Guyana Chronicle News 08-01-2021

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' Happy

Emancipation Day!

1st August, 2021

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No.106440

$7.8B in relief for 03 flood-affected Guyanese PAGE

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President hails contributions 02 of Afro-Guyanese

Today, Guyanese of all walks of life will celebrate Emancipation Day. In this Delano Williams photo, this woman, dressed in beautiful African prints, is seen dancing to the beat of a talented drummer, perhaps in honour of those who gave their lives to bring an end to the more than 200 years of cruelty meted out to millions of enslaved Africans at the hands of the European colonisers

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All set for 04 NGSA 2021 PAGE

When the lights 04 Cancer misdiagnosis go out, the ‘jumbie worsened suffering 19 stories’ come to life of haemophilia patient PAGE

of the SUPPLEMENT

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

President Ali hails contribution of Afro-Guyanese –– recommits to establishment of ‘One Guyana Commission’

ALMOST two centuries after the abolition of the most heinous crime against humanity, slavery, Afro-Guyanese continue to catalyse growth and development, making strides in every sphere of life.

“While we take the time to pay homage to our African-Guyanese brothers and sisters on the occasion of Emancipation, we must seize this opportunity to acknowledge, to value, and to celebrate their tremendous achievements and contributions to national development,” President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said in his message to commemorate Emancipation Day, 2021.

Undoubtedly, African-Guyanese have distinguished themselves in all spheres of human endeavour, the President said, noting that among the many achievements are the laying of the foundation of Guyana’s economic infrastructure, establishing the Village Movement, pioneering undertakings of the peasantry, developing local government systems, promoting co-operative institutions and other social organisations and being in the forefront of the emergence of local trade unionism.

Further, President Ali posited: “Our African-Guyanese brothers and sisters, remain integral to national development and continue to excel and contribute to our nation’s progress. African-Guyanese doctors, nurses and other medical personnel are among those on the frontlines providing life-saving care and

treatment to our sick and infirmed.

“They are securing our borders, policing our territorial waters and safeguarding our towns, villages and communities. You are among Guyana’s dedicated teachers who are molding the minds and values of our children – Guyana’s future leaders. As sportsmen and women, you are making our country and region proud by your amazing accomplishments and performance.”

African-Guyanese also occupy senior positions in the State’s administration. They are working assiduously to improve the quality of public services offered to citizens.

On the private side, African-Guyanese farmers, fishers, loggers and miners are generating wealth; professionals and entrepreneurs are helping to propel industry and commerce.

“My upbringing and my political career have been molded by the bonds of friendship cultivated over the years. I have benefitted from the advice and support of a number of outstanding and dedicated professionals of African descent whom I am proud to call friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters,” President Ali said.

These relationships, however, are not defined by distinctions of race, class or religion.

In the President’s view, it is the essence of being Guyanese. And while the nation looks forward with hope and optimism, on this occasion, they are called to reflect on their past.

The abolition of slavery was a defining moment in Guyana’s history, President Ali said, noting that it ended the abhorrent, inhumane system of human enslavement, which had seen millions of innocent Africans being transported across the Atlantic Ocean only to be sold into chattel slavery and forced into unmitigated toil and suppression.

To this end, he said: “Emancipation Day recalls the heroic courage and sacrifices of our African ancestors in their epic struggle for freedom and human dignity. Today, and every Emancipation Day, we salute the indomitable will of those who rebelled against the indignities of slavery.

“Guyana’s history is punctuated by uprisings – courageous acts by enslaved Africans, including the decisive blows for freedom that took place in 1763 and 1823. Freedom, however, was not accompanied by recompense for the atrocities committed against those enslaved.”

Emancipation Day remains a constant reminder of the debt that is still owed to Africans and their descendants.

“It is therefore fitting that on this day, we as Guyanese recommit to the goal of gaining international reparations for the crime of African enslavement. Reparative justice must include a full and unconditional apology from those responsible and/or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and

their consequent enslavement,” President Ali posited.

Reparative justice, however, cannot be confined to such an apology, the President said, noting that it must go further.

“Guyana will continue to support the efforts being made within the Caribbean Community to press for the convening of an international summit to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects,” the Head of State affirmed.

Not only on the regional and international front, but also on the local scene, there will continue to be efforts which enhance the lives of Afro-Guyanese. President affirmed that every citizen will benefit from the opportunities which are being unlocked.

“We want every Guyanese to be part of this development, sharing in its transformation and in its resultant benefits,” the Head of State said.

In repeating what he said in his inaugural address to the twelfth Parliament earlier this year, President Ali said an essential part of his government is inclusion.

“As Guyanese, we should be defined by our nationality and by our common love for our country. The establishment of the ‘One Guyana Commission’ will give life to our vision of oneness,” the Head of State related.

‘Because We Care’ cash grant is an investment in children’s future MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has said that the government remains committed to investing in the country’s Education Sector and youth.

The minister made this statement during a visit to Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where she rolled out the ‘Because We Care’’ cash grant and school uniforms and supplies voucher programme.

“This cash grant is important to the future, and one of the most important

resources of our beautiful land, the children; the young people. That’s where the investment has been made, and will continue to be made by the Government of Guyana,” Dr. Persaud said.

“We care about their education, because that opportunity to access quality education and to be equipped with the tools to ensure that education is successful is made possible through this ‘Because We Care’ cash grant,” she added.

She noted that this is an investment that will prove

beneficial in this challenging time, as many parents, teachers and children are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), many parents praised the government for the initiative.

Parbattie Latchman said maintaining five children in the school system over the last year was challenging, since her husband was injured in an accident and was unable to provide a steady income. She thanked the

Recipients gathered at the New Market Primary School

government for delivering on its promise.

“This will help me a lot, because I will start buy the children’s school clothes. I feel happy, and I thank the President and the ministers,” she said.

With two children in school, Natasha Ramnarine said she already has a list of items needed for her children’s preparations.

“Me glad that everybody will get help; it’s a great job,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jaichand Bishwanauth said the grant will come in handy to purchase school supplies for his three-year-old daughter. He said the grant will greatly assist many parents.

“They’re doing something, because we can get to buy things for dem chirren, because things are a bit rough right now. We don’t get jobs due to the virus; I will take it and buy her uniform, boots, bag, everything she needs to go first time at school,” Bishwanauth said.

The reintroduction of the

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud “Because We Care” cash grant to children in public schools is another Manifesto promise fulfilled by the PPP/C government.

The grant was first introduced in 2014 valued at $10,000. However, it was discontinued under the former APNU+AFC administration.

Additionally, the PPP/C

government has increased the school uniform and supplies voucher from $2,000 to $4,000; this is being distributed in cash this year.

Each child registered in the public school system will receive $19,000. Approximately 172,000 students will benefit from the $3.2 billion programme countrywide. (DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

$7.8B in relief for flood-affected Guyanese

By Rehana Ahamad

THE Government of Guyana has announced that it will be providing financial assistance to the thousands of Guyanese who have been affected by the ongoing floods, which started more than three months ago.

In a broadcast message issued on Saturday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said that the assistance will cover various categories of households and farmers, and will not exceed a ceiling of $10 million per individual.

“In these categories, farmers within the context of a homestead would receive $100,000 each; those with kitchen gardens will receive $50,000 each, and households excluding homestead and kitchen garden will receive 50,000 each,” the Head of State said.

He noted that so far, approximately 52,000 households have been affected by the unprecedented levels of floodwaters.

“The combined assistance to homestead farmers, kitchen gardens and households for these categories will be in excess of $3.5 billion,” the President related.

He noted, too, that the rains have had a significant impact on the rice sector,

with approximately 50,000 acres and 2,000 farmers being directly affected. As a result, support will be given to rice farmers on a categorised basis.

“For rice that was ready to harvest but lost in the floods, $80,000 per acre would be given to those farmers. For rice sown and lost in the autumn crop, these farmers will receive $65,000 per acre. For land that was completely prepared but was not sown, $45,000 per acre would be given to these farmers,” President Ali specified.

In addition to this, he said that 60,000 bags of seed paddy would also be made available for rice farmers.

“The combined assistance in these four categories would be in excess of $3.2 billion,” Dr. Ali noted.

He said that support for the livestock industry will also be given, based on categories of subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers, and large-scale farmers.

So far, in excess of 2,000 livestock farmers have been affected.

“In total, these four categories will benefit from in excess of $600 million direct transfers,” President Ali added.

Added to these direct transfers, the Ministry of

Agriculture and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be assisting through “genetic improvements,” as well as drainage and irrigation works, technical support, and extension services to the approximate value of $500 million.

The President said that emphasis would also be placed on continuing infrastructural works such as the rebuilding of dams, farmto-market access roads, hinterland roads, mining roads, community roads, drainage systems, and other infrastructure that were destroyed or faced deterioration as a result of the floods.

“I am aware that this assistance will go a long way in bringing relief. However, it can never compensate for the emotional and social loss which I saw and experienced first-hand,” Dr. Ali acknowledged.

LOSSES In reflecting on the devastation, the Head of State said that the floods, caused by heavy rainfall, resulted in some 300 communities being directly affected for a protracted period of time.

An initial assessment shows the agriculture sector being most affected, with

some 92,000 acres of farm and farmlands completely affected, and approximately $23 billion or more in loss of production.

The sugar industry suffered estimated losses of more than $1.5 billion in the fields, while more than 50 per cent of mining operations have been affected.

“Damage to the Forestry Sector, loss of production and damage to equipment is estimated at in excess of $8 billion,” Dr. Ali related.

He said, however, that the total socio-economic impact assessment is currently being examined by the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

“This would give us an overall understanding as to the cost of this flood to the economy, regions and communities,” Dr. Ali said.

He reminded that since the beginning of the floods, the government’s priority was saving lives, protecting livelihoods, securing health services, and ensuring there was enough food and shelter to satisfy the needs of the people.

“These efforts saw the distribution of more than 80,000 food hampers, 45,000 cleaning hampers, and more than 5,000 medical kits across all 10 administrative regions. More than 10 shelters were established, and extensive support was given

to farming communities,” the President related.

The Head of State had previously promised that once the emergency needs of the people are met, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government will be providing as much support as it can, to help persons rebuild their lives and recover from the floods.

RESILIENCE With the continued threats of global warming, President Ali has pledged to work on an aggressive national drainage plan that is climate resilient and can mitigate climate events and disasters.

“More than 100 pumps and hundreds of excavators were deployed all across the country to support communities and farmers. In addition to this, the government deployed an extensive fleet of machinery to support regions and communities in their efforts. The structure to manage the flood included a Cabinet task force, a multi-stakeholder national emergency operation centre and 10 regional emergency operation centres.

“Having regards for the massive disruption in the economy and household level, particularly the agriculture sector, the government committed to direct transfers to households and farmers

President Dr. Irfaan Ali to allow them in the first instance, to return to some level of normalcy in their homes whilst supporting the Agriculture Sector to return to productive capacity, so as to mitigate against potential food shortages whilst at the same time supporting the farming community,” the Head of State related.

President Ali also took the time to express gratitude to “the thousands of Guyanese” here and in the diaspora, international agencies, and friends in the CARICOM community and elsewhere for their kind support during this period.

“I especially would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture, the CDC, and all the other sectors that worked long beyond the call of duty to bring relief,” Dr. Ali said.

Flood relief at a glance HOUSEHOLDS -Homestead farmers to receive $100,000 each -Farmers with kitchen gardens to receive $50,000 each -Households excluding homestead and kitchen garden will receive 50,000 each RICE FARMERS -Farmers losing their harvest to floods to receive $80,000 per acre -Farmers who lost their autumn crop will receive $65,000 per acre -Farmers who prepared lands but were unable to sow will receive $45,000 per acre -60,000 bags of seed paddy to be distributed

FLASHBACK: May/June 2021: A rice farmer using the length of his body to demonstrate the depth of water covering his rice field

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LIVESTOCK FARMERS -Subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers, and large-scale farmers to benefit from $600 million in direct transfers -Assistance with “genetic improvements” -Continued assistance with drainage and irrigation works, technical support, and extension services valuing $500 million.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

All set for NGSA 2021 –– Education Ministry says policy changes aimed at serving best interest of the candidates

ALL is set for the writing of the 2021 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) on Wednesday, August 4 and Thursday, August 5, 2021.

On Wednesday, Grade Six pupils will be writing English papers two and one in the morning and Science papers one and two in the afternoon. While on Thursday, candidates will be writing Mathematics papers one and two in the morning and Social Studies papers one and two in the afternoon.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, regulations and guidelines have been established to ensure the safe and incident-free writing of this examination.

These measures include the sanitising and washing of hands before entering examination buildings, the wearing of the recommended face mask, observing and maintaining social distancing at all times and the cleaning and sanitising of buildings and furniture.

Also, candidates are not

required to wear their respective primary school uniforms.

In the case where a child is not dressed in uniform, they must be dressed modestly and as best as possible with clothes that bear little or no writing, pictures and or diagrams that would give cause or contribute to any form of cheating.

Candidates will be allowed to leave the examination centres to have lunch but must return at least 15 minutes before the beginning of the next session.

Candidates can take a bottle of water or suitable liquid to drink into the examination room once the bottle has no writing that can aid the student in the examination.

This year, there are 33 new examination centres spread across the eleven education districts where candidates will be writing the examination.

This was done to make the lives of children and their parents easier by eliminating the burden of having to travel long distances to get to their respective exam centres, which were

NGSA pupils of St. Gabriel’s Primary School in 2019 (DPI photo) not the schools they attended.

In addition to the examination centres, the Ministry of Education has established emergency centres that can accommodate those candidates who might have tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine.

This was done for the 2021 CSEC and CAPE examina-

tions, whereby COVID-19 positive candidates were accommodated and allowed to write their examinations in a separate building.

Parents of COVID-19-positive children or children in quarantine are asked to contact the school’s headteacher or the Department of Education in their particular region. Parents

could also call 226–1237 to make the necessary arrangements.

Further, as of this year, candidates who are 12 years and seven months, and older will not be penalised with respect to their raw scores as in previous years.

This category of candidates will have their raw scores standardised in the same way as all other candidates.

In addition, the individual subject scores for each candidate will be given to decimal places and their total score will be rounded to the nearest whole number. This is to ensure a more accurate reflection of each candidate’s performance.

Moreover, to ensure candidates are prepared to write the examination, the Ministry of Education implemented several interventions. All Grade

Six students in the public education system have received a NGSA care package containing face masks, pencils, erasers, sharpener, hand sanitiser and ruler.

Also, to help pupils prepare for the examination, each pupil was given a study package containing social studies and science notes, worksheets for the four subjects, past papers from the last five years and 12 textbooks on the four subject areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

Further, the Ministry of Education also launched its Quiz Me Platform on its website which offers students the opportunity to practice NGSA-type questions and be given their results instantaneously.

The NGSA booster programme was also launched whereby local teachers are recorded teaching the topics which can feature on the examination.

These videos are aired on the Guyana Learning Channel according to a timetabled schedule and are also available for streaming on the Guyana Learning Channel’s YouTube channel.

All of those interventions catered to the consolidated curriculum which the ministry prepared to cater for the reduced hours students were engaged.

The Ministry of Education wished all pupils the very best in their examination and committed to continue working in their best interest.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

UWI congratulates new Prime Minister of Saint Lucia (CMC) The University of the West Indies (The UWI) congratulates the Honourable Philip J. Pierre who was sworn in as Saint Lucia’s 8th Prime Minister on July 28.

Prime Minister Pierre, an Economist and UWI alumnus, led his political party to win the country’s recent general election. The UWI community is filled with great pride to have yet another member of its alumni

assuming the high office of Prime Minister in the Caribbean region.

Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, expressed his personal congratulations to Prime Minister Pierre on his “resounding victory” in the election, adding: “The citizens of Saint Lucia have demonstrated, very clearly, their desire for your leadership”. Vice-Chancellor Beckles also assured the new

Prime Minister, the backing of The UWI and said he looked forward to an opportunity to discuss ways in which the regional university could continue to support Saint Lucia’s development.

Prime Minister Pierre holds both a Bachelor degree (hons) in Economics and a Master degree in Business Administration from The UWI. Before entering politics, he began his career in teaching. He then served as

a Trainee Manager, at J.Q. Charles Limited; an Audit Clerk at Coopers and Lybrand; an Audit Senior at Panell Kerr Forster and Financial Controller at Stanthur Company Limited.

He was also Director of the National Research and Development Corporation (NRDF). He later moved on to become Chief Executive of his own company, Phillip J. Pierre Business Services Ltd.

He joined the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) in 1985 and entered representational politics in 1992. This is his sixth win as Parliamentary Representative in the Castries East constituency that he has represented since 1997. He has held several positions in the SLP, including Chairman and during the Dr. Kenny Anthony-led government of 2011 to 2016, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, and acted as Prime Minister on

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre several occasions.

He became Leader of the Opposition in 2016 following the resignation of the Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony.

Regional Census launch to be held on August 3

A virtual event to signal the beginning of the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Census in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be held on Tuesday Au-

gust 3, 2021.

Beginning at 2pm, the programme will be broadcast on the CARICOM Facebook and Youtube platforms.

The programme will hear

from Dr. the Hon Keith Mitchell, Grenada Prime Minister and Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Science and Technology in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet.

Other speakers will include CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, Amb. Manorma Soeknandan, and representatives from the regional private sector and international development partner.

This Round of Census should have begun last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start. Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, The Bahamas and the Cayman Islands are to have their Census exercises this year.

In a message to mark the launch, CARICOM Secretary-General, Amb. Irwin LaRocque noted the circumstances under which the Census Round was being held.

He pointed out that the Census served a key role in evidence-based decision making which was essential for efficient management of economic and social affairs, and for overall effective governance of societies.

“For this Census round, which is being held during a pandemic, countries are complying with the health regulations recommended by their respective authorities in the conduct of the exercise. For the first time, all countries intend to use Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing or some hybrid, including paper questionnaires, Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing and Computer Assisted Web Interviewing.

The latter two techniques should offset the realities of the pandemic relative to the absence of face-to-face interviewing,” he said.

He called on “everyone across all countries” to cooperate with the National Statistical Offices and be counted.

(CARICOM TODAY)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Significant Milestones

THE month of August is known in Guyana as the month of Emancipation.

It was on August 1, 1838 that our African ancestors who were brought to our shores to provide slave labour on the sugar plantations obtained their freedom. This is indeed a milestone event, one that is deeply etched in our collective memory and one that will continue to live on until eternity.

Without a doubt, it is one of the most significant dates in our history. The day is observed annually in recognition of the enormous contributions and sacrifices made by our fore parents of African descent in the fight for their freedom and those who came after them.

To say that our African foreparents were instrumental in obtaining our freedom and subsequent development will be a gross understatement. Indeed, the social and economic prosperity we enjoy today is inextricably linked to a much broader struggle ignited by our fore- parents. Many lives were sacrificed in that struggle, but they remain

immortalised in the collective memory of the Guyanese people.

Several monuments have been built in honour of those courageous men and women to remind us of the contributions they made to our freedom, the most prominent being the 1763 Monument which is a testimony to the Berbice Slave Rebellion of 1763.

Another hero of our freedom struggle was Damon, an African slave in whose memory a bronze monument was erected at Anna Regina. There is also the 1823 Emancipation monument situated along the Seawall Road which was unveiled in 2013 in recognition of the fallen heroes. These and the several other monuments and memorials stand today as a lasting tribute to those who blazed the trail for liberation and who laid the foundation for modern-day Guyana.

As we reflect on the sacrifices and contributions made by our ancestors, we must also spare a moment to do some serious introspection on how well we have fared as a nation and some of the

challenges we face as we seek to come to terms with a gruelling and cruel past. Unfortunately, we are still to fully liberate ourselves from the legacy of our colonial past, which partially was responsible for the continuing divisive and adversarial nature of our politics.

We cannot continue to carry that burden of the past which remains a drag on our capacity to realise our full potential as a nation and as a society.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during his speech at the launch of a Commemorative Centenary Stamp in honour of former president Mrs. Janet Jagan could not have put it more succinctly when he said: “Today, I ask all of Guyana, especially within our political landscape to assume individually and collectively the role of achieving the unification of our people and I assure you every single day of this government’s life will be spent dedicated to this task; it will be achieved, it must be achieved. We have to break down the invisible walls of disunity and bring our peoples together. We owe this to

the legacy of those who work tirelessly and selflessly; we owe this to our future generation and we have to fix it now and fix it in this generation and we do not leave this burden upon those who will come after us.”

These are indeed profound words of a leader who is passionate about us leaving our past behind and finding a new pathway to prosperity based on mutual respect, shared values and a common vision of a society; one in which all of us, regardless of our politics and the colour of our skins must be equal participants in this exciting task of nation-building.

August 2, 2021 will also be exactly one year since the swearing in of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali as the 10th Executive President of Guyana and the accession to office of the PPP/C administration.

It has been an eventful year characterised by monumental progress and solid achievements, for which the President and his Cabinet must be commended.

Let us celebrate a successful anniversary!

Dear editor,

GUYANESE are indeed celebrating the first one-year of Dr. Irfaan Ali as the President of Guyana. However, we must never forget the numerous attempts to rig and derail the results of the National and Regional Elections in 2020.

Genuine efforts are in place for constitutional and electoral reforms must be completed for us to have complete reformation of Guyana’s electoral machinery. The Guyana Elections Commission must be transformed into an organisation in which Guyanese have confidence and trust and must hold free and fair elections. The commission must get rid of the infamous ‘trio’ immediately. The motion to dismiss the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, along with Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo was amended to add termination of contracts as a means of removing the unwanted officers from their posts at GECOM. It is most heartening to know that the amendments were ap-

proved by the Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh. The blatant disregard and disrespect to the chairperson and open defiance of court orders in his desperate pursuit to fraudulently declare the APNU+AFC coalition winners of the March 2nd 2020 National and Regional Elections are more than enough sins to remove Lowenfield.

The events that unfolded after a peaceful and successful 2nd March, National and Regional elections were serious and were punctuated with brazen and blatant attempts to steal a government.

As the counting and verification processes were successfully carried out in nine of the 10 administrative districts, the PNC abandoned the legal process of using the Statements of Poll and then decided to call false numbers from a manufactured ‘broadsheet’ in an effort to rig the results in Region Four.

That disgraceful and most glaring attempt to ‘thief’ votes in favour of the PNC was not acceptable, as the political parties and the international observers protested vehemently against the ‘riggers.’

Guyanese had to endure all the tension and frustration, along with threats and bullying as a 33-day recount took place only to verify that the People’s Progressive Party’s SoPs were true and correct. As a consequence, the PPP/C was declared clear winner of the National and Regional Elections. This nation had to wait for five long months as the PNC/ APNU/AFC had their knees on our people’s necks in their efforts to rig and later to derail the elections.

As the verification process took place and the thievery was in action at the GECOM Command Centre in the Ashmin building, the ‘riggers’ were caught red-handed and they stopped the verification process. They threatened the international and local observers that there was a ‘bomb’ in the building; the ‘pompous’ Roxanne Myers threatened us and demanded that we leave the building with a false alarm. As a consequence, Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas was removed from his position of Officer-in-charge of the Command Centre and Commissioner Sase Gunraj was also humiliated as he was

threatened to be removed from the building.

It was most embarrassing to see the prominent ambassadors, observers and civil society persons along with other parties’ representatives being threatened and harassed by the police and political thugs. Commissioner Robeson Benn was brutally manhandled as he suffered a fractured arm and it had to be in cast for several weeks.

Court action after court action was the order of the day as all attempts were put in place to derail the elections after the PNC and GECOM conspirators failed in their attempts to do the rigging.

As Guyanese celebrate the first anniversary, we must recognise the fact that it was the dynamic leadership of the PPP/C, the unity of our people and the powerful support of our leaders in CARICOM and the eminent ambassadors that made it possible.

Our democracy must prevail.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Remembering the struggle against electoral fraud

Dear Editor,

AUGUST 2, the first anniversary of the declaration of the outcome of the March 2 elections, will long be remembered after that battle to have our votes counted.

It was a relatively long struggle, reminiscent of that 26-year battle to have our votes correctly counted in earlier elections held after independence in 1966 thru 1992. Peers of mine reminisced about that struggle by the diaspora against electoral fraud.

Some of the greatest personalities within Guyana fought for the right to the ballot that came in 1953.

The struggle eventually resulted in independence in 1966. Then the country descended into a racist

dictatorship holding power through electoral fraud and the barrel of a gun.

The rigging of elections in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1980, etc.; the shooting of Dr. Joshua Ramsammy and Vincent Teekah, and the murder of Dr. Walter Rodney and Father Bernard Darke and so many others, all carried out by elements of the state, along with the control of the courts and the media, and the banning of foods, opened our eyes to the “urgency of the struggle against dictatorship and the imperative to reclaim our freedom. No one can “dismiss the significance” of the above events, and others, particularly Rodney’s assassination. Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet and the PPP played critical roles in the struggle against

the dictatorship. Others, like Paul Tennassee and his DLM; Vishnu Bandhu and Leslie Ramsammy and his URP; Eusi Kwayana and his WPA; all made contributions to free the nation.

The diaspora was also in the thick of the struggle against the dictatorship. In New York and elsewhere, after 1966, a handful of migrants from Guyana led a struggle to free Guyana. I participated in that struggle in New York from 1977 onwards, escaping Guyana where I also combated electoral fraud going back to 1968. The diaspora stood up with the Guyanese people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from the nearly three decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by the

tragic grip of the authoritarian rulers. They made enormous sacrifices, even neglecting their families, education, material wealth, and happiness, etc., for the sake of country that became free after October 1992. The diaspora freedom fighters shed their time and resources for the welfare of their former homeland.

Among them were Chuck Mohan, Arjune Karshan, Mel Carpen, Flattie Singh, Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha, Ravi Dev, Ramesh Kalicharran, Pandit Ramlall, Yash Pal Soi, and myself, among others.

These unsung heroes were motivated by a desire to liberate the nation from racism and an oppressive dictatorship. They made enormous sacrifices for Guyana. Yash Pal was not

When Mingo’s bedsheet spreadsheet failed, Lowenfield was activated Dear editor, IN a few days it will be the first year of the PPP/C administration being in office.

While their accomplishments have been remarkable, I wish to take this time to remind Guyanese of the despicable actions of the APNU+AFC coalition leading up to the August 2nd declaration.

It is important that we do not forget the attempts made by the APNU+AFC cabal after March 2, 2020, as the five months after the elections was one of Guyana’s most difficult periods. After the General and Regional elections concluded on March 2nd last year, we saw many blatant attempts to stymie the will of the electorate through fraud, with the obvious beneficiary being the coalition.

This all started with Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo’s attempt to declare fictitious figures in favour of the coalition.

The APNU+AFC created an atmosphere of chaos after that at Ashmin’s building.

They resorted to the familiar PNC tactic of thuggery and intimidation by mobilising their supporters outside of the building. It is my view that they wanted to create havoc, so as to further alter the results of the elections in some way. The true colours of the coalition came out during that time.

When Mingo’s bedsheet spreadsheet failed, Lowenfield was activated. He then sought to unlawfully disenfranchise thousands of voters to the benefit of the APNU+AFC once again. During this time, Guyanese were

fearful of a return to the dark days of the PNC dictatorship.

Economic activity came to a standstill. Meanwhile, the coalition’s big-wigs used the period as an opportunity to further engage in massive transfers of state assets and wanton acts of corruption.

Little to no regard was paid to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the country and its citizens.

The coalition spoon fed its supporters on a daily diet of fake news and false hope, knowing fully well that it had lost the elections. It hid its copies of the SoPs and claimed victory – even hosting a celebration at which President Granger gave congratulatory remarks. The PPP/C had no issue releasing its copies of the Region Four SoPs for the public to see, which showed a victory in

its favour.

It took five long months of struggling and fighting to ensure that democracy and the will of the people prevailed. Decent-minded Guyanese never gave up in the struggle to preserve their democracy.

They dealt accordingly with every single one of the coalition’s rigging attempts.

With its one-year tenure approaching, the PPP/C deserves to be commended for all its efforts. Guyanese, let us keep on supporting our government and keep on rejecting the attempts of the spineless cabal, the APNU+AFC, to derail progress in our beloved nation.

For your consideration, Yours sincerely, Attiya Baksh

Guyanese, but he became a loyalist of Jagan and later Bharat Jagdeo. Yash Pal fought for the restoration of democracy as few Guyanese did, arranging meetings with President Carter and engaging in fundraising for the PPP, etc.

Democracy was restored in 1992. The country returned to economic liberalism. Free and fair elections were held at regular intervals in 1997, 2001, 2006, 2011. The government was changed in May 2015, but after the coalition government lost a no-confidence vote in December 2018, it descended into authoritarianism, refusing to adhere to long-established democratic principles and the constitution. Then came the attempt to rig the election in broad daylight on March 3 and thereafter. The opposition was galvanised into action to save democracy. The diaspora was also there. Ramharack, Dev, Ramracha, Yash Pal Soi, and myself,

along with some new forces from the diaspora were there to combat the electoral fraud of 2020. Nadir, Tennassee, Bandhu, and Ramsammy were also there from the pre-1992 freedom movement combating the 2020 fraud.

It took five months and varied efforts, including diplomatic power and international forces, not the least being CARICOM and ABCE diplomats posted in Guyana; social and traditional media exposed the fraud. Eventually, the power of the U.S. with its sanctions forced the regime to throw in the towel to its bold-faced attempt to retain power through fraud.

Democracy was saved.

The nation ought to be thankful to all those who combated electoral fraud in 2020 and contributed to the restoration of democracy in 1992.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Politics & Society Forum

PPP/C in office: One year later

AUGUST 2 marks the first year since the PPP/C returned to power for a second time.

To recall, the PPP/C led Guyana from 1992 to 2015, but was “unseated” from power by the APNU+AFC coalition from 2015 to 2020. The question that comes to mind is: What makes the past year (August 2, 2020 to August 2, 2021) so significant, as opposed to other years, given that the PPP/C has been at the centre of Guyanese politics for over six decades? Put differently, what makes the past year so special? I think it will be instructive if we examine 1993 and 2016, before 2021. The former are years following the change of power in Guyana in 1992 and 2015. This approach will allow us to make comparative analyses to demonstrate why 2021 is so significant, rather than just analyse PPP/C’s first year in office in isolation the second time around.

In 1992, the PPP/C, for

the first time since independence (1966), was able to lead Guyana via a free and fair election. All prior elections were rigged, denying the PPP/C access to power.

Naturally, then, there was much resistance from the PNC to give up power, and when it did, some sections of Guyana and the international community were in shock. After the first year in office in 1993, the PPP/C was governing, but the PNC was controlling a deeply corrupt country, notably, the civil service, including the Police Force and military. The latter was still loyal to the PNC. The challenge for PPP/C was how to transform a corrupt and militarised Guyanese state into a functional civic society. It was reported that Cheddi Jagan’s approach to this challenge was that those who broke down Guyana would be actively involved in rebuilding the country, through inclusive rather than exclusive policies. A few individuals, if

any, from the PNC were brought to justice for the abuse of power. In sum, one year after the PPP/C entered office in 1992, it was simply hanging on to power while implementing moderate changes.

In 2016, one year after the APNU+AFC coalition entered office, the situation was markedly different from 1993. The overall political, social, economic, and human rights conditions in Guyana had improved noticeably, but the Coalition misused this improvement.

Allow me to pull from an article I wrote in Guyana Times (05.10.2016). The Manifesto “from the current regime [APNU+AFC] is the wickedest propaganda dished out to Guyanese in the history of Guyana. No other government in Guyana and the English-speaking Caribbean has ever lied so blatantly to the people in the first year in power than the current coalition regime.” Additionally, “There is a growing consensus,

even to the most distant outsider, that the current regime [APNU+AFC] is incompetent, self-centred, unskilled, and intellectually lazy. Whatever this regime and its supporters are trying to convey, its actions, on scrutiny, reveal that it continues to lie to the Guyanese people.”

A few individuals would disagree with this assessment of the APNU+AFC coalition. In sum, the gains that were made during the PPP/C period of leadership were simply rolled back by rudderless and visionless policies from the Coalition.

In 2021, Guyana has shown signs of returning to normal politics of development amid the refusal of some in the opposition that attempts of rigging the general election in 2020 ever happened. So, what is significant about 2021? I identify three patterns. The first is that the PPP/C realised that power should not be taken lightly, and that a closer relationship is warranted with

Guyanese. This realisation was put in practice immediately after the APNU+AFC assumed power, and specifically before the local elections and after the No-Confidence Vote in 2018. The ministers have since been on the ground, working hard, so much so that their presence in communities has been more visible than the APNU+AFC coalition. The PPP/C has brought the government to the people rather than the other way around, an impressive departure from the past.

The second pattern is that the PPP/C realised that the PNC has not moved away from the days of electoral rigging before 1992.

The PPP/C was under the impression that the PNC is genuinely interested in fair and free general elections, but the failed attempts to rig the 2020 general elections proved otherwise. Much energy has since been applied to clean up the mess in the electorate machinery. This is much-needed effort and

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine energy, but in some ways should not have happened in the 21st Century. Guyana has backpedaled in this regard because one political party does not believe in going to the polls fairly and squarely to achieve power.

The third pattern is that the PPP/C has embarked on a development mode on a macro and micro level.

A drive through Guyana will reveal infrastructural developments, construction projects, and the revival of the agricultural sector among others. The PPP/C has taken off, amid challenges, like a plane on an airport runway, while the APNU+AFC Opposition is still on the ground fiddling.

In the final analysis, if the PPP/C could maintain these patterns of development while applying pressure on the Opposition to be involved in more constructive criticisms, in the next few years, Guyana will certainly be a better place (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

Serious crimes down by 19.3 per cent –– Home Affairs Minister says

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has said that there has been a 19.3 per cent decrease in serious crimes.

This figure represents a year-to-day comparison of statistics from January 1 to July 30, 2020 and January 1 to July 30, 2021.

“In spite of what you are hearing on social media, in spite of the fact that we may not have been paying attention to what was happening in relation to serious crime in 2020… now we can focus and pay attention to issues of crime and to deal and ramp up on those issues so that we can make our country safer,” Minister Benn said.

In 2020, there were 86 murders compared to 73 in 2021, representing a 15.1 per cent decrease. Of the 516 incidences of robbery under arms in 2020, 333 were com-

mitted in 2021 which indicates a 35 per cent decrease.

A 55.6 per cent decrease has been recorded in robbery with aggravation, with 36 incidences in 2020 and 16 in 2021. Break and enter and larceny also saw a decrease of 10.7 per cent, with 457 in 2020 and 408 in 2021.

As it relates to larceny, there has been a notable decrease of 46.4 per cent, with 69 in 2020 and 37 in 2021. There were 51 cases of robbery with violence compared to 42 in 2021, which represents a 17.6 per cent decrease.

With 18 robberies in 2020 and 13 in 2021, there has been a 27.8 per cent decrease in this crime. There has also been a steep decrease in burglary of 41.9 per cent, with 93 incidences in 2020 and 54 in 2021. One instance of kidnapping was

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn recorded in 2021 and none in 2020.

However, there has been an increase in the reported cases of rape, with 104 incidences in 2020 and 177 in 2021, reflecting a 70.2 per cent increase.

The government, as part of its commitment to providing safe and secure communities, invested over $61 billion to enhance security. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Understanding Energy

Government exploring hydro to complement gas-to-energy project AS the gas-to-energy project continues to progress, the government has now announced that it will not be the only major new project to contribute to the electrical grid.

The government is also planning to move forward with the long-postponed Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. Although the project was initially proposed over a decade ago, it was stalled after the 2015 elections. But now the government appears to be moving forward in a concrete way and has extended a request for proposals from interested companies.

A major investment into renewable energy like this could be a strong signal that the government is serious about its promises to diversify Guyana’s energy mix and pursue both natural gas and renewable energy.

Guyana’s electricity needs are rapidly growing and are expected to grow even more due to the rapid economic expansion accelerated by the country’s oil discoveries. The electricity grid will need multiple sources of generation and greater supply to keep up with this growing demand.

However, according to a report by Norwegian consultancy Norconsult, Guyana will need to expand further to incorporate solar, wind, and thermal power sources to further diversify its energy mix, as many developed countries have done. Pursuing both gas and hydropower simultaneously could be a good first step down that road to meeting emission goals and securing a more reliable power supply.

As of 2017, Guyana had enough power- generation assets to produce about 172.2 megawatts (MW). This comes primarily from heavy fuel oil – a relatively expensive and highly polluting source. However, as the country develops and its industries grow, demand is expected to grow to 465 MW by 2025, according to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. Current facilities will not be enough to provide reliable power.

The new hydropower project will include a 165-megawatt (MW) hydro dam and plant located at the Amaila Falls, which would connect to a 270-kilometre transmission line to Georgetown; electrical substations would store

and transmit power from there. This additional energy generation is already part of GPL’s current development and expansion plan to increase supply for the country. The project also includes upgrades to roads and bridges to the site, which should benefit local communities in the hinterland.

While hydropower is an attractive, clean energy source, gas will likely be an essential complement. As discussed in the last two columns, the gas-to-energy project will not only increase the overall supply of energy to Guyana’s electricity grid, but will also ensure that electricity is cheaper and more reliable. Gas is an essential complement to renewable energy sources such as hydro, which may be disrupted by weather patterns such as droughts, since it can come online and power back down quickly and easily.

With multiple energy sources, Guyana will be able to diversify its energy mix and ensure that it can meet growing demand with the gas plant set to come online in 2024 and the Amaila Falls a year later. Cheaper energy will add to Guyana’s already attractive investment

Towards real emancipation

AFRICANS are strong, resilient, and long-suffering people.

They have endured and struggled through the worst violation of their human rights, which is the enslavement of their peoples. This enslavement was brutal against Africans, because it led to widespread decimation of their populations, way of life, and culture.

By the time slavery was abolished over 200 years ago, the state of mind of the African people was not the same; the chains and bondages had messed with it. Their level of consciousness was displaced. Consequently, this move led to the concept of being a free African man physically, but not mentally.

The trauma has endured right down the line to many African descendants.

This Emancipation Day gives us the time to reflect on the hard-learned lessons from the experiences of our ancestors and the elderly.

The lessons learned are patience, resilience, love, long-suffering, pride and dignity. Those lessons are what contribute to our

blackness, uniqueness, and intelligence as Afro-Guyanese; they also shape our conversations, visions, and aspirations as a people.

So, celebrate your rich and diverse culture in our way of life, tasty food and beverages, clothing, and fashion.

But there must be a pang of hunger that drives Afro-Guyanese towards the attainment of ‘real’ emancipation. By this, we mean freedom from the shackles and bondages that seek to hold us back; in other words, freedom from mental slavery. This form of slavery is responsible for holding up the progress of so many Afro-Guyanese, because they are fearful of putting their trust in others after they learned from the experiences of their ancestors and the elderly population.

This distrust is putting up the walls between the Afro-Guyanese, and what they see as a government which is Indo-Guyanese. The displaced mistrust is not allowing Afro-Guyanese to heal and truly reconcile with the PPP government, because persons or politicians want them to hate each other.

The distrust is leading to countless missed educational and socio-economic opportunities, because of fear and racial hatred. The mistrust of the PPP Administration has been allowed to continue for far too long. This mistrust has occurred despite the party’s reformation of its image. The party is also trying desperately to stand on a middle ground.

The political mistrust runs so deep that they are willing to give the opposition, APNU+AFC, another chance after squandering Guyana’s socio-economic future. Also, the opposition failed while it was in government to look at constitutional reform, electoral reforms, and pilot change.

Real emancipation could all develop if we start by trusting the PPP politicians and their policies a little more; trust what they are saying that they are a Government that cares, and wants to see everyone in Guyana lead, not the good life, but a progressive life with a brighter future.

Also, this emancipation must be celebrated this year by demonstrating a high level of

climate and will enable businesses to operate more easily and provide electricity for new companies moving to Guyana.

Construction for the hydropower project is slated to begin as early as 2022. According to remarks from the government, there are two options for development under consideration. In a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer option, the developer would cover all construction costs up to the commission date, then control the project for a 20-year period.

The company would then transfer the project to government control.

In a Design-Build-Finance option, the developer would finance the project, but the government would take over at the commissioning date and complete financing repayment according to contract terms. In each situation, a strong set of bidders for the contract would be a positive signal that oil-and-gas development has helped position Guyana as an attractive destination for investors.

If done correctly, Guyana is setting itself up for long-term success by growing and diversifying its electricity supply.

tolerance of the way of life and uniqueness of our multi-cultural society.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has taken the lead in coming up with a ‘One Guyana Commission’ that strives to foster closer ties between the various ethnic groups in the society. He hopes, through the initiative, Guyanese can eliminate the scourge of racism that makes us keep ourselves divided. We must have faith and confidence in each other.

This initiative is the only way to accomplish real emancipation for generations to come. Afro-Guyanese willing to walk this long and unfamiliar pathway will be rewarded in the end, because they will get the opportunity of all that the government seeks to offer, as well as any direct benefits that flow from their policies.

Additionally, walking this long pathway to real emancipation will guarantee that the President’s vision of uniting all Guyanese under one umbrella has a chance to succeed.

Racism and political hate will be things to frown upon, relegating them into the past.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Cheshire Home unveils Joan Rodrigues Wing

IN honour of retired Chairperson of the Cheshire Home, Joan Rodrigues, the Ministry of Health’s Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services has named a wing after her.

The Cheshire Home, which is located at Mahaica, Region Four, provides care and rehabilitation services for persons living with mental, physical, or learning disabilities and is managed by a Management Committee and the Ministry of Health.

According to a release from the Ministry of Health, Rodrigues joined the management committee in 1999 and was subsequently appointed a Trustee. She was later appointed chairperson in 2003.

Newly appointed Chairperson, Kalima Ali-Jagnarine, commended Rodrigues for her

efforts and collaboration with donors and supporters with whom she undertook major projects for the organisation.

“She always ensured that employees were rewarded for their hard work and that the residents were well cared for.

Joan has served with honour and dedication”, the chairperson said.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, said that the health sector is “grateful” for persons like Rodrigues who have no hesitation in dedicating their time to helping others.

Speaking on the Minister of Health’s behalf, Dr. Ramsammy said that Dr. Frank Anthony is committed to ensuring that health institutions deliver the highest level of care and service.

Adviser to the Ministry of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, along with retired Chairperson Joan Rodrigues, and members of her family unveil the plaque to commission the new wing at Cheshire Home The Health Adviser said that involvement of the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is critical and therefore collaboration is always welcome

by the ministry.

“The Ministry of Health (MoH) is committed towards building partnerships with the private sector, NGOs and others who are interested in

helping people with disability,” Dr. Ramsammy stated.

Director of the Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services, Dr. Ariane Mangar, who led the team in the

commissioning of the new wing, expressed gratitude to Rodrigues for her service on the organisation’s management committee for over 25 years.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Hundreds benefit as NIS takes services to Enmore –– Residents ask for exercise to be conducted at least once a year

RESIDENTS from Enmore to Hope on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) turned out in large numbers to have their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) matters resolved, during an outreach at the Enmore-Hope Primary School, on Saturday.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, led the exercise.

The beneficiaries all praised the government for

don’t know how to travel, for example, the elderly.

“For the other persons who don’t like congestion, I think it is very convenient…

Oh, they have done a good job, a good job in bringing this exercise to the communities, the various communities. They have done a good job,” Jainarine said.

Rampaul Sukhdeo echoed the sentiments of Jainarine.

He said the outreach is much appreciated, as many issues were resolved within minutes.

ever grievances they have resolved in a timely manner.

“So, I think it’s a wonderful initiative, and anything that [brings] benefits to people I think it’s a really great initiative… I would like to say thanks to the NIS that I’ve got my issues resolved this morning I’m very thankful for that and I’m very thankful to NIS…also extended to the government as well, because it’s an initiative that comes from the government,” Sukhdeo said.

Mohamed Hussein, an

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, assists a resident during the NIS outreach (DPI photo)

Staff of the National Insurance Scheme serving their clients during an outreach at the Enmore-Hope Primary school (DPI photo) the initiative, noting that it brings service to the people.

In an invited comment, Teekaran Jainarine said the exercise was timely, especially for elderly persons who often have difficulties travelling to the NIS offices to query matters.

“Bringing the NIS to the communities is very convenient I must say, and for those who are scared and

“Well, I think it’s a wonderful initiative. As you can see the amount of people here today [Saturday]. They’re here, all of them. They have their issues and with this initiative here, bringing it to the community instead of the office and so forth; it just helps to get the process along and speed the process along in terms of assisting people in getting their issues or what-

employee of GuySuCo, is another NIS client who left the venue satisfied that his matter was addressed. He commended the government for organising the outreach.

“This what the government is doing through the NIS board is very, very great.

And this never happened for many years that workers can come and get the print-out of contributions and whatever,

Man serving time for threatening language escapes Lusignan Prison AN inmate of the Lusignan Prison who was sentenced to two four-week terms for two counts of threatening language, escaped from the penitentiary on Saturday.

The escapee was identified as Quincy Clarke, 38, of West La Penitence, Georgetown. Police said that two officers who were working at the holding bay noticed an unidentifiable male running and pushing a black and red XR motorcycle.

The officers shouted at the male to stop, but he didn’t, and a chase ensued. The male then dropped the motorcycle, crossed a trench and ran west into some bushes, making good his escape.

The officers who gave chase later related that the individual was a prisoner and the motorcycle belonged to a prison officer. Investigations and a search are ongoing.

Escapee, Quincy Clarke

and I’m grateful for what happened here.

“I’m asking minister if this can happen like every six months or once a year. It could be great for the people of this country,” Hussein said.

Senior citizen, Indranee Baliran, was pleased that her grievance was addressed by Minister Singh.

Meanwhile, Dr. Singh said the NIS would be host-

ing similar outreaches across the country as part of the government’s wider plan to serve the citizenry.

“I’m very pleased with it. I’m very pleased with the manner in which the outreach has been executed. As you can see, the NIS staff bring a full team of staff with us, they are fully equipped with online connections to the NIS database.

“We are connected. You

can check individual contributors record, you can print contribution statements, you know, so this is almost like a full-fledged NIS office. And we’re moving… this operation is moving from location to location,” he said.

As part of this programme, the NIS has already visited Regions Three and Six to address its clients’ concerns. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Citizens give PPP/C government thumbs up –– for significant achievements during first year in office

COME Monday August 2, 2021, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government will be celebrating its first year in office, and from all indications, Guyanese are giving President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and his team a solid thumbs up.

Recently, Big Smith News Watch orchestrated an online poll which sought to

have persons on Facebook rate the government’s one year in office, on a scale from one to 10.

A look at the comments indicates that the majority of those who participated in the poll had mostly good things to say about the government, and the way the ministers have performed over the last 12 months.

One Olivia Peters com-

mented: “President Ali has thus far done a tremendous job that should be commended and applauded.”

She further said her rating of the Education Sector is an impressive 10/10, because of all the efforts geared at ensuring that education was not affected majorly, even with COVID-19 and so forth.

“More specifically, I commend the President and

his ministers for putting the Indigenous people and hinterland development at the forefront of their plans. So much has been done in this area in just the last year [AND] that equals more than what was done in five whole years under the Coalition,” Peters wrote.

Alfonso Demarco went as far as to list some of the initiatives and sectors which he believes are doing well.

“So much positively. roads, cash grants, house lots, tax reductions, healthcare pushing in these trying times; no rumours of war with the neighbours, school children are being taught and crime is on the decrease. These are just a few things. I would say the PPP/C government is well ahead regarding its manifesto promises,” Demarco opined.

Ron Amos, who lauded the government’s economic strategy, said: “This is one of major hallmark during this one [year] period.”

Amos also commended the President’s approach to the grassroots, and the manner in which he and his ministers have been on the ground reaching out to citizens, and listening to their complaints.

“In conclusion, I must say this is an excellent first year as we all look forward for greater deliverance from the Government of Guyana.

Thank you, Mr. President,” Amos added.

Randy Seecharan, in his comments, said he was excited for the many infrastructural projects that are coming on stream, particularly as it relates to the East Coast East Bank Demerara bypass road, as well as the four-lane highway slated for the West Bank of Demerara.

“Significant interest in the people shown by the various ministers via their multiple outreaches across the country. Fast reaction by both the President and Minister of Agriculture when it came to the drainage of Georgetown and the country,” Seecharan highlighted.

He also acknowledged the swift procurement of COVID-19 vaccines in a market where demand is high and supply is extremely low.

Seecharan also pointed to the development of sports facilities across the country, particularly in areas that are not known to be supporters of the PPP/C See page 13

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Citizens give PPP/C government ...

From page 12

government. “[It] shows that there is interest in the devel-

opment of everyone,” Seecharan related.

He also lauded the

housing development efforts, as well as the landmark 20,000+ schol-

arships programme and the Commonwealth of Learning programmes that were done via Coursera.

Added to that, Seecharan pointed to the significance of the $19,000 cash grant for school children, as well as the COVID-19 cash grant.

“Considering multiple areas for energy generation including Amaila Falls and gasto-shore project; they show a clear vision for

the development of this country as opposed to the previous,” Seecharan shared.

AREA FOR IMPROVEMENTS Notwithstanding the aforementioned accomplishments, there were several Guyanese who believe that the government can still do more.

One such person is Anand Persaud who rated the government 8/10, noting that even though the

administration has made exceptional strides within the past year, much is left to be done for the regular Guyanese.

Ken Chung also called on President Ali to address the public’s concerns in relation to the operations of the Guyana Police Force.

Desiree Beyounge, although rating the government a full 10, called for improved consistency and further improvements.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

No secondary escape routes, grille caused death of women in Alberttown fire –– Guyana Fire Service finds

THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has said that despite valiant efforts by fire fight-

ers, the two Venezuelan women lost their lives due to the lack of alternative

methods of escape, compounded by the extensive amount of security grilles

The building after firefighters extinguished the blaze that killed two women on Thursday (Elvin Croker photos) on their Lot 136, Fifth Street, Alberttown, apartment complex.

The two women, whose

Dead: Maria Patino Benjamin

Dead: Maria Lina Texidor bodies were found by firefighters on Thursday, were identified as 25-year-old Maria Lina Texidor, and 44- year-old Maria Patino Benjamin.

Residents on the scene had related to the media that when the fire fighters initially arrived on the scene at around 8:45hrs, there was “extreme difficulty” to get access to the building due to there being security grilles on all doors and windows of the complex.

The fire service further stated that the “poor” construction of the building did not possess the necessary fire safety mechanisms, and neither smoke alarms nor fire extinguishers were provided for the tenants of these apartments.

Investigations uncovered that there was only one way in and one way out of the four individual apartments.

“On arrival, the firefighters observed that the first floor of the building was engulfed in flames. Furthermore, it was observed that the windows and single door

to the apartments were heavily fortified, that is to say they were fully grilled, which hampered firefighters from gaining access to the apartment in a timely manner,” the fire service said.

This was the case even though the water tenders that responded to the scene were fully equipped with the necessary tools and accessories to address the issue of entry into the building. The GFS also noted that on this occasion, there was never a shortage of water for firefighting, as open sources of water were used to extinguish the blaze.

The Fire Chief, Kalamadeen Edoo, on Thursday, spoke about the fire services’ difficulty in entering the building due to the security grills, stating that the fire fighters had to “break down” the outer door and then the grilles before gaining entry into the building that was being ravaged by the flames.

“On arrival, it was observed that the first floor of the two-storey building was engulfed, so immediately fire fighter mode was put into operation but it was difficult for fire fighters to get access to the building because the entire building was grilled.

“We had to break the door and there were two doors, the grille door and the wood door, we had to get access to it and as the fire fighters entered the building, that is where they discovered one of the bodies that was laying on the bed and the other one was at the back of the building,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

‘Smart’ regulatory framework needed for ‘Internet’ governance –– U.S. Ambassador tells CANTO forum

WITH the world being connected through the Internet at the touch of a device, a smart regulatory framework created with input of multiple stakeholders is necessary for advancing dynamic public policies in Internet governance.

The establishment of such a framework was

lobbied for by U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch on Friday at the 36th Annual CANTO Conference and Trade Exhibition, the Caribbean’s premier telecommunications forum which is being held virtually for the first time in 35 years.

“This pandemic has heightened our awareness

for how integrally we depend on telecommunications, the Internet, and the digital space in our daily lives. They help us do business, receive an education, and connect with friends and family, among many other things,” Ambassador Lynch said.

Further, she related: “Such powerful tools

raise some key questions: How do we access them?

Who owns them? What about freedom of expression and usage? These broad questions should lead us to discuss how these systems are governed and regulated.”

The U.S. Ambassador said the connectivity established by the Internet holds the potential to lift people out of poverty, formalise the informal economy around the world, increase the efficiency of supply chains, increase the productivity and wages of workers, and even improve education.

“At the heart of this growth has been the multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance, which includes the participation of governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, and academia,” Lynch said, adding: “This governance is characterised by transparent, inclusive, bottom-up, and consensus-driven processes for examining and addressing questions and constructing policies on Internet issues.”

She related that various organisations such as the Internet Society (ISOC), the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the World Wide Web Consortium (WWWC) work together to facilitate the Internet’s daily operations.

This network of entities, she opined, has proven capable of solving technical and policy problems with the speed and flexibility required to address complex issues, including data privacy, data protection, intellectu-

al property, and taxation.

“The United States supports this cooperative, multi-stakeholder approach to energise a vibrant digital economy worldwide. And one of the most exciting developments to the digital economy is 5G wireless networks,” she told the participants, noting that the U.S. welcomes collaboration to develop the future of 5G. “The U.S. Government recognises that many network operators face limited options when selecting legacy vendors to develop and deploy 5G and earlier generation wireless networks.

Limited competition in the telecommunications infrastructure market can reduce supply-chain resilience, and contribute to higher prices for operators and consumers in the long run.

“The U.S. Government fully supports the industry’s development of open, interoperable networks, while recognising the importance of maintaining a full suite of solutions offered by incumbent trusted vendors,” Ambassador Lynch said.

In her view, this would increase competition, and provide network operators with additional options when purchasing network equipment and services from trusted vendors.

“We need to unleash the innovative power of the private sector, and competition to develop more secure, robust, resilient, and affordable networks that enhance our national security, build economic prosperity, and

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch connect more of our citizens to the Internet,” she said.

The ambassador noted that countries must make their own decisions about national and economic security, but should a country allow untrustworthy, high-risk suppliers and vendors into its 5G networks, the U.S. would have to reassess how it interconnects and shares information with that country.

“The United States is deeply concerned about the dangers of installing networks with equipment that can be manipulated, disrupted, or controlled by entities which have no regard for human rights or privacy,” she said.

Further, she added: “Governments, telecom operators, and network users should prioritize security when building out their 5G networks.

National measures must be crafted to fully exclude untrustworthy and high-risk suppliers, regardless of national origin, from providing equipment and software in 5G networks.”

16

Six persons die of COVID-19

SIX more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 541, the Ministry of Health has reported.

The Ministry of Health said that the latest fatalities are four females and two male: a 95-year-old woman from Region Four (De-

merara-Mahaica) who died on July 29; a 56-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who died on July 29; a 33-yearold woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who died on July 29; a 48-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) who died on

July 10; a 56-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who died on July 29, and a 61-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who died on July 30.

According to the ministry, those persons died while receiving treatment at a Ministry of Health

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

facility.

Additionally, there are currently 802 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 65 new cases on July 31, 2021, after 1,165 tests.

The newly-confirmed cases were recorded in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10.

Region Four accounted for 34 of the new cases, while Regions One and Six recorded three new cases each; Region Two recorded one new case; Region Three recorded 11 new cases; Region Five, two new cases; Region Nine, seven new cases and Region 10 recorded four new cases.

Even as new cases were recorded, 17 persons

were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 21,183.

The country has now recorded a total of 22,523 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 14 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 86 are in institutional isolation; 699 are in home isolation and three are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency

Measures are in force from August 1, 2021, until August 31, 2021. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew is 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 2267480; or 180/181 for assistance.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Law student uses musical skills to help fund studies

By Richard Bhainie

A TWENTY-THREEyear-old student of the Hugh Wooding Law School, Reon Miller, has utilised his creative abilities to fund his legal studies.

The budding attorney-at-law has been organising the Pan Jazz Music Concert since 2018, all with the intention of enticing music lovers and funding his studies.

pan with the band at the First Assembly of God Church just a few weeks before he commenced his secondary education studies at The Bishops’ High School in 2009. His love for ‘pan’ only grew stronger after he entered school, since “they coincidentally had a steel pan band” which enabled him to hone his skills.

“It’s from there I actually developed my love for music and I’ve been

Reon Miller at Youth Parliament 2018 Not only is Miller a master at the pan, but he also copped ‘Best Debater’ while emulating the Prime Minister at Youth Parliament 2018. The young law student did this while working a full-time job at a law firm, and being involved in a gamut of extra-circular activities at the University of Guyana, such as debating at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

A Georgetown boy, Miller grew up in Norton Street, Wortmanville and David Street, Kitty. He told the Sunday Chronicle that his experiences through the years, supplemented by the support of his family and friends, tremendously shaped his life.

Miller started playing

playing ever since,” Miller said, while reflecting on the numerous competitions like the Republic Bank Panorama competition which he entered with The Bishops’ High School band.

He eventually joined the Park Side Steel Orchestra in 2012 to further develop his skills, and one year later, he copped first place in the junior solo steel pan category at the Panorama Steel Band Competition.

Miller could not answer the question as to why he chose pan, but he related that the love he developed for it served as the magnet between him and the instrument. After dedicating long hours, which turned into years, he

is now being hired to play at any ceremony where the vibrant sound of steel pan is welcomed.

After completing his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 2014 and

his Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) studies in 2016, Miller left the Bishops’ High School with the intention of pursuing studies in accounting.

“When I finished sixth

form, I had already written like five papers of the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) and I was like this is not for me. So, I just scrapped that and I started working for a law firm, Boston & Boston, like two

weeks after I left school,” Miller said.

The leap to start working in the legal field as a paralegal was not premeditated, he said, noting See page 18

18

Law student uses musical skills ...

From page 17

that the mother of a close friend of his opened the opportunity for him, however, it is one he did not regret, and one that also

influenced his decision to pursue studies in law.

Although the interest was there, Miller encountered his first hurdle in 2016,

when he did not make it into the batch at University of Guyana (UG) to commence his Bachelor of Law (LLB).

This “minor setback”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021 the tuition fee to attend law school was costly; however, at no time did this deter him, as he was adamant on finding a way to pursue his goals.

“We do two years at Hugh Wooding and while I was at university, I was thinking Hugh Wooding is really expensive, so I thought about one of the main things in my life that I enjoy and that I’m good at, and it was steel pan,” Miller said.

At that moment, it dawned upon the budding attorney to start the Pan Jazz Music Concert in 2018 to help fund his legal studies.

The first concert saw some 100 persons in attendance, however, by the next year, over 275 persons attended.

“When you grow as a musician, you grow with Miller in his element, playing pan at Panorama people, so I just end up havdid not hinder his prog“I was so scared of the ing a plethora of musician ress, as continued work- moot that I dedicated all of friends,” he said, noting that ing at the law firm, and my time to this, all of my they are all well versed in applied and got accepted time was towards CCJ be- playing a variety of instruinto the programme the cause from the time I got the ments, which helped to put following year. moot I was like what is this. the concert together.

“I didn’t have to pay We used to spend five hours CHANGED MY LIFE after classes researching, on anybody or anything be“UG for me, UG the weekends we’d be there cause they understood that changed my life. all day, it was 10 weeks of they are doing it for the cause… I organised everyNot really the institution all day CCJ,” Miller said. but the experience at UG, it He then participated in thing and we did it and then molded me into a thorough many other debate compe- we did it again,” Miller said.

“I looked into the auperson, into a more disci- titions, including one where pline person, an analytical he even won free tuition for dience and I saw judges, I saw diplomats, I saw person. one year at UG. I developed a discipline Owing to his collective ministers of government, for studying; I used to be in experience, Miller was able I saw a lot of people and the library every night but to move from never compet- I felt proud of myself soon I discovered my love ing in a debate competition and I felt proud of the for the law,” he said. to being a judge at the in- team that we did someWhile at UG, an enthu- augural Speaker’s National thing really good,” he siastic Miller decided to Youth Debate Competition said, adding that despite the pandemic, there are throw his hands at debating, in 2021. something he had never “Life is really a sum of plans to execute a next done in his life. He then got your choices. The choice Pan Jazz event.

Miller’s journey was the opportunity to display to join Youth Parliament his debate skills at Youth prompted the choice to join not without its challenges, Parliament 2018.

Aubrey Bishops which pro- however, he said: “It’s a “After Youth Parlia- moted the choice to do CCJ, situation where you have ment, I said let me try one of which promoted the choice to do what you have to do the debating competitions,” to do other debates, which until you can do what you Miller said, as he recalled ended up with me judging want to do.”

He said that he has nevhis “enriching” experience the Speaker’s debate comer been short of support from Youth Parliament, petition,” Miller said. which fuelled his desire to In 2020, Miller fur- from his family, a support want to be more involved thered his legal journey and form of encouragement in debates and expanded his at the Hugh Wooding that has always been there love for the advocacy aspect Law School and also took and continues serve as the of the law. a leap in his career and driving force behind his He then competed in the moved over to the Minis- accomplishments.

“If you’re looking at Aubrey Bishop Mooting try of Legal Affairs’ InCompetition at UG, where ter-American Develop- b l e s s i n g , t h e b i g g e s t he copped Best Debater in ment Bank (IDB)-funded blessing in my life is my the first round of the com- project, Support for the great-grandmother, the perpetition. Owing to this ex- Criminal Justice System son that raised me.

She’s actually 103 perience, Miller went on to Programme, where he is compete in the Caribbean currently employed as a right now and she’s been there so if you want to Court of Justice (CCJ) law paralegal. know my biggest accommoot competition in 2019; plishment, it’s making after 11 years, UG won the COSTLY FEES award for the Best AcademWhile Miller started to my great-grandmother ic Institution. save from the inception, proud,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 1, 2021

Cancer misdiagnosis worsened suffering of haemophilia patient

AS a child, Sarju Persaud spent many of his days laid up in bed with various injuries which bled sometimes for weeks at a time.

This saw him missing school for months at a time and even after it was established that he had a “bleeding problem” no diagnosis was made during those horrible childhood days.

It was only after several bouts of hospitalisation and undergoing 30 days of radiation for what later turned out to be a benign tumor caused by the extensive bleeding he suffered following a surgery that Persaud was diagnosed with the rare hereditary disease, haemophilia.

“When a been small, if a like pull out a teeth it would tek like months to stop bleed.

And when a been small a did get hit in me head; I did four surgeries,” was how Persaud described his childhood, pointing to his head as he spoke.

Today, he spends most of his days laid up because the surgery he had some years ago caused so much damage from the extensive internal bleeding that he now has a surgical bag attached to collect fluid that leaks through an opening in his stomach.

But it is not all bad news.

Persaud now has access to Factor VIII (eight) injection that controls the bleeding and he is scheduled to return to the surgical table where it is hoped that damage done can be corrected.

The injection is provided by the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) through the Guyana Haemophilia Society (GHS).

INHERITED BLEEDING DISORDER Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.

This causes spontaneous bleeding, and/or prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery. People with haemophilia have low levels of specific clotting factors, which are proteins in the blood that help it to clot. Persons with low levels of Factor VIII have Haemophilia A, and those with low levels of Factor 1X have Haemophilia B. The WFH says that people with haemophilia do not bleed any faster than normal, but they can bleed for a longer time. Their blood does not have enough clotting factor, a protein in blood that controls bleeding. It fur-

ther states that people with severe haemophilia usually bleed frequently into their muscles or joints and may do so one to two times per week. The bleeding is often spontaneous, which means it happens for no obvious reason. On the other hand, people with moderate haemophilia bleed less frequently, about once a month. They may bleed for a long time after surgery, a bad injury, or dental work. They will rarely experience spontaneous bleeding. People with mild haemophilia usually bleed as a result of surgery or major injury. They do not bleed often and, in fact, some may never have a bleeding problem.

Haemophilia is quite rare; about one in 10,000 people are born with it. The WFH’s Annual Global Survey surmised that with Guyana’s population of approximately 755,000 persons, an average of 52 persons could be living with and suffering from haemophilia.

The GHS is extremely concerned that to date there are only 15 confirmed cases in Guyana.

HIT WITH A BALL Persaud shared that 11 years ago a ball hit him in the stomach and while he did not know it at the time he began bleeding internally and it developed into a hard lump that was painful.

Doctors at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) ordered a CT scan and later told him that he had to undergo surgery.

“When they done do the surgery and suh around the area get back hard so they want know why it get hard,” he related. “They call me back and did several CT scans and they send me to do a biopsy and they said I have cancer… I went and do radiation for like 30 days and when I done do the radiation the doctor them say is not cancerous because if it was cancerous it woulda shrink a bit.”

It was at this point, following several other tests that Persaud was diagnosed with Haemophilia and it was suggested that he seek medical assistance overseas. Eventually he was hospitalised in Trinidad and it was there that he first had the Factor VIII injection. But after about two months he was discharged and informed that there was not much else that could be done.

Back in Guyana, he continued to be treated mostly by being given blood as his blood count was always low.

It was through the GPHC he got in contact with GHS and he began to access the Factor VIII injection. “... I teking the Factor eight medication like four years now and I does got to take it every other day because I does bleed a lot…,” he said.

As he is now accessing the injection, Persaud said, he does not bleed as before and he has not had cause to be hospitalised. However, he has to deal with the surgical bag that collects blood and faeces. He noted that it is not a colostomy bag as he defecates on his own, but because of the internal bleeding an abscess was formed, burst and has been leaking since.

He has had the bag for about four years.

HOPEFUL He hopes that after the second surgery he will be able to have a relatively normal life.

“Due to my situation that I really can’t work and provide and so me partner leave; she find someone else and she getting on with she life,” he sadly said.

However, he sees his sixyear-old son almost every day as they both live in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and he visits regularly.

Persaud is one of three brothers and while the other two also have symptoms of the condition theirs are not as severe as his. They have sisters who have not exhibited any symptoms and it is believed that their mother is a carrier of the illness even though she has had no known symptoms.

His aunts informed him that his grandmother died due to a bleeding problem but they never knew about haemophilia.

He believes that like his brothers, he does not have the severe form of haemophilia but because of the surgery he had 11 years ago resulting in the internal bleeding, he now has to deal with being at home and not being able to work and support himself.

His left foot has also shrunk since the surgery and he now walks with a limp.

“I can’t even walk far because the blood is always low and I does get shortness of breath,” he said.

According to Persaud, if he had not found the GHS he

might have died by now because his blood count would become so low and even though he was given blood he continued to bleed internally.

The injection, which he is accessing at GPHC, is stored in the refrigerator and he administers it at home with the assistance of a relative.

Sarju Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 1, 2021

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Thompson-Herah defends Olympic 100m title in all-Jamaican podium

THE Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (CNN) The celebrations started even before she had crossed the line, gesturing with her left arm and shouting in delight.

A month-and-a-half ago, Elaine Thompson-Herah thought she wouldn’t be able to compete at the Tokyo Olympics as she struggled to overcome a nagging Achilles injury. Now, she’s not only a gold medallist, but an Olympic record holder, too.

Her time of 10.61 seconds, a new Olympic record and just 0.12 seconds off USA’s Florence GriffithJoyner’s 33-year-old world record set in Seoul in 1988, spearheading a Jamaican clean sweep of the podium with Shelly-Ann FraserPryce in second and Shericka Jackson taking bronze.

Was Griffith Joyner’s world record of 10.49 a possibility?

“Most definitely if I wasn’t celebrating,” Thompson-Herah told reporters. Asked again about the world record, she added: “I’m still working, it’s a work in progress ... anything is possible.”

The victory was the 29-yearold’s third Olympic gold medal, adding to her 100m and 200m titles from Rio five years ago.

Another Jamaican, Usain Bolt, famously won three consecutive Olympic 100m gold medals between 2008 and 2016, and ThompsonHerah now has a chance to do the same in Paris.

“Behind this 10.6 was a lot of nerves, and I said: ‘You

can do this, you’ve been here before, just execute,’” she told reporters.

“I have more years. I’m just 29; I’m not 30, I’m not 40. I’m still working.”

With fans barred from attending Olympic events in Tokyo amid the pandemic, the final was held in the nearempty surroundings of the 68 000-seat Olympic Stadium.

However, an impressive light show ensured the minutes before the race weren’t devoid of energy or excitement.

The stadium lighting was dimmed and the track illuminated with the names of each competitor as they were announced to the few spectators dotted around the arena - a dazzling precursor befitting of an event that promised great drama after six athletes had run under 11 seconds in the heats on Friday.

And those present on a hot, humid evening in Tokyo weren’t disappointed, as Thompson-Herah went neckand-neck with Fraser-Pryce at the halfway point before pulling away in the final stages.

Defending world champion Fraser-Pryce - who clocked 10.74 - now has two gold medals, a silver and a bronze in the 100m across four Olympic Games, while Jackson - third in 10.76 - adds to her 4x400m silver and 400m bronze from Rio. It was a repeat of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when three Jamaican athletes - FraserPryce, Sherone Simpson, and Kerron Stewart -- also topped

the podium.

Asked about the celebrations that will likely ensue back home in Jamaica, FraserPryce said: “I’m hoping they’re not defying the curfew orders, but I’m sure it’s going to be remarkable to have three of our ladies stand on the podium like we did in 2008, it’s incredible.

“I’m hoping that they’re celebrating with a lot of positive energy and they’re celebrating each and every one of the athletes and just continue to support us. There’s a long way to go, we have the 200m and 4x100m.”

The Heats for the 200m get underway on Monday with the final taking place the following day.

Thompson-Herah, FraserPryce and Jackson, who has stepped down in distance from the 400m to sprinting events, will face stiff competition from the USA’s Gabby Thomas and The Bahamas’ Shaunae MillerUibo.

But based on Friday’s race, another Jamaican one-twothree isn’t entirely out of the question; nor, for that matter, are more blisteringly fast times.

Outside the top three, Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou finished fourth for the second consecutive Olympics with a time of 10.91, while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was a surprise absentee from the final having failed to qualify earlier on Friday.

She later said she would be unable to compete in the 200m because of an injury.

physio. He was replaced by the skipper Kieron Pollard (13) who witnessed a brief onslaught from Pooran who took over the proceedings with his team behind the run chase.

The left-hander smashed Hasan for successive sixes; the second took him to 50 in style. But with 20 needed from the final over, Pollard fell to a catch in the deep while Pooran managed a few boundaries but they weren’t enough to keep the tourists from notching up a strong win.

Earlier, batting first under some bright sunshine, Pakistan had a mixed start after Sharjeel Khan got things going with 20 off 16 (2x4 1x6) before Holder had him out, caught.

Unfazed by their loss, Rizwan and his captain joined forces to launch a classy comeback, taking full advantage of the batting powerplay.

Both right-handers looked to rotate the strike while finding

the ropes and beyond when necessary, bringing up the team’s 100-run as well as their own 2nd wicket 50-run partnership off 47 balls both in the 13th over.

However, the 67-run partnership was not allowed to further flourish as Rizwan was run-out a few runs short of what would have been another good half-century. Babar then edged Holder into the gloves of a waiting Pooran behind the stumps as the pendulum swung in Windies’ favour.

Wickets then fell in a flurry as Holder and Bravo led a back-end comeback with the ball, even at one point being on respective hat-tricks together with the Pakistanis batting order slowly collapsing, eventually being kept to under 160 when their 20 overs expired. The third T20 match will be played today at the same venue strting at 11.00am.

Babar half-century...

From page 28 being restricted to 150-4 by the time their 20 overs expired.

Wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran led a resurgent fightback, hammering 62 not out from 33 balls with 4 fours and 6 massive sixes to his credit.

T20 specialist and match MVP ‘The Professor’ Mohammed Hafeez (1-6) made inroads with only his second delivery of spin, bamboozling Andre Fletcher who was comprehensively bowled for a duck.

Chris Gayle (16) smashed a solitary 6 but the introduction of Ali yielded the wicket of the ‘T20 Universe Boss’, who had his stumps removed by the pacer. Windies brought up their 50 in the 9th over but Shimron Hetmyer, who was looking good for his 17, was bowled by a beauty from Wasim.

Evin Lewis (35) then retired hurt after playing a shot and was tended to by the team

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 1, 2021

Ethiopia lauds Barega’s stunning 10 000m win

By Omar Mohammed

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed lauded his compatriot Selemon Barega’s stunning victory in the men’s 10 000 metres on Friday when he upset world record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda to become the new Olympic champion.

Abiy took to Twitter to congratulate Barega, who became the first Ethiopian to win the event since Kenenisa Bekele won his second title in 2008 in Beijing.

“Congratulations to Ethiopia, on winning the first gold medal in the 10 000m at the Tokyo Olympics by (Selemon) Barega.

I wish good luck to the rest of our competitors. Ethiopia will continue to overcome challenges and win,” he wrote pinning the tweet to the top of

his page.

Abiy wasn’t the only Ethiopian politician who took to Twitter to celebrate the 20-year-old Olympic gold medallist.

Seleshi Bekele, the country’s water, irrigation and energy minister, tweeted his congratulations with a photo of Barega draped in the country’s flag, while Ethiopia’s ambassador to the United States. Fitsum Arega. hoped for more victories to come In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni applauded Cheptegei’s silver as well as Jacob Kiplimo’s bronze.

“As a pan-African, I am also proud of Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega who won,” he added in a Twitter post.

The race didn’t have a defending champion this year as Britain’s Mo Farah failed to qualify and wasn’t in Tokyo to try to win the title for the third time in a row.

Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega celebtates his stunning victory in the men’s 10 000 metres on Friday.

That opened up room for a new champion, an opportunity that Barega took with aplomb. He trailed for most of the race only to kick off in the last lap and sprint beyond Cheptegei and Kiplimo, stunning the favoured Ugandans left in his wake.

The small Ethiopian delegation in the stadium ululated Barega as he took his victory lap, smiling broadly, his country’s flag on his shoulders. The sound reverberated around the spectator-less Olympic Stadium and into the warm Tokyo sky.

Barega said he was proud to join the list of Ethiopia’s Olympic champion runners, which includes Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele.

“It’s very well-known that we have been winners for the 10 000m competition,” he said after the race.

“I feel really proud to be part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.”

Olympic men’s basketball ...

U.S. clinch playoff spot; France, Australia go 3-0

By Rocky Swift

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) The United States clinched a quarter-final berth in Olympic men’s basketball yesterday as seedings for this week’s lasteight showdowns took shape.

Kevin Durant led Team USA to a commanding 119-84 victory against the Czech Republic in the final group game at the Saitama Super Arena, north of Tokyo.

The U.S. ended the preliminaries 2-1 after dropping their first match to France, the first Olympic loss for the Americans since 2004.

“We’re all just trying to figure each other out. This is literally our third game with all of us together,” said Jrue Holiday, who plays for NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. “But we knew KD would come in and do what he always does.”

Team USA started slowly against the Czech team and were trailing at the end of the first quarter. But the Americans pulled away in the second half on a barrage of three-pointers from Durant and Jayson Tatum.

In earlier matches, France and Australia completed sweeps of their preliminary groups.

Real Madrid’s Thomas Heurtel led with 16 points in France’s

The U.S. ended the preliminaries 2-1 after dropping their first match to France.

79-62 victory over Iran. They went 3-0 in Group A, including their shock defeat of Team USA last Sunday.

Despite his team’s dominant showing so far, Evan Fournier would not speculate on France’s chances of a medal.

“Quarter-final first, focus on that,” said Fournier, who plays

for the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

“Too many times we’ve beaten very, very good teams and we lost in the semi-final, so no more of that.”

SCINTILLATING MILLS Australia’s Patty Mills was scintillating behind the 3-point line, powering his team to an

89-76 victory over Germany in Group B. Australia will go into the quarterfinals without forward Aron Baynes who aggravated a neck injury after a bathroom slip and is out of the Games.Germany and the Czech Republic finished 1-2, but the Germans advance to the quarter-finals on Tuesday

based on the relative scoring records. One final last-eight slot remains and will go to the winners of Argentina against Japan in Group C today.

Italy finished 2-1 in the preliminaries and will advance.

Nico Mannion drained a threepointer in the last 30 seconds to fend off a comeback from

Nigeria, with his team holding on to win 80-71.

“Honestly, it felt good just to see one go in. I shot it terribly the whole night,” said Mannion, who plays for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. “But you know, shooters keep shooting.”

Team USA have historically been the team to beat, with a 139-6 record and 15 gold medals since 1936.

But as the sport has grown in popularity around the globe, many national teams can field players with NBA experience, and the U.S.’s talent advantage has shrunk.

Before losing to France at these Olympics, the U.S. dropped two straight exhibition games this month, including a defeat by world 22nd-ranked Nigeria.

Both Iran and Nigeria finished their Olympic journeys winless, and offered bitter parting words.

Arsalan Kazemi said travel restrictions on Iran prevented the team playing in friendly matches, while Nigeria’s Chimezie Metu blasted the nation’s government for lack of support.

“Our government and the Olympic committee of Nigeria, they make it extremely difficult for us to go out there and just focus on performing our sport,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 1, 2021

Stahl adds gold to world title in Swedish one-two

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Daniel Stahl added the Olympic men’s discus gold to his world championship title and his compatriot Simon Pettersson made it a one-two for Sweden yesterday.

Stahl, 28, has finished as world leader in each season since 2016, arriving in Tokyo with a season-leading throw of 71.40m and three of the four longest throws of 2021.

He came into the final as overwhelming favourite to pick up gold and sent the discus soaring to 68.90 metres on his second attempt.

Although he could not improve on that mark, it was enough for victory.

Pettersson won silver with a throw of 67.39 and Austria’s Lukas Weishaidinger took bