Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 3-07-2023

As part of his three-day visit to Canada, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday attended the East Scarborough Pentecostal Church service, where he spoke about the power of unity and the impact it has on moving a nation forward. He later visited the Brampton Triveni Mandir, where he interacted with a number of Guyanese, and encouraged them

transformation (Office of the President photos)

Guyana on course for world-class service sector transformation

–– technological advancements being used to push development plans, says President Ali

By Clestine Juan

GUYANA is on track to undergo a remarkable transformation as it aims to build a worldclass service sector with a strong emphasis on creating a unique national brand and harnessing advanced technologies.

This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who told a room full of Guyanese living in Canada, on Saturday night, that the country of their birth is charting its own path towards development and prosperity.

The event was part of a three-day visit during which President Ali used the opportunity to engage the Guyanese diaspora.

While delivering the feature address at the La Primavera Banquet Hall in Ontario, he announced the country’s plans to undergo a major transformation to build a “world-class service sector”.

Addressing the misconception that Guyana should replicate the development strategies of other countries, President Ali said: “What is wrong with us developing our own model? We must have the ability to design and propel our own brand. That is what is going to make us different.”

President Ali further underscored the importance of identifying the core values, principles, and societal structure that define the Guyanese identity and recognising these “soft issues” as fundamental to building lasting prosperity.

To fulfil its vision, the government acknowledges the necessity of modernisation and the integration of advanced technologies, he pointed out.

President Ali highlighted the crucial role of upgrading Guyana’s records management system, incorporating biometrics, electronic identification cards, and passports, while embracing robotics and other cutting-edge technologies.

Despite the associated costs, the President expressed the urgency of harnessing available technology to propel Guyana forward, stating, “We have to transform everything that we have learned to do all our lives onto an electronic platform.”

In line with its commitment to efficient and transparent processes, the government has commenced the implementation of the single-window construction permitting system, and other single-window systems.

These aim to eliminate human bias, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance transparency.

The Planning and Development Single-Window System Bill is currently before the National Assembly and once approved will cater to the establishment of a streamlined electronic processing system, thereby increasing business efficiency in the expanding housing and construction industries.

This legislation will standardise application forms, checklists, and significantly reduce the time required to complete transactions.

INVESTMENTS

President Ali highlighted the transition from a process-oriented system to a results-oriented one, stat-

ing, “The system must be results-oriented, not process-oriented... integrating transparency and accountability and achieving the results.”

Against this backdrop, President Ali said that the government is actively investing in key areas and enacting legislative changes to ensure the successful realisation of its modernisation and service delivery improvement plans.

In addition to focusing on infrastructure and technology, the PPP/C government is heavily investing in human capital. Several schools across the country are currently undergoing modernisation and reconstruction and are being introduced to new subjects such as Spanish and coding to equip young learners with essential skills.

To further enhance human capital, the govern-

international investments and fostering economic growth.

President Ali explained that by focusing on Guyana’s unique brand and leveraging advanced technologies, the country is charting its own path towards prosperity and development.

President Ali’s vision for Guyana’s transformation is not only focused on internal development but also on attracting international investments.

“We have to adapt to the newest and best technology and work backwards to bring our population to that technology. To shorten the time to come into reality, that is the approach we’re taking,” he explained.

As Guyana embarks on its transformative journey, President Ali acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead.

ment is providing free tertiary education and implementing skills training programmes . Furthermore, training centres for niche skills like hospitality are being established. The government is also providing financial support to Guyanese artists, boosting their creative capacity.

President Ali pointed out the significance of investing in human resources to his audience stating , “We are committed to building a skilled workforce that can contribute to the growth of our nation. By providing access to education, skills training, and supporting our creative talents, we are ensuring that our people have the tools they need to succeed.”

The transformative efforts undertaken by Guyana aim to position the country as a hub for worldclass services , attracting

He said: “We have the choice; the choice if we go in a straight line to catch up with the rest of the world, and by then… they’re 40 years ahead of us or today, we adapt to the newest and best technology and work backwards to bring our population to that technology.”

With a strong focus on technological advancements and the empowerment of its people, Guyana is well positioned to carve out a distinct identity in the global service sector.

As the country progresses along its transformative journey, he said the PPP /C’s vision of a prosperous and dynamic Guyana is gradually becoming a reality.

President Ali concluded his address by expressing his unwavering commitment to the transformation of Guyana.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali addresses members of the Guyanese diaspora in Canada

(Office of the President photo)

CARICOM has weathered the storm – President Ali

THE following is a message from His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM):

“I extend greetings to all the peoples of the Caribbean, as Guyana joins them in celebrating CARICOM Day today. This year, our Community is observing its Golden Jubilee, a milestone that attests to the relevance and sturdiness of our regional family, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Over the past five de -

cades, integration movements have come and gone; others have stuttered and stagnated; new regional groupings have emerged. But our community has not only remained together, but it has been enlarged and its membership expanded.

During this period, also, CARICOM has remained steadfast and committed to the ideals of its founding Charter: To promote economic integration, coordinate foreign policy, and promote functional cooperation (human and social development).

The original treaty establishing our community has since

been revised; a new charter to guide the work of the Community has been adopted, and security has become a fourth pillar of regional integration.

The past 50 years have not been all smooth sailing. The Caribbean has been subject to many challenges, including invasion, threats to our markets, the emergence of mega-economic blocks, devastating natural disasters and geopolitical changes. As a constellation of small-island developing and low-lying coastal states, the Caribbean Community has been able to navigate these turbulent periods because we have stayed together as a united Caribbean family.

Guyana is proud to belong to this regional family. The country’s commitment has been unwavering, and its support unquestionable.

Guyana has been the host of

the Community’s Secretariat, and has been integrally involved in the work, policies, programmes, and organs of the Community over the past 50 years. In recent times, we have been very forceful in propelling the region’s agen-

da in the areas of climate, food, and energy security.

We will continue to be a vibrant and engaged member in the future.

This month, Guyana will assume membership of the Bureau of the Conference,

and will undertake Chairmanship of the Community, from January to July 2024. We aim to use these opportunities to provide strong leadership, and to energise the Community’s work.

As the Caribbean Community celebrates its Golden Jubilee, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana heralds the contributions of the Caribbean Community towards regional integration, and by extension to the Region’s economic, human and social development. We pay tribute to the founders of our Community, and their successors who have kept the ship of regional integration steady, and on course.

Guyana looks forward to working within the Community to help realise the vision of a united, resilient and prosperous Caribbean.”

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Housewife allegedly beaten to death by reputed husband

POLICE are investigating the alleged murder of Bibi Naseefa Baksh, a 48-yearold housewife of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, by her 29-year-old partner, who resided at the same address.

Investigations indicate that the now-deceased woman and the suspect were living together with the suspect's 61-year-old mother and the victim's 12-yearold daughter in a two-bedroom wooden house resting on wooden columns about six feet off the ground in a fenced yard.

Police, in a statement, said that it is alleged that Baksh and the suspect usually had domestic issues.

“Earlier today (Sunday), between 04:30hrs and 05:30hrs, while imbibing, they had an argument, where the suspect began beating Baksh, kicking her down [the] wooden stairs and dragging her to the roadway, where he dealt her several kicks and lashes with a piece of wood about her body,” the statement said.

After the beating, the sus-

pect and the victim's 12-yearold daughter assisted Baksh back into the house.

The woman was taken to her room and helped onto the bed. A short while after, she was observed to be motionless.

“The suspect left the home in an unknown direction. Public-spirited persons subsequently informed

the police as the victim's 12-year-old daughter raised an alarm. On arrival, police observed the woman lying motionless in the bedroom. What appears to be abrasions were seen on the woman's forehead, shoulder, arms and knees,” the police added.

The scene was processed and photographed by investigators. Baksh's body was

Venezuelan man stabbed to death during robbery

POLICE are investigating the alleged murder of Oscar Sanchez, a 37-year-old Venezuelan national, who resided at Lot 37 Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

The alleged murder occurred at around 04:30 hours on Sunday, in the vicinity of Blast Beer Garden, located at Grove, East Bank Demerara.

The suspect is said to be a fellow Venezuelan national, whose age and address are unknown, the police said in a statement.

“Enquiries disclosed that Sanchez's reputed wife, Avie Mario Leane Tores, is a Venezuelan national employed at the Blast Beer Garden at Lot 85 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Tores told investigators that after she had finished working at around 00:30 hours, she and her husband began consuming alcohol in front of her workplace (Blast Beer Garden). They were with some other friends, all Venezuelans, and were standing on the pavement in front of the bar.

At about 04:00hrs, the suspect, who is known to both Sanchez and Tores, came up to her (Tores) and tried to steal her purse that

she had in her left hand, which caused her husband (Sanchez) to intervene.

Sanchez and the suspect started to argue, and the suspect, who was armed with a knife, dealt Sanchez several stabs about his body.

Sanchez fell to the ground, where he remained motionless, as the suspect made good his escape, on foot, in a southerly direction on the Grove Public Road,” the statement said.

The scene was photographed and processed by

later escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by Dr. Boodram and escorted to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to

await a post-mortem examination (PME). Checks were made for the suspect, but he is yet to be located. Several per-

sons were questioned, and certain information was received. Investigations are continuing.

investigators, who observed the following injuries on the body of the deceased: the back of the left side shoulder, centre of the back, left back elbow, left shoulder front, middle of the throat, left side lower rib, and right thumb.

Several persons were contacted and interviewed, and statements were obtained. CCTV cameras were located under the shed of Blast Beer Garden, and investigators will review the footage thereof as investigations continue.

Shivnand Henry, who is wanted by the police for the murder of Bibi Naseefa Baksh (Guyana Police Force photo)

The murder suspect, whose name is yet to be ascertained (Guyana Police Force photo)

Guyana’s Growing Influence

THE 45th regular meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government , scheduled to take place in Trinidad and Tobago from July 3 to July 5, holds significant promise for the Caribbean region.

As leaders from across the Caribbean Community converge, it presents a unique opportunity to discuss pressing regional issues and lay the groundwork for a brighter future While a wide range of topics is likely to be covered during the meeting, it is crucial to highlight Guyana’s growing importance and its emerging role as a leader in the region

One of the pressing matters that will likely dominate discussions is climate change and its devastating impact on Caribbean nations As vulnerable island states, many CARICOM countries face the harsh reality of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the destruction of ecosystems

These nations must unite and call for stronger global action to mitigate the effects of climate change and secure a

sustainable future for their citizens

Guyana, with its vast natural resources and its newfound role as an emerging oil producer, can play a pivotal role in the region’s response to climate change The nation’s commitment to sustainability, as exemplified by its Low Carbon Development Strategy, positions Guyana as a leader in balancing economic growth with environmental preservation

During the CARICOM meeting , Guyana can share its experiences and best practices in sustainable development, serving as a guiding light for other countries in the region

By emphasising the importance of diversifying the economy, investing in renewable energy, and implementing robust environmental regulations, Guyana can demonstrate that economic growth need not come at the cost of environmental degradation

Guyana’s expertise and leadership in this area are invaluable as Caribbean nations strive to build resilience and adapt to the challenges posed by climate

change

Another key area that the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting is likely to address is regional security . With the Caribbean experiencing various transnational threats such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and the illegal arms trade, a coordinated and unified approach is essential Guyana’s strategic location on the mainland of South America and its commitment to enhancing regional security make it a critical player in this regard

Guyana’s recent discovery of vast offshore oil reserves has placed the nation in the spotlight, attracting both investment and geopolitical attention

As Guyana emerges as a significant player in the energy sector , it must navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with it. The CARICOM meeting, which will be attended by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Commonwealth Secretary General , Patricia Scotland, provides a platform for Guyana to discuss its plans for

responsible and transparent resource management, ensuring that the benefits of its newfound wealth are shared equitably among its citizens and the wider Caribbean region

In addition to climate change and regional security, the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting will address other pressing issues, such as economic development, healthcare, education, and regional integration

Guyana’s increasing influence and leadership are crucial for the region’s progress in these areas By leveraging its strengths and sharing its experiences, Guyana can inspire and guide other nations in their pursuit of sustainable development, economic prosperity and social advancement

Also, by harnessing the collective strength of its member states and working collaboratively, CARICOM can confront the challenges ahead, strengthen regional cooperation, and build a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable region

IDB launches ‘Amazonia Forever’

an umbrella programme to boost coordination for Amazon Region

THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on Sunday launched Amazonia Forever , a holistic umbrella programme that aims to scale up financing, share strategic knowledge for decision - makers , and enhance regional coordination to accelerate the sustainable, inclusive and resilient development of the Amazon region.

According to a press release issued by the bank, the announcement was made after a meeting between the IDB’s governors for Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname

The governors, who are ministers of finance, economy, planning or other top officials, signed a joint statement in support of the new programme They previously discussed the creation of the programme during the IDB’s Annual Meeting in Panama.

The release explained that the programmes will address the following priority areas : local people ; sustainable agriculture and forestry ; the bioeconomy ; infrastructure ; sustainable cities ; and connectivity It will also focus on promoting the inclusion of women , indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities; climate and forest conservation; and strengthening institutional capacities and the rule of law

“We must look carefully at all aspects of the Amazon region, with people and nature at the centre of our approach There are multiple initiatives in support of the Amazon And the IDB is the ideal conduit for donors and partners to coordinate efforts for the region Increasing our collaboration and ambition is critical to maximising impact,” said IDB President

Ilan Goldfajn was quoted as saying

“

We are honoured to have the support of our governors, and we are ready to broaden our current work Amazonia Forever is an umbrella programme that welcomes all partners committed to the sustainable development of the Amazon region,” he added

The programme will have a three-prong approach: Platform to map financial resources, project preparation facility and a network of Ministers of Finance and Planning

The release explained that the platform to map all existing financial resources dedicated to the Amazon from Amazon countries and other donors will be a tool which will facilitate new financing and help guide policy and investment decisions

The programme also seeks to create a project preparation facility to develop investment plans for Amazon territories and significantly scale up the IDB’s $ 1 billion project pipeline already identified for the region in 2023

It also aims to enable and

support initiatives led by other institutions, networks and alliances that can benefit from the IDB ’ s financial instruments, knowledge and regional mandate

According to the release, the IDB governors also established a Network of Ministers of Financing and Planning and a technical group, supported by the IDB, that will oversee Amazonia Forever’s progress and results on economic and financial matters, including scaling up financing, joint taxonomies and innovative financing instruments These efforts aim to contribute to the Amazon countries’ resolutions at the Amazon Summit, to be held in Brazil in August

The Amazon region is critical to ecosystems worldwide, providing 40 per cent of Latin America ’ s fresh water and regulating nutrient and hydrological cycles for

the South American continent

Given the growing scientific consensus that the Amazon Basin is reaching an ecological “tipping point,” there is an urgent need to act boldly by implementing a new development model

The IDB has been working in the Amazon region since its creation in 1959 , investing in sustainable development and sustainable agriculture, education, urban development , social inclusion, and fiscal management, among other areas

Currently , the bank maintains a multisectoral technical team in each Amazon country and has an Amazon Coordination Unit within its Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector, which is responsible for coordinating Amazonia Forever , the release added.

Editor Navendra Seoraj

A recommendation for President Ali on CARICOM Day

THIS day in the calendar in 2023 marks 50 years of the formalized Caribbean integration structure among the English - speaking former colonies of the British West Indies.

The present title is CARICOM; changed after the original name, CARIFTA

This is a long time for an integration movement to exist , and CARICOM has persisted despite severe internal quarrels of which the most dangerous was the split over the American invasion of Grenada

In case you are too young to remember, it happened in May, 1983 I was working on the island as a government adviser and saw the action right in front my eyes around the apartment I lived in, with the guest in my home being the brother of Walter Rodney, Donald The Grenada Revolution was one of the golden opportunities the CARICOM region witnessed in a pursuit to decolonize the political economy of the Third World

The story of CARICOM is oxymoronic

It is a beautiful effort of integration among a group of small island-states and its large South American neighbour , Guyana , to come closer and integrate their respective territories because culturally, politically and in terms of plantation economy, they look like one piece of land And indeed, they are Guyana has an Indian majority and Trinidad’s Indian population is about half the population But this Indian presence with its retention of its Hindu and Muslim religions and cultures has not diminished the West Indianess of the Caribbean East Indians They are as Caribbean as any Creole West Indian. But while the life of CARICOM has been exemplary, it is still oxymoronic because after 50 years, there is so much that is wrong about it that those flaws in themselves constitute a denial of the integration movement

This irony comes to your face with illuminating pyrotechnics when you do the comparison with the European Union

Twenty eight countries in Europe (the UK recently pulled out) have done away with visa restrictions, adopted a common currency and accepted a common final appeal court of legal jurisprudence CARICOM is nowhere near that reality

It is simply a manifestation of psychological numbness that a majority of CARICOM lands have not accepted the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their final court Those still outside of it accept the learning and capacity of British judges over Third World

legal minds Why the choice of British jurists remains a mystery because there is nothing in the 21st century legal system of the UK that informs us is that judicial integrity in that nation is of a higher quality than in the CCJ

The numerous rulings in the British system against Julian Assange should convince anyone that British judges are not immune from political interference In Canada, the judiciary exposed itself for the world to see when its courts carried the daughter of the CEO of the giant Chinese company, Huawei through a trial for more than a year in which the glaring facts were that this case was bound up with superpower rivalry and had nothing to do with the committal of a criminal offence

No one in this entire world, if a poll is taken today around the world, would accept that the federal Supreme Court in the US is a court freed from race and political bias Revelations surrounding the relations between wealthy men and two Supreme Court jurists has deeply damaged the image of that court If any CARICOM leader could stand up and say that the US Supreme Court can be more trusted than the CCJ jurists, then he should be permanently banished to a lunatic asylum

It boggles the mind that in Trinidad where the court sits, and also in Jamaica, the governments of these two countries prefer British judges to their own CARICOM nationals VS Naipaul, CLR James, and Franz Fanon clung tenaciously to their theory about something they found in the psyche of the middle-class leaders of West Indian society That something has seriously damaged the success of the Caribbean integration movement

The world is now going in the direction of strong economic unions (a poll taken last month showed that the UK people want to rejoin the EU), and after 50 years of attempts at meaningful integration, CARICOM has to reach for greater oneness All the analyses done by experts close to the government have declared that Guyana now and in the near future will need more than 300, 000 foreign employees

Our CARICOM colleagues must be given preference

I recommend to President Jagdeo that Guyana become the first CARICOM nation to completely abolish visa requirements for CARICOM nations as it is in the EU, so they don’t have to renew it every three months.

