Guyana chronicle e paper 06 11 2018

MONDAY 11th JUNE, 2018

Mega agri project unveiled No.105302

––Brazilian company inks pact for major initiative in Intermediate Savannahs 03 PAGE

President of the Rio Verde Research Foundation in Mato Grosso, Brazil, Marino Franz makes a point to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and team during a visit of the Rio Verde Research Foundation

GECOM’s work must go on ExxonMobil ‘Mighty Rebel’ to support 02 laid to rest 12 agriculture PAGE

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–– Prime Minister 08 Moses Nagamootoo PAGE

Passenger 03 hospitalised in Pomeroon boat collision PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

ExxonMobil to invest in agriculture –– believes in keeping ‘Guyana’s backbone’ vibrant

By Navendra Seoraj

OIL giant, ExxonMobil

is ready to invest in the ‘backbone’ of Guyana, agriculture, as part of its

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The company has already contributed millions of dollars in the form of grants to communities in Guyana, but, it is still looking for a way to contribute to the agriculture sector, said Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington during an

interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

ExxonMobil’s CSR mainly surrounds the promotion of women and community empowerment and sustainable youth development.

Over the past two years, $184 million has been distributed in grants to local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and organisations which have reinvested the funds into communities and the people of Guyana.

“We want to invest in the backbone of the country because, yes, oil is exciting but you have to invest in the backbone of the country… agriculture could be found almost everywhere but I feel

here it is prevalent and thriving,” she said.

The company has already started the process by sponsoring the recent “Uncapped” Expo which was geared at promoting local products and producers.

“We are looking for ways to support agriculture directly… perhaps giving funds to a NGO that supports agriculture would be one of those ways… we want to fill a real need where people are trying to do great things,” Brasington said.

ExxonMobil has also supported the University of Guyana’s (UG) Faculty of Agriculture and continues to look at ways to improve the

Exxon Public and Government Affairs, Senior Director Kimberly Brasington work of the faculty.

Although the company is expected to recover funds that were invested into their operations, they gave the assurance that their community projects or CRS work cots would never be recovered.

Police seize guns, ammo in Wild Lang Mission

The weapons and ammunition that were discovered at Wild Lang Mission OFFICERS of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) acting on intelligence went to a location at Wild Lang Mission, Potaro, Region Eight, where they found unlicensed weapons.

The weapons, a single barrel 12-gauge shotgun and a .38 revolver were found

concealed under a shed, on Saturday.

Twenty-two live 12 gauge cartridges, 14 empty 12 gauge casings and a shotgun stock were also found.

No one has yet been detained but the GPF has confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

Mega agri project unveiled

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

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––Brazilian company inks pact for major initiative in Intermediate Savannahs

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MOU) was recently inked between NF Agriculture Inc. and investors of Lucas do Rio Verde, located in the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso, which will see the commencement of an agricultural village in Guyana’s Intermediate Savannahs.

The agreement was signed at the Rio Verde Research Foundation in Mato Grosso, a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture said on Sunday.

According to the Ministry, work is scheduled to commence shortly and will see the construction of bioethanol stations, a state-of-the-art research institute,large-scale agricultural production of corn and soybean and banking institutions among others lucrative ventures.

by the Research Institute’s President Marino Franz, who showed the work of the institute via a video presentation, highlighting some of the progress the institute has made in the area of research, to ensure that farmers in Brazil are exposed only to the best form of seed materials.

The foundation, which was established in 1992, generates its revenues from research done to support agricultural advancement, in conjunction with the State University.

“The work of the institute is diverse in that we not only look for new and innovative ways each day to improve technology, but we work to ensure that all trials are done aimed at improving production and productivity,” Franz said.

He explained that the institute which works

Roraima came from the research institute which annually hosts and demonstrates new and innovative ideas to boost production.

According to Franz, this has a generating capital of 100M. “Our soil type is similar to that of Guyana, so whatever is applied here with this amount of success can be safely adopted in Guyana guaranteeing the said amount of successful returns,” he declared.

Asked about the challenges the institute has faced over the years, Franz said that while there have been many, mainly due to the variety being that of subtropical, the institute has maintained its high standards and production.

“If the farmer has a problem they would come to the foundation and we would go to the specific

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder in discussion with stakeholders while visiting a soy farm in Brazil Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, who led a delegation to the city of Lucas do Rio Verde, Brazil, from June 3-9, received a first-hand look at the production base of the private sector within the state.

While at the research station, the team was met

with corn, soy bean, and rice was successful in the development of size between crops to improve farmers’ production. He credited this success to the improvement of soil spacing, genetics and the will-power of the farmers.

All of the technology employed in the State of

field to address the issue. Our technical professionals also challenge themselves to identify and develop new areas of research to be done daily.

“The South of Brazil has very high-quality seeds which the foundation takes and conducts research to ascertain

President of NF Agriculture Inc. Yucatan Reis and President of the Rio Verde Research Foundation Marino Franz, hold the signed MOU. Also in photo are Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (second right) and GO-INVEST’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Owen Verwey (right) [their] productive genes in climate and soil type of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It is important for us to get it right the first time; if something is to go wrong, it must occur in the foundation’s farm and not on farmers’ farm….we take pride in ensuring that our farmers’ investments are protected,” Franz explained.

SOIL IMPROVEMENT Meanwhile, enhanced soil analysis is critical if farmers are to reap the benefits of its production. According to the research institute’s president, there are two main ways of improving soil fertility; one is through biological and the other being mechanical.

The deeper you break the soil after harvesting through the mechanical method the better your production, said Franz.

“What is needed is for farmers to first plant the soy bean, then plant their corn (the inter-cropping method), then dig half-metre deep and break the soil and apply your lime-

stone….This is the method which has been adopted by the foundation over the years and has been successful in each case for our farmers,” Franz posited.

Franz said too that for Guyana’s farmers to boost their production base, the method of the right amount of fertilisers and genetic of plants are key. This

approach is what the investors will be bringing to Guyana with the completion of the state-of-the-art research institute, which will be used to train Guyanese.

The local team was also taken to farms to look at the vast agricultural potential within the region.

Passenger hospitalised in Pomeroon boat collision IVOR France, 56, of Hackney Canal, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two, was on Sunday afternoon rescued by Pomeroon residents after he was severely injured in a boat collision.

France, who was a passenger at the time, is currently a patient at the Charity Hospital nursing injuries to the head. The accident occurred around 18:00 hrs in the vicinity of Grant Mounta Estate, Lower Pomeroon River.

The captains of the boats involved in the accident are in custody assisting police with their investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11 , 2018

No time to lose faith PRIME Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ observation that CARICOM leaders have begun to lose faith in Single Market and Economy (CSME) has come as no surprise to many.

Though this initiative of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy is seen as an important element of the region’s integration process, coming on stream in 1972 after the establishment of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), which harnesses the region’s cultural resources, some member countries’ approach to it has been far from inspiring.

At a regional forum held here on Friday, Gonsalves was quoted as saying that CARICOM members have to become more practical in their approach to the concepts of CSME, and, that while on paper the plans may seem ideal, they are far from realistic, and regional leaders have begun to lose faith in the realisation of the CSME. But this is not the time to lose faith. With international trade becoming more complex as a result of the United States America’s first policy, Caribbean leaders would be better advised to ensure the CSME works.

The CSME is an integrated

development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, back in July 1990 in Grand Anse, Grenada.

The main objective of the CSME is to establish a regional economy to produce goods and services for the marketplace, internal and external. It is important to note that the CSME (established in 1990) has its genesis in the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) of 1965-1972, which in itself was established to facilitate trade among countries in the Caribbean. The founding leaders (Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Vere Bird Snr of Antigua, and Errol Barrow of Barbados) ought to be commended for such a vision, even more so that within this period the countries were still colonies.

While built on two major pillars—trade and economy— the CSME has seen constant progress being made by putting regimes and protocols in place, to realise a single marketplace in the absence of preparing the groundwork for a single economy.

CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) comprises small countries, with the majority depending on tourism as the major economic activity; while a few, such as Guyana, Trinidad

and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname and Belize, depend largely on their natural resources as their respective economic base.

A single economy requires sharing and partnering in the development of each sector.

For this sharing and partnering to be successful, there needs to be in place a comprehensive regional plan to harness the potential that the region offers in every sector of development.

Early in the integration process, ideas had emerged— such as using the energy resources of Trinidad and Tobago and smelting the bauxite from Jamaica and Guyana to convert same into aluminium—but did not evolve beyond being ideas; depriving, for instance, the region of the benefit of producing value-added to bauxite, one of the region’s primary natural resources.

Guyana and Suriname produce gold. In addition to their local miners (pork-knockers) exploiting this resource, multinational companies ply the sector. Beyond paying small royalties to the state and creating some employment and economic activities, much is left to be desired to convert the mineral to a level where the countries and region can benefit from value-added products.

In fact, there is the absence

of a jewellery industry in the region, while most of the gold produced is being exported raw.

As the world’s marketplace impacts negatively on the price of sugar, one of the region’s oldest industries, it has suffered at the hands of developed countries, and multinationals have been dictating what ought to happen. In the presence of foreign directives, the region, as a single unit, has not responded with a coherent plan that would address the industry in a holistic manner.

Even in the presence of the CSME, which speaks to a single economy, regional leaders have instead opted to address sugar at the individual country level rather than as a collective. Arguably, more could be derived through a single plan involving collective action, which could have led to exploration of, among other things, a major confectionery industry indigenous to Caribbean foods geared for regional and local consumption.

Each Head of Government has responsibility for a specific area in CARICOM. Guyana has responsibility for agriculture, and, for some time now, has been touted as the potential breadbasket of the region.

Apart from developing a proposal (dubbed the Jagdeo

Initiative) which came with technical support and initiative from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)-a regional organisation to which this country is unfortunately indebted, having not paid dues for several years under the PPP- concrete structures are still to be put in place to exploit agriculture in Guyana, as a plank towards establishing a regional economy.

With the best of intents, CARICOM was established to aid the development of the region’s peoples through exploitation of the region’s resources. The founding fathers of CARICOM: Burnham, Barrow, Williams and Manley,

have provided the region with a vision, conceptualised a plan, laid the foundation through institutions, and floated ideas as to how the region’s resources can be exploited in various forms.

With the departure of the founding fathers, given results seen and perceptions – real or contrived–of the region’s peoples, it would not be an unfair assumption that some who have followed are yet to grapple with the importance of operating as a collective in the world-given our small-state status-and develop an economic programme indigenous to the Caribbean to ensure realisation of the CSME.

Accurate information on Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas industry important Dear Editor, IN AN article that appeared in the Kaieteur News of Sunday, June 10, which quoted Charles Ramson Jr, it was suggested in the report that the GYD$10B spent in Guyana with local companies is minuscule.

The article was just shy of suggesting that we take to the streets to protest the supposed injustice.

Some facts we should be aware of: Liza Phase-1 is expected to cost just over US$4.4 billion http://news.exxonmobil. com/press-release/exxonmobil-makes-final-investment-decision-proceed-liza-oil-development-guyana Guyana’s oil and gas industry is still in the upstream phase of activities. Most of the oil and gas activities

in Guyana are still centred around exploration and we are now transitioning to the production stage. (still in upstream) Upstream activities usually require highly specialised knowledge, experience, skillsets and equipment.

To date, a large portion of the expenditure for Liza project would have gone to foreign companies that would be undertaking large sections of the project.

One prominent example would be SMB Offshore, contracted to design the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel and Keppel Shipyard that will execute the conversion of the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) tanker.

This part of the project alone is expected to utilise close to 50 per cent of the total project cost.

Also, TecnipFMC, the company contracted to install the sub-sea equipment would take another significant chunk out of the US$4.4B projected to be spent on the Liza Phase 1 development. It should be noted that TecnipFMC has recently hired 10 engineering students from the University of Guyana for the Technical Services Personnel Apprentice programme. The students are currently receiving technical training in the US and Brazil.

Two of the students were back in Guyana during the GIPEX Conference. [https://www.facebook. com/exxonmobilguyana/ posts/368056343648872] Daily rig rates were as high as US$600,000 a few years ago, but reduced somewhat in the past few years and currently stand at around US$200,000 daily.

The Stena Carron was recently joined by the Noble Bob Douglas drillship increasing the number to two drill ships operating offshore Guyana.

While this area of activity may not send dollars directly into the pockets of Guyanese, since they also fall into the category of upstream activities, many Guyanese are already benefitting. The Stena Carron employed several Guyanese previously and the Bob Douglas was recently staffed with a crew of 30 Guyanese.

Several Guyanese companies are also already engaged with provisions for the supply vessels. [https://ihsmarkit.com/ products/oil-gas-drilling-rigsoffshore-day-rates.html] Our O&G industry is different in many ways from our neighbours in Trinidad and

Tobago and some developments further afield. The Liza field is in (ultra) deep-water, whereas, in Trinidad, most of their discoveries were much closer to shore.

The location of the field and the method of extraction mean we will need fewer rigs and therefore less personnel, fewer supplies, etc.

However, to give some context regarding the number of wells vs returns; the CEO of Hess recently said eight wells at Liza will produce more oil than Delaware Basin’s 1,400 - the 120,000 bbl/d of Liza will top the Delaware Basin’s 1,400 wells and peak oil production of 86,000 bbl/d.

Mr. Ramson with his newly acquired tertiary education in the field of oil and gas should certainly be aware of these intricacies.

As we move into the mid

and downstream activities, there should be a lot more engagement with local companies and further, more Guyanese employed. Not necessarily directly by Exxon, but by the companies that will be servicing these areas.

It has been discussed ad nauseum that the population will benefit from the boost in cash flow in the local economy as a result of the demand for existing products and services increase, and the demand for new services and skills grow. This will be boosted further by significant capital expenditure by government on infrastructural projects, etc.

It is in the national interest that we provide accurate information to the population.

Regards, Michael A Leonard

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

Three-card players, Stabroek Market illegal gold buyers/sellers are a nuisance Dear Editor, THE sight of six middle-aged men on a daily basis, from around mid-morning, converging underneath the Demico establishment western canopy in the city, as they seek to fleece unsuspecting passersby of their hard-earned money is very disturbing.

These guys who operate the three-card game were initially just two persons, but recently it has been observed that the group has expanded and from observations their primary target appears to be

the hapless Amerindians who come into the city to conduct business.

The troubling thing is that these operate without fear because they conduct their nefarious business in full view of members of the city constabulary whose only job seems to be that of harassing the vendors, members of the Guyan Police Force Traffic Department and even Demico’s private security.

And, whenever they are not operating on the walkway under the canopy, they can be seen either outside of the Stabroek Market in front

of the Digicel booth or the Muneshwar sidewalk by the Mon Repos bus park.

The fleecing of innocent people and who knows whatever else business they conduct,has got to be very lucrative when you take into consideration that the group is getting bigger. I cannot for the life of me, fathom how a group of grown men who most likely have families to maintain, can on a daily basis, spend hours operating a three-card game stand as if is an established business company headquarters.

Also, something needs to

be done with the number of men who can be seen daily at three of the four entrances to the Stabroek Market, pestering persons going into the facility to conduct their own business by asking if they are buying or selling gold.

If you have friends who have businesses in the market they will tell you that that are is a haven for pick pockets and snatchers and a host of other illegal operations are done there.

Is it that members of City Constabulary no longer bother to have them removed and whatever they are doing has

now been deemed legal?

The same city police, those wearing white shirtjacs, can be seen at times on duty just where these guys are and inhaling the pungent smell of marijuana.

Editor, Guyana is seeking desperately to build its tourism industry and very soon we will be opening our stateof-the-art international airport. The tourists will begin to flood here in their number and we just cannot afford to have undesirables thwarting our development.

