Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-17-2018.pdf

MONDAY 17th December, 2018

Nurses are not 02 machines PAGE

–– they need mental health programme, says senior psychologist

Teenage mothers given hope by Women Across Differences 11 PAGE

No major disruption to GECOM’s work No.105491

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–– spokesperson says chairman recovering well

Murder suspect caught after 13 chopping off locks PAGE

This child smiles broadly as she receives a bag of toys from Santa at the Food For The Poor annual Christmas party held recently

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Nurses are not machines – they need mental health programme, says senior psychologist

AS Guyana celebrated Universal Health Coverage Day earlier last week, Principal Nursing Tutor of the Georgetown School of Nursing Cleopatra Barkoye renewed her call for the initiation of a programme to address the mental health of nurses.

Her call was supported by senior psychologist of the Ministry of Public Health,

Mental Health Unit, Balogun Osunbiyi.

“Midwives and nurses that are in the forefront of the health care system, but they’re not paid attention to in how do they de-stress to go again. There is no such programme and I think that is one area that we need to look at if we’re talking Universal Health Care. It’s not good not to take care of your own,”

Osunbiyi related.

With over 29 years of experience in the sector, Barkoye has seen first-hand the toll that mental stress can have on the psyche of nurses.

“I remember many years ago I was receiving my training in midwifery and a midwife had a fresh still birth and she cried and she cried and she cried and no amount of help from her colleagues

Principal Nursing Tutor of the Georgetown School of Nursing, Cleopatra Barkoye

could console her. Now that midwife had to go home and come again and do the same thing all over again. No one to talk to, and that’s a sad thing that has been happening time and time again,” Osunbiyi pointed out.

Osunbiyi has also been in the seat of emotional distress in the line of duty.

“I have cried many times.

I had a birth patient years ago and she wanted to say something to me, but I was busy getting my cares done. And when I came to her bedside she was no longer with me, and I cried and I cried. When I went to work at the intensive care, my first patient that died I cried so much,” Osunbiyi recalled.

Though nurses in Guyana have long since operated without support for mental health demands, of late, calls have been made to address this problem.

During the Guyana Nurses Association’s (GNA) 90th anniversary and Global Guyanese Nurses Reunion Conference last August, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Dr Jacqueline Gulstone called for the mental health needs of nurses to be addressed.

ALWAYS HESITANT “Nurses are always hesitant to let people know that they are having some problems in terms of mental health, because they’re worried about their jobs… so instead, they keep everything bottled up,” Dr. Gulstone noted.

Though it may be a ‘hushhush’ topic, mental health issues are more prevalent among nurses than one might think; the effects can be manifested in how the nurses handle their responsibilities.

“Sometimes you see nurses and midwives lash out and you don’t understand why; for me personally, I feel that they lash out because they have nowhere to turn to,” reasoned Osunbiyi.

“I see it as a cry for help when nurses and midwives behave in a manner that’s not professional, because we were trained to prepare to be professional in all of our dealings; but there is a limit for every human being. It’s not an excuse for them, but I think it’s a cry for help, we need to help.”

Over the past few years, Guyana has been putting emphasis on addressing mental health issues, following

Senior Psychologist Balogun Osunbiyi ,Public Health Ministry, Mental Health Unit

the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration in 2014 that Guyana had the highest suicide rate in the world. Guyana then had topped the list at 44.2 per 100,000 people. “Nurses need help,” agreed Osunbiyi.

Nursing is one of a number of professions where Osunbiyi believes health care programmes should be made available.

“We have to meet a point where we look at the issue of professional selfcare, that is, providing care for those who are providing care for the public. Our focus now is one the public mental health needs and that’s of critical urgency; but at some point down the road we have to also look at the mental health needs of professionals, whether doctors, lawyers, policemen, and soldiers, because these people work in toxic environments,” the senior psychologist said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

No major disruption to GECOM’s work

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–– spokesperson says chairman recovering well

GUYANA Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Justice (ret’d) James Patterson was discharged from the hospital last Friday, and is recovering at home where he is being monitored by a doctor.

GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde, has said that Patterson’s condition has been listed as stable.

“We have been assured that his condition is nothing to be alarmed about, he’s in very stable condition, [and] that he has to go by his doctor’s advice to ensure that he has adequate rest.”

Warde was unable to say when Patterson would be cleared to return to work.

“It is only when his doctors advise that he is ready. I

do not have a timeline. I hope and trust that the chairman would be in good health and back at work at the shortest time possible,” Warde said.

Notwithstanding the chairman’s absence, Warde believes that it will not significantly affect the current work of the Commission, as Local Government Elections (LGEs) is over.

“At this particular junction I don’t see it having any impact, we are out of LGEs. The Commission is in no critical state that his absence is affecting the work programme of the Commission, if we are speaking presently.

If we’re speaking futuristically, I can’t speak on that,” Warde said.

The six commissioners

are said to have already been informed that statutory meetings of the Commission are not scheduled to resume until January 8, 2018.

It was late last week that Patterson was reported to have been hospitalised.

Patterson has been serving as GECOM Chairman for just over a year. He was appointed to the post by

GECOM Chairman, Justice (ret’d) James Patterson President David Granger in October last year. The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had expressed reservation on the appointment.

Broomes cheers up struggling family of nine JUNIOR Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes and her children on Sunday spread Christmas cheer to a Sophia family who will be spending Christmas without their main breadwinner.

Kenneth Johnson is serving a four-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving. He had anticipated that he would be able to pass the stop light at the intersection of Winter Place since the light was reportedly showing “green” with a few seconds remaining. In the process, he struck down a pedestrian who was said to be crossing the road from south to north. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency

medical personnel.

Johnson, who Minister Broomes met on a visit to her hometown, Bartica, asked that she assist his family since he was the only working parent and his wife was left with eight children who are all going to school.

Minister Broomes said she was saddened by the story and she gave him her word that she would make contact with his wife and give whatever assistance she could to them. Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Broomes said she and her family, who formed an organisation called the ‘Broomes Foundation’, would usually around Christmas time, cheer up the less

fortunate. Remembering her promise to Johnson, she incorporated the visit into their usual Christmas giving.

Johnson’s wife, Claudia Kendall, was brought to tears as she shared her story. Kendell said she has a health problem which hinders her from working regularly, and as such, she does a part-time job, but her salary is not sufficient.

The woman said her husband is a really nice person and a hard worker who would provide for all the needs of his family. The incident shook the entire family, as she said the children often cried, knowing that they would not see their father for four years.

The young mother is hoping

that her story would meet the eyes and ears of those in authority and they will pardon her husband.

“It’s really unfortunate what happened, but it was very tough on the children at first, to know what happened and that their father isn’t going to be home because they had a very close relationship with him… I’m just asking the government to pardon him because it is really hard on me to look after these children and my condition does not allow me to do better,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Anyone willing to assist this family can contact them on 219-5174.

Minister Broomes brings joy to the family of Johnson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Damascus prepares for Christmas without mortar fire DAMASCUS (Reuters) Christmas decorations are going up for the first time in years in a Damascus neighbourhood that was a frontline in Syria’s war, until government forces wiped out the last rebel enclaves in the capital earlier this year.

“Christmas preparations this year are more than excellent. There are no mortars anymore,” said Hanna alSaad, a shop owner in the Qasaa district that was often shelled from the adjacent area of Jobar.

Abbasiyeen Square, where mortars regularly fell, and nearby parts of the city are being decked out with

lighting and Christmas trees, while musicians with a local scout troop are preparing for a Christmas march not seen for years. “We are so happy.

The children can now come again to the church without worrying for their safety, and their parents feel more reassured,” said Aline Droubi, a musician with the scout troop that practices at a church in Abbasiyeen.

The eastern edge of Damascus bore the brunt of insurgent shelling until government forces recovered control of the Ghouta region in a Russian-backed offensive that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says killed 1,600 civilians.

Over the course of the Syrian war, insurgent shelling killed some 2,000 people in Damascus, according to a Facebook group that recorded the attacks.

Following the recovery of eastern Ghouta in April, government forces moved on to take back the Yarmouk area south of the capital, bringing all Damascus back under state control. “Last year we didn’t dare to walk in the streets a lot,” said Abir Ismail, a resident of al-Qasaa neighbourhood, adjacent to Jobar town that was controlled by an armed faction.

“We had no electricity and there were no lights or decorations,” she added, expressing excitement at the sight of the decorated streets and houses this year.

Christmas decorations are going up for the first time in years in a Damascus neighbourhood (Reuters photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

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Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry Adviser, Mervin Williams’ recent outreach to Masakenyari, Region Nine

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

The Opposition and corruption claims ONE of the distinctive features of the previous (PPP) administration was that of alleged corruption. The reality and perception of corruption during the Jagdeo/Ramotar era is unquestionable.

With the change of government came a new sense of hope that the days of systemic dishonesty could finally be put behind us. While this hope remains largely intact, Guyanese are now coming to terms with the fact that eradicating corruption is a huge undertaking.

Corruption – the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain – has become entrenched in almost every facet of life in Guyana. The reasons for this are complex.

The fact that a corrupt administration had occupied the corridors of power for so long prior to the election of the APNU+AFC coalition and had the time to influence Guyana’s culture, is certainly a major factor. Another one is the truth that citizens take their cues from their leaders and having had corrupt leaders for so long, the culture of dishonesty was bound to rub off on many Guyanese.

The result of those and other dynamics was the instillation of a mindset of deceit.

In those days, politicians were openly practising graft, influence-peddling, fraud, and theft on a grand scale. The judicial branch of government was affected. A culture of bribery and extortion, therefore, became the norm in law enforcement, other agencies, and the general public service.

Rooting out such an evil will necessarily be difficult.

The reasons for corruption are known and Guyana was a textbook example of the phenomenon. The greed for money and power found fertile ground in a society which was ethnically and economically divided; had inefficient administrative structures; had gender and geographic inequalities; dubious democratic credentials; and weak accountability and transparency.

So, the answer to the question of how to begin to undo Guyana’s corruption problem is to eliminate that fertile ground.

Additionally, systems would need to be put in place to actively discourage corrupt practices, replace the culture of corruption

with one of adherence to the rule of law and foster a structure of democratic governance.

It is immediately obvious that the APNU+AFC administration is working towards those ends; the social breeding grounds for corruption are being eliminated. Inequalities are being addressed within the framework of establishing a cohesive society. Citizen empowerment, including regular local government renewal, is being pursued. Legislative systems are being strengthened, too. The State Assets Recovery Bill was passed in the National Assembly in April 2017, making it possible for citizens to recover state assets that were stolen by corrupt officials. In January 2018, the Protected Disclosures Bill was passed. This legislation, commonly called the whistleblower law, will protect citizens who report corruption.

It is understandable that Guyanese are impatient for the culture of corruption to be rooted out. After all, it is the citizens who suffered under the yoke of an alleged corrupt regime. Substandard roads, incom-

plete bridges, structurally unsafe schools, white-elephant projects, high prices of goods and other ills were the norm in those days. However, as was noted, undoing such an entrenched system is difficult. As was noted too, progress is being made on all fronts. In 2017, for example, Transparency International reported that Guyana scored 38 points, its highest score, moving up 17 places to 91 out of 180 countries. To put this achievement in perspective, two-thirds of all countries scored below 50.

Government is aware of the magnitude of work to be done. President David Granger is committed to confronting the problem. The President said, “Corruption, like a malignant cancer, cannot be cured by being ignored.” He was at the time addressing the 2018 Police Officers Conference. And, as is the case with all social issues, all citizens have a part to play. For example, a corrupt police officer cannot solicit and receive a bribe if citizens refuse to cooperate and instead, report the offender.

Robin Singh and his PPP puppet masters Dear Editor, PPP minion Robin Singh has slithered out from a crevice to defend the PPP’s criminal architecture. He attacked me and the C-GID for asking the international community to insist on an inquiry into hundreds of extrajudicial killings by Roger Khan’s “Phantom” death squad.

Singh’s diatribe captioned “A response to C-GID Truth does not go away,” was published in the Kaieteur News on December 15. Singh wrote, inter alia, that his “recent call for a ‘Truth and Reconciliation-type commission… prodded a response from a purported group the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy.” Kaieteur news which did not publish C-GID’s statement, found

it appropriate to publish Singh’s bigoted response to said statement. Dangerous!

Robin Singh may be infatuated with his inflated self-importance, but he’s irrelevant to us. C-GID did not respond to him. We do not read trash or utterings from racist serpents that slither around the public square excreting bigoted slime in the name of public discourse.

Our actions are inspired by people of consequence, the pain of the traumatised people of Guyana and matters of national importance.

It has not escaped readers that people like Robin Singh relish questioning the intellect, character and accomplishments of Afro-Guyanese. This is emblematic of modern Jim Crows who seek to dehumanise their political opponents and thus delegitimise our advocacy

for social and economic justice, equality, and for equal justice under the law.

They try to diminish the institutions that empower the wider community and promote national development through cohesion and national harmony.

But their voices and pens are mediocre; and their characters are like the nadir of the swamp of atrocities in which they wallow. We must challenge them, and uproot their evil. They cannot compete in the sphere of competence and intelligentsia they seek to undermine. They lack the intellectual heft, political sophistication and public support to accomplish the apartheid they wish to impose on Guyana. C-GID for one will expose their evil intentions, and mobilise like-minded Guyanese to unite to defeat their fascism.

Our fight for justice cannot be delegitimised. It is noble and just. The” Phantom” death squad has killed hundreds of citizens. Under international law, specifically the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, “genocide” is defined as the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

These “Phantom” killings during the PPP regime constitute ‘genocide.’ Consequently, there is a legitimate cause for an investigation.

No civilised society can ignore this atrocity. Moreover, Singh’s vapid idea of a “truth and reconciliation commission” to investigate murders is a subterfuge to absolve the PPP from criminal liability and pervert justice. His hooey will not distract the C-GID and the

majority of Guyanese from its mission to seek justice.

This is not South Africa.

You don’t get to murder our people, then call for truth and reconciliation. This is Guyana. We demand justice and accountability. We want an investigation in which prima facie evidence of criminal acts will be referred to the DPP for prosecution.

Don’t insult our intelligence with schemes to supplant justice. Had this genocide been perpetrated against another ethnicity, Robin Singh, his PPP cohorts and fellow travellers would have engaged in a daily drumbeat for justice. These are the hypocrites who ignored and celebrated decades of PPP suppression, racial discrimination, and even killing of PNCR supporters of all ethnicities, but not criticise Minister Volda Lawrence for

saying she wants to restore parity to our polity. They do not value the lives of Afro-Guyanese. But the C-GID values all lives. This is why we demand justice.

Robin Singh further ventured to say that “C-GID does not withstand scrutiny as a credible organisation.”

How dare this apologist of a murderous, rag-tag ethnic mafia cast aspersions on the C-GID? This Neanderthal is part of the PPP cabal that ensconced itself into the belly of a death squad and drug gangs. Their reputations make Jack the Ripper look like a priest.

Their moral authority is as stink as a corpse. I will put forth C-GID’s legitimacy and credibility for scrutiny any day against this criminal architecture.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Guyanese patients deserve better Dear Editor, I AM passionate about patients having the best care in Guyana. This issue is very close to my heart from personal experiences; it is because of these experiences that I had an informative debate with a close mate of mine, who is also a doctor in Guyana.

I do believe that patients in Guyana deserve better.

For too long they have been receiving poor care; this has been occurring for many reasons. The main reason is that many doctors, despite trying their best, are not adequately trained. Also, many doctors are returning from overseas and without presenting any credentials refer to themselves as specialists.

In our debate, my former colleague and good friend queried how doctors are accredited in the UK before being entered unto the specialists’ register.

In the UK, on completion of at least 10 years rigorous medical specialist training, the doctor ’s electronic portfolio is forwarded to the Joint Royal College of Physicians training (JRCPTB). Each medical specialty would have a group of independent specialists who would

assess the doctor’s training.

This assessment can take up to six months. If successful, the doctor’s electronic portfolio is forwarded to the General Medical Council (GMC) with recommendations to be placed in the specialists’ register. They also do their own assessment which can take up to two months. Clearly, this is not a casual look over, but indepth review. Lives are involved. After that extensive review, the successful doctor is then issued a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) and entered in the specialists’ register. Surgical specialties and paediatrics go through the same rigorous process through their boards.

My former colleague rightfully said that Guyana does not and cannot afford such rigorous assessment, since they lack the required expertise. I concurred, but I made the point that they need not. Any doctor returning from overseas training should have a certificate to confirm that they have completed specialist training.

The word-of-mouth accreditation that is happening in Guyana is not good enough.

Dr. Madhu Singh, the CEO at Dr Balwant Singh Hospital voiced this concern on

several occasions in her letter writings. Her concern is that her cardiologist had to provide evidence that he was recognised as a specialist in his country of training, but this does not apply to others.

That is concerning, since an inadequately trained doctor will put Guyanese at risk.

I would argue that the assessment of a doctor’s overseas training credentials should be provided by an independent regulatory board, not the Medical Council--since they have the biggest masqueraders-- before they are placed on the specialists’ register. The rules have to be as rigid as the rules in the West. Patients’ lives are at risk ; all lives matter. Guyanese are not guinea pigs for inadequately trained doctors to experiment and honed their skills on.

The question is how many of those doctors returning from overseas are actually specialists. I’ve reviewed doctors’ qualifications on the Guyana Medical Register and my estimation would be less than 25 per cent who claim to be specialists are actually specialists. In medical school we had a doctor who referred to himself as a gynaecologist and was made head of department at the

FROM PAGE 6 The C-GID’s reputation is pre-eminent. Our organisation has been featured on CNN, in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. C-GID co-hosted a town forum with the Mayor of New York in Brooklyn with over 1500 attendees. We have held hundreds of “Immigration, the law and you” forums all across New York City with Members of Congress, State and city officials, USCIS personnel, New York City Police Commissioner, justices and the Brooklyn District Attorney. C-GID had been honoured by the US Congress, the White House, New York State legislature and the New York City council for its advocacy for Caribbean Americans.

C-GID established the Democracy Prize which has been awarded to the Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These prime ministers accepted this award in person. Speakers at our award ceremonies have included the Leader of the British House of Lords, Prime Ministers, CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, United Nations officials, US federal, State and city officials, Judges and University Presidents. C-GID board

members have attended White House briefings, and have held discussions with the President of the United States, State Department and Governors. The C-GID is an established entity. It is therefore laughable for Robin Singh, an apologist for a criminal gang, to question C-GID’s bona fides.

Had Singh done his research he would not have embarrassed himself by publishing fraudulent claims and utter rubbish. The next time he tries to engage the C-GID he should not risk listening to his puppet masters at Freedom House. He should do his own research to be informed and get his facts straight. He may then be able to demonstrate a modicum of substance, coherence and intellect. His oblivion and paucity of knowledge would not be so glaringly conclusive and offensive.

And he will appear smart enough to attempt to add intellectual heft to the national discourse in which he seeks to interject himself.

Rickford Burke President Caribbean- Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID)

GPHC. Many patients died under his knife; one I witnessed first-hand. He then returned to the UK after his years of damage in Guyana.

I did my research. That doctor was not a specialist. He was a Trust grade doctor, i.e, a doctor not considered good enough for admission to specialist training. That explains why his mortality rate in Guyana was so high.

Anyway, I’ve been doing my research on the Guyana Medical Register. I’ve seen one doctor who took the Specialty Certificate Examination in Acute Internal Medicine in 2016, referring to himself as a specialist.

I’ve seen a doctor he did the MRCP(Edin) examination referring to himself as a specialist. I’ve seen a doctor who did a couple of fellowships and got a couple of honorary fellowships that nurses can apply for, referring to himself as an interventional cardiologist.

The fact is that the universities where these fellowships were undertaken explicitly state that doing these fellowships would not make one a specialist. I’ve seen two doctors who both did fellowships: one in emergency medicine and the other in transplant surgery, referring

to themselves as emergency specialist and transplant surgeons. I’ve seen a doctor who did a one-year theoretical master’s degree in India, refer to himself as a surgeon.

And they are many more.

Don’t take my word. Do your own research. Check the website www. medicalcouncil.org.gy then check under registers with names listed in alphabetical order.

I would argue that it is this lack of standards and accreditation that is placing poor patients at risk.

Rich folks and politicians rightfully get their medical care overseas. I repeat: all it takes is to request the doctor, before he/she to be registered as specialist, to provide a certificate that they have completed same ( please see a copy of mine below to prove what I am saying is factual). This is a serious matter. The seriousness of which I stressed to my former colleague and good friend.

We then discussed fellowships and post-graduate, theory-based degree.

I advised him that none of those makes a doctor a specialist. A fellowship is for doctors who have already completed specialist training in their fields. They can then

undertake a fellowship to consolidate knowledge and skills. It is a kind of top up to one’s already completed specialist training and to make oneself more marketable. A post-graduate, theory-based master’s degree is just that-- theory. Medicine is learnt on the wards and not in a classroom.

I write this letter today because I think it is time that Guyanese patients get better. They should be informed. They deserve the best. With the advent of oil, foreigners will not accept substandard care by inadequately trained doctors. It is in the government’s interest to address this issue before 2020. I would suggest not leaving it to the Medical Council, since that council is essentially a boys’ club, with no racial or gender diversity where those very masqueraders ‘run things.’

Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) \FRCP(Edin) Consultant, Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Linden seniors feted by Corbin and family

By Vanessa Braithwaite SOME of Linden senior citizens were on Sunday reminded that they have not been forgotten and that their contributions to their town and nation at large have left an indelible imprint on the

lives of many, especially those they have elected to lead.

For this reason, immediate past leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin and his family feted the seniors with a grand luncheon

and Christmas programme which saw the presence of several ministers of government, who for the afternoon, took on a servant role in serving the seniors meals and greeting them with words of encouragement and good cheer.

The servant ministers

Former PNCR leader Robert Corbin, addresses the gathering. From left: Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson; Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally; Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence; Corbin’s wife Carol and his sister Haslyn; Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and Minister of Social Cohesion George Norton

A section of the gathering at the senior citizens’ party

of the day were Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally; Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence; Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan; Minister of Social Cohesion George Norton and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson. These ministers also hold top executive positions in the PNCR. Present also was Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira; Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell and Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

The event is an annual one hosted by the Corbin family in honour of his parents who have passed way. This year marks 20 years since the family has been honouring Linden seniors during the festive season. In brief remarks, Robert Corbin said it is with great feeling of com-

passion and humanity that the event continues to be hosted as a means of giving back. He said when it started, many of the seniors who attended then, have moved on to the great beyond, including his parents. He thanked the seniors for caring themselves and for attending the 2018 event. Corbin then asked the seniors to pray for President David Granger who is battling health challenges as well.

He thanked the President as well as the many ministers of the PNCR who have been supporting the event since they were in Opposition. He said his family will continue to make tremendous contributions to Linden, not only at Christmas time.

Minister Amna Ally, who brought hampers for each senior, assured them that the government has

not forgotten them and that they are valued and loved. This, she said, is reflected in the progressive increase in Old Age Pensions since 2015. “I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for the contributions you have made throughout the years you have lived and you have supported our party, and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” Minister Lawrence, in bringing holiday greetings to the seniors said, this Christmas is even more special, knowing that in the New Year, the senior citizens will be taking home a little more in their coffers. “I just want to thank you for the opportunity you have given to me to serve you; it has been a wonderful three years and we all endeavour to have many more years so that we can continue to support each other and build this beautiful country of ours and the reason we can do it is because of you, who ran the race before and you have set us a very firm foundation to work with,” she said.

Minister Ronald Bulkan and Minister George Norton also greeted the seniors and wished them a prosperous 2019. They also thanked the Corbin family for continuing to give back to seniors in this regard.

The seniors then enjoyed a sumptuous three course meal, festive music, good laughter and a short cultural programme before heading home with their gifts and hampers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

YMCA hosts ‘Guyana, Venezuela Day’

THE cultures of Guyana and Venezuela were celebrated when the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) hosted ‘Guyana, Venezuela Day’ on Sunday.

The event was organised by Spanglish GY, the Venezuelan Support Group and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These groups are working to provide some form of relief to the migrants.

According to Co-organiser of Spanglish GY, Gordon Roberts, “This event is

UNHCR Senior Liaison Officer for Guyana, Cecilie Saenz Guerrero (Samuel Maughn photo)

basically to promote cohesion between the Venezuelan community and the Guyanese community.”

The event also featured music, dance and foods from the two neighbouring countries.

Roberts, whose group provides a space for language learning between the two groups, said “We just want to create a space where we can both learn from each other.”

“We are happy that the Venezuelan people and the Guyanese people came here today because I think

Culture sharing! This Venezuelan dance was part of the cultural exchange that occurred at the Guyana Venezuelan Day at the YMCA Grill Fun Park on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

A Venezuelan dancer pulls a girl from the crowd to join their dance (Samuel Maughn photo)

it shows that they can live here peacefully together and as long,” UNHCR Senior Liaison Officer for Guyana, Cecilie Saenz Guerrero said.

She added that the Government of Guyana has shown graciousness in welcoming the Venezuelans to Guyana, as well as providing them access to health care and other services.

“From the organisations

present here today and the Guyanese people, I think that the future looks very good and it is a good situation we have today. As long as we come together and share what we have in common, we don’t think that Guyana will see the type of xenophobia that has been in some of the other countries in the Americas,” the senior representative of UNHCR said.

UNHCR initiated work in Guyana in August to support the government’s efforts in providing relief to the Venezuelan migrants and to support those Guyanese who are returning home.

“Our primary responsibility here is to support the government to make it easier for them to provide the services to the Venezuelan people,” she said.

Soilless agri programme for Mackenzie High

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE agriculture science stream at the Mackenzie High School (MHS), Linden will benefit from an aquaponics and hydroponics agricultural cultivation programme, which will be rolled out by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in the near future.

This is according to CARDI’s Guyana representative, Dr. Cyril Roberts during a CARDI Day exercise in Linden last Thursday. Roberts was at the time addressing a group of MHS students and their agricultural science teachers during a tour of a coconut farm.

CARDI was enthused to roll out the programme, following MHS’s record-breaking agricultural science performance at the 2018 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Five of the students copped a place at the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CSEC) merit list for agricultural science. CARDI also

The five MHS top agriculture students who were placed on the merit list for the Caribbean honoured the school’s top agricultural science student, Gabrielle Williams, who also placed third in the Caribbean.

Williams obtained distinction in agriculture science, and the best grade possible in mathematics, English and three other science-related subjects. The other four students are Chelsea Tappin, Sheniah Layne, Tevin Hercules and Unique Bremner. They,

along with their teachers, will be treated to a tour of the Pomeroon River where there is a coconut farm and coconut water factory.

Roberts, in congratulating the students and their teachers for their success, noted that the upcoming programme will assist the future batch of students, particularly with the practical aspect of their School Based Assessments

(SBA). Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the plants, and the plants naturally filter the water for the fish. This will be done in a shade house. “We will work with the school in

developing the programme, and we hope when we meet with the teachers we will be able to fine-tune our efforts of collaboration for the students in preparing their SBAs for CSEC, that they can actually benefit from the collaboration between the two institutions,” Roberts said.

Headteacher of MHS, Haslyn Small, said the school welcomes the programme for CARDI as it will moreso benefit the upcoming students with their SBAs, since they will no longer have to venture off to other locations to complete same. He said the programme will allow all the agriculture students to see first-hand that there are soilless alternatives to cultivation and how beneficial same can be.

Relative to the record-breaking performance, Small said he is extremely humbled by it even though he would have served as an agricultural science teacher for CXC. He attributed the success to all the teachers throughout the levels, as well as the

other subject teachers, who would have worked with the students since agricultural science involves other subject areas such as integrated science, accounts, chemistry and mathematics. He also thanked the secondary officers of the Department of Education, Region 10, for playing a supervisory role with the students during the preparation for the exams. Small said he hopes the performance would influence the upcoming batch to raise the bar even higher.

Meanwhile, Dr Roberts said it is important to promote a positive image of agriculture in schools. “We have to make agriculture attractive to them, in these times, agriculture cannot be seen by young people as sun and rain and fork and mud.

We have to make it sexy, so to speak.”

The aim, he added, is to get students to see agriculture as a profitable business. CARDI is also welcoming all secondary schools in Linden to join the aquaponics/ hydroponics programme.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

If you are a single parent IF you are a single parent then you are well aware of the pressure, stress and fatigue that can accompany your everyday life, as you endeavour to do the best for your children. But you are not alone; single-parenting is more common nowadays than you may think.

Of course, the majority of single parents worldwide are women and the disparity between children being raised by single mothers to single fathers is so wide, fathers will never catch up.

Single-parenting can vary greatly for different households. For some, there may be extended family members who help out the single parent and can be relied upon for back-up and support; other families may consist of a single parent who has the day- to-day responsibility for

the sole care of the child or children. But regardless of the many types of scenarios that exist, an important aspect of single-parenting will always be finding and maintaining ways to be organised.

As a single parent you may be juggling a number of tasks, such as work, childcare, housework and shopping, to name a few: and while it can become hectic and at times seem overwhelming, you must never lose sight of the basic things that your child or children, need to survive. Your children need your love; they need quality time and your attention; they need a set routine (e.g. playtime, homework time, bedtime) and they need your protection.

If you are a single parent who is too tired or distracted to give these things to your

child, behavioural problems can arise as the child strives to find the nurturing and attention he or she requires to feel secure, happy and confident. Single parents must stay connected with their children by sitting and talking to them, by involving them in (age-appropriate) decisions that concern them and by sharing fun activities On the other hand, even when parents are sharing chores with their children, in the yard, or in the kitchen, a conversation could still be struck up, encouraged and maintained. It’s all about constant communication and letting the child know that his/her parent truly cares about every aspect of his/ her life.

Single parents should stick to any rules and/or boundaries that they create,

not totally without recourse, as boundaries can be adjusted from time to time as the need arises. But parents must be clear about what is and what is not expected from their children and not waver or give special privileges to their children because they are single parents. Some single parents blame themselves and feel guilty for being a single parent and they try to make up for it by giving their children anything they want and spoiling them. This does not help children to grow and develop in a holistic way: it does more harm than good to one-parent families.

As children grow they will need adult role models in their lives; single parents should consider having close friends and/or family members around, who could have a positive influence on their

children. Role models should be trustworthy people who are well-known to the parent and not recent acquaintances.

Protect your child; be careful about who you allow in your home. Never ask a new friend or partner to watch your child while you go out or go to work. Most single-parent families survive on low incomes, so it’s important that one- parent families never lose their sense of humour, especially when it comes to meeting challenges.

If you are a single parent, remember to let your child know that the breakdown of the family is not their fault; children sometimes blame themselves for their absent parents. They may also feel unwanted and abandoned.

Our final piece of information for single parents is, never speak negatively about

the absent parent, especially in front of your child; and try to maintain an amicable relationship with your ex, even if it’s just for the child’s sake.

The aim is to share positive experiences with your child while giving him/her the best upbringing possible.

Growing up in a family with two parents does not automatically ensure that children will turn out alright. So be proud single parents and continue to work with your children for their successful future.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the Childcare and Protection Agency Hotline on 227 0797 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

Food For The Poor fetes Over 2,000 attend Gospel Palms residents, children Fest Christmas party

One of the lines leading up to the gift station

A child being gifted a bag of toys at the children’s Christmas party at FFTP headquarters.

IN an effort to spread good cheer and joy for the festive season, Food For The Poor (FFTP) hosted its annual party with sumptuous food for residents o The Palms.

The management and staff of the charity organisation brightened the lives of 100 residents of the Palms Geriatric Home on Friday.

The residents were served lunch as part of the party which was the first of a series of parties held for the

less fortunate.

A wide variety of items is donated to the Palms monthly to help sustain the institution.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kent Vincent and Mr. Paul ChanA-Sue, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of FFTP respectively, gave brief remarks at the ceremony; they expressed great joy and satisfaction in mingling with familiar faces.

Samantha Douglas, Ad-

ministrator of the Palms, thanked FFTP for its continuous support.

The residents were also treated to the infectious music of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) band and the sweet pan music of Gary Drakes.

FFTP held a party for children of Festival City and its environs, where children were gifted toys following a day of games and goodies which included lunch.

WITH the season of giving and cheer in the air, members of the Gospel community came together at D’Urban Park to host the first annual ‘Guyana Christmas Fest’ on Saturday.

Event coordinator Denise Harris said the occasion allows members to give back to the community and spread tidings of comfort and joy.

“This is the first time we are doing things in this magnitude and we intend to continue doing this every year and make it bigger,” she explained.

Harris noted that year round, the gospel community would host concerts and shows where persons have to pay, but the event on Saturday was free.

It attracted some 2,000

A patron getting her face painted

children who all received free gifts and food. The event coincides with the launch of ‘I-Can Flair’ project, where singers and musicians are given the opportunity to collaborate with Dunamis Studio to record their music.

Guyanese artistes Kes-

ter D, Odyln Parker and Gospel Chutney singer Anil Azeez among others, entertained the gathering.

There was a Christian deejay sound clash at the event that also featured trampoline, face-painting and games for children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Relatives welcome Linden Martyrs’ monument

THE Government will pay homage next year to Linden martyrs, Ron Sommerset, Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis, who were killed during a fiery protest on July 18, 2012.

This will be done through the construction of a monument to the fallen men in the mining community. Some $5 million is being allocated for the project which will unfold in 2019.

Linden officials, particularly relatives and those who were involved in the protest action have welcomed this development.

Allan Lewis’s son, Rodwell Lewis, said he is happy that the monument is

finally coming to reality since there were requests made since 2012 for this to be done.

A street in the Wismar Housing Scheme was named ‘Allan Lewis Avenue’.

The mother of Shemroy Bouyea also welcomed the decision. “I am happy about it and I think it is a very good thing,” she said.

Former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon was at the forefront of the protest and played an integral role in ensuring that the martyrs are remembered yearly.

Kissoon said the decision is sincerely welcomed by the relatives of the men and residents as well. She

said it is long overdue and will surely signify the ultimate price paid by the trio.

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira described the monument as a fitting representation of the lives lost. He said it will remind Lindeners of the struggles they went through under the previous administration.

It will also be a reminder of how their resilience led them through those depressing years of stigmatisation and marginalisation, he added.

In July 2012, Lindeners took to the streets for 36 days to send a strong message against a proposal, by the previous PPP/C administration, to drastically hike

The 2018 memorial of the Linden Martyrs. The ceremony is held annually on the July 18 electricity tariffs from $5 per Kilowatt to $65.

Ron Sommerset, Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis were shot dead during the protests.

During the 2012 protests, the entire town was shut down while main roads became impassable.

Several government build-

ings, including a school, were gutted by fire and public roads and bridges were also destroyed.

A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) found that the martyrs were shot by law enforcement officers.

In his budget presentation, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan made a

public appeal for the government to do better for the martyrs’ relatives.

“I am asking my section here, to revisit the compensation that was given to those people; they were unarmed people protesting for their rights and they were killed.” (DPI)

“The objective of the programme is to provide a safe and enabling friendly learning environment for pregnant adolescent girls and adolescent mothers to acquire adolescent sexual & reproductive health information and services so as to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies and to acquire life and other skills to create a better life for themselves and children,” she said.

Thus far, 570 young mothers have passed through the programme and the last batch graduated last week.

At the graduation ceremony, which was hosted in the Baridi Benab at State House, Ms. Iyanna Grenardo, one of the graduates, testified of the programme’s impact on her life. She praised WAD for providing an anchor from which she could access CEPAM and become a success.

“Women Across Differences is my comfort zone. They taught me how to be strong and how to write things in the sand and let the wind of forgiveness blow it away; they taught me how to love everyone because everyone has been through something and they need help to recover; they taught me how to be a mother

and they helped me to further my education,” she said.

The success of the programme is evident, as the girls from the 2012 batch created their own group called ‘The young mothers for change’.

This great idea was initiated by one beneficiary who thought it was important for them to be their own advo-

cates to make the change that they wanted to see. As such, once you complete the programme you can then become a member of the group.

The group goes out into communities and schools to share their stories with other young girls and encourage them down the right path.

Teenage mothers given hope

by Women Across Differences

AS teenage pregnancy continues to be a recurring issue in society, Women Across Differences (WAD) has been making significant contributions to alleviate the problem and to empower young women.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with the Coordinator of WAD, Colonel Samuels-Boston following a graduation ceremony last week, who shared the influences made over the past decade as it relates to teenage pregnancy.

In addition to the myriad of programmes they offer at the organization, Boston said that they saw the need for one that targets adolescent mothers specifically.

In 2008, a baseline and a qualitative study were conducted by WAD which informed and supported the need for the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for Adolescent Mothers (CEPAM). The idea of conducting the study was brought to the organisation by Patrice La Fleur, who was at that time the Liaison Officer at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The initiative is a yearlong programme where ado-

lescent mothers (ages 12-19 ) are given psychosocial support while being taught entrepreneurship skills, academics, and family planning, among other subject areas.

In 2009, the first graduation exercise was held from the pilot project, and a total of 23 adolescent mothers out of 25 successfully completed the first programme.

The influence made served as a motivation to continue the said programme annually. It was sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the first five years, after which Republic Bank took over the sponsorship.

“Our intention was to provide the girls with a second chance, given their socio-economic circumstances which hinge on sexual abuse, poverty, lack of parental support/guidance and a societal culture which discriminates against this group. We are also committed to achieving greater gender equality by empowering young mothers to make educated choices, moving from one level to the next, breaking the cycle of inter-generation poverty by building income-earn-

ing capacity. By extension, we ensured that our young mothers remained on family planning techniques; we’ve exposed them to opportunities which saw them becoming successful entrepreneurs and more importantly, we’ve given them a safe place to share their stories and advocating for their own rights,” Boston said.

She shared that the adolescent mothers who benefited from the programme came from a wide cross-section of our society through the collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where all adolescent mothers are referred since they are considered high-risk cases. The Child Care and Protection Agency also refers girls to the programme.

Boston also disclosed that ninety per cent of the girls that passed through the programme are from single-parent families, suffer from some form of poverty, and are often engaged in risky sexual behaviours. Many of them were sexually abused during childhood and were involved in abusive intimate relationships, and suffer from low self-esteem.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

PM Nagamootoo, wife spread Christmas cheer CHRISTMAS joy was felt by scores of children residing in the village of Courtland and neighbouring communities on the Corentyne, as they were feted by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo, at their annual children’s Christmas party on Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo in her welcome, extended season’s greetings to the gathering and promised that next year the event will be bigger than the previous years.

The joyful event saw the over 200 children in attendance being treated to goodies and gifts by Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause, who both

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo presents a gift to the beautiful young lady (DPI photo)

made an impressive appearance much to the amazement

of the youths.

The audience also re-

Some of the children at the annual Christmas party (DPI photo)

ceived Christmas greetings from Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; Region Six Regional Executive Officer Kim Willam-Stephens; and Region Six Regional Education Officer Valika Mohabir- Jaikishun.

Also present during the

Christmas celebrations were Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Amador Socorro.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo in his closing remarks said the annual event is the brainchild of his wife and is supported with funds gar-

nered from family members overseas.

He also disclosed that Mrs. Nagamootoo will be establishing a single mother’s training centre, which will be housed in the compound of her parent’s residence at Courtland, where women will benefit from skills and trades. (DPI)

Wonderful Xmas gift for 15 Lindeners

IN a matter of weeks, 15 Lindeners will be owners of their own homes as contractors are doing finishing touches on the housing units that were built by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The 15 houses are the first set of 60 two-bedroom flat and elevated houses, located in Phase Three, Amelia’s Ward.

The project is being done in four batches with each group expected to take approximately 120 days to complete.

Contractor Michael Bonds from Michael Bonds Construction, which was awarded a contract to complete three of the houses, described the process as “very smooth,” with no hiccups from CH&PA. “The process was very smooth, even with payments.

Our payment was on time and everything was done accordingly and with high expectations,” Bond relayed.

Other contractors noted that the entire project created a positive spin-off since over 80 Lindeners were employed by the four contractors, while the busy environment also attracted hucksters and food and beverage vendors.

Construction of these housing units commenced after access roads, electricity and water supplies were made available in the area.

The housing unit at Ameila’s Ward that will be completed in a matter of weeks (DPI photo)

Thirty of the 60 will be flat concrete houses which will cost $5.3 million and the other 30 will be concrete houses on stilts. These will cost $6.3 million.

Some $100, 000 of those respective costs will go towards paying for the land.

Owners had to be prequalified at commercial banks for the units and priority was given to youths and government workers.

Two of these are Registered Nurse Abigail Thompson and Nigel Newton, a mechanical engineer employed by the Regional Democratic Council.

Thompson told the media

that she is a mother of two and applied eight months prior to pre-qualifying. “Don’t give up, apply once you reach the age, you might be selected. It makes me feel honoured to be selected today, to own my own home soon,” she said as she encouraged other youths to do the same.

In 2019, CH&PA will be commencing similar construction in the Wisroc Scheme. The process of getting the lands transferred from the Wisroc Housing Cooperation via the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to the CH&PA is currently underway.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Motor lorry driver to appear in court tomorrow

A MOTOR lorry driver is expected to appear at the New Amsterdam Court on Tuesday after he collided with a motor canter, causing it to catapult some 40 feet away from the point of impact on Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Abiosey Collins, 42, of Lot 49 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, a driver attached to Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) was behind the wheel of the ministry’s vehicle, GTT 2361, travelling south along Republic Road

when the accident occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the driver of motor lorry GWW 6880 was proceeding west along the Vryheid Public Road at a fast rate of speed, and had failed to stop at the intersection. The driver proceeded into Philadelphia Street, and in so doing, collided with the right rear end of the canter, causing it to catapult, several times, before it came to a halt with its wheels suspended upwards.

The speeding truck halted some 75 feet away from the

Puruni Landing murder suspect caught after chopping off locks A 26-year-old miner, who was on the run from the police for over a month after allegedly killing 24-year-old Xavier Boyal at Puruni Landing, was on Saturday captured by the police at Cuyuni River.

The suspect, Deion Evans, also known as ‘Rasta Beans’ was apprehended by ranks at Sulphur Road Backdam, Cuyuni River, after cutting off his dreadlocks to change his appearance. He is currently in police custody and is expected to be placed before the court later this week.

According to an earlier release from the police, Boyal, who was a pork-knocker from Waramuri Mission, Moruca River, North West District, was shot and killed on November 11, 2018 at Puruni Landing. Boyal Deion Evans, was reportedly employed by a dredge owner and also known as was working at Rock ‘Rasta Beans’ Creek, Puruni River.

It is alleged that on the day in question, Boyal left Rock Creek along with one of his co-workers, Orlando Marks, and they headed to Junior’s Disco, also located at Puruni Landing.

However, while at the Disco, Marks had an altercation with Evans which resulted in him being punched to his face. As a result, Boyal intervened and pushed Evans away. Boyal and his friend then left the disco and were walking along the Puruni Road on the way to their camp.

It is alleged that Evans joined the vehicle of 56-year-old Steve Underwood and instructed him to drive.

While Underwood was driving, Evans pulled out a gun from his pants waist, pointed it towards his windscreen and discharged a round in the direction of Boyal who was walking alongside the Puruni Road.

Boyal then fell to the ground. The front windscreen was shattered in the process. It is alleged that Evans exited the vehicle and discharged another round at Boyal and made good his escape.

Three circular wounds were seen on the deceased’s body: one above the abdomen, one under the right arm and another to the right upper back.

point of impact.

Both drivers passed a breathalyser test; however, the driver of the motor lorry has been slapped with a dangerous driving charge.

Collins suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The position of the canter after it was hit by motor lorry

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

177 graduate from NTPYE programme ONE hundred and seventy-seven persons in Region Five, mainly youths, were on Tuesday last given certificates after successfully completing Level One training courses in various technical and vocational areas under the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) programme.

The NTPYE programme from which the trainees graduated was rolled out by staffers at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre (MTVTC), in collaboration with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The trainees completed foundation courses in motor vehicle repairs, electrical installation, welding, plumb-

ing, heavy duty machinery repairs and maintenance, data operation and general office administration.

Their certification in these areas mean that they can now proceed to gain formal entry into any of the technical institutes, where they can pursue higher levels of training leading to diplomas and then to tertiary insti-

tutions where they can obtain degrees in their professional field of interest, officials of the BIT disclosed.

The graduates can also use their new credentials to obtain employment or set up their own businesses to provide services to their communities.

The BIT falls under the ambit of the Ministry of So-

One of the graduates receiving her certificate

A section of the graduates of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) programme

cial Protection.

The venue of the BIT graduation exercise was the boardroom of the MTVTC and those present included parents of the graduates, friends and relatives, as well as senior staffers of the BIT and the Regional Administration of Region Five.

The participants were welcomed by Region Five a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s t a ff e r, Therese Jordan, and they were also addressed by Regional Education Officer, Deon Lyn. Speaking on behalf of the Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison, who was unavoidably absent, Jordan urged the graduates not to rest on their initial achievements but to forge ahead to higher levels knowing that they will receive the fullest support of the administration and the government.

REDO Deon Lyn Lewis urged them to be professional, honest and sincere in all their endeavours and to continue to build on their accomplishments.

Project Officer Lind-

sworth Castello said that the BIT NTPYE programme was started in 2005 and has been getting stronger each year. It currently provides training to persons in every administrative region in Guyana.

He said the BIT NTPYE programme in Region Five started in 2014 and hundreds of young people have seized the opportunities offered to achieve the Level One or foundation training in various technical and vocational skills.

The dropout rate among participants of the programme since 2014 was 13 per cent and Castello said he was pleased to say that for the year 2018 there had been no dropouts.

He said the NTPYE programmes for 2019 will start early next year and he urged the graduates in Region Five to pass on the message that the board will welcome all applicants as it continues to fulfil its mandate for competency-based vocational training for employment of all interested Guyanese.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Artists depict the mining sector in GGMC/MNR Exhibition

THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources

on Sunday launched a three-day art exhibition at the Pegasus Hotel.

The expo showcases craft, painting and jew-

ellery, mostly made from recycled materials, coming for artists who were tasked with depicting the life and works in the min-

One of the exhibitors showcasing her handmade jewellery

A wind chine made from recycled materials (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

ing sector.

Speaking at the opening, GGMC Acting Commissioner Newell Dennison explained, that the expo is held under the theme ‘Fostering the inclusivity and sustainability in mining’.

Dennison noted that the objective is to bring visibility to the mining sector from a different outlook and showcase the talented artists and their work from the mining community. However, the event is a rollout from Mining Week 2018 which was held earlier this year.

According to the act-

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Acting Commissioner, Newell Denniso ing commissioner the exhibition brings out the human aspect of the mining communities and the mining sector.

“This art exhibition is being promoted with the view that inclusivity is a powerful tool for social and economic self-de-

termination, especially where and when structured facilities are not always present” he said.

All the art works are on sale and the display which is open from 10am to 18:00 hrs daily, ends on Tuesday December 18.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Demerara Bank treats orphaned children DEMERARA Bank Limited on Sunday afternoon brightened the lives of 100 orphans drawn from four orphanages by hosting and sponsoring a Christmas party and fun day at the Indian Monument Gardens at Church Street and North Road, Georgetown.

According to Demerara Bank Limited Branch Manager Christina Correia, Christmas is celebrated worldwide as a time of peace and joy; and it is

also the time that persons appreciate the significance of family and friends.

As such, in Guyana, she said there are hundreds of children orphaned due to very unfortunate situations and that is how they pitched in and spread sparks of hope and joy by hosting and financing a party for such children.

She related that the children were drawn from the Sophia Care Home, Saheed’s Boys and Girls Orphanages in the city

Some of the children posing with Demerara Bank’s Santa and Mrs. Claus during the fun day and Christmas party on Sunday

Some of the children on Sunday

and East Bank Demerara, A Sanctuary Children’s Home, East Coast Demerara and Bless the Children’s Home, East Coast Demerara.

Correia stated that the children were entertained to m u s ic an d v a r i o u s games, including a trampoline, after having delicious meals, accompanied by snacks and other goodies.

She said the aim of Demerara Bank Limited is to make a difference in the

lives of the less fortunate and to spread Christmas cheer; and by the look of things on Sunday, it was evident that the children were having a ‘good’ time as they were engaged in several recreational activities.

The children were also presented gifts by their in-house Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and were tended to by staff members of the local bank.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

FAO, WFO to help farmers drive global agricultural agenda THE World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have reaffirmed their commitment to help farmers become the drivers of the global agricultural agenda.

The new FAO-WFO agreement will focus on supporting and promoting the key role that farmers and their organisations play in efficient, inclusive and sustainable agriculture and food systems; reducing rural poverty; reaching food and nutrition security; and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It will do so by building farmers’ capacity to lead decision-making processes on agricultural policies at all levels, based on best sustainable agricultural practices that farmers are already applying.

“This agreement will help build a farmers-driven agricultural agenda to bolster global Zero Hunger efforts, and better support the interests of millions of farmers worldwide. Farmers can bring a range of innovative solutions to the complex challenges we face today,” said Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General for Climate and Natural Resources.

“We, as farmers, rely very much on the support of FAO for the creation of a global political environment in agriculture, which is favourable to our farming systems, our families and our communities. As economic actors, our expectation is to increase productivity, tackling climate change, and contribute to global sustainable development. We are ready to do our part and we are deeply grateful to organisations like FAO that support us in this ambitious agenda,” said Theo De Jager, WFO President.

The agreement will support joint initiatives aimed at: * strengthening collaboration on tackling climate change, responsible management of natural resources, sustainable livestock production, and safe and effective use of antimicrobials; * enhancing the capacities of farmers’ organizations that are inclusive of women and youth to deliver quality services to their members; * increasing farmers’ technical capacity and sharing of practical, workable solutions on climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable agriculture and responsible natural resource management; * enhancing farmers’ advocacy capacity and impact on global political dialogues on agriculture; * supporting family farmers and their organizations to have better access to markets and services; and implement guidelines and principles such as Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT), Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) and Small-scale Fisheries (VGSSF).

FAO and WFO have a strong history of collaboration, and share common goals to support sustainable agricultural development, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and food and nutrition security.

FAO and WFO are also working closely together for the preparation and implementation of the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Scale up response to climate change in agricultural sectors – FAO urges

THE world must scale up the response to climate change, particularly in agricultural sectors, FAO Deputy Director-General

Maria Helena Semedo told delegates at a high-level side-event of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) in

Katowice, Poland.

It will require investing in multi-sectoral policy design, implementation capacity, people, data, innovations as well as leadership, especially for women, she said.

At the special event, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero

Hunger, Semedo warned of the increased global hunger levels, driven largely by the impacts of climate change, conflicts, and economic slowdown, noting that “our efforts to end hunger will become more challenging if warming reaches two degrees Celsius”.

Agriculture can and must be a significant part of the response to climate change However, “achieving Zero Hunger is still possible,” she stressed, adding that in order to succeed it is essential “to define transformative actions that will reshape our food systems, sustainably and equitably for all.”

In her remarks, she also emphasised the importance of conservation of ecosystems to protect the environment and address the impacts of climate change by saying that “our soils, forests and oceans are our allies in effectively supporting climate change mitigation and the adaptation of the most vulnerable communities” and urged greater investment in the integrated and sustainable management of natural resources.

At a COP 24 side event of the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture earlier this week, FAO launched a new publication that showcases 10 success stories from around the world revealing how the management of farms, crops, livestock and aquaculture can meet food security needs while building adaptation to climate change and contributing to mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Climate-Smart” Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that helps to transform agricultural systems to ensure food security and support rural development in a changing climate.

The aim of the publication is to provide the best FAO-led examples of how CSA is not a “one-size-fitsall” approach that can be universally applied but, rather, involves different elements embedded in local contexts.

Land use factor - a missing link in addressing climate change Semedo also spoke at

the joint UN side event on SDG15: Life on Land at COP24 earlier this week.

Noting that currently the land use sector is responsible for almost a quarter of global GHG emissions, Semedo underlined that it also has great potential to store vast quantities of carbon in soils, forests and wetlands.

“We can make significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by adopting smarter, integrated farming systems, by protecting and managing forests and by shifting to approaches that use natural resources sustainably and efficiently,” Semedo said.

“This way, the land use sector can change from being part of the climate problem to becoming part of the solution and deliver up to 30 percent of the climate mitigation needed by 2030,” she added.

Semedo also highlighted the vital role of partnerships, innovations and technology in scaling up joint efforts to better manage forests and land.

At the event, FAO and US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched a new open-access tool Collect Earth Online (CEO) allowing anyone to track land-use and landscape changes anywhere in the world. It will enable countries to strengthen measuring, monitoring and reporting capacities on forests and land use.

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) in Katowice, FAO supports countries to ensure that the linkages are made between climate change adaptation, mitigation, agriculture, and food security for enhanced climate action.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

Regional jurists agree CJ erred Poor judgement, bad company TRINIDAD GUARDIAN - The legal opinions of two distinguished Caribbean jurists support the recommendation of the Law Association of T&T to call upon Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to launch the constitutional process to investigate Chief Justice Ivor Archie for misbehaviour in public office.

Guardian Media has examined the opinions of former Grenada Attorney General Dr Francis Alexis QC and Eamon Courtenay SC, the former Attorney General of Belize, which form part of the bundle of documents submitted to Rowley by LATT on Thursday.

Allegations against Archie over his close association with two convicted fraudsters - Dillian Johnson and Kern Romero- and his direct intervention in fast-tracking housing applications for over a dozen people between 2013 and 2015, have raised questions about his judgement and threaten to erode the confidence in the administration of justice.

In one instance, Archie referred the names of three people - Dylan Huggins, Carol Williams and Felicia Pierre - to the Prime Minister, a claim left unanswered by both the CJ and the PM. Sir Francis said from the evidence uncovered by the

LATT investigative committee, it appeared the CJ did not recommend the names of three people to Rowley because he thought they were “needy and deserving,” but “because the help of the Chief Justice in this matter was sought by his close personal friend Kern Romero, who had received money from those three persons on his promising them that he could get the Chief Justice to intercede with the HDC on their behalf.”

He said the Chief Justice’s choice of friendship with Romero, a convicted fraudster, “showed extremely poor judgement, or lack of judgment, as Chief Justice, in entering and maintaining or developing a close personal relationship with a person who has the potential to bring the office of Chief Justice into disrepute.”

Sir Francis said the Chief Justice, as head of the Judiciary, has a “very heavy responsibility to be particularly circumspect about those whom he chooses as his personal friends. This is especially so regarding persons who are not in such circles as those in which a judge would ordinarily move, professionally or otherwise.

Otherwise, a Chief Justice runs a most serious risk of being held accountable

Brazil faith healer accused of sexual abuse turns himself in BRASILIA (Reuters) - A Brazilian faith healer who was accused of sexual abuse by more than 300 women has turned himself in a day after being officially ruled a fugitive, local news media reported on Sunday.

João Teixeira de Faria, known as “John of God” and who became a celebrity when Oprah Winfrey broadcast a report on his healing methods in 2013, surrendered to authorities in a roadway in Abadiânia, several news outlets said. Since 1976, he has led a spiritual centre in Abadiânia, a small town in the central Brazilian state of Goiás.

Representatives for Faria and police could not be immediately reached for comment.

A judge on Friday had

issued an arrest warrant for Faria giving until 2 p.m.

(1600 GMT) on Saturday to surrender. After he failed to report to authorities, Faria was officially ruled a fugitive.

Faria drew thousands of Brazilians and foreigners to his spiritual centre in Abadiânia.

Faria denied the accusations on Thursday when he visited his centre and spoke to a crowd of followers.

His lawyer on Saturday said Faria would turn himself in and file an appeal on Monday.

Faria, 76, could face charges of rape, with a prison sentence of 10 years if convicted, and rape of a vulnerable person, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years.

for showing extremely poor judgment in entering and maintaining or developing a close personal friendship with a person who has the

potential to bring into disrepute both the office of the Chief Justice and the administration of justice.”

Law Association presi-

dent Douglas Mendes SC, vice president Rajiv Persad, treasurer Theresa Hadad, Elton Prescott SC and Lynette Seebaran-Suite

investigated the allegations and the membership approved their report at a special general meeting convened last week

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 17, 2018

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, December 17, 2018

West Ruimveldt are Smalta Champs!

WEST Ruimveldt Primary School steam rolled North Georgetown Primary 3-1 last evening to emerge 2018 Smalta Girls’ Pee Wee football champions.

Playing at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground on Carifesta Avenue, West won easily after a late start to the final.

Following a month of competition, defending champions South Ruimveldt were rampant, but finalist North had put a spoke in their wheel when they defeated them in the semifinal round.

In yesterday’s final, North Georgetown were pegged as the favourites after dominating the 2017 champions and they outplayed West for most of the game before Seona France scored the first of her two goals to swing the pendulum their way.

France, who was on the scoresheet in West Ruimveldt’s win over St. Pius in their semifinal clash, broke the deadlock

for the new champions in the 13th minute before doubling her team’s lead in the 21st minute.

Martha France scored in the 27th minute to pull back a goal for the runners-up, but West’s skipper, Ashana Rajkumar, gave her side some cushion with a goal one minute later to secure the victory.

Meanwhile, in the thirdplace playoff, South Ruimveldt needled St. Pius via an extra-time strike from captain, Fayon Harry, in the 43rd minute.

Presenting the Championship trophy to West Ruimveldt was Ansa McAl’s marketing assistant, Olivia Chin, who said that she was thrilled with the competitive matches on each match day.

West’s coach, Jamal Pedro, was especially pleased with this victory since it avenged the loss suffered by the male team to St. Pius in the COURTS-sponsored male Pee Wee tournament earlier this year.

Hetmyer among ...

From page 27

in T20s, especially IPL. And there are few better glovemen in the country. Saha, being one of the best Indian keeping options available, is likely to attract some serious attention if teams are convinced of him regaining full fitness before the start of the IPL. Heinrich Klaasen: The South African has displayed his ability to counter spin.

And in the last one year, he has only enhanced his reputation with the bat. Despite his lukwarm returns

in IPL 2018 (57 runs from 4 innings), he’s a good fit for the teams who are looking for a middle order batsmen who can keep - a category in which there are few better than him going into the auction.

Other wicketkeepers to look out for: Nicholas Pooran, Kusal Perera, Mushfiqur Rahim, Glenn Philips, Sheldon Jackson, Vishnu Vinod, Harvik Desai and Mohammad Shehzad. (Cricbuzz)

Ming, Jeffrey register wins in KFC Mega Cup - Zachary Persaud breaks new ground

THERE were wins for Calvin Ming and Kristian Jeffrey when the dust settled in round two of the KFC Mega Cup yesterday at the GT Motorsports headquarters.

Ming won the shifter kart class after a chaotic first lap which saw two competitors out.

In other races, Kristian Jeffrey won the 125cc senior class; Mikhail Persaud won the 125cc junior class; Zachary Persaud won the Easy Cup; Jeremy Ten Pow won the kids Cup and Nicholas Sawh won the Baby Cup. Details in tomorrow’s edition.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, December 17, 2018

Bruised Australia build vital lead in Perth ...Virat Kohli reaches 25th Test century

By Tristan Lavalette PERTH (Reuters) - Australia battled through an onslaught from India’s fiery fast bowlers on the third day of the second Test, building an ominous 175-run lead with six wickets in hand on a menacing Perth Stadium pitch that is expected to deteriorate further.

The hosts reached stumps at 132 for four in their second innings on Sunday with Usman Khawaja 41 not out and captain Tim Paine unbeaten on eight.

Australia, desperate to level the series after narrowly losing the first test in Adelaide, could be without the services of opener Aaron Finch, who retired hurt on the stroke of tea after being hit on his right index finger.

“I’m not sure if he’s going to bat but he’s been cleared of any serious damage,” spinner Nathan Lyon said of Finch’s injury.

“I would rather be in Australia’s change rooms than India’s. We know we have the bowlers that can defend (the total).”

India quick Jasprit Bumrah remained confident about his team’s position, but said the morning session on day four would be pivotal.

“I think our team is capable of chasing any total,” he said.

“We want to take early wickets

to reduce the total.”

Under overcast skies, Australia’s batsmen faced torrid bowling from India’s fired-up quicks with Finch, who was unbeaten on 25, forced off after being hit by a searing delivery from Mohammed Shami.

India’s captain Virat Kohli reacts after scoring his century on day three of the second Test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia, Sunday. AAP/Dave Hunt/via REUTER

Marcus Harris, Finch’s opening partner, had earlier been hit on the helmet attempting to evade a sharp bouncer

Liverpool beat ... league, never looked in danger of letting that record slip in their home fortress and the only surprise was that it was not until the final 20 minutes that they made sure of the win.

Sadio Mane had put Liverpool ahead in the 24th minute with a fine finish, bringing down a Fabinho pass on his chest before slipping the ball past David De Gea. United had been outclassed early on but, against the run of play, managed to get back on level terms when home keeper Alisson fumbled a low cross from Mane into the path of Jesse Lingard who accepted his early Christmas present gleefully.

As the game wore on, Liverpool were increasingly forced into hopeful longrange efforts but the introduction in the 70th minute of Shaqiri, a summer signing from relegated Stoke City, turned the game.

Both of the Swiss international’s efforts, in the 73rd and 80th minutes, were deflected but the good fortune had been earned by a enterprising Liverpool display that highlighted the 19-point gap between the two clubs — the biggest at this stage of a season in 46 years.

Sponsored “I’m over the moon about the performance. The way the boys played tonight was outstanding,” said Klopp.

“The timing of Shaqiri’s introduction was not too bad. We need somebody to score the goals. But how the boys fought. The mix of big fight and really playing football against an unbelievably strong team,” he added.

The win puts Liverpool on 45 points from 17 games, with Man City on 44 and Tottenham Hotspur third on 39.

Defeat, though, leaves United sixth on 26, 11 points away from the fourth Champions League qualification slot with manager Jose Mourinho, who had left France midfielder Paul Pogba on the bench, accepting that was the best his side could now hope for.

“We can still finish fourth,” said the Portuguese manager. “It’s not easy. For sure, we are going to finish in the top six. Best we can get is fourth.

“Now we look to the fifth and then later the fourth,” he added, noting that United’s fixtures are easier in the second half of the season.

Eden Hazard starred in Chelsea’s win at Brighton, setting up the first goal for

from Bumrah, who bowled superbly in favourable conditions.

A bewildered Harris fell after the tea break, clean bowled by Bumrah for 20 after not offering a shot, and Shaun Marsh was caught behind for five while rashly attempting a pull shot off Shami.

Australia’s inexperienced batting-order struggled under pressure with Peter Handscomb making an unconvincing 13 before being trapped leg before after shuffling across his stumps to Ishant Sharma, who bowled without luck initially.

Travis Head was dismissed before the close for 19 after needlessly guiding a wide Shami delivery to deep third man, in a mirror-image of his first-innings dismissal.

Khawaja, Australia’s most accomplished batsman, survived several nerve-jangling moments to compile his highest score in the series.

Australia’s impulsive batting almost squandered their advantage after bowling out India for 283 to gain a handy first-innings lead of 43 runs, despite a brilliant century from India captain Virat Kohli.

An enthralling morning session belonged to the peerless Kohli, whose 123 came to an end at the stroke of lunch when he edged Pat Cummins to a forward-diving Handscomb

From page 25 Pedro and scoring the second himself.

Manager Maurizio Sarri agreed that the last few minutes were difficult, however, after the home side revived and scored through Solly March.

“We conceded a goal in a moment when we were in full control,” he said.

“The last five minutes against a very physical team were difficult to manage.”

The win took Chelsea to 37 points, three points clear of London rivals Arsenal, who conceded three headed goals in defeat at lowly Southampton, the last of them in the 85th minute.

Danny Ings scored the first two and although Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalised each time, substitute Charlie Austin scored the winner with goalkeeper Bernd Leno at fault in not cutting out Shane Long’s cross.

It was Southampton’s first win since Sept. 1, achieved in new manager Ralph Hasenhuettl’s first home game.

“I’m very proud of how focused and uncompromising they were, and when they had the chances, how merciless they were,” the Austrian said.

at second slip.

Whether Handscomb got his fingers under the ball will be a matter of debate for days to come but the onfield official’s soft signal was out and the third umpire did not reverse the decision on review.

Kohli had reached his 25th century in style with a flowing off-drive to the boundary and then placed his helmet on the ground, pointed to his bat and made a yapping gesture with his gloved hand.

It was his sixth century in Australia, which matches the tally of the great Sachin Tendulkar, and ended a drought against Australia with just 83 runs in his past seven test innings against them.

Kohli showed no lasting ill-effects from an earlier injury scare when he was struck on the forearm by a searing Mitchell Starc bouncer and required treatment.

Lyon targeted the pitch’s expansive rough patches and cleaned up the tail to finish with 5-67.

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 326 India 1st innings o/n Lokesh Rahul b Josh Hazlewood

2 Murali Vijay b Mitchell Starc

0 Cheteshwar Pujara c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 24 Virat Kohli c Peter Handscomb b Pat Cummins

123 Ajinkya Rahane c Tim Paine b Nathan Lyon

51 Hanuma Vihari c Tim Paine b Josh Hazlewood

20 Rishabh Pant c Mitchell Starc b Nathan Lyon

36 Mohammed Shami c Tim Paine b Nathan Lyon 0 Ishant Sharma c&b Nathan Lyon

1 Umesh Yadav Not Out

4 Jasprit Bumrah c Usman Khawaja b Nathan Lyon 4 Extras: 4b 7lb 2nb 0pen 5w

18 TOTAL: (105.5 overs)

283 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-6 Vijay, 2-8 Rahul, 3-82 Pujara, 4-173 Rahane, 5-223 Vihari, 6-251 Kohli, 7-252 Shami, 8-254 Sharma, 9-279 Pant, 10-283 Bumrah Bowling: Mitchell Starc 24-4-79-2 (2nb), Josh Hazlewood 218-66-2, Pat Cummins 26-4-60-1 (1w), Nathan Lyon 34.5-7-67-5. ...............................................................................................

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings Marcus Harris b Jasprit Bumrah 20 Aaron Finch Retired Hurt

25 Usman Khawaja Not Out

41 Shaun Marsh c Rishabh Pant b Mohammed Shami

5 Peter Handscomb lbw Ishant Sharma

13 Travis Head c Ishant Sharma b Mohammed Shami 19 Tim Paine Not Out

8 Extras: 0b 1lb 0nb 0pen 0w

1 TOTAL: (48.0 overs)

132-4 Fall of Wickets : 1-59 Harris, 2-64 Marsh, 3-85 Handscomb, 4-120 Head To Bat : Starc, Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood Bowling: Ishant Sharma 9-0-33-1, Jasprit Bumrah 13-5-25-1, Mohammed Shami 10- 3- 23- 2, Umesh Yadav 8-0-39-0, Hanuma Vihari 8-4-11-0 .

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, December 17, 2018

Latham 121, Williamson 91, put Kiwis in strong position

WELLINGTON (Reuters) New Zealand captain Kane Williamson provided a batting masterclass against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday to keep up his chase of Virat Kohli to become the world’s top test batsman, just as the Indian skipper was showing his class in Perth.

Williamson scored 91 as he and Tom Latham combined for 162 runs to drive New Zealand to 311 for two at stumps on the second day of the first test against Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve.

Latham was unbeaten on 121 at the close of play, having notched his seventh century after playing the anchor role for the hosts and helping them to a 29-run first innings lead with eight wickets remaining.

Ross Taylor was 50 not out, but the day’s play was dominated by Williamson, who had risen to a career-best test ranking of number two

in the world - behind Kohli - after scoring 386 runs at an average of over 77 in the UAE against Pakistan.

Kohli scored 123 in India’s first innings in the second test against Australia but was far more circumspect

Tom Latham cracked a ton to put New Zealand in a dominant position.

Coincidentally both he and his Indian counterpart were batting at the same time more than 5,200 kilometres apart.

than the 28-year-old New Zealander.

Williamson, who replaced Jeet Raval after the opener was dismissed for

Belgium beat Netherlands in shootout to win maiden World Cup NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Belgium became the sixth nation to win the men’s hockey World Cup after winning a penalty shootout 3-2 against three-times champions Netherlands at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.

I could not be more proud of this team. We’re world champions and deservedly.”

The Dutch could not capitalise on back-to-back penalty corners in the second quarter but there was little to choose between the teams who were solid in de-

Belgium players celebrate their maiden hockey world cup title

A goalless stalemate in regulation time forced the shootout which also resulted in a 2-2 deadlock after five penalties each in the all-European final.

Florent van Aubel then converted to put Belgium ahead before the Netherlands’ Jeroen Hertzberger shot wide to dash their hopes of a fourth title.

“I could not be more proud,” said Belgium defender Arthur Van Doren, who was named the tournament’s best player.

“What a team performance again... It was a really close game. We knew that Holland is a really great side, they showed that throughout the tournament.

fence and tentative in attack.

Netherlands had reason to feel confident going into the shootout having edged out twice defending champions Australia

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via sudden death in Saturday’s semi-final.

Hertzberger and Jonas de Geus scored to put them 2-0 ahead before goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch led Belgium’s remarkable turnaround by denying Sev van Ass and Thijs van Dam while Florent van Aubel and Victor Wegnez scored for the Red Lions.

Belgium had begun celebrating when Arthur de Sloover fired home but the Dutch used referrals and replays confirmed the ball had brushed the attacker’s boot, injecting more drama into the contest.

Belgium, however, could not be denied their moment of glory.

Van Aubel scored in sudden death and then man-of-the-match Vanasch forced Hertzberger wide and the Dutchman’s reverse shot sailed over the crossbar to trigger wild celebrations in the Belgian camp.

It was an emotional moment for the Belgian players, especially Simon Gougnard who lost his father to cancer on Friday.

Earlier, Australia thumped England 8-1 in the third-place playoff match.

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43 on the final ball before lunch, hit the first three deliveries he faced to the fence.

He then accumulated runs at will and combined with Latham for 116 runs in 25 overs during the middle session.

Shortly after Kohli brought up his 25th Test century at the Perth Stadium, Williamson looked well set to score his 20th at almost a run a ball.

The right-handed batsman, however, succumbed to what was the only mistake of his 93-ball innings when he swept part time offspinner Dhananjaya de Silva straight to Kasun Rajitha at backward square less than an hour into the final session.

Sri Lanka’s first innings lasted just three overs in the first session when Tim Southee grabbed his sixth wicket after a brilliant diving catch

by Colin de Grandhomme at leg slip to dismiss Lahiru

Kumara for a duck.

The visitors were bowled out for 282 with Niroshan

Dickwella left stranded on 80, while:Southee finished with 6-68.

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings o/n 275 for 9 Danushka Gunathilaka lbw Tim Southee 1 Dimuth Karunaratne c BJ Watling b Neil Wagner 79 Dhananjaya de Silva c BJ Watling b Tim Southee 1 Kusal Mendis c Ajaz Patel b Tim Southee

2 Angelo Mathews c BJ Watling b Tim Southee 83 Dinesh Chandimal c Ajaz Patel b Tim Southee 6 Niroshan Dickwella Not Out

80 Dilruwan Perera c BJ Watling b Colin de Grandhomme 16 Suranga Lakmal c Henry Nicholls b Neil Wagner 3 Kasun Rajitha c BJ Watling b Trent Boult

2 Lahiru Kumara c Colin de Grandhomme b Tim Southee 0 Extras: 0b 7lb 2nb 0pen 0w

9 TOTAL: (90.0 overs)

282 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-5 Gunathilaka, 2-7 de Silva, 3-9 Mendis, 4-142 Karunaratne, 5-167 Chandimal, 6-187 Mathews, 7-223 Perera, 8-240 Lakmal, 9-275 Rajitha, 10-282 Kumara Bowling: Trent Boult 27-6-83-1, Tim Southee 27-7-68-6, Colin de Grandhomme 13-2-35-1 (1nb), Neil Wagner 20-2-75-2 (1nb), Ajaz Patel 3-0-14-0. .............................................................

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings Jeet Raval c Niroshan Dickwella b Lahiru Kumara 43 Tom Latham Not Out

121 Kane Williamson c Kasun Rajitha b Dhananjaya de Silva 91 Ross Taylor Not Out

50 Extras: 0b 4lb 1nb 0pen 1w

6 TOTAL: (84.0 overs)

311-2 Fall of Wickets : 1-59 Raval, 2-221 Williamson To Bat : Nicholls, Watling, de Grandhomme, Southee, Wagner, Patel, Boult Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 18-2-60-0, Kasun Rajitha 21-5-78-0-3.71-1w-1nb, Angelo Mathews 4-3-1-0, Dilruwan Perera 13- 0-59-0, Lahiru Kumara 20-1-79-1, Dhananjaya de Silva 8-0-30-1.

Wild celebrations in Hanoi as Vietnam win regional football title HANOI (Reuters) - Football fever gripped Vietnam again on Saturday night as thousands of fans flocked to the streets of the capital Hanoi to celebrate their country’s victory over Malaysia in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship final.

Nguyen Anh Duc’s sixth minute volley secured a first regional title since 2008 for Vietnam and after the final whistle the streets around the My Dinh Stadium were soon teeming with flag-waving fans.

The supporters lit flares, waved national flags, blew vuvuzelas and honked car horns in a party atmosphere, a rare sight in the southeast Asian country but one seen three times this year after Vietnamese soccer success.

Similar celebrations occurred when Vietnam reached the final of the under-23 Asian Cup in January and again when they reached the semi-finals of the Asian Games tournament in August.

All three teams were coached by Park Hang-seo and his contribution was rec09:10 hrs On The Rox 09:45 hrs Carole’s Vigilante 10:15 hrs Minella Examiner 10:50 hrs Alohamora 11:20 hrs Youngconnor 11:50 hrs Little Red Lion Wolverhampton 12:15 hrs Berlusca 12:45 hrs Dalileo 13:15 hrs A Sure Welcome 13:45 hrs Burtonwood 14:15 hrs Sandridge Lad 14:45 hrs Lady Lizzy 15:15 hrs Anycity 15:45 hrs Panmolle

ognised by a number of South Korean flags carried by the revellers.

“It is truly wonderful,” Hanoi resident Vu Tong Tien told Reuters.

“We have so much to thank Mr Park Hang-seo for.

Thank you Mr Park for bringing us this festive atmosphere and a success that the whole nation have been waiting for.

Really, thank you, Mr Park Hang Seo.”

the title after a 2-2 draw in the opening leg in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

“It’s an amazing journey for these players. They’ve been playing very, very well for us to come to this level,” said coach Tan Cheng Hoe. “For me personally, I feel that the players did their best but we need to move to the next level, keep on the way we are playing, I think we will have a good future.”

Vietnam’s players celebrate with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) after winning the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 championship trophy. (AFP pic)

The feeling of affection is clearly mutual for the man some Vietnamese have dubbed the “wizard”.

“We got a lot of love from the Vietnamese people,” Park said in the postmatch press conference.

“I really appreciate them and their amazing support.

It really is an honour for me to receive that kind of huge support and love.”

Malaysia needed to score to have any hope of winning

Malaysia failed to qualify for the next big tournament on the Asian soccer calendar but Park’s side will be in the United Arab Emirates next month for the Asian Cup. Vietnam, who have been drawn to face Iran, Iraq and Yemen in the opening round, have played at the finals of the continental championships just once since unification, reaching the quarter-finals as co-hosts in 2007.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, December 17, 2018

Suriname’s ZV All Stars select team for Liverpool beat Man Utd to go as Chelsea keep up chase ExxonMobil/STAG Beer Futsal tournament top ..South Hampton end Arsenal’ 22-match unbeaten run

Sadio Mane

The ZV All Stars team heading to Guyana for the GFF-ExxonMobil/STAG Beer Futsal tournament

AS the countdown officially begins for the commencement of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-ExxonMobil/STAG Beer International Futsal Tournament, Suriname has named a 13-man squad to compete against the eight participating teams.

The ZV All Stars, coached by Bryan Weewee with support from Siergfried

Eeersel and Tjark Bel, is scheduled to arrive in Guyana on December 26.

According to a wellplaced source, the Surinamese team is a seasoned bunch and competitive in nature, having won the national futsal league in 2017, but is currently ranked fourth.

The four-day tournament will kick off with six matches

on December 27. The Surinamese are scheduled to play the fifth match of the evening against a Georgetown AllStars team.

The other international teams participating in the festival include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago and a Sao Paulo selection from Brazil.

Apart from Guyana, the

other locally participating teams are an East Coast AllStars, a Linden All-Stars, a Georgetown All-Stars and a West Demerara All-Stars.

The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. Third and fourth placed finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Rising Sun and Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu/Judo clubs win eight medals in Suriname A COMBINED team from the Rising Sun and Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu and Judo clubs won eight medals, including two gold, against Surinamese clubs when the Kaizen Judo Club held its Invitational Judo Championships on Saturday afternoon at the André Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo.

The club competition, which was sanctioned by the Suriname Judo Federation, became an unofficial Guyana vs. Suriname battle and the visitors did not hold back.

After claiming their medals, the Guyanese won a team competition after a dominant display by the clubs’ best judokas from each weight divisions.

Ten judokas and several officials travelled for the event and, according to head coach Bruce Fraser, they were fantastic.

“We went overland to Suriname to compete in an international club tournament where some of the best judokas from Suriname competed, including some with international experience; in some cases, my guys were even outranked by their competitors. We put on a fantastic display of judo that took our neighbours by surprise…as we almost dominated every

weight category we competed in, to end the day with it being one of our best performances in Suriname to date.”

on two separate occasions, claimed a silver medal in the male division of the Open category, while Fiona Fras-

category.

Along with Fraser, Charles Ambrose travelled as assistant coach, while Lisa

By Simon Evans LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - Liverpool regained top spot in the Premier League after an impressive 3-1 victory over old rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday put them a point ahead of title rivals Manchester City.

After City’s 3-1 win over Everton on Saturday, Juergen Klopp’s side rose to the challenge with two second-half

At the meet, Tiffon McRae and Rondie Phillips won gold medals. McRae claimed victory in the -73kg weight category, while Phillips won in the -90kg division and won a bronze in the open category.

Stephan Barry, who served as national captain

er-Cordis won bronze in the women’s open division.

Paul Delima also claimed a silver when he competed in the -100kg division, while the other bronze medal winners were Corwin D’Anjou (-73 kg) and Wester McRae Jr. who finished third in the -81kg

Fraser went as an official rep for both clubs.

Fraser said that the trip would not have been possible without the support of Tracmax, Ricks and Sari, National Hardware Limited and a number of individuals who contributed in different ways.

Turn to page 23

Young Warriors and RHTGG to clash in RHTYSC/Busta Champion of Champions final

THE finalists of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club/Busta Champion of Champions cricket 40-over first-division competition were decided on Saturday in the Ancient County.

The Guyana club team and Suriname club winners after the competition.

goals from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri.

Earlier, Chelsea won 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion to consolidate their hold on fourth place ahead of Arsenal, who were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at Southampton to end a run of 22 games without defeat.

Liverpool, the only unbeaten side left in the

Alex Algoo scored 68 for Young Warriors in their semi-final against Albion.

In the semi-finals of the 29th tournament hosted by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) for 2018, RHT Gizmos and Gadgets defeated Tucber Park by 41 runs at the Port Mourant ground, while Young Warriors got

past home team, Albion, in a one-run thriller.

The final will be played on Saturday, December 22 at the Cumberland ground.

SEMI-FINALS Led by half-centuries from Vidal Crandon (55) and Kevin Sinclair, Rose Hall Town were able to reach 194-5 off 40 overs. Shamar Joseph and Kwesi Mickle picked up two wickets each for Tucber Park.

In reply, Junior Sinclair bagged 4-24 to restrict Tucber Park to 153 in 36 overs.

Gevon Shultz (30), Malcolm Mickle (26) and Garfield Benjamin (21) all had starts, but none batted themselves into the innings that Tucber Park needed.

In the other clash, Alex Algoo smashed 68 runs to lead Young Warriors to 209-8 off their allotted overs. Linden Austin made 25 runs, while Vishal Mohabir made 23. Albion in reply, were bowled out for 208 in 39.4 overs.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, December 17, 2018

Blame yourselves not the players -CWI should do a thorough self-examination

By Rudi Webster ONCE again the leadership of Cricket West Indies (CWI) is blaming the players for their lack of commitment and discipline and for the sad state of West Indies cricket.

Just a few days ago, Dave Cameron, the president of CWI questioned the commitment of the players and warned that “serious decisions” will be taken at board level to curb the problem.

He stressed that the board was spending “millions of dollars” to develop players but was not managing to maximise its investment.

The players and coaches must accept responsibility for the team’s poor performance but so too must CWI. Instead, the leadership of CWI has adopted the “Trumpian” philosophy of blaming other people and other factors for its own incompetence, mistakes and failures.

This blame culture is endemic in CWI; it encourages members to dismiss crucial and accurate feedback about themselves and their performance and to ignore deficiencies in the board’s management and leadership. Effective leaders do not blame other people or circumstances for results. They look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, they create them.

Blame is about the past, not the future. Instead of creating hope, aspiration and growth it produces fear,

anger, resentment and defensiveness. It reminds players about what they have been and what they have done, not what they can become and what they can achieve.

CWI must now see its players in terms of future potential not past performance or behaviour.

The depth of an organisation’s motivation and self-discipline often determines the level of its performance. Building awareness, responsibility, commitment and self-discipline should therefore be CWI’s first important priorities. That the president is complaining about the players’ lack of commitment confirms the fact that CWI has failed to create the environment in which those values and priorities can grow and flourish.

When I speak to former players about West Indies cricket, without exception, they point their fingers at CWI for the weak state of the game.

They go to great lengths to stress that none of its members has had any experience in elite sport nor any understanding of what is required to achieve success at the highest levels of cricket.

Some of these players even claim that performance on the cricket field is less important to CWI than some of its business imperatives.

The most significant variable to the success of any organisation is the behaviour of those leading it. Good presidents, vice presidents and board

members lead by example and practise what they preach. By so doing, they build trust and credibility with the people they are leading. This is very important because most people admire and follow leaders who are honest, inspiring, trustworthy, competent and forward looking.

Effective leaders know that before they can change

CWI president Dave Cameron recently questioned the commitment of players and warned that ‘serious decisions’ will be taken at board level to curb the problem. the direction, performance and culture of their organisation they must first change themselves. Good leadership begins with self-leadership.

If you are not improving, you can’t be an effective leader of your organisation. That is why CWI must now look at

the quality of its leadership and its improvement programmes with a critical eye.

In a recent presentation in New York on the transformation of West Indies cricket Cameron quite rightly highlighted important initiatives of CWI. He spoke about the increase in the number of professional cricketers in West Indies cricket, many of whom have retainer contracts, and of two full franchises, the Caribbean Premier League and the Professional Cricketers’ League, both of which have given players a chance to play more cricket.

He also spoke about an increase in the number of paid administrators throughout the region, and about full coaching staffs including physiotherapists, and strength and conditioning coaches.

There are now 38 certified CWI coaches throughout the region and more are being trained. These are all commendable achievements.

But as far as coaching is concerned, we have never had as many coaches and yet, the need for good coaching has never been greater.

These initiatives represent inputs. The president said little or nothing about outputs. And yet, the team is still performing poorly and languishes at the bottom of the ICC Test and ODI rankings. When assessing development and performance one must also look at the output as well as the input/output ratio.

That is how effectiveness

and efficiency are measured.

In the last few years, West Indies have performed worse than they have ever done, losing consistently to Afghanistan, now to Bangladesh. And they almost lost to Scotland in the qualifying competition for the 2019 World Cup. With the millions of dollars that are poured into our cricket, the increasing number of competitions, and the explosion in the number of coaches and specialist coaches, one would have expected the team to do better. One must therefore question the quality of the input as well as the effectiveness of the transformation process that turns input into output, effort and initiatives into results and success. We must not be fooled into confusing movement and activity with direction, focus and results.

Instead of complaining and apportioning blame, CWI should now do a thorough and honest examination of itself, its structure, its function, its improvement programmes and its performance.

To get back to winning ways, CWI must take the first step by asking and answering a few simple but extremely important questions. The answers will have an important effect on the culture of CWI and West Indies cricket. What is our purpose? Why are we here? Why do we exist? What do we want to achieve and become? What does success look like? Where are we going?

What are our core values and beliefs? What is our hierarchy of values? What kind of organisation and team do we want to build? How can we change the gap between rhetoric and reality? How do we want to be remembered?

In addition, the board must design and implement clear and focused improvement programmes that enhance self-awareness, self-responsibility, self-discipline and motivation. It must accept and pay close attention to measurement and feedback, skill development, and to becoming a listening and learning, organisation. It must also pay attention to systems alignment and organisational restructuring, benefits and rewards, and to educational and communication strategies.

Previous leaders, teams and administrations created a great legacy for West Indies cricket. Our cricketers were once loved and revered around the world.

CWI must now look beyond itself and its personal and individual needs, commit to serving a purpose higher than itself, and jealously guard and preserve whatever is left of that once great legacy. CWI must guard against going down in history as the administration that presided over the demise of West Indies cricket.

(Extracted from Newsday)

Mangra and Ramdhani win Trophy Stall badminton open titles J O N AT H A N M a n g r a and Priyanna Ramdhani emerged as respective winners of the male and female open divisions in the Trophy Stall Christmas Badminton tournament that concluded on Saturday at the National Gymnasium in Georgetown.

Sixteen-year-old Ramdhani, who is the number one ranked female player in the

U-19 division of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO), won two titles at the two-day event.

In the Ladies Open final, the 2011 National Junior Sports Woman of the Year defeated Pricilla Moore 21-8 and 21-8, while in the U-19 Girls’ Singles final, she made light work of Ashley Escarraga 21-6 and 21-4.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

Third place in the Ladies Open went to Christina Kumar, who got past Ayanna Watson 21-16, 16-21, 15-21.

Mangra defeated Avinash Odit (21-8, 21-14) in the Men’s Open final, while Akili Haynes finished third with a win over Darrell Carpenay: 20-22, 21-16 and 21-16.

Haynes claimed an overall victory when he competed in the U-19 Boys Singles final

after beating Tyrese Jeffrey 21-19, 21-18.

In the Open Men Singles consolation final, Easa Sanichara defeated Hemraj Beharry 30-28, 21-15.

YOUNGER AGE DIVISION There were also age competitions for U-11 and U-15 players.

The U-11 Boys final was

won by Leron Ramascindo who defeated Aninash Ramnarine in three sets (22-20, 20-22, 21-5). Mishka Beharry won the Female final in the same age division with a 21-9, 21-8 win over Gianna Ramnarine 21-9, 21-8.

Meanwhile, Matthew Beharry got the better of Vikash Mootoo (21-14, 21-19) in the Boys’ U-15 final, while Lesha Singh defeated Elesa

Sangster 21-14, 21-13 in the Girls’ U-15 final.

According to a release, the Guyana Badminton Association would like to thank Director of Sport Christopher Jones for making the presentation; GBA executive Ayanna Watson of SOL for presenting gifts to the winners and Banks DIH for the light refreshments.

(Monday, December 17, 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) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Gazi Ashraf (vs PAK, Moratuwa, 1986) Rohan Kanhai (vs ENG, Leeds, 1973)

(1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Who were the first two captains to be involved in an ODI game?

Who were the first two captains to be involved in an ODI game in the WI?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

The winners of the Trophy Stall Christmas Badminton tournament.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, December 17, 2018

Shiva Boys, CWSS record contrasting wins on opening day

THERE were contrasting wins for Trinidad’s Shiva Boys Hindu College and Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary School on the opening day of the inaugural KFC Goodwill schools’ football cup.

While CCWS and Annandale needed penalties to decide a winner, Shiva easily outplayed Annai Secondary at the Ministry of Education ground.

The feature game was a tense affair with a lot of bad blood being left over from the recently concluded GUYOIL Tradewind tankers football tournament.

Linden had a point to prove after they finished behind the East Coast side in the league play format, but it was Annandale who scored first through Omari Glasow three minutes from the end of the first half.

CWSS then came out swinging as they had one-two efforts by Andre Mayers in the 78th and 80th, taking the lead in the contest with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

Annandale then showed their true form when Kurt Rudder took the game to penalties with a last-gasp goal on the cusp of injury time.

In the end though, the game belonged to the Linden side after a 5-3 penalty shootout.

In the other game, things went Shiva’s way.

IPL 2019 auction: THERE have been 11 IPL auctions so far, but none have been as glamour-less as the upcoming one is expected to be.

Given how franchises have understood the drill of picking and managing players over the years, most teams have retained their core, barring Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab, who have yet again pressed the refresh button.

As a result, only a few spots are left for most franchises to fill up. However, what adds to the interesting dynamics of this auction is the [limited] availability of some of the top foreign players with the World Cup coming up in June. Some of the big names, especially those from England like Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales and Jason Roy may not propel a major bidding war as the they are expected to join their national teams mid-way through the tournament.

The shortlist doesn’t see a lot of big names, and the buy-

In the third minute of the clash, Shiva’s Gesiah Bishop was brought down in the penalty area by one of the Rupununi- based players and Bishop was spot on to find the back of the net.

and tricks and they had their fair bit of fun, dribbling the Region Nine team that found it hard to get their footing.

Shiva’s boys only shortcoming was their finishing and delivery in the final third of the

Carter captures silver, Noel helps Dorado to two more bronze in T&T

match) was a tough challenge and I am happy that my team was good enough to come out with the win and we are looking forward to a fantastic tournament here in Guyana.”

The KFC goodwill tour-

Raekwon Noel and Donna Carter have been the top male and female Dorado swimmers at the meet.

Shiva Boys Hindu College out of Trinidad were quite literally head and shoulders above their Annai opponents as shown in this Delano Williams photo in the opening match of the inaugural KFC Goodwill schools’ football cup

Shiva’s dominated the match and it was evident that their level of training was different and they surely demonstrated such on the Carifesta Avenue ground.

The T&T lads pace, first touch and passing accuracy were excellent. The youngsters weren’t short of flicks

game when they should have scored at least two more goals.

Heading into half-time, the score was two-nil after the skipper, Nikel Roberts, had blasted in a good strike from 20 yards out in the 23rd minute.

After the win, Shiva’s skipper, Roberts, noted that “It (the

nament features four school teams-- three from Guyana and one from T&T-- battling for the KFC Cup in a round-robin format over three days.

The tournament continues tomorrow with CWSS playing Annai from 17:00hrs while Shiva plays Annandale from 19:00hrs.

FOURTEEN-year-old Donna Carter swam her way to a silver medal, while Raekwon Noel won two more bronze medals for the Dorado Speed Swim Club when action in the ASATT Invitational Club Swim Meet continued over the weekend in Trinidad.

Carter, who won a bronze in the 50M backstroke on Thursday evening, powered her way to a second place finish in the 200M backstroke. The teen was just off the first place mark with a time of 2:58.58s.

Also on Saturday night, the Boys’ 11-12 200M relay team of Vladimir Woodroffe, Ethan Gonsalves, Noel and Elliott Gonsalves, claimed a bronze in the 200M Medley after swimming a time of 2:17.27.

Raekwon, who has been the pick of the 14 Guyanese swimmers in the Twin-Island Republic, captured his fourth individual medal when he competed on Sunday morning. The 12-year-old, who had won a gold medal in the 800M freestyle on Saturday morning, clocked 4:47.77 to finish third in the 400M freestyle event in the 11-12 age division.

The FINA-sanctioned competition was scheduled to finish last night.

Hetmyer among players to watch out for ing stratergies could depend a lot on the availability of players - making players from New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa and Windies hot buys. However, of those who are available, especially Indians, could go for big money.

Depending on where the franchises fall short, we have listed some of the players who are expected to generate a lot of interest.

BATSMEN: Given how the teams stand, middle order batsmen are bound to attract a lot of bids. There is a dearth of quality middle-order Indian batters who are not retained. And hence, the best of the lot who will be present at the auction are bound to gain some attention.

Shimron Hetmyer: Given how the West Indian southpaw has been crunching the ball over the boundary ropes in the last couple of months in the subcontinent, no other

foreigner is expected to attract more attention from franchises. His keeping skills - he recently filled in behind the

stumps for a dizzy Shai Hope - only add to his value.

Brendon McCullum: The former New Zealand skipper’s

Shimron Hetmyer is likely to have franchises scrambling for his big-hitting services. © Getty

batting credentials may have dropped but he has a couple of things going in his favour in the upcoming auction. Firstly, his experience and secondly the fact that he will be available for the entire season. With several top players expected to leave midway, he comes as a strong package - a leader, a power-hitter and if needed, even a ‘keeper.

Anmolpreet Singh: The young Punjab batsmen has graduated swiftly to senior cricket and made a mark in the domestic circuit. Recently, for his consistent showing, he was promoted to India A. Young and hard-hitting, Anmolpreet could be a good catch and has a decent List A Record [9 matches, 537 runs at 59.66, SR 105.5 2x100, 3x50] although he’s yet to translate that into the T20 format.

Manoj Tiwary: Tried, tested, picked, ignored, succeeded and failed; Manoj Tiwary has been a part of the IPL journey since the beginning. And even 11 seasons later, he continues to

remain one of the most reliable middle order batters in the country. He has scored consistently, evolved into a better finisher and is expected to be a crucial buy for several franchises. After a good season for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, he was grossly underutilised Other batsmen to watch out for: Ankeet Bawne, Yuvraj Singh and Hanuma Vihari ‘KEEPERS: There are at least four teams who might be interested in having a good wicket-keeper to complete their squads. While Sunrisers Hyderabad could be aiming for a prime candidate, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals need an additional gloveman as well.

Wriddhiman Saha: For all that’s said and not about Wriddhiman Saha’s ability with the bat, he has been quite prolific

Turn to page 22

Hetmyer among players to watch out for 27 See story on Page

Guyana Jaguars register second straight Regional 4-day win … Volcanoes topple Red Force by 76 runs

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie cleaned up the tail to finish with three for 11.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Four-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars made light work of Leeward Islands Hurricanes by nine wickets, to register their second straight win of the Regional Four-Day Championship and enter the Christmas break top of the points standings.

Resuming Sunday’s final day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in command of the contest, Jaguars needed only two overs to wrap up the hosts’ second innings for a modest 138 – claiming the last two wickets for eight runs.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie took both wickets to fall to finish with three for 11. Rajendra Chandrika was unable to bat.

Set 32 for victory, Jaguars lost Tagenarine Chanderpaul for one in the second over with a single run on the board but captain Leon Johnson arrived to hasten the victory with three boundaries in his unbeaten 15.

Jaguars, who won their opening last week against Windward Islands Volcanoes, have 24 points and are 12 clear of second placed Barbados Pride

who came from behind to beat Jamaica Scorpions inside three days on Saturday in Bridgetown.

At the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, former Test off-spinner Shane Shillingford finished with match figures of 12 for 147 as hosts Red Force plunged to a 76-run defeat to Volcanoes.

Starting the day on 133 for five in pursuit of 270 for victory, Red Force crumbled to 193 all out, with 20-year-old Joshua Da Silva converting his overnight 27 into a top score of 41.

He stretched his sixth wicket stand with Tion

Webster (13) to 43 but once they were separated, the last five wickets fell for 47 runs.

Shillingford, who took six in the first innings, snatched three of the wickets to fall to end with six for 73 while Test pacer Sherman Lewis finished with two for 38.

With the win, Volcanoes are now fourth on 12 points, level on points with third placed Hurricanes, while Scorpions and Red Force – fifth and sixth respectively – are without a point.

The championship resumes with the third round starting January 4.

West Ruimveldt are Smalta Champs!

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The West Ruimveldt Primary players receiving their winner’s trophy.

Ming, Jeffrey register wins in KFC Mega Cup - Zachary Persaud breaks new ground

125cc on the grid

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018