Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-29-2018

MONDAY 29th October, 2018

Compliance is way forward No.105442

Disabled man 11 severely beaten outside nightclub PAGE

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Biker 02 killed in –– Chinese business community brought ‘up to speed’ with local labour laws accident PAGE

Young 13 father feared drowned PAGE

Members of the Chinese business community at a sensitisation forum on the local labour laws held at the Chinese Association on Brickdam, Georgetown (Samuel Maughn photo)

Workplace stress can be very dangerous

– stroke survivors warn 12 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Guyana set for FIHAV 2018

By Wesley Kirton

GUYANA is among some 70 countries to be represented at the 36th annual Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2018) which opens in Cuba today. Members of the Guyana delegation which comprises both government and private sector officials, were busy putting finishing touches to the Guyana

booth; the booth is located in the CARICOM pavilion along with Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Haiti.

Among the Guyanese companies represented are Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Roraima Airways, Lumber Master Guyana Inc., and Mohammed’s Farm, along with the Guyana Office

for Investment. Additional products on display include Guyanese-manufactured candies, jams, jellies, rice, chowmein, spices and pepper sauce.

The expo will be officially opened this morning and according to Natalia Seepersaud, deputy chief executive officer of Go-Invest, a number of one-on-one meetings have been arranged with Cuban companies, as well

as companies from a host of countries participating in the event. She said companies from Britain, Russia, and a number of Central American nations have already confirmed meetings with Guyanese-owned businesses.

Wednesday has been designated Caribbean Day and will feature tasting of Guyana’s internationally acclaimed, award-winning El Dorado rum, as

Teenager found with cannabis at Supenaam AN 18-year-old is in custody at the Suddie Police Station, Region Two, after cannabis was found on his person during a recent police stopand-search exercise.

During the search, Ishmeal Kisson of Good Hope, Essequibo Coast, allegedly had ganja hidden in his pants pocket. He was told of the offence – to which he re-

portedly admitted—and was therefore arrested.

Kisson is expected to soon make an appearance at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

Biker killed in accident

A BIKER succumbed to injuries he sustained during an accident on the Queenstown Public Road, Essequibo Coast, shortly after midday on Sunday.

Dead is Naitram Sankar, 28, of Agricola, East Bank Demerara. The accident occurred around 13:00hrs.

Sankar was visiting the coast at the time of his demise. He had travelled to the area along with a group of bikers to attend the Essequibo Night Exhibition and Fair, which is under way at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, Sankar was riding motorcycle number CG 1530, when he allegedly lost control and ended up on the western parapet of the Queenstown Public Road.

In the process, he struck down pedestrian Juilet Miller, 58, of Queenstown Village.

They were both picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where the driver was pronounced dead on arrival.

Miller is currently hospitalised in the female surgical ward of the hospital suffering from a fractured left hip.

The police are investigating the accident.

well as a local steel band, which has its origins in steel pans and training donated by Guyana some 40 years ago.

On Thursday, Guyana will host a ‘Doing Business with Guyana’ reception at Club Havana.

Deonanrine Ramsaroop, chief executive officer of Lumber Master said he is using the opportunity to “promote non-traditional tropical hardwood species, which is in demand in Cuba’s construction and furniture manufacturing sectors.”

Roraima Airways Reservations Manager Gilleon Chase said her company will be looking to promote hotel accommodation and tours to various attractions in Guyana, for Cubans visit-

ing Guyana, especially to process their immigrant visa applications. She said discussions will be held with Cuban authorities about possible multi-destination tourism.

Demerara Distillers Limited will be following up on discussions previously held with a number of Central American countries about launching its rum and related products in those markets.

Discussions will also be held with banking officials about developing correspondent banking with Demerara Bank.

Mohammed’s Farms meanwhile will be engaging Cuba and other countries in an effort to access markets for its poultry and related products.

The motorcycle that was involved in the accident

Persons had rushed to the biker to offer assistance

Compliance is way forward 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

–– Chinese business community brought ‘up to speed’ with local labour laws

By Svetlana Marshall

THE Chinese business community has been urged to make a deliberate effort to understand and comply with the laws of Guyana, particularly those governing the labour sector.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, told Chinese businessmen and women operating in Guyana that though there is a language barrier, that is not an excuse for failing to comply with the labour laws of Guyana.

“Our required laws are in English Language, which is not a first language for most of you. We recognise that, that can be bit of a challenge; but the inability to speak or understand English Language operating as you are in Guyana that is not a legitimate excuse,” Scott

said, while addressing the Chinese business community on Sunday during a seminar.

The seminar, held at the Chinese Association on Brickdam, was organised by the Ministry of Social Protection and the Chinese Association. It focused on several critical laws and regulations including the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act; the Leave with Pay Act; the Minimum Wage Order; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Decent Work as a Philosophy and Practice and Terms and Conditions of Employment.

Minister Scott noted that several years ago, the legal requirements were translated into the Chinese language.

EMPLOY TRANSLATORS To ensure compliance with the labour laws, and

laws in general of Guyana, the labour minister urged the businessmen and women to employ translators.

“Every single business place should have at least one person who can speak both Chinese and English as you go about your business,” he said, while adding that “it is better to be educated on the requirement of our laws and comply with them.”

At the Department of Labour, Minister Scott noted that labour officers are being taught Mandarin to be able to effectively communicate with Chinese nationals here.

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle told the Chinese nationals that the Department of Labour promotes decent work.

“Decent work is about paying the minimum wage and above; it is about paying NIS, it is not only deducting the NIS, but pay-

ing over the monies to the organisation that is known as the National Insurance Scheme,” he explained.

Ogles told the Chinese businessmen and women that their workers must be granted annual or vacation leave as well as overtime pay.

“We would have instituted a minimum requirement of hours of work.

Eight hours per day, 40 hours per week; however, a worker cannot work seven days per week. It is stipulated that five days per week if the worker so chooses, or you insist that they should work, they should be compensated, they should be paid overtime.

Overtime is either calculated as after eight hours or after 40 hours,” he further explained.

KEEP RECORDS The chief labour officer also implored them

Members of the Chinese community in attendance on Sunday at a business seminar organised by the Ministry of Social Protection and the Chinese Association (Samuel Maughn photo)

Minister of Labour Keith Scott speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the seminar (Samuel Maughn photo) to keep records of wages “If we can get people to and leave as mandated in understand what is required Section 10 of the Labour of them, then it enhances Act. the relationship between On the sidelines of the employer as well as govseminar, Minister Scott ernment; that’s why today told reporters that the re- as Sunday, we have been cord would show that Chi- able to bring our people out nese businesses in the past of their homes to come and rarely employed Guyanese; have a discussion with the however, according to him, Chinese.” this trend is changing.

He noted that once a He said now that Chi- breach is detected, the Lanese businesses and com- bour Unit informs the empanies here are employing ployer and calls them to more and more Guyanese, a meeting, during which it is important for them to solutions are put forward. become acquainted with Minister Scott made the labour laws of the it clear that the Chinese country. community is not being Failure to pay overtime, targeted; pointing out that failure to provide leave soon meetings will also be with pay, incorrect wages, held with the Brazilians and poor record of wages and other groups operating and leave were some of here. the major bugbears. Some “This country is exof these breaches are still panding, a great amount occurring; but the minister of foreign nationals are said though the department coming in and we recis an enforcement unit, ognise that; and we are its policy is to provide doing everything within solutions to the problem, our powers to make sure leaving the court as the last we reach out to foreign resort. nationals,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

With border open, Jordanians visit Syria for first time in years DAMASCUS/JABER, Jordan (Reuters) - Jordanians are flocking to the Syrian capital Damascus for the first time in years for tourism and trade, after the reopening of a border crossing that had been closed through years of war.

The border opened to people and goods on Oct. 15, restoring a route that had carried billions of dollars in trade for the region.

Syrian government forces retook the border region with Jordan from rebels in July during a Russian-backed

Traffic from Jordan to Syria (Reuters)

offensive.

The crossing had been closed since rebels captured it in 2015, though many are making the trip for the first

time since 2011, when the Syrian conflict first erupted.

The Jordanian side of the frontier was jammed with vehicles waiting to cross on

Friday. “What we see is the situation is good, things are fine,” said Razzan al-Hattab, a Jordanian waiting to cross.

“I love Sham (Damascus), so I wanted to be one of the first to try going in a tourist group.”

The closure of the border has hit both the Syrian and Jordanian economies.

“Before the border closed, our work was great,” said Jawad al-Zoubi, waiting to cross. But for “the last seven years, we’ve not been able to pay school fees”, he said.

German SPD leader gives Merkel an ultimatum after state vote loss

Monday, October 29, 2018

09:00hrs. - 10:30hrs.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel’s junior coalition partners gave her conservatives until next year to deliver more policy results, threatening to end their alliance if there is no improvement after both parties suffered in a regional election on Sunday.

Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) were home first in the election in the western state of Hesse, but polled just 27.2 per cent of the vote, projections for broadcaster ZDF

based on preliminary results showed.

That marked a huge drop from the 38.3 per cent the CDU won at the last Hesse election, in 2013.

The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) fared even worse, winning just 19.6 per cent of the vote, down from 30.7 per cent and its worst result in the western state since 1946. The party was on a par with the Greens, also on 19.6 per cent.

SPD leader Andrea Nahles said she would use a road-

map with which to measure the progress of the ruling coalition, which has been plagued by infighting, at a mid-term review next year.

“We could then gauge the implementation of this roadmap at the agreed midterm review, when we would be able to clearly see if this government is the right place for us,” Nahles told reporters.

“The state of the government is unacceptable.”

Her message was clear: the SPD needs to be able to show tangible results to its supporters next year or else the party’s leaders will pull out of the coalition with Merkel.

Volker Bouffier, the incumbent CDU state premier in Hesse and a Merkel ally, said his party had achieved its goal of being able to lead the next government in Hesse, but added: “We are in pain because of the losses”.

The CDU’s poor result in Hesse, after its sister par-

ty in the state of Bavaria, the CSU, suffered its worst result there since 1950 two weeks ago, may turbo-charge a debate about who succeeds Merkel and when. She has been chancellor for 13 years.

Merkel’s weakness at home may limit her capacity to lead in the European Union (EU) at a time when the bloc is dealing with Brexit, a budget crisis in Italy and the prospect of populist parties making gains at European parliament elections next May. “LOST CONFIDENCE” The Greens’ strong performance in Hesse means Bouffier will likely be able to remain state premier at the helm of a CDU/Greens government.

The result means the anti-immigration party, which entered the federal parliament for the first time last year, is now also represented in all 16 German regional assemblies.

Saturday 27, October, 2018

08 12 18 24 27 28 11

26, October, 2018

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02 05 11 12 19

01, 03, 20, 21, 22

2, 9, 7

9, 8, 2

04, 07, 08, 10, 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Far-right Bolsonaro rides anti-corruption rage to Brazil presidency BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Farright lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro won Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday, promising to clean up politics, shrink the state and crack down on crime, in a dramatic swing away from the left in the world’s fourth-largest democracy.

The former army captain, with close ties to the military, has alarmed many with pledges to sweep political opponents off the map and comments denigrating women, gays and racial minorities.

In his first public comments after a landslide victory, he vowed to respect democratic principles.

An outspoken admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro also pledged a smaller government and to realign Brazil with more advanced economies, overhauling diplomatic priorities after nearly a decade and a half of leftist rule.

Bolsonaro won 55.2 per cent of votes in a run-off election against left-wing

In this composite picture is Jair Bolsonaro who won the presidency on Sunday with supporters celebrating (REUTERS photo)

hopeful Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT)’s 44.8 per cent, according to electoral authority TSE. “We cannot continue flirting with socialism, communism, populism and leftist extremism ... We are going to change the destiny of Brazil,” Bolsonaro said in an acceptance address, promising to root out graft and stem a tide of violent crime.

The 63-year-old congressman’s rise has been propelled by rejection of the leftist PT that ran Brazil for 13 of the last 15 years, and was ousted

two years ago in the midst of a deep recession and political graft scandal.

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters cheered and set off fireworks outside his home in Rio de Janeiro’s beachfront Barra de Tijuca neighbourhood, as his victory was announced. In Brazil’s commercial capital of Sao Paulo, Bolsonaro’s win was greeted with fireworks and the honking of car horns.

“Brazil is partying. Brazil’s good people are celebrating,” said Carmen Flores, local president of Bolsonaro’s

PSL party.

