Guyana chronicle e paper 01 08 2018

GPA elects first female president Page 8

No. 105148

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018

Price: $80

Fly Jamaica summoned (VAT Inclusive)

–– to meeting with aviation authority over consistent cancellation of flights

–– bad weekend at JFK gets worse with flooding, evacuations

Pages 3&4

Guyanese recognised for humanitarian efforts Page 2

More fraud claims against travel agent Page 11

Workers mopping up after a massive water main break at the Kennedy Airport on Sunday caused chaos and a shutdown of its international arrivals terminal — the latest in a series of misfortunes to befall travellers, some of whom are Guyanese, have been stranded for days (New York Post photo)

Keep up Taxi driver busted with the fight –– FACES 13,800 grams of ganja urges sicklers Page 3

Page 9

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Guyanese recognised for humanitarian efforts

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

By Vishani Ragobeer RECOGNISING the humanitarian work of locals in fostering indigenous development, 10 Guyanese were awarded the ‘Sydney Allicock Global Humanitarian Award’ on Saturday at the Umana Yana.

The awardees included Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings; Mini ster within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton; Tony Games; Patsy Fredericks; George Simon; Robert Frederick Allicock; Loraine Pier; Laura George and Ovid Williams.

This award was established by Founder and President of iChange Nations, Dr. Clyde Rivers in honour of Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

Delivering brief remarks, Minister Allicock noted, “The value of friendship, the value of finding that group of persons with that common understanding with the drive to do good for humanity is a powerful activity.”

The indigenous community, according to Allicock, is plagued by a negative perception of their lifestyles

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock (sixth from left) and founder and President of iChange Nations, Dr Clyde Rivers (sixth from right) pose with recipients of the Sydney Allicock Global Humanitarian Award at the Umana Yana on Saturday

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock shares a light moment with his colleague, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, who received the global humanitarian award named in his honour

and this effectively leads to the perpetuation of this perception.

“We have persons right in this country who could make a great contribution, but when tend to look at the little problems and blow them out of proportion,” he stressed.

As such, he related his gratitude to the awardees and other people who have been striving to change this negative perception and empower the indigenous communities.

In an invited comment, Allicock told the Guyana Chronicle that selecting the awardees was not an easy task, since there are many persons who have made positive contributions. He explained however that the criterion for this award was for “work done over time” in the areas of indigenous development.

To effectively illustrate the criterion, he reflected upon the work of Minister Broomes in empowering and even rescuing indigenous women.

“She was able to go into the [indigenous] communities and actually rescue young ladies who were trafficked from their communities with the idea of having a better life, but ending up in these mining areas without being paid for months and being kept there,” Allicock noted.

“Her work is more than just being a minister,” he said and reminded that she was a miner who saw Turn to page 3 ►

Fly Jamaica summoned

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

–– to meeting with aviation authority over consistent cancellation of flights

REGIONAL carrier, Fly Jamaica Airways, has been written and summoned to a meeting with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) following consistent cancellation of flights over the last few months.

Several complaints have reached the GCAA about cancellation of flights leaving Guyana, Jamaica and the United States (US) which led to the authority requesting a meeting with the management of the company early next week.

This was confirmed by Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field, on

Sunday.

On the same day, the Guyana Chronicle reported that passengers were left stranded overseas, indefinitely, due to the cancellation of flights by the airline.

Fly Jamaica’s Commercial Manager, Carl Bowen, explained that the company has been leasing planes since November 30 to facilitate passengers. A source disclosed that the company’s planes went out of service and according to Bowen, the leasing of foreign aircraft resulted in “crew-related issues”.

He said in addition, the snow storm in the

Fly Jamaica Airways has been written to and summoned to a meeting with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority

existing issues are resolved.

He added that while these are issues which are unavoidable in the aviation industry, customers do have a right to complain.

In the interim, Bowen said that efforts are ongoing to have some passengers accommodated on other carriers while others have been compensated for the inconvenience.

“We have not neglected passengers or left them stranded. All of whom we had contact information for were contacted and those who needed compensation, once they communicated these to us, we examined them and have been providing as much assistance as we can,” he said.

Guyanese recognised ... Taxi driver busted with 13,800 grams of ganja From page 2

first-hand the experiences of these women.

Minister Broomes told this newspaper that she was truly honoured to be selected by Minister Allicock, though she was initially “caught by surprise” when she received the letter saying she had been awarded.

However, she noted that the work she has done was never for recognition.

“I will continue to do what I do until the last breath that I take as a human being,” she affirmed, adding: “I think that vice-president [Allicock] has been out there doing a lot of great work and I know him to be a fair person in his judgement.”

Last year, Dr. Rivers named Minister Allicock the iChange Nations ‘Person of the Year’ for South America for his efforts in fostering the development of indigenous peoples and the hinterland communities.

He returned on Saturday to establish the award and honour these 10 other Guyanese.

In addition to the Guyanese honoured, there were three other recipients of the award: Dr. Charles Kinuthia, hailing from Kenya but now based in Texas, USA; Dr. Margaret Ellis, from Gambia and now also in Texas; and Dr. Erik Kudlis. This trio were awarded for their individual humanitarian efforts worldwide.

The iChange Nations is the world’s largest honouring network, spanning 122 countries, functioning as a new global ethic to support World Peace.

US has prevented flights from leaving the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, which has caused delays in Jamaica as well.

This is due to the fact that the flights leaving the US would have to stop in Jamaica to collect passengers there.

However, Bowen sought to assure passengers that “flights will return to normal by Wednesday,” when the

A 23-YEAR-OLD Berbice hire-car driver is expected to face legal actions today after being busted with a large quantity of ganja on Saturday.

The hire car driver, a resident of Burn Bush Dam, East Canje, Berbice, was arrested at Weldaad Back Street, WCB, on Saturday after the vehicle he was driving was found with 13,800 grams of compressed cannabis.

In a press statement, the Guyana Police Force disclosed that a party of police commanded by an assistant superintendent was conducting a routine stop and search operation in the vicinity of the Weldaad Police Station when about 17:30h they observed the hire car.

The car was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of the road but upon seeing the law enforcers, it veered north into the Weldaad

Back Street.

The vehicle was immediately pursued and detained. It was while searching the hire-

comes days after a four-day operation ended with 10 persons, among them Colombians and Venezuelans, being

The 17 taped parcels of compressed cannabis car the police found 17 taped parcels containing the illegal substances.

According to the police, the suspected trafficker is cooperating with investigators and is expected to appear in court today, charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Saturday’s drug bust

detained for allegedly trafficking narcotics.

The items seized included in excess of 11 kilogrammes of cocaine, three speed boats with engines, a Toyota Axio motor car, 15 mobile phones and a quantity of foreign and local currency. The currency includes US$87,134, Bs.F$1,081,605,

COL$201,000, REAL$7,362 and GUY$82,820.

During the operation, the anti-narcotic agencies raided a residence at 288, Barrow Avenue Republic Park, East Bank Demerara; a residence in the Pomeroon River and a camp located a short distance north east of the Moruca River mouth, near the Atlantic Ocean.

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) participated in the operation.

The bust comes on the heels of disclosures that a sum of G$285, 205, 817 worth of cocaine as well as G$11.7B worth of marijuana was seized by the authorities in 2017. Sources close to NANA revealed that for the same period, heroin valued at G$4, 806, 000 was also confiscated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Bad weekend at JFK gets worse with flooding, evacuations

NEW YORK POST - A massive water main break at Kennedy Airport on Sunday caused chaos and a shutdown of its international arrivals terminal — the latest in a series of misfortunes to befall travellers, some of whom have been stranded for days.

The flood resulted in the evacuation of Terminal 4’s arrivals area after also causing a power and heat outage and left frustrated passengers to flee without their luggage. ”The power is out, the terminal is flooded and it’s absolute chaos,” said Mohammed Ghlai, 48, visiting from London.

“This is my first time visiting New York, and I have to tell you, this has not been a very positive introduction,” he added.

Floods of water poured down from the ceilings and dozens of suitcases could be seen sitting in pools of water, with luggage carts floating in the ripples.

Workers took to floors with mops and even a state trooper armed with a rifle was seen pushing away water with a mop. About three inches quickly covered the ground “I get off the plane and walk into a flood. What is this?” said Diego Riviera, who had just arrived with his wife from Panama City.

About an hour into the ordeal, the terminal had to be evacuated with airport workers warning that exposed wires could cause electrocution.

Some travellers were left without suitcases as they entered the frigid city while

Monday, January 8, 2018

10:30 hrs

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

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Scores of travellers are stuck at JFK airports due to a string of cancelled flights. ( New York Post photo )

others waited for bags to appear on carousels at other

terminals for hours.

“This is absolutely in-

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numerous flight delays.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of people some of whom were forced to spend the night on cold airport floors, had filled the area with long lines weaving around at information kiosks, baggage drop-off and check-in lines as travellers tried to get on planes.

“I spent the night sleeping on top of trash can plastics on the floor,” said Lebogang Mashegoane, a 25-year-old economics student from Johannesburg hoping to make it back in time for finals tomorrow.

Mashegoane, who had just spent three-months in Nashville as part of a State Dept. work-study programme, flew into JFK on Saturday evening and spent the night at the airport, only to find out the next flight to Johannesburg wouldn’t be taking off — until next Saturday.

The Port Authority said that extreme cold and the ongoing recovery from the snowstorm had “created a cascading series of issues for the airlines and terminal operators.”

The city’s “bomb cyclone” shuttered JFK and LaGuardia for part of the day Thursday and more than a thousand flights were cancelled. In all, there were 352 delays and 46 cancellations at JFK on Sunday.

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sane,” said Long Islander Ashley Ross, who had waited over five hours for her bags after a trip in Cancun.

“An airport isn’t supposed to be this way,” said Craig Monteith, 24, as he waited for his bags. “Particularly this airport, which should be the very model of what a modern airport can be. Come on!”

A Customs hall was also closed because of water cascading down from a ceiling but later reopened, a Port Authority spokesman said.

Throngs of people made their way to the departure area upstairs, which was already crowded because of

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Venezuela orders cut off of air, sea NCRHA employee shot dead traffic with three Caribbean neighbours CARACAS, CMC – Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has ordered a temporary shutdown of air and maritime traffic with three Caribbean neighbours, accusing smugglers there of seeking to plunder his South American country.

In a televised address on Friday, Maduro said he had halted all flights and ship traffic to the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, known as the “ABC islands,” for 72 hours.

He accused the three countries of running black markets by siphoning everything from copper to food before selling the items.

“They take away gold from this country illegally, and make it legal to sell there; they take away coltan, they take away diamonds, they take away all food products,” Maduro said. “I didn’t want to take a measure like this one, but I am ready to take even more radical measures.”

The islands, which are short distances from Venezuela’s northern coast, have

long hosted black markets for Venezuelan contraband, trading everything from illegally-mined minerals to narcotics. However, in recent times, the islands have

a time when many airlines refuse to fly to the country because of safety concerns.

Aruba is the site of a large refinery that Citgo, the American subsidiary of Ven-

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

become better known as the landing site of boats of Venezuelans fleeing the country.

According to reports, many refugees have fled illegally, so the closure is unlikely to stop those departures but it will prevent Venezuelans wishing to travel by air at

ezuela’s state oil company, has been touting plans to refurbish.

“I hope that during these 72 hours the leaders of these countries will take the measures we’ve asked for more than two years” against smugglers, Maduro said. “Mafias

are waging war on our electricity, they steal our copper and they sell it legally.”

Maduro has closed borders in the past after alleging that smugglers were robbing the country, especially at times when his government faces problems.

In late 2016, Maduro shut down the border with Colombia, alleging that mobsters there were hoarding currency, the paper said, adding that, the previous year, he had ordered a longer and declared a state of emergency along the same border, saying that food, fuel and other goods were being smuggled there.

The measures had little effect on smuggling in the area, residents said, but did prevent many thousands of Venezuelans from crossing the border to buy food during shortages.

Presently, Venezuela is also struggling with hyperinflation, and the Maduro administration ordered more than 200 supermarkets to cut prices back to last month’s levels.

Peru’s Fujimori calls for unity after controversial pardon

By Mitra Taj LIMA (Reuters) - Former president Alberto Fujimori on Saturday called for Peruvians to set aside their “grudges” in order to unite against violence and crime, appealing to his right-wing political base less than two weeks after being freed from prison by a presidential pardon.

In his first comments since being released from a hospital for blood pressure and heart problems on Thursday, Fujimori took to Twitter to reflect on the new chapter in his life following a decade in prison serving a 25-year prison sentence for graft and human rights crimes.

“I‘m constantly invaded by dreams and want to share them,” Fujimori said, describing a nation free of “grudges” in a jab at his opponents.

“We’ll be in a country in which security is regained and violence eliminated. We can only achieve these goals by setting aside special interests and opportunism. UNITED WE CAN DO IT!” Fujimori’s remarks were the first sign that he would play a more active role in Peruvian politics, potentially supporting President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski following a series of political resignations that have shaken his center-right government.

Kuczynski, 79, a former Wall Street banker, has struggled to govern alongside a

Congress ruled by Fujimori’s supporters, and pardoned Fujimori on Christmas Eve, three days after Fujimori asked his loyalists to help Kuczynski survive an impeachment bid in

global fight against impunity and efforts to heal the wounds of a conflict between leftist insurgents and Fujimori’s 19902000 government that killed an estimated 69,000 people.

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori accompanied by his son Kenji Fujimori (R) leaves the Centenary Hospital in Lima, Peru, on January 4, 2018.

Eddy Ramos /Agencia Andina Handout via REUTERS )

Congress. The decision ignited protests and a backlash against the political establishment.

Critics of the pardon have slammed it as a blow to the

But many in Peru admire Fujimori as a proponent for the poor and say he was unfairly punished for his government’s heavy-handed counterinsur-

gency campaign against rebels.

While Peru has enjoyed nearly two decades of peace and commodities-fueled growth since Fujimori’s authoritarian government ended in a graft scandal, street crime has been a top concern for voters throughout the presidencies of Fujimori’s four successors, including Kuczynski.

“Some might think that Kuczynski was tweeting from the wrong account,” Peruvian political analyst Diethell Colombus said on Twitter, referring to Fujimori’s post.

“It’s clear that who was once a politician will always be a politician.”

Kuczynski has yet to reveal a new Cabinet since promising an announcement “very soon” more than a week ago.

R e p re s e n t a t i v e s f o r Kuczynski and Fujimori have denied that the pardon was part of a political pact, defending it on medical and humanitarian grounds.

TRINIDAD GUARDIAN - A 24-year-old father of one, who could not bring himself to write his Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Math exam on Thursday because of his mother who suffered a stroke one day before, was shot dead Thursday afternoon.

According to Kylon Alexander’s girlfriend, Natalia Dalrymple, Alexander, an employee of the North Central Regional Health Authority, was scheduled to do the examination Thursday morning but due to the sudden illness of his mother he did not.

She spoke with the media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James yesterday, adding that Alexander was telephoned numerous times by a friend to go out and eventually left.

She later learnt from a Facebook post that he had

been murdered after it was nearing his 10 pm shift and he was not responding. The father of one was described as a family man who spent his time either at work or at home.

He lived at D’Abadie, Arima Relatives of Shaquille Thomas, who was killed along with Alexander were too distraught to speak. Thomas, 25, lived at Dookie Trace, Tunapuna. In 2016, his younger brother, Josiah Ramsahai, was killed in a shootout with police. The then 15-year-old was reportedly shot after police came under fire while responding to a report that a man was seen with a gun in someone’s yard off Maingot Road, Tunapuna.

The men were found murdered in some bushes at Pioneer Drive, Carapo, Arima around 4.45 pm on Thursday.

Dominican Government rejects claim of mistreating Haitians SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, CMC – The Government has hit out at accusations that the country has mistreated undocumented Haitians, as reported in a L’Osservatore Romano, a newspaper published in the Vatican.

According to Dominca’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Víctor Grimaldi, there is no truth to the report published on Friday.

“The Dominican Republic, like any organised State (United States, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and the Vatican itself) has the right to documentarily regulate the entry and exit of foreign citizens to its territory. We do it in strict compliance to international laws and agreements,” says Grimaldi in a letter to the editor-in-chief of the Vatican

newspaper, Gian Maria Vian.

The diplomat said the Dominican Republic offers facilities to the nationals of the neighbouring country, ensuring that thousands of Haitians receive free medical care during pregnancies and deliveries in Dominican hospitals, as well as the opportunity for studies and work for thousands of Haitians “Everyone’s rights are respected, as well as the thousands and thousands of foreigners from other countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Italy, Spain, the United States and other places in the world,” he said.

The Ambassador, in his letter stressed that the Dominican people and their government are generous and welcome migrants of all nationalities, “as long as they respect our laws.”

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Bad examples A police organisation is a service institution charged with the security and welfare of the State.

Because of its particular function and peculiar modus operandi, its entire operational plateau is built on, and supported by, a very strict code of conduct which is intended to be uncompromising in its application to all those who are within its ranks.

This means that any level of rank can face disciplinary proceedings for any transgression.

The Guyana Police is once again in the news.

And it is very disappointing that this has now become an almost daily expectation, especially since it is about an institution that is defined not only by discipline, but especially by its leadership – its two pivotal operational support bases.

We refer to the report carried in the media, about the recent incident of a senior police officer, who heads what can be described as the Force’s combat crime unit; arrested

and detained, after allegedly found in possession of multiple cases of whisky, suspected to be smuggled.

The last update is that the matter has been sent for legal advice.

Preceding this was another news print about vehicles that have been impounded in police station compounds, being stripped of their parts. This, clearly, an illegal act, is further reported to be carried out by ranks who remove the said parts for personal use. Even some senior ranks are said to be part of this illegality.

In technological terms, this is called cannibalisation – removing the parts of a motor vehicle etcetera, for example, for use on another.

There was yet another news item surrounding the head of the Narcotics Division and the disappearance of a quantity of cocaine under his supervision. The last that has been heard of the matter is that the officer has been re-assigned pending investigations.

Beginning with the

stripping-of-vehicles-report, such an act is not expected to occur within the precincts of a police station. One will agree that goods or articles detained as part of an investigative process should be assured of safe keeping, before it is returned to their lawful owners. If there is a forfeiture order then the relevant authority can dispose, as seen fit. But are the personnel responsible, ever investigated and disciplined?

Mostly, it is always junior ranks who are found to be involved in actions, such as the station compound incident; but what about senior officers alleged to be part of such serious illegalities? Are they not subjected to the same disciplinary code as their junior colleagues? Though we are aware that certain categories of ranks have different procedural applications in such matters – there is public perception that their seniority often saves them from serious disciplinary action than the junior ranks, who are many times over

dismissed from the Force.

Nowadays, there are senior officers being reported in the news for serious acts of criminality. This is not positive for force leadership morale; and even public perception of and confidence, their institutional protectors.

No police force can hope to develop that seminal input of integrity in its professional functions, if there are senior ranks who are themselves lawbreakers. We note the very prompt and condign line that is being taken against junior policemen by the current acting Commissioner of Police. These are commendable.

But, it is emphasised that since senior officers are in the leadership positions of any police organisation, including the Guyana Police Force, it is paramount that they understand their positions as role models for those under their command.

For that matter, senior officers in any service institution do influence in many ways the organisational

growth and development ethic of their young ranks.

Their every conduct is often noted and emulated by many of their ranks who, as they rise, often refer to certain officers that would have influenced their understanding of policing and discipline etcetera.

We are not here as judge and jury, as we believe in the sacred process of due course; however, we are of the sternest opinion that for any senior officer to knowingly be part of any such misconduct, such as the ones reported in the print media, betrays that code of discipline, and young ranks in the process, because of the bad leadership example established.

It is counter-productive that at a time when efforts are being made to move

the Guyana Police Force to a new level of professionalism; where public trust once again becomes paramount in efforts at combatting and preventing all forms of serious criminalities, among other enhancement measures, that these grave acts of misconduct surrounding senior officers are occurring. It is also embarrassing to a government that deserves better and positive returns in its efforts for an enhanced crime fighting organisation.

We hope that this latest matter, as well as the others, involving senior ranks, is thoroughly investigated; and should any senior(s) found to be culpable, that they be brought before the courts for condign judicial action.

We object to commercial indoor Suicide and martyrdom gun range in Subryanville Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, WE, residents of Subryanville, write to object to the development of a commercial Indoor Gun Range at Lot 2 & 4 Subryanville, Georgetown, Guyana.

Notice of this gun range was given in an advertisement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Stabroek News of 24 November, 2017.

