire tender

By Nafeeza Yahya POLICE last evening had to make peace between residents of Number 45 and surrounding villages in East Berbice, Corentyne and firemen attached to the Skeldon Fire Station over tardiness.

The incident arose from the fire tender’s arrival at the scene of a fire at Number 45 Village, some one hour after the Service was called, just in time to douse the few remaining embers from the gutted building.

According to Ganesh Budhoo, the owner of the building which went up in flames, he and his family were at his mother’s in Number 59 Village when they received word a little after 19:30h that his home was on fire.

Budhoo said that on hearing this, he immediately called the fire service and rushed to the scene, only to find the house partially engulfed.

Said he, “When meh reach, de fire nah been spread yet. The upstairs was on fire but not too big, suh meh call back de fire service again a couple time, and dem tell meh dem ah come, but dem only show up after everything bu’n out.”

The visibly shaken rice farmer said he is at a loss for words, as he cannot begin to put a value on what he has lost to the fire, since he had a lot of expensive equipment that he uses to cultivate his

Ganesh Budhoo and his wife look on helplessly at what’s left of their home

crops, coupled with his life savings that was invested to make the home comfortable.

The house, he explained, belonged to an overseas-based Guyanese, and he has been living there for most of his life with his wife and two kids, aged seven and eight.

According to one eyewitness, Ramkarran Singh, called ‘Ramsingh’, he heard shouts of fire, and noticed a flame coming from the back upper floor of the wooden and concrete two-storey building. He said he immediately called the fire service, which was at around 19:32h, and then quickly made his way over

to the burning building to see what he could salvage.

“When meh reach, only de back been ah bu’n, suh me and dem odder boys start push out de tractor dem ‘cause nobody was home,” ‘Ramsingh’ said.

“And by de time we finish, de fire start spread, suh we could not out it.”

He explained that had the Fire Service responded within 30 minutes of their being called, they could have saved the building.

Meanwhile, when this publication arrived on the scene, residents were all questioning the whereabouts of the tender which arrived at precisely 20:38h.

Guyanese sailor crushed to death at TCL port A GUYANESE sailor was crushed to death on Saturday while loading a vessel at the Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) port in Claxton Bay. Doodnauth Nateram, 44, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, reportedly died at the San Fernando General Hospital at around 2:40 am from internal injuries.

Nateram, who was employed with the ANS Shipping Company, had come aboard the general cargo

vessel which was loading a shipment of cement.

Police in Trinidad said around 2.40 am, an excavator operator, another Guyanese, Ravi Mahadeo Persad, 46, of Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara, was loading cement while Nateram stood along a railing aboard the vessel. It was while Persad was in the process of turning the excavator that Nateram was accidentally pinned to the railing.

He was taken to the hospital by a TCL ambulance

but where despite efforts to resuscitate him, he died.

His body is currently at the hospital mortuary and an autopsy is expected to be performed today, Tuesday.

The Guyana Chronicle has learnt that up to late yesterday, Monday, Nateram’s family had not been contacted by the police in Trinidad.

Meanwhile inquiries into the death, which has been so far classified as an accident, is continuing by both the Police and TCL, it is reported.

As they pulled up, residents started to shout, “Tu’n back! Nah bodder out nutten! Now you reach!”

Needless to say, this angered the firemen, who were busy trying to set up their hoses.

Not satisfied with just heckling, the residents began to gather around the fire tender, and as police ranks tried to restrain them, things got decidedly physical.

But eventually, good sense prevailed and the residents allowed the firemen to do their job, only to realise they were out of water, and that their only recourse was a nearby trench.

At this, residents again piped up, calling this time around for a fire station between Rose Hall and Skeldon.

Leehkha Rambridge, a popular rice farmer and

President of Rice Producers Association (RPA) who was on the scene, told the Guyana Chronicle that he had offered a plot of land to the Fire Service several years ago for the construction of a Fire Station at Bengal. He said that though he got no response at the time, the offer still stands.

Investigations are ongoing as to the cause of the fire.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

New union eyes oil & gas sector – wants to bargain on workers’ behalf

By Zena Henry A NEW labour union is stepping onto the workers’ representation scene, and has its sights firmly set on the emerging oil sector. The Guyana Natural Resources, Clerical and General Workers Union (GNRC&GWU) was legally certified to represent, and bargain for, workers in the mining field last year, and is already making waves within the sector.

According to its founder and General Secretary, Micah Williams, GNRC&GWU is geared toward the proper representation of workers, as well as creating an enabling environment for improving their welfare. The new union has taken the place of the al-

most eight-year-old People’s United and General Workers Union (PU&GWU).

The PU&GWU was formed in 2011, and has a membership of over 500 persons, all of whom will now be represented by the GNRC&GWU after the formality of signing them over have been completed.

These members at reference include workers from the bauxite companies-- Oldendorff Company Guyana Inc (OCGI) and Troy Resources Inc. GNRC&GWU has also extended its invitation to attract membership from Guyana Goldfields Inc. and Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. “We have already started to sign up the workers

at Goldfields and Bosai,” Williams told the Guyana Chronicle, adding that the union expects to represent more than 800 workers from those two companies; some 500 from Goldfields and 400 from Troy Resources.

To obtain their registration and bargaining certificates, the union would have had to obtain support from 40 per cent of the workforce before the trade union board could have issued the documents.

Williams said the union continues to make good progress as already over 200 persons from both companies have signed on in less than three months.

He noted that the GNRC&GWU will be going after the oil and gas sector next to

Micah Williams

ensure adequate representation for workers in that field.

Asked what makes the union different from existing bodies, Williams said “We are an honest union, and we work strongly with the workers. We don’t behave like other unions where you go and sign on to something without

the approval or opinions of the workers.

“We believe that workers are the assets in the union; without them we have no power, and we cannot function.”

Williams said the union has a clean history of operating in a “transparent and vibrant manner”. He said that unlike other unions, the PU&GWU has never worked without the consent of its membership, and neither will the GNRC&GWU. He asserted that members can expect the same dedication and commitment from the GNRC&GWU. Williams himself is surely being recognised as a force to be reckoned with in the trade union arena. A chef by profession, he said he has also played a role in workers’ representation, whether locally or abroad. His trade union has

come a long way. They won bargaining representation for workers at Bosai against the longstanding National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and held out for four years before the Oldendorff Company recognised them, and workers finally became unionised.

Williams also gained recognition when he secured a five per cent increase in pay for Troy Resources workers at a time when it was common knowledge that the company was not making a profit.

Williams was recently identified as the chief bargaining officer after a special request for his service was made by the recently launched Guyana Seafarers and General Workers Union in Berbice; the first union to represent workers within that trade.