GOVERN ACCORDING TO BIBLE Many Brazilians are concerned that Bolsonaro, an admirer of Brazil’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship and a defender of its use of torture on leftist opponents, will trample on human rights, curtail civil liberties and muzzle freedom of speech.

In his acceptance speech, he promised to govern according to the Bible and the country’s constitution.

The live broadcast of his

speech was preceded by a prayer led by lawmaker, pastor and gospel singer Magno Malta, underscoring Bolsonaro’s ties to evangelical churches that backed him for his pledge to defend Christian values, including his stance against abortion.

Bolsonaro said he would “unite Brazil” by cutting bureaucracy and freeing up businesses to prosper. He said he was committed to fiscal discipline and called for the early elimination of the federal government’s budget deficit.

“We are going to think in

terms of more Brazil and less Brasilia,” he said referring to the nation’s capital.

The president-elect said he would shift Brazil’s foreign policy toward a focus on relations with developed industrial nations that he said could offer Brazil technology to add value to its economic output.

The seven-term congressman has vowed to crack down on crime in Brazil’s cities and farm belt by granting police more autonomy to shoot at criminals. He also wants to let more Brazilians buy weapons to fight crime.

Voting was calm and orderly across the country, said Laura Chinchilla, the former president of Costa Rica who is head of the Organization of American States’ Electoral Observation Mission. Brazil has suffered a spate of partisan violence during the polarized campaign.

Several hundred PT demonstrators protested Bolsonaro’s victory on Sao Paulo’s main Paulista Avenue before police dispersed them using tear gas.

New U.S.-bound group of migrants sets off from El Salvador SONSONATE, El Salvador/TAPANATEPEC, Mexico (Reuters) - A new group of migrants bound for the United States set off from El Salvador on Sunday, following thousands of other Central Americans fleeing poverty and violence who have taken similar journeys in recent weeks.

The group of more than 300 Salvadorans left the capital San Salvador on Sunday.

A larger group of mostly Hondurans, estimated to number at least 3,500, who left their country in mid-October and are now in southern Mexico, has become a key issue in U.S. congressional elections.

A third group have been moving through Guatemala, at one point numbering more than 1,000 people before beginning to fragment. Hundreds of that group broke through a Guatemala border gate in Tecun Uman, and on Sunday afternoon were on the bridge into Mexico.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make immigration a major issue ahead of the Nov. 6

elections, in which the party is battling to keep control of Congress.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on “Fox News Sunday” said, Trump was determined to use every authority he had to stop immigrants from crossing the border illegally.

Trump has threatened to shut down the border with Mexico and last week said he would send troops. On Friday, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis authorised the use of troops and other military resources at the U.S.-Mexico border.

By Sunday afternoon, dozens of the Salvadorans had arrived at the border

with Guatemala and were having their documents checked, having walked and

hitched rides in pickups and on buses from the capital.

They organised us -

ing social networks like Facebook (FB.O) and WhatsApp over the last

couple of weeks and were inspired by the larger group in Mexico.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Government’s vision for sport G O V E R N M E N T ’s a n nouncement on October 26, of a $320 million investment in sports infrastructure is to be applauded. The investment, which will go towards the building of synthetic tracks in East Berbice-Corentyne and Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice, is tangible evidence of the commitment of the administration to improving the opportunities for self-development of all Guyanese, regardless of where they live.

The demonstrated recognition by government that sport is essential to a good life should be noted and commended.

During the signing ceremony, Minister George

Norton under whose portfolio sport is administered, remarked that Guyana should be able to produce the next Usain Bolt and its first Olympic gold medal.

“I know we have so many Usain Bolts here in Guyana, but we can only unearth them if we provide the necessary facility in the different areas in Guyana, so that we can find those athletes.”

Sport – an activity involving physical exertion and skill – has long been recognised as an integral part of a full and satisfying life. Sport keeps us healthy and fit; sport offers a change from the monotony of daily life; sport is a productive means of entertainment; and physical

games contribute to character-building, as well as to our physical well-being; and it develops team spirit.

Sport, it is agreed, teaches us punctuality, patience, discipline, teamwork, and dedication. Physical activity in the form of sport develops both our bodies and our minds; and government’s recent investment in modern sport facilities will pay off as citizens take advantage of the tracks, which are expected to be completed in about six months.

Government’s recognition of the importance of having such facilities available to all Guyanese is not a new development.

In fact, speaking on the TV programme, Public Inter-

est, on September 8, 2016, President David Granger expressed a few of his personal thoughts on the subject. His Excellency underscored that all regions must have adequate facilities available to all citizens.

He said, “We can’t think of sports as elite, just have one aquatic centre, one stadium; we have to think of it at the regional level, so we get the best talent coming out.”

The president added, “If you are going to develop Olympic-grade athletes, we need to start at the bottom, at the schools and in the communities.”

President Granger is no stranger to sport, and evidently recognises its importance. His Excellency

remarked with obvious nostalgia on his own boyhood experiences and expressed how those experiences will influence government policy. He said, “I always refer to my own experiences in the Upper Mazaruni: where every year [in] August, we have about a dozen villages coming together on their own accord.” Adding, “This is not government, the government helps, but it doesn’t sponsor or promote, so they do a lot of sports on their own and I am very impressed with the standards they achieve.

Unfortunately, they are so far away from Georgetown they don’t catch the eyes of selectors, but that is the right attitude. I would like

to relate that they relate to what we do in local government in terms of development of towns; and we would see eventually each town having a sport centre.”

In the long-term, President Granger envisions that, “in any given year we will find we have the opportunity to bring sports persons from all 10 regions to participate competitively.”

As Guyanese in all regions await the full realisation of the president’s stated vision, the recent development of the $320 million investment in two outlying regions should offer proof that the president intends that his vision be made real by the coalition administration.

The PPP punished Linden for 23 years (Round 2) Dear Editor, I WISH to follow through with my promise of reminding the PPP what I did to lift Linden out of the quagmire in which it was left after 23 years of deprivation and marginalisation. Let me start by reminding Jagdeo and his cohorts that during and shortly after the PPP’s reign of terror in Guyana, Linden was largely called a “Ghost Town” across social media; and that changed after my elevation to its chief citizen. I disagreed with and took umbrage with such low classification of my birthplace which once fed the nation; hence, I used every opportunity to change such a view. The PPP were nevertheless comfortable with the declining state of Linden based on their “Jagdeo-ism” theory of starve the town to force the people into submission and supplication. It was

their barbaric way of cementing their hold on political governance and breaking the PNC’s main stronghold to weaken its chances of returning to government. Linden was specially targeted and punished for its strong support to the PNC in many ways that could only be compared to genocidal steps such as classification, symbolisation, discrimination, dehumanisation, organisation, polarisation and I can go on and on as I think of it. The morale of our youth was at an all-time low, but our embattled people were weathering the political storm with resilience.

The PPP took away the toll booth which was one of the more viable means of getting much-needed revenue into the township; and my council and I wasted no time in bringing it back against much fight from their political implants. I lobbied for increased subvention, support from NGOs, government agencies and the private sector to restore a more active

commerce in Linden.

Under the PPP, several attempts were made to make Linden a national and international “dumpsite,” but it was rejected by the people who were already tired of garbage around the place. Garbage collection was a sore point and many residents had to burn their solid waste or pay for such service, but were better served under my stewardship. The municipality had one tractor and one “half dead truck” operational, while two small compactor trucks were broken down and left to rot.

Our council immediately got the truck in better working order, received a skip bin tractor from central government and repaired one of the compactor trucks. We also placed skip bins around the main areas to ease littering and improved the sanitation workforce with better equipment, increased salaries and employed a works

supervisor to bring stability to that municipal service. As mayor, I left office with two new compactor trucks being procured and put into operation; and I personally lobbied BOSAI Minerals for a large new compactor truck which is already in Linden and will soon be serving the community. Linden was named the cleanest town in Guyana by a group of journalists taken on tour across Guyana by the Guyana Tourism Authority in the middle of 2017, one year after the PPP left it in a dirty state.

I am aware I cannot take up much of the editor’s space in this letter, but I will surely outline other developments in Linden in round three in this battle of facts vs. lies, Holland vs. the Jagdeo PPP. Regards, Carwyn Holland Former Mayor, Linden

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

The anti-creative community stand of the PPP is now stated history

THE only honest message of the opposition leader’s assault on the inevitable Copyright Bill lies in expressing his party’s long opposition and contempt towards addressing the livelihoods of creative talents of born-Guyanese.

Nothing he said, like the Devil of religion is entirely the truth. We are 50 years behind the rest of our continental and Caribbean neighbours in this respect. No! copyright will not close down small businesses; it will reform and enhance their performance. Where this will hurt Mr Jagdeo is that there are TV and radio station owners and executives whom he created that exist on the pretext of a status quo of piracy. I am not a champion of first-world interests, but the local Copyright Bill will force into being meaningful ‘Local

Creative Content’ in all electronic media, rather than possessing extreme volumes of peculiarly acquired assets, cash in a third and invest in ‘Local Creative Content’ and earn the initiation towards becoming real and respected executives. We must develop trademarks in craft, jewellery, visual arts, IT and industrial arts, and these talents must be protected by law. A large number of our young population are semi-literate, due to the collapse of the education system under the PPP, mainly due to the ‘No child left behind system’, without the industrial arts back-up application, and the ‘Troubled Times’. But they have talents. Rather than have hundreds of youth walking and selling rip-off DVDs and CDs, or their talents praised as inmates of our prison sys-

tem, let’s provide a chance for them to grow. It is obvious that neither does Mr Jagdeo nor the PPP understand that Guyana cannot remain isolated for another 40 years. Possibly, the PPP thinks that they can best survive as visionless politicians in a nation of backward sycophants, but that criminalised, retarded process has gone too far already. Not one of the current opinion makers have ever reflected on the state of the nation’s talents; they fret, rightfully so, over Local Content in Oil, and their content in politics, but never a word on the existence of the local creative content. This President has provided hope for the struggle of copyright that has been going on for decades. Dr Abiola Inniss last Thursday, October 25, reiterated the sane process towards developing a stra-

Inaccurate statements could harm reputation of City Hall Dear Editor, PLEASE refer to article captioned ‘MoU with Stabroek Market Wharf vendors still not signed.’ It is imperative that council bring clarity to the utterances made by chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee, Trichria Richards. The honourable councillor in an invited comment stated that “the slothfulness of the city’s administration that is keeping the vendors from occupying the area.” This statement is erroneous and inconsistent with facts of the entire matter. Hence, it is important that the city’s administration bring clarity to this important issue, lest it creates a perception that the administration is apathetic about the challenges of our legal tenants.

The City Engineer Colvern Venture served a cease order notice on the town clerk of Georgetown. Subsequently, vendors who occupy the area were informed of the hazardous state of the area and were given notices to cease to occupy. The area west of the Public Building was identified as the area that would be used to accommodate the vendors.

The Town Clerk Royston King was directed by council to dispatch a letter to the Minister of Public Infrastructure seeking the assistance of the ministry to install lights and to resurface the specific

roadway. This letter was subsequently delivered on August 2, 2018 to the ministry.

Consequently, after delivery of the letter, senior officers of the council were in constant contact with the office of the minister, following up the status of the request.

On August 15, 2018, the council received a letter of acknowledgement from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, stating that the request of council was forwarded to the Works Service Group of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for examination and submission of a report.

During the statutory meeting held on Monday, October, 22 2018, Her Worship the Mayor Patricia Chase-Green engaged the Hon. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and was informed that the ministry was willing to help, but could not do so at this time because the budgetary allocation of the ministry for 2018 was exhausted. However, a supplementary budget was submitted to Parliament for consideration and approval and the minister would be willing to provide some assistance once the budget is approved. Once again, the council is concerned with the welfare of vendors who operate at the Stabroek Wharf and is making every effort to ensure that they are accommodated.

Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer

tegic intellectual property plan for Guyana. Most of my media friends were not there. We all know that the President’s objective will

require a process, which Dr. Inniss and all of us in cultural industries do understand; so with/or without the willingness of the

opposition to be educated, it needs to begin now.

Regards, Barrington Braithwaite

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OP-ED

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

By Imran Khan

The Berbice Bridge is the PPP’s parking meter heist THE whole brouhaha over the threatened Berbice Bridge toll increase stinks to high heavens. It is reminiscent of another project which was attempted in Georgetown in recent times and was resoundingly condemned by the vast majority of the society. But what exactly is the source of this stench at the Berbice Bridge?