The proposal was in the name of Jules Singh. We understand that the EPA has concluded that there is no need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. The EPA did not indicate its capacity and methodology

to evaluate the proposed design of indoor gun ranges to deal with noise pollution, disposal of any of the hazardous waste, and the security of the weaponry which could cause harm to human life.

Subryanville and the neighbouring Fraserville are not commercial zones.

The infrastructure for drainage is fragile. Roads are narrow and made for residential use. Residents of Subryanville and Fraserville have suffered from flooding resulting from the damage caused by the construction and heavy usage of the infrastructure for commercial use.

We expect that all of the

relevant agencies (Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Public Security, Mayor and City Council, CH&PA) will find or propose suitable alternative venues for the Indoor Gun Range. We, the residents through our civil agitation actions, have managed to get a written undertaking from the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission, an organisation which knowingly moved into our residential neighbourhood, that they will seek alternative accommodation before the expiry of their lease in 2018. Kindly note that we are willing to take all necessary action should the covenants on our transports not be respected.

Regards AISHA FRAITES BONITA HARRIS COLIN CHOLMONDELY DAMIAN FERNANDES ELIZABETH DEANE-HUGHES EVA RAWANA-SCOTT FAYE CLARK GEORGE MATTHEWS DR GRAHAM SCOTT JOCELYNE JOSIAH KEVIN SEARS LIANNE SEARS ONCAR RAMROOP PATRICIA DEEN PHILIP FERNANDES SABINE MCINTOSH SANDRA FERNANDES STUART HUGHES TERENCE SOLOMON VIDYARATHA KISSOON

TWO persons were found dead recently and unconfirmed reports suggested that they committed suicide.

The PPP-front propaganda broadsheet screamed that the alleged suicide was due to the deceased persons being sacked

by GuySuCo. A letter from a PPP activist in Berbice elevated and glorified the alleged suicide as “martyrdom” of sugar workers.

As for “Dacta” Jagdeo, the closure of the sugar estates at Wales and Rose Hall has caused “depression.”

The PPP is using the unfortunate deaths to whip up both ethnic insecurity and industrial unrest. It had tried to do so by a motion in 2016 in the National Assembly claiming that the farmers in Essequibo

had committed suicide after the loss of the Venezuela rice market. Farmers ignored the PPP fearmongering.

I recall that soon after the coalition took office, the PPP incited residents on the Corentyne to burn tyres and protest for the removal of the Public Security Minister after a woman was murdered.

A high PPP official had gone to the area and hugged the husband of the deceased and cried over his shoulders! Police investigations resulted in the very husband being charged for the offence.

Guyanese must be on alert that the PPP will cling at every straw to undermine confidence in their country and to spread fear.

Yours sincerely, EARL HAMILTON

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Brazil ready to service Guyana’s oil-and-gas sector –– Ambassador Talbot

GUYANA’S South American neighbour Brazil is ready and willing to give a helping hand in the development of the oil-and-gas sector here.

And according to Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot, the recent oil discoveries announced by United States Oil Company ExxonMobil offer a new frontier for collaboration.

According to the Ambassador, Guyana has already made it clear that it is open to the Brazilian investment.

Brazil is said to be the 10th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South America. At the same time, it is an important oil-and-gas producer in the region and the world’s second largest ethanol fuel producer.

While the oil sector is new to Guyana, Ambassador Talbot said the question of oil cooperation between the two South American nations dates back to the 1980s.

He said the first arrangement bore little to no fruit; however, with the new developments in Guyana, the prospect of a renewed relationship is very evident.

“We have clear indication of Brazilian interest and a clear signal from Guyana, about its readiness to have Brazil participate in the oil sector.”

According to Ambassador Talbot, Brazilian companies have experience in the oil- and-gas sector, including explo-

Man succumbs to Old Year’s Night injuries KRISHNA Arjune, 25, of Clifton Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, who was stabbed during a heated argument over an old game of pools on Old Year’s Night, has succumbed to his injuries.

His attacker, Haemant Ramlall, 46, of Mibicuri, Corentyne, Berbice, is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

According to reports, Arjune was picked up by relatives and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was seen, treated and referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.

On January, 2, 2018, Ramlall appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Mibicuri Magistrates’ Court charged with wounding Arjune.

He was released on $75,000 while the matter was adjourned until January 25.

However, on January 4, about 16:30hrs, Arjune succumbed while at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Police then went to Ramlall’s home and received information that he was last seen in a taxi heading in the direction of Skeldon.

He was later turned over to the police at the Whim Police Station by his father.

A post-mortem is expected to be conducted on Arjune this week, while Ramlall is expected to be charged for murder.

Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot

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ration in the deep sea.

“I think the experience of Brazil and the possibility of partnership with Brazil in the sector is on the front burner.

We expect that there will be a mission field by Brazil during this year,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI) recently.

The two countries will collaborate on, among other things, Local Content Policy.

Ambassador Talbot said government is at the stage of developing the framework for the collaboration. He explained that there are two broad areas that can be pursued through this collaboration: one is investment and engagement in the exploration of the available blocks, while the second involves capacity-building and the transfer of knowledge, and exchange of experiences.

“In terms of exploration, the focus would be on Petrobras, which is the Brazilian entity which is focused in that area… but there is a second Brazilian agency that focuses more on the regulatory aspects; the National Petroleum Agency of Brazil, which might be a key counterpart for providing lessons learnt [in] Local Content.”

The ambassador added that, that is an area where as a country, Guyana should take some inventory on the workings of the oil sector, especially since Guyana is discovering different facets including transportation, food, technical services, oil- spill prevention and control among others. (DPI)

Some 89,000 persons to benefit from ICT training SOME 89,000 residents in approximately 170 communities will benefit from continued Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training this year.

This exercise will be facilitated under the US$17M project under the Guyana/Norway Agreement by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), and it will be managed by the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP).

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, said the programme will be facilitated by the ministry’s Industry and Innovation Unit. During an interview, the minister said the training will be made available to persons who never had the opportunity to learn to use a computer.

“We recognise that in Guyana many people just didn’t have the opportunity. Traditionally, if you grew up on the coast and you were fortunate to go to one of the top schools or your parents had money, then you were exposed and so we have a very important section in our population that we intend to target and reach out to and so we are providing training on a series of different levels.”

The public telecommunications minister outlined some Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine of the areas in which residents will be trained, “These in- Hughes clude being comfortable with a computer, internet access, community-based training programmes to equip citizens how you create an email address, how you would commu- with particular skills in office productivity, and entry skills nicate by email, maintain an email account and then we on programming, coding, and software development. have branched off depending on the community and the The ministry has already begun its citizen outreach and level into social media, because we see that as a key way awareness activities as part of an overall goal to develop for entrepreneurs to market their products internationally the ICT sector. and locally.”

This involves building an internal media platform to It was also disclosed that in 2018, the ministry will be disseminate information and encourage feedback and collaborating with the private sector to develop short-term collaboration. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

GPA elects first female president

By Ravin Singh

LONG-STANDING journalist and anchor of Prime News Nazima Raghubir was on Sunday elected President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), replacing Neil Marks.

The elections, which had been cancelled last month due to poor attendance, were held at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

Raghubir, who previously served as one of the association’s executive members, was the lone nominee for the most senior position.

She brings to the post a wealth of experience, having served the media fraternity in Guyana for almost two decades. She is also an executive member of the Association of Caribbean Media workers.

Raghubir’s team comprises Zoisa Fraser of Stabroek News, who was voted in as vice-president; Fareeza Haniff of News Room as treasurer; and Royden James of Nightly News as secretary.

President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Nazima Raghubir delivering remarks to members of the association shortly after being elected “During my term as president, I have been fortunate to work with an executive that has supported many projects to improve the practice of journalism in Guyana, and for that I am tremendously grateful,” Marks said.

Of recent, the association has been able to organise several workshops, spanning multiple sectors, and reintroduce the highly anticipated GPA media awards.

However, Marks said that one of the main goals he was unable to achieve during his tenure was the establishment of a secretariat to manage the GPA’s affairs.

He also urged the new executives to make this a reality.

Immediate GPA past President Neil Marks delivering final remarks at the association’s elections on Sunday Marks noted too that the work of the media in Guyana remains critical for many reasons, especially because of an ever-changing tense political landscape and the challenges of policing the oil-and-gas sector.

As such, he urged media practitioners to always pursue the truth and report it fearlessly.

“I urge you my colleagues to clothe yourselves with independence, and to run far, very far from private and political interests. Be professional at all times,” he urged.

Raghubir used the opportunity after being elected to acknowledge the work of previous executives, who have brought the association

to where it is today.

She said that foremost on her agenda is bringing back the level of respect journalism ought to have in Guyana.

“We ought to work as an association to bring back respect to journalism. Over the years, journalism has been on the receiving end of disrespect,” the new president said, adding that people who are the first to critique the work of journalists are the last to acknowledge the efforts made on a daily basis.

She said focus will also be placed on professionalising the media fraternity. To achieve this, Raghubir shared that proposals will be made for training of high school graduates who enter the media.

High on her agenda too, is constitutional reform aimed at broadening membership of the GPA and increasing fees.

“There are several things we need to address, including broadening membership and sustaining the association financially,” she said, adding that the current monthly fee of $200 cannot move the association in the direction it ought to go.

To address these issues and other matters of concern, Raghubir said efforts will be made to have a general members’ meeting within the coming months.

Meanwhile, executive member Denis Chabrol underscored the importance of the GPA engaging publishers on increasing advertising competition with the granting of several radio licences recently.

He also urged journalists to remain committed to pursuing the truth at all times and not to allow partisan interests to influence their work.

Other comments and concerns were raised by members, including former presidents Gordon Moseley and Julia Johnson.

Executive member of the GPA, Denis Chabrol, congratulates Nazima Raghubir on her being elected president of the association The new executive members are Denis Chabrol (Demerara Waves) and Rawle Toney, Svetlana Abrams, and Ariana Gordon of the Guyana Chronicle. The only positions contested were those of secretary and executive members.

Immediate past president, Marks, had endorsed Raghubir’s candidacy, which went unchallenged, citing her commitment to journalism in Guyana over the years.

During brief remarks, he went on to acknowledge the efforts of the other members.

The newly elected executives of the Guyana Press Association (GPA): From left, Royden James, Ariana Gordon, Svetlana Abrams, Nazima Raghubir, Fareeza Haniff, Rawle Toney, and Denis Chabrol (Samuel Maughn photos)

Driver held for unlicensed firearms TWO unlicensed firearms were recently found in a hire car which was impounded at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) bond since last December. The

driver of the hire car has since been taken into custody.