IT Centre of Excellence to Minibus driver confesses to killing ex-girlfriend open month-end THE US $1M Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (IT) is expected to be opened at the end of this month, says High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Mr Venkatachalam Mahalingam.

“By the end of April, the institute should be in operation; the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is almost at the final stage of supplying hardware and software,” the high commissioner said during a recent press briefing at the Indian High Commission.

A building in the University of Guyana (UG),Turkeyen compound was identified to house the centre.

The government, through the Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, had signed a US$1M Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Government to establish an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre of Excellence in Guyana.

According to reports, the centre will provide training for public sector ICT professionals to ensure the availability of a highly skilled

ICT workforce, equipped with the requisite expertise to meet the increasingly complex demands of the public and private sectors.

High Commissioner Mahalingam said the centre will be equipped with specialists from India who will train and teach the Guyanese.

Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes was reported as saying that there will be one-year contract for the trainers from India who will be instructing the students and sharing their knowledge with local trainers.

The centre, the minister added, is one step closer to preparing Guyanese to deal with training issues.

Police hunting suspect in Kitty fatal stabbing POLICE are still hunting for an identified suspect in the fatal stabbing of Taj Andrew Jarvis of Dowding Street, Kitty, on Good Friday night in the vicinity of Barr and Alexander Streets, Kitty.

The suspect, believed to be about 30 years of age, is said to reside in Shell Road, Kitty.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred around 20:00hrs allegedly over money but was made to appear as a robbery.

At the time of the inci-

dent, the victim was seen walking with his friend along Alexander Street when the suspect confronted him and demanded money.

An argument between the deceased and the suspect developed and quickly escalated. The suspect it is reported pulled a weapon with which he allegedly stabbed Jarvis to his left side chest and chin, resulting in Jarvis falling to the ground.

The suspect then reportedly dealt Jarvis several blows and kicks to his stomach before walking away from the

THE 39-YEAR-OLD minibus driver who allegedly choked his former lover to death on Good Friday at his Westminster, West Bank Demerara, home has reportedly confessed to the killing. He is expected to be charged and face the court this week.

The police have confirmed that the confession came after diligent work by investigators.

According to reports, the dead woman, 32-yearold Rosemary Rudder, a caterer of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, had sometime around 22:30 hrs visited the minibus driver with whom she shared a relationship for some time.

It was further reported that Rudder on her arrival

at her former lover’s home, saw him in the company of another woman. This resulted in heated argument between herself and her paramour which developed into a scuffle.

It is alleged that during the scuffle the minibus driver choked Rudder and she collapsed to the floor. The man subsequently left the woman lying motionless in the house and went to make a report at the police station.

The police then visited the scene and took Rudder to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A female relative related that the two people had shared an “on and off” relationship and they were

Dead: Rosemary Rudder

having domestic problems.

The woman added that the ex-lover would normally abuse the woman, and that on one occasion she had overheard him threatening to kill Rudder.

Meanwhile, persons who were close to the woman said that she was seeing the minibus driver for some time and they had separated after having frequent verbal confrontations.

One in custody for wounding friend Dead: Taj Andrew Jarvis

scene, heading south along Alexander Street.

Jarvis was rushed by ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPH) where he was pronounced as dead on arrival.

A RICE farmer from Good Hope Village on the Essequibo Coast is in police custody at the Suddie Police Station, after he wounded his friend with a razor blade.

According to reports, the two friends were having a drink on Saturday when a heated argument ensued and one took a

razor blade and cut the other.

The victim, Mahadeo Jairam, received a deep wound and was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was treated and sent away.

The suspect, Sydney Matthaes, was subsequently arrested and is expected to be charged shortly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Easter Monday at Fort Island – where kite-flying is the order of the day

By Michel Outridge EASTER Monday at Fort Island, located in the Essequibo River, is a much-anticipated day which children look forward to and families spend time flying their kites on the beaches of that island.

The preparation of kites takes place from days before, especially for Easter Monday when picnic baskets would be packed after hours of cooking.

Fort Island is sprinkled with beaches that stretch for miles and the residents make use of the space and take their family and friends there for the day while others just fly their kites by the riverside.

Residents of other riverine communities such as Caria Caria, Baboon Hole, and St. Lawrence would journey in their boats to Fort Island and other nearby islands to spend the day kite-flying with friends and family.

The folks at Fort Island are very accommodating and would ensure that you have a good time with a good supply of food and drinks as they open their homes to you.

Children did not seem to mind getting in the sand to ensure their kites ‘go up in the air’ before the tide comes up and sections of the beach would disappear for a while.

The adults divided their time supervising children and assisting in patching up dam-

The pristine beach at Fort Island where folks spent Easter Monday

aged kites.

The atmosphere was one of sheer celebration and fun, since Fort Island is a tourist attraction which has Fort Zeelandia and the Court of Policy and accommodates dozens of visitors on a daily basis.

Even though it rained for

the morning period on Easter Monday, that did not deter the children from flying their colourful plastic kites in the downpour at Hubu, Parika and the villages that line the West Coast Demerara corridor.

At some places such as the Joe Vieira Park, there

were many tents being set up to accommodate kite-flyers and others, even though it was raining.

In a nutshell, the folks in Region 3 spent Easter Monday engaged in family-oriented activities and at the same time had lots of fun.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Essequibians celebrate Easter … using up every available open space in fine style

By Indra Natram THE skies over the Cinderella County were quickly transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour on Monday as hundreds of persons joyfully raised their kites at different locations along the Coast.

Although the day was rainy, families converged on various beaches, ball fields, stretch of seawall and open spaces to celebrate the festive

season of Easter.

Many chose to celebrate the joyous occasion by having a picnic, spreading their colourful mats on the ground and putting out their eatables, beers and other beverages.

During a visit to several villages, including Charity, Golden Fleece, Abram Zuil, Anna Regina, Charity and Taymonth Manor, the Guyana Chronicle found that the atmosphere was one filled with excitement.

Persons were gaily clad in colourful attire, and the look on their faces spoke volumes as they went about their business, raising their kites and generally enjoying themselves.

At Charity, the market area was a hive of activity as usual, with persons either ‘bussing a lil lime’ or going shopping. The pubs at Charity, namely Xenon and Purple Heart, were packed to the hilt, with persons enjoy-

A group of young men having a rollicking time on the Golden Fleece Beach

ing themselves to the tune of spicy soca music. These pubs serve as hot spots for the holidays.

Down at Anna Regina, the air was filled with the smell of sumptuous barbecue as persons maximised on the season, earning an extra dollar.

Vendors were seen as early as 09:00hrs setting up make-shift tents on the Anna Regina seawall, while the families began arriving at

around 13:00hrs.

