Guyana chronicle e paper 12 18 2017

Corentyne children feted for Christmas Page 2

No. 105130

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

$21M stelling commissioned at Ykinipa Village Page 3

Youths launch foundation to feed homeless

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Pastor Patrick Findlay (second right) and President of REACH, Nicholas Chesney (extreme right) with some members of the organisation at the launch on sunday (Photo by Delano Williams)

Holland walks –– says will not be contesting for mayorship in upcoming election

Page 3

Robber caught trying to escape

Page 9

Ex-policeman butchers gambling partner

Page Dead: Amit 13 Jairam

Prominent baker George Humphrey passes on Page 14

Outgoing Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

George Humphrey

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Corentyne children feted for Christmas

HUNDREDS of children and adults from Berbice were on Sunday feted at a grand Christmas party hosted by Mrs Sita Nagamootoo and her Charity Foundation at Courtland, Corentyne.

Attended by a number of officials including her husband, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Region Six, Member of Parliament, Charandass Persaud, the event brought together children from villages spanning from Port Mourant to Fyrish on the Corentyne.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said Christmas is very spe-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo with some attendees at the Courtland children’s party

Mrs Sita Nagamootoo hands over the water dispenser to the Whim Post Office

cial and dear to children and every effort must be made to ensure they enjoy the festivities.

“We must never take Christmas away from children, because it is a time when they long for Christmas cheer and small gifts,” Mr Nagamootoo told the over 200 children.

He congratulated his wife for organising the programme, noting that it is also significant that she took the event to Berbice.

The prime minister observed that the party was well managed and he particularly made mention of the variety of cultural items that spiced it up.

For her part, Mrs Nagamootoo said as long as she is alive she will continue to give meaning to Christmas by giving back to her community and surrounding communities.

During the event, Mrs Nagamootoo also presented a cheque of $50,000 to the Sisters of the Mother Theresa organisation; a hot and cold water dispenser to the Whim Post Office to be used by pensioners; several basketballs to the Courtland Basketball Club and a number of softball cricket gear to the Fyrish cricket team.

Mrs Nagamootoo in remarks also indicat-

ed that it is her dream to turn her Courtland home into a facility to help single mothers and youths. Her plan is to establish a centre to teach single mothers and youths vocational skills and provide counselling. Doctors from the Chinese Medical brigade who also attended the event took the opportunity to distributed gifts to the children as well.

Meanwhile, a group of Opposition supporters who earlier had mounted a picketing exercise outside the party venue, could not put a damper on the event and quickly dispersed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

$21M stelling commissioned at Ykinipa Village PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday commissioned a $21M stelling at Ykinipa Village, Region Two, which leads from the Akawini Creek into the village, after years of residents being forced to traverse makeshift boards along a treacherous path during the previous administration.

The Head-of-State, who was in the region to bring Christmas cheer to the children of the surrounding villages in Akawini and in the Upper Pomeroon at Kabakaburi, said that he committed to ensuring that the stelling was constructed, after visiting the village in 2015.

He had instructed Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, to work with regional officials to ensure that it was done.

The 1440 foot-long stelling is just one of the many projects which residents of Ykinipa and other villages in the Akawini are benefitting from as the administration works to advance development in the riverine and far-flung communities.

Speaking to residents, who cheered as he addressed them, President Granger said, “When I first came to this community and walked on that bridge, I said that this is very dangerous and that no resident deserves to access their community in this manner; so I am very happy to see this. I am here because of you. I will be faithful to you.

There are 215 villages but as far as possible, we will consider all of your requests and try our best to honour them.”

Minister Ferguson said that initially $19M was expended on the project but after consultations with the toshao, it was realised that it needed to be extended further inland, bringing the cost to $21M. The stelling was completed with a workforce drawn mainly from Akawini, and most of the material was sourced from the lower

President David Granger, with some help, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to commission the spanking new stelling “I am President of all visions in the 2018 National ment to doing all that he can Pomeroon, thereby providing dren could sit in one area and income for the region. have their lunch. All of these Guyana. I know what you Budget for additional works with the finances available to David Wilson, Toshao structures and developments need and as long as God to be done in the community. improve the lives of the citiof Ykinipa, who also has happened in just 24 months un- gives me the strength, I will In addition to this, he zens in Kabakaburi and other responsibility for Baraca- der this Government. In School ensure that I deliver what noted that this is the sec- surrounding communities, the ra--another village located in Islands, another small village in you need. Every Guyanese ond year the President has President said that Christmas the Akawini Creek--praised the Akawini Creek under Mr. must have access to public visited the community; a is a time of friendship and the Government and said Wilson’s purview, a hot meal services. testimony of a caring Gov- fellowship and it is for this I don’t believe in bush. I ernment. residents are grateful to Pres- kitchen, which we have been reason that he has embarked ident Granger for honouring longing for many, many years, believe in people and whether on spreading Christmas cheer his promise as the community was also constructed and we you are living in Akawini PROMISE FULFILLED in the riverine areas, which was severely neglected under also built a mess hall at this or Orealla or Kwakwani, “Mr. President, you are not often visited. the former administration. location. We were also lucky you deserve access to public have promised us and you “We are here to look, to He noted that in the two to accomplish a community services. As far as President have fulfilled your promise. listen and to learn and when years that the Government centre. It is all because of the Granger is concerned, I treat Thank you so much, Mr. we do those three things, then has been in office, the com- kind-hearted and caring Gov- all citizens equal,” the Presi- President, for your Govern- we will be able to provide munity has benefitted from ernment that we have,” Toshao dent said at Ykinipa. ment’s good work [that] they betters services for you here Meanwhile, over at Ka- have been doing. The road in Kabakaburi. What is ima number of infrastructural Wilson said. works.

President Granger said bakaburi Village, Toshao of leading from Kabakaburi to portant today is the feeling of “We are very lucky to have his Government is seri- the village, Cleveland Simon, Akawini, a cargo boat and the friendship we have between completed that stelling. We ous about the development in his remarks, also praised ATV, which [are] in the 2018 us, between this village and were also able to achieve a of all regions in Guyana, the Government for the work budget; Mr. President, I thank the Government. I am here to nursery class right at Baraca- whether hinterland or it has undertaken to improve you for doing such a great make sure that your facilities, ra. For many years our chil- coastland and will ensure lives in the community. work for us. Mr. President, that your infrastructure is imHe noted that in addition on behalf of the residents of proved because we believe in dren suffered. They never had that every community and breakfast in school and they resident are able to benefit to the repainting of the Pri- Kabakaburi, I thank you for equality,” the President told had to go hungry whole day from projects, programmes mary School, the provision of your kindness to us and the residents at Kabakaburi. and so, under this Government, and services which can im- an oxygen bank at the Com- work you [are] doing. You Minister of Public Afmunity Health Centre and the are transparent in all your fairs within the Ministry of they have built us a hot meal prove their lives. construction of a sports hall doings and your reward will the Presidency, Ms. Dawn kitchen at Baracara. We also in the community, the Gov- be great,” he said. got a Presidential grant to conPRESIDENT OF ALL See page 9 ernment has also made prostruct a mess hall so that chilGUYANA Reiterating his commit-

Holland walks –– says will not be contesting for mayorship in upcoming election

LINDEN’s Mayor Carwyn Holland on Sunday indicated that he will not be contending for mayorship in the upcoming election.

In a late night interview with Guyana Chronicle, Holland said he was not interested in running for a third term.

“I have interest in furthering my studies so that I can

better contribute to Linden and Guyana’s development.

I’ve already set out to have my studies next year, from next September,” he said.

Holland said he is happy with the job that he would have done during his time as mayor.

“When I took over Linden, you would recall that Linden

was in dire needs and I think I would have achieved quite a lot,” he said.

He told Guyana Chronicle that he is thankful for the opportunity of serving Linden up until March 2018 and intends to make the best of his time left as mayor.

This newspaper understands that Attorney General

and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, met with the councillors of Linden, along with Holland on Sunday.

According to reports, Deputy Mayor Waneka Arrindell will now be vying for the position of Linden’s mayor.

Weeks ago, councillors

of the Linden Town Council accused Holland of allegedly treating staff with disdain and flouting the laws of Guyana.

The accusation was denied by Holland.

The latter accusation has to do with him instructing his secretary not to allow Deputy Mayor Arrindell into his office in his absence.

Outgoing Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

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U.N. to vote today on call for U.S. Jerusalem decision to be withdrawn UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Monday (today) on a draft resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, diplomats said, a move likely to face a Washington veto.

The one-page Egyptian-drafted text, seen by Reuters, does not specifically mention the United States or Trump. Diplomats say it has broad support among the 15-member council, and while it is unlikely to be adopted, the vote will further isolate Trump on the issue.

To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China.

Trump abruptly reversed decades of U.S. policy this month when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, generating outrage from Palestinians. Trump also plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has praised Trump’s decision as “the just and right thing to do.”

The U.S. mission to the United Nations was not immediately available to comment on Sunday.

Arab foreign ministers agreed to seek a U.N. Security Council resolution on the issue. The draft U.N. text expresses “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

South Africa’s ANC set to elect leader to replace scandal-ridden Zuma JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa’s ANC formally nominated two candidates in a race to succeed President Jacob Zuma as leader of a party that has ruled since the end of apartheid but lost its luster in a welter of scandal and corruption allegations.

Whoever emerges at the helm of the African National Congress, a 105-yearold liberation movement that dominates Africa’s most industrialised economy, is likely to become the country’s next president after elections in 2019.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa

and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma were the only candidates nominated for the leadership of the African National Congress at a party conference on Sunday, an election official said.

The election is perhaps the most pivotal moment for the ANC in its 23 years of power. Scandal and graft accusations have tainted Zuma’s presidency and the party that launched black majority rule under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela is now deeply divided, its image tarnished at home and abroad.

After procedural delays that held up the start of balloting, the contest remained too close to call. Most grassroots delegates backed Ramaphosa, 65, while Zuma’s preferred candidate, his ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 68, came second.

Ramaphosa drew the majority of nominations from party branches scattered across the country. But the complexity of the leadership race means it is far from certain he will win when the votes are finally counted.

Explainer: Myanmar wields colonial-era law against Reuters journalists Reuters) - Myanmar has accused Reuters reporters Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, of breaching the country’s Official Secrets Act, a little-used hangover from colonial rule. Sam Zarifi, Secretary General of the International Commission

of Jurists (ICJ), said the law can ensnare working journalists “at any time”.

The two reporters were arrested on Tuesday evening after they were invited to meet police officers for dinner in the north of Yangon.

The Ministry of Information said they had “illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media”, and published a photo of the pair in handcuffs standing behind a table with documents laid on it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

OAS, OECD to present fourth report on int’l migration in the Caribbean WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Organisation of American States (OAS) says it will be collaborating with the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in presenting the Fourth Report of the Continuous Reporting System on International Migration in the Americas (SICREMI 2017), including the Caribbean,on Monday.

On Friday, the OAS said that the presentation will take place in the Hall of the Americas at the headquarters of the hemispheric institution in Washington, DC. OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, and the Head of the Division of International Migration of the OECD, Jean-Christophe Dumont, will open the event.

The report will be presented by the Migration Specialist in the OAS Department of Social Inclusion, Juan Manuel Jiménez and the former Principal Administrator of the Division of International Migration of the OECD, Georges Lemaître.

Among the findings of the study are the fact that, between 2012- 2015, of the 7.2 million people that emigrated from the countries of the Americas, 48 per cent moved to Canada and the United States, 34 per cent to Latin America and the Caribbean and 18 per cent to European countries of the OECD. The study gathers data of migrations to, from and within the Americas, and includes specific information on countries of origin and destination, refugees and asylum seekers, and unemployment among migrants, the OAS said.

Cuban refugees living on the street TRINIDAD EXPRESS - Cuban refugees who have been living outside the United Nations office on Keate Street, Port of Spain in tents made out of tarpaulin, on Saturday denied media reports that they were offered assistance for housing by the Living Water Community (LWC) and refused.

They claimed that the LWC, the only civil society organisation in T&T dedicated to assisting refugees, wanted them to pay for housing from the monthly subsistence provided by the LWC to purchase food.