The Guyana Police Force, in a press statement on Sunday, explained that on December 29 last the

car was impounded at a GRA bond in Springlands, Corentyne, after it was found with a quantity of fireworks and other items on Line Path, Skeldon.

GRA enforcement officers

had made the discovery.

However, on Saturday, acting on information, a thorough search was conducted on the impounded vehicle in the presence of the driver at

about 17:15hrs. During the search, two unlicensed firearms were found in the bonnet compartment – one, a .32 pistol and the other a single-barrel shotgun which was diss-

sembled.

The driver, who has since denied any knowledge of the illegal weapons, is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

Keep up the fight

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

–– FACES urges sicklers, calls on policy-makers to establish sickle cell centre

By Svetlana Marshall

FIGHT Against Sickle Cell Stigma (FACES) President Sabrina Kazim has said that suicide is not an option, as she urged her fellow sicklers to keep up the fight.

Kazim’s plea comes as news has surfaced that a sickler may have committed suicide after enduring years of excruciating pain and at the same time stigma and discrimination.

Though the sickler died last September from suspected overdosing, family members and members of the organisation are now speaking out about the causes behind the death of the 24-year-old registered nurse, who served at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

“I would like to plead to all sicklers across the country, across the world, not to see taking your life as the solution to dealing with the suffering from disease…. Let’s muster up all your strength, stamina, vigour, force and resources, combine them, reach out to sickle cell organisations/ bodies near to you and let’s fight, let’s fight together, to alleviate if not eliminate the stigma and discrimination attached to the disease,” Kazim said in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday.

But while sending a strong message to her fellow sicklers, Kazim urged that medical clinicians exercise greater patience for persons living with the sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anaemia is caused by an abnormal type of haemoglobin called “Haemoglobin S”. Haemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.

Passed down through families, sickle cell

joints, and chest. Some people have one episode every few years.

Fight Against Sickle Cell Stigma (FACES) President Sabrina Kazim anaemia is a condition where the red blood cells that are normally shaped like a disc, take on a sickle or crescent shape.

The abnormal cells deliver less oxygen to the body’s tissues and can easily get stuck in small blood vessels and break into pieces.

Because of the presence of these abnormal cells, there is an interruption of healthy blood flow, cutting down on the amount of oxygen flowing to body tissues.

Almost all people with sickle cell anaemia have painful episodes called ‘crises.’

These can last from hours to days. Crises can cause pain in the lower back, leg,

CAN BE SEVERE Others have many episodes each year and these crises can be severe enough to require hospitalisation.

The president of Faces said while the association is thankful for the support offered by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Social Protection, much more needs to be done to address the challenges facing sicklers in the local health care system.

“In a nutshell, it is believed that the policy-makers, ministries, stakeholders, and others are not doing all that they can do to make the lives of sicklers as good as they can make it. Each day, at least one sickler is thinking of taking his/her life because of the stress of the disease itself and the painstaking experiences of getting the much-needed care,” she opined.

Describing the disease as a disability on the basis that most times those diagnosed with it are unable to work, Kazim said there is a clear need for a sickle cell centre where sicklers will be given special attention .

In the current system, she detailed that sicklers, though many times in crisis, are forced to wait long hours in lines at public hospitals – a system she emphasised that needs to be corrected. Stigma and discrimination remain major problems.

When in crisis, the ordinary medicine or drug will not work for “sicklers.”

Morphine and pethidine, which are controlled narcotics, are usually administered

however, at the level of medical institutions during a period of admission. When patients in ‘crises’ visit the hospital, ‘too often’ for treatment to be administered, some medical personnel not convinced that they are truly in crisis, reportedly take a non-cooperative approach.

“We need monthly financial assistance; we need more awareness from the government on sickle cell disease, we need hassle-free treatment at the hospitals and more relevant drugs to be available at the public hospitals,” she said.

“FACES would also like to see the Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, playing an even greater role in addressing the concerns of sicklers.

Rapidly expanding Doolies Bakery rebranded AFTER four years in the market providing ‘delicious memories in every bite’, Doolies Bakery on Friday rebranded under the new name “Demerara Bakery”.

With aims of becoming a major player in the bakery industry, Demerara Bakery

General Manager, Kenneth Scrubb said customers can still expect high quality products from the company.

“The unveiling of the new brand signals Demerara Bakery’s commitment to becoming a major player in the industry,” Scrubb said.

The general manager also pointed out that with the rebranding of the bakery, the company plans to charter a new path while sticking to old core values which aims to please its customers.

“Our fleet of sales truck would continue to deliver

freshly baked products daily across Guyana. We anticipate that more trucks would be added in the near future, as the demand for our products has been increasing,” Scrubb said.

He stressed that the bakery will continue to pursue

international certification and modernise its operations over the next year, as well as bolster partnership with retailers across the country.

Demerara Bakery is a Guyanese-owned business which operates from Land of Canaan, East Bank Demer-

Demerara Bakery General Manager, Kenneth Scrubb

Demerara Bakery General Manager, Kenneth Scrubb with family and employees showcasing the delicious bread and pastries produced by the company

ara and has a staff of more than 80.

The company opened its doors in May 2014 and has been providing quality breads, cakes, as well as a variety of delicious pastries such as coconuts buns, pine slice and croissants to an expanding consumer base.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Raising the next generation ARE you a parent or someone who cares for children on a regular basis? Then you are part of a unique group of people who have a humongous task ahead of you, because you have been tasked with raising the next generation.

You can take your task lightly or you can really get involved in what it takes to raise the children of today. In order to get involved, you must firstly take an honest look at yourself and do a self-evaluation. The reason you need to evaluate yourself is because every aspect of your interaction with the child (or children) in your care is making a very significant factor in his/her development.

See how well you answer the questions listed below. You may be on point or you may be failing in some areas of your interaction with children in your care. If you are failing, don’t worry, it is a new year and there’s time for improvement.

1) Do you think children should be? a) Seen and heard b) Seen and not heard c) Heard and not seen 2) What do you think children need most of all? a) Activities to keep them occupied b) Activities to keep them distracted c) Activities to help them learn 3) Do you speak to children as if: a) You know better than them, so they should listen and accept what you say b) You need them to listen and respond where, when and if applicable c) Children should know (and be kept in) their place 4) When a child does something wrong or out of character do you a) Reprimand him/her about his/her behavior? b) Let the child know that he/she is bad? c) Let the child know that if he/she carries on this way, they will amount to nothing?

5) When a child does something to disappoint you, do you: a) Make the child feel ashamed by shouting and scolding the child? b) Explain to the child the expected behaviour and why you are disappointed? c) Tell the child he/she should be more like his/her sister, brother, (or some other ‘model’ child)?

6) Which of the following do you think is most important for child development? a) For parents to give attention, affection and be understanding b) For parents to show love and tolerance for each other c) For parents to provide pocket money and treats ANSWERS 1 a) Children should be given the freedom to be seen and heard by adults and caregivers every day.

This will aid in their development and self-confidence.

2 c) Activities that help a child learn can be just as much fun as video games, but they are far more beneficial to a child’s development and intellect-- and they’re definitely less addictive.

3 b) Mutual respect should exist between adult and child regardless of the child’s age.

Adults should not speak down to, or seek to belittle children in any way.

4 a) Children are not ‘bad’ and adults should never brand them ‘a failure’ because of bad behaviour. Bad behaviour can be rectified. Therefore, reprimanding a child is best.

5 b) Children sometimes need to be ‘pulled up,’ but comparing them to other children or making them feel shame is not the answer. A few chosen words in the right tone fosters understanding and can make all the difference.

6 a) Children strive best when they receive attention and affection from their parents.

When parents are open-minded and understanding it is an added bonus.

Raising the next generation is really a job for the nation, you don’t have to be a caregiver to genuinely have the best interest of children at heart. Keep your eyes and ears open for children and give them a helping hand in any way you can.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, ring the Childcare and Protection Agency Hotline on 227 0709 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

More fraud claims against travel agent

PRIYA LALL, a former ticketing agent at Muneshwer’s Travel Agency was slapped with three counts of fraud totalling some $600,000 when she made a court appearance last Friday.

The woman pleaded not guilty to all counts and was placed on bail in the sum of $300,000.

However, the circumstances leading up to Lall being charged by police for three counts of fraud are not resting well with her former company and persons whom she defrauded between August and September last year.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper on Saturday, persons who claimed to have been defrauded questioned the reasoning behind Lall being charged with only three counts of fraud.

It was pointed out that the woman would have defrauded some 68 persons, making off with reportedly in excess of $19M. The initial figure for the fraud was some $9 million but after her scheme was exposed, persons began coming forward to check on their ticket bookings and reservation for

Priya Lall flights made with Lall and found out that all was not well with their transactions.

They had already paid their monies and that pushed the initial figure from $9 million to an additional US$46,000.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that after

Trinidadian dies after complaining of feeling unwell MOMENTS after complaining to a local hotelier of feeling unwell, Rajpaul Mahadeo of the twin-island republic, Trinidad and Tobago, died at the New Amsterdam Hospital while receiving medical treatment.

The septuagenarian, a regular visitor to the Ancient County, had, as customary, booked into the hotel on December 30, 2017, to welcome the new year.

Astor Hotelier Mohanie Persaud reported that shortly after 21: 00hrs on

Saturday, her guest informed her that he was experiencing pain in the neck and, as a result, she requested that her son Bryan accompany him to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

While receiving medical attention, the 71-year-old man passed away.

His passport, clothing, jewellery and cash are in the possession of the Sergeant in Charge of Central Police Station.

The body is at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

the issue first came up, the company had attempted to settle the matter out of court and have the young lady repay the sums which she had agreed to do, but the following day she fled the country.

The company was subsequently informed by the police detectives that Lall was blacklisted and that upon her arrival back in Guyana she would have been arrested promptly at the airport.

However, that did not happen as Lall managed to be re-enter Guyana some two weeks ago and was enjoying the fun and frolic of the Christmas season until she was arrested last week Tuesday at her West Ruimveldt home.

“Last week Saturday a passenger called us to say that Priya (Lall) was in the country because they came on the same flight, and he asked her about his money and she told him that she decided to come back into the country to clear her name and also repay the monies which the company said that she owed,” a representative of the company indicated to the Guyana Chronicle.