CARICOM, Climate Change and World Water Woes

Part 2: Similar Challenges, Different Approaches

JUST as rain doesn’t fall on only one roof and climate change affects Planet Earth across national and regional borders without boundaries either way, the dual effects are also common across all Caribbean nations and dependent territories, bar none.

Geography places all Caribbean nations and dependent territories like peas in the same pod , or fruits in the same bowl , thus opening the ways for uniting around fruitful solutions to their common problems, of which climate change and water are only two, alongside food insecurity

But history has also taught that in the Caribbean , nationalism always trumps regionalism and global goals

always get a back seat in national political priorities

So, while the crises continue , all sorts of solutions are being suggested and new mechanisms are being developed , but most don ’ t spell well for addressing new and old Caribbean challenges

The challenges are the same in North and South , only becoming increasingly urgent everywhere

For example, according to a recent Reuters report, Swedish activist Greta Thornburg warns that humanity is “rushing towards the cliff” of climate catastrophe…”, while a new study by think-tank Climate Analytics concludes this “can only be averted by ramping - up wind and solar energy installa -

tions five times faster” and cutting fossil fuels production six per cent annually by 2030

But at a time when tighter and better regulation is considered more necessary now than ever, EU antitrust regulators have also just scrapped a year-long investigation into several companies that build networks and treatment plants for drinking water and waste water, for “lack of evidence…”

And Toyota shareholders have also just rejected a resolution urging greater disclosure of the mega global car manufacturer’s climate lobbying

On the other hand , national interest decisions in the South continue to be overruled and challenged with threats of sanctions by rich nations pressing harder on developing countries to tighten regulation, resulting in an Indonesia Cabinet minister recently accusing the European Union ( EU ) of conducting “ regulatory imperialism” with its new deforestation law, while they talk on a free trade deal

But there ’ s also some good news from Australia that regulation can yield resources for investment in better delivery of products and services, as Queensland – its third largest state -- just revealed that its revenue from fossil-fu-

Chronicles of a Chronic Guyana Chronicler

By Earl Bousquet

el royalties is likely to have almost tripled over the past 12 months to A $ 15.3 billion ( US $10.4 billion).

Meanwhile, according to the same Reuters report , “ Climate Change ’ s effects on urban life in developed nations have led to extraordinary levels of adaptation towards strengthening resilience.”

Lindsay Brugger , head of Urban Resilience at the Urban Land Institute (a global non - profit entity ) explains the imperative to protect cities from climate disaster, saying: “In 2022 alone, extreme weather events cost the United States $ 175.2 billion in damage. Taking action to make our cities more resilient to climate change effects – also known as urban resilience – clearly cannot wait.”

She said the Urban Land Institute just wrapped - up its fourth annual Resilience Summit (that gathers multidisciplinary experts to explore practical solutions for climate risk mitigation ) in Canada and one key takeaway is that “community engagement is critical to reducing climate risk –and local stakeholders are already taking an active role in improving their community’s resilience.”

She cited as another Canadian example , “ the precedent - setting Indigenous - led plans by the Squamish Nation for 6,000 net-zero residential units covered in greenery, to reduce heat and stormwater impacts, coming to Vancouver –an initiative that tackles

Canada’s housing crisis, climate hazards , and carbon emissions challenges, simultaneously.”

On another hand , Vietnam is battling electricity cuts caused by a heatwave that has exposed structural and bureaucratic problems, limiting available power to half of installed capacity and crimping efforts to unlock $15.5 billion in global climate funding.

However, such examples are both distant and different to the Caribbean, where (like elsewhere) approaches to common problems are not always collective or in unison, whether in relation to climate change adaptation or addressing water woes.

Indeed, the news just isn ’ t good for developing nations pursuing long - overdue and outstanding Northern promises of debt relief, assistance in environmental and climate adaptation and payment of climate debt.

The richest nations are grappling with their own post - COVID and Ukraine war political , economic, military, social and other accumulating crises -- and as the chickens come home to roost, G-7 language is changing quite rapidly

In the UK, Thames Water which provides the liquid of life to 25 per cent of British households is facing its worst crises since privatisation in the 1970s, with the monopoly water company now in over US $4 billion debt, representing 80 per cent of its value

The company has since 1989 always insisted on paying higher

dividends and spending less on investments in production and efficiency; and now citizens are complaining about the increases in regularity of sewage spills and waste water leaks, as a company that’s supposed to be a money-maker from water is quickly sinking from rising debt, while services decline

The discussion now is on whether the UK government should now ‘ nationalise ’ Thames Water – meaning transferring its problems to an economy that ’ s already the weakest in Europe and taking the longest to recover from ongoing inflation and recession blues worsened by interest rates rising higher and faster than ever

G - 7 nations – the richest on the planetare further tightening their purse strings for international aid , even while continuing to seek maintaining global dominance in everything from trade to defense expenditure, but serious lessons learned long ago are biting harder now, leading to actions and admissions that reverse earlier policies

In the UK , for example, Brexit Blues has been forcing many policy reversals, including reopening the UK market to cheaper labour from neighboring European or poor developing nations

And in the USA , President Joe Biden said just this week that “The trickle-down approach has failed the middle class” and “increased their debts ” and now it ’ s time to “ grow the economy from the bottom up…”

Nandlall wins $10M defamation suit against Basil Williams

ATTORNEY - GENERAL

and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall , S . C ., was recently awarded $10 million in damages , after he won his defamation case against his predecessor , Basil Williams, S C., for libellous statements made in relation to the alleged theft of law books

In April 2017, Nandlall had filed the lawsuit against Williams over claims that he (Nandlall) had stolen a series of Commonwealth Law Books from the State while he occupied the office of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs

In her ruling, which was released by Nandlall ’ s office on Saturday , Justice Sewnarine-Beharry awarded damages of $10 million to be paid by Williams She also applied interest on the award at a rate of 6 per cent per annum, from April 4, 2017 to June 29, 2023

Additionally , the judge ruled that interest of 4 per cent per annum would be applied after June 29, 2023, until the judgement is fully paid Justice Sewnarine-Beharry also ruled that costs, in the sum of $1.6 million, must be paid by Williams to Nandlall by August 18, 2023

The case stems from a series of public statements made by Williams , who alleged that Nandlall had stolen government property , specifically law books , during his tenure

Williams, who was appointed to office in 2015 , repeatedly accused Nandlall of criminal acts , thereby tarnishing his reputation, and causing him significant harm

During the trial, Nandlall provided evidence, including video recordings and news-

paper articles , that clearly established Williams’ defamatory statements The court found that Williams’ remarks were false , malicious , and had a detrimental impact on Nandlall’s personal and professional standing.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, in her judgement, noted that the defamatory statements made by Williams had only one natural and ordinary meaning: That Nandlall was dishonest, a thief, and unfit for public office

She further emphasised that the evidence presented overwhelmingly supported Nandlall’s claims, and discredited Williams’ defences of justification and fair comment

In her ruling , Justice Sewnarine - Beharry stated , “The defamatory words published by the defendant were unequivocal in their meaning , and had a damaging impact on the Claimant ’ s reputation Williams failed to provide any substantiation for his claims, and the evidence overwhelmingly established that the statements made were false and defamatory.”

The court awarded Nandlall $10 million in compensatory damages, taking into account the gravity of the libel, the extent of publication, and the distress and humiliation caused to Nandlall

Nandlall presented evidence , including a video recording and newspaper articles, to support his claim

The court applied legal principles to determine whether the words published were defamatory of Nandlall

Nandlall had explained to the court that the law books were purchased for him by the State, with the approval of former President Donald Ramotar Nandlall had explained that the law books, which were acquired during his term in office, were in his possession, and that he had no intention of returning them to the State

It was previously disclosed that he commenced subscribing to Lexis Nexis ( U K .), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports, sometime in 2003, and the arrangement was that the reports were to be shipped to him, along with an invoice

He noted that before his appointment

and

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney - General Anil

Nandlall, S C

Legal Affairs, he had requested that, as a condition of his service , the State should stand the related expenses

After the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) lost the May 2015 elections, Nandlall vacated his office and took the law books with him

Thereafter , whenever Nandlall was publicly critical of Williams, the latter threatened to embarrass him by making the issue contentious , and publicly alleged at a press conference that Nandlall was implicated in some “Law Books scandal”. This caused Nandlall to issue a public statement, denying the allegation

In his defence, Williams contended that Nandlall misused public funds , and breached the Financial Management and Accounting Act 2003, the Financial Expenditure Procurement Process and Stores Laws and Regulations He also relied on the defences of justification and fair comment

However, the judge ruled that Williams “failed to produce one iota of evidence” to support this defence

“The defendant repeated, categorically, in absolute and unqualified terms that the claimant committed a criminal offence; that is that he “stole government property”. The defendant made assertions of fact and not comments, when he published the defamatory statements of and concerning the claimant Further, the defendant failed to prove the existence of facts which justify the comment, and as such he cannot avail himself of this defence,” the judge said

In 2017 , Nandlall was charged with Larceny by Bailee in connection with the

law books, which he dubbed a political and sinister motive from the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance

for Change ( APNU + AFC ) government

However , in 2020 , the charge was withdrawn ,

based on instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack.

Former Attorney-General Basil Williams, S.C.