Swarms of kites of different colours, shapes and sizes dotted the Golden Fleece Beach skyline, where all the action seemed to be.

Even the children got into the spirit of things, as they competed with one another to see whose kite will soar the highest.

Those who didn’t walk with kites spent their time on the beach, socialising and generally catching up with

friends.

In the evening, it was a big lime and a celebratory mood was created as many DJs played songs from huge music systems.

Easter is one of the favourite holidays in Guyana.

It tends to foster togetherness and unity among families as persons of all walks of life come together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah.

Little Aniyah Doodnauth and her mom Melisa Ramadhan raising a kite at Tapakuma (Photos by Indra Natram)

Guyanese brave the rain

– to spend Easter Monday in the outdoors

By Vishani Ragobeer

ber, Sharlene, said that both she and her sister along with their children loved the area.

The Rose family however, has laid claim to one particular spot in the Botanical Gardens for the past seven Easters and has made it a tradition to spend their Easter Monday in the ‘Gardens’.

“We sent people earlier to keep the spot and we came out [at around 13:00 hours],” Maylene Rose said.

And for the family, ac-

DESPITE the threat of rainfall looming overhead, families came out in their numbers to enjoy Easter Monday, one way or the other.

From reports the Guyana Chronicle received, families prepared days in advance for the Easter weekend; purchasing or making kites, organising picnic baskets and crafting lunch menus. At

the weekend’s culmination was Easter Monday, the day Christ was said to have risen and the day when kites, of all colours, shapes and sizes, would blanket the sky.

With all preparations made for the day, spirits were dampened-literally and figuratively- when the rains descended. Even when the rains left, it seemed as though many would prefer to stay home rather brave the muddy grounds.

Nevertheless, some families would not let the opportunity to spend quality outdoor time together, pass that easily. The Guyana Chronicle caught up with a few families who were enjoying their Easter Monday despite the gloomy weather.

While the National Park had its crowd, as per usual, many persons seemed to prefer the Botanical Gardens this year.

A mother of three little

girls, Dewon Mingo, brought her girls out to enjoy the cool atmosphere and let them frolic in the gardens. “Well, I was thinking of staying home but I still came out here,” she said. “Easter is a nice time you know, they say it's the resurrection of Christ, so it’s nice to bring the girls out.”

The Khan family, travelling from the East Bank of Demerara, noted that it was their second Easter Monday in the gardens and one memThe Singh’s family

The Rose’s family at their ‘spot’ in the Botanical Gardens

cording to Akeema Rose, the holiday is just as anticipated, as Christmas time. The children were picnicking to pass the time, but were eagerly awaiting the sun to fly their kites.

Finally, the Singh family definitely came in their numbers to enjoy the day.

According to Indrapaul Singh, her family would usually spend the day on the seawalls but this year, they changed venues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Min Harmon gifts kites to East Coast children OVER 160 kites were distributed to children of the communities of Ann’s Grove, Beehive, Clonbrook, Two Friends, Dochfour and Victoria as part of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon’s effort to spread happiness during the Easter season.

Making the delivery on behalf of Minster Harmon on Sunday at the Ann’s Grove Community Centre was

Amanda Peters, Personal Assistant of Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes.

Peters said the act of kite distribution is especially important to Minister Harmon, who wants to see today’s children be afforded the same joys he had as a child.

“As a true son of Guyanese soil, the Minister remembers his own boyhood

kite-flying days, and he wants you to enjoy many hours of fun in the sun with your kites,” Peters told the children of the communities who gathered, adding: “As a father, the Minister wants you to be safe and only fly your kites in wide open spaces, staying away from Guyana Power and Light overhead power lines [and] after Easter Monday,

Delivering kites to children in the Bee Hive community is Amanda Peters, Personal Assistant of Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, on behalf of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon (Photos by Adrian Narine)

he wants you to have a bright and purposeful future.”

Immediately after receiving the gifts, the excited children, with the help of their parents, got their kites up in the air and could be seen scattered across the field enjoying the physical activity.

Representative of the Ann’s Grove Brothers and Sisters Group, Unice Fortune, who helped to gather the children for the event, said that the gifts will help to ease the financial burden of parents in the communities.

“I’m very much thankful because in this village here, we have a lot of single parents and a lot of people who can’t afford certain things, so this is a cut back on their pockets.

To some people it might be a small gesture but for us it’s a great deal,” Fortune said.

Meanwhile, President of the Victoria Youth Development Organization, Anthony Samuels said that it was nice to see that Easter--a Christian occasion--is receiving support from persons of different religions as were represented in the children who turned out.

Following distributions at the Ann’s Grove Community Centre, Peters travelled to the neighbouring

Strong winds quickly take the kite of a youngster high in the air, much to his delight at the Ann’s Grove Community Centre Ground on Easter Sunday

community of Bee Hive to hand out the remaining kites to children who were

not able to attend the function.

Easter presentation brings to life ‘The Resurrection’ – in poetry, song and more at the Umana Yana THE Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport on Sunday hosted an Easter presentation at the Umana Yana in which it chronicled the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The event, themed ‘No Cross, No Crown’, was filled with renditions in poetry, song, and saxophone, and dance and dramatic pieces, all of which spoke to the one subject.

It was the first time the Ministry has ever hosted such an event, and according to Programme Coordinator, Sharon Patterson, the intention was to foster social cohesion among Guyanese despite their religious affiliation.

“This is in an effort to build a unified Guyana,” Patterson said. “What we want to do is to bring all of our diversities together, just like we would to observe

Dancers deliver an emotional depiction of the resurrection of Jesus Christ at the Umana Yana on Sunday evening

Mr. Roy Stewart serenading his Umana Yana audience on Sunday (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Youman Nabi and Diwali.

“Easter is central to the Christians, and so we want to set aside time in the Ministry’s calendar to present and let persons know what Easter is all about.”

The programme was di-

rected by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Planning and International Engagement at the University of Guyana (UG), Dr. Barbara Reynolds, with the help of several churches.

Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday as the

day is sometimes called, is a Christian Holiday which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after he was crucified by the Romans, as told and described in the New Testament.

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From back page►

Guyana end CARIFTA Games ... outing in the Bahamas, replicated her 2017 performance, when she won gold in the Girls’ U-20 long jump and returned in the triple jump to win bronze.

Murphy Nash (Boys’ U-17 1500 metres), Deshana Skeete (Girls’ U-17 400 metres), Kezra Murray (Girls’ U-20 1500 metres) and Shaquka Tyrell (Girls’ U-17 1500 metres) helped Guyana to a good start on day one of the games, but day two told an entirely different story, where only Bright gained a place on the podium.

On the final day, Joanna Archer ran well to claim bronze in the Girls’ U-20 800 metres final, clocking two minutes 11.62 secs.

Princess Browne, who was unsuccessful in the Girls’ U-17 long jump, returned to claim third in the triple jump, leaping a distance of 11.97 metres.

Meanwhile, the quartet of Archer, Bright, Murray and Kenisha Phillips had a bit of luck on their side, after being

promoted to second place in the Girls’ U-20 4x400 metres relay, thanks to some miscalculated baton passing

by Jamaica, who would have won, and The Bahamas who were also disqualified.

Jamaica, at the handing-over on the final leg, dropped the baton, allowing Guyana to cruise home and to place third. The Bahamas and St Vincent and Grenadines finished first and second respectively. It was later announced that the Bahamas were also disqualified but up to press time, Chronicle Sport was unable to ascertain why the home team had their silver medal stripped and Guyana promoted.

Daniel Williams, despite running his personal best was good for a fifth place finish in the Boys’ U-20 200 metres final - a race dominated

by Jamaica’s world-rated athlete, Christopher Taylor (20.38 secs). Williams ran 21.21 secs, the same time he clocked in the heats the previous day.

Kenisha Phillips’ 24.14 secs in the Girls’ U-20 200 metres final saw her finish fifth. Carl Williams’ leap of 13.73 metres in the Boys’ U-20 triple jump saw him finish at the bottom of the nine-man competition.

Last year, Guyana won four gold, one silver and three bronze medals at the Games in Curacao.

GUYANA MEDAL BREAKDOWN Chantoba Bright – gold (long jump), bronze (triple jump) Murphy Nash – bronze (Boys’ U-17 1500 metres) Kezra Murray – bronze (Girls’ U-20 1500 metres) Shaquka Tyrell – bronze (Girls’ U-17 1500 metres) Deshana Skeete – bronze (Girls’ U-17 400 metres) Joanna Archer – bronze (Girls’ U-20 800 metres) Princess Browne – bronze (Girls’ U-17 triple jump) Girls’ 4x400 metres relay – silver

From back page►

Ruthless Pakistan clinch ... a ragged Windies bowling effort which mirrored Sunday’s performance.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan suffered an early loss

when Fakhar Zaman perished for six in the second over with the score on 11, gloving a pull at seamer Rayad Emrit through to wicketkeeper Ramdin.

However, immediate further success proved elusive, as Babar and Talat combined in an excellent 119-run, second-wicket stand which put Pakistan in a commanding position.

The right-handed Babar, dropped by Samuel Badree at square leg on 78 in the 17th over from seamer Kesrick Williams, struck 13 fours and a six in a 58-ball knock.

Talat, meanwhile, faced 41 balls and carved out eight fours and a six before being brilliantly hauled in at point by captain Jason Mohammed, to give debutant medium pacer Odean Smith his first international wicket.

Babar then anchored two key partnerships which left the Windies in disarray, putting on 47 off 18 balls for the third wicket with Asif Ali (14) before adding a further 38 off 18 deliveries in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Shoaib Malik (17 not out).

Faced with a daunting target, the Windies lost Andre Fletcher cheaply in the third over for one, chopping on to left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz with 11 runs on the board.

Walton, however, inspired the best stand of the innings when he posted 39 for the second wicket with

Marlon Samuels who made 12, as West Indies tried to stabilise.

The right-handed Walton counted five fours and a couple of sixes and appeared set for a half-century when he missed a heave at a Shadab googly and had his stumps rattled in the ninth over.

By then, the required run rate had skyrocketed to 13 an over and Samuels, who laboured for 21 balls with a single four, tried to break the shackles but only succeeded in picking out long off at the start of the 11th over from Shadab.

Ramdin stepped up the tempo, albeit briefly, hoisting Shadab over the ropes at mid-wicket and then drilling the next ball to the cover boundary in the 13th over which leaked 13 runs, as he added 35 for the fourth wicket in quick time with Mohammed (15).

But Talat broke the stand in the 15th over, getting Ramdin to hole out to square leg and Mohammed followed in the next over, yorked by Amir as he backed away to leg.

Tottering on 94 for five, the innings spectacularly imploded in the 18th. Amir knocked over Rovman Powell (3) and Keemo Paul (17) to off-side catches inside the first four balls of the over, and Emrit and Williams then ended up in the same crease at the striker’s end in a horrible mix-up over a second run, sending Emrit on his way.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

19

72 Days to go …

Hand of God, Hurst’s goal and Battle of Santiago:

World Cup’s biggest controversies THE World Cup comes along every four years, and with it comes an eclectic mix of controversies that cross between sport, politics and the absurd.

The world’s biggest football event has seen many moments of controversy over the years.

10. GRAHAM POLL BOOKS JOSIP SIMUNIC THREE TIMES, 2006 The 2006 World Cup didn’t go according to plan for referee Poll. After he made the mistake of not sending Simunic off after booking him twice in Croatia’s final group game against Australia, was it better or worse for him to then book him a third time?

Sure, the mistake would have been the same, but there wouldn’t be the final flourish, the threecard trick gags and the added slapstick moment of a third yellow card. On the other hand, he eventually got the final decision correct, so that’s something.

9. SOUTH KOREA’S ‘FAVOURABLE’ REFEREEING, 2002 Manager Guus Hiddink is a national hero in South Korea after masterminding the feel-good story of the co-hosts advancing to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. Feel-good, that is, as long as you aren’t a fan of Spain or Italy.

If dodgy decisions in one game had helped the Koreans out then you might have been able to write it off as a bad match, but when it happened twice ... well, a decidedly foul whiff started to descend over things. Italy were the first victims, with a fair goal disallowed and Francesco Totti dismissed for a dive after being fouled in the penalty area, before they were knocked out with a golden goal by Ahn Jung-Hwan -- although it must be pointed out that the Italians missed some genuine sitters along the way.

Then Spain were on the wrong end of some “questionable” decisions, with two goals disallowed and the assistant referees’ flags on hair triggers. “Italy was right!” exclaimed the headline in Marca, while Byron Moreno of Ecuador, who refereed the Italy game, was suspended by his national federation for some suspect domestic performances and later pleaded guilty to trying to smuggle six kilos of heroin into the United States.

8. A KUWAITI SHEIKH GETS A GOAL DISALLOWED, 1982 The instinct for many when a team surrounds the referee following a controversial decision is to wonder why they’re bothering, because the man in black isn’t going to change his mind. However, Kuwait provided an example of why it’s occasionally worth badgering the officials, although perhaps it works only if you’ve got a Sheikh to make your case.

failed to control the ball. Then, Steve Hodge hooked the ball into the air and towards his own goal.