I therefore appeal to the Crime Chief Mr. Paul Wil-

liams,who has been doing an excellent job so far,to focus some of his attention in those areas, as the members of the City Constabulary no longer seem interested or have become too friendly with those who are hell bent on carrying on their illegal trade.

Also, it is my fervent hope that the authorities at Demico will do something about this disgusting behaviour outside their place of business.

Regards Concerned citizen (Name withheld)

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GECOM’s work must go on

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

– Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

THE work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must go on, said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo following the ruling by acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire that upholds the appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as chairman to the commission.

The Opposition has since threatened to challenge the ruling at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“The legal effort at discrediting Chairman Patterson and impeding the work of GECOM has clearly failed,” said Nagamootoo, noting that the

commission has much work to do in preparation for Local Government polls to be held this year and Regional and General Elections in 2020.

The chief justice’s ruling establishes that Justice Patterson is qualified to be appointed GECOM’s chair and that President David Granger acted constitutionally when he appointed him.

No court of law would find credible some of the main arguments advanced by the Opposition party, Nagamootoo said.

“Those included submissions that Justice Patterson was unacceptable on the idiotic ground that

he had been a pallbearer at the funeral of former President Desmond Hoyte, who was a Senior Counsel at the time of his death,” the prime minister said.

He noted that the constitution sets out the qualification for a list of persons, which must be submitted by the Opposition Leader and should be not unacceptable to the President.

“It places the responsibility for submitting an acceptable list on the shoulders of the Leader of the Opposition and if he does not, for any reason whatsoever, he himself would impugn his own list(s).”

According to Nagamootoo, the Opposition has embarked on a campaign to discredit the upcoming elections.

“It has also added to that, a racist claim of ‘ethnic cleansing’ as regards GECOM’s staff. It would hope to buttress these absurd contentions by doing everything possible to destabilise the work of GECOM and frustrate the electoral processes,” he said.

Junior Finance Minister and executive of the Justice for All Party, Jaipaul Sharma, also believes that GECOM’s work must continue now that the court has dealt with what he sees as another distraction from the Opposition.

Sharma said the chief justice’s ruling was “very insightful and wise” in shooting down every argument by the Opposition.

According to Sharma, the chief justice recognised the PPP’s inconsistencies when they argued, for example, that Patterson was appointed by the President as an advisor and on a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) while the Opposition had submitted nominees who were also advisors or working for the government at the time.

EMBARRASSED Sharma charged that the PPP is embarrassed by the ruling since it

shows their politicising of the GECOM appointment.

He said that it also stood out that the President had accommodated the Opposition with three lists of nominees despite the law requiring one list is to be submitted by the Opposition Leader.

And, despite the Opposition Leader procrastinating and playing for time by claiming he was speaking to civil society, he still failed to put forward a proper list.

Regarding the list of nominees provided by the Opposition Leader, Sharma believes that the Opposition was trying to force the President’s choice.

He said while the criteria was provided by the President for a “fit and proper” GECOM chair, the Opposition Leader had provided lists where one or two persons were meeting the criteria which predominately required a person of “… who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person”.

To provide one or two persons with these qualities, three times on a list of six is effectively limiting the President’s choices

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and leading to a particular candidate, Sharma opined.

Former Presidential advisor and independent commentator, Raymond Gaskin, had a vastly different view as he declared his “no confidence” in the upcoming elections under Chairman Patterson. He said the idea of the Constitution regarding the GECOM chair is that the Opposition Leader and the President agree on who becomes the GECOM chairman.

He believes that the President should have given specific reasons for rejecting the Opposition Leader’s list of nominees and the non-collaboration of the two arms, taints the credibility of any election held by the commission.

“The GECOM chairman is a person enjoying the consent of these two men, and once you don’t have that, the system begins to lack credibility,” Gaskin said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

Guyanese inducted into ICS ‘Wall of Fame’ GUYANESE American television host Joy-Ann Reid has been inducted into the into the “Wall of Fame” of the Washington-based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS).

Reid is also a political analyst, journalist, and national correspondent for MSNBC. Reid was born in Brooklyn, New York to a father from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a Guyanese mother.

She graduated from Harvard University in Massachusetts with a concentration in film and is a 2003 Knight Centre for Specialised Journalism fellow.

During the 2004 US presidential campaign, Reid served as the Florida deputy communications director for the “America Coming Together” initiative and was a press aide for President Barack Obama’s Florida campaign in 2008.

Over the course of her journalism career, Reid has written numerous political pieces, which have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian and Miami Joy-Ann Reid Herald.

According to ICS, Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society since its founding – Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the US Treasury was from Nevis.

“We count among our famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, W.E.B Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier, to name a few,” ICS said.

It said its effort began in 1999 with a petition to President Bill Clinton for the recognition of a Caribbean American Heritage Month.

In 2000, ICS said it began leading activities in celebration of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Washington, D.C., “building on efforts started by a now defunct ad-hoc group of Washington DC residents to have a Caribbean Heritage Month designated in Washington, D.C. in 1999”.

The official campaign for a National Caribbean American Heritage Month began in 2004 when a legislative bill was tabled in the US Congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Since the declaration, the ICS said the White House in Washington, D.C. has issued an annual proclamation recognising June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

“Through the commemoration of this month, we hope to ensure that America is reminded that its greatness lies in its diversity, with Caribbean immigrants from founding father Alexander Hamilton to journalist Malcolm Gladwell, who have shaped the American dream,” said ICS founder and president Jamaican Dr. Claire Nelson.

“Every day, members of the Caribbean Diaspora contribute to shared prosperity here in the U.S.A., as well as in the Caribbean region,” she added.

“They contribute to America’s well-being through their participation in all walks of life from the military to the board rooms, to the school rooms, as they strive to make better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

“They also contribute to the well-being and welfare of the Caribbean region through remittances of treasures, time and talent to families and schools, and churches they left behind,” Nelson continued (CMC).

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Youths share vision, challenges YOUTHS of Region Three were given the opportunity to share their vision for the future and grievances, at the first ever “Youth Explosion” which was hosted

by Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, Youth Explosion is an open discussion between youths from across the region and government officials.

Participants were able to have their say about the future and development of their region and country, and to also air their issues, grievances, and receive advice on the way forward. The event was held at the Barnwell Event Hall and Hotel on Saturday.

The programme featured cultural performances of song, dance and drama to help promote social cohesion among young people.

Over 250 youths from Parika, Karia Karia, Leguan, Patentia and other villages had a chance to participate under the theme, “Unlocking our minds, releasing our potential”.

At the end of the plenary session, each group selected a spokesperson to present their findings to the minister and members of the regional administration.

“Today is not a day for me to speak. It is a day when I want to listen to you… You hear my story every day. You read it in the newspapers, when you look at the television, when you hear me speak… It is time that I hear you speak. This is why we are here today, to unlock… the young minds of our people so that we who are in central government, we who are in regional government can listen and hear what it happening in our communities,” Minister Harmon said during the opening ceremony.

–– at youth expo hosted by Minister Harmon

Minister of State Joseph Harmon interacts with participants at the Youth Explosion (MoTP photo) Speaking on the President Granger’s mission to provide a ‘good life’ for persons living in Guyana, Minister Harmon said that the education and empowerment of young people are pivotal to accomplishing that goal.

GOOD LIFE “We want to give you a good life. We want to provide more opportunities to young people to be the best they can become. We want to be rich, not merely in material possessions, but… in human values… A ‘good life’ is a gateway for providing young people with opportunities for self-actualisation and self-esteem.

Young people must be educated and empowered to be able to grasp these opportunities,” the minister said.

Encouraging the young people to make the most of the Youth Explosion, Minister Harmon promised to take the stories told during the discussions back to the Cabinet.

“This is why we have

called it a Youth Explosion.