Why would the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) seek to increase tolls from $1900 to an obscene, bizarre and completely unaffordable $8040? Why would the BBCI seek to commence the toll increase on the day of Local Government Elections - Monday November 12? Something is rotten.

The Minority Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has been selling this conspiracy theory that it is the coalition government which initiated this proposed increase. The coalition government would have to be insane to propose such; it simply makes no sense whatsoever.

To understand what is at play, one must understand that though the NIS is the majority shareholder in the BBCI, the NIS has just one vote; the real decision- makers are the other shareholders, who are shrouded in secrecy but are suspected to be comrades and confederates of Minority Leader Jagdeo.

It was most curious to observe how when he was cornered at a press conference by journalists Gordon Moseley and Marcell Thomas, Jagdeo squirmed and became furious and evasive, then abruptly ended his press conference. He could not provide credible answers to questions related to the financial model for the Berbice River Bridge when pointed questions were asked. He was unwilling and seemingly unable to discuss details of the financial model he had been boisterously touting and waving about.

The naked truth would have exposed him for the quackonomist he is.

JAGDEO’S BRIDGE LIES LIE ONE: Jagdeo claims that the bridge toll was set at a rate equivalent to what was being paid for a vehicle to cross on the ferry. This is disingenuous. The rate of $2200 is NOT equivalent to what was the cost of a vehicle to cross on the Rosignol/New Amsterdam ferry; $2200 is what it would cost for a vehicle FILLED

QUESTION TWO Why was the bridge located between D’Edward Village and Palmyra and not at the other locations where the Berbice River was narrower and which were more highly recommended?

QUESTION THREE Why was the bridge done as a floating bridge instead of a highspan bridge?

QUESTION FOUR How it is that the toll to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which was built under the PNC administration remains, to this day, $200 for personal vehicles but under Bharrat’s supposedly brilliant Berbice Bridge model, the toll was set at $2200, some 1100% more?

How can this make any sense?

The explosive truth is that based on who the investors are with their suspected close associations to Opposition Leader Jagdeo himself, this Berbice Bridge Bharrat Jagdeo Project is the PPP’s Parking Meter Heist. Perhaps it was where the WITH FIVE PASSENGERS. Jagdeo has been repeating this purveyors of the Georgetown Parking Meter Project got their idea to bald-faced lie ad nauseam.

LIE TWO: Jagdeo is main- impose parking meters in the city. taining that the financial model is The GT crew tried a ‘ting’ and were viable. This has been proven to be thwarted, mainly by Sherod Duncompletely fake. The model was can under the Alliance For Change horrendously flawed. It was based banner and civil society operatives, on a premise that large volumes of who joined the crusade to block vehicles would utilise the bridge the project. Now it falls on another on a daily basis at the high rate of AFC-ranking member, Minister of toll. This has not come to fruition Public Infrastructure David Patbecause the original toll rate set terson, to thwart the efforts being was extraordinarily high. So per- made to extort monies from the sons use the bridge only when they Berbice bridge users.

Life under the Jagdeo regime absolutely need to. Take a drive across the bridge at any time and was not as it is today. Critics and you will see that there are hardly opposers of the government were any vehicles using it at any one not free to speak up and speak time. This is unlike the Demerara out, they were dealt with harshHarbour Bridge, which has dozens ly, banned and silenced. Jagdeo, and dozens of vehicles on it at any while he was President, cleverly moment of time during daylight cloaked and contrived to execute hours and traffic comes to a virtual this Berbice Bridge project while using Berbicians as pawns in standstill during peak hours.

There are some central ques- his financial gain game. It was tions which need to be answered. shrouded in secrecy and very few knew what were the backroom arrangements contrived among QUESTION ONE Why was Jagdeo unable to get close confidants.

And now he is puffing and any major credible international financier to back the Berbice panting at pitiful press conferBridge when it was built? Why did ences and on party platforms, not a single credible international desperately trying to keep a lid financier even want to touch it on the shaky and dubious finanwith a 1,000-foot pole? Could it cial model that he concocted. be because they all knew that the Time up Bharrat, your scheme is financial model which Jagdeo was exposed. Own up to your quacktouting was flawed and untenable? anomics.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Only time will tell THERE have been several stories in the international media where adults in positions of trust and power have used the same to sexually abuse children. Victims, both men and women, continue to come forward and speak out about the sexual abuse they had suffered when they were children at the hands of a celebrity, a coach, a teacher or a family member.

Some of the perpetrators -- now in their 70s and 80s-- may have thought they had gotten away with their heinous acts, but quite rightly, regardless of their ages, they are facing jail sentences in addition to the embarrassment and disgrace they have caused themselves and their families.

When victims of sexual abuse come forward to tell of the ordeals they endured as children, people (family members and acquaintances) are outraged. Some are outraged because of the act itself and the deceitfulness of the perpetrator; others are outraged by the fact that the child did not say or do anything to get help at the time of the ‘alleged’ abuse.

Then there are those who want to berate the grown-up for speaking out at all, after so much time has passed; not forgetting the people who are always in denial and will ‘swear blind’ that nothing ever happened and the ‘events’ as they are now being revealed, are totally fabricated.

Sexual abuse is a personal crime that plays on the minds of victims in different ways.

Some victims might develop a fast, wild and carefree persona, or even try to drown their sorrows with drugs, sex and alcohol; others might display one or several negative behavioural traits that others find strange or even annoying, but all actions are born out of an attempt to blot out the memory of the abuse. No one can see into the mind of a victim, or know of the trauma they relive through ‘flashbacks’: they might feel ‘dirty’ or ‘used’ and betrayed by the adults who were meant to protect them.

Imagine being involuntarily carried back to the painful memory of abuse every time you see an innocent child, knowing that your innocence was whisked away from you by the actions of a

selfish fiend. The list of probabilities goes on.

For these and other reasons, it is not surprising that victims firstly stay silent and then speak up when they do. Sometimes it takes decades for them to muster up the courage to tell their stories and when they do, along with their disclosures usually comes some form of relief and the beginning of healing; even more so if the perpetrator is charged, taken to court and eventually jailed for his/her crime.

Some adult victims have never reported or discussed their ‘sexual abuse’ with anyone. They have carried it around since childhood like a personal burden that they believe no one will understand or want to share. Men do this more than women, because of the stigma attached and for fear of being judged or even labelled by people who do not fully understand. There are families who have an open secret about past abuse: this means that family members are aware that it took place, but no one brings it out into the open, or talks about it. This way the family feels they are shielding ‘some-

one’ or even themselves from disgrace and shame.

However, for victims, getting over the trauma of sexual abuse can be almost like a ‘grieving process’, where each victim deals with the memory, the circumstances and sometimes the disclosing of their ordeals, in their own way and in their own time. Professional counsellors and those to whom victims choose to disclose, must show utmost confidentiality and should be trustworthy and understanding.

But whether victims speak out or keep their secrets to their graves, the fact remains: an adult took advantage of a child and the child, regardless of how complicit he/she may have appeared was, and is not to blame. It is the duty of all adults to protect children.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA helpline on 227 0709 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

GRC appeals to public for help 10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

…Chairperson Yvonne Hinds says entity experiencing all-time low

THE Guyana R elief Council (GRC) on Sunday celebrated 24 years of service to those affected by man-made or natural disasters at its annual luncheon hosted at the Pegasus Hotel.

In welcoming the gathering, GRC Chairperson Yvonne Hinds said that the gathering each year does more than raise funds. It also raises

awareness about the needs of the less fortunate in society.

She noted that the past year was a very challenging period for the GRC to raise funds for its cause.

However, though experiencing an “all-time low,” the council was able to assist 49 persons who lost their homes to fire and 37 through monthly welfare assistance.

“We are grateful to those who have supported our work by donation of cash or kind. Please continue to give generously and offer to volunteer your services when you can,” she urged.

Hinds reminded the audience that “disasters do not discriminate”; but Guyana must remain thankful that it is spared many of these tribulations,

Two of the awardees at the annual luncheon. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elisabeth Harper (far right) addresses the audience at the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

even as it has its own obligation to assist where it can.

“We must be vigilant and alert to the effects of climate change and each must do his or her part to save the world…be thankful for the hot sun, pouring rain, gold, diamonds, bauxite, timber, rice, sugar and now oil. Don’t worry about the man-made, those too will pass in time and Guyana will be a country for which we all long. A nation of one people sharing a common destiny,” she said.

Meanwhile, feature remarks came from Consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elisabeth Harper, who began by establishing that the nature of life is that people of need will always be among us.

As such, she stated that although it can be

challenging to know how to respond, society must not lose sight of the essence of giving, caring and sharing.

“It takes great determination, dedication, tenacity, staying power and, above all, a commitment to the vision -- that is the motivating factor. The Guyana Relief Council is driven by the spirit to do good despite whatever challenges it might face as its strives to achieve its goals,” Harper said.

She further commended Hinds on her commitment and perseverance and concurred that there is need for groups such as the GRC to continue to support persons affected by disasters.

“The Guyana Relief Council stands as an example of volunteerism that reaches out to all

10 regions of our country without partiality and without discrimination,” she said, adding: “It is my hope that the Guyana Relief Council will continue to receive support on a sustained basis to carry out its short-term activities of providing shelter or sustenance, as well as its long-term activities of helping people to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.”

At the event there was a Dutch auction of several items, the proceeds of which will go towards the aid of those affected by natural or man-made disasters.

Meanwhile, awards were presented to three individuals or groups which have greatly supported the council over the years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

PM Nagamootoo not bothered by opposition ‘noises’ PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the “noises” being made by the opposition against the Local Government Elections (LGEs) process lack credibility as they come from a party which had buried the democratic process for some 20 years.

He said further that it is indisputable that the current government has restored power to the people through the restoration of local democracy.

In his weekly column ‘My Turn’, the prime minister said that November 12 will mark only the fourth LGEs to be held in Guyana

since the country became an independent state.

What he holds culpable are the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-implemented Interim Management Committees (IMCs), which Nagamootoo said took control of the decision- making process in towns and neighbourhoods. Now, he continued, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)+ Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition government seeks to restore grassroots, local, community-based participation with the simultaneous election of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Municipal Councils.

“In 2016 the coalition government resurrected this important pillar of people’s democracy when it held the first two such elections within three years of taking office.

“It has since provided constitutional safeguards for functioning of the local councils to insulate them from political interference, with the establishment of the bi-partisan Local Government Commission,” the prime minister said.

Despite the “political provocation” of the Opposition to “incite division and confrontation” Nagamootoo stated that persons must be-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

come intimidated but must demand accountability and vote in November for the group with their interest at heart.

“The decision by the opposition to picket me in Auchlyne, then hold a counter-meeting nearby in Whim, went beyond desperation.

It was an outright political provocation to incite division and confrontation in this tiny fishing village of my birth. This village, as well as nearby Letterkenny and Bloomfield, has long been a PPP stronghold. It is unlikely that this could change any time soon. But what will never change is

that my navel string is buried in this area– in Whim. So in spite of political outcomes at the polls, I will always render whatever assistance my villagers need,” the prime minister said, referring to his community outreach Friday last.

He added: “For years, villages controlled by the opposition have been purposefully neglected, even though the councils benefited yearly from millions in state subsidies– and they collected rates and taxes from citizens. It is time that our people demand accountability. It is time they vote for better leadership.”

Disabled man severely beaten outside nightclub

By Lisa Hamilton POLICE have launched an investigation into the severe beating of a disabled man at a popular Georgetown nightclub, early on Sunday morning.

Hospitalised with stitches to the face, a damaged jaw and bruises about his body, is 21-year-old Romario Baljeet, widely known as “Short Boss”.

The nickname is due a congenital disorder which renders him short in stature, with one of his legs shorter than the other, along with a hump on his back.

Baljeet took to Facebook

on Sunday, to tell of the gruesome beating he received from a man he identified as Imran Khan, and who was also armed with a gun at the time.

“Last night at Palm Court, he beat a sick man like me with his gun and the owners and security at Palm Court didn’t help me,” Baljeet posted, along with a photograph of his injuries and a request to the police for help.

When the Guyana Chronicle met up with the young man at the Woodlands Hospital, he was surrounded by friends who were trying to relieve the condition of his

friends, who were with him at the time, were also assaulted.