Maradona continued his run and went up for the ball with Peter Shilton, reaching it just before him and diverting it into the net,.which of course isn’t the whole story, but you know which part of his anatomy Maradona used to score the goal.

“Come hug me or the referee isn’t going to allow it,” El Diego claimed he said as he wheeled away in unapologetic celebration.

were sent on to the pitch well before Argentina, leaving them to soak up 10 minutes of spittle and abuse from the assembled 70 000 in the Estadio Monumental.

5. ITALY WEAR BLACK SHIRTS, 1938 In 1938, relations between Italy and the rest of the world were strained during the rule of Benito Mussolini. Still, a clash of kits is probably not at the top of a list of “Things likely to cause a

Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ goal will go down as one as the most controversial goals in FIFA World Cup history.

In the 1982 World Cup, Kuwait were drawn against France -- Platini, Tigana, Giresse et al -- so naturally it seemed they wouldn’t have much of a chance. And so it proved, with the French strolling to a 3-1 lead before Platini played in Giresse to hit home another.

However, a scamp in the crowd blew a rather official-sounding whistle, causing the Kuwaiti players to stop, assuming it was the referee who had called a halt to proceedings.

7. DIEGO MARADONA VS. ENGLAND, 1986 Ah, Diego. The World Cup has seen the best and the worst of Maradona -- indeed, one five-minute spell of one game has seen his best and worst. Shortly after halftime of Argentina’s World Cup quarterfinal against England, Maradona advanced towards the English penalty area and fed Jorge Valdano, who

6. ARGENTINA AT THE 1978 WORLD CUP A veritable barrel of controversy, this one. It was, to put things mildly, quite important hosts Argentina did well at this World Cup, with dictator Jorge Videla placing a good deal of faith in a home win to spruce up the country’s image.

Argentina didn’t start brilliantly, unconvincingly making it through the first group stage, and after a marginal win over Poland and a 0-0 draw with Brazil in the second group stage, they needed a four-goal victory in the final game against Peru to qualify for the final. They won 6-0, with the Peruvians curiously lax in the second half, with an assortment of wild theories put forward as to how, if at all, the game was fixed.

When the final did come around, the Johan Cruyff-less Netherlands

diplomatic incident”. In the quarterfinal of the 1938 tournament, Italy faced hosts France, and as both teams traditionally wear blue, the visiting Azzurri were asked if they’d mind wearing their changed strip.

Italy’s standard away jersey was all white, but Mussolini directed his players to instead don all black, the symbolic colour of the Italian fascist paramilitary.

4. HARALD SCHUMACHER CLATTERS PATRICK BATTISTON, 1982 “Out of his goal raced the burly Schumacher,” wrote Brian Glanville in the Sunday Times, about Schumacher’s charge out of goal that put Patrick Battiston into a coma during the France vs West Germany semifinal in the 1982 World Cup. The physical scars have healed, but clearly, some 30 years on, the

mental ones have some way to go.

3. GEOFF HURST’S GOAL, 1966 There’s a (quite possibly) apocryphal story about Tofiq Bahramov, the Azerbaijan linesman who ruled Geoff Hurst’s second and England’s third goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final legitimate, being asked about the decision on his deathbed. “Stalingrad,” he is said to have replied, referencing the hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops and civilians killed by the Nazis in World War II. Whether that’s true or not we may never know, but what we can be fairly certain of is that Bahramov was wrong, and that Hurst’s shot was barely even close to going over the line after bouncing down from the crossbar.

Indeed, Bahramov didn’t think so either -- he believed the ball had actually rebounded from the roof of the net, rather than the woodwork, so any crossing or otherwise of the line after that was moot.

2. THE BATTLE OF SANTIAGO, 1962 There are few more definitive accounts of a sporting event than the great David Coleman’s summary of this group game in 1962 between hosts Chile and Italy.

“Good evening. The game you’re about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.”

In a particularly violent tournament, this game will forever be remembered for the way in which the two sets of players went at each other, with very little focus on the ball. The first foul occurred after just 12 seconds; the first booking after four minutes. The score ended 2-0 to Chile, by the way.

1. THE ANSCHLUSS GAME, 1982 The upside for Algeria is that this was the game that forced FIFA to change, and that is no mean feat. Of course, that isn’t huge consolation for a team who were basically cheated out of the 1982 World Cup by West Germany and Austria, who, knowing that a 1-0 win for the Germans would send both sides through to the second phase, played out a tedious 80 minutes after Horst Hrubesch’s early goal, passing the ball gently around midfield in a manner that would have embarrassed the most slack training session.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

Morkel strikes twice to leave Aussies reeling after du Plessis ton

Skipper Faf du Plessis raised his arms to celebrate his first Test century since October 2016. (AFP)

By Nick Said JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Tall seamer Morne Morkel took two wickets to restrict struggling Australia to 88 for three at the close on the fourth day of the final Test as South Africa marched towards an emphatic victory yesterday.

Having set Australia a massive 612 for a win that would level the series, the home side removed the tourists’ top three batsmen, despite injury concerns over their pace trio which delayed South Africa’s declaration until the tea interval.

Peter Handscomb (23) and Shaun Marsh (seven) will set about saving the Test on the fifth day, but only a near impossible victory would ensure Australia avoid a first series defeat in South Africa for almost 50 years.

The home side have injury worries over all their fast bowlers, though, with Kagiso Rabada suffering from a stiff lower back, Morkel struggling with a side strain and Vernon Philander nursing a groin problem.

That meant they limited the number of overs the trio would have to bowl as the hosts declared on 344 for six after a stylish century from captain Faf du Plessis.

The wilting Australian side have been rocked by the ball-tampering scandal in which former captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were sent home after the third Test in Cape Town.

Having been dropped in the gully by Temba Bavuma off Philander, Australia opener Matt Renshaw’s tortured stay at the crease was ended by Morkel, who is playing in his final Test before international retirement, as he was trapped plumb lbw after a 42-ball innings that yielded five runs.

South Africa’s second wicket was more controversial as Usman Khawaja (seven) was given out lbw by umpire Nigel Llong off the bowling of spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The ball struck the lefthander outside the line of off-stump, but Llong and third umpire Richard Illingworth agreed he had not been offering a shot, a decision the Australian clearly felt was wrong.

Opener Joe Burns (42) had looked in good touch until he became the third batsman trapped in front, this time from a rare Morkel yorker that was hitting middle stump.