I want you to explode. I want you to explode those talents that you have. I want you to speak to us in word, in music, and in dance. We want to take your message back to the various levels of government, so we can provide for you that quality of life, that good life,” he said.

The youths spared no time when given the opportunity to voice their opinions about the event.

Parika resident, Geetangli Samlall, said the minister’s visit gave her hope that things in the academic arena will improve.

RAY OF HOPE “Having the minister here today, I feel as if there is a new ray of hope coming… He’s here and he is motivating us.

He’s trying to get something from us that he probably can’t get when he’s sitting in his office, because we’re so far away… I feel really privileged to be here and I hope that he really does

One of the many majestic performances on Saturday (MoTP photo)

listen to some, if not all of our concerns…. The youth need better education system overall because education is [the] key to everything, and Guyana is opening up to a lot of things that require education…. make it better. Make the syllabi… more practical, more logical, [and] more useful to us,” she said.

In an invited comment, Organiser for Youth Explosion, Renee Rodrigues said that it is important that the young people have the opportunity to speak for themselves.

“A lot of the time we find that even when we’re trying to represent youth, we have the older folks representing them. So, what we want to do is have the young people represent their own interests… in my opinion, I don’t think that the older folks can really represent the youth.

There’s a big age disparity and generational gap, so we will have different thoughts and ideas… It’s important for us to hear from the youth themselves,” she said.

Project Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Youth Explosion Organiser, Dr. Astell Collins praised the minister for initiating a dialogue between the government and Guyana’s young people.

“We’re giving young people a new narrative where they are the champions and captains of their destiny.

So, I believe that this has been a success…. This is the first Youth Explosion that has the perception that it is not about the government or any authoritative figure giving solutions… it allows those it caters for to come up with the solution so that they are valued,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

Intervention prevention

SOME stories that reach the Childcare and Protection Agency are inspiring.

They prove that public awareness and support against child abuse is growing. The following story comes from a woman who lives on the East Coast of Demerara.

In my neighbourhood I did something that many people admired and commended me for. Although it was something small, in retrospect it was something that may have possibly saved a life.

Village life gives us the privilege of knowing most, if not all of our neighbours, unfortunately for some, it also affords us the advantage of being privy to what is going on in their lives. Without being inquisitive, I have witnessed things that I could have put a stop to or prevented had I intervened in some way.

For instance, I knew of a school girl who regularly came home at half day while her parents were at work, to entertain a male visitor.

When she became pregnant I felt that, had I said or done something earlier, I may have prevented yet another teenage pregnancy. Then there was that strange looking new ‘Uncle’ who moved in with Miss Joy on the corner. It filled me with dread whenever she left her little girls with him to go out partying. As it happened; on her return home early one evening, she caught him molesting one of her children and she beat him senseless with the first thing her hand could find, which was a hammer. Now she is in the ‘lock ups’ and the children are in residential care.

I sometimes wonder, if I had offered to babysit for her on occasions could I have helped to protect her children? Or maybe if I had passed a slight remark, about having strange men around young children, could I have made a difference? I realised that intervening to help the children and families in my community would be far more beneficial than having knowledge of what is going on in their lives and staying quiet. But how can I help without seeming nosey or ‘interfering’?

When our new neighbours moved in, the family of four (two adults and two children) came along with the reputation of the father being a ‘drinks’ man and the mother, a long-suffering victim of physical abuse, at his hands.

The dysfunctional behaviour of drinking and beating up on family members seems to be widely accepted by most people, but this type of abuse should not be tolerated by anyone. Not only can it lead to murder but the traumatic effects of alcoholism can have a psychological impact on children, for life. It is always the children who suffer the brunt of their parents’ bad decision-making or contemptible behaviour.

When the two children walked past me one morning on the way to school, I noticed bruises on one of their legs.

‘Like you fall down boy?’ I asked him

indirectly. But the child just shrugged his shoulders, smiled faintly and walked on.

I noticed bruises on the children on two more occasions before I formulated a plan to help them. The next day I followed them to school and brought my concerns to the head teacher, who was very co-operative.

After speaking with their form teachers she called in an officer from the Childcare and Protection Agency and the children were interviewed. The extent of their injuries, upon professional examination, included welts and scars on their back and chest that had been inflicted by a drunken father.

The children were placed temporarily with their grandmother while further investigations were carried out on the family. At last, I had made a positive difference to the lives of the children in my community. By using my initiative I had gone the extra mile and found a way to help them. I did not allow another ill to fester and grow before my eyes into something ugly.

Like me, you too can find ways to intervene and prevent child abuse in your community: don’t ignore the signs.

Children and young people need adults to be proactive on their behalf: to intervene (appropriately) and ask questions showing an interest in their lives.

Whether we are neighbours, teachers or shopkeepers, we can liaise with like-minded individuals who care enough to be concerned citizens: Citizens who realise that prevention is better than cure and the least we can offer our children in Guyana is our genuine care and support.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227 0979 or email childcaregy@ gmail.com A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

Youths march against domestic violence

SEEKING to address social ills in their communities, the recently launched Upper East-Bank Youth Group took matters into their own hands with their first rally against domestic violence on Sunday.

The group of over 40 individuals clad in purple and white t-shirts, marched from the Rubis Gas Station at Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD), to Soesdyke, another village, while holding aloft a large banner stating: “We won’t wait!

End Domestic Violence!”

The group’s founder Keoma Sutton, told the Guyana Chronicle that she and a few others were inspired to join efforts to address the challenges in their communities.

Now, the individuals are seeking to cater not only for one village but, instead, for all villages from Supply to Soesdyke, where according to Sutton a large number of young people reside.

She told this newspaper that many of these communities are plagued with issues of high school drop

Members of the Upper East-Bank Youth group hold placards on domestic violence awareness during their march for the cause on Sunday outs, domestic violence, child labour and other effects of financial problems.

“There are a lot of issues in our communities for which we need to reach out and help, such as children who are out of school because their parents cannot afford to send them every day …We put a group together so that we could focus on these things to see if we

can help the children that are not going to school through fundraising, we can help the elders in the community and more,” she said.

However, the group chose to focus first on the issue of domestic violence after observing a high prevalence of violence against women and children in their areas.

“Domestic violence is

a big problem in the Upper East Bank. Many young people are in relationships that are going through domestic violence or have witnessed domestic violence among friends and family. It is not something nice and has a negative effect on children.

“Domestic violence is everybody’s business…I want to spread awareness about domestic violence, to

teach the people that do not know about it or where to go, the places that they can go to seek help,” Sutton said.

When it comes to other matters affecting the communities’ youths, she pointed to the need for after-school programmes, skills training institutions and a greater representation from welfare officers.

“We need welfare of-

ficers to place more focus up here because a lot of students are out of school.

You would find them on the road, they’re gambling, some of them are working at a tender age,” she said.

Although the group is not yet a large one and is now working on becoming registered, they have received support from the business community and have plans to formulate a women’s group to empower women.

Sutton, who is self-employed, initially began hosting the group’s meetings at her home but now plans to relocate to a neighbourhood secondary school, to accommodate the growing number of supporters.

Making a final call, she said: “We need more support from the people in the community. They need to come out because we’re not doing this for us, we’re doing this for the future generation.

We’re trying to set things in the right place for the youths. We want to teach them the right things and the right way of life.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

‘Mighty Rebel’ laid to rest

THOUSANDS congregated on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, for a Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the life of the late calypso icon, Geoffrey Phillips also known as “Mighty Rebel”.

The Mighty Rebel died on Thursday May 31, 2018 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after a protracted period of illness.

He was 72. He leaves to mourn, not only his wife Juliet Statia-Phillips and children,

but other relatives and indeed a nation of calypso lovers who over the years had come to admire him and developed a deep appreciation for his music.

The Sports Hall was packed to capacity with thousands of mourners and sympathisers, who had gone to join the bereaved family members in paying their last respects and tribute to their favourite Calypso King; a friend, father, brother, mentor and confidante whose life was being celebrated.

Among the many gathered at the sports facility to pay homage and tribute were Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green; Pastor Phillip Bowman and other pastors; representatives of other churches; members of the Region Three Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC); the local calypso fraternity and other relatives and friends.

A tribute by former Mayor Hamilton Green was read by Mr. Russel Lancaster.

The casket bearing the remains of the “Mighty Rebel” being carried into the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall by fellow calypsonians

Prisoner succumbs to wound

–– police settle verbal tussle among prisoners in separate incident

A CAMP Street prisoner died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Sunday morning from wounds he received while in prison some two weeks ago.

Dead is 23-year-old Shawn Thom who was serving two, concurrent three-year sentences for the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

He was admitted to the public institution on the morning of May 26, after he was reportedly discovered in a semi-conscious state by prison officials.

The day before, Thom had allegedly stabbed another prisoner during an altercation and was subsequently placed in a cell along with three other inmates.

It was in that same cell that Thom was found the next day with wounds to his head. He was on Sunday pronounced dead at 08:30hrs.

Acting Director of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim told this newspaper that the matter is under investigation.

“It is not normal to find a prisoner in a semi-conscious state as it is, they [the other inmates present in the cell] would have coined that he was hitting his head against the wall in the cell. But while they are saying that, it was not called to [the attention] any officer before, so the officers discovered him in that state in the morning,” Pilgrim said.

In keeping with the normal process, the acting director said that the prisoners who were present at the time will also be questioned.

“Because he was in the cell with others, they [the present inmates] have to give an account, as it relates to [what occurred]. So, that is currently before the police. I think that the situation may take a different turn depending on what the post- mortem or the doctor’s report says is the cause of death,” he said.

Meanwhile, contrary to other reports, Pilgrim said that Thom was not handcuffed while in the cell, as this goes against protocol.

In addition to Tom’s death, there was some disturbance on Sunday among inmates from two dormitories which house 15 and 17 prisoners, respectively.

The conflict erupted after it is alleged that a vent between the two dormitories was used by inmates to throw water on each other.

There were additional complaints that the prisoners were stealing from each other and at one point made attempts to destroy the beds to arm themselves.

“The senior officer on the ground would have intervened, attended to both dormitories and spoke to them,” Pilgrim said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

Monday June 11th, - 14:30 – 02:30hrs Tuesday June 12th, - 14:30 – 03:00hrs Wednesday June 13th, - 14:30 – 04:00hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 11, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

Nadal storms to another clay title

(REUTERS) - PLAYING the King of Clay at the French Open is akin to scaling Mont Blanc without ropes and even an intrepid adventurer from Europe’s Alpine heartland found it a peak too steep as Rafael Nadal stormed to an 11th title on Sunday.

Austria’s Dominic Thiem strained every sinew trying to cling on to the 32-year-old Spaniard and at times even gained a precarious foothold in his first Grand Slam final.

But it ultimately proved a futile mission as, just like in all but two of Nadal’s previous 87 matches here, the relentless Spaniard proved insurmountable, winning 6-4 6-3 6-2.

In claiming a 17th Grand Slam title to move three short of Roger Federer’s mark, Nadal also matched Margaret Court’s record of 11 titles at a single major — hers all coming at the Australian

Open in the 1960s and 70s.

After winning 26 of his 27 matches throughout the European clay court season and 81 of his last 86 sets on clay, there is nothing to suggest Nadal’s domination in Paris will end soon.

Seventh seed Thiem arrived on a sultry Court Philippe Chatrier with three career wins over Nadal, all on clay, and in an absorbing first set lasting an hour, showed why — going toe-totoe in some ferocious rallies.

But from the moment Nadal broke serve in the 10th game to win the opening set Thiem’s belief ebbed away.

There was late anxiety for Nadal as the predicted thunderstorms loomed and he needed his left forearm massaged after beginning to suffer from cramp.

“For me was scary, because I felt that I was not able to move the hand, the

finger,” Nadal said.

He also let four match points go at 5-2 but he would not be denied as Thiem went long with a backhand on the fifth.

Nadal threw his arms skywards and turned to his entourage including coach and fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya and his uncle Toni who stood down from his coaching role last year after his nephew worn his 10th French crown.

The tears that welled up when Nadal received the Coupe des Mousquetaires from Australian great Ken Rosewall showed just how much he still cares.

“It’s amazing now, I can’t describe my feelings,” a sweat-soaked Nadal told the crowd.

“It’s not even a dream to win here 11 times, because it’s impossible to think of something like this.”

Continued from

GPA completes two-day Sport ... back page

Guyana Chronicle’s Stephan Sookram makes a point during the workshop CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 11, 2018) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD--83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Duleep Mendis-105 7 105 (SL vs IND, Chennai, 1982) (2) ArjunaRanatunga (SL) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test wickets MutiahMuralitharan took against the WI? (2) How many Test wickets Courtney Walsh took against SL? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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Wired868, an online news agency in the twin Island Republic contended over his two day course that the value of a source remains of paramount importance to crafting good stories.

He added that Journalists must be reminded of the roles in society as well as their roles to the public to disseminate and distribute information in a fair and correct manner.

He recounted of his days as a Sport Journalist where he took on former FIFA Vice President Jack Warner in a trying period where he faced server obstacles.

He used this to remind Journalits how important their Editors and media owners were and their support was vital in getting hard-hitting stories that are of interest of the public Other speakers thropughout the two day course were Trinidadian Wesley Gibbings, University of Guyana lecturer Andrew Kendall, Senior Journalist Rawle Welch and Broadcaster/ Commentator Edwin Seeraj.

11:30 hrs Deeds Not Words 12:00 hrs Multitask Worcester 09:15 hrs Hurriacne Rita 09:45 hrs Powerful Symbol 10:15 hrs Jeannot De Nonant 10:45 hrs Eyehaveagoodidea 11:15 hrs Bright Tomorrow 11:45 hrs Dory 12:15 hrs Flying Verse Windsor 12:50 hrs Awesome 13:20 hrs Private Rocket 13:50 hrs Flying Sparkle 14:20 hrs Twin Star 14:50 hrs Hot Off The Press 15:20 hrs Come On Come On 15:50 hrs Walk On Water

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

(Sports Illustrated) - The annuls of World Cup history often have seen the greatest teams of their generation be crowned as World champions. The dominant Brazilian team of the late ‘50s and early ‘60’s; the elan and flair of Les Bleus in France ‘98, and Spain’s victorious tiki-taka exponents.

But down the years there have arguably been sides that have gone unheralded on international football’s greatest stage.

England’s so-called ‘golden generation’ between 2002 and 2006 left empty handed falling at the quarter final stages on both occasions.

Another side that know all too well about glorious failure on the world stage are the Netherlands, who despite having reached three World Cup finals, are yet to taste the ultimate glory as champions in ten at-

tempts.

After finishing runners-up in both 1974 and ‘78, the ‘Total Football’ side that had been etched into the ethos of Dutch football for many years following, was unceremoniously ditched in 2010 in the hope of finally ending their hoodoo. In South Africa that summer, it was a change of play that almost reaped the ultimate in rewards. Almost.

Coming into the tournament Oranje were ranked number one side in the world, but having came so agonisingly close in previous years, would the Dutch - who had been dubbed as bottlers at the final hurdle - again be denied under such pressure?

Under the stewardship of Bert van Marwijk however, this new guise of football for Holland seemed to have a cooler and more professional head to it.

Indeed, when the Dutch cruised through their pool in Group E, beating all three of Denmark, Japan and Cameroon - scoring five and conceding just one goal was a moment in history now within reach for a nation’s ever-suffering fans?

The reason? It appeared as though the Dutch had opted for a change of tactic in their desperation to finally sit on the throne of world football. Though the Netherlands’ game had naturally evolved away from the total brand of the seventies, there remained traits of the versatile and revolutionary ways in their play.