Minister Mustapha urges fisherfolk to diversify, adopt new practices

WITH major investments being made to increase Guyana’s seafood production and expand the market, Guyanese fisherfolk are being urged to open their minds to new technologies and sustainable practices.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha during an event held recently to celebrate World Fisherfolk Day, told scores of Guyanese fishers that new practices such as cage culture will see the country’s fishing industry being transformed.

Mustapha revealed that

- 30 to receive cage culture training in China

the ongoing pilot trials at Lake Mainstay and Lake Capoey on the Essequibo Coast, which involved the use of 50 fishing cages that were donated by the Chinese Embassy, have thus far been successful.

“We have seen it start to work and it will be very successful,” he said.

Cage culture involves the use of marine cages set up in lakes, reservoirs or ponds to confine fish. It allows water to pass freely between the fish and surrounding water resources, thus maintaining good water quality and removing waste.

Soon 30 fisherfolk will

undergo training facilitated by China to further promote the use of cage culture, Mustapha disclosed.

“Very shortly, we will have some fisherfolk go for training in China and when they come back here, we’ll form groups.

Those selected are expected to begin training by the end of July.

Further, he urged fishers to shed their old practices and adapt to new technologies to maintain healthy fishing spaces and promote a better quality of aquatic foods.

to help ward off sickness.

He highlighted that sustainable fishing is the foundation of maintaining the health of people and fishing spaces such as oceans and rivers.

These practices, he said, are pivotal in ensuring high quality aquatic foods reach every plate.

He added that Guyana has partnered with organisations like the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to provide technical guidance to support a sustainable fisheries sector.

“With the FAO, we have projects addressing the sustainability of resources through the FISH4ACP Project, the distribution of safety equipment, and the generation of a Fisheries Department Information System. The WWF in collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has provided the Government of Guyana with a National Plan of Action for Illegal, Unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.”

“We can’t continue to do the same thing or want new results with the same kind of activity and the same way we have been doing it from our fore-parents time. We have to change the way we do things now,” he said adding:

“Gone are the days when you just go out to the seashore and put your seine and expect to catch, four or five baskets of fish.”

He said that climate change has prompted the introduction of new practices and the population requires high-quality foods to promote healthy living and boost immune systems

Meanwhile, the government has thus far expended $300 million to improve the social conditions at landing sites, construct washroom facilities, sheds, storerooms, ramps, install solar lights, and rehabilitate wharves.

Additionally, an office building was constructed at Number 79 Village for the Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Co-op Society.

In Guyana, the fisheries sector accounts for three per cent of country’s agriculture Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GY$11.9 billion worth of exports or about six per cent of the country’s total exports.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha (Adrian Narine photo)

Fisherfolk gathered at a ceremony on Friday to celebrate World Fisherfolk Day (Adrian Narine photo)

Guyanese fisherfolk are being urged to open their minds to new technologies and sustainable practices

Legislation being updated to modernise the health sector

- five bills passed, more underway

SEVERAL pieces of legislation have already been passed and several more will soon be laid in the National Assembly as part of the government’s push to modernise Guyana’s health sector.

This is according to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, who said that the government has been working to update the country’s legislation.

planting solid organs since 2008 but without a legal governance structure. This bill guarantees that.

Another bill that was passed was the Nurses and Midwives Bill 2022 which paved the way for the creation of an enhanced regulatory system for nurses, midwives and nursing assistants in Guyana.

That bill also made way for persons to be registered

radiation,” he said.

The Radiation Safety and Security Bill is currently before a select committee.

During a recent event, the health minister said: “We are constantly updating our legislation, so we have passed a couple pieces over the last two years.”

Since taking office in 2020, the government has enacted just around five bills for the health sector including the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Bill.

That bill, which was passed in early 2022 provides the legal framework for the removal of human organs, tissues, cells and biofluids for transplantation and blood transfusion. It notes that these transplantations are to be used in regenerative medicine like cell therapy, gene therapy and stem cell therapy among other things.

At the time of the passage of that bill, the health minister had said that doctors in Guyana have been trans-

and licensed before they could practice nursing, midwifery and specialist nursing.

Additionally, the government also worked on and passed the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Bill of which the main purpose is to promote the mental health and wellbeing of persons in Guyana and to ensure that all persons receive the best mental health care.

Other bills enacted include the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill and the Suicide Prevention Bill.

Added to this, Dr Anthony indicated that they are currently in the process of passing legislation for the first time in the country that deals with radiation.

“You know we have different types of equipment that we use in medical settings and we need to regulate

Its explanatory memorandum speaks to the establishment of a Radiation Safety and Security Board which would be mandated to work with the relevant agencies to ensure that practices involving the use of radiation and nuclear energy are used in the country for only peaceful purposes.

Against this backdrop, the health minister said that this bill is expected to be passed soon even as he added that there are quite a number of other bills that have been passed while several others are currently being worked on.

“I think we have completed about five pieces or six pieces of legislation over the last two years, including updating the mental health legislation and providing a new legislation that deals with suicide prevention,” he added.

He further disclosed that work is currently ongoing on a new piece of legislation that covers the entire public health sector and replaces the current Public Health Ordinance that was enacted in 1934 and has not been updated.

Work is being done to update Guyana’s Public Health Ordinance which was enacted in 1934

Guyana engages CARICOM counterparts to find new, profitable seafood markets

SEEKING to increase its share in the global seafood market and provide local fisherfolk with opportunities to make a profit, Guyana has begun discussions with Barbados and several other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) counterparts.

This was revealed by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, who at a recent event told fisherfolk that the government is actively pursuing new profitable markets.

He said that discussions began at the meeting of Agriculture Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) which was held last week here in Guyana.

“I have spoken to them and we are looking to find markets for your catches in places like Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean countries; so not only are we trying to give you the tools to catch more fishes, but we are ensuring that we work with you

been increasing, but the local market prices have not been profitable.

Jainarine in an invited comment to this publication said that fish prices have declined by more than 70 per cent and local fishers have been feeling the squeeze.

“This year the good catch has come with a reduction in prices and we

the last couple of months. For us this is our fishing season, this is the time when we see lots of fish. It’s because of the MayJune rains, the fish come down. It’s the time many fishermen look forward to. It’s the time we fill the holes that we have dug during the hard times.”

In the local markets, Bangamary was previous-

to find markets for your produce,” he said.

Mustapha noted that engagements are also underway with local fisherfolk organisations.

“We have been working with fisherfolk organisations across the country to seek markets, more lucrative markets for your catches and we will continue to work,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Guyana’s National Fisherfolk Organisation, Parmeshwar Jainarine, said that fish catches have

are not so sure why that is happening. All over the world there is a demand for seafood and we are hearing about scarcity, we are hearing that catches are not there in some parts of the world,” Jainarine said.

Currently, the fishing season is at its peak. However, Jainarine noted that many fisherfolk in the Berbice area are not fishing because they are unable to make a reasonable profit.

“The catches have been improving a lot for

ly priced at GY$280 per pound. It is now priced at GY$100 per pound. Snapper was previously priced at GY$600 and is now GY$450 per pound. Some other popular fishes such as trout have been fetching unstable prices due to their unavailability on the market.

In Guyana, approximately 15,000 persons are employed directly and indirectly by the fisheries sector. In 2022, more than 33,500 metric tonnes of fish were caught.

A fish vendor cleans a fish for a customer

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Chairman of Guyana’s National Fisherfolk Organisation, Parmeshwar Jainarine

Harris Paints, Food for the Poor collaborate to refurbish

section of Uncle Eddie’s Home

THE senior residents of Uncle Eddie’s Home located in Tucville, Georgetown, are enjoying the comfort and relaxation of new living quarters which were recently redecorated with Harris Paints.

According to a press release from the paint company, the project was initiated by Guyana’s Food for the Poor, which had reached out to Harris Paints for assistance with refurbishing the southern wing of the elderly care facility, an important

the facility.

Senior Manager of the Gifts-in-Kind department of the Food for the Poor, Jimeel Davis, who oversaw the renovations said that they were very pleased with the performance of the paint, which “applied well, dried fast and had low scent which was important for the health of residents.”

It was also pointed out that one coat of paint gave good coverage but a second was applied as this is the recommended standard practice.

From

Sidonia Peters - Logistics, Inventory and Human Resource Manager, Jameel Davis – Senior Manager of Gifts-in-Kind, Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., Nigel Dodson – Retail Services Manager at Harris Paints Guyana Limited and Jonelle DeVeira - Public Relations Manager at Food For The Poor Guyana Inc., display some of the items that were used to refurbish the elderly care facility

institution in the community for almost 50 years. The facility houses 18 elderly residents and provides general housing and benevolence programmes.

The release added that colour is an important part of managing health and well-being and a palette of two shades of grey and white was selected to create a soothing and calming surround for those who live there. Grey provides a soft backdrop that is peaceful, balanced and reassuring.

A spokesperson for the home said that, since the remodelling, residents have gravitated to the wing and are spending more of their time there.

Harris Paints Limited Guyana donated some 30 gallons of paint and other painting supplies including brushes, trays and rollers for the Helping Hands Volunteers to assist Food For the Poor Guyana Inc in uplifting

Meanwhile, Retail Services Manager of Harris Paints Guyana, Nigel Dodson, said that he was happy to be on board with Food for the Poor for the project.