A relieved du Plessis (120) reached his eighth Test century after passing

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings (o/n 134-3 Aiden Markram c Handscomb b Cummins 37 Dean Elgar c Marsh b Lyon 81 Hashim Amla c Marsh b Lyon 16 AB de Villiers c Paine b Cummins 6 Faf du Plessis c Handscomb b Cummins 120 Temba Bavuma not out 35 Quinton de Kock lbw Cummins 4 Vernon Philander not out 33 Extras: (b-4, lb-8) 12 Total: (six wkts, 105.0 overs) 344 Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-79, 3-94, 4-264, 5-266, 6-273.

Bowling: Hazlewood 21-6-41-0, Sayers 14-2-68-0, Lyon 41-13-116-2, Cummins 185-58-4, Marsh 8-0-40-0, Renshaw 3–0-9-0.

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings Matthew Renshaw lbw Morne Morkel 5 Joe Burns lbw Morne Morkel 42 Usman Khawaja lbw Maharaj 7 Peter Handscomb not out 23 Shaun Marsh not out 7 Extras: (lb-1, nb-3) 4 Total: (three wkts, 30.0 overs) 88 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-34, 3-68.

Bowling: Rabada 5-2-9-0 (nb-1), Philander 5-2-9- 0 (nb-1), Maharaj 10-1-45-1 (nb-1), Morkel 8-4-18-2.

50 for the first time in 11 innings, seven of which have been single-figure scores.

He was out edging seamer Pat Cummins (4-58) to a diving Handscomb at second slip, ending a fourth-wicket partnership of 170 with opener Dean Elgar (81).

Elgar’s 250-ball vigil ended shortly afterwards when he tried to attack spinner Nathan Lyon (2-116), but skied his shot to Shaun Marsh at mid-on.

Quinton de Kock (four) was trapped lbw by Cummins, who recorded the best Test match figures of his career, 9-141.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

21

Bad light halts England’s pursuit of victory in Christchurch CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (Reuters) - England’s bid to win the second Test against New Zealand and level up the series was hindered by bad light yesterday when play was abandoned early with the hosts 42 without loss chasing an unlikely 382 for victory.

The tourists, without a win in their last 12 overseas Tests and needing victory to save the two-Test series after losing the opener in Auckland, declared their second innings closed on 352-9 earlier on day four at Hagley Oval.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham, who had made 25 not out, and Jeet Raval unbeaten on 17 will resume on the final day today after weathering an early storm from the seamers and a period where declining light forced England to bowl spin.

England’s Jonny Bairstow, who backed up his first-innings century with a bright 36 from 54 balls, said the tourists were confident they could take the 10 wickets to get the job done today.

“We’ve seen that if you put the ball in the right areas, we’ve beaten the outside edge consistently,” he told reporters.

Problems in getting a full day’s play at a ground without floodlights might have been expected this far into the year, especially after the official end of New Zea-

land’s summer came with the changing of the clocks at the weekend.

England had still looked in a strong position to get the win they required to stymie New Zealand’s hopes of a first series triumph against them since 1999 when bad light also brought an early end to day three on Sunday.

Having made 307 in their first innings before dismissing New Zealand for 278, they resumed on 202-3 and pushed cautiously towards a position where they might declare later in the day.

Joe Root and Dawid Malan both reached the half-century mark - a 39th for the skipper, number six for his partner - before a double strike in three balls saw them depart for 54 and 53 respectively to leave their side 278-5 at lunch.

England’s next four wickets went for only 70 runs, more than half of them coming from the bat of Bairstow with Root calling his players in once the wicketkeeper had departed.

After New Zealand’s pace spearhead of Tim Southee and Trent Boult had taken all of the England wickets on the first three days of the match, Colin de Grandhomme finally got the other home bowlers in on the act.

The all-rounder’s gentle medium pace accounted for Malan, Ben Stokes (12), Stuart Broad (12) and Mark

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings 307 all out, New Zealand 1st innings 278 ENGLAND 2nd innings (o/n 202 for 3) Alastair Cook c BJ Watling b Boult 14 Mark Stoneman c BJ Watling b Southee 60 James Vince c Taylor b Boult 76 Joe Root c BJ Watling b Wagner 54 Dawid Malan c Nicholls b de Grandhomme 53 Ben Stokes c Raval b de Grandhomme 12 Jonny Bairstow c Nicholls b Wagner 36 Stuart Broad c Sodhi b de Grandhomme 12 Mark Wood b de Grandhomme 9 Jack Leach not out 14 Extras: (b-4, lb-3, nb-3, w-2) 12 Total: (106.4 overs) 352 Fall of wickets : 1-24, 2-147, 3-165, 4-262, 5-262, 6-282, 7-300, 8-312, 9-352.

Bowling: Boult 28-5-89-2, Southee 19-4-651 (w-1), Colin de Grandhomme 26-2-94-4, (w-1, nb-2), Neil Wagner 22.4-5-51-2 (nb-3), Ish Sodhi 11-0-46-0.

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings Tom Latham not out 25 Jeet Raval not out 17 Extras: 0 Total: (23.0 overs) 42-0 Bowling: James Anderson 9-5-9-0, Stuart Broad 8-3-16-0, Mark Wood 2-0-13-0, Jack Leach 3-1-4-0.

Wood (9) and he finished with figures of 4-94.

New Zealand just need a draw to take the series 1-0 and batting coach Craig McMillan said it would be quite an achievement if they managed to bat out the final day.

“Series wins have been few and far between for New Zealand Test sides, in terms of history it would be very special,” he said.

“But there’s a big day with a lot of cricket ahead tomorrow, so there’s a lot of work still to be done.”

BCB U-19 trials commence

The players with BCB vice-president Albert Smith.

THIRTY-FIVE promising cricketers commenced the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Under-19 trials for possible selection for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board-sponsored Hand-inHand Inter-county tournaments yesterday at the Albion Community Centre ground.

BCB president Hilbert Foster, vice-president Albert Smith and senior coach Julian Moore had a comprehensive meeting with the players before the trial began.

The players were informed of what is expected of them and the BCB’s future plans. They were also allowed the opportunity to offer suggestions to the BCB on the way forward.

The trial session continues tomorrow. The following players who are a part of the trials are: Kevlon Anderson, Alex Algoo, Steve Deonarine, Kelvin Umroa, Junior Sinclair, Karan Arjpaul, Garfield Benjamin, Javed Karim, Kevin Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Trevon Stanislaus,

Steven Kamaludin, Christopher Harry, Antonio February, Brandon Corlette, Keon Gangoo, Cheddie Budhoo, Leon Swammy, Dilshan Mahendra Charran, Joshua Singh, Saheed Khan, Malcom Mickle, Mahendra Persaud, A Ramnarine, Reuben Latcha, Ramesh Kassinauth, Wendell Fordyce, Davindra Ramkissoon, Dinanauth Persaud, Azim Shewtahal, Torend Shivamer, Mahendra Chaitnarine, Winslow Roberts, Rovindra Budhoo and Nicholas Lawson.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

BCB, Mike’s Pharmacy join forces for U-15 tournament

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has joined forces with Mike’s Pharmacy for an Inter-Club Under-15 tournament, which is set to bowl off next month.

The tournament is for players born on or after September 1, 2003 and will attract 20 teams.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, stated that less than two months after being elected into office, the BCB has been able to secure a number of sponsorships.

The U-15 level, Foster noted, is long overdue.

The tournament would also enable the BCB selectors to identify players for next year’s U-15 and U-17 Inter-county tournaments.

Promising players would also be selected to be part of the BCB 2018 Cricket Academy and a countywide coaching programme.

Foster expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Mike’s Pharmacy for its investment into Berbice cricket and expressed confidence that the relationship would not only be fruitful but would be a long-term one.

He reassured the company that the tournament would be well organised and would achieve all of its objectives.

Chief Executive Officer of Mike’s Pharmacy, Lakhram Singh, expressed pleasure at becoming an official sponsor of the BCB. He stated that investing

in cricket at the junior level is very important as it helps to identify promising talents at a young age.

Singh expressed confidence that the relationship would be a long-term one and urged the board to maintain the high bar it has set itself.

Singh also disclosed that outstanding players in the tournament would receive cricket gear while members of the two finalists would be uniformed with White Polo T-shirts from his company under the Wellman’s brand.

Teams interested in being a part of the Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 tournament can contact Foster on 337-4562 or secretary Rabindranauth Saywack on 660-0049 or 232-0255.

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Wayne Jones of Mike’s Pharmacy hands over the sponsorship cheque to BCB president Hilbert Foster while the company’s CEO Lakhram Singh looks on.

Mike Edwards accuses IAAF of cowardice

By Mike Henson BBC Sport on the Gold Coast FORMER British high jumper Mike Edwards has accused the IAAF of cowardice with the rules of athletics’ governing body set to bar him from representing Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games.

The 27-year-old arrived on the Gold Coast as part of the Nigerian team but is ineligible to compete because he represented Britain at the European Junior Championships in 2009.

Edwards, who was born in Manchester but has a Nigerian mother and citizenship, has protested against his situation with a home-made sign in the athletes’ village.

“It was nine years ago - it is a worse sentence that a drug cheat gets,” he told BBC Sport.

“I am walking around the village with my Nigerian kit and unsure if I can even walk in the stadium and represent.

“It is nearly a decade since I last competed in an international championship. I feel I am being robbed of that opportunity right in front of my eyes.

“I am willing to protest every day in the village. I will do it until I receive a call from (IAAF president) Seb Coe. If he can’t do that he is a coward.

“As a fellow athlete, he can’t hide behind his desk - that is heartless.”

Athletes have in the past transferred nationalities.

Ramil Guliyev competed at the same European Junior Championships as Edwards in 2009 winning gold for Azerbaijan, but took the world 200m title in London last year under the Turkish flag.

However, the process for switching nations was stopped in February 2017 with the IAAF citing concerns over the exploitation of young African athletes, and but not resumed.

Edwards continued competing as a British athlete, notably winning the British Indoor title in February, until last month when he successfully requested release from British Athletics.

The IAAF claims, however, that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria only got in contact on Friday, emailing the governing body a copy of Edwards’ Nigerian passport with no further message.

It insists that he would not be able to jump for Nigeria regardless.

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Mike Edwards - who is engaged to British athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton - also posted a picture of his accreditation.

“The transfer of allegiance is still frozen in cases where an athlete has represented an IAAF member federation in international competition,” read a statement.

“Given these circumstances, under current IAAF rules, he is not eligible to represent another country.”

With the start of the high jump competition a little over a week away, Edwards believes his case deserves an urgent and sympathetic hearing.

“I knew there was more significance behind representing Nigeria - they have not had a male high jumper at the Commonwealth Games in 50 years,” he added.

“Representing England? They are taking three guys, they don’t need me.

“I can’t look back at this opportunity and say I passed it up to be another number.”

Edwards, who now describes his teenage appearance for Britain as “both a gift and a curse”, says he has made “countless” personal calls to the IAAF to try and gain permission to compete for Nigeria.

“I should not be penalised as an adult for a decision that I made as a juvenile,” he concluded.

“My competitors are not the guys on the field now, they are the federation.

“Just to compete would be a gold medal for me.”

Ponting’s speech gave us goosebumps - Iyer DELHI Daredevils coach Ricky Ponting’s aggression, coupled with his urge to win, has already given “goosebumps” in the team camp, according to batsman Shreyas Iyer.

“He’s very aggressive and has a positive frame of mind,” Iyer said yesterday during the team camp. “When he gave a speech to all of us on the first day, it gave us goosebumps.

His frame of mind was naturally about winning, everyone comes in and we talk a lot about process. When he came in, he had just one mindset at the time: that is to win and he elaborated a lot on that.

“He asks us to play our own game and not necessarily change our technique or skill. He has his way of preparing youngsters. It has just been three or four days since he has come in; we will get to learn a lot.”

Iyer said Ponting’s approach to T20s was in stark contrast to that of Rahul Dravid, Daredevils’ former mentor. “Dravid is calm and cool, he likes to follow the process and nurture the kids. Ponting is opposite, but their frame of mind is the same. Both are equally good in their own way.”

Iyer said the younger players would also benefit from the “tremendous experience” of their captain Gautam Gambhir.

“It would be helpful to the team, since he has won two IPL titles,” Iyer said. “He’s really good in building the rapport with the youngsters. It will be a great learning experience to play under him.”

On his own form, Iyer said having played a tournament in Mumbai prior to the IPL helped him find his tempo for a T20 innings.

“It really helped me in terms of how to plan and build my innings,” Iyer said. “Considering the side we have right now, it will help me personally.

I hope I will be able to carry forward the same experience in the IPL as well.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 3, 2018

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Royals romp past Bulls to lift LABA/ Malta Supreme basketball trophy

By Joe Chapman LED by a game-high 30 points, laced with five 3-pointers from former Junior National guard Marlon Pollydore, the Linden senior basketball champions Victory Valley Royals continued their dominance in the Mining Town when they handsomely walked away with the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s (LABA) Malta Supreme Madness Open championship. They caged Half Mile Bulls 84-62 in the final clash last Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

It was a fitting end to a championship where the Royals played unbeaten and added another title to their collection, following their MSC Open League win in December last year.

The Royals, who lost once in the double-round

league they eventually won - that defeat coming in their final game against the Bulls 87-79 - made no mistake this time and finished unbeaten as they led throughout this championship game.