Whilst the squad that traveled to the Rainbow Nation in 2010 was very much capable of filling in for one another across the pitch - as was a key facet of Total Football - the decision was made to largely rip up the playbook of the last three decades. And it was beginning to pay dividends.

With Dutch confidence growing and having managed their tag as favourites eliminating rivals Brazil in the last eight - van Marwijk’s men looked now every inch the champions elect.

As Uruguay stood between them and a third final berth, the two played out a titanic tussle in the shadow of Table Mountain in Cape Town.

After skipper Giovanni van Bronckhorst had give the men in Orange the lead,

2010

3

Days to go …

Diego Forlan levelled in the 70th minute before two goals in three minutes again from Sneijder and Arjen Robben effectively booked their date with destiny - despite Maxi Pereira’s stoppage-time goal to force a nervy finish.

JEWEL SAMAD/GettyImages For the first time in a major international football tournament, the Dutch seemed unstoppable. An altered approach had paid off handsomely, and surely it was set to be a case of third time lucky for the Netherlands? Unfortunately for them, the red-hot La Roja were set to inflict more woe.

In a final staged front of over 84,000 beying fans in Soccer City, Johannesburg their opponents Spain were reigning European Champions from Euro 2008, but had a l m o s t missed out even progressing from the group stages after a shock openi n g

game loss to Switzerland by a goal-

to-nil.

Wins against Honduras and Chile however, had seen Vicente del Bosque’s men advance to the last 16, where remarkably they had battled through the knockout stages with 1-0 wins against Iberian rivals Portugal, Paraguay and versus Germany in the semi-finals.

With the Dutch unbeaten and with a 100% record throughout the tournament however, could it be they that took the final step to immortality?

On an evening where no less than 13 players were booked by referee Howard Webb in the final with an astonishing 47 fouls committed, events spiraled out of control from the English official.

Aside from Nigel de Jong’s kung-fu antics, the fractious nature of the game played into Spanish hands, however it was Robben who had the golden chance for the Dutch to seal the win in normal time, but one-on-one with Iker Casillas was denied by the Real Madrid stopper.

As the body count piled up, a scrappy affair dragged into extra time as the jeopardy stakes doubled tenfold. A loss for either side would be unbearable. With just five minutes to go until a penalty shootout again decided the champions, the Spaniards struck to drive a dagger into Dutch hearts.

Cesc Fabregas found space in a congested midfield, the Arsenal midfielder found Andres Iniesta with a aplomb inside the area. With the ball bouncing, the Barca man looked up and drove home into the net as a collective wave of orange shirts sunk to the ground in disbelief.

With a mix of panic and shock engulfing the Dutch, Spain held on for a famous win as inquests were held across the pitch with referee Webb. In the shake-up however, the cold reality was that Oranje had again fallen at the final hurdle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

Supporters invaded the pitch when Scotland won, Scotland v England, Only ODI, Edinburgh, June 10, 2018

Scotland beat England in ODI

(REUTERS) - SCOTLAND’S cricketers pulled off the greatest victory in their history to beat England for the first time amid scenes of disbelief and jubilation at the tiny Grange ground in Edinburgh on Sunday.

The world’s top-ranked ODI team lost by six runs after just failing to pull off what would have been the second highest one-day international run chase.

Scotland’s Safyaan Sharif sparked a pitch-invasion when he trapped Mark Wood lbw with an inswinging yorker in the 49th over just when England looked like they might avoid an infamous defeat that ranks alongside their loss to Ireland at the 2011 World Cup. England were all out for 365 after Scotland made 371 for five, their highest total in a one-day international.

Scotland’s victory will send out a powerful message to

the ICC, which voted to restrict the 2019 World Cup to 10 teams from the previous 14, which makes it far more difficult for second-tier sides to qualify.

Scotland’s innings included 45 fours and eight sixes and was anchored by Calum MacLeod who made an unbeaten 140.

“I hit it nicely,” said MacLeod, who plays club cricket for Bexley in England. “It was a lovely feeling and nice to do it in a crowd this big. Anything above 350 is a big total.”

Kyle Coetzer (58) and Matthew Cross (48) had got the innings off to a strong start with an opening partnership of 103 and George Munsey weighed in with 55.

The visitors, playing their first one-day game of the season, were given a hurricane start by Jonny Bairstow

who hit a brilliant 105 to become the first Englishman to post three successive ODI centuries.

But Jason Roy (34), Eoin Morgan (20) and Alex Hales (52) departed to careless shots while Joe Root (29) was needlessly run out. Moeen Ali tried to repair the damage with a 33-ball 46 but England had left themselves too much to do.

Spinner Mark Watt was Scotland’s best bowler with three for 55.

“The level of expectation has been high around the team for a while, it doesn’t get higher than being number one in the world,” said Morgan, whose side now face a five-match one-day series against Australia starting on Wednesday.

“I don’t think we were far away, we go to a ground now that we know really well in The Oval, and we’ll be up for the challenge.”

Vettel takes Canada for one point lead in Championship (BBC) - Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel dominated the Canadian Grand Prix to retake the championship lead as Lewis Hamilton could finish only fifth for Mercedes.

Vettel converted pole position into a lead at the first corner and was never headed as he kept Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas at arm’s length throughout the race.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took third after a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to pass Bottas through the first two corners.

Hamilton started fourth but dropped back to finish fifth and is a point behind Vettel a third of the way through the season.

In a bizarre end, the chequered flag was waved

a lap too early by model Winnie Harlow, only for Vettel to say over team radio: “Tell them not to wave the flag when it’s not done.”

He continued on his way to take it again after the correct 70 laps, however the race was declared at 68 laps, based on the official count back rules, as a result of the mistake.

World champion Hamilton was struggling with engine temperatures in the first part of the race, which forced Mercedes into an earlier than planned pit stop for fresh tyres so they could add more cooling to the car.

It meant the Briton lost a place to Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo at his stop, and Hamilton had a nervy mo-

ment when Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen emerged alongside him after his much later stop.

Hamilton managed to fend the Finn off, and even pulled away despite having tyres 16 laps older than Raikkonen’s.

Vettel had failed to convert his previous two pole positions, in Azerbaijan and China, into wins. Ferrari were out-foxed on strategy in Shanghai and Vettel made an error in Baku, but there was never any danger of that happening in Montreal.

The German made a strong start and, as Bottas was left to fend off Verstappen’s attack, the Ferrari started to sprint clear, only for the race to be put under a safety car following a huge crash

Sebastian Vettel was on top for Ferrari (Getty Images)

between Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley and Williams’ Lance Stroll.

Hartley was making a move on Stroll through the flat-out Turn Five. The Canadian edged him wide and the Williams started

to slide, collecting Hartley and forcing the Toro Rosso into the barriers.

It leapt in the air, half-mounted Stroll’s Williams, and the two careered together into the run-off area.

Stroll was unhurt but Hartley, who was seen walking back to the pits, was sent to hospital for a scan, returning to the circuit after the race following a normal ECG result.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

Jason Holder celebrates a dismissal with his team-mates CWI Media/Randy Brooks

Holder says W.I. middle-order ‘one of the most consistent in world cricket’

(ESPNCricinfo) - Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, labeled their lower order “one of the most consistent in world cricket” after crushing Sri Lanka by 226 runs in Trinidad, which had been set in motion by excellent lower-order stands in the first innings.

Statistically this is untrue West Indies’ lower order is no better than seventh-best on average since 2016, but they were exceptional in this match. The hosts had been 147 for 5 on the first day, before

wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich--who eventually finished on 125 not out--put on 90, 102 and 75-run partnerships with Holder, Devendra Bishoo and Kemar Roach respectively.

Though at one stage Sri Lanka had had hopes of dismissing West Indies for under 200, they were forced instead to reply to a first innings of 414 for 8 declared. The visitors mustered only 185, granting West Indies a collossal 229-run lead, which was the basis of this victory.

“Our lower order has been one of the most consis-

tent lower orders in world cricket for the last two or three years,” Holder said. “I always back the guys to come in and put up a partnership and put up a fight. It really started with the partnership that Shane and I had, and then Devendra came in and played an outstanding knock.

Not only did he take time out of the game, he scored runs as well. That not only took time out of the game, it wore down the Sri Lankan bowlers and made it tough for them. I was always backing our guys

to get us up to a really good score.”

So good had those lower-order partnerships been, that Holder did not even allow the innings to come to a natural ending. He declared with 10 overs still to play on the second day, and was rewarded with a furious spell of short bowling

by Shannon Gabriel in particular. Sri Lanka were 31 for 3 before the close - having failed in a vital period of the match.

Holder revealed his decision to declare at that stage was influenced by the weather; fewer

than 10 overs had been bowled on the second morning, due to rain.

“The declaration was one where we felt we had enough in the first innings,” Holder said. “And with time lost on the second day, we wanted to be able to bowl at Sri Lanka that evening. It worked out in our favour.”

West Indies’ victory in Trinidad helps reverse a recent trend - that West Indies often lose the first Test of the series.

Save for the series against Zimbabwe last year, West Indies

-Stats prove differently had lost each of the first Tests in the nine previous series. The last time they had won a first Test against a top-nine side was way back in 2014, at home against Bangladesh.

“We had a lot of time to sit back and reflect on how the last year ended,” Holder said. “To start this series the way we’ve started it is quite pleasing. Knowing that in the past we’ve lost at the start of the series and were playing catch-up cricket, it was good to come out of the gates on a winning note.”

Guyana participate in International Football for Friendship Programme

– Jalade Trim--Flag Bearer at Opening Ceremony GUYANA is participating in Gazprom’s international social children’s program--Football For Friendship (F4F) – which officially opened at 10:30hrs in Moscow, Russia on June 9 with a colourful parade of the flags and nations at Spartak Football Academy.

The event, being held from the 8th – 15th June, will also see participants attending the opening ceremony and match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Guyana’s participation is in the form of two adults and two young footballers respectively – GFF’s National Female Junior Footballer of the Year 2017 and National U-17 female player, Jalade Trim; National U-13 player, Josiah King; Member Association representative, Gidel Austin and Communication and Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Debra Francis.

Head of Delegation, Debra Francis, said the team arrived safely to Russia, has settled in well and is excited about this opportunity which

will contribute to the development of the young footballers.

“This is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the team and the GFF is especially happy that these talented national youth footballers have been given the chance to participate in this educational programme. The coordinators have requested that the young participants serve in two primary roles - footballer and journalist--and both will be exposed to capacity building in their respective areas of focus for the duration of the programme.

Thus, the technical skills will be complemented by the opportunity to practice and network with other talented footballers and coaches from around the world. It can only serve their football ambitions well.”

While King is scheduled to serve as the young journalist in the F4F International Children’s Press Centre, reporting on events as they happen, Trim will serve as the footballer and will be given a chance to play in the inaugural 2018 F4F World

Championship on June 12 at the Sapsan Arena.

This will feature a five-aside mixed team of nationals from the 211 participating countries and regions, including those with disabilities, in keeping with the values of the programme.

In addition to the International Friendship Camp at the Spartak Football Academy, which will seek to impart respective technical skills and expose the participants to the core values of the programme (School of 9 Values) – friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour – there will be a Children’s Forum on June 13, which will seek to showcase the work of the identified young journalists in promoting the F4F programme on various national and international networks.

Trim was the flag bearer for Guyana at the opening ceremony which featured three mascots, Freddy and Freida – the official F4F mascots – and Zabivaka, the official mascot of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Participants had photo

Jalade Trim (88) holds Guyana’s flag during the opening ceremony in Russia

opportunities and interacted with them. The opening ceremony was also complemented by brief remarks from tournament coordinators who encouraged participants to play fair, practice the F4F’s nine values and have fun.

Meanwhile, King was among eight young partic-

ipants featured in the first edition of the F4F Daily Newspaper For Real Friends, sharing his expectations of the trip.

Gazprom is an official partner of FIFA and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and aims to develop youth football across the world through youth sport, healthy lifestyles

and promotion of the nine named core values.

Gazprom is a global energy company specializing in gas exploration, production and sale and heat and electric power generation and marketing. It is Russia’s largest producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

Guyana ‘out-hustle’ More podium finishes for Barbados to even series Kristian Jeffrey in Belgium

By Rawle Toney in Barbados IT took a complete team effort on both ends of the floor for Guyana to overcome Barbados 70 – 64 and even their three-game series on Saturday evening at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium in Barbados.

Buoyed by the support of a huge Guyanese crowd in the stands, team Guyana, without any individual brilliance, rotated the ball to outplay the Bajans throughout the four quarters in the tournament (24 – 30) that’s being used by both countries to prepare for this month’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Anthony Moe, who led the team in scoring in game one with 19 points, had an off-night from the field on Saturday, making just four of his 20 attempts, also missing all of his nine

three-pointers.

However, Moe wowed the crowd with perfect timing at the rim defensively, as he finished the night with six blocked shots, one of which had the entire gymnasium on their feet when he ‘stuffed’ Keefe Birkett just as he was soaring to the rim for a thunderous dunk.

Moe then turned to the crowd and mimicked Dikembe Mutombo trademark ‘no, no, no’ finger-wagging gesture after the play. The US-based ‘baller’ ended the night with 13 points and 13 rebounds to go along with his six blocks.

Harold Adams scored a team-high 15 points and five rebounds, while point guard and team captain, Stanton Rose, scored most of his 11 points in the second half and had nine rebounds, four steals and four assist on the night.

Orlan Glasgow with

nine points, eight rebounds and one block and Shaine Webster with seven points, seven boards were the other top performers for Guyana.

Jeremy Gill had 13 points for Barbados, while Birkett had 15 points. No other ‘Bajan’ player reached double digits.

Head Coach Junior Hercules started with Moe, Webster, Adams, Glasgow and Rose; a combination that proved too much for Barbados, as the Guyanese ‘starting five’ attacked the basket on almost every play.

The system applied by Hercules saw Guyana taking a 17 – 14 points lead at the end of the first period but in the second half, Guyana struggled with the shot, while Barbados tightened up on defence to race to a three points lead at half time (34 – 31).

The two teams then traded baskets throughout

the third period, but it was Barbados who would have the upper hand at the end of the stanza, since Guyana went away from their game and struggled to make the shots from ‘deep’, ending the night scoring four of their 31 attempts from the three-point land, as only Adams (2/4) and Rose (1/9) found the net.

The crowd cheered every play by the two teams as they entertained with their ‘hustle’ on the floor, especially Guyana, who needed to level the series.

Guyana outscored Barbados 20 – 10 in the fourth quarter to close out the game and received a standing ovation from their supporters.

Game three of the series was contested last evening and scores were unavailable at press time. Guyana will return home today and will continue training at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Wednesday.

By Stephan Sookram OVERSEAS Guyanese Kristian Jeffrey completed round three of the SR3 European Championships with two podium finishes from three races last weekend in Belgium Jeffrey followed up Saturday’s first race third place with another in Sunday’s final race at the famous Spa Circuit in Belgium, where formula 1 is held annually.

The Guyanese, who sat third in the Solo Championship entering round three last weekend, moved up the pack and picked up another podium finish in race one on Saturday.

He finished half a second off the leaders and confirmed on Saturday that the team was making modifications to the car to try to take the top spot in race two yesterday.

However, mechanical issues plagued him during race two which saw him finish out of the top 10.

According to Jeffrey, the car developed problems downshifting and as such, he was able to bring it home for team points.

However, in Race Three where he started in 13th, he was able to manage another podium.

He said, “Despite the little misfortunes, we kept a positive mindset throughout the weekend. Spa is a very unique track, it’s an unbelievable feeling going through eau rouge flat out.”