The stitches he received to his face

Romario Baljeet in better days

eyes, almost swollen shut, with a wet towel.

Baljeet’s stitches to his face are reportedly due to his being gun-butted. He also suffered deep scrapes on his arms and swollen fingers, resulting from the sound thrashing he received.

“I never see this person before. I don’t know him. I was leaving to go to my car and all I know is that I got pushed down, kicked and kicked, and then I got this lash. After I got this lash he would not stop,” Baljeet recounted.

He raised his arms to show where finger nails had been dug into his skin drawing blood, adding, that he was dragged on the ground as well.

All this occurred outside the vicinity of Palm Court and around its closing period, between 02:30 to 03:00hrs.

Baljeet said he has no idea why the assailant attacked him out of the blue and noted that his two

FRACTURED JAW “He started to shoot up in the air afterwards. Look at my size, I couldn’t do anything,” Baljeet said, adding: “I had a next friend with me and they slapped and cuffed him and his jaw got fractured. And I had another friend with me, a girl, and they slap her up and push her away. A taxi driver was the only one who picked me up and bring me to the hospital.”

The police have already taken statements from the 21 year old. He told this newspaper that others who were at the nightclub, relayed to him the name of his assailant

The assailant, Imran Khan

Romario Baljeet at the Woodlands Hospital on Sunday

whom he was able to verify when shown a photograph.

Baljeet also said this is not the first time the perpetrator, Imran Khan, has attacked a patron. He had also attacked Trinidadian soca

artiste, Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc at the same nightclub back in 2017.

Khan, who is said to be the son of a wealthy businessman, had reportedly pointed a firearm at the singer while his accomplice

hurled a glass object, causing Le Blanc to later receive 25 stitches to the face.

“There are a lot of negative comments. I see people commenting ‘when you have money nobody don’t trouble you’ but I want justice,” Baljeet said firmly.

Meanwhile, a woman who was visiting the young man at the time said, that Baljeet is her son's friend while she is like a mother to him. “He [the assailant] can’t get off like that. He [Baljeet] is not really a fit person, he’s not well. He’s not really well like these boys, so he [the assailant] is totally wrong to hit him. He has no right to hit him.” Baljeet is scheduled to undergo surgery to his jaw today, at the expense of his family.

Meanwhile, Crime Chief Marlon Chapman confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the matter and that appropriate action will be taken.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Workplace stress can be –– stroke very dangerous survivors warn

By Telesha Ramnarine

MICHAEL Edghilo, a 70-year-old stroke survivor who has since been devoting his life to help others with this ailment, is not surprised at the reaction he receives each time he explains to someone that it

to high blood pressure which is the leading cause of stroke.

Stress hormones are also known to lead to diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart disease – which are all stroke risk factors.

Edghilo, born and raised in New Amsterdam, Berbice had been employed with the

enough, mostly caused by work stress. When I tell people, they are shocked. When you’re stressed, it affects your entire nervous system.

Your blood pressure can go up, and it can shoot to a dangerous level where you can get a stroke in an instant.

Stroke survivor Michael Edghilo

Stroke survivor Laurine Mingo

Stroke survivor Art Corlette

was workplace stress that led to his stoke.

Persons are often taken aback and are sometimes in shock to learn that stress can actually be responsible for getting a stroke.

Stress hormones can lead

Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) for some 31 years, and never thought that he was stressed on the job. Ten years ago, however, this was what doctors explained to him as the reason for his stroke.

“My stroke was funny

And that is what happened to me. The doctor asked me what I was taking on and I said nothing, but internally, the work stress was there and it was building up,” Edghilo recalled during an interview with this publication a few

days ago.

But he was determined to get back on his feet and did not resort to giving up such a fight. “Some stroke patients tend to give up too early. Once you do that, you shut down your entire system and the body just follows,” he said.

having to do with fast food, high sodium, fatty foods and sedentary lifestyles. Everybody is driving these days or taking a taxi,” Lawrence pointed out.

She is calling for the authorities to implement a national information system

Fifteen years ago, he suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of high blood pressure.

“I had brain surgery in the United States and made a full recovery until three years after; surgical procedures resulted in stroke symptoms on my left side,” he recalled.

Senior Physiotherapist Barbara Lawrence

Occupational Therapist Afeeza Khan

Stroke survivor Wilhand Grant

Edghilo is now President of the Stroke Survivor Support Group that is registered with Ministry of Social Protection. After deciding not to go back to work, he now uses his time to help fellow stroke patients recover.

The group, with about 60 members, meets once a month.

which would allow the department, to capture vital information regarding persons living with strokes.

The department knows, however, that for 2017 a total of 466 patients went for services, with 212 being male and 254 females. For this year, so far, the department has seen 233 patients with 120 being males and 113 females.

Occupational Therapist Afeeza Khan, told this publication that strokes are very prevalent and that a lot of persons do not realise how much their lifestyle play a role in determining whether they will get a stroke or not.

“Persons need to start being healthy and exercise, and not overlook the fact that it can happen to them at any time,” she said.

“Know if you are hypertensive. Check your blood pressure regularly, and if you know someone in your family, even if it’s your great grandparents who have high blood pressure, you should understand that it comes down the genetic line, so there’s a chance you might get it.”

It was not long after that the stroke came on.

Corlette, who is a nursing lecturer and midwife, said he was determined to return to his normal state. “I pushed myself to get there and that’s what kept me all these years.

I always give patients the motivation that they can get up from that bed and get on their feet again.”

Corlette said people are often shocked that he made such a recovery in Guyana, and that the country does have competent personnel to deal with such issues.

Fifty-seven-year-old Wilhand Grant is another survivor, who suffered a stroke as a result of high blood pressure. This affected his walking and speech. “Exercise a lot. Without exercise you’re nowhere and take control of your blood pressure too,” Grant is advising fellow stroke patients.

Laurine Mingo, 65, got a stroke in 2014 while she was walking on the road. “I felt like a cold shock up my left foot, till up to my head. I still want to know what caused the stroke but they said it is probably my cholesterol,” she expressed.

With therapy from the Rehab Department, Mingo has been progressing well and she is especially thankful for the hard working staff there that helped make it possible.

DON’T NEGLECT YOURSELF “Wherever you’re working, always take the time to take care of yourself because sometimes we can get carried away with our work, especially if we’re into our jobs. We can neglect ourselves and get carried away,” Edghilo advises.

With today being World Stroke Day, the Ministry of Public Health through its Rehabilitation Department based in the compound of the Palms Geriatric Home, is hosting a session for stroke survivors with swallowing problems.

“Some strokes affect speech and swallowing, and this impacts nutritional needs and communication; so, advice and strategies will be given,” Senior Physiotherapist Barbara Lawrence told Guyana Chronicle on Sunday.

According to her, stroke is a major cause of the disability related to high blood pressure and diabetes. “It is definitely a lifestyle issue,

EXERCISE Art Corlette, a 53-yearold stroke survivor, told the Guyana Chronicle that a strong support network, made up of family and friends enabled his rehabilitation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Young father feared drowned

A 22-year-old Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara man is feared dead after he went down under choppy waters at the Kingston seawall on Sunday afternoon.

Reports are that Darshanan Mohabir, called “Ravi”, a minibus conductor and father of two of Django Town, Mon Repos, was swimming in the vicinity of the seawall around 17:00hrs on Sunday when his friends observed him encountering difficulties as he tried to swim to shore.

According to family members, a friend of the man attempted to swim towards him, but turned around after he also encountered the choppy waters.

The man’s wife, Saudia Mohabir, who was on the scene, told the Guyana Chronicle that her husband went out earlier on Sunday to play cricket with friends as is customary. She said that after playing, the group left for the seawall to take a dip. Saudia said she was at home when the family received word that her husband was missing.

cided to swim at the seawall.

“Only last night I talk to he,” she said, as she fought to hold back tears. She said she was at home when someone called from overseas and informed the family of the situation; she and other relatives immediately hurried to the scene.

Melissa said her brother is the father of two young children, including a son who will be celebrating his first birthday in the coming days.

The police were also on the scene and later took the

Darshanan Mohabir When the Chronicle arrived on the scene, relatives and friends of Darshanan were looking out to sea with high hopes. His grandmother along with a group of his relatives arrived on the scene and looked out to the water with hope of seeing his body.

Darshanan’s teary-eyed sister Melissa told this publication that her brother knew to swim, but she noted that she was unsure why he de-

Women among 31 held by police

–– during cordon-and-search exercises

A toy gun is among items which were seized during the operations THE police detained 31 persons on Sunday morning while conducting a number of cordon-andsearch exercises in ‘A’ and ‘D’ Divisions under “Operation Restore Order.”

The operations were conducted in the villages of Kaneville and Diamond, East Bank Demerara and Westminster and La Grange, West Bank Demerara. It involved more than 190 ranks, inclusive of a number of senior officers.

Three females were among those detained in connection with various offences, ranging from possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and robbery under arms to wounding.

A number of items, including two flat screen television sets, 15 mobile phones, a Motorola handset, a Toshiba laptop, 1500 grams of cannabis, a toy gun and G$207,740, were unearthed The exercises were incident-free.

man’s friends away to provide a statement. The man’s friends wailed as onlookers gathered and comforted the family.

There have been several similar instances in the past when persons died by drowning while swimming near the Kingston seawall.

Last August, a sevenyear-old girl, Jayleena Titus, died by drowning after venturing out towards the water at the Kingston jetty.

Her body was found several days later.

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The father of Darshanan Mohabir (left) looks on with another relative at the Kingston seawall on Sunday afternoon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

A big step, but still some distance to go – say residents of Mahdia, Guyana’s newest town

By Svetlana Marshall RESIDENTS, though appreciative of the move by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government to bestow township status on Mahdia, said much more needs to be done to address the deficiencies within the health, education, social services and public infrastructure sectors there.

Forty-six-year-old Nigel Gordon, a resident of Mahdia for 32 years, said there is no doubt that Mahdia has undergone various stages of development over the years as he reflected on the days when the mining hub was sparsely populated with a few buildings.

Gordon told the Guyana Chronicle that the declaration of Mahdia as a town

by President David Granger came at a time when residents were no longer walking on earthen roads, as he pointed

Vincent Xavier

to the recently completed $827M concrete internal road network.

The businessman and father of six said while the main road network has been

upgraded, many of the minor streets within the town are in deplorable condition and require fixing.

“Where I am living, there is the nursery school at the

entrance, there is a teachers’ compound in the street, and the road is very bad,” he pointed out.

In the area of education, Gordon contended that while the infrastructure is in place, the nursery, primary and secondary schools lack trained teachers.

“There is a secondary school here but it needs more trained teachers,” he posited, while contending that because of the “lack of trained teachers”, he transferred three of his children to schools in the city so as to guarantee them better education.

Sixty-one-year-old Vincent Xavier, who was born and bred in Mahdia, said while he has always known Mahdia to have the basic amenities such as schools, hospital, clinic and police station, they lack capacity.

“We have the facilities, but then again we don’t have the teachers; many of the teachers are not trained,” he contended as well.

According to him at the end of the last academic year, approximately 84 children graduated from the nursery school; but the primary school at the start of the new academic year could have only accommodated 44 of those children. The remaining 40 children were reportedly placed in private schools.

However, Mahdia Secondary School with an enrolment of approximately 356 students, has approximately 11 teachers on staff, while two are attending the University of Guyana and Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in Region Four.

Xavier said in the case of the Mahdia District Hospital, it lacks trained technicians as he complained about not being able to access the required services.

“For instance, I am coming from the hospital right now; we have so much equipment but we don’t have the technician, and you still have

Pastor Michael Matheson

to go to Georgetown to have your x-ray and other tests done; and we have the equipment here, but we don’t have the technicians,” he complained.

BIG CHALLENGE He said this is a concern the Public Health Ministry should look into. The 61-year-old man said the

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Nigel Gordon

inability to access potable water and electricity on a 24-hour basis remains the biggest problem for residents of Mahdia.

“We don’t have current 24 hours, we don’t have water. I personally get water every three to four months, is rain water I does depend on…. If rain don’t fall we

don’t get water; at least I don’t get, some people don’t get either,” Xavier said.

Potable water is supplied to parts of the town from the Salbora Reservoir, while approximately 18 hours of electricity is supplied to residents there on a daily basis

by Mahdia Power and Light Incorporated.