“It was a delight to be able to partner with this exceptional charity, and give back to those in need, especially the elderly, many of whom have already given so much to their community,” he was quoted in the release as saying.

Food for the Poor is an organisation which emerged in 1982 when Ferdinand Mahfood was inspired to serve God in a more intimate and committed way. He devoted his experience in business to be a ‘beggar for the poor’. With the charitable donations raised, he started a chain of giving, that today results in relief projects and programmes in Guyana and more than two dozen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

right to left:

20 homes to be constructed at Sand Creek under Hinterland Housing Programme

- residents now benefitting from $15M water supply system

MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, has initiated the process for the first phase of the Hinterland Housing Programme to commence in Sand Creek, Region Nine.

According to a press release, the minister made the announcement on Saturday during a community meeting as she handed over quotation forms to the Village Council for construction materials.

In her address to the residents, Minister Rodrigues said she’s pleased at being

the Village Council.

The minister also shared some insight from a recent Toshaos Conference held in Lethem, Region Nine. The conference covered the government’s comprehensive plan for water infrastructure development in the region.

Notably, 40 new wells have been drilled throughout a number of Hinterland communities, leading to increased coverage in access to potable water.

“The government is committed to investing in resilient and sustainable development across various

Some of the Sand Creek residents at the meeting (Ministry of

able to deliver on commitments made by the Administration.

She stated that 90 percent of the manifesto promises have already been accomplished and the Housing and Water Ministry has also been delivering.

Specific to Sand Creek, 20 families including a few senior citizens will benefit from the housing programme.

“Your government remains dedicated to resolving challenges and meeting the needs of the community,” Minister Rodrigues was quoted as saying.

The houses will be built by five workers and two skilled persons that the programme will pay for along with three labourers that the beneficiary of the house will provide. Beneficiary selection will be done by

sectors, including education, healthcare, housing and water,” the release added.

The minister was joined by Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally; Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock; GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal; Toshaos Bernadine Fernandes and residents of the Community to commission a $15M water supply system.

The water system boasts of solar panels and a new pump system, which will ensure 95 per cent of residents get access to potable water. This is in addition to an extended service, scheduled to be operational by the end of August.

Sand Creek now boasts three wells, with the pump system estimated to last 20 years, the release said.

Housing and Water photos)

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, addresses residents during the meeting. Also pictured is the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally

$35M water supply system commissioned in Sawariwau

MORE than 600 persons will now benefit from access to potable water, with the commissioning of a $35 million water supply system at Sawariwau, South Rupununi, Region Nine.

According to a press release, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, on Saturday, joined Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally; GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal; Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock; Toshao Bernadine Fernandes, and residents of the community to commission the system.

The current system serves 60 per cent of the community.

Additionally, a contract to the tune of $2.1 million was inked with the Sawariwau Village Council to further expand the distribution network, which will ensure 90 per cent coverage to the

2020, it was found that only 20 per cent of the village was receiving potable water from a hand-dug well.

“We are always thinking of ways to improve our system and we always have your interests at heart,” she told the residents.

This and other investments in hinterland communities, the Minister said were reflective of government’s commitment towards meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Number 6, which speaks to access to clean and potable water to all by 2030. Guyana is well on its way to achieve the target five years earlier.

That, she said is demonstrated in the significant annual budgetary allocations being made in all sectors.

community, the ministry said in its release, before adding that the expansion to be carried out by the Village Council, will see another 5km of pipelines being installed and approximately 35 new service connections. This is in addition to job creation, as Community Service Officers (CSOs) from the village will be trained to carry out basic maintenance work on the water system.

Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues, in her remarks, pointed out that the project was a commitment made by the Administration.

It was explained that, after coming into office in

“All across the country, you can see work being done in every single sector for the improvement of lives,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

Also, on the occasion, the Regional Chairman lauded the project and its timely execution, noting that it will significantly add to the rapid development taking place in Region Nine.

“Region Nine is developing at a fast pace, and this is as a result of the government’s intervention. We commit to the promises, we deliver,” Allicock said, according to the press release. The project was executed by R. Kissoon Contracting Services and C&H Contracting Service.

Minister Susan Rodrigues and officials with residents at the commissioning of the new water supply system (Ministry of Housing and Water photos)

A youth of Sawariwau enjoys a refreshing drink of water from the new system

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday July 03, 2023)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Moen Ali

(2) Josh Tongue

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which Australian played in the first Test but not in the second of the current Ashes series?

(2) Who replaced him?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SOUTHWELL

09:25 hrs Wick Green

10:00 hrs Rocambolas

10:35 hrs Absolute Ruler

11:10 hrs Riggsby

11:45 hrs Emily Wade

12:20 hrs Tommydan

12:55 hrs Secret Trix

WINDSOR

12:10 hrs Estate

12:45 hrs Acer

13:15 hrs Cherry

13:45 hrs Aphelios

!4:15 hrs Absolute Queen

!4:45 hrs Villalobos

!3:15 hrs Thomas Equinas

SOUTH AFRICA RAC-

ING TIPS FAIRVIEW

08:25 hrs Opera Swing

08:55 hrs Errols Legacy

09:30 hrs Bonnaroo

10:05 hrs Transact

10:40 hrs Pashtunwali

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

BELMONT Race 1 Adaay In Asia

Race 2 Wonder Girl

Race 3 Sweetie Race 4 Valenzan Day

Race 5 Strictly Taboo

Race 6 Drakes Passage Race 7 Red D G P

CANADIAN RACING

TIPS

FORT ERIE

Race 1 Lil Green Machine

Race 2 I Live By Faith

Race 3 Victory March

Race 4 Union Colonel Race 5 Thelonious

0Race 6 Makes Sense To Me

Race 7 Diamond Heist

National U-19 team & captain...

four standbys which was announced after a practice session at the Ruby Field, is grouped with host Jamaica and Bermuda while Trinidad & Tobago, the Cayman Islands and the USA South are in the other group.

“This is the first time representing Guyana for all but one player. But we have been training and practicing for the last four months and the boys and getting better and fitter.

“We practice and do laps here (National Park) and do gym work with light weight training since some of the guys are very young and we don’t want to focus on too much heavy lifting,” informed Soloman.

The manager explained that the team is scheduled to depart Guyana early next Monday and feels that the strength of the team is its strong backline.

“The biggest challenge is getting most of the players to understand the rules of rugby while we are working hard with the forwards” disclosed Soloman.

The squad has been preparing under the watchful eyes of Coach Larry Adonis who is being assisted by former Guyana Captain Jamal Angus, the son of former Guyana Cricket Captain, left-arm spinner Jerry Angus who resides in England.

Guyana Senior players David Garnett, Gordon Brooms and Scott Garaway are also assisting in preparations for a tournament which is missing Mexico and Barbados this year.

The ruby ground at the UWI Mona Campus, is reportedly in excellent condition with

the field being ‘watered’ with distilled water while in addition to the dressing rooms, bleachers have been constructed. The Guyanese can expect weather that is extremely hot.

Soloman expects his charges to gain valuable experience from this trip as part of their developmental process and thanked the main sponsors who have come on board.

Modern Optical, P&P insurance Brookers, Ansa McAl, Namilco, Cummings Electrical, SNL Electrical, Massy Gas Ltd, Wilfred Neblette (NY), Freddy Fish Shop, the GOA and NSC are among the major sponsors.

The full squad read: Dakari Martindale (Capt), Nihil Carter (V/ Capt), Dion Softley, Vidal Narine, Tashenia Leitch, Gavin McPherson, David Massiah, Anton Bernard, Sylvester Fraser, Elisha Crawford, Melson Moe, Omarion Leitch, Ephrain McLennan, Shaquan Adams, Tion Mars, Daniel Deheart, Samuel Bellang, Tion Luke, Renson Branch, Treville Weeks, Darian Bentick.

Standbys: Cadem Hollingsworth, Samuel Nicholas, Jamal Johnson.

The 61-year-old former National Rugby player, Sherlock Sam, has been appointed Manager of the team and has been working along with Coach Larry Adonis and some senior players in getting the squad up to scratch for what is expected to be a tough trip to ‘Reggae Country.’

Asked if he was satisfied with how preparations were going, Sam informed that he was.

“Yes, but there are

a few grey areas the coaches are still working on mainly on rucks/ maul,” disclosed Sam who added that the GR-

FU’s budget is close to US$40,000.

“The Ministry of Culture, Youth & sports, Guyana Olym-

pics Association and RUGBY AMERICA

NORTH(RAN) have provided much-needed funding, plus Cor-

porate Guyana has been very generous,” stated the Team Manager.

DIGICEL SCHOOLS FOOTBALL- U-18 2023

Results Dated 1st July 2023.

Georgetown: Game 1. North Ruimveldt 1 vs Carmel Sec. 2 (Education)

Goal Scorer:

North Ruimveldt: Jevon Pluck 58

Carmel Sec. Ian Daniels 15, 46

Game 2. Excelsior Acad-

0 vs Chases Academy 11 (Education)

Goal Scorer:

Chases Academy

Manasseh Anderson 4

Seon Cato 7, 38, 42

Byran Wharton 18, 22

Omar Sam 15, 26

Duquan Samnels 31

Shakem Weclome 28

Matrim Martin 60

Yellow Card: Byran Wharton 10

Part of the action in the Digicel Schools football

Yellow Card: Asho Adams

Game 6. St Winefrides 3 vs The Bishops' High 1 (NIS)

Goal Scorer:

St. Winefrides Sec.

Jeremiah George 6 Jorman Miller 60

Tyries Buelow 63

The Bishop`s High: Yaneil Eastman 59

emy vs St. John's College (Education) – Excelsior Academy won by a walkover.

Game 3. Tutorial High 0 vs Dolphin Sec. 10 (Education)

Goal Scorer:

Dolphin Sec:

Gerry Burnette 15, 27

Jamal Williams 23, 23

Jequan Cole 26

Nicholas Tappin 27, 43, 60

Requan Corbin 64

Jude Charles 70

Nicholas Tappin 60

Game 4. Brickdam Sec

Game 5. Charlestown

Sec. 8 vs North Georgetown Sec. 0 (NIS)

Goal Scorer:

Charlestown Sec:

D`Angelo Dick 13

Malach Barker 17

Jeramiah Booker 24

Andrew Carto 37

Natahan Pollard 47

Malcolm Hendricks 50

Emmanuel Needd 57

Yellow Card: Andrew Carto 56

North Georgetown Sec.

Dhanesh Persaud (OG) 43

Region 9

Game 1. Anai 2 vs St. Ignatius 2 (Aranaputa) – (St. Ignatius won 5-4 penalty kicks)

Goal Scorer:

Anai:

Matthew John 5

Ravon Roth 10

St. Ignatius:

Romel Hornest 28

Kaio Paul 30

Game 2. Aishalton 1 vs Sand Creek 3 (Aishalton)

Note: Due to connection issues summary sheet not available.

Theekshana, Nissanka hand Sri Lanka ODI World Cup ticket

…Theekshana nabbed 4 for 25 while Nissanka hit 101* as Zimbabwe were consigned to a nine-wicket loss

A clinical bowling performance backed by an unbeaten 101 from Pathum Nissanka helped Sri Lanka register a nine-wicket win in the Super Six clash against Zimbabwe and also confirmed their spot at the ODI World Cup in India later this year

The win was set up by the bowlers, as they orchestrated a batting collapse on either side of a 68-run partnership between Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza consigning Zimbabwe to their first loss at the 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifier.

(Score:Sri Lanka 169 for 1 (Nissanka 101*, Karunaratne 30) beat Zimbabwe 165 (Williams 56, Raza 31, Theekshana 4-25, Madushanka 3-15) by nine wickets)

Sri Lanka's new-ball bowling against the Zimbabwe top-order

Austrian Grand Prix:

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen continued his imperious march towards a third world title with a dominant victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman’s fifth win in a row moves him 81 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez in the championship.

Behind him, excitement was provided by a battle for the podium positions between

was the play of the day in a clash billed to be between the best batting team and the best bowling team of the tournament. Dilshan Madushanka razed through the top order to leave Zimbabwe reeling inside seven overs.

The left-arm quick, playing only his second game of the competition after being brought in as a replacement for the injured Dushmantha Chameera, had the batters in trouble with the movement as well as change in lengths. He struck in his first over when he had wicketkeeper-batter Joylord Gumbie caught flicking at short midwicket. He then surprised Wessly Madhevere with a sharp bumper that had him top-edging a pull to mid-off.

In his fourth over of the spell, Madushanka had Craig Ervine poke at a full ball that

straightened after pitching outside off as Zimbabwe found themselves at 30 for 3 in the seventh over. He could have had Williams caught at long leg, but Matheesha Pathirana, brought in for the injured Lahuru Kumara, dropped a simple chance.

While Raza got himself going with a perfectly timed square drive, he and Williams were happy to bide their time as they got their eye in. They were partly helped by a wayward Pathirana, who bowled seven wides in his first two overs.

Raza and Williams then used their feet to put Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga off their lengths. Williams first slog-swept Dhananjaya through midwicket before cover-driving Hasaranga in the next over.

Raza greeted Hasaranga with a pulled six over midwicket before

charging down to belt Dhananjaya over his head.

However, Dasun Shanaka broke the stand when he had Raza swipe across the line off a short ball, only for Madushanka to pull off a diving catch at long leg. Williams soon brought up his fifth fifty-plus score in the competition before Maheesh Theekshana got into his act.

Theekshana first went through Williams' defences before repeating the drill against Ryan Burl in the next over. He then had Luke Jongwe lbw before trapping the last batter Blessing Muzarabani to signal the end of the innings. Pathirana meanwhile cleaned up Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava to maintain Sri Lanka's record of dismissing each of their opponents in the Qualifier for under 200.

Pathum Nissanka’s second ODI ton set up an easy Sri Lanka chase • (ICC/Getty Images)

Chasing 166, Dimuth

Karunaratne was given an early life when Evans shelled him at short midwicket off Ngarava. Thereon, he and Pathum Nissanka killed the chase with a 103-run stand for the opening wicket. Nissanka exhibited supreme strokeplay after taking his time to get set. He played three aesthetically pleasing strokes of an Evans over to change gears.

Nissanka hit 14 fours in his

unconquered 102-ball knock to notch up his second ODI century and set Sri Lanka India-bound with close to 17 overs in the bank.

Sri Lanka's last game in the tournament is against West Indies, while Zimbabwe will next face Scotland in their final Super Six game with the winner assuring themselves of a spot at the ten-team World Cup in India.(Cricinf0)

Max Verstappen takes fifth win in row for Red Bull

Red Bull around the outside of Turn Four after Perez appeared to have taken the place, before the Mexican ultimately prevailed.

Sainz’s defence meant Leclerc was 12.9 seconds ahead of Perez with nine laps to go and the Red Bull made no inroads into that gap before the chequered flag.

An imperious performance

do anything about it.

In the closing laps, Verstappen argued against his team’s request to cool tyres –effectively a demand to back off and cruise to the end – in favour of a pit stop for fresh tyres to allow him to take the fastest lap, previously held by Perez.

Small comfort for Ferrari

The race did, though, provide some encouragement for Ferrari, whose car appears to have improved in race pace and tyre usage following a series of upgrades in the last three races.

Leclerc drove extremely well after a stunning qualifying lap on Friday had put him second on the grid and deserved his second place, even if he did owe Sainz some thanks.

In the first part of the race, Sainz tracked Leclerc closely, even asking the team if they would let him by so he could have a go at challenging Verstappen.

car is slow. Please just drive it.”

Hamilton was also beaten by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, whose fifth place edged him a little further ahead of Hamilton in their battle for third in the championship.

Norris’ fifth place, just four seconds or so behind Sainz

at the end of the race, was encouragement for McLaren after they introduced a major upgrade to his car for this race weekend.

It is the first of a series of developments that will be used over the coming races and seemed not only to improve the McLaren’s pace, but also another of its biggest weaknesses,

its tyre wear.

Behind Hamilton, George Russell moved up to eighth place from 11th on the grid, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll completing the points positions after a race that featured many hectic scraps involving the midfield runners. (BBC Sport)

Century 21 Guyana onboard National Under-16 Rapid Chess which returns today

CENTURY 21 Guyana, a real estate company, will primarily sponsor the highly anticipated National Under-16 Rapid Chess Tournament that returns today, July 3, at Marian Academy.

In a media release, the Guyana Chess Federation indicated that Under-16 players had until 17:00h, yesterday to register in either the Open or Girls category.

Perez and the Ferraris.

Leclerc won it, thanks partly to stalwart defence from team-mate Carlos Sainz before Perez took third.

Sainz held back Perez, charging back through the field from 15th on the grid for four crucial laps, which gave Leclerc the breathing space he needed to hold on ahead of the Red Bull to the end of the race.

The two battled frantically through Turns Three and Four for several laps, with Sainz once brilliantly repassing the

Verstappen was unchallenged throughout – collecting his seventh win in nine races this season – after converting his pole position into a lead at the first corner.

He did have to pass both Ferraris in the course of his middle stint between two pit stops, as a result of a later first stop that put him out of sync with the red cars.

But he did so without trouble and cruised off again into the distance for another untroubled win, the field helpless to

But after the first pit stops Leclerc edged clear of his team-mate, whose hopes were dashed with a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits.

Sainz was one of nine drivers – almost half the field – to be penalised in this way, and this number included Lewis Hamilton, who had a dispiriting race for Mercedes and could manage only seventh place.

Hamilton was reduced to asking his team whether anyone else had penalties, and had to be told by team boss Toto Wolff: “Lewis, we know the

Trophies will be awarded at the end of the one-day event for the top three players and the Best U8, Best U10, and Best U12 players in each category.

Each match will be played under a time control of 20 minutes per player with a 5-second increment after each move.

This tournament promises to be the most intense and impressive yet, fueled by the booming chess in schools program momentum.

The passion and dedication exhibited by the younger generation of chess enthusiasts promise exciting competition.

The reigning male and fe-

today

male 2022 Under-16 champions Kyle Couchman and Italy Ton Chung are returning to defend their coveted titles.

Queen’s College student Couchman remains one of the most active chess players across youth and open tournaments, having copped the Under-14 Rapid Tournament title just a few months ago.

St. Stanislaus College student Ton Chung also ranks among the strongest for Under-16 female players, having demonstrated consistent prow-

ess over the years.

This tournament will also serve as a platform for selecting some players for the upcoming CAC Youth Chess Festival to be held in Trinidad in August, attracting players from the entire Caribbean region.

Registration is free for members of the Guyana Chess Federation. Children who are not registered with the Federation and still wish to compete can pay a fee of $2000 via MMG.

Online registration is required for the tournament. Inquiries can be made to 7074529 for more information.

The Guyana Chess Federation would like to thank Marian Academy for their unwavering support in providing the venue for the tournament and to extend heartfelt gratitude to Century 21 Guyana, the generous sponsor of this event. Their support has paved the way for the further advancement of youth chess in Guyana.

The action commences at 09:00h

The Junior players will be in action

The dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull continued as the Dutchman took a fifth straight race win at the Austrian GP

‘We all have to pull together’, says disappointed Holder

HARARE, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Seasoned all-rounder Jason Holder says West Indies’ failure to qualify for this year’s 50over World Cup in India was one the “lowest points” of his international career, and said a collaborative effort between players and administrators was now required to spark a turnaround in the Caribbean side’s fortunes.

Needing to win their opening Super Six game of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, West Indies crashed to a shock seven-wicket defeat to Scotland, to miss out on a 50over World Cup for the first time in their storied history.

“There’s obviously been a change in administration in terms of Kishore Shallow coming [as president] and now Miles (Bascombe) is coming in in a very important role of director of cricket. I’m sure that the guys will put their heads together and do what’s best for West Indies cricket,” Holder said following West Indies’ deflating loss at Harare Sports Club.

“I think that’s really important that everybody involved in West Indies cricket really pay special attention at this crucial stage as to what is required, and we all have to pull together to make it work.”

He added: “It’s disappointing, especially after last year’s effort in the T20 [World Cup] where we didn’t qualify.

“I have had the luxury of playing in two 50-over World Cups before and I’ve had the luxury of being part of a couple T20 World Cups. They’re special occasions so this one will definitely hurt as the one last year did.

“But again, there’s no

point moping on and keeping our heads down. We’ve just got to find ways to get better. We’ve got to find a way to turn our cricket around and head in the direction we need to head in consistently.

“There’ve been too many fluctuations between good performances and bad performances. It’s just a matter for us to understand where we’re at, know where we want to go and all of us putting our hands on deck to make it happen.”

West Indies were forced into the Qualifiers after finishing outside the top eight in the Super League but looked on course to progress after

Top athletes will flex at 5th Stage of Champions event this Sunday

THE fifth edition of the highly anticipated Stage of Champions international bodybuilding event was officially launched last Tuesday at Camille's Academy and according to organisers, this year's edition promises to be the best yet.

During the launch, it was disclosed that athletes from several territories are preparing to battle the local physique standouts for the lucrative

cash incentives that will be awarded on July 9 at the Ramada Princess Hotel.

According to President of the bodybuilding federation, Keavon Bess, athletes will compete in the categories of

champion will take home $300,000 each.

The sum of $250,000 and $150,000 will go to the bodybuilding runners up, while the second and third place finishers in the other classes will cash in $200,000 and $100,000 apiece.

Bess further disclosed that this year's edition has attracted international competition from Suriname, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada and St. Maarten.

The foreigners will battle local talents like reigning Mr. Guyana, Darious Ramsammy, CAC Gold medalist, Julio Sinclair, multiple CAC medalist and six-time national physique winner, Emmerson Campbell, Ms. Bikini (senior) Hannah Rampersaud, Melitha Anderson (Ms. Bikini Novices) and others.

winning their opening two games of the tournament against United States and Nepal.

But they stumbled to a 35-run defeat to Zimbabwe and then slumped to a stunning Super-Over loss to the Netherlands, to leave themselves needing to win all three Super Six games to stand a chance of qualifying.

Holder, a former Test and One-Day International captain, cautioned there was no “quick fix” to rebuilding West Indies cricket, but stressed the need for development support for the younger cadre of players in the squad and those coming through the system.

“There’s such a crucial part now in West Indies cricket where we have got a young crop of guys. We’ve just got to put some support around

them,” Holder explained.

“It’s really important we try to utilise the time that we have outside of competition and try to put things in place where we can develop our talent.

“We still have to look at the levels below as well and try to improve the levels below as well so that when guys get here they at least have a good foundation.

“But all in all, we’ve still got to put our hands up and be accounted for as individuals. We just didn’t play well enough and we haven’t been playing well enough probably over the last couple years and it’s obviously an area that we need to pay special attention to.”

He continued: “But it’s not a quick fix; it is something we need to spend time on. As I said, development is the main important thing

where we put things in place where we can develop a talent and hopefully in the next couple years we can see the fruits of that crop.”

Entering the Scotland contest aware of the high stakes involved, West Indies never put up a fight, rolled over for 181 and then producing a lacklustre effort in defending the paltry total.

And Holder said the team had only themselves to blame for the performance.

“It was a fresh game. We knew what was at stake and we still had the chance to qualify,” the 31-year-old said.

“It would’ve been very silly of us to dwell on the games that have gone – we can’t bring them back, we can’t control them. We had a really good opportunity to play against Scotland and to beat Scotland we didn’t do that.”

Tour de France: Frenchman Victor Lafay wins stage two as Adam Yates retains yellow jersey

Frenchman Victor Lafay produced a brilliantly timed attack to win the second stage of the Tour de France.

Belgium's Wout van Aert had appeared perfectly placed to take the 208.9km stage, which ended in San Sebastian.

But Lafay burst clear with 900m to go and Van Aert was left banging his handlebars in frustration after being unable to reel him in.

Britain's Adam Yates retained the leader's yellow jersey, with his twin brother Simon in joint-second place.

Simon is six seconds back, along with Adam's UAE teammate and two-time winner Tadej Pogacar.

Sunday was a day that saw Pogacar claim valuable bonus seconds over his rivals in the general classification by being first to the summit of Jaizkibel, the final climb of the day.

That was where the stage, the longest of this year's Tour, burst into life, with Pogacar beating last year's champion Jonas Vingegaard in a sprint to the top.

Van Aert and cross the line. Pogacar picked up more bonus seconds by finishing third, with Pidcock fourth.

"It was a really hectic day, a lot of stress in the bunch," Adam Yates said afterwards. "Wet roads, roundabouts, road furniture, but we made

team Cofidis at their home race since 2008."In the last metres, I looked down at my computer, I saw 500 metres (to go), 400 metres," said 27-year-old Lafay, who added to his Giro d'Italia stage win from 2021.

"I said to myself I will inevitably be caught at 50 metres.

Bodybuilding, Men's physique and Ms. Bikini.

Bess disclosed that the overall bodybuilding champion will pocket a hefty $500,000 while the Men's Physique and Ms. Bikini

The event has garnered corporate support from Fitness Express, New GPC Inc., West Indies Sports Complex, Space Gym, Twins Manufacturing, The Outdoor Store, Western Scientific and others.

Tickets for the event, which gets underway from 16:00 hours, is set at $3000.

The pair did not attempt to stay clear on the descent, and it appeared Van Aert would be led out to a sprint finish by his Jumbo Visma team-mates.

They held off a series of attacks, including one by Britain's Tom Pidcock, but Lafay's late surge took him clear and he had the power to hold off

Lafay’s win was his first at the Tour de France and the first by his team, Cofidis, since 2008

it through with a little bit of bad luck as Matteo (Trentin) crashed on a corner.

"But for us it was a good race, we controlled it all day. Nobody wanted to help us. Then in the final we tried to set it up for Tadej to get the bonus seconds so we did a good job.

"If Tadej had won the bonuses and the stage he could have (taken yellow) but we kept it as a team, so it's job done."

Lafay's win was his first at the Tour de France and the first success by his French

It's sick."

After two days in the mountainous Basque Country, the race leaves Spain and heads for France for Monday's third stage, a 187.54km route from Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne.

It promises to be the first stage of this year's Tour that gives Mark Cavendish a realistic chance of victory as he chases a 35th Tour stage win, which would give him the all-time record over the legendary Eddy Merckx. (BBC Sport).

Seasoned West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder

Head of the GBBF; Keavon Bess (standing far right) along with athletes and corporate sponsors at the launch last Tuesday

Australia survive a staggering 155 from Stokes to take 2-0 Ashes lead

THE visitors had been in control of the Lord's Test for long periods but then everything changed on the final day.

Australia survived an anger-fuelled and astonishing century from Ben Stokes, ignited by the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow, to take a 43-run victory at Lord's and hold a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.

What was a hard-fought but reasonably sedate final day, erupted into controversy and raw emotion when Bairstow wandered out of his crease before over had been called having avoided a bouncer from Cameron Green in the 52nd over with Alex Carey then throwing down the stumps.

Australia appealed and the third umpire upheld the decision with Bairstow well out of his ground.

(Scores:Australia 416 (Smith 110, Head 77, Warner 66, Root 3-19, Tongue 3-98) and 279 (Khawaja 77, Broad 4-65) beat England 325 (Duckett 98, Brook 50, Starc 3-88) and 327 (Stokes 155, Duckett 88, Cummins 3-69, Starc 3-29, Hazlewood 3-80) by 43 runs

In scenes unlike any witnessed at this ground, even in its long history of epic matches, the game was then played out in a febrile atmo-

sphere where Australia were jeered endlessly by a full final-day crowd and MCC members had to reminded about their behaviour after incidents when the players left the field for lunch.

When Bairstow was dismissed, England needed 178. Stokes then unleashed an assault on Australia's attack, adding 108 in 21 overs with Stuart Broad, with an innings that included nine sixes. He was given a life on 114 when Steven Smith spilled a chance at deep square leg.

This was Headingly 2019 on steroids, if that's possible. Australia were rattled; England got to a point where they looked favourites.

But straight after the afternoon drinks break Stokes

top-edged Josh Hazlewood into the off side with 70 runs still needed. It was too much for the lower order who succumbed to the short ball, both Ollie Robinson and Broad hooking into the deep. Josh Tongue and James Anderson hung on for a while, briefly teasing the outlandish possibility of a final twist, before Mitchell Starc got one at leg stump as Tongue gave himself room.

England had started the fifth day needing a distant 257 but Stokes and Ben Duckett made solid progress as they built a fifth-wicket stand of 132. When play began, all the talk was still of Duckett's reprieve the night before to Starc's catch at fine leg - if only everyone knew

what was to come.

Stokes went to his first half-century since the Old Trafford Test against South Africa last year and Duckett, for the second time in the match, was approaching three-figures when he topedged a chance to Carey who caught it brilliantly, one handed above his head, to continue a fine series behind the stumps. However, his main part in the drama was soon to arrive.

Five overs later, mayhem ensued. As he so often does, Bairstow let a ball through to the keeper, tapped his back foot quickly into the crease and immediately walked out of his ground. The ball had barely reached Carey, who gathered and under-armed at the stumps in one motion. Australia immediately celebrated as Stokes and Bairstow converged on the umpires.

The third umpire Marais Erasmus deemed the ball not to have been dead and Pat Cummins saw no reason to withdraw the appeal.

When Broad joined Stokes in the middle, England's anger was clear. Broad was in the face of Australia's fielders from the moment he took guard, while Stokes was obviously fuming but channelled his emotions into one of the most awe-in-

spiring displays of ball-striking Lord's has seen.

He tore into Green with three boundaries in an over through the leg side, then in Green's next over went further with a trio of consecutive sixes, the second of them palmed over the rope by Starc at long leg. He reached his century from 142 balls with the third of them and there was barely a celebration, just a brief raise of the bat in acknowledgement.

The fifty partnership came up in 4.4 overs moments before the players took lunch. Words were exchanged between Broad and David Warner as they walked off the pitch, while footage soon emerged of MCC members in the Long Room confronting Australia's players. It was later claimed by Cricket Australia that physical contact was made and MCC apologised.

Would the 40-minute break take the sting out the situation? The second ball of the afternoon session was launched over long-on by Stokes and two deliveries later he was spilled by a sprawling Smith who could not gather the top edge. By and large, Stokes tried to farm the strike although occasionally was happy to give Broad a few balls to face, and he joined in the heady atmo-

sphere by pulling Hazlewood through the leg side to end an over where Stokes had already taken two further sixes. Hazlewood was withdrawn from the attack after a three-over spell which cost 30 as memories of Headingley came flooding back at every turn. Cummins had no frontline spin to turn to after Nathan Lyon's calf injury on the second day and opted not to throw to ball to Travis Head.

Stokes took another brace of sixes over the leg side, this time from Starc, before a summit meeting between Australia's senior players saw Green return to the attack and he bowled two good overs which cost just three.

By now, Australia had nine fielders on the fence to Stokes and the boundaries dried up. Nine runs came in six overs. Hazlewood returned, Stokes swiped across the line and Carey settled under the catch. Australian fielders ran from all corners of the ground. Cummins and Smith gave Stokes an appreciative tap on the back.

They had stopped him in the nick of time. The Ashes were within their grasp but the events of the final day at Lord's are likely to reverberate across both nations for a long time to come. (Cricinfo).

Gold Cup Phaeton brace takes Guadeloupe top of Group D

HOUSTON, Texas, (CMC)

– Guadeloupe charged to the top of Group D while eliminating Cuba with a dominant 4-1 win at Shell Energy Stadium here Saturday night.

Matthias Phaeton, a 23-year-old forward who plays in the Bulgarian top flight, netted a brace in the 13th and 43rd minutes, while Ange Plumain (41st) and Anthony Baron (51st) also got on the scoresheet to earn the French Caribbean side their first win of the CONCACAF Gold Cup,

following their draw with hosts Canada in Toronto last Tuesday.

Aricheell Hernández accounted for Cuba’s only goal from the spot in the 63rd.

The defeat for Cuba was their second, coming on the heels of their 1-0 loss to Guatemala in Fort Lauderdale, leaving them without a point with a game still to play.

In the other Group D game, Canada endured yet another disappointing result when they drew nil-all with

Guatemala, and are now facing a do-or-die final round clash with Cuba in order to reach the next stage of the confederation showpiece.

Phaeton highlighted the first-ever Gold Cup meeting between the two teams when he unleashed a 22-yard rocket to put Guadeloupe ahead.

Cuba thought they had equalised in the 38th minute when Maykel Reyes finished off a clever move, only for the strike to be ruled off-side.

Guadeloupe capitalised, scoring twice in the last five

Baron erased any hope of a Cuba comeback moments after the resumption when he spun in the box, beat his two markers and slotted home from close range, not long after Luis Paradela’s header shaved the crossbar for the Spanish-speaking Caribbean outfit.

Cuba finally got the first goal of the tournament, substitute Eduardo Hernández brought down in the area and Aricheell Hernández sending goalkeeper Davy Rouyard the wrong way.

minutes before the break. First, Plumain curled in a volley from the top of the

18-yard box before Phaeton added his second with a near carbon copy of his first.

Matthias Phaeton (right) holds off Cuba’s Yosel Piedra during Guadeloupe win on Saturday

Ben Stokes heartbroken, Josh Hazlewood jubilant • (Getty Images)

National U-19 team & captain named for Ran tourney in Jamaica

By Sean Devers

GUYANA’s U-19

Rugby team will head to Jamaica to compete in the Rugby America’s North (Ran) U-19 competition to be held at UWI’s Mona Campus ground from July 12-17 and at the National Park last Saturday, the team was announced.

Elisha Crawford is the only surviving member of the Guyana team which participated in a Ran tournament as a 16-year old in 2019 just before Covid-19

Pandemic halted all sports and social activities in Guyana.

The team, which will be led by Dakari Martindale, is the first team to play in this tournament since Covid.

The RAN U-19 competition was contested last year but Guyana did not compete due to a lack of funds.

According to Manager, former National Rugby player, Sherlock ‘Soloman’ Sam, the 23-member team and

TURN TO PAGE 23

Guyana face Jamaica

…in opening round of CWI Rising Stars U19 tournament in St. Vincent

THE Guyana Under-19 team departed these shores yesterday morning for St Vincent where they will compete in Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Boys three day and 50-over U-19 tournament from July 4 to August 2 Skipper Marvindra Dindyal, one of seven players from GCC in the squad, will lead a strong team which will be coached by former Guyana First-Class and 1994 West Indies U-19 Captain Andre Percival with Nazeer Mohamed is

the manager.

Rampertab Ramnauth, Dindyal, West Indies under-19 pacer Isai Thorne and Guyana’s leading run-scorer in last year’s tournament Shamar Yearwood are back for Guyana while Zeynul Ramsammy, Aryan Persaud and Thaddeus Lovell are also key members of the only South American side in the West Indies tournament, Dindyal and his boys will face-off with Jamaica in the opening round on July 4, while

Trinidad and Tobago plays Barbados and the Windwards Islands opposing the Leewards Islands in the first round.

The full squad reads: Rampertab Ramnauth, Shaahid Vieira (WK), Mavindra Dindyal (Captain), Alvin Mohabir, Jonathan Rampersaud (Vice-Captain), Zachary Jodah, Thaddeus Lovell, Aryan Persaud, Joash Charles, Zeynul Ramsammy, Shamar Yearwood, Jeremy Sandia, Rivaldo Phillips and Isai Thorne.

Grand season opening today for Bartica FA

All nine teams competing teams in the Bartica Football Association 2023 Senior Men's football League are expected to be on parade,today, as part of the official opening to the season.

The Bartica Community Centre ground will be a buzz from as early as 4 pm when a ladies game featuring

Potaro Strikers and Rivers View will kick start the proceedings.

The March Past to follow at17.00hrs will involve: Cup Holders Rivers View FC, Beacons FC, Rising Stars FC, Wolves United, Potato Strikers, Lazio FC, Mil Ballers, Agatash United and AK Galaxy.

The first two games of the 36-

game schedule will commence at 6 pm when Rivers View begin the defense of their title against AK Galaxy. The night cap will be Lazio versus Potato Strikers.

The one-round nine-team league will continue on Wednesday with another double-header at the Bartica Community Centre ground. The first

match set for 6pm will be Beacons FC against Agatash United and at 8 pm it will be Rising Stars up against Mil Ballers.

President of the Bartica FA, Alden Marslowe indicated to the Media that all plans are in place for a positive start and reiterated his FA's gratitude to the governing body, the Guyana Football

Federation(GFF) for providing financial assistance for the staging of the 2023 League.

The Bartica FA is the 4th Regional Association (RA) to begin the new season. They join the Rupununi, Georgetown and Berbice FA's of the nine RA's of the GFF to get the new season underway.

The National U-19 Rugby team will play in their first tournament since the Covid-19 Pandemic (Sean Devers Photo)

The Guyana U-19 team before they departed for St Vincent yesterday (Coach Andre Percival is right while Manager Nazeer Mohamed is left)