This publication understands that Lall only returned to Guyana as a result of the death of a close family member and her presence here was to attend that funeral.

It is being reported that after Lall was held by police, a confrontation was held on Thursday last between her and representatives of the company, where they both told their sides of the story.

Lall, reportedly in the presence of the police, told managers of the travel agency that she has no money to repay and that she would prefer to go to jail.

The company is contending that some-

thing seems to have gone wrong at the level of the police station, as out of 68 persons being defrauded by the young lady only three counts of fraud were read to her in court.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that although 68 persons made claims to the company that they were defrauded by Lall, not all of them provided statements to the police in relation to the matter.

“They said they will make contact with us on Friday and they also requested that we bring over back our files with the evidence of claims and that was done. We even had a statement from the company in relation to the matter and that was not tendered in the court based on what we were told,” a representative of the company explained.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that several persons who showed up at the police station to give statements in relation to the matter, became inpatient with the slothfulness at which the ranks were taking statements and left without doing so.

The company is hoping that in time for the next court appearance, the police would seek to make contact with as much victims as possible so that they can be properly facilitated and have their statements taken, so that the right amount of fraud can be made known in the court when the matter is called again.

The names of these persons were reportedly supplied to the police since last year but it is unclear if any proper arrangements were made to have these persons’ statements recorded, in an effort to make the investigation and case against the ex-employee stronger.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Yurong Peru residents to receive treated water

By Alva Solomon RESIDENTS of the village of Yurong Peru in the Central Rupununi will this year benefit from a treated-water system as the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) ups the ante on ensuring that the population receives water of higher quality.

GWI is also working to improve its record in which 19 of its 24 treatment plants have met world health standards for quality in terms of water content.

“I think it is important to know we have worked on water quality,” GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Richard Van-West Charles noted on Thursday during a press briefing at the Herdmanson Lodge hosted by the Ministry of Communities.

He said the GWI is working with the Pan American Health Organisation / World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) to install the treatment plant at Yurong Peru before the end of January, as he noted the community’s remoteness in terms of challenges regarding the installation of the system.

In other sections of the Rupununi, he said a number of wells have been drilled, providing residents with potable water.

GWI CEO, Dr Richard He noted too that the Van-West Charles GWI has addressed the water system at the Kamarang Hospital in Region Seven. According to Dr VanWest Charles, filter systems were installed at the hospital where he noted, water was being sourced directly from the river nearby, minus treatment.

Along the coastland, he noted that in Sophia, all the “fields” are being addressed regarding the provision of water.

One of the challenges GWI faces is the haphazard manner in which pipes were laid previously in “C” Field, but according to him, the engineers are working to fix this issue.

He said along the Essequibo Coast, the high iron content in the water was examined and GWI has been applying the mineral Sea Quest to treat the water.

As such, he said the issue of stains from the water on clothing, tiles or porcelain has been remedied.

Sea Quest is a unique blend of poly and otho phosphates certified in the United States and the United Kingdom for use in drinking water to control corrosion, scale, discoloured water, and lead and copper.

Dr Van-West Charles noted that the GWI has been working along with the Ministry of Education to address water-distribution systems in schools in particular.

He said the tanks in many cases have not been cleaned, but the GWI is working to ensure a project to remedy the issue is completed in Georgetown and will be spread to other areas across the country.

Dr Van-West Charles also said that water-quality reports will be published on the GWI website, noting that the new “app” on leaks is being publicised to ensure corrective action is taken.

“The focus on water quality is going to be an intense action, it started in 2017 and will continue in 2018,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

First Lady impressed by small business expo

FIRST LADY Sandra Granger was impressed with the Action Club Graduation Ceremony and Business Expo held recently at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Georgetown.

The seven-week Action Club workshop, hosted by

ActionCOACH Business Coaching and funded by the Small Business Bureau, gives participants a strong foundation in business with the ultimate goal of developing unique business plans in order to boost the economy.

Mrs. Granger, who has

supported entrepreneurial endeavours with her own Self-Reliance and Success in Business workshops, made sure to peruse the various business exhibits, speaking with each business owner about their products or services.

Pictured are a few of the items on display and for sale at the Graduation Ceremony and Business Expo for the seven-week Action Club programme. The programme gives participants a strong foundation in business. The ceremony was held at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Georgetown.

Improved housing, water for hinterland communities THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) have teamed up to provide an improved quality of life for residents of hinterland communities.

The collaboration between the CH&PA and GWI will see residents of indigenous communities benefiting from improved housing and water supply.

To this end, the CH&PA on Thursday reported that the foreign-funded housing project in the hinterland is moving apace.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA Lelon Saul reported that 93 full houses were constructed along with the completion of 33 roof replacements at White Water, Sebai, and Kwaimatta in Region One. In Region Seven, one full house is being constructed at Jawalla, while 85 roof replacements are ongoing at Kako, Kamarang, and Waramadong. In Region Nine, under the same pro-

CH&PA CEO Lelon Saul

gramme, 108 full houses were constructed, while 28 roof replacements are in various stages at Kwatamang, Massara, and Katoka.

Meanwhile, GWI CEO, Dr. Richard VanWest Charles said the entity’s focus on water quality has intensified. GWI, he said, will soon provide treatable water to the indigenous communities.

According to him, there is much more work to be done in the hinterland regions.

“The access to water

GWI CEO, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger speaking to the owners of Caribbean Surgery Incorporated at the Action Club Graduation Ceremony and Business Expo.

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger hands Ms. Christina DeCambra-Forrester, owner of an up-cycling business, Everything Makes Craft, her certificate of completion of the seven-week Action Club programme.

in the hinterland regions has basically been from springs, from creeks and surface water. We are looking intently at the whole issue of access to water quality, as you would see soon in areas as Mabaruma and Matthew’s Ridge having treated water.”

The CEO said GWI is now preparing a filter system along with the installation of a life-saver filter system at the Mabaruma hospital to provide filtered water on a 24-hour basis.

“In Region Four, we see that in Silver Hill, Wiakabra and Hill Foot having new wells, a new treatment plant is going to Diamond, at Timehri North at Bladen Hall, Sparendaam, and Sophia.”

In Region One, Port Kaituma and Oronoque, the water company had wells drilled in Koboremo, Kamwatta, and Toko along with rehabilitation of the catchment area in Matthew’s Ridge and Mabaruma. (DPI)

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Cook becomes sixth batsman to score 12,000 Test runs SYDNEY, (REUTERS) - England’s Alastair Cook became the sixth batsman to score 12,000 Test runs with a single off his pads after lunch on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes test against Australia on Sunday.

The 33-year-old, who scored 244 not out in the fourth Ttest in Melbourne last week, received an ovation from the crowd after passing the milestone in the third over of England’s second innings at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Cook, playing his 152nd Test match, joined Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid and Kumar Sangakkara in accumulating 12,000 runs or more over his career.

Leading run-scorers in Test cricket

(Lists under player

Runs Average, Centuries)

Sachin Tendulkar (India) 15,921 Ricky Ponting (Australia) 13,378 Jacques Kallis (S. Africa) 13,289 Rahul Dravid (India) 13,288 Kumar Sangakkara (S. Lanka)12,400 Alastair Cook (England) 12,005

53.78 51.85 55.37 52.31 57.40 46.35

51 41 45 36 38 32

Windies T20 skipper Brathwaite to join Sydney Sixers WINDIES T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite is set for a return to the Australia Big Bash League (BBL) after being signed by the Sydney Sixers.

Brathwaite, who has a strike rate of 151.13, can help turn around the fortunes of the team that is currently rooted to the bottom of the table after being winless after

WINDIES T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite

The 29-year-old, who been signed as a replacement for Englishman Sam Billings, is expected to make his debut for the team following its Monday night fixture against Hobart Hurricanes.

It is hoped that

five games. The all-rounder must, however, also pick himself up from a disappointing tour of New Zealand where the West Indies failed to win a game.

The Greg Shipperd-coached Sixers must win the rest of their games to have any hope of making the finals but he is optimistic the West Indian can help turn things around.

“Carlos’ all-round skills will be welcomed, his power hitting and wily medium pace, and dynamic fielding all go to make him a precious resource in this format,” Shipperd said.

Brathwaite and fellow international replacement Joe Denly will be available for their match against the Thunder at the SCG on Saturday, 13 January.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

England in tatters after Marsh brothers’ tons

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia were closing on an innings victory with England fighting a desperate rearguard on 93 for four at stumps on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes test on Sunday, still 210 runs from forcing their hosts to bat again.

Brothers Shaun and Mitchell Marsh had earlier both scored centuries on a scorching morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground to put Australia in a position where they could declare on 649-7 in the second session.

England, already 3-0 down in the series with the urn relinquished, had toiled in the field in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius with little success and their luck did not change when they came out to bat.

Openers Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman went cheaply inside the first six overs of their second innings with James Vince (18) and Dawid Malan (five) following in the final session.

Skipper Joe Root, who made an unbeaten 42 despite playing with an injured finger, and Jonny Bairstow (17 not out) will take England’s fight to save the test into the final day.

The Marsh brothers had earlier joined the Chappell siblings Ian and Greg (1972) and the Waugh twins Mark and Steve (2001) in scoring centuries in the same innings in an Ashes test.

Shaun Marsh made 156 from 291 balls before being run out by a Stoneman direct hit just after lunch, with Mitchell having departed for 101 on the delivery after securing his second century when Tom Curran took out his off

up being met with disbelief in some quarters, and Mitchell was only brought in for the third test in Perth.

Mitchell was the second to reach the milestone about an hour into the morning with two runs past point and Shaun was

we got to our hundreds, was an extremely happy moment.

It’ll certainly be a day that we won’t forget.”

Shaun had started the day on 98 with Australia 479 for four and took just five balls to secure his sixth test

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was quickly among the wickets when he produced a beauty to Alastair Cook ©Getty Images

stump.

The brothers both scored their second centuries of the series in a brilliant 169-run partnership that built on the mammoth 171 Usman Khawaja scored on Saturday.

It was a particularly sweet partnership given Shaun was a controversial selection for the series, his eighth recall to the test line-

in such a hurry to congratulate his little brother that he almost ran him out.

“Emotions got the better of me and I wanted to give him a hug,” 34-year-old Shaun told reporters.

“To be out there with Mitch, to both score our test centuries today for Australia, being out there and sharing each other’s emotions when

century by crunching Moeen Ali through the covers for one of the 18 fours he scored in his 403-minute knock.