LWC coordinator Rochelle Nakhid told local media last week that Living Water offered the group apartments in St Joseph and Curepe but they said it was too far for them to travel to the UN and protest every day.

But spokesperson for the group, 37-year-old Cuban national Yaneisy Santana, said this was far from the truth.

Montserrat and Suriname to benefit from CDB funds

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Montserrat and Suriname are to benefit from funds being made available by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for tourism and agricultural projects.

The CDB, the region’s premier financial institution, said that Montserrat will benefit from grant funding of GBP14.4 million (One GBP=US$1.33 cents) to develop port at Little Bay. It said the funds are being provided through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF), and will assist in financing the construction of an offshore breakwater and quay.

Head of Infrastructure Partnerships at the CDB, Andrew Dupigny, noted that the development of the port is critical to providing a safe harbour and accessibility for vessels up to 150 metres in length.

“The current jetty at Little Bay is

exposed to rough seas intermittently, as there is no offshore breakwater.

This makes it unsafe for vessels to dock at times, and means that Montserrat is unable to provide a continuous safe harbour for cruise ships, ferries, yachts, cargo and other vessels, which impacts economic activities on the island. The development of the port is seen as vital for Montserrat’s economic recovery and sustainability,” said Dupigny.

Currently, rough seas cause significant downtime at the existing port, and 58 out of 475 ships were unable to berth in 2016.

It is expected that phase one development of the port development works will be completed by 2021, and the CDB said the project is consistent with its strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, as well as its corporate priority of strengthening and modernising social and economic infrastructure.

Suriname will benefit from a US$215,000 grant to enhance the competitiveness of the country’s agricultural sector.

The bank said the grant will fund the completion of a value chain analysis on selected agricultural commodities, to determine which have the most potential to provide competitive advantage to Suriname. “Suriname possesses several attributes, which are favourable to the development of a vibrant agricultural sector,” said Deidre Clarendon, Division Chief, Social Sector Division, CDB. The analysis will enhance the government’s capacity to develop evidence-based, inclusive and gender-responsive plans and programmes to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

The project will be implemented in partnership with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector of the Islamic Development Bank.

Editorial

Home ownership GUYANA’S housing landscape has been transforming over the years and today more Guyanese, including many young people, own their own homes and live more comfortable lives compared to their parents and grandparents.

Home ownership brings a sense of security, comfort and empowerment and it is commendable that significant strides have been made in opening up the housing sector for all across Guyana to benefit.

These efforts have seen large number of Guyanese, aside from having titles for their lands, no longer having to endure the discomfort that sometimes comes with paying rent.

Tenancy and squatting have been significantly reduced and homes with large

extended families are today virtually non-existent. The opening up of lands for housing and making housing affordable have made Guyanese a happier people as there is less familial conflicts involving in-laws, including restrictions due to space.

It should be noted that persons owning their own homes showed an increase from 1980 to 1991 and that trend has remained steady to this day. The 2012 Population and Housing Census put the national housing stock at 219,509 buildings, representing a 16.9 per cent increase, or an increase by 31,813 buildings, when compared to the census done in 2002.

This increase when broken down, indicates on average, some 3,181 new buildings are built every year. Not only

more and more persons are owning their own homes, but housing is also assuming a new dimension. Today, homeowners are enjoying access to water, electricity, paved streets in their communities and basically all modern amenities at their fingertips.

Undoubtedly, the bar has been raised a step higher and the recently concluded inaugural exhibition, ‘Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond’, at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara is a positive signal that Guyana is building on the gains made.

But though remarkable energy and significant strides have been made to improve housing in Guyana, yet great effort is required, as pointed out in a 2016 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study.

The study titled “The State of Social Housing in Six Caribbean Countries”, states thus: “Despite declines in population due to migration, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, faces the need to meet a housing deficit of 20,000 units for low-income families.

“An additional 52,000 houses are over 30 years old and require improvement. Construction by owners and non-profit organisations cannot keep up with the need. Rapid economic growth in the 1990s has helped convert this need into effective demand.”

The report went on to say that even though 60,000 house lots were distributed across the country by 2005, representing an average of 4,300 lots being distributed annually, it is

still below the 5,200 housing units required.

Quite simply, there is some work to do and encouragingly, the government has shown an interest in diligently tackling the challenge. House lots have also been distributed in squatting communities which have been regularized, but while over the past year the distribution continued with much enthusiasm, more robustness in the process is required.

This is necessary in order to surpass the annual average in recent years and have as much of the 28,000 vacant lots available across the country occupied.

Guyana being a developing country has experienced its fair share of challenges and it has been able to cope through assistance from genuine partners.

In the area of low income housing, Food For The Poor has made, and continues to make a significant contribution.

Last year alone, it built 140 of these homes and 3325 in total since establishing operations here in 2004. For the poor, Food For The Poor has brought some level of comfort to them as there is no place more comfortable or better than home.

City Hall is a special place Dear Editor,

IT is just simply beyond my comprehension why things in our capital city have to be so dissimilar and retrograde from other capitals and cities from around the world.

Many police departments around the world have ‘Lost and Found Divisions,’ where citizens can go

to recover items that they may have accidentally dropped or absent-mindedly left in public parks, on the roadways, and in other public spaces.

Every piece of property that comes into the custody of these police departments are carefully catalogued and tracked as part of their mandate to preserve and protect property by providing profes-

sional, proficient and systematic storage and handling of each and every piece of property that is entrusted to its care.

At the City Constabulary in Georgetown it is the exact opposite, whereby it is the City Police who are losing or misplacing their property and need the help of citizens or the national police in recovering what in

many instances are restricted and hazardous items that should only be handled by law- enforcement agencies.

In the past, there have been disappearances of large quantities of ammunition and the puerile excuse was given that it was used by a senior officer for target practice, considerable sums of bail monies and fines deducted from errant

officers just vanished and were never recovered, and more recently firearms have gone missing.

Clearly, this points to gross negligence, sloppy management and extreme dishonesty and the buck must stop at the political and administrative leadership of the Council for these and the many other lapses at the municipality.

And this brings us to the big questions and those are: what will be done about it, who will be sanctioned, when will the slackness at City Hall stop, and when will the square pegs in the round holes be removed from the Council? Only when they retire?

Regards, SHANTA SINGH

Leaking of Exxon signing bonus injudicious Dear Editor,

WHAT if a member of the Venezuelan Government had leaked that the there was a secret, but secure government account with 30 million U.S. dollars in it? What if, under intense pressure and allegations of corruption, it was revealed that this sum is to be used to fight Guyanese territorial claims in court? Given that we have only 18 million dollars set aside, we would expect the Guyana Government to earmark at least the additional 12 million to match their sum, wouldn’t we? That, fellow citizens, is exactly the advantage Venezuela now has over us. Because of the selfish

actions of this leaker, our opponents are likely to be far better prepared when our border dispute goes to court. There is a reason the leakers of information critical to national security are charged with treason.

Treason is a serious word, meant for serious times. But the gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. Any cursory internet search would reveal that there are 113,558 active Venezuelan soldiers, as well as over 400,000 militia men.

Some estimates of the Guyanese military are from 3000 to 3500 soldiers and something in the range of 50,000 citizens with any military training. Our military is small because we rely on soft power defences such

as diplomacy and judicial decisions. But if we are now to have to contend with the leaking of critical information, this strategy is totally undermined. Is the leaker going to show up at the border with our courageous servicemen and women if it looks as though our case is going sideways? Is the leaker willing to defend this country with his/her life? I believe that this leaker must be charged with treason.

But the deeper problem is that we have allowed our internal political divisions to weaken our national interests. It is suspicious that this information was made public on the same day that the leader of the opposition was due to speak in the National Assembly. Guyanese must

now ask themselves whether there was any collaboration between the leaker and the opposition party. It is similarly reasonable to ask if, in order to score a political point, that group recruited this criminal and put him/ her to work leaking. This information was not leaked during the Minister of Natural Resources address, as an impartial leaker might be expected to do. It was timed to come out on the day the leader of the opposition was due to speak!

As expected, he opened his speech with it! This must be investigated, and if proven, the members of the opposition involved in this crime must also be charged with treason, no matter who they are. What is so ugly about

the actions of those involved in this criminal act is that the contract with Exxon was due to be released in only a few weeks. Instead, details were released at the precise time it would have the greatest political impact. Shame.

Shame. Shame.

My fellow Guyanese, now that the Venezuelans know that there are political actors willing to put their own fortunes ahead of the security and prosperity of the country, they don’t even have to send spies! We do the spying for them locally!

I do not say these things merely to raise alarm, but to make it clear how naive some of those criticising the administration are.

Ambiguity is important

and has been practised as part of warfare all over the world. Whether Israel has nuclear weapons is the most famous modern example of ambiguity’s effective use, but the author of the ancient book The Art of War, Tsun Zhu, famously said “All war is deception.” Even further, he said “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

Avoiding war is the true purpose of that segregated Bank of Guyana account, and if Guyanese soldiers are injured or die, the conspirators must reflect from their jail cells on the misery they have caused.

Regards, MALCOLM MARSHALL

No wrong we cannot correct Dear Editor,

THERE is no wrong in this society that cannot be corrected by us as citizens of this nation. Attention is being given to two critical issues- ExxonMobil bonus and sugar.

Following the issue of the bonus, Christopher Ram is applauded for bringing this information to the public attention. He continues to prove(that) he remains of significance to the process of bringing about good governance and holding the politicians to account.

Were it not for him the nation would not have been any the wiser at this time.

And where bad experiences with corruption and greed in Government are known, the society is being better served by the vigilance of all.

This nation has just emerged from years of seeing its resources raped and plundered; greed and cor-

ruption ran amok, citizens mistreated and deprived of what’s justly theirs.

Consequently, people have a right to remain vigilant and vocalise their concerns, whether right or wrong. Government has a responsibility to govern in a manner to avoid these ills, including the appearances of same.

The explanations by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, on the concerns raised by Ram are noted. The problem that currently exists is the un-answered question, ‘Why in the first place did the Government ministers deny there existed a signing bonus from ExxonMobil?’

Greenidge in his explanation said there exists no sinister intent and reiterated the money is in an account at the Central Bank where the signatories are state functionaries.

While both men acknowledged the presence of the money, they differ on where it should be placed and account-

ed for. It is Ram’s view that it should be in the Consolidated Fund and the absence of this being so constitutes a violation of the Guyana Constitution.

He has said he will move to the court for a determination on the matter. Should he proceed and an interpretation determined by the court, the decision will help in strengthening the governance system and guiding the way we treat with issues of this nature in future.

Greenidge’s explanations have come too late. This is a major shortcoming of this administration that it must address. In the absence of knowledge, people have a right to speculate anything.

On the issue of sugar, Government is taking a lot for granted in addressing the plight of the industry and the welfare of the workers and communities to be affected.

There is no denying that decisions have to be made, but

this practice where the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing,as in the instance of Minister Joe Harmon saying Cabinet was unaware neither has it taken any decision to close estates, when Minster Noel Holder and GuySuCo have proceeded on such a path,is bad.

While the sustenance of sugar is dependent on the Consolidated Fund, whatever action is being taken by GuySuCo has to take on board the socio-economic impact it will create. For instance, the closure of factories and the absence of a programme to cushion the effect via redirecting the productive energies of affected workers and those dependent on their income, will create negative shocks.

The strong perception that Government and GuySuCo find it more expedient to engage in media public relations war with the sugar unions rather than the sides coming together to work out a pro-

gramme to the benefit of these workers, is counterproductive.

This approach won’t put food on the table for those whose lives are to be affected, nor ease their anxiety which must be the premier focus. On this matter Government must deliver the leadership.

As a trade unionist and having had the experiences with the mistreatment of bauxite workers by the Bharrat Jagdeo Government on this industry’s future, there is empathy for sugar workers.

Bauxite workers and their communities are still reeling from the effects of poor decision-making and the absence of a programme to re-direct their energies and assure their socio-economic well-being.

This administration should have learnt and must learn from the mistakes of the PPP/C and not repeat them. It must matter not that the sugar unions or workers are perceived or known to be PPP/C supporters. Like every

Guyanese they have a right to freedom of association (political, union etc) equally as they are protected from discrimination because of this.