For 84-year-old Geris Carler, who moved to Mahdia with her family when she was just eight years old, the lack of employment is a major concern that Mahdia grapples with as it becomes a town.

Alluding to fact that residents there depend heavily on gold mining, Carler said the livelihoods of small miners have been threatened by the “invasion” of medium and large-scale miners into the industry.

Carler, who was forced out of the industry approximately 12 years ago when she was given a cease order on the property she had owned for 19 years, said small-scale miners are now finding it difficult to mine – a situation which she says has taken a toll on the town’s economy.

Fifty-eight-year-old Pastor Michael Matheson, who was born in Mahdia, echoed those sentiments. “When you not getting to mine in the area, it is very hard, because that is mainly what we are surviving on. You don’t have any sawmill that people could go and do any kind of work or any other thing except with the government people,” he posited.

THINGS HAPPENING However, Matheson said

Central Mahdia

he is pleased with the infrastructural development taking place in the town. “I really please with the development, the place was very dusty, but now we have concrete road; but there is still some things to be done, so the infrastructure is developing and I am glad about this,” he said.

Unlike the views of Gordon and Xavier, Matheson believes that the education and health sectors within the town are performing to expectations. “We have seen improvements in the hospital,

we have doctors, at one time it was medex or dispenser; but now we have more than one doctor,” he posited.

Despite the challenges facing Mahdia, Roger Hinds, one of Mahdia’s most prominent and influential businessmen, said Mahdia has made great strides and will continue to experience development in key sectors.

“As we improve to offer other services such as banking services, we will continue to progress towards becoming a vibrant commer-

cial hub,” Hinds said, as he addressed hundreds of residents during the declaration ceremony last Thursday.

The Region Eight Chairman Bonaventure Fredericks said though many have criticised the move by government to update the status of Mahdia, he is of the belief that it is a positive step to greater things. He called on residents to be patient, noting that they should work together to raise the standard of the town.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

City engineer clueless about spending on construction projects

CITY Engineer Colvern Venture could not answer for the amount of money expended on various construction projects around the city, though his department is tasked with oversight of the projects.

During his appearance last Friday before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into City Hall, at the Critchlow Labour College, Venture said that while his department makes requests for materials, it does not look into prices.

The issue of pricing is dealt with by the finance department, he said.

Venture, was at the time being questioned by the Council’s Legal Officer Sherwyn Benjamin, about monies spent on various works, including the Kitty Market rehabilitation, the City Constabulary Training School repairs, and the expected repairs to the Stabroek clock.

Venture, who was also questioned about the state of the works at the various sites, responded that he was not pleased with how the works have gone, but he laid the blame at the

City Engineer, Colvern Venture foot of the finance department.

“My department depends on the finance department; my department does not work with purchasing materials; when we get the materials is when we work,” he said.

He was questioned, too, about the quality of materials being used on the Kitty Market, since the Commission has received reports that substandard materials were being used.

However, Venture again had no answers to offer the Commission.

“No. I’m not; the evidence would have to pres-

ent itself so that I could tell. It would depend on what is considered substandard,” Venture offered.

Works on the Kitty Market initially began in February 2016, before they were stalled on account of finances; however, in January this year, the works recommenced when a $25 million contract was signed.

The money was part of a $200 million subvention that the Council was given by the Ministry of Communities, as part of a “Georgetown Restoration Programme”.

According to an audit, of the $200 million from the restoration fund some $60 million was spent on the market; however, in March of this year, the works were once again stalled.

Venture was also questioned about the $47 million reportedly spent on works at the City Constabulary Training School, where the historical records of Georgetown are reportedly being poorly stored.

Again, Venture said he could not confirm how

much money was expended, but confirmed that some works were done.

“During the period last year we would’ve done works. Some amount was spent for the maintenance work. I can’t say that I was satisfied with the work

that was done. I would’ve visited, the state of that location is not one that is habitable at this moment,” Venture noted.

On the issue of the Stabroek clock, Venture testified that to the best of his knowledge, not a cent of

the US$41,000 donated for the landmark’s repair was spent, because nothing was ever done to the structure.

In October 2016, the US Embassy made a donation of US$41,000 to City Hall for rehabilitation of the clock.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Farmers, exporters build capacity at training sessions

FARMERS and exporters in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) earlier this month received two visits from the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) as part of its Agriculture Month activities.

These visits were primarily aimed at forging a closer working relationship between farmers and exporters and at the same time creating enhanced among buyers, sellers and farmers.

Members of the Guyana Non-traditional Agriculture Exporters Association (GNTAEA) met with over 38 farmers and mentor farmers who attended the sessions. These meetings were held at Sandvoort and Crabwood Creek.

During the meetings, the GNTAEA members interacted with farmers who had journeyed from Mara, Sandvoort, Adventure, Philippi, Nurney, Crabwood Creek and other villages along the Corentyne Coast to attend.

The group discussed ways in which they could work together to ensure that farmers are adequately paid for their produce.

Additionally, they discussed the importance of selling quality produce for export, market-led production and the importance of properly transporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the packaging facilities, in order to maintain quality. Farmers and exporters also discussed the need for contractual agreements between them.

In this regard, officials of the GMC stated that they have been continually encouraging buyers and sellers to establish formal agreements to minimise the many issues that continue to plague both parties.

The need for contractual agreements between farmers and exporters was also discussed. The Guy-

tinue to maintain a close relationship; one in which they can directly discuss other issues.

He added. “The interest shown by the farmers to meet and work along with the exporters was noteworthy.”

President of the GNTEA, Mr. Wyette Amsterdam engaging with farmers at the Crabwood Creek Neighbourhood Democratic Council ana Marketing Corporation has been continually encouraging buyers and sellers to establish formal agreements to minimise the many issues that continue to plague both parties.

Accordingly, President of the GNTAEA Mr. Wyette Amsterdam assured the farmers that members of the association can be trusted, once their produce are of a high quality and also sold directly to them, they would

be adequately compensated for same.

Members of the GNTAEA also stated that one of their main concerns is the way in which produce are being harvested, stored and transported.

As such, they encouraged farmers to have proper storage areas for fresh fruits and vegetables, so as to maintain the quality of their produce.

Some of the main non-traditional agricultural crops that are cul-

tivated in Region Six are pumpkins, watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes and cassava.

POST-HARVEST TRAINING In recognition of this anomaly, the GMC has recently partnered with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and WUSC Caribbean to develop post-harvest posters, which have been used to encourage and

train farmers on how to properly handle produce from the field.

This training is ongoing, with mentor farmers also being trained to further train farmers within their communities.

Regional Coordinator Mr. Milton Dookie who spearheaded the visits and meetings, reported that the responses so far have been positive. He further stated that he expects that both farmers and exporters would con-

Mr. Milton Dookie, Regional Marketing Coordinator and the Region Six Marketing Extension Officer, Mr. Devin Warner, speaking to farmers at the Sandvoort Health Centre

CHALLENGES OF EXPORTERS Meanwhile, the Region Six Marketing Extension Officer of GMC, Mr. Devin Warner, said the meetings offered clarity as to the difficulties faced by exporters and farmers.

“The visits were facilitated, mainly because oftentimes farmers have a misconception that exporters are the ones who earn large sums of money by exporting the produce that they [farmers] grow, without fully understanding the challenges exporters have to deal with.

“By getting a chance to interact with the actual buyers or exporters, they were able to clarify misunderstandings and better understand difficulties and losses faced by both groups,” Mr. Warner concluded.

Ms. Ida Sealey-Adams, GMC’s general manager added that the meeting between the GNTAEA and the farmers in Region Six is part of the commitment that was made when the association was resuscitated. She noted that while this is the first of a series of meetings with farmers from Region Six, plans are in place to have the facilitation process continued in other regions as well.

“The communities that are benefiting from the Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) in smallscale farming communities in Regions Four and Five and other farmers’ groups, will also be targeted during the upcoming months,” Ms. Sealey-Adams said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

CCC Marooners claim historic Super50 crown BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners etched their names in Caribbean cricket history when they brushed aside multiple-time champions Guyana Jaguars by six wickets here Sunday, to capture their first-ever Regional Super50 title.

Playing in the final at the storied Kensington Oval, Marooners chased down a modest target of 204, to get home in the 38th over and crown an outstanding campaign which had seen them top Group B of the preliminary round.

Opener Kyle Corbin, averaging a paltry 19 in the tournament, put aside his wretched form to top score with an aggressive 72 off 53 deliveries while Kjorn Ottley chipped in with 45.

However, it was captain Carlos Brathwaite, who leaves for West Indies duty in India today, who appropriately put the finishing touches on the victory with a typically bold unbeaten 30 off 25 balls.

The victory also made amends for Marooners’ disappointment in their only previous 50-overs final to date, when they lost to Windward Islands at the same venue five years ago.

Jaguars had earlier put themselves under pressure with an underwhelming batting performance, after they were sent in on a grassy strip.

Left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of Test legend Shiv Chanderpaul, topscored with 56 from 95 balls but apart from West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer who scored 38, no other batsman put their hand up.

Not for the first time, Marooners seamers did the damage, with Jermaine Levy picking up four for 43, Brathwaite snaring three for 42 and newball bowler Akeem Jordan ending with two for 30.

Chasing their first title in 13 years, Jaguars lost Trevon Griffith after the left-hander struck 20 off 22 balls, caught on the ropes at mid-wicket off Jordan in the seventh over, attempting his second six after he had put on 27 with Chanderpaul.

Dropped on seven by Corbin at slip off Jordan in the 11th over, Chanderpaul anchored a series of small partnerships, adding 24 for the second wicket with captain Leon Johnson (14), 37 for the third wicket with Chris Barnwell (15) and 31 for the fourth wicket with Reifer.

But with partnerships building on each occasion, wickets fell at critical moments. Johnson slapped an innocuous delivery from Brathwaite to a diving Keron Cottoy at point in the 13th over and Chris Barnwell holed to long on off leg-spinner Cottoy in the 23rd over.

Left-hander Chanderpaul eventually perished in the 32nd over after striking four fours, before falling to a catch at mid-wicket off Brathwaite.

Reifer, another lefthander, attempted a repair job in a 30-run, fifth wicket stand with Sherfane Rutherford (14), hitting one six in a 59-ball knock.

But once Rutherford fell in the 40th over, Jaguars lost their last six wickets for 55 runs, as Levy ripped apart the lower order.

In reply, Marooners took charge from early, thanks to the right-handed Corbin who smashed a dozen fours and a brace of sixes, as he posted 109 for the first wicket with Kjorn Ottley.

Corbin raced to his half-century off just 35 balls and looked to be speeding towards triple figures when he drove fast bowler Clinton Pestano to Reifer at mid-off in the 17th over.

Left-hander Amir Jangoo stayed around 23 balls for his 12 before impatiently chipping leg-spinner Ramaal Lewis to cover in the 23rd

over, and Kjorn Ottley put on a further 31 for the third wicket with Jonathan Drakes (16) before pulling fast bowler Romario Shepherd (2-41) to mid-on in the 30th over.

Ottley faced 84 balls and struck four boundaries.

With his side on 160 for three then, Brathwaite took the responsibility for seeing his side home, lashing four fours and a six. He lost Drakes after the pair had put on 29 for the fourth wicket, the right-hander gloving a pull at Shepherd behind, but by then the result was a mere formality.

SCOREBOARD MAROONERS T Chanderpaul c Corbin b Brathwaite 56 T Griffith c Drakes b Jordan 20 *L Johnson c Cottoy b Brathwaite 14 C Barnwell c Kirton b Cottoy 15 R Reifer c Cottoy b Brathwaite 38 S Rutherford c Y Ottley b Levy 14 +A Bramble c Drakes b Levy 12 R Shepherd c Drakes b Levy 8 V Permaul c Cottoy b Levy 0 C Pestano c Brathwaite b Jordan 13 R Lewis not out 0 Extras: (b2, lb4, w7, nb1) 14 TOTAL: (all out, 49.1 overs) 204 Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-51, 3-88, 4-119, 5-149, 6-164, 7-182, 8-182, 9-203, 10-204.

Bowling: Jordan 7.1-0-30-2, Levy 10-0-43-4, Jaggesar 6-0-21-0, Brathwaite 10-1-42-3, Y Ottley 6-0-27-0, Cottoy 10-0-35-1. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MAROONERS K Corbin c Reifer b Pestano 72 K Ottley c Lewis b Shepherd 45 +A Jangoo c Barnwell b Lewis 12 J Drakes c wkp Bramble b Shepherd 16 *C Brathwaite not out 30 N Kirton not out 6 Extras: (b3, lb6, w15) 24 TOTAL: (4 wkts, 37.4 overs) 205 Did not bat: Y Ottley, C Cottoy, A Jordan, J Jaggesar, J Levy.

Fall of wickets: 1-109, 2-129, 3-160, 4-189.

Bowling: Pestano 7-0-28-1, Reifer 3-0-20-0, Permaul 9-1-43-0, Lewis 6-0-44-1, Shepherd 6.4-0-41-2, Barnwell 3-1-6-0, Rutherford 3-0-14-0.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: KYLE CORBIN.

Forde edges Missingher, Thomas to take South American 10K first leg in Suriname

GUYANA took the topthree spots in the first leg of the South American 10K yesterday in Suriname, with Cleveland Forde narrowly edging his rivals, Winston Missingher and Cleveland Thomas, to finish first.

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Forde clocked 33 minutes and 52 seconds (33:52) and held off a challenge from Missingher who was second in a time of 33 minutes 53 seconds (33:53) in what was described as one of the best finishes at the South Amer-

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ican 10K first leg ever witnessed.

Not to be outdone, Cleveland Thomas finished third when he crossed the line in 33 minutes 54 seconds (33:54) as the Guyanese trio, just like they did in 2017, once again domi-

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nated the marquee distance event in South America, The athletes will return to Guyana today where they will get ready for the second leg which will be held on Sunday, November 4, in Georgetown. (Rawle Toney)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Barca thump Real as ruthless Suarez sticks knife into Lopetegui

By Richard Martin BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as his side thrashed arch-rivals Real Madrid 5-1 on Sunday in a highly entertaining ‘Clasico’ which surely will signal the end of hapless coach Julen Lopetegui’s spell in charge of Real.

Barca’s Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a slick team move and Suarez doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark by converting a penalty awarded after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR).

Real had looked lifeless in the first half but produced a courageous display after the break following a tactical switch from Lopetegui. They deservedly pulled a goal back through Marcelo and came close to grabbing an equaliser as Luka Modric struck the post and Sergio Ramos headed narrowly over.

Yet even without their injured talisman Lionel Messi,

Barca soon reasserted their authority and ran riot in the final 15 minutes with two more goals from Suarez.

“This result is a reflection of our entire season, which has been a disaster,” Real midfielder Casemiro told re-

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez scores their third goal REUTERS/Albert Gea

A header from substitute Arturo Vidal further twisted the knife into Real, who have lost their last three league games and are seven points behind Barca in the La Liga standings in ninth position.

porters.

“It’s not about tactics or attitude, it’s everything. The players have to run more and fight more. We aren’t playing well and we can’t blame the coach, as the play-

Pakistan cruise to T20 series whitewash over Australia PAKISTAN cruised to a rare limited-overs series whitewash over Australia in Dubai on Sunday with a 33-run victory in the third Twenty20.

Having dominated throughout Australia’s tour of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan inflicted more misery on Aaron Finch’s side to complete a 3-0 success with five balls to spare.

Babar Azam starred again at the top of the order with his second half century of the series as Pakistan made a superb start under the lights, the hosts racing to 93-0 in the 13th over.

Babar ’s 50 came off just 40 balls and included a superbly executed upper cut for six off Nathan CoulterNile, the bowler only able to watch on as the ball sailed over the third-man boundary.

A crucial unbeaten 32 from Mohammad Hafeez anchored the Pakistan innings as they pushed their way towards another competitive total.

The 121 runs that were shared across the top three proved vital, with the middle order struggling to make an impact as they

ers are the ones who have to perform on the pitch.”

Real looked to be lacking in confidence from the start as

Run out in each of his first three innings in the seies: Ben McDermott curses his luck ©AFP

came in looking to add runs rapidly.

Shoaib Malik’s quickfire 18 was the best of the rest as the designated hosts reached 150-5 from their 20 overs – Adam Zampa (1-25) the pick of the Australian bowlers to com-

plete their allocation of four overs, while Mitchell Marsh took 2-6 from his solitary set of six.

Alex Carey looked intent on restoring some Australian pride as he launched an early onslaught against Imad Wasim – the opening bowler going for 20 in the first over as Carey cleared the ropes twice.

It proved to be a false dawn as wickets began to fall at regular intervals, too many of the tourists failing to convert good starts as Shadab Khan (3-19) ripped through them with ease.

Glenn Maxwell’s miserable series continued as he was dismissed for just four, his exit leaving Australia 75-5 at the start of the 11th over.

As desperation began to set in, Australia’s choices became rash and that saw Coulter-Nile comically run out as Andrew Tye sent his partner back, leaving him stranded as Shadab whipped the bails off.

Zampa was the last man to fall as Hasan Ali (2-14) wrapped things up, sending Australia home with their tails between their legs.(Yahoo Sport).

Benzema hurriedly hammered a cross from Gareth Bale over the bar when he had plenty of time to bring the ball under control.

Barca, meanwhile, oozed belief and their opening goal

was a joy to behold as Ivan Rakitic released Jordi Alba with a chipped pass and the Spaniard rocketed past Nacho, crossing freely into the area for Coutinho to turn the ball in from close range.

Further signs of Real’s nervousness came when Nacho misplaced a pass in the area to the feet of Arthur Melo and it took a magnificent flying save from Thibaut Courtois to beat away the Brazilian’s curling shot.

Barca did extend their advantage when Suarez slammed a spot-kick under the diving Courtois after being tripped by Varane, who was responsible for both goals Real conceded in their shock 2-1 home defeat

by Levante last week.

Lopetegui rejigged his formation at the start of the second half, opting for a backthree by hauling off Varane for Lucas Vazquez and his side instantly improved, getting a foothold through Marcelo’s strike.

Stunning comeback puts Boston on brink of championship

AGONISINGLY CLOSE They were agonisingly close to finding an equaliser but Barca continued to look dangerous on the break and Suarez’s bullet header from a standing position killed the game off as a contest. “ We h a d 1 5 d i f f i cult minutes but we had a great performance,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

“The first half belonged to us. They turned things around by playing fullbacks as wingers and we were caught out by it and suffered after their goal. Then we sorted ourselves out and took advantage of their risky approach.”

Uruguay striker Suarez completed his treble with a classy chipped finish while Chile international Vidal struck his first goal for Barca to further humiliate Real, who were condemned to their worst defeat in a ‘Clasico’ since a Barca side coached by Pep Guardiola beat them 5-0 in 2010.

Aaron Finch replaces Tim Paine as Australia ODI captain AARON Finch has replaced Tim Paine as Australia’s ODI captain ahead of the three-match series against South Africa in November.

The series also marks the returns of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins to international cricket, with Hazlewood announced as one of two vice-captains alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Mitchell Marsh has been rested for the series.

Finch has previously captained Australia in ODI cricket, standing in for two matches in New Zealand in early 2017. But in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, Paine was announced as Test and ODI skipper and led Australia to a 5-0 series defeat in England earlier this year.

Finch, the T20 captain, looks set to lead Australia all the way through to the 2019 World Cup. Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said Paine had been relieved of his duties “to focus purely on captaining the Test team, which includes preparing for next year’s Ashes.”

As was the case when we announced the Test and T20 captains and vice-captains recently, the selection was based on their strong presentations which outlined their leadership credentials, the actions they have displayed on and off the field and the vision they

have for Australian cricket,” Hohns said.

“We expect Aaron, Josh and Alex to lead the side through a big Australian summer, where we’ll meet South Africa and India, they’ll also be driving our standards and

Aaron Finch made his sixth ODI hundred against England (Getty Images)

values as we prepare our defence of the World Cup, which is only seven months away.”

Hazlewood and Cummins have been preparing for the ODI series in the Futures League rather than the Sheffield Shield. They join a pace barrage which includes Mitchell Starc and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Andrew Tye has been squeezed out.

Shaun Marsh and Travis Head have both been named as expected with no concerns that their preparation for the India Test series will be com-

promised. Chris Lynn also returns to the ODI team after an outstanding JLT Cup for Queensland.

“Chris made it clear he wanted to be considered for the World Cup, and he backed it up with his performances for Queensland in the JLT Cup. He was the highest run scorer of the tournament and has been rewarded for his consistency,” Hohns said.

Marcus Stoinis has been included after being omitted from the T20 squad to tour the UAE. Both Mitchell Marsh and Nathan Lyon have both been rested.

“We have made the decision to manage Mitch Marsh and Nathan Lyon carefully to ensure they are in the best condition possible to put their hand up for selection either later in the summer or for the World Cup next year,” Hohns said.

Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa provide the spin options as they have in the UAE. Glenn Maxwell and D’Arcy Short have also retained their places.

Australia ODI squad to face South Africa: Aaron Finch (capt), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Caribbean showpiece a special chapter in Stafanie Taylor story ST JOHN’S, Antigua, – It has been an amazing journey, one that started in spectacular fashion 10 years ago. That journey has seen a courageous girl from the historic former Jamaica capital of Spanish Town grow to become of the most recognisable and respected cricketers in the world. Now, she will take to the field in 10 days time to spearhead the Windies women in their defence of the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup title.

For Stafanie Taylor it will be a seminal moment – leading the home team on home soil in a global event – probably the biggest event for women in the region’s history – with a global audience of 200 million watching on.

She is not shy and certainly not one to back away from a challenge. She has featured on every poster, every billboard, every piece of advertising in the Watch This campaign – the official promotional drive for the T20 World Cup. Taylor, quite literally, is the face of the tournament.

The 27-year-old has encountered obstacles throughout her career but according to the charismatic Jamaican, those have only served to make the taste of success even sweeter. Her greatest moment of a glittering career undoubtedly was lifting the coveted trophy as West Indies captain, after her side upset Australia to win the 2016 T20 World Cup in India.

“Oh what a day … what a victory … what a moment!

Winning in Kolkata was definitely the best memory … not just winning, but winning for the West Indies. That’s special.

I’ve won other titles before but winning that trophy for the people of the West Indies was amazing,” she said. “… and what made it even more amazing was the fact that the Under-19s won their World Cup a few months earlier and then the men’s team won on the same day we did. For us you could see the progression from

going to semi-final to semi-final, climbing the mountain.

So winning in India was like reaching the mountain top.”

In the three previous tournaments in 2010, 2012 and 2014, Windies Women had reached the semi-finals before bowing out – twice at the hands of Australia.

see after the first innings that our approach was spot on.

“To watch Hayley bat and make those runs and win it for us, I was elated. To see these girls who have been together for so long and worked so hard together, and done so well … it was truly great.”

Taylor’s story is of one

gathering 90 off just 49 balls in only her second outing, in the one-off T20 as the visitors beat the Irish.

Since then she has not looked back. Her rise has been astronomical and her influence unmistakable, forever changing the way Caribbean view women in cricket.

“The game has evolved a whole lot since I started as a 16-year-old. The players are more classy [with] more finesse. You see switch-hitting, reverse sweeps … it comprises of so many new things. The players are definitely fitter and very athletic. The fielding standards have improved tremendously … it is amazing.

“The bowlers are getting faster … faster to the boundary. We have fast bowlers like Katherine Brunt who is among the quickest and you also have players like Elyse Perry, who is an excellent bowler and all-rounder. On our side we have Shamilia Connell who is our fastest.

She has matured and knows her game and it’s really good to see someone who we have been grooming now understands her game fully and can get wickets for us.”

West Indies Women celebrate winning the World T20 title with skipper Stefanie Taylor holding the trophy.

On a warm and balmy day at Eden Gardens on April 3, 2016, Taylor put her hand up with a measured 59 off 57 balls to help stun the Aussies. She watched in approval as teenager Hayley Matthews made a career-defining 66 off 45 balls to earn the Player-of-the-Match ward and subsequently, international acclaim. Taylor received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

“It was a matter of the hurdles … and getting over those hurdles. The highest hurdle was the semi-finals when we got over New Zealand,” she explained.

“We always reached the semis and lost, so we knew once cleared that we would be up for anything. I said to myself, the final would take care of itself, and it was just a matter of going all out. I could

of dedication, commitment, enjoyment and overwhelming success. It is a career that has spanned a decade and has seen her represent the West Indies in over 202 international matches. She has scored 6 944 runs with her dazzling right-handed strokeplay – 4 282 in 112 ODIs and 2 662 in 87 T20Is – making her the all-time highest run-maker for Windies, and one of the leading batters in the game’s history.