Pollydore showed his experience as he led the Royals superbly in the back court and with their most dependable player, Harold Adams, playing a reserved role, it was left to Pollydore to step up on his game. He did this admirably and showed great leadership in this crucial game and maintained his recent splendid scoring touch.

The Royals played without Chris Williams and Orlando Glasgow. Their leader Adams was content, after triggering their first-half 1712 lead through Alwyn Rodney and Yannick Tappin. Adams eventually had 17 points while youngster Daniel Lee netted 10, Alwyn Rodney

Champions Victory Valley Royals celebrate with their trophy.

nine, Yannick Tappin eight and Akali Moore six for the winners.

The Bulls were unable to rough up their opponents as they did in the last MSC

Just Call Me Boss wins feature at Port Mourant JUST Call Me Boss of the Jagdeo stables and ridden by Paul Delph ran a well-calculated race to upset a star-studded field and beat off the fast-finishing favourite Vera’s Finally, to win the feature event of the Triple series horserace meet, held last Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

The large crowd witnessed a well-organised and an incident-free day of racing.

The four animals in the feature C Class and one mile event were sent on their way on a level break as the crowd took up ever available position.

As the horses hit the first turn and into the back stretch, the animals were beginning to bunch up as they jostled for the lead.

By then the strong finishers in Vera’s Finally, Princess She’s Not and Jack In My Style were beginning to take orders, as they started to move into position. Around

the far turn, positions were changing rapidly as the animals continued their gallop on the fast track.

However, as they hit the straight for home Just Call Me Boss with Delph urging it on, the animal did not disappoint and won comfortably.

Other wins on the card included: She Is A Princess, Storm Bird, Mischievous Maker, Miss Olympic, TNT, Not This Time and Golden Kiss.

The third and final leg will take place at Rising Sun Turf Club on April 29.

At the Rising Sun facility, there will be the following first-place cash prizes in the respective classes: C Class and Lower $1M; F Class and Lower/E’ Class non-earners/ last start $400000; Threeyear-old Guyana-bred $350 000; H1 and Lower $300 000; J/K and Lower $240 000; K Class non-earner/last start $230 000; L and Lower $200 000. Note: Cash prizes will be awarded from first- to fifth-place.

Connections of the Jagdeo stables receive the winning trophy for Just Call Me Boss victory.

The start of the Triple Crown was postponed twice due to inclement weather,

which eventually forced organisers to postpone the first leg.

Open League game, when they led at the end of each quarter to snap the 11-game

winning streak by the Royals in last December’s League championship.

With a 23-18 exchange to end the first half, the Royals led 40-30 at halftime and had narrow runs in the third and fourth quarters of 13-12 and 33-30 respectively, to eventually win 86-72.

Welch had to settle for 13 points, seven coming in the second quarter, as Dillon Pellew got 10 and Kevin Easton contributed seven.

Emmanuel Larose and Vibert Benjamin had six points apiece.

In the third-place play-off game, Amelia’s Ward Jets closed out the challenge from Retrieve Raiders romping home 8462 after leading 38-32 at halftime before a 23-6 stifling run over the Raiders put the game beyond their reach. However, no individual scores were available in this game.

GVF selects male, female squads for overseas engagements THE Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) over the last weekend selected a male as well as a female squad to undergo intensive training for several regional and international engagements to be held during the remainder of the year.

After conducting a two-leg series of matches between teams from the Berbice Volleyball Federation and their Demerara counterparts, the selectors, led by former national captain and current national coach Levi Nedd, have named a 22-member male squad and a 15-member female squad to continue training for possible selection to represent Guyana in Bolivia next month.

The male squad comprises Davindra Latchman, Shemroy Ross, Quacy Matheson, Adriel Moore, Samuel Fraser, Dexter Hoppie, Richard Samaroo, Rick Richie, Renaldo Bobb, Joshua Jagmohan, Marcelious Hector, Akeem Bowling, Dayimon Al Ahamad, Wendel Austin, Kristophe Shepperd, Ian Bagot, Trevlon McRae, Kapeldev Samaroo, Simon Seecharran, Gino Carval, David Bowman and Juan Valaques.

The 15 females selected are Donelle Samaroo, Panke David, Amisha Mohabir, Mercedez Ford, Philana Simpson, Hanna Hicks, Kim Chan, Olivia Welcome, Abbigail Humphrey, Krystal Paddy, Candacy Mentore, Leanna Davis, Shania Thomas, Cherry Fay-Ann Fraser and Kirenia Ballard.

The squads will use the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue as well as the GuySuCo Training Centre, Port Mourant, Berbice for their training sessions which will be conducted by Nedd.

Guyana end CARIFTA Games with one gold, one silver and seven bronze medals

… Archer, Browne and 4x400 Girls’ U-20 team excel on final day

Chantoba Bright won Guyana’s lone gold medal at the CARIFTA Games.

By Rawle Toney GUYANA ended their campaign at the 47th edition of the CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas with nine medals, surpassing their previous best medal haul

but their performance was not as impressive as in 2017, since this year, Chantoba Bright was the only athlete to secure a gold medal.

Bright, in a ‘déjà vu’

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Joanna Archer won bronze in the Girls’ U-20 800 metres

Kenisha Phillips was a part of the third-place 4X400 metres relay team .

Ruthless Pakistan clinch T20 series after Windies lame display KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) – An out-ofsorts West Indies fared little better in the second Twenty20 International, producing another insipid display in an 82-run defeat, to concede the three-match series to Pakistan here yesterday.

Only 24 hours after being dismissed for their lowest-ever T20 total and suffering the second heaviest defeat in the format, West Indies once again failed to show any enterprise, crashing to 123 all out with four balls left, in pursuit of an intimidating 206 at the National Stadium.

Opener Chadwick Walton belted a top score of 40 from 29 balls but veteran Denesh Ramdin with 21 was the only other batsman to make it past 20.

The Windies found their scoring restricted

early on and crawled to 92 for three before the pressure told and they lost their last seven wickets for 31 runs.

Left-arm seamer led the hosts attack with three for 22 while seamer Hussain Talat (2-12) and leg-spinner Shadab Khan (2-23) supported with two wickets apiece.

Babar Azam had earlier narrowly missed out on a maiden T20 International hundred when he finished unbeaten on 97 as Pakistan piled up 205 for three off their 20 overs – their highest-ever T20 total while passing the 200-run mark for a second straight game.

Talat, who debuted on Sunday, stroked 63 to also take advantage of

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Babar Azam brings up his half-century off just 30 balls.

He went on to make 97 not out (AFP)

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TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2018