While Australia flourished with the bat, England continued to struggle.

Cook did become the sixth batsman to score 12,000 runs in tests but the ovation had barely been completed before Stoneman was dismissed for

Arsenal crash out to Forest, Newport stun Leeds LONDON (Reuters) - Holders Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup to second-tier Nottingham Forest and Newport

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Root needed lengthy treatment on his right index finger after taking a rap on the digit from a Starc delivery before Malan was trapped lbw on his back foot by Lyon for five, the review system again failing England.

“In many ways the last few days have summed up our trip,” said England assistant coach Paul Farbrace.

“It’s been exceptionally tough, we’ve come up against a team that’s playing very good cricket but the one thing that we’ve been talking about is making sure we keep on fighting and battling.”

SCORECARD

FA Cup third round..

By Martyn Herman

a duck by pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, the batsman reviewing the lbw decision to no avail.

Former skipper Cook was dismissed for 10 rocking back in his crease to a superb delivery from spinner Nathan Lyon that removed the bail from his off stump.

Vince enjoyed a rare England success with the DRS to reverse a caught behind verdict on 15 but he made just three more runs before offering up another poor shot to a Pat Cummins delivery which caught a nick which Steve Smith juggled to take at slip.

County stunned former winners Leeds United as the FA Cup third round burst into life on Sunday.

The biggest story of the round was saved until the final

Fontwell 09:15 hrs Scorpion Princess 09:45 hrs Flanagans Field 10:15 hrs Greyed A 10:45 hrs De Rasher Counter 11:15 hrs Cloudy Beach 11:45 hrs Seaston Spirit Herdford 09:00 hrs Flashjack 10:30 hrs Steel Native 11:00 hrs Aardwolf 11:30 hrs Mytical Legend 12:00 hrs Shroughmore

South Africa Racing Tips Wolverhampton Flamingo Park 12:15 hrs Haraz 08:25 hrs Two Gunsy 12:45 hrs Honey Badger 08:55 hrs Red Special 13:15 hrs Cliffs Of Capri 09:25 hrs Tayaar 13:45 hrs Paddys Runner 09:55 hrs Warbash 14:15 hrs Berlusca 10:25 hrs Cash In Camilla 14:45 hrs Victory Bond English Racing Tips 15:15 hrs Zapateado

kickoff of the weekend as Arsenal suffered a 4-2 defeat at the City Ground where American Eric Lichaj scored twice for the second-tier side who sacked manager Mark Warburton a week ago.

Thirteen-times FA Cup winners Arsenal paid dearly for fielding a weakened side as they lost in the third round for the first time in manager Arsene Wenger’s two-decade reign.

Until then fourth-tier Newport County had staked a claim for the biggest upset of the weekend with a 2-1 win over Leeds -- substitute Shawn McCoulsky heading a last-minute winner the day after his 21st birthday.

On Saturday 1987 winners Coventry City, who are now languishing in the fourth tier, knocked out Premier League strugglers Stoke City by the same score -- a result that cost Stoke boss Mark Hughes his job.

To p f l i g h t We s t H a m United also flirted with dan-

ger at League One (third-tier) high-flyers Shrewsbury Town on Sunday, escaping with a 0-0 draw after being largely outplayed.

“We were terrible today and Shrewsbury were really good,” West Ham keeper Joe Hart, who began his career at Shrewsbury, said. “There was some terrible football played today.”

Eight-times winners Tottenham Hotspur had no trouble at home to third-tier AFC Wimbledon as Harry Kane struck twice in two minutes in the second half of a 3-0 home win.

Arsenal made nine changes to the side that drew impressively with Chelsea on Wednesday, although they still started heavy favourites against a Forest side featuring seven under 23s.

They could have few complaints though.

Lichaj gave Forest the lead and although Per Mertesacker levelled for the visitors, Lichaj scored a stunning volley to put Forest back ahead just before halftime.

ENGLAND 1st innings (346) Australia 1st innings (overnight) 479 for 4 C. Bancroft b Broad 0 D. Warner c Bairstow b Anderson 56 U. Khawaja st Bairstow b Crane 171 S. Smith c&b Ali (c) 83 S. Marsh run out (Stoneman) 156 M. Marsh b Curran

101 T. Paine not out

38 M. Starc c Vince b Ali

11 P. Cummins not out

24 Extras: (b-2,lb 4 1w, 2nb-) 9 Total: 7 wickets declared (193. overs) 649 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-86 , 3-274, 4-375, 5-544, 6-596, 7-613.

Bowling: J. Anderson 34-14-56-1, S. Broad 30-2-121-1, M. Ali 48-10-1702, T. Curran 25.-3-82-1-0, M. Crane 48-3-193-1, J. Root 8-3-21-0.

ENGLAND 2nd innings Cook b Lyon

10 M. Stoneman lbw b Starc

0 J. Vince c Smith b Cummins

18 J. Root not out

42 D. Malan lbw b Lyon

5 J. Bairstow not out

17 Extras: 1lb

(1) Total: For four wickets (46.0 overs) 93 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-15, 3-43, 4-68.

Bowling: M .Starc 9-2-17-1, J. Hazlewodd 9-1-26-0, N. Lyon 19-5-31-2, P. Cummins 7-1-12-0, S. Smith 2-0-6-0.

Penalties by Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell sealed victory for caretaker boss Gary Brazil’s side, even if Dowell’s strike caused controversy because it appeared he had made double contact with the ball.

Danny Welbeck had pulled Arsenal back to 3-2.

“This has got to be something we build on,” Brazil, trying to revive the former English and European champions from the lower regions of the Championship, said.

“This football club should be playing against the Arsenals of this world, and they should be beating them.”

Wenger, who watched from the stands because of a threematch touchline ban, refused to blame his team selection.

“We played a very good Forest team who were sharp and focused. The challenges were decisive. Overall our performance wasn’t good enough,” he said.

“When you don’t win the selection is always questioned. I believe we had an experienced team -- eight or nine internationals. It would be easy to think that was the problem.”

Earlier in the day Rodney

Parade in south Wales had supplied some old-fashioned Cup magic as Newport became the latest underdogs to embarrass once mighty Leeds -- sparking a joyful pitch invasion by the home faithful.

Gaetano Berardi’s deflected ninth-minute strike had looked like winning the tie for Leeds, who were knocked out by minor league Sutton United last season, but Conor Shaughnessy’s own goal 15 minutes from time set up a thrilling climax.

McCoulsky ensured it was one of the best days in modest Newport’s history with an unstoppable header.

“I can’t remember most of it, it was a blur to be honest.

It is definitely one of my best goals, to knock Leeds out of the FA Cup is what dreams are made of,” he said.

L e e d s a l s o s u f f e re d a shock Cup defeat across the other side of the Severn Bridge in 2002, falling to Cardiff at a time when Leeds were Premier League title contenders.

To complete a dismal day for Leeds they had substitute Samuel Saiz sent off in stoppage time.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Fraternal centuries make for a special day for the Marshes

By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY, (Reuters) - It was understandable the Australian batsman Shaun Marsh got a bit carried away when his little brother Mitchell scored his century on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes test against England on Sunday.

It was not only that his sibling had been at the other end when he himself had reached the magic milestone at the Sydney Cricket Ground little more than an hour earlier.

It was perhaps as much as anything because only a few months ago, it looked highly unlikely that either brother would be wearing the baggy green against England, let alone playing key roles in a crushing series triumph.

Shaun, at 34 the elder by eight years, had been dumped from the test side for the seventh time and lost his central contract, while Mitch was struggling to find his way back into the international reckoning after a shoulder surgery.

It made their moment on a scorching hot Sydney morning all the sweeter and Shaun got so carried away he nearly ran Mitchell out as they completed the two runs that gave the younger brother his second test ton only a few weeks after his first.

“I pretty much went for the high five and Shaun went

A special day for the Marsh family ©Getty Images

for the hug,” said Mitchell.

“We somewhere parked in the middle and had a quick split second level of panic and hugged again after that.”

Shaun was happy to take the blame. ”I think emotions sort of got the better of me and I just wanted to give him a hug,“ he said. ”I saw him starting to celebrate and sort of lost all concept of where the ball was and what was happening with the ball.

“Thankfully it all worked out. I was just really happy for him.”

All-rounder Mitchell’s first Test hundred came after he was called into the team for the third Ashes clash in Perth and was a reward for

the hard work he did on his batting after his recuperation from surgery.

“To be honest I really didn’t think I was going to play any part for Australia this summer,” he said.

“It’s been a whirlwind month for both of us really and we’re just both really happy to be here now and to be contributing to a winning Australian team.”

Shaun’s recall for the series was his eighth and caused huge controversy, the selectors being vindicated when he scored an unbeaten 126 in Adelaide.

“Six months ago I lost my contract and was left out of the Test team and didn’t know what the future held at this level,” he recalled.

“I went away and wanted to just enjoy myself and when I did get picked again it was emotional.”

Shaun’s 156 on Sunday was his sixth test century and, combined with Mitchell’s 101, helped put Australia in a strong position to claim a 4-0 series victory on the final day on Monday.

Neither brother, though, was prepared to consider yet whether they might retain their places for the tour of South Africa later this year.

“It’s been nice contributing to the team over the last few weeks and today,” said Shaun. “I’ll just keep working hard, keep enjoying it, and not look too far ahead.”

Ntini resigns as Zimbabwe bowling coach ZIMBABWE will begin the search for a new bowling coach after reluctantly accepting Makhaya Ntini’s resignation.

Ntini has stepped down from his role as Zimbabwe bowling coach after two years with the African nation, including a short spell as interim head coach.

Makhaya Ntini has stepped down from his role as Zimbabwe bowling coach after two years.

Ntini filled in following Dav Whatmore’s departure in May 2016, with Heath Streak taking on the permanent head coach role five months later.

The former South Africa seamer originally signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe, but the 40-year-old has opted not to renew terms.

“It is with regret that Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announces that Makhaya Ntini, the national team bowling coach, has tendered his resignation from ZC with immediate effect,” read a statement from the governing body.

“Makhaya has brought a wealth of experience and practical knowledge to ZC, and ZC and its players and coaching staff were fortunate to have had an opportunity to work closely with him during this period,

and to learn from his many years of playing for Cricket South Africa at the highest level.

“While reluctantly accepting his resignation, ZC fully appreciates and respects the reasons behind Makhaya’s decision, and wishes him all the very best for the future.”