She has added 208 wickets with her clever spin bowling and taken 85 catches with her assured hands in the outfield.

Unlike the title-winning day in Kolkata two years ago, it was a cold damp day in Dublin in June, 2008 when Taylor made her debut. Only 16-years-old at the time, she almost immediately made an impact,

“It was cold, really cold, I can’t remember everything,” Taylor said of her debut though the details remained fuzzy.

“It was a special one. I smashed 90 off a few balls and just to put on that maroon shirt was special. Back then, 10 years ago I didn’t expect all of this. I was young, I was excited … I just wanted to play and enjoy the game. Now, it’s different.

I have to help groom the young players, there is much more to do. I really love it.”

She continued: “I give thanks. I’ve had some great opportunities to play, to travel and to make a contribution to the game in Jamaica, in the West Indies and around the world. I was a little girl with a dream now I see myself as someone to help with the continued growth of the sport.

West Indies Women’s captain, Stafanie Taylor.

Like everyone else, Taylor is anxiously looking ahead to the tournament, which runs from November 9-24 across Guyana, St Lucia and Antigua.

The Windies are in Group A alongside England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while Group B is made up of India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland.

The home side start against Bangladesh on November 9 at the Guyana National Stadium before moving to the Darren Sammy Ground in St Lucia where they will play from November 12 to 16,

ICC announces match officials for Women’s World T20 competition THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its 14-person match officials team, who will officiate in next month’s ICC Women’s World T20 2018.

The 10-team tournament will run from November 9 to 24 in Antigua, Guyana and St Lucia, with hosts Windies defending the title they had won in Kolkata two years ago.

The list comprises former West Indies captain Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and Graeme La Brooy of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match

Referees as the match referees, eight umpires from the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires and four from the ICC Development Panel of Umpires.

Among them are four female umpires - Kim Cotton, Sue Redfern, Claire Polosak and Jacqueline Williams – and eight male umpires, namely Ahsan Raza, Gregory Brathwaite, Shaun George, Wayne Knights, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, Langton Rusere and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid.

Richardson will lead the playing control team in Guy-

ana, which will also include Brathwaite, George, Knights, Polosak, Redfern and Rusere while the St Lucia team will include Raza, Cotton, Menon, Nogajski and Sharfuddoula with La Brooy as the match referee. Umpire Williams will officiate at both venues.

The tournament opener between New Zealand and India in Guyana will be umpired

by Brathwaite and Polosak, with George as third umpire and Redfern as the fourth official.

The on-field responsibilities for the second match of the opening day between

Australia and Pakistan will be shared between George and Williams, with Knights as the third umpire and Brathwaite as fourth official.

The West Indies versus Bangladesh match, which will be the last match of the opening day, will be umpired

by Rusere and Redfern, with Polosak as the third umpire and Knights as the fourth official.

Cotton, a Canterbury-based lawyer who made her international debut last season as on-field umpire during the Windies women’s

Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson

tour of New Zealand, had more recently umpired in the ICC Women’s World T20 regional qualifier 2018 in Fiji.

as they chase qualification for the semis and finals at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua on November 22 and 24.

“It’s good to be hosting the first ever stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 event. It’s going to be a great event, it’s going to be epic,” Taylor said.

“We will have some amazing entertainers coming to the ground. It will be quite different to all the other events we have played in. We are here in the Caribbean and we like the music and we like the vibes; whether it’s a training session or a match, we like to hear some music and we know this will help the way we play. It will bring some more fans into the matches to watch the best players in the world.”

She added: “From when we started back in May with the special camps organized

by Cricket West Indies here in Antigua, the management, the coach, the trainer have been pushing the players to improve fitness and skills and I have seem tremendous improvement.

I have seen a whole different level of fitness and you could see it when we played against South Africa in the recent ODIs and T20s.

“That century by Hayley Matthews in Barbados (fifth ODI last month) was stunning. It was beautiful to be at the other end batting with her and to witness that kind of performance. [Off-spinner] Anisa Mohammed took a hattrick in the T20s and she has great and continues to lead from the front. She started way back, I believe at age 15, now she is one of the senior players.

“When you look at players getting older, that’s more experience and you tap into that experience and maturity out there in the middle.

That’s what she offers the team – a level head [and] a focused individual who can make the right decisions under pressure.”

Redfern has the distinction of both playing and officiating in ICC Women’s World Cups as she played in the event in India in 1997 and then officiated in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in England.

Like Redfern, Polasak and Williams officiated in the ICC Women’s World Cup last year.

Polasak has the distinction of standing as an on-field umpire in a men’s domestic fixture in Australia while Williams was the first female umpire to stand in domestic cricket in the West Indies.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Third EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 – Day 2

Diamond United, Timehri, Swan, Grove Hi-Tech & Agricola notch full points THE biggest wins on day two of the Third Annual East Bank Football Association / Ralph Green Under-11 League were recorded by Agricola Red Triangle, Timehri Panthers and Grove Hi Tech over Samatta Point/Kaneville, Kuru Kururu Warriors and Friendship, by 8-0, 6-0 and 5-1 margins, respectively.

Also pulling off comfortable wins were Diamond united against Herstelling Raiders (4-0) and Swan over Diamond Upsetters (1-0). Both Grove Hi Tech and Friendship had pocketed full points, having been awarded walk-overs from Mocha Champs and Hararuni Eagles, respectively.

Diamond United’s Jansen Ross fired in the fastest goal of the day after a mere 47 seconds into the match against Herstelling Raiders, who just couldn’t respond with any goal of their own in their 4-0 loss. The other goals were scored by Touson DeSilva in the 23rd minute, Paul McKenzie in the 27th and Christopher Singh on the stroke of full time (30th).

Timehri Panthers were

Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed to rejoin Windies as assistant coach

Anderson Webber

Goalscorers for Grove Hi-Tech, Jamal Cordis (right), who netted a hat-trick and Jevon Pluck

again clinical in their 6-0 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors.

Keyron Williams (8th , 13th ) and their captain, Omar Sam (17th , 25th ) led with a double each while there were one each for Shaquelle Caleb in the 6th minute and Jaden Tasher in the 26th.

Swan needled a determined Diamond Upsetters in a closely-fought contest,

thanks to an Anderson Webber-goal in the 25th minute of play. Upsetters tried desperately to get the equalizer, but it eluded them as Swan pieced together their second win in as many matches.

Grove Hi-Tech recorded their second win of the day in emphatic style against Friendship after taking full points without kicking a ball,

since Mocha did not show up.

Friendship, who had won via the same route, decided to play Grove as the players were eager to sweat it out.

The association agreed and the final result was 8-0 in favour of Grove; their third win of the league. Crafting the victory was Jamal Cordis who netted a hat-trick (13th , 17th , 24th ) with the other two goals coming off the boot of Jevon Pluck in the 20th and 21st minutes. Jaden McLean scored Friendship’s consolation goal in the 28th minute.

Agricola was led to the biggest win of the day by their captain, Jonathan Andries and Seon Grant, both scoring a hat-trick apiece.

Andries was on target in the 4th, 24th and 30th minutes while Grant found the back of the nets in the 13th, 26th and 29th minutes. The other two goals came off the boot of Mikel Morris in the 2nd and 10th minutes.

Mushtaq Ahmed

LEGENDARY Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is set to take up the role of assistant coach on a permanent basis with the Windies cricket team.

The 48-year-old player joined the regional team on a short-term stint in May of this year. The role has officially now been upgraded to a long-term appointment that will require the retired spinner to commit 150 days a year to the job.

Ahmed was officially expected to rejoin the team for the India tour but was prevented from doing so, having had issues getting a visa for the campaign.

The former spinner will now target the team’s upcoming tour against Bangladesh to rejoin the team.

The Windies will play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. Following his short-term stint with the West Indies, Ahmed reprised his role as spin bowling coach of the National Cricket Academy in England.

Having previously worked with England, Mushtaq was Pakistan’s bowling coach for 18 months, being replaced by Azhar Mahmood last year. (Sportsmax)

Chelsea power on as Arsenal held, United win

By Steve Tongue

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea’s emphatic 4-0 win at Burnley on Sunday maintained their unbeaten start to the season and took them up to second in the Premier League as London rivals Arsenal paid the penalty for defensive carelessness in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

Manchester United also conceded a late penalty but held on to beat Everton 2-1 and move up to eighth place.

Chelsea are two points behind leaders Liverpool, who won on Saturday, and one point ahead of champions Manchester City, who play fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Monday.

Maurizio Sarri’s side barely noticed the absence of injured midfielder Eden Hazard as Willian, starting in the Belgian’s normal position on the left, scored and hit a post.

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata gave Chelsea the lead midway through a first half in which he might have netted three times.

England midfielder Ross Barkley set him up for that goal and added the second from outside the penalty area

after 57 minutes.

Brazilian Willian curled the third goal past Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart five minutes later and substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Dyche was left ruing another tough assignment against quality opposition following last week’s 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City.

“We started very well and then we give away a poor goal

team but lost ground by conceding two penalties in an eventful draw at Selhurst Park that ended their run of 11 successive victories in all competitions.

Palace captain Luka

Chelsea’s Willian scores their third goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

“For 10 minutes it was difficult at the beginning but then we played very well,” said Sarri, who became the first Chelsea manager to go unbeaten in his first 10 league games in charge.

Burnley’s manager Sean

from our point of view,” he said. “It was a top side doing what top sides do, they finish clinically.”

EVENTFUL DRAW Arsenal started the day level on points with Sarri’s

Milivojevic, who missed a spot kick at Everton last week, converted twice as his team led 1-0 before the interval then slipped 2-1 behind to a fierce Granit Xhaka free kick and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s controversial

goal.

The home team’s manager Roy Hodgson was among those convinced that Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette handled before Aubameyang jabbed the ball over the line.

Slideshow (14 Images) “I’m not happy to end up with one point especially when you see how clear the handball was,” he said. “Over 90 minutes I really believe we could have won the game.”

Milivojevic’s second penalty six minutes from time earned Palace a point to move them above Burnley into 14th, but they now face successive games against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.

United shook off the home Champions League group stage defeat by Juventus in midweek with goals in each half from Frenchmen Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial to earn a narrow win over Everton and jump above them to eighth in the table.

There were two penalties at Old Trafford as well.

Stunning comeback puts Boston on brink of championship In the 27th minute referee Jonathan Moss ruled that Idrissa Gueye had brought down

Martial and although Pogba’s kick was superbly saved by Jordan Pickford, the Frenchman slotted home the rebound.

Four minutes after halftime United doubled their advantage when Pogba set up Martial, who beat Pickford with a superb low curling shot into the far corner.

Pogba was then at fault in giving the ball away in midfield as Everton got back into the game with a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty.

Their manager Marco Silva was upset with the penalty decision.

“It was not a penalty, clear the player (Martial) dived, it leaves a bad sensation,” he said.

“We deserved more than the result we achieved.”

United’s Jose Mourinho, who dropped striker Romelu Lukaku to the bench, was happier both with the result and the referee.

“I think the referee was very good in all the game,” he said. “He was solid and consistent”.

The result left United five points outside the top four and nine behind leaders Liverpool, who beat Cardiff City 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Lewis Hamilton equals Juan Manuel Fangio with fifth F1 title LEWIS Hamilton has won his fifth F1 world championship, making him the joint second most successful driver of all time.

The 33-year-old becomes only the third man in history to win five world titles. He matches the haul of the Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio and is two behind alltime record holder Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton needed only to finish seventh even if Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won the race to become champion - but the German could manage only second place behind the dominant Max Verstappen despite a valiant and strong race.

It was a difficult race for the Mercedes driver, who battled tyre problems throughout, but his finishing position just off the podium, in fourth, was more than enough to seal the biggest achievement of an illustrious career.

At the end of the race, Hamilton pushed his car through a series of celebratory “doughnut” spins in the track’s stadium section, before waving to the capacity 135,000 crowd.

Hamilton said: “It is a very strange feeling right now. This was won through a lot of hard

work through a lot of races. I am so grateful for all the hard work, for everyone who has been a part of it.

“To complete this, when Fangio has done it with Mercedes, it is an incredible moment.

“It was a horrible race. I got a great start and was working my way up and I really don’t know what happened after that. I was just trying to hold on and bring the car home.”

Vettel broke off from his post-race interview to congratulate Hamilton, as the two men embraced at the conclusion of a titanic battle.

The Ferrari driver Vettel said: “Well deserved. Congrats to him and his team. They did a superb job all year, we need to stand there and accept that, we would have loved to hang in there a bit longer but that wasn’t the case.”

Bulls in the closing laps.

But it was too little too late for Vettel, whose season, once so promising, unravelled in the summer and early autumn with a series of errors from driver and team.

Hamilton and Mercedes were well below the high standards they set for themselves as they won six out of seven races from the German Grand Prix in late July to the Japanese race in early October.

But that run - and the consistent excellence that both pressured Vettel and Ferrari into their mistakes and won races through the highest quality driving and team work - had put Hamilton into a comfortable position.

And it was enough to seal the championship despite such a relatively lacklustre race, perhaps their poorest in terms of absolute performance of the entire season.

UNDER-PAR MERCEDES SEAL IT IN MEXICO The race was a reminder of what might have been for Vettel, as both Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas fell back with excessive tyre wear and his Ferrari moved up with an aggressive strategy to pressure the Red

A STRUGGLE THROUGHOUT Hamilton had started the race with hopes of clinching the title with a win, and he did challenge for the lead on the run to the first corner.

But Verstappen muscled him aside, as they left pole-sitter Daniel Ricciardo’s

Fourth place was good enough for Hamilton in Mexico. (Getty Images)

Red Bull behind following a poor start, and the Dutchman never looked back.

Verstappen was in control throughout, soon easing away from Hamilton into a comfortable lead as the Mercedes driver began to struggle with tyres.

B e h i n d Ve r s t a p p e n , Hamilton never sounded comfortable, complaining soon after his first pit stop

that the tyres he had been fitted with didn’t feel good.

As the stint went on, he fell further and further back as Mercedes tried to persuade him to manage his tyres.

Shortly after half-distance, Vettel, who started fourth, had passed Ricciardo for third and then took Hamilton on lap 39, with 32 to go.

Hamilton continued to

drop back and on lap 47 he locked a wheel under pressure from Ricciardo and ran wide at Turn One, then pleading with his team that his tyres were finished.

He pitted for fresh ones and rejoined with 24 laps to go on a set of ultra-softs, and backed off to ensure he could get to the end without drama.

(BBC Sport)

Eccles beat leaders Providence in Leicester City owner Neville Sarjoo 40-over cricket and four others killed THREE wickets each from Gavin Singh and Vishal Jaigobin and a half-century from Marcus Watkins propelled Eccles Sports Club to victory over Providence in the East Bank of Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) Neville Sarjoo Memorial 40-over tournament yesterday at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground.

The top of the table, previously unbeaten team, Provi-

dence (34 points), won the toss and decided to bat first, with opener Martin Pestano-Belle leading the charge with 60.

The 23-year-old slammed six fours and five sixes in his stay in the middle and had a solid partnership with D. Paul, who hit five fours in his score of 29.

A few other batsmen had starts, but none kept their wicket as Jaigobin walked through the middle order to finish with 3-29 from eight overs. Singh,

who scored a blistering unbeaten 126 against Nandy Park the weekend before, cleaned up the tail with his off-spin (3-13 from three overs) as Providence were bowled out for 181 in 32 overs.

In reply, Marcus Watkins and Daniel Barker did the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday October 29, 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 SATURDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Tied (2) Virat Kohli (India)

(1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: The WI & India have now contested 124 ODIs against each other to date. How many games have ended in ties?

Virat Kohli recently reached the 10,000 run mark in

ODIs. How many innings he took to arrive at the land mark?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Marcus Watkins slammed 63 runs to lead Eccles to victory.

damage. The number three and four batsmen batted their team out of trouble before batting Providence out of the game.

Although both lost their wickets, they had scored enough runs to ensure that the batsmen that followed had an easy route to victory.

Watkins belted the ball to all parts of the ground in his knock of 63 (7X4s and 3X6s), while Barker added an entertaining 33 runs (4X4s, 1X6). Also contributing to the target was Barnard Bailey who finished with an unbeaten 24 (3X4s, 1X6) as Eccles reached 182-5 in 25 overs.

Off-spinner Pestano-Belle led Providence’s bowling attack with 2-16 from three overs.

Captain of Eccles Sports Club Kelvin Singh said that he was excited with the back-toback victories and credits his players’ dedication and the support of his sponsors for the run.

The team’s sponsors include: Pestex, Atlantic Petroleum, Howard Restaurant, James Mechanical Welding and Fabrication (a.k.a as JSB).

in helicopter crash

LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Leicester City soccer club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a Thai tycoon, was killed along with four others when his helicopter crashed and then exploded after a Premier League match on Saturday, the soccer club and police said.

Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha purchased Leicester City in 2010 Vichai bought the unfancied side from central England in 2010 and went on to stun the soccer world by beating odds of 5,000/1 to win the Premier League title in 2016 in what amounted to a sporting fairytale.

The father of four and founder of duty-free giant King

Power International was a huge favourite with the club’s fans.

“It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium,” a club statement said.

The aircraft came down in a car park near the King Power stadium shortly after 19.30 GMT, about an hour after the end of Leicester City’s game against West Ham United, police said.

The other victims were believed to be two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz, Leicestershire Police said.

No one on the ground was believed to have been injured, they said.

According to witnesses, the helicopter had barely cleared the top of the stadium before it started to spin. It then plummeted to the ground and burst into flames.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 29, 2018

Regal Masters cart off Guyana Cup 8 Over-45 title

By Frederick Halley

REGAL Masters proved their superiority with their second major triumph in as many weeks with a comprehensive victory over Fisherman’s Masters in yesterday’s final of the Masters (Over-45) category of the Guyana Softball Cup 8, organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

Witnessed by a bumper crowd at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown, Regal Masters romped to a 60-run victory after limiting Fisherman’s Masters to 158 for five in their allotted 20 overs in pursuit of 219 for victory.

The triumph followed their win against Mike’s Wellman in last week’s Prime Minister Cup final, organised by the Georgetown Softball League, played at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Asked to take first strike, Regal Masters were powered to 218 for seven through the efforts of their skipper, Mahendra Arjune, who followed up his masterful all-round performance in last Sunday’s Prime Minister Cup final, when he captured the manof-the-match award, with another superb batting display. He also copped the award on this occasion.

The experienced Arjune, who seemed to be glowing with age, blasted a 34-ball 72 and, along with Eon Abel (39), added a match-winning 104 for the third wicket after opener Throy Kippins had given the innings an impetus with 47, laced with eight fours and a six. Kippins had earlier put on 44 for the second wicket, after Mahesh Chunilall went with the score on 28 in the third over.

Arjune and Abel came together in the seventh over and by the time the latter

departed in the 17th over,

Man-of-the-match Mahendra Arjune collects his award from GFSCA president, Ramchand Ragbeer.

Man-of-the-match in the Over-50, Rasheed Mohamed is rewarded for his fine effort.(Cullen Bess- Nelson photos)

Rodeo excites Rising Sun Turf Club patrons THE Rising Sun Turf Club hosted its annual Rodeo yesterday, when scores turned up at the West Coast Berbice facility to be entertained by riders from as far as Brazil.

Fans watched in amazement as the competitors went head-to-head in Wild cow milking, Calf roping, Steer roping, Bare back bronco or wild horse riding, Bull riding and Saddle bronco. There was also a best dressed Vaquero or cowboy contest.

Among the many sponsors were Banks DIH, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Cattle Ranch, Rommel Jagroop Cattle Ranch, Abary Cattle Ranch, Sunil Suruj Cattle Ranch, BM Soat Auto Sales, Jai Seegobin Cattle Ranch, Reginald Hookumchand and Jerry Hookumchand.

Full details and results in Action in the ‘Wild horse riding’ competition during Suntomorrow’s edition. day’s Rising Sun Turf Club Rodeo. (Rawle Toney photo)

International) was the lone

with Sahadeo Budhoo (38),

Parika Defenders receive their winning trophy from GFSCA president, Ramchand Ragbeer.

the Regal Masters captain had struck eight fours and a six. Thereafter, the Regal Masters batsmen went for quick runs, with Abel going via the run out route after hitting two fours and a six.

L. Persaud and P. Singh claimed two for 37 and 47, respectively.

Fisherman’s Masters made a bold start but struggled in the middle overs as Regal Masters took a tight rein on proceedings. Fazal Ali played well for a fine 50 while Baldeo Persaud supported with 40. Fazleen Mohamed took two for 32.

Regal Masters pocketed $600,000, a trophy and medals for all the players while the runner-up took home $150,000. The MVP award for the category went to Yunis Usuff of GFSCA. Three players – Shiv Seeram (Ontario Masters International), Ramo Malone (GFSCA) and Baldeo Persaud (Fisherman Masters) registered centuries while Jaimini Singh (Ontario Masters

bowler to take five wickets in a match. They all received trophies.

Parika Defenders became the first-ever Over-50 winners, denying the Guyana Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) any title in this year’s tournament, winning their clash by 25 runs.

Led by a classy 73 from opener Rasheed Mohamed and a supporting knock of 53 not out from his brother Saddiq, Parika Defenders reached an imposing 214 for four in their allotted overs. Rasheed struck seven sixes and three fours while Saddiq’s innings contained five sixes and a four. Oswald Chandler also supported with 48 (five sixes and a four), while sharing an important second wicket partnership of 104 with Rasheed. There was one wicket each for Vickey Ramsaywack, Hakim Majeed and Randolph Perreira.

The arduous task proved beyond the GFSCA Legends, who ended on 189 for six when their 20 overs expired,

Richard Persaud (27) and Majeed (21) being the principal scorers.

At the Over-50 presentation, Tony Fernandez of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) was awarded the MVP and also collected a prize for scoring a century. Imam Gafoor also received a prize for his hundred. The manof-the-match in the final was Rasheed Mohamed.

The winners collected $400,000 and a trophy while all the players were recipient of medals. The runner-up got $100,000 and a trophy and medals for all the players.

MVPs Fernandes and Usuff received gold pendants with diamond studs, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.

All trophies and medals were donated by Trophy Stall’s Ramesh Sunich.

Up to press time, the Open final featuring defending champions Ariel Speedboat and SVC New York wass being contested at the same venue. (Full details in tommow’s edition).

Defending champs West Ruimveldt reach COURTS Pee Wee final four

…Tucville upset talented St. Agnes THE quarterfinal round of the COURTS Under-11 Pee wee football tournament was completed yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue with some exciting matches.

2017 champions, West Ruimveldt, had a tough contest in their round-of-16 match against Plaisance Bosco, played with more intent against St. Ambrose Primary in their last eight clash and inflicted a 5-0 thrashing on their opposition.

West Ruimveldt were led by

a brace from Clean LaRose while skipper Jonathan Andries, Mark Philips and Syon Sampson each scored one goal.

Tucville Primary got the better of the free-scoring St. Agnes with a tactful 3-1 win.

Scoring for the football-frenzied Tucville School were Carlos Negus, John Harry and Wayne Solomon while Justin Alcindor netted a consolation goal for St. Agnes to take his tally to 10 goals.

St. Pius ended the dreamrun of Golden Grove Primary who had killed the dream of

Marian Academy reaching a second consecutive victory with a 2-0 round-of-16 defeat with a similar 2-0 result.

On the score sheet for St. Pius, with one goal each, were Chance Niles and the diminutive and skilful Kaden Wellington; arguably the player with the most flair in the 2018 COURTS Pee wee tournament.

Meanwhile, Enterprise Primary needled Timehri with Khy Alkinson registering the lone goal of the match in the fourth quarter-final clash.

CCC Marooners claim historic Super50 crown

See Page 22

CCC Marooners celebrate with trophy after beating Guyana Jaguars by six wickets in the Grand Final of the Super 50 Cup at Kensington Oval. (CWI Media/Randy Brooksof Brooks La Touche).

Regal Masters cart off Guyana Cup 8 Over-45 title See Page 27

Mrs Devi Sunich of Trophy Stall hands over the winning trophy to Regal Masters skipper, Mahendra Arjune, in the presence of the other players and officials.

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Forde edges Missingher, Thomas to take South American 10K first leg in Suriname See Page 22

Cleveland Forde and Cleveland Thomas (standing), along with Winston Missingher after their dominant performance in the first leg of the South American 10K. MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018