‘Excited’ Rutherford looks forward to Global T20 Canada League

By Rajiv Bisnauth AFTER a series of excellent performances in regional domestic competitions this season, all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford will attire in maroons on a Cricket West Indies (CWI) representative team at the Global T20 Canada League from June 28 to July 15.

Rutherford and wicket-keeper batsman, Anthony Bramble, are the Guyanese expected in a 14-man squad to be announced soon by CWI. Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, the 19-year-old said he is excited about representing the region.

“It’s a really good feeling … an honour to be picked. I feel really good and if I get an opportunity to play, I will be looking to have a positive impact. It’s a big opportunity for me and I want to make the most of it,” Rutherford said.

“For me, this opportunity is a chance to learn more as I’m always looking for knowledge and aiming to improve my game.”

Following the regional tournaments, both players

performed exceedingly well.

Rutherford’s first season speaks to the potential future of his natural talent as an all-rounder.

with a best of 6-32. In the CWI Super50, he tallied 163 runs and bagged four wickets.

On the other hand, Bram-

Sherfane Rutherford

The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player made 383 runs in the CWI regional four-day tournament, averaging just over 38, and collected 22 wickets

ble, who is expected to be named as captain of the team, is no ordinary cricketer behind the stumps with the gloves or with the bat — his agility as a wicketkeeper

and his batsmanship are described as not only stylish but also appealing and easy on the eyes.

Bramble chalked up 613 runs in the four-day tournament at an average of 47.16, while striking a career-best 196 not out. He

to offer congratulations to Bramble.

The BCB joins all Berbicians in wishing Bramble much success during the tournament. His selection is well deserved after his performances for Guyana over the years. We would

Edmonton Royals, who were originally named the Ottawa Royals.

The sixth team will be a Caribbean All-Stars side consisting of West Indian domestic players.

Meanwhile, Guyana off-spinner Steven Jacobs

Flashback! Jamaica batsman Devon Thomas is smartly stumped by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble off the bowling of leg-spinner Gudakesh Motie (Adrian Narine photo).

also effected 45 dismissals.

In the Super50, the Berbician scored 116 runs and had 12 dismissals.

Meanwhile, the president and executive of the Berbice Cricket Board would like

also like to congratulate the Albion Cricket Club on a job well done.

The franchises listed to play for honours are Vancouver Knights, Winnipeg Hawks, Montreal Tigers and

was snapped up by the Knights, while Dilon Heyliger and Jeremy Gordon, both Guyanese who are plying their trade overseas, were also bought at the draft.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 11, 2018

SCOREBOARD

WI win a Test!

Celebration time after winning on the final day of the first Test between WINDIES and Sri Lanka on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Queen’s Park Oval. © CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

West Indies Crush Sri Lanka by 226 runs CMC – WEST Indies needed just 20 balls in the space of 13 minutes after lunch, to emphatically crush Sri Lanka by 226 runs in the opening Test here Sunday, and claim their first Test win over the Asian side in 10 years.

Scenting victory at lunch with the tourists tottering on 222 for seven in their second innings, the Windies wasted little time in grabbing the last three wickets for the addition of just four runs, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

All told, Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for 37 runs, in their failed pursuit of an improbable 453 for victory.

“I’m extremely happy with the way we started this series.

Credit must go to every individual who put an effort in,” an elated captain Jason Holder said afterwards.

“It wasn’t easy. The pitch was pretty tough at first for the bowlers especially, but every bowler came in, really put up their hand and gave a really good effort.

“I must say credit to the batters as well. From the position we were in on the first day … I just felt it was a brilliant lower order contribution from the entire group and then we were able to come back out and back it up in the field in the first innings.”

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel celebrates removing century-maker Kusal Mendis as West Indies march to victory in the opening Test.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media) Part-time off-spinner Roston Chase grabbed two of the three wickets to fall after lunch to end with four for 15 while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo took the other, to finish with three for 48.

Opener Kusal Mendis had earlier completed his fifth Test hundred with a brilliant 102 but he was one of four wickets to tumble in the morning session at Queen’s Park Oval, as Sri Lanka collapsed from their

overnight 176 for three.

The right-hander, resuming on 94, reached three figures in the third over of the morning when he whipped seamer Holder to the square boundary.

However, he was the first casualty of the day three overs later when he gloved a brute of a delivery from Gabriel that was angled in, straightened and lifted, for wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich to snaffle an easy catch head-high.

Mendis faced 210 deliveries in nearly 4-1/2 hours, and struck 10 fours and two sixes.

His dismissal set Sri Lanka back and they managed just 16 runs in the first hour

WEST INDIES 1st innings 414-8 decl.

SRI LANKA 1st Innings 185 WEST INDIES 2nd Innings 223-7 decl.

SRI LANKA 2nd Innings (target: 453 runs) (overnight 176 for three) K Mendis c wkp Dowrich b Gabriel 102 K Perera c Smith b Gabriel 12 *D Chandimal c Brathwaite b Chase 27 A Mathews c wkp Dowrich b Holder 31 R Silva c and b Bishoo 14 L Gamage lbw b Bishoo 3 +N Dickwella lbw b Chase 19 D Perera not out 3 R Herath c Hope b Bishoo 0 S Lakmal c wkp Dowrich b Chase 1 L Kumara c wkp Dowrich b Chase 0 Extras (b3, lb4, nb7) 14 TOTAL (all out, 83.2 overs) 226 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-123, 3-175, 4-189, 5-195, 6-218, 7-222, 8-225, 9-226, 10-226.

Bowling: Roach 15-3-57-0, Gabriel 15-2-52-2, Holder 14-6-24-1, Cummins 12-4-23-0, Bishoo 19-2-48-3, Chase 8.2-1-15-4.

POSITION: WEST INDIES WON BY 226 RUNS. SERIES: WEST INDIES LEAD THREE-MATCH SERIES 1-0.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: SHANE DOWRICH.

as survival became the priority.

Nightwatchman Lahiru Gamage, yet to score at the start, faced 49 balls for his three before missing a googly from Bishoo in the third over following the drinks break and falling lbw.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal, who retired unwell the previous evening, resumed his innings on 15 and added a further 12 as he tried to hold up the Windies advance in a 23-run stand with wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella (19).

But in a dramatic final over before lunch, Chase knocked over both to put the contest firmly in the Windies’ corner.

First, Chandimal miscued a pull and was taken at short mid-wicket by Kraigg Brathwaite and off the final

ball of the over, Dickwella missed a prod at a straightish delivery and was lbw.

With victory all but assured at the interval, West Indies ruthlessly went about finishing off the innings afterwards.

Bishoo had Rangana Herath caught at short leg by Shai Hope in the third over without scoring, with three runs added.

Chase then finished off the innings with the first two deliveries of the next over, having Suranga Lakmal caught at the wicket for one – though replays showed no edge – and then removing last man Lahiru Kumara first ball, also caught by Dowrich but this time off an inside edge.

The next Test bowls off at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Thursday.

GPA completes two-day Sport Journalist workshop

The participants of the two-day Guyana Press Association specialized workshop for sports journalists and editors.

THE Guyana Press Association (GPA) on Sunday completed a two-day specialized

workshop for sports journalists and editors yesterday at the National Resource Center

in Georgetown.

The seminar, which focused on topics such as media ethics

in sports journalism as well as investigative pieces and their needs in today’s society, saw

Trinidad’s Lasana Liburd was the main facilitator of the workshop

Trinidad’s Lasana Liburd being the lead facilitators.

Liburd, who runs

Turn to page 18

WI win a Test!

West Indies Crush Sri Lanka by 226 runs

More podium finishes for Kristian Jeffrey in Belgium See Page 22

See Page 23

Devendra Bishoo finished with three for 48 at the end of the West Indies first test with Sri Lanka ( CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography)

Guyana ‘out-hustle’ Barbados to even series See Page 22

Kristian Jeffrey celebrates another podium

Team Guyana before game two against Barbados at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium

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MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018