Ntini’s announcement came on the same day that Streak named his one-day international squad for their tri-series with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Brendan Taylor returns along with Kyle Jarvis after their international exile ended in the recent Test series with West Indies, while there are also places for Brandon Mavuta and Ryan Murray.

Series hosts Bangladesh have made five changes to their squad for the first two matches of the, with Mustafizur Rahman included, while Taskin Ahmed and Soumya Sarkar have been dropped.

Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (captain), Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Malcolm Waller, Ryan Murray, Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Christopher Mpofu, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sunzamul Islam. (Omnisport)

Rain washes out day three at Newlands in finely-balanced Test

By Nick Said

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Rain washed out day three of the first test between South Africa and India on Sunday, preventing any chance of play in the finely balanced opener to the three-game series between the top two ranked sides in world cricket.

South Africa were set to resume their second innings on 65 for two, a lead of 142 on what is a lively wicket offering plenty of assistance to the seamers.

Hashim Amla (four) and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada (two) are the not out batsmen who will

Ground staff workers are seen as they try to sweep water on the pitch after play was delayed due to rain. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

now wait until today to resume their innings, with no rain forecast for the remainder of the game.

South Africa were bowled out for 286 in their first innings, before restricting India to 209 in reply.

The home side have confirmed that fast bowler Dale Steyn will miss the remainder of the test, and possibly the series, with a heel injury, leaving them with three seamers with which to bowl India out in the second innings if they are to win the match.

The teams are meeting in a three-test series this month with matches in Pretoria and Johannesburg to come.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Regional Super50 festival Real fall 16 points behind Barca after draw with Celta begins January 30

ST JOHN’S – Cricket West Indies revealed last Thursday the schedule of matches for the Regional Super50 Festival which opens on January 30 and will be contested in Barbados and Antigua.

The six CWI franchises and Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners will be joined by English county sides Hampshire and Kent, as well as ICC Associate

side, United States, for the #RS50 which concludes with the Grand Final on February 24 under the lights at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The ten teams have been divided into two groups with reigning champions Barbados Pride, along with Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, Marooners, Windward Islands Volcanoes and Hampshire forming Group

“A” to be contest in Barbados, and last season’s runners-up Jamaica Scorpions together with Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Guyana Jaguars, United States and Kent in Group “B” to be played in Antigua.

Each team will play against every other team in their group twice with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals, also to be staged under the lights at the CCG.

Two matches will be played every other day at match venues in the two host territories: In Barbados, Three W’s Oval and Windward Cricket Ground will stage all the daytime matches and Kensington Oval will host all day/night matches; and in Antigua, the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground will stage all the daytime matches and the CCG all day/night matches.

By Richard Martin

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Real Madrid’s faltering title defence continued as they were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Sunday which saw them fall 16 points behind runaway leaders Barcelona, who beat Levante 3-0 to stay nine points clear at the top of La Liga. eal looked to be heading for a disastrous second league defeat in a row after their embarrassing 3-0 loss to Barca in their last outing when Daniel Wass lobbed over Keylor Navas to put Celta ahead in the 33rd minute.

Gareth Bale instantly responded by scoring twice in three minutes to put the stuttering champions in front before halftime but Celta came right back at Zinedine Zidane’s side, with Iago Aspas squandering a penalty before Maxi Gomez levelled with a header in the 82nd minute.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES GROUP “A” (IN BARBADOS)

Barbados Pride, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners, Windward Islands Volcanoes, Hampshire

• Matches starting at 9 am Match Day 1 Tuesday, January 30 Match Day 2 Thursday, February 1 Match Day 3 Saturday, February 3 Match Day 4 Monday, February 5 Match Day 5 Wed, February 7 Match Day 6 Friday, February 9 Match Day 7 Sunday, February 11 Match Day 8 Tuesday, February 13 Match Day 9 Thursday, February 15 Match Day 10 Saturday, February 17

• Matches starting at 2 pm Match Day 1 Tuesday, January 30 Match Day 2 Thursday, February 1 Match Day 3 Saturday, February 3 Match Day 4 Monday, February 5 Match Day 5 Wed, February 7 Match Day 6 Friday, February 9 Match Day 7 Sunday, February 11 Match Day 8 Tuesday, February 13 Match Day 9 Thursday, February 15 Match Day 10 Saturday, February 17

Volcanoes vs Marooners Pride vs Hampshire Red Force vs Hampshire Red Force vs Volcanoes Pride vs Marooners Red Force vs Hampshire Volcanoes vs Marooners Pride vs Hampshire Red Force vs Volcanoes Hampshire vs Volcanoes

Three Ws Oval Three Ws Oval Windward Three Ws Oval Windward Three Ws Oval Three Ws Oval Windward Windward Three Ws Oval

Pride vs Red Force Marooners vs Red Force Pride vs Volcanoes Marooners vs Hampshire Hampshire vs Volcanoes Pride vs Volcanoes Pride vs Red Force Marooners vs Red Force Marooners vs Hampshire Pride vs Marooners

Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval Kensington Oval

GROUP “B” (IN ANTIGUA)

Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Guyana Jaguars, United States, Kent

• Matches starting at 9 am

Match Day 1 Match Day 2 Match Day 3 Match Day 4 Match Day 5 Match Day 6 Match Day 7 Match Day 8 Match Day 9 Match Day 10

Wed, January 31 Friday, February 2 Sunday, February 4 Tuesday, February 6 Thursday, February 8 Saturday, February 10 Monday, February 12 Wed, February 14 Friday, February 16 Sunday, February 18

Jaguars vs Kent United States vs Jaguars Kent vs Scorpions Hurricanes vs Kent Kent vs United States Hurricanes vs United States United States vs Jaguars Scorpions vs Kent Kent vs United States Scorpions vs United States

VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG VRCG

Match Day 1 Match Day 2 Match Day 3 Match Day 4 Match Day 5 Match Day 6 Match Day 7 Match Day 8 Match Day 9 Match Day 10 Semi-final 1 Semi-final 2 Grand Final Grand Final

Wed, January 31 Friday, February 2 Sunday, February 4 Tuesday, February 6

Hurricanes vs United States Hurricanes vs Scorpions Hurricanes vs Jaguars Scorpions vs United States Scorpions vs Jaguars Jaguars vs Kent Hurricanes vs Scorpions Hurricanes vs Jaguars Scorpions vs Jaguars Hurricanes vs Kent Winner Zone “A” vs Runner-up Zone “B” Winner Zone “B” vs Runner-up Zone “A” Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2 (Reserve Day)

Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge

• Matches starting at 2 pm

Thursday, February 8

Saturday, February 10 Monday, February 12 Wed, February 14

Friday, February 16 Sunday, February 18 Wed, February 21 Thursday, February 22 Saturday, February 24 Sunday, February 25

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Celta Vigo’s Hugo Mallo and Jozabed REUTERS/Miguel Vidal

Aspas was denied another penalty late in the game while down at the other end Real’s Lucas Vazquez missed a gilt-edged chance to strike the winner, hammering the ball straight at Celta goalkeeper Ruben Blanco.

Real stay fourth in the standings on 32 points while Barca have 48 although they have played one game more.

Barcelona had seen their lead over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid reduced to six points on Saturday but restored the gap to nine after Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paulinho scored in a routine if underwhelming win over Levante.

Messi was back in the starting line-up after missing the King’s Cup draw with Celta Vigo on Thursday and marked his 400th game in La Liga by opening the scoring in the 12th minute, volleying Jordi Alba’s cushioned header into the net.

Suarez struck his fifth goal in four games running by controlling a cross from Sergi Roberto and slamming the ball high into the net in the 38th minute.

Barca relaxed a little after the break but Brazilian international Paulinho added an extra shine to the win by tapping in as the game drew to a close, netting for the seventh time in the Liga, making him the top-scoring midfielder in the Spanish top flight.

“We wanted to continue our run of wins and although we were favourites we knew Levante were a strong side that hadn’t lost away from home in the league since September,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

“We were very good in the first half but the pace changed in the second half and Levante could have scored.”

After the game club record signing Philippe Coutinho appeared at the Nou Camp to pose for photographs a day after completing his 142-million-pound($192.54-million) move from Liverpool to Barca.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 08, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Carlos Braithwaite-4 wickets (2) Tim Southee-6 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest individual score made by a

WI in the recent T20 series against NZ? (2) What was the highest individual score by a NZ player?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 8, 2018

Bolt to have Dortmund trial in bid to earn Manchester United move AFTER retiring from athletics as one of the sport’s greatest ever, Usain Bolt continues to set his sights on a professional football career.

Sprint star Usain Bolt will undergo a trial with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to earn a professional contract at Manchester United.

The Jamaican, an all-time athletics legend after winning eight Olympic golds, retired after damaging his hamstring in his last ever race at the World Championships in London last year.

After recovering from that injury, the 31-year-old has reiterated his desire to switch sports, claiming he has held talks with the club’s legendary former manager Alex Ferguson over a possible United deal, while his long mooted Dortmund trial is still on the cards.

“The injury is now fine and I’m back fully fit,” Bolt, the 100 metres world-record holder, told the Express.

“In March we’re going to do trials with Dortmund and that will determine what I do with that career, which way

it goes. If they say I’m good, and that I need a bit of training, I’ll do it.

“It makes me nervous.

I don’t get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It’ll take time to adjust

chester United. If Dortmund say I’m good enough, I’ll crack on and train hard.

I’ve spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready,

Usain Bolt

but once I play a few times I’ll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field.

“I was nervous for a while until I started getting used to the crowd, people and everyone around and it falls into place.

“One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Man-

he will see what he can do.”

Bolt, who won 11 World Championship gold medals in a glittering sprinting career, indicated he has sought advice from Paul Pogba over a potential football career.

“I do think I have a chance,” Bolt added. “I watch a lot of football, I understand it, I play it. With training, I

could be good.

“Me and Pogba talk a lot.

I watch and ask him a lot of questions. I want to play but it has to be in the top league.

I’m not content to be average.

“It’s going to be hard because my career has been so great but if I could win a Champions League or something, it’ll be close to anything I achieved in athletics.

“But I have to be more than average. It has to be in the top league because we have a lot of teams that have offered us deals, just random clubs. I want to be the best.

“I personally want to play on the wing but I know, listening to everybody and talking to footballers, that I will be put up top.

“I strive to be the best and if I get a chance to play for a team like Manchester United it will be a massive deal. I don’t miss the sprint training. I miss the competition, and getting out on the track in front of the crowd, but not the training.