There is also serious objection to the PPP/C, after being in office for 23 years, not coming up with a plan for the industry and laying it on the table for examination.

Instead, its leadership seems more comfortable playing partisan politics and Russian roulette with these workers’ lives because they think such can improve their chances in the 2020 elections. Workers should not be considered a part of any voting farm; only raised and supported for their ballot, not necessarily their well-being. The sugar unions must continue standing up and demanding their place at the decision-making table.

Yours sincerely, LINCOLN LEWIS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

GPA elections postponed – co-optive members elected to help mobilise voters

By Svetlana Marshall THE Guyana Press Association’s (GPA’s) biennial elections have been postponed to January 7, 2018 due to a poor turnout at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the highly anticipated elections were expected to unfold.

On Sunday afternoon when the AGM was called to order

by Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Fareeza Haniff at the Carifesta Sports Complex in Georgetown, there was not a quorum to facilitate elections for key positions, such as president, vice-president and treasurer.

Executive Member Nazima Raghubir explained to the few media operatives present that the constitution requires a quorum – that is, at least half of the association’s membership. According to the GPA’s records at the time, there were 28 registered media operatives that were eligible to vote during the elections. It therefore means that while there are associate members and honorary members, the press association would need a minimum of 14 registered members present at the AGM to facilitate the elections. This was clearly not the case on Sunday.

It was further explained that many media operatives would pay their membership fees only when in need of their Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) certificates, to enter the association’s media

awards or when there are elections. Members are eligible to vote only if their fees are up to date and they have been in the media for three consecutive years.

Faced with the situation, Raghubir proposed that the elections be postponed even as she opened the floor for proposals from members on the way forward. Veteran Journalist and Executive Member of the GPA, Denis Chabrol, in agreeing with his colleague that the elections be pushed back, proposed that an interim committee be formed until the elections are held or two co-optive members be voted in to assist the outgoing executive body in mobilising media operatives ahead of the Sunday, January 7, elections.

On the basis that the constitution does not provide for an interim committee, Chabrol’s second proposal to have two co-optive members voted in was taken on board and Capitol News’ Royston Drakes and Stabroek News’ Zoisa Fraser were voted in.

Meanwhile, Haniff, in delivering a statement on behalf of the outgoing GPA President Neil Marks who was unavoidably absent, took note of the fact that the association is the longest-standing press body in Guyana and the Caribbean.

“During my term as president, I have been fortunate to work with an executive that has supported many projects to improve the practice of journalism in Guyana, and for that

I am tremendously grateful.

Forgive me for singling out some of you, but I must.

To Denis, thank you for always being willing to lend your vast experience and intellectual prowess in the defence of press freedom in Guyana and for always stressing the need for training,” Haniff said, as she read the statement prepared by Marks.

UNWAVERING SUPPORT Raghubir, Haniff and the Secretary Iva Wharton were also singled out for their unwavering support for the work of the press association.

The Government of Guyana, in particular President David Granger; the Canadian High Commission and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) were also recognised for partnering with the GPA to facilitate much-needed training seminars for reporters, photographers and videographers.

Marks said under his stewardship there were many success stories, but he must admit that one of the main goals was not achieved. “I regret not being able to achieve one of the most important goals of my presidency – that of establishing a working Secretariat for the GPA. I hope the new executive would pursue this vigorously, as it would serve as an effective way of managing our affairs.”

Nonetheless, through Haniff, he related that there many

GPA executive member Nazima Raghubir

GPA executive member Denis Chabrol

GPA outgoing President Neil Marks

workshops aimed at improving reporters’ ability to report on various issues, including the democratic process in Guyana, health, and business.

“As president of GPA, I travelled to Kigali, Rwanda, where I nominated two excellent journalists from the Caribbean to sit on the first executive of press clubs of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

This body aims to pursue a number of initiatives, most notably funding for training programmes, while providing a platform for Fellowship with colleagues in the ACP Grouping.

knowledge of the oil-and- gas sector. It goes without saying that your new executive will have to pursue training in this area and I look forward to being part of those,” Marks’s prepared statement read.

The executive body was also pleased to have held GPA’s first Media Awards Programme after many decades, and it is their hope that the new executive will make this an annual event.

“I am thankful that we have been able to use our influence to mediate in workplace disputes to bring a fair settlement to grave issues. Many of our colleagues have also willingly accepted our guidance to improve their work and we are thankful that when there were infractions, many have been willing to heed our advice. We have reprimanded many of our

colleagues, and we are grateful that they have accepted correction and continue to improve their work.”

It was noted that the work of the media in Guyana remains critical for many reasons, but especially because of an ever-changing, tense political landscape and the challenges of policing the oiland-gas sector in pursuing its role to remain the watchdog for transparency and accountability.

According to the financial report, presented by Wharton and Raghubir, the GPA currently has $1.3M in its coffers – $1M of which was contributed by President Granger to facilitate much-needed training. The additional $300,000 was garnered from the media awards and the payment of membership fees.

YOUNG JOURNALISTS “We nominated young journalists Nafeeza Yahya Sakur and Royden James to attend a summit in the USA, aimed at improving their

Opposition criticises reduction of legal aid budget

OPPOSITION Parliamentarians have argued that a reduction in the budget for the Legal Aid Clinic could affect women because the services are usually utilised by them.

Provisions for the clinic fell from $116,817,000 in the 2017 budget to $101,887,000 for next year’s budget.

There was an exchange of thoughts from both Opposition and Government sides during the consideration of the 2018 budget at the level of the Committee of Supply on Thursday.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Priya Manickchand was the first person to point out that the allocation, which is found in the budget for of the Ministry of Social Protection, would not be sufficient, especially because a number of women who cannot afford legal aid usually turn to the clinic for assistance.

Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (formerly Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic) is a non-governmental, non-profit making, non-partisan organisation that provides legal aid to persons who cannot afford to employ the services of a member of the private bar.

According to its website, the clinic has since it opened its doors, assisted over 17,000 people, the majority of them women, to vindicate and protect their rights under the Guyana justice system.

One of clinic’s objectives is to provide

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally defends her ministry’s budget (photo by Delano Williams) subsidised or free professional assistance to persons who are faced with either criminal cases, civil disputes or the need for legal advice; are in danger of having their rights infringed or other legal needs unmet because of poverty and lack of means.

The allocation for the clinic was part of the ministry’s Social Services programme under line item, subsidies and contributions to

local organisations. The general allocation for that line item was reduced from $116,817,000 in 2017 to $101,887,000 for next year.

Opposition MP, Vindhya Persaud joined her colleague Manickchand to highlight the decrease in that aspect of the ministry’s budget. Persaud believes that the decrease in the line item can affect the entire country and persons who access the clinic.

In defence of the ministry’s budget, Subject Minister, Amna Ally said it will not affect the regions because if the need arises, the Government will apply for supplementary funds.

“Whilst the reduction will not affect the work of the clinic. She noted if however the $41M allotted to the clinic is exhausted, there is an avenue (once it is justified) in which a request can be made for additional funding,” said the minister.

The ministry’s budget of $16,586,880,000 for current works and $401,257,000 for capital expenditure were later approved by the Committee of Supply.

Other allocations under the budget included $10M each to fund a country gender assessment and the preparation of a social protection strategy. Minister Ally explained that the assessment will examine gender inequalities in the education system with special emphasis on the under-achievement of boys.

The sum of $6.6M will provide for the

construction of a fire escape at the Palms Geriatric Institution, while $20M will cover the procurement of equipment and furniture for the geriatric facility and $16.5M the purchase of buses for the Palms and New Opportunity Corps.

A total of $144M has been allocated for the completion of the Drop-in-Centre at Sophia. Another $9.5M will be used for the purchase of a vehicle for Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and $12M for the purchase of furniture and equipment for Child Care Secretariat, district officers’ quarters and care centres.

Opposition MP, Vindhya Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Robber caught trying to escape – several suspects held

FOUR men are in police custody assisting with investigations following a daring armed robbery on a Berbice business on Saturday evening.

According to reports, around 20:00 hrs, five armed

phones and jewellery.

The owner and an off-duty police gave chase and were able to apprehend one of the robbers. The police subsequently arrested three others believed to be his accomplices in the robbery.

Surveillance footage shows two armed bandits in the supermarket men stormed the D. Singh and Son Supermarket at Lot 57, Number 58 Village, East Berbice Corentyne, holding the owner and customers at gunpoint before making off with over $300,000 in cash, a quantity of phone cards, cell

Owner Akash Persaud, 35, told Guyana Chronicle that he was outside the business talking to a friend when he noticed five men, each armed with a handgun and wearing masks entered his business place firing shots

indiscriminately.

“About five men came from the opposite side; four entered the shop while one stood guard at the side of the shop firing shots in the air.

One off-duty police officer was leaving the supermarket when the men saw him and hit him in the face before turning him back into the shop.”

Persaud said two of the men then turned their attention to him, pointing their handguns in his direction telling him to comply with their orders or he will be shot. As he was being ordered into the shop, he noticed his mother who was in the shop earlier was not there.

At that point, Persaud explained, one of the men jumped over the counter and cut the cable leading to the DVR and proceeded to empty the cash register.

Another stood guard over the five customers who were in the store at the time as they lay face down while the men carried out the robbery.

Persaud’s said he later learnt his mother was taken to the upper flat of the two- storey building. “The door to the upper flat was locked so one of the bandits started shooting at it, at which point one of them yelled from downstairs ‘We geh enough! We get enough!’

The D. Singh and Son Supermarket that was robbed Saturday evening They subsequently left while discharging rounds in the air,” the businessman said.

After the men exited and headed towards the backdam, Persaud said he and the off-duty police pursued them.

During the chase, one of the suspects fell into a hole and broke his leg and that allowed Persaud and the officer to apprehend him.

They retrieved from the robber a bag containing cash, a quantity of phone cards and

a cellphone belonging to Persaud.

By that time, a police patrol arrived and took the injured bandit in for questioning before taking him to seek medical attention at a public hospital in the region.

Based on the investigations, three other persons were detained during the course of Saturday night and noon of Sunday as the search continues for the persons involved.

Police in a press release said one of the suspects is

currently receiving medical attention at the public hospital.

The off-duty officer, who was among the victims robbed, was shot at by the bandits during the pursuit of the robbers and his vehicle was damaged.

Meanwhile, the father of the detained suspect is also in custody after several pieces of camouflage clothing similar to those worn by the bandits were found in his house.

Youths launch foundation to feed homeless

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Raising and Extending Arms to Care and Help (REACH) Foundation was officially launched at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) on Sunday with the aim of renewing efforts to help the homeless.

The REACH Foundation was founded by Nicholas Chesney, who serves as its president. He got the idea to form the organisation during his school days.

Chesney developed the idea when he observed that on the weekends, excess meals from the school’s cafeteria would be discarded by students who were not in dire

need of the food.

Seeing this, he began to ask students to take part in an act, which was later dubbed “Give up your lunch” in order to help the less fortunate.

“I decided to ask a few students if they would give up their lunch on Sundays so that we can take the food and give it to homeless persons in the City,” Chesney said, pointing out that “Most of us would buy food on weekends, so there was always extra food in the cafeteria.”

Initially, the small group was able to feed quite a number of the homeless on the streets of Georgetown, but after the students graduated, Chesney noted that there was

a period of inactivity.

“There was a long pause after graduation, but it was always a dream of every member to reach out to help others,” he said, adding: “We can’t remember the exact day we restarted, but all of a sudden we were back on the road feeding the homeless.”

Now, over two years later, many of those involved in the good gesture have graduated but continue to pool their resources to feed approximately 50 homeless individuals every Sunday at areas such as Fogarty’s Department Store.

Some of these students returned today to their alma mater to officially launch the

foundation.

Delivering the main remarks, Pastor Patrick Findlay, said it was pleasing to see a young man like Chesney taking the lead in giving back to the community.

“In the world in which we live today, you don’t find that today. Everybody is trying to fend for themselves… I am absolutely proud of Nicholas Chesney and the team that he is working with,” Findlay said.

The foundation, he said, has its challenges.

“A lot of persons like the idea, but when they see how hard the work is, some people back out. I find that if there is a gap between activities the

drive tends to go down, so we just want to keep the drive and the momentum going.

So even if it’s donating one hamper a month, that’s good enough, as long as we keep doing something,” Chesney told Guyana Chronicle.

REACH plans to have their own building, obtain their own private transportation and develop a refuge shelter for the homeless and those affected by domestic issues.

There are currently 43 members of the organisation and some of them on Sunday received membership certificates, while nine individuals received Certificates of Appreciation for their support

throughout the years.

Chesney encourages the public to assist the less fortunate in any way they can, keeping in mind that it is not as expensive as some would assume.

“It doesn’t cost a lot of money to help persons… even if you don’t have money but you have a meal, you can give it up and we would take that and give it to somebody, because a lot of persons [living on the streets] are hungry,” the young man said.

REACH invites interested individuals to donate or join on to their cause by contacting the foundation at its email address: reachguyana@gmail.com

$21M stelling commissioned ...

From page 3 Hastings-Williams, in brief remarks to the residents at Ykinipa, said that Government is making strides in the provision of education, since it believes that a strong nation is born out of

an educated society.

“Coming from a school environment, I have a keen interest in the education of our children, particularly the hinterland communities and riverine areas. So I am very pleased to hear that you now have school feeding

programmes and dining halls for the children, so that they can sit comfortably and eat their meals. I want to encourage you boys and girls to make the best out of these opportunities. Our President is a man who has a heart for children because he needs to

see Guyana move forward and the vehicle to do that is through education,” she said.

Regional Executive Officer of the Pomeroon-Supenaam, Mr. Rupert Hopkinson, who also accompanied the President to the villages, said that he is happy to see

that residents are recognising and appreciating what the Government is doing to improve their lives.

At the end of the visit to Ykinipa, the Head-ofState donated a quantity of sports gear, inclusive of bats, balls and cricket

pads and volleyball and football gear to the Toshao of Kabakaburi and also distributed toys to over 600 children. He was assisted by Minister Ferguson and Minister Hastings-Williams. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Who is in control? The Internet or you?

THERE is sure to be some parents out there who are considering purchasing a cell phone as a gift for a child for Christmas. Nowadays, cell phones are very useful for children and young people who travel to and from school alone: Parents can communicate with them and be assured that their children are safe.

Some cell phones have games on them and these can keep children occupied for long periods of time, which isn’t such a bad idea if you are in a car on a long journey, but on the other hand, if you are trying to communicate with a child who always seems to be playing an electronic game, this can be a nuisance. Electronic games with all their bright colours and simulations can be addictive in a psychological way, so it is a parent’s responsibility to monitor the suitability, content and duration of everything their child does electronically. If you want to buy a child a cell phone, let it be a standard one for the reasons mentioned above and not a state-

of-the-art ‘smart phone’ which enables them to do all sorts of things that parents cannot keep up with or navigate.

It may seem harmless to give a child unlimited access to the cyber world via a phone or other electronic devices, because the child seems reasonably happy and content, but there are many dangers in different forms that are lurking about in ‘cyber land’ and children are just too young and far too vulnerable to realise what the dangers are or how they can be affected; children need to be guided by adults. Having said that, even adults have been deceived and ‘taken in’ by deceitful people and bogus offers, etc. on the internet so children don’t really stand a chance when they are up against a perpetrator or someone who is up to no good. There are also a lot of distasteful images and ‘adult’ web sites to which children could be exposed quite innocently while having access to the ‘gateway to the world.’

The internet has been described as the ‘biggest invention since the wheel’ and

like most things, it is fine when used in moderation and with a sense of discretion; but some people just do not have that type of self-control and they allow the cyber world to invade and take over their lives. Therefore, instead of them using the internet in a positive, healthy way, the internet ends up using them. There are stories where young people have been so overwhelmed by the ‘virtual world’ that the internet offers that they cease to live in the ‘real world.’ The internet then begins to rule their lives as nearly any and everything that a young person can ‘relate’ to can be found in cyber world.

In Guyana there was a time when most parents used to monitor the amount of television they allowed their children to watch, in fact in some households, watching television used to be a treat. However, during the past few decades, the intrigue of television has been replaced with a handheld device that can link a person with any fantasy, fiction or ‘reality’ in which they may wish to live or indulge.

Adults are the only ones who can assist children into making sensible choices about their lifestyles, firstly, by example and then by being aware, staying alert and showing an interest in every aspect of their children’s lives. So if a cellular phone is on your Christmas ‘to get’ list, there is no need to cross it off, just be aware of what type of phone you are going to purchase and the intended purpose. In closing, parents, do not feel pressured into buying expensive items that you cannot afford just to make your children happy or to help them compete with their friends.

Let their happiness be defined by your efforts and considerations in attempting to make their holiday season as pleasurable as possible.

If you are concerned about the welfare of the child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 on write to childcaregy@ gmail.com A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

President spreads Christmas cheer at Lusignan WITH Christmas mere days away, President David Granger on Saturday continued his annual toy distribution exercise, aimed and bringing cheer to children across the country, at the Lusignan/Good Hope Learning Centre.

At that location he distributed toys to over 200 children from surrounding villages and was assisted by Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally.

The President’s holiday season visits to the particular community have become a tradition and one which the children and parents of the area greatly appreciate and look forward to.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, today we cele-

brate our friendship and our fellowship… even though all of you are not Christians, some of you may be Hindus and some of you may be Muslims,” the President said.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Shivdat family of Lusignan, who have been working with members of the US Diaspora to operate the centre as a place for learning for children, out of school youths and even adults.In 2015, the Government of Guyana donated $2M to the centre to support its work.

Today, the President will take the toy distribution exercise to the children of the Pomeroon River.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

This child receives a toy from President David Granger as others look on (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Please fix it RESIDENTS of Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, are thankful to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) for works done in their community, enabling them to have reliable access to water, but are calling for repair

of the roads that were broken in the process.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the works to boost water supply in the community were completed several months ago

These areas of Middle Road, La Penitence, were reportedly excavated several months ago but are yet to be fixed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Major infrastructural works for Aranaputa next year

By Alva Solomon

THE North Rupununi village of Aranaputa is expected to benefit from significant infrastructural works including a $30M upgrade of the community centre ground there next year.

Aranaputa has been home to many residents of indigenous and coastland roots, stretching as far back as the 1930s and in recent years, the village has suffered several setbacks, including in the furtherance of its economy, mainly the advancement of its peanuts and peanut butter projects.

In the 2018 national budget, government has set aside a sum of $317M for the Ministry of Communities project termed Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP)).

As the name suggests, infrastructural works will be undertaken in several areas across the country and last week during consideration of the budgetary estimates, Minister of Communities Ronald

Bulkan told the National Assembly that Aranaputa will be the beneficiary of several projects in the new year.

The village is currently in transition mode from having its affairs administered by a Community Development Council, to that of a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

During a visit to the village during the second quarter of 2017, residents told this newspaper that they were eagerly anticipating the village’s imminent NDC status.

It was noted during the recent debate that the roads at Aranaputa, which is home to some 600 residents, will benefit from upgrading works, while the nursery and primary education institutions will benefit from the construction of new sanitary blocks.

The National Assembly last week approved $2.37B for Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) for the new year and of that total a sum of $234.2M will be expended for regional administration and finance,$329.4M

for public infrastructure, $563.6M for health services and $83.8M for agriculture.

As regards the latter, the town of Lethem will benefit from construction of an agricultural centre and reservoir at Lethem. A sum of $265M has been allocated in the 2018 budget for the project.

The region will also see the establishment of the Lethem Town Hall, a project which also falls under the CIIP. That project is being considered with a budgeted allocation of $42M. Meanwhile, Minister Bulkan told parliamentarians that several landfill sites are in the works for the new towns of Lethem ($36M), Bartica ($19) and Mabaruma ($43M).

As regards the site at Mabaruma, the minister noted that no unilateral decision has been made regarding the site at Khan’s Hill in the Region One town which is being considered for the landfill. Opposition MP, Collin Croa,l had raised questions on the proposed site.

M&CC rakes in $138M

AFTER raking in some $138M during the onemonth amnesty period recently, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has decided to extend the facility until December 31.

Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that the response on the last day, December 15, was so overwhelming that the municipality made a decision to have an extension.

She offered that for those persons who still cannot afford to pay the sums owed, the M&CC is willing to work out a payment plan so that the sums can be paid in parts.

In a statement on Saturday, the M&CC said property owners made a special request for the extension of the amnesty, explaining their inability to access the facility during the specified time, due to issues with the transfer of ownership of properties and immediate availability of funds.

“The Council is aware that many property owners are making serious efforts to put themselves in order. As a result, the Council is willing to accommodate their request

–– extends amnesty to Dec 31

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has extended the amnesty on interest for ratepayers to December 31 at this time,” the statement said.

Early last month, the City Council had announced an amnesty for interest on rates accrued from November15 to December15, 2017, which allowed ratepayers to settle their outstanding accounts with the Council.

The City Treasurer’s Department would be open on Saturdays from 09:00hrs to midday to facilitate payments.

“Therefore, the Council is encouraging all ratepayers to take full advantage of this extension to settle their accounts with the Georgetown City Council.”

A road which leads to a section of the village of Aranaputa in the North Rupununi (Alva Solomon photo) Reports are that several persons may have to relocate from the immediate environs of the identified area.

Minister Bulkan also informed the National Assem-

bly that in 2018 the much anticipated “WIFI” bus stops will come to fruition. He said the networks will be made available at 10 sites, each in the country’s administrative

regions.

He said the local democratic organs will have to be consulted regarding the sites which will be specifically identified.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

President Granger defends attorney general – says cases lost due to inadequate representation by legal team

PRESIDENT David Granger has come out in support of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, contending that the court cases he lost were due mainly to inadequate representation by his legal team.

On Friday, the President said while the State has lost many cases, there is a reasonable expectation as an attorney to lose cases.

He described Williams as a “hard-working” and “very experienced lawyer.”

“No one wants to lose cases and as far as I can see, he is a very experienced lawyer and once you go to the court, you have to expect that the outcomes may not necessarily be in your favour…you can’t win everything,” he said, noting that the attorney general has worked hard since taking up the post in May 2015.

The attorney general has received much criticism over the past few months for the number of legal cases lost recently. Last

month, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) dismissed an appeal by the attorney general (AG) of Guyana in the $446M contractual dispute between the government and Dipcon Engineering Limited.

President Granger does not believe the attorney general should be blamed for the failure of the government to consistently win major cases in the courts, but attention should be paid to the type of representation made in the past.

“He has had like some

Attorney General Basil Williams

other ministers, has had to make internal changes in his ministry in order to get the best quality representation.

“I do not feel that in the past we had the best representation and some of the cases which we inherited were lost before we started, because the representation was inadequate,” the President stated.

The head-of-state said attention must also be placed on Williams’s team.

Moreover, President Granger said that though

government has lost several big cases, there are others which are still pending in the courts.

He posited that had there been better representation, then the government “would not have lost so much money because of certain claims made against the Government.”

“So I won’t blame the minister of legal affairs, I think that within that ministry there were some persons who were not doing their best for the Government of Guyana.”

City Hall spruces up cemetery for Christmas THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is again attempting to clean the Le Repentir Cemetery and has spent over $1.5M since such efforts resumed last week.

Over the last two years, the city council spent some $80M on restoration work in the cemetery, and another $50M on another occasion. The M&CC continues to be plagued by the problem of maintenance.

Work is now being done to remove the overgrowth of bushes and weed.

The cemetery has specific sections for various religious organisations, including for Muslims, Hindus, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Baha’is and Presbyterians.

“Traditionally, cemetery management only involves the allocation of land for burial, the digging and filling of graves, and the maintenance of the grounds and landscaping.

However, Cemetery Restoration Programme (2016-2017) would include the regular cleaning and clearing of weeds, repairing the bridg-

es and office of the sexton, repaving of the main roads, and implementation of a citizens’ programme which will allow citizens to work with the municipality to help preserve the cemetery,” M&CC Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis, had said.

Town Clerk Royston King said the Council is not only responsible for the removal of overgrowth and desilting of drains in the cemetery, but has a responsibility to ensure that it does not interfere with the ecology of the environment.

Under the Municipal and District Council Act 28:01, the Council has the responsibility for establishing, maintaining and controlling burial grounds and crematoriums.

In addition, the Office of the Sexton has burial registers which contain the names of persons buried, the dates of burials, and the locations of the places of burial within the cemetery. Burial registers often serve as an important resource for genealogy.

M&CC began works last week on some sections of Le Repentir Cemetery Le Repentir Cemetery was first established in March, 1861. Subsequently, a road was constructed through the cemetery to link La Penitence with Lodge, Wortmanville and

Werk-en-Rust.

The first person interred at Le Repentir Cemetery was Antonio Gonzales, 45, on March 15, 1861. He was from Madeira.

Turkeyen group spreads Christmas cheer

By Vishani Ragobeer

SEEKING to spread warmth and Christmas cheer to children, a community-based group hosted a Festival of Carols on Saturday, for 40 youths in the South Turkeyen area, Georgetown.

The Echo-farm, Health, Education and Literacy Peace Programme (E- HELPP) was created last December by members of the community.

According to one of the facilitators of the Christmas programme, Pastor Mervyn Gobin, it is the second year that the group has been feting the children of the area and the event has become part of the celebrations of the community.

The children ushered in the season with a night of carolling, storytelling and

dancing and were provided with goodies, compliments of fast food outlet Royal Castle.

Leaning on Nelson Mandela’s famous saying: “Education is [the] most powerful tool to change the world”, Gobin also related that the group is now seeking to establish a library and have computer classes for children in the community.

Teenager and driving force behind the programme, Sasha Sharma, said “the programme promotes peace and progress for all members of the community and the entire country by extension.”

Gobin and Sharma extended much gratitude to the Director of Royal Castle, Eddie Boyer, and the staff of the Sherriff Street outlet for providing the children with the goodies.

Royal Castle staffers present goodies to Pastor Mervyn Gobin (fourth from right) and young members of the South Turkeyen community group (seen at right) to fete children of the community (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Nandlall’s challenge against magistrate’s decision discharged CHIEF Justice (acting) Roxanne George-Wiltshire last week discharged the Order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari in the matter of former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall and Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan.

Back in June, Nandlall had approached the High Court requesting that the issuance of a search warrant by the chief magistrate be quashed as he had secured Conservatory Orders.

He contended too, that the search warrant was issued outside of the jurisdiction of

Attorney Anil Nandlall the chief magistrate and was deemed to be in violation of a Conservatory Order issued

Ex-policeman butchers gambling partner –– drives his bus into three others

A CUTLASS-WIELDING man went on the rampage Saturday evening, killing Amit Jairam, 44, and injuring three other persons at Tarla Dam, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

According to the police, a game of “chance” at an entertainment event turned violent after a 54-year-old minibus driver and ex-policeman of Stewartville, (WCD) went berserk and chopped Mohamed Ahamad, 44, and drove his bus into three other persons who were tending to the wounded man.

An eyewitness said persons who were at the event bolted from the scene after the argument erupted among the men who were playing the game.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that around 21:30hrs, the ex-policeman went to his vehicle BTT5707 and returned with a cutlass which he used to inflict a wound to Ahamad’s head.

Dead: Amit Jairam Jairam, Randy Melville, 22, and Premnauth Basdeo, 20, reportedly rushed to the assistance of Ahamad after the assailant returned to his vehicle, but the bus driver was not finished.

“He jumped in the vehicle and drove into the men,” said one of the eyewitnesses, adding that the men, after being hit, were unconscious but public-spirited persons rushed to their assistance and took them to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

The victims were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where Melville and Basdeo are reportedly still in a critical condition.

Jairam reportedly succumbed to his injuries around midday on Sunday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) believes the driver’s action was deliberate, reckless and wanton. He is reportedly in police custody assisting with the investigation.

Elderly farmer shot, robbed

A 65-year-old cash crop farmer was robbed and shot after three armed men entered his home at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) around 06:45hrs on Sunday.

According to the police, the farmer, who was shot in his right thigh is in stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The bandits reportedly carted off an undisclosed sum of money.

No arrest has yet been made, but investigators have retrieved a spent shell of a small-calibre weapon at the scene.

by the acting Chief Justice on April 25, 2017 and extended on May 10, 2017 and June 12, 2017.

Mc Lennan on June 27, 2017 issued a search warrant to SOCU at the request of Special Superintendent of Police, Brian Vieria, to search Nandlall’s premises at 55 Chandranagar Street, Prashad Nagar and 217 South Road for the law books to be used as evidence. Nandlall had questioned the extent of SOCU’s investigation as the address stated in the court order was reportedly incorrect.

Nandlall had secured the Conservatory Orders to prevent the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) from seizing some 15 Commonwealth Law Reports paid for by the State.

The former attorney general and minister of legal affairs made the application one day after he was arrested and questioned over the law reports worth some $2.5M, and which he had taken away from the Ministry of Legal Affairs in 2015, allegedly with the permission of former President Donald Ramotar.

The former attorney general argued that he was the owner of the Commonwealth Law Reports for the years 2013 to May 2015, noting that they were acquired during his tenure as attorney general and legal affairs minister.

He had been subscribing to Lexis Nexis (UK), the publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports since 2003.

Meanwhile, Justice George-Wiltshire discharged the order because no evidence was presented showing that the chief magistrate, had

knowledge of a Conservatory Order issued to former attorney general and minister of legal affairs.

In her ruling, the Chief Justice (acting) noted that the chief magistrate had jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Justice George-Wiltshire ordered that the Order Nisi of Certiorari granted on July 6, 2017 be discharged and costs to the tune of $50,000 were awarded to the respondent.

Judy Stuart-Adonis appeared on behalf of Mc Lennan while Nandlall appeared in person.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Region Two gives retirees warm send-off –– for unswerving dedication to public service

THE Human Resource Department of the Regional Administration of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Thursday held a simple ceremony in honour of a number of public servants who retired this year.

Among the 16 honorees were Regional Education Officer, Ms Leslyn Ed-

wards-Charles, and Schools Welfare Officer, Ms Meenawattie.

The group, who among them gave some 150 years of dedicated service to the region, also comprises Community Health Workers, Cooks, Cleaners, Kitchen Maids and an Equipment Operator.

Ms. Edwards alone chalked up a total of 38

years of service in the field of education, and served in Regions Two, Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica- Berbice). The others gave between 15-25 years of unbroken service.

Chairperson Ms. Bibi Rameeza Mullah, who coordinated the activity, expressed her profound gratitude to the honorees on behalf of the Admin-

istration, as did Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Mr. Roop Kumar Persaud, who urged that they start charting a new course in their lives so they could still be of benefit to their communities, churches and the region, given their experience, and now that they have more time on their hands.

Regional Vice-Chair-

man, Ms. Nandranie Coonjah, told the retirees they ought to be proud of themselves for having stood the test of time. Personnel Officer Mr Tageanindra Kishore went one better, urging his former colleagues to adopt a new regimen, which should include exercising, visiting

the doctor regularly, consuming enough water per day, and just taking it easy.

Each retiree was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift, compliments of the Regional Administration.

The event was held in the boardroom of the Personnel Department.

Charlestown bakery icon passes on THE Charlestown, Georgetown community was Sunday thrown into a pall of gloom following the news of the passing of one of its icons, Winston Humphrey, more familiarly known as George Humphrey of the popular Humphrey’s Bakery, located at Ketley and Sussex Streets, Georgetown.

In addition to carving his name in the baking industry, George Humphrey was known for brightening the faces of children was the Charlestown area during the festive season with his annual Christmas party and gift-distribution exercises.

He was also known through his bakery for mak-

George Humphrey ing numerous donations to several homes for the elderly and shelters throughout Guyana.

Among the weekly recipients of his products (donations) are the Dharm Shala and the Palms Geriatric Home. The sport fraternity is also known to have benefitted from monetary and other worthwhile contributions from him.

Humphrey was born on March 1, 1948 to Robert Humphrey and Miriam Allen. He had five siblings, and grew up in Middle Road, La Penitence, and was schooled at West Ruimveldt Primary School and St. Phillip’s Anglican School. The latter was then located in Ketley Street, Charlestown.

Humphrey was the husband of Pauline, his teenage sweetheart. She bore him eight children:Trevor, Troy, Shondell, Andrea, Roshell, Melanie, Marlon and Nimrod.

Troy, a champion cyclist, died in a motor vehicle accident a few years ago and in honour of his son, Mr. Humphrey founded the Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) and served as president for a number of years before retiring.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Jeffrey dethroned as Georgetown Grand Prix concludes

By Stephan Sookram

KRISTIAN Jeffrey could not defend his shifter kart champion driver trophy from the invading foreigners as the Georgetown Grand Prix finale concluded on Saturday evening at GT Motorsport facility.

In the qualifying session, it was Colin Daley of Jamaica who shot to the top of the standings with Stefan Jeffrey alongside; the duo being the only men into the 30 second bracket for the class.

Daley posted a time of 30.916 with Stefan posting a 30.969 time, ahead of Canadian, Darrel Timmers 31.021, Kristian’s 31.254, Barbadian Orry Hunte’s 31.652 and Elliot Vieira’s 31.690.

And he continued that dominance into race one when he shot off the line and into the lead with Stefan, Timmers and Kristian all being relegated.

However, chain issues just over three quarters of

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the race would put the Jamaican out of commission, leaving the win to Stefan, with Timmers second and Kristian third.

Race two saw an improved Kristian and while he romped pound for pound with Daley, the duo’s race ended on the approach to the back stretch where they both went off.

Timmers took the win this time, ahead of Stefan and Hunte.

Race three belonged to Daley who finally got that elusive podium top step, this time winning ahead of Timmers and Vieira.

However, on the night, Timmers would pick up the champion driver’s trophy in that class, having outdone the competition.

In the 125CC senior class, the Jamaicans were unstoppable, winning all three of the engagements.

Daley took the first ahead of Kristian and Jamaican, Jonathon Law. Law, however, returned

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to take the other two ahead of Trinidad’s Kristian Boodoosingh, Jeffrey and Daley and Jeffrey, respectively.

Law took the Champion’s trophy.

In the Junior class, Rayden Persaud was the top dog on the night with two wins from three races. Tommi Gore of Jamaica won the first race of the night with Persaud taking the other two.

In the Easy Cup Rookie Fixture, Raymond Baksh ran rampant while in the Light class, the two wins on the night were shared between Raymond Seebarran and Dharmendra Dharmo.

In the sunburst 60cc Kids Cup, Nathan Rahaman took the champion driver trophy ahead of Jeremy Ten Pow who had two wins and a DNF on the night.

Nathan, sporting a new sponsor in Valvoline, picked up one win and two second placed finishes, which were enough to gift him the trophy.

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday December 18, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Daniel Vettori-112 Tests (2) Stephen Fleming-80 Tests Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent WI/NZ Test series?

(2) Who was named Man of the Match of the recent

WI/NZ second Test?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Rain hands broken England stay of execution after Root falls

By Ian Ransom

PERTH (Reuters) - Australia moved within six wickets of reclaiming the Ashes at the close of a rain-hit day four of the third Ashes Test on Sunday, with England still 127 runs short of making the hosts bat again.

The tourists were 132 for four when a rain-shower brought stumps an hour early at the WACA, with Dawid Malan (28 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (14) tasked with an improbable rescue mission following their defiant 237-run stand in the first innings.

Australia had declared at 662 for nine after lunch, their highest ever Ashes total at home, with captain Steve Smith finally dismissed for 239 from 399 balls.

Trailing 2-0, England must cobble a draw to keep the fivetest series alive to Melbourne and their hopes may rest on the weather, with more showers forecast on day five.

“I think we’re in a pretty good position obviously,” Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood told local radio, after dismissing both of England’s openers.

“I think we would have loved one more (wicket) today but they’ve lost the wickets at the tail pretty quickly

throughout the whole series.”

Even with the chance of rain interruptions, it still looked bleak for the tourists, with cracks opening up on a pitch and variable bounce likely to play a part on day five.

One large fissure at the

got to have belief that we can save the series and get over the line tomorrow. ”It’s going to be tough.

I‘m sure there’s going to be some good balls flying around out there.

“But these two especially

James Vince clips one through midwicket during his neat half-century ©Getty Images

southern end of the wicket opened up to swallow England number three James Vince for 55 when a Mitchell Starc ball jagged viciously back to rip out his off-stump. ”I think we try and put the rain to the back of our minds,“ Vince told reporters. ”We’ve

Brazilian midfielder Kaka retires at age 35 SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka announced on Sunday that he is retiring from football.

The devout 35-year old Brazilian wrote on Twitter: “It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Kaka announced this year he would not extend his contract with Orlando City but he opened the door to a possible return to Milan, the club where he made his name.

Brazilian midfielder Kaka

“I would like to participate in the club in another way, as a manager, a sporting director, as someone who is between the pitch and the club,” he said in a farewell interview with Globo TV in Brazil.

“I prepared very hard to be a professional footballer and I want to prepare for this new role.”

He said Milan, with whom he won the Champions League in 2007, had offered him a role but did not specify the exact nature of the job or say if he would accept it.

Milan and his first team Sao Paulo both offered him a playing contract to extend his career, but Kaka, who was in Brazil’s World Cup-winning squad in 2002 and was the last Brazilian to be voted world player of the year in 2007, said the time was right to call it a day.

showed in the first innings that they can occupy the crease for a long time, so hopefully they get off to a good start in the morning.”

Vince had at least shown determined application, a quality sorely missed in his top order colleagues.

Alastair Cook’s miserable series continued as he threw away his wicket for 14, having managed only seven in the first innings of his 150th test.

Joe Root, his successor as captain, was equally culpable in his own 14, with opener Mark Stoneman out for three, as England staggered to 60 for three.

England’s ‘Barmy Army’ danced in the terraces as rain brought tea five minutes early and again when it returned midway through the final session to see play abandoned.

Vince and first innings centurion Malan dug in for 40 runs before the pitch claimed the number three.

Bairstow and Malan added another 32 in a watchful stand to survive until the rain fell.

Australia’s pacemen stuck to their task but the match is likely to be remembered for their captain’s batting masterclass which yielded a second double-century against the same foes.

He was finally dismissed leg before by paceman James Anderson (4-116) in the morning.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh was also trapped lbw by the veteran quick without adding to his overnight 181.

Australia lost three wickets for 12 runs in the mini-collapse

but wicketkeeper Tim Paine (49 not out) and Pat Cummins (41) steadied the home side with a 93-run stand.

Facing a 259-run deficit, England’s chase began disastrously with Stoneman caught behind for three in the second over, seemingly hypnotised into a lead-footed push away from the body by metronomic seamer Josh Hazlewood.

Six overs later, Cook was sent packing when he spooned a leading edge low and straight

back to Hazlewood who took a brilliant reflex catch to dismiss him.

With England desperate for a captain’s knock, Root joined Vince in the middle and the pair added 31 runs to prompt a bowling change.

Lyon was introduced and had Root caught at slip with his first delivery, the skipper playing a loose drive away from the body and Smith snaffling the chance when it pinged off Tim Paine’s gloves.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 403 (D. Malan 140, J. Bairstow 119, M. Stoneman 56; M. Starc 4-91) Australia 1st innings (Overnight: 421-4) C. Bancroft lbw b C. Overton 25 D. Warner c Bairstow b C. Overton 22 U. Khawaja lbw b Woakes 50 S. Smith lbw b Anderson 239 S. Marsh c Root b Ali 28 M. Marsh lbw b Anderson 181 T. Paine not out 49 M. Starc run out (Vince) 1 P. Cummins lbw b Anderson 41 N. Lyon c Ali b Anderson 4 Extras: (b-4 lb-16 nb-1 w-1) 22 Total: (for 9 wickets declared, 179.3 overs) 662 Fall of wickets: 1-44 D. Warner, 2-55 C. Bancroft, 3-179 U. Khawaja, 4-248 S. Marsh, 5-549 M. Marsh, 6-560 S. Smith, 7-561 M. Starc, 8-654 P. Cummins, 9-662 N. Lyon Did not bat: J. Hazlewood Bowling: J. Anderson 37.3 - 9 -

116 - 4 (nb-1), S. Broad 35 - 3 - 142 – 0, C. Woakes 41 - 8 - 128 - 1(w-1), C. Overton 24 - 1 - 110 – 2, M. Ali 33 - 4 - 120 – 1, J. Root 3 - 0 - 13 – 0, D. Malan 6 - 1 - 13 - 0 England 2nd innings A. Cook c&b Hazlewood 14 M. Stoneman c Paine b Hazlewood 3 J. Vince b Starc 55 J. Root c Smith b Lyon 14 D. Malan not out 28 J. Bairstow not out 14 Extras: (lb-4) 4 Total: (for 4 wckts, 38.2 ovrs) 132 Fall of wickets: 1-4 M. Stoneman, 2-29 A. Cook, 3-60 J. Root,4-100 J. Vince To bat: M. Ali, C. Woakes, S. Broad, C. Overton, J. Anderson Bowling: M. Starc 10 - 3 - 32 – 1,J. Hazlewood 9 - 3 - 23 - 2 M. Marsh 3 - 1 - 14 – 0, P. Cummins 8.2 - 2 - 31 – 0, N. Lyon 8 - 3 - 28 - 1

Dhawan, spinners set up India ODI series win

(REUTERS) - Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up three wickets each to set up a comfortable eight-wicket win for India against Sri Lanka in the deciding third and final one-day international in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

The wrist-spinners scythed through the Sri Lankan batting order to bundle them out for 215 in under 45 overs after the touring side had made a blazing start.

The hosts, who won the three-test series between the sides 1-0, breezed to their target with almost 18 overs to spare to secure their eighth series victory in a row in the 50-over format.

Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma, filling in for the rested Virat Kohli, fell for seven to off-spinner Akila Dananjaya but Shikhar Dhawan remained unbeaten on 100 to guide India home.

Dhawan added 135 for the second wicket with Shreyas Iyer and an unbroken 70 with Dinesh Karthik, who finished on 26 not out.

The left-handed opener reached his 12th ODI hundred in 84 balls, hitting 13 fours and two sixes.

Playing his third ODI, Iyer compiled his second suc-

cessive half-century before he was out for 65, his knock including eight fours and a six.

After Rohit won the toss and opted to field fearing the evening dew would make it difficult for his spinners to grip the ball, Sri Lanka lost opener Danushka Gunathilaka for 13.

et stand of 121 with Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Leg-spinner Chahal broke the stand when Samarawickrama was out caught at deep cover for 42.

Left-armer Kuldeep, who took 3-42, then struck twice in one over to dismiss Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella, who was out after hitting the spinner for two fours.

Chahal, who finished with 3-46, compounded Sri Lanka’s

problems by spinning one past Angelo Mathews’s bat with the right-handed batsman stunned by the amount of turn generated by the leg-spinner to bowl him.

From being 136-1 in 22 overs and looking set to post a tough target for India, Sri Lanka completely lost their way with the bat.

The teams will next play a three-match Twenty20 series starting in Cuttack on Wednesday.

SCOREBOARD

Shikhar Dhawan batted through till the end, and struck his 12th ODI ton.

But former captain Upul Tharanga launched a brutal counter-attack on the Indian quicks, smashing all-rounder Hardik Pandya being smashed for five successive boundaries in his second over.

Tharanga hit 12 fours and three sixes in his 83-ball 95 and gave Sri Lanka a strong platform and shared a second-wick-

SRI LANKA Innings Danushka Gunathilaka c Ro. Sharma b Bumrah 13 Upul Tharanga st Dhoni b K. Yadav 95 Sadeera Samarawickrama c S. Dhawan b Chahal 42 Angelo Mathews b Chahal 17 Niroshan Dickwella c Iyer b K. Yadav 8 Asela Gunaratne c Dhoni b B. Kumar 17 Thisara Perera lbw b Chahal 6 Sachith Pathirana c Chahal b H. Pandya

7 Akila Dananjaya b K. Yadav 1 Suranga Lakmal lbw b H. Pandya 1 Nuwan Pradeep not out 0 Extras: (lb-4 w-4) 8 Total: (all out, 44.5 overs) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-15 D. Gunathilaka,2-136 S. Samarawickrama,3-160 U. Tharanga,4-168 N. Dickwella,5-189 A. Mathews,6-197 T. Perera,7-208 S. Pathirana,8-210 A. Dananjaya,9-211 S. Lakmal,10-215 A. Gunaratne Bowling: B. Kumar 6.5 - 0 - 35

– 1, J. Bumrah 8 - 1 - 39 – 1,H. Pandya 10 - 1 - 49 - 2(w-1), K. Yadav 10 - 0 - 42 - 3(w-2), Y. Chahal 10 - 3 - 46 - 3(w-1) INDIA Innings Ro. Sharma b Dananjaya 7 S. Dhawan not out 100 S. Iyer c Lakmal b T. Perera 65 D. Karthik not out 26 Extras: (b-4 lb-2 w-15) 21 Total: (for 2 wickets, 32.1 overs) 219 Fall of wickets: 1-14 Ro. Sharma,2-149 S. Iyer Did not bat: M. Dhoni, H. Pandya, M. Pandey, B. Kumar, J. Bumrah, K. Yadav, Y. Chahal Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 5 - 2 - 20 - 0(w-1), Akila Dananjaya 7.1 - 0 - 53 - 1 (w-6), Angelo Mathews 3 - 0 - 30 – 0, Sachith Pathirana 4 - 0 - 33 – 0, Nuwan Pradeep 3 - 0 - 10 – 0, Thisara Perera 5 - 0 - 25 – 1, Asela Gunaratne 4 - 0 - 30 0(w-8), Danushka Gunathilak 1 - 0 - 12 – 0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

Lukaku, Lingard lift nervy Man United past West Brom

Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku scored his 15th goal of the season

(REUTERS) - Manchester United survived a tense finale to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at the Hawthorns on Sunday and close to within 11 points of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

United’s former West Brom striker Romelu Lukaku scored his 15th goal of the season in the 27th minute by heading home Marcus Rashford’s left-wing cross.

Midfielder Jesse Lingard doubled the lead with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area eight minutes later.

United appeared to be on

course for a comfortable win, but West Brom set up a nervous finish for Jose Mourinho’s side when substitute Gareth Barry poked home from close range following a corner in the 77th minute.

United hung on, however, to restore their three-point advantage over third-placed Chelsea. West Brom have now gone 16 league matches without a win and remained second bottom, two points from safety.

“I think we deserved the win,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “We were the best team. We controlled the game for a long, long time.”

United spurned opportunities to kill the game off when Rashford slashed a right-footed shot wide in the 57th minute and Lingard fired straight at West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster.

They then switched off at a set-piece to allow Barry to score and were lucky not to concede an equaliser when Jay Rodriguez headed wide from point-blank range with five minutes remaining.

We had a few chances to kill the game but I knew they would react,” Mourinho added.

“The intensity in the first half maybe we didn’t have in the

second half.”

West Brom manager Alan Pardew, who was appointed last month after Tony Pulis was sacked, made one change to the side who drew 0-0 against Liverpool on Wednesday. ”The team I picked, in hindsight, was not the right team,“ Pardew said. ”I should have put some fresh legs in there, but they did so well at Liverpool that, I’m a new manager, I wanted to show some faith in those players.

“But I should have maybe made two or three changes. We looked leggy.”

Jeffrey and Ramdhani secure badminton wins TYRESE Jeffrey and Priyanna Ramdhani were both successful in their respective under-17 finals of the Guyana Badminton Association/Banks DIH Aqua Mist/Powerade 2017 Christmas championships which was played on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

According to a release from the Association, Jeffrey defeated Akili Haynes: 14-21, 21-17, 21-14 to take the boys under-17 title, while Ramdhani beat Sache Parmanand in straight sets 21-3, 21-1.

On the same day (Saturday), the association ran off the boys’ and girls’ under-11 and under competition. In the boys under-11 division, Jonathan Debidin defeated Avinash Ramnarine: 21-10, 21-7 to take the title, while Moshka Beharry defeated Gianna Ramnarine: 21-4, 21-3 to win the girls’ under-11 title.

In the Boys’ singles under-15 final, Matthew Beharry defeated Vikash Mootoo: 21-10, 21-14 to win the title, while on the distaff side, Jayde DaSilva defeated Lesha Singh: 21-5, 21-8 to capture the title.

The tournament culminated yesterday at the same venue with playoffs in the Open Men’s Singles Semi-Finals and finals as well as the ladies Open finals.

The presentation of prizes to the respective winners was done at the end of the tournament.

See results of those finals in tomorrow’s edition.

Marsh completes family hat-trick of Ashes centuries

By Ian Ransom PERTH (Reuters) - Under pressure, undervalued and ultimately underestimated, recalled all-rounder Mitchell Marsh scored his maiden Test century at the WACA on Saturday to complete a rare family set of Ashes tons.

Mayers bowls Volcanoes to first win of the season … Devon Smith completed twin centuries for Volcanoes

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) – Windward Islands Volcanoes needed just over an hour to beat Jamaica Scorpions by 119 runs and post their first win of the Regional Four-Day Championship here Sunday.

Resuming the final day of the seventh round encounter at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground requiring three wickets for victory with the visitors needing an improbable 197 runs, Volcanoes dismissed Scorpions for 279 in their second innings.

They were inspired by seamer Kyle Mayers who added two of the three wickets to fall to his tally, to end with five for 92 while speedster Delorn Johnson picked up two for 71.

Volcanoes were held up

by Fabien Allen who hit 42 and Odean Smith, 41, as the pair put on 54 for the ninth wicket but once the pair were separated, the last two wickets fell in successive overs with the total on 279.

On 201 for seven at the start of the evening, Allen

and Damion Jacobs (7) added 33 for the eighth wicket before Mayers struck the first blow of the day by removing Jacobs.

Allen then hit three fours in a 64-ball innings while Smith blasted seven fours and a six in a 30-ball cameo, to frustrate Volcanoes.

H o w e v e r, M a y e r s trapped Smith lbw and pacer Sherman Lewis bowled Allen in the next over to quickly wrap up the innings.

Meanehile, veteran lefthander Smith had earlier completed his fifth century of the season and second of the match, to extend his phehomenonal run of heavy scoring.

The 36-year-old, beginning Saturday’s penultimate day on 75, stroked 154 as Volcanoes converted their overnight 142 for three into 283.

Following up on his first innings 107 not out, Smith faced 280 balls and struck 13 fours, becoming the first batsman to score hundreds in each innings of a Windies first-class match twice in the

modern era.

Further, he has now amassed 873 runs, eaving him 195 short of the record

aggregate in a single season set by former Windies lefthander Narsingh Deonarine, eight years ago.

Father Geoff Marsh scored 138 at Nottingham in the 1989 Ashes series.

Devon Smith hit 107 no out and 154 in the match

SCOREBOARD

VOLCANOES 1st Innings 226-9 decl.

Scorpions 1st Innings 112-9 decl.

Volcanoes 2nd Innings 283 Scorpions 2nd Innings (target: 398 runs) (overnight 201 for seven) J Campbell c wkp DD Smith b Johnson 14 T Griffith run out 25 O Williams lbw b Johnson 0 B King b Mayers 88 *P Palmer c DS Smith b Mayers 46 F Allen b Lewis 42 +A Thomas b Theophile 1

D Green lbw b Mayers 2 D Jacobs c Theophile b Mayers 7 O Smith lbw b Mayers 41 C Lamont not out 0 Extras: (b2, lb8, nb3) 13 TOTAL: (all out, 64.2 overs) 279 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-29, 3-65, 4-180, 5-187, 6-188, 7-191, 8-225, 9-279, 10-279.

Bowling: Lewis 12.2-0-68-1, Johnson 14-1-71-2, Dember 4-014-0, Mayers 23-1-92-5, Theophile 11-2-24-1.

Clubbing 29 fours in an unbeaten knock of 181, the 26-year-old combined with his captain Steve Smith (229 not out) in a 301-run partnership to give Australia a 146-run lead over England at stumps on day three of the third test.

The home-town hundred was another entry for the Marsh family’s burgeoning scrapbook.

His older brother Shaun savoured his first Ashes ton at the Adelaide Oval, an unbeaten 126 that made him Man-of-the-Match.

T h e i r f a t h e r G e o ff Marsh beamed with pride in the WACA crowd, having scored 138 at Nottingham as an opener in Allan Border’s victorious 1989 team.

“I’ll let dad know that

I passed him,” the younger Marsh told reporters, having surpassed his previous high score of 87.

Though powerfully built and boasting a thunderous drive, Marsh brought little else into the match barring Sheffield Shield runs and the faith of Australia’s selectors.

That faith had been dented over the course of 21 tests that yielded just two half-centuries, a paltry average of 21.74 with the bat and a modest 37.48 with the ball.

Under the microscope but desperate to perform in front of home fans, the WACA test began poorly for the 6ft-4in all-rounder as he dropped a straightforward catch in the slips to reprieve England opener Mark Stoneman on day one.

He then went wicketless during England’s innings and conceded nearly five runs an over as Australia’s fourth seamer.

Yet there were few signs of nerves as he combined with Smith in a swashbuckling stand that pushed England to the brink of conceding the urn with two matches to spare.

After raising his ton, he pumped his fist like a piston and wrapped up Smith in a bear-hug as home fans roared.

It was his privilege to see Smith in “the zone” at close proximity but tough, he observed, being on the wrong side of it.

“It’s not very nice, you come up with all these plans and nothing works.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

GSA wraps up 2017 with Farfan and Mendes Junior skill level tournament

THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA) wrapped up a busy 2017, with the Farfan and Mendes Junior skill level tournament, which came to a dramatic climax on Sunday at the Georgetown Club Inc. Squash Courts.

The most entertaining match of the day, and possibly of the competition, was between Brenno DaSilva and Tiana Gomes, who treated spectators to a match full of two huge personalities, as well as surprising rallies.

When Tiana dropped, Brenno dropped a little lower; when Brenno played a great cross court and the crowd was poised to congratulate a winning shot, Tiana skipped across the court for thrilling returns.

Their contest ended with a smiling pair, a smiling audience and a smiling ref! Brenno won this match with some amazing serves, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3.

With 15 newbies in this tournament, the week has shown a new wave of youngsters who have caught the squash bug; some of whom will no doubt move on to a great career in the sport.

In the higher categories, Mohryan Baksh and James Mekdeci did not disappoint. This

8-11, 14-12 Lucas Jonas beat Ethan Jonas 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9 Kirsten Gomes beat Abosaide Cadogan 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 Category C Mohryan Baksh beat James Mekdeci 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9 Jason Gomes beat Zachary Persuad 11-5, 10-12, 20-18, 11-3 Nicholas Verwey beat Louis DaSilva 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 Category D Chad DeAbreu beat Teija Edwards 11-3, 11-5, 11-2

The respective winners of the Guyana Squash Association’s Farfan and Mendes Junior skill level tournament.

anticipated battle began at the first serve and continued to the last shot, evidence that squash in Guyana is moving forward.

Baksh took the first game 11-9, keeping Mekdeci at the back of the court. Mekdeci used his hard-hitting accuracy to take the second 11-8. Baksh continued to play his game and held on to take it home 11-9, 11-9.

In category B, DeAbreu stepped up in the third game against Alphonso and took the first game Alphonso has lost in

the tournament, then continued in the fourth to contend for the title, but Alphonso’s shot selection and deception brought him out on top in a 3-1 win.

The top spot for category A was already decided as Daniel Islam had already dismissed Anthony and Samuel earlier in the week, but the match with Fernandes as challenger stretched both players. The final game of the tournament closed off this year’s junior season to a full

venue at the Georgetown Club.

Skill, tactical shot selection and power were keys for both players and the well-fought final could have been either players match, but Islam dug deep and defeated Fernandes 3-2.

As is customary in the Farfan and Mendes Christmas Tournament, recognition is given to those players who have notably improved and who performed outstandingly.

This year Aishani Persaud and Nicholas Verwey were

Pride spinners bowl out Red Force for 116 to earn full points

TA R O U B A , Tr i n i d a d , (CMC) – Spin bowling triumvirate Jomel Warrican, Hayden Walsh, Jr and Kenroy Williams reversed decades of heartaches for Barbados Pride batsmen, when they bowled the visitors to a 207-run victory over Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the Regional 4-Day Championship on Sunday.

Left-arm spinner Warrican was the most impactful, grabbing 3-13 from 12 overs to finish with match figures of 9-84 to earn the Playerof-the-Match award, as the Red Force, chasing 324 for victory, were bowled out for 116 just before tea on the final day of their seventh-round match at the Brian Lara Cricket Ground.

Leg-spinner Walsh took 3-41 from 14 overs, and Williams bagged 3-46 from 21.5 overs and had the privilege of formalising the result when he had Bryan Charles caught at slip for 13.

Red Force captain Denesh Ramdin was again the glue that held his side together, but he was unable to unleash another hundred like the first innings, but hit the top score of 24. No other batsman passed 20.

The result meant that

Pride – after starting the match placed fifth in the League table with 56.8 points – earned 16.4 points and Red Force – after entering the match positioned third with 67.6 points – gained six points.

Player-of-the-Match Jomel Warrican finished with match figures of 9-84.

Earlier, Pride added 33 to their overnight total at a little under a run-a-ball before they declared their second innings on 221 for seven.

Neither overnight batsman was dismissed – West Indies 2016 Under-19 World Cup-winning all-rounder Shamar Springer finished with the top score of an unbeaten 51 from his overnight 38 and wicketkeeper/batsman Mario Rampersaud, who resumed on eight, remained not out on 26.

Pride batsmen of past generations would recall the fierce battles they endured

with the spin bowlers of Red Force in typically helpful conditions – suffering terribly at the hands of the likes of Ranjie Nanan, Rajindra Dhanraj, Raphick Jumadeen, Imtiaz Ali and others too numerous to name.

This victory must have been a source of delight for the current crop of Pride, considering that the spinners collected all nine wickets that fell in the second innings, in addition to eight in the first innings.

The slide to defeat for Red Force started when Williams removed left-handed opener Amir Jangoo to the first of five

lbw decisions in the innings.

Before they knew it, Red Force were 51 for five, and though Ramdin and veteran Imran Khan shared 31 for the sixth wicket, it would have required a far greater effort which never came.

The Championship will be on hold for the next three weeks for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays before resuming on Thursday, January 4, when Red Force host Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Queen’s Park Oval, at the same time that Pride welcome Windward Islands Volcanoes to Kensington Oval.

SCOREBOARD

PRIDE 1st Innings 316 Red Force 1st Innings 214 PRIDE 2nd Innings A Alleyne b Imran Khan 26 S Moseley lbw b St Clair 3 *S Brooks b Primus 37 J Carter lbw b Charles 21 K Stoute b Charles 1 K Williams c Primus b Imran Khan 26 J Greaves c Rajah b Imran Khan 2 S Springer not out 51 +M Rampersaud not out 26 Extras: (b17, lb5, w1, nb5) 28 TOTAL: (7 wkts decl’d, 68 overs) 221 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-60, 3-101, 4-102, 5-105, 6-122, 7-155 Bowling: St Clair 13-2-29-1 (nb3); Charles 26-8-69-2; Khan 25-4-803; Primus 4-1-13-1 (nb2, w1)

RED FORCE 2nd Innings (target: 324) +A Jangoo lbw b Williams 6 J Solozano lbw b Warrican 12 I Rajah b Warrican 4 E Nicholson lbw b Warrican 9 *D Ramdin b Walsh 24 A Cooper lbw b Walsh 7 I Khan c and b Williams 17 R Primus lbw b Walsh 9 D St Clair not out 11 B Charles c Carter b Williams 13 R Jaipaul did not bat (injured) – Extras (b2,lb2) 4 TOTAL (all out, 60.5 overs) 116 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-20, 3-27, 4-40, 5-52, 6-82, 7-82, 8-93, 9-116 Bowling: Greaves 7-2-12-0; Williams 21.5-7-46-3; Warrican 125-13-3; Walsh 14-3-41-3 Points: Pride 16.4, Red Force 6

credited with Most Improved titles while Kirsten Gomes and Chad DeAbreu were awarded Most Outstanding players.

Category A Daniel Islam beat Taylor Fernandes 9-11, 11-5, 9-11, 114, 11-4.

Anthony Islam beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 11-3, 11-8, 11-6 Category B Michael Alphonso beat Demetrius DeAbreu 11-1, 11-4,

Category E Lajuan Munroe beat Arvin Seelall 5-11, 11-7, 11-6 Category F Kayden Pynaendy beat Jehan Singh 11-9, 11-5 Brenno DaSilva beat Tiana Gomes 11-8, 6-11, 11-3 Rylee Rodrigues beat Matthew Spooner 11-3, 11-5 Category G Safirah Summer beat Shriya Persuad 11-7, 11-9 Rayad Boyce beat Angel Rahim 11-2, 11-3.

Farah crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s Olympic and world champion Mo Farah capped his final season as a track athlete by winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday.

The distance runner, who won his sixth world championships gold medal in London this year when he triumphed in the 10,000 metres, was named the winner ahead of second-placed superbike rider Jonathan Rea and para athlete Jonnie Peacock.

Pre-event favourites, world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and Formula One world title holder Lewis Hamilton, failed to make the top three.

Farah, who was born in Somalia and moved to Britain at the age of eight, won 5,000m and 10,000m gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics as well as six world titles in those distances.

The 34-year-old, who ended his track career this year to concentrate on road running, looked stunned when he was awarded the trophy by his step-daughter Rihanna in a studio in London.

He was denied the chance

to tell viewers how he felt as the BBC’s live satellite link to the ceremony in Liverpool’s Echo Arena cut out seconds later.

After the show went off air, Farah, appearing close to tears, spoke to those inside the arena saying he was shocked to win due to the quality of the other athletes.

“It is pretty amazing and hard to think about. I didn’t imagine I was every going to win this but... anything can happen. If you work hard you can achieve your dreams.

Other winners included: Overseas Sports Personality of the Year - Swiss Roger Federer for winning a record eighth Wimbledon tennis title and taking his overall grand slam tally to a record 19 Lifetime Achievement retired Olympic heptathlete champion Jessica Ennis-Hill Coach of the Year Benke Blomkvist, Stephen Maguire and Christian Malcolm for guiding Britain’s men’s 4x100m team to world gold Team of the Year - England women’s cricket team for winning the World Cup by beating India in the final.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 18, 2017

GUINNESS FINALS

2018 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Wagner’s strike proves ‘Goal is Championship to be expanded

money’; dethrones Sparta Boss A capacity crowd saw West Ruimveldt’s ‘Gold is Money’ dethrone Sparta Boss to become the new champions of the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition which ended on Saturday night, at Demerara Park.

The tournament which has enjoyed massive turnouts from Day One, once again demonstrated why its popularity among the fans is second to none.

Randolph Wagner, who has been one of the leading players in the tournament, saved the best for last when he fired in the lone goal of the game in the 26th minute to ignite huge celebrations among the thousands of supporters of the team.

The former champions who have been experiencing one of their leanest periods in the street format, saw a lapse in

concentration account for the goal, after Sheldon Shepherd overcompensated in attack only to expose the goal and Wagner finished a pass from the back with aplomb.

Randolph Wagner

With the newly-installed ‘Guinness Goal’ still in effect in the final three minutes of the game, Sparta Boss attacked with menace, but the youthful ‘Gold is Money’

unit remained dogged in defence and ensured that there would be no three-peat for the former champs, as referee Wayne Griffith finally blew the whistle to set off a euphoric scene among the winners’ supporters.

For the win, ‘Gold is Money’ went home with $500,000, the winning trophy and an automatic berth in the national playoffs, while Sparta Boss won $250,000 and a trophy.

Earlier, in the third place playoff, Leopold Street showed no mercy for Bent Street with a 3-0 drubbing, thanks to a Guinness Goal from Tyrese Forde in the 27th minute, while Orandel Williams 9th minute strike had given them the early lead.

Leopold Street went away with $200,000 and a trophy, while Bent Street collected $100,000 and a trophy for their efforts.

In the Plate Section, North

East La Penitence grabbed the $60,000 winner-take-all on offer with a narrow 1-0 win over Kingston. Kelvin Morre’s 26th minute effort was all it took to secure the win.

Meanwhile, Guinness Brand Manager, Lee Baptiste, speaking after the conclusion of the night’s proceedings, said he was heartened by the support from the fans and communities and promised that the event is here to stay.

He also commended the work done by the Guyana Police Force throughout the tournament, adding that their excellent job did not go unrecognised. The tournament was coordinated by Three Peat Promotions.

Attention now turns to the West Side which is expected to commence their tournament in January at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac.

Den Amstel, GDF ease into quarter-finals on Christmas Day

Den Amstel FC (GFF photo)

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) defeated Pouderoyen 1 – 0, while Den Amstel made light work of the Indigenous AllStars 2 – 1, to book their places in the quarter-finals of the inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Corona Beer ‘Super 16’ Knock-Out tournament, which continued on Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

Playing in the opening game, Delwin Fraser’s fourth-minute goal was good enough to see the Army

through to the next round when they will play Winners Connection on Christmas Day (December 25).

Meanwhile, Den Amstel, thanks to their win (2 – 1) over the Indigenous side, will clash with Milerock, also on Christmas Day. The tournament will next move to the Victoria Community Centre Ground on Friday (December 22) with Buxton United taking on New Amsterdam United, while Police FC will be looking to arrest Victoria Kings.

GDF’s goalscorer, Delwin Fraser

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.

CONCACAF announced Friday, the expansion of the Caribbean Club Championship, a two-tier regional club championship representing the newest addition to the Confederation’s club competitions platform.

The Tier 1 Caribbean Club Championship, which launches on January 31, 2018, will feature eight professional clubs from four Member Associations – the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. The Tier 2 competition will consist of clubs from twelve Caribbean Member Association leagues that do not presently meet the minimum CONCACAF Club Licensing requirements.

Together, the new regional qualifying championships will serve as the Caribbean qualifying tournament for the Scotiabank CONCACAF League and the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, and open the door for wider participation of Caribbean clubs in Confederation championships.

“CONCACAF is united behind restructuring football in the Confederation in a way that benefits stakeholders throughout the region,” said CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani. “The new, expanded Caribbean Club Championship is both the result of our efforts and additional fuel for the growth of the game in the region.”

The eight clubs set to participate in the 2018 edition of the Tier 1 Caribbean Club Championship are (in alphabetical order by Member Association): Atlantico FC (DOM), Club Atletico Pantoja (DOM), Racing FC (HAI), Real Hope FA (HAI), Arnett Gardens FC (JAM), Portmore United FC (JAM), Central FC (TRI) and W Connection (TRI). The eight participating clubs qualified via their local leagues (winners and runners-up).

W Connection FC and Atlantico FC will each host fourteam, round-robin groups. The two group winners and the two second-place finishers will advance to the final stage, which will be disputed later in the year.

The initial Tier 2 competition is scheduled to begin the first week of April 2018. The participating clubs are (in alphabetical order by Member Association): SV Deportivo Nacional (ARU), Weymouth Wales FC (BRB), Real Rincon (BOE), Bodden Town FC (CAY), RKSV Centro Dominguito (CUW), Hard Rock Sports Club (GRN), USR Sainte-Rose (GPE), Guyana Defence Force (GUY), Club Franciscain (MTQ), Cayon FC (SKN), Avenues United FC (VIN) and Inter Moengotapoe (SUR). Further details on structure and hosting will be announced in the coming months.

The winner of Tier 1 2018 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship will qualify directly to the 2019 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, while the runner-up and third place finishers will qualify for the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League. The fourth-place finisher will face the winner of the Tier 2 competition in a playoff match to determine the third club that will represent the Caribbean in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League.

The draw for the Tier 1 competition will take place on Thursday, December 21, 2018, at the CONCACAF Headquarters in Miami.

The draw will be executed using a double-blind system involving four pots. Pots 1 and 2, will be the “Team Pots,” and will contain the names of the participating clubs. Pots A and B, “Group Pots,” will be used to sort the participating clubs into their respective groups.

As group stage hosts, W Connection FC (TRI) and Atlantico FC (DOM) will be placed in Pot 1. All other participating clubs will be placed in Pot 2. In accordance with the competition regulations, clubs from the same Member Association may not be allocated in the same group.

The draw will be broadcasted on www.CONCACAF.com.

Wagner’s strike proves ee ‘Goal is money’; PSa2g3e dethrones Sparta Boss

Guyanese boxers punch their way to three gold medals and one silver in St. Lucia

By Michael DaSilva

GUYANA’s four-man team to the Caribbean Boxing Championships (CBC) punched their way in securing three gold medals and one silver when the final of the event concluded on Saturday evening in Grois Islet, St. Lucia.

According to president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, Guyana’s Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis and Desmond Amsterdam all secured gold medals, while Williamson, the 2016 champion of the lightweight category, had to settle for silver.

After registering three victories on the opening night--all three finishing within the distance--the Guyanese pugilists returned to the `square jungle’ on Thursday night and registered another three victories; all three ending within the three-round distance.

However, on the final night (Saturday) the Guyanese were not so devastating as Allicock (Bantamweight) and Lewis (junior welterweight) were carried the full three-round distance but won by unanimous points decisions, while Amsterdam registered a first round knockout win against his opponent.

Williamson on the other hand suffered a first round knock-out defeat against his opponent.

On Thursday evening, Guyana’s Colin `Superman’ Lewis who demolished Barbados’ Justin Edwards in their junior welterweight

contest via a second round Technical Knock-Out on Wednesday night, returned on Thursday and forced the referee to stop his contest against St. Lucia’s Nathan Ferreira in the second round.

He then faced Jesse Jones in Saturday night’s final and won on points, while middleweight, Desmond Amsterdam, who defeated Trinidadian Mickell Joseph on the opening night with a first round stoppage, returned on the final night and secured a first-round knock-out win.

Allicock, who registered a second round technical knockout win against Grenada’s Neilon Cyrus on the opening night (Wednesday) and won by a similar margin over Kareem Boyce during the second round on night two (Thursday), went into the final against Ajayi Jones of Barbados and was taken the full three rounds. He was subsequently declared winner of the contest by a unanimous points decision.

Williamson on the other hand was stopped during the first round of his contest against Michael Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago.

It must be noted that Alexander is a Commonwealth Games’ bronze medalist and, according to Ninvalle and Joseph ‘Red’s Perreira, Guyana’s former Adviser to the then Minister of Sports, Shirley Field-Ridley, Alexander is far more experienced than Williamson.

“But the four-man Guy-

Team Guyana and coach Terrence Poole (centre) pose with the haul of medals From left: Lightweight, Joel Williamson; bantamweight, Keevin Allicock; coach Terrence Poole; lightweight, Colin Lewis; and middleweight, Desmond Amsterdam ana team’s performance was exemplary; the guys did their best and performed outstandingly” Perreira is quoted as having told Ninvalle, who said the performance of the Guyanese must be applauded. “We sent four boxers, we secured three gold medals and one silver; this is great, they must be applauded.” Ninvalle stated.

Guyana almost missed

the championships due to the lack of funding and Ninvalle explained that if it was not for the intervention of Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, George Norton, the team would have been smaller.

Originally, the GBA wanted to send a full team of 13 boxers, three coaches and two referee/ judges, but because of funding, the association could have only

sent four boxers, a coach and a referee/judge.

Ninvalle extended gratitude to Minister George Norton, the National Sports Commission, the GDF and the Guyana Olympic Association for assisting the six-man team to St. Lucia.

Guyana won the inaugural Caribbean Development Tourney when it was hosted here in Guyana in 2015 and

made a successful defence of the championship title last year in Barbados; winning 10 gold medals and one silver from an 11-member team.

All four of the boxers at this year’s championships won gold medals last year after which Allicock went on to win a silver medal at the Junior Commonwealth Games that were held in The Bahamas earlier this year.

Jeffrey dethroned as Georgetown Grand Prix concludes

Jonathan Law, (top step), Colin Daley (left) and Kristian Jeffrey pose for a photo Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See Page 19

Shifter Champion Driver, Canadian Darryl Timmers.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017