“I will definitely want to get up and go train and be excited just to play at Old Trafford.”

Barbados Pride settle for draw with Volcanoes BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Jan 7, CMC – Barbados Pride, led by half-centuries from Shamarh Brooks and Shayne Moseley, chose discretion as the best part of valour and settled for a draw with Windward Islands Volcanoes in the Regional 4-Day Championship on Sunday here.

Brooks, the Pride captain, stroked a typically effortless, unbeaten 69 and Moseley was not on 57, as the Pride reached 135 for one in their second innings before the two teams decided it was pointless to continue about 20 minutes before the scheduled close on the final day of their eighth-round match at Kensington Oval.

Brooks languidly drove Volcanoes captain Tyron Theophile, peddling his uncomplicated off-spin, to long-on for a single to reach his 50 from 101 balls, and Moseley soon followed, when he tucked veteran off-spinner Shane Shillingford off his hips into square leg for a single to reach the landmark from 166 balls.

The pair chose to improve their aggregates and averages, as well as gain meaningful batting practice, sharing 125 – unbroken – for the second wicket, knowing that the prospect of a victory which would keep the Championship alive was out of the question, following the complete wash-out on Saturday’s third day.

The result meant that

Guyana Jaguars were confirmed champions for a fourth straight year, as their victory the previous day over Jamaica Scorpions moved them to an unassailable 135 points.

Pride – second in the table

from the visitors’ tail-end batsman, but it was enough to erase any possibility of an imaginative finish.

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach was the most successful Pride bowler with 4-75 from 22 overs, Kevin Stoute took 2-30 from 19 overs and Justin Greaves supported with 2-54 from 22.4 overs.

Either side of a 45-minute stoppage for rain in the morning period, Kyle Mayers, padding up, was lbw to Roach for 38, having started the day on 30, after ushering Volcanoes past 250

and Greaves struck three overs later, when Delorn Johnson was caught behind off Greaves for 14.

Larry Edward was caught by the ‘keeper off Kevin Stoute for six to leave Volcanoes 287 for nine before Greaves had Shane Shillingford caught at deep fineleg for 16 to bring the innings to a close.

Next round, Pride face Jaguars at this same venue, and Volcanoes meet Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.

SCORECARD

Shamarh Brooks

on 75.2 points before the match – gained three batting points, three bowling points and 1.6 pace bowling points, moving them to 82.8 points – and no hope of surpassing the Jaguars in the final two rounds of matches.

Volcanoes – last on 52.2 points entering the match – earned three bowling points and two batting points, plus 1.2 pace bowling points, taking them to 58.4 points.

Earlier, Volcanoes, starting the day from 241 for six, were bowled out for 287, in reply to the Pride’s first innings total of 316 about 35 minutes before lunch.

There was token resistance

PRIDE 1st Innings 316 VOLCANOES 1st Innings (overnight 241 for six) DS Smith b Roach 26 *T Theophile c wkpr Walcott b Stoute 18 K Edwards c Walcott b Roach 16 K Hodge c Moseley b Chase 63 R Cato run out 56 +DDH Smith b Roach 8 K Mayers lbw b Roach 38 S Shillingford c Walsh b Greaves 16 D Johnson c wkpr Walcott b Greaves 14 L Edwards c wkpr Walcott b Stoute 6 S Lewis not out 0 Extras: (b5, lb10, w7, nb4) 26 TOTAL: (all out, 94.4 overs) 287 Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-50, 3-95, 4-164, 5-199, 6-220, 7-255, 8-272, 9-287 Bowling: Roach 22-4-75-4 (nb4); Greaves 22.4-8-54-2 (w7); Stoute 19-6-30-2; Warrican 11-0-42-0; Chase 14-3-49-1; Walsh 6-0-22-0 PRIDE 2nd Innings A Alleyne c Cato b Johnson 6 S Moseley not out 69 *S Brooks not out 57 Extras: (b1, lb2) 3 TOTAL: (1 wkt, 64 overs) 135 Fall of wickets: 1-10 Bowling: Johnson 11-7-11-1; Lewis 10-5-13-0; Mayers 8-5-16-0; Shillingford 12-4-21-0; Edward 12-4-34-0; Theophile 7-2-19-0; Hodge 4-0-18-0 Points: Pride 7.6, Volcanoes 6.2

Two recent past champions make group a competitive THE presence of the champions at the previous two editions of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup – the Windies (2016) and South Africa (2014) apart from host New Zealand and Kenya make Group A one of the groups to watch in the preliminary stage.

Emmanuel Stewart will captain the West Indies Under-19s.

The Windies, led by Shimron Hetmyer had won the tournament in Bangladesh in style after losing their first game against England, the team adapting in time to the subcontinent conditions.

The focus this time will be on Emmanuel Stewart and Kirstan Kallicharan, the captain and vice-captain of the side, who will have to adapt to much different conditions and take on the home side first off.

Kirstan Kallicharan is the Windies Under-19s vice-captain.

The Windies have won against South Africa and Zimbabwe in two hardfought bilateral series in preparation for the 13 January-3 February tournament and the squad also underwent an 11-day training camp in St Kitts and Nevis before travelling to New Zealand.

South Africa, who had Kagiso Rabada in the squad in 2014, were nowhere near a repeat performance last time as they lost to Bangladesh and Namibia and failed to qualify for the knockouts. They then went on to lose the Plate semi-final to Zimbabwe.

Only Wandile Makwetu remains in the squad from two years ago. South Africa, captained by Raynard van Tonder, lost to the Windies 2-3 in a bilateral series, but beat England in the final of a tri-nation series at home,

which also involved Namibia.

Matthew Breetzke was the best batsman in the triangular series with a tally of 243 runs in four matches, while Hermann Rolfes topped the bowling charts with 10 wickets in six matches. The focus will also be on Thando Ntini, son of retired pace bowler Makhaya Ntini.

New Zealand will rely on home conditions after not qualifying for the knockouts in Bangladesh. They had lost to India and Nepal to finish third in the group.

Led by Kaylum Boshier, also a known rugby player, the team includes Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Dale Phillips and Felix Murry – all of who were a part of the team in the last World Cup. The last time the World Cup was played in New Zealand in 2010, the team had lost to Australia, the eventual champions, in the quarter-finals.

Kenya will make their first World Cup appearance since 2002. They qualified for the tournament after winning the ICC Africa Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers, which also consisted of Ghana, Botswana and Uganda. Kenya won five out of their six games to qualify.

Kenya then gained valuable practice with four 50over matches against Zimbabwe in August. The team, coached by Jimmy Kamande, who played 86 One-Day Internationals and 12 Twenty20 Internationals for the senior team between 1999 and 2011, were also scheduled to play two friendly matches against Sydney Thunder in Australia before flying to New Zealand.

The 15-member squad underwent a nine-day training camp in Nairobi.

Aman Gandhi, 17, who was Kenya’s best batsman in the Qualifiers with 261 runs in six matches, Thomas Ochieng and Ankit Hirani form the core of the batting unit, while spin-twins Gerald Muthui and Abhishekh Chidambaram head the bowling department. (ICC MEDIA RELEASE)

South Africa’s Thando Ntini

Bolt to have Dortmund See Page trial in bid to earn 23 Manchester United move

Jaguars confirmed winners of Digicel 4-day championship ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Guyana Jaguars were confirmed as winners of the 2017-18 Digicel 4-Day Championship, after their nearest rivals Barbados Pride settled for a draw with Windward Islands Volcanoes in their rain-affected match on Sunday.

Jaguars completed a nail-biting, two-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions inside three days in their eighth-round match on Saturday at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, taking them to an unassailable 135 points – with two rounds of games remaining.

It is the fourth straight Headley/Weekes Trophy, symbol of WINDIES first-class supremacy, for the Jaguars, following in the footsteps of previous incarnations of the Pride and Scorpions.

“As you can imagine, it’s a very good feeling for us to win the title for a fourth straight year,” said Jaguars captain Leon Johnson. “I am someone that delves into the history of the game – Barbados would have achieved this in the late 1970s, and Jamaica did it between 2008 and 2012.

“We are only the third team to have achieved something like this in WINDIES first-class history. It is very pleasing to be part of it and to be at the helm for the fourth consecutive year of us winning this title. It is testament to our hard work. We have won it with two matches remaining, which is a feat in itself.”

Barabdo Pride – second in the table on 75.2 points before the match – gained three batting points, three bowling points and 1.6 pace bowling points, moving them to 82.8 points – and no hope of surpassing the Jaguars in the final two rounds of matches.

Volcanoes – last on 52.2 points entering the match – earned three bowling points and two batting points, plus 1.2 pace bowling points, taking them to 58.4 points.

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By Stephan Sookram CALVIN Ming is en route to New Zealand where he will make his debut in the Castrol Toyota series from January 12-14.

The overseas-based Guyanese will be driving the number 44 machine for Victory Motor Racing team when the series gets going.

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport before the 24-hour journey, the Guyanese was upbeat about being handed the chance to race in another continent.

“I’ll be racing against the best in Europe. So we shall see how that goes, but at the moment I’m pretty confident,” He said.

Among this year’s roster will be Robert Shwartzman from Ferrari’s Driver Academy as well as several other drivers out of Brazil and Europe.

Just last year, he finished fifth overall in the American Cooper Tyres USF2000 series, notching up four podium appearances.

He also won the FIA NACAM Formula 4 Championship 2016/2017, with seven wins during that year and ten podium finishes.

Ming will use the same Tatuus single seater as every other driver in the se-

Guyans Jaguars captain Leon Johnson

Ming heading to New Zealand for Castrol Toyota series

Calvin Ming will represent the victory Motor Racing team in the Castrol Toyota Series in New Zealand. ries. It is powered by a 1.8 litre Toyota engine, producing about 145 kWs running on an 85 per cent ethanol bio-fuel.

All the cars will use the same Michelin tyres, gearboxes, suspensions and brakes to provide a level playing field, with driving skills being the deciding factor.

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“It’s sort of the same single make series that I use in the United States, but the tracks are going to be different and the teams as well as the drivers, but I think I’m ready.”

The five-round, 15 race, Castrol Toyota Racing Series which concludes with the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild from February

9-11, has three races each weekend --on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings and afternoons.

The series 2015 champion is current Williams Mercedes F1 driver, Lance Stroll, while the 2016 champion, Lando Norris, is currently the test driver for the Honda McLaren f1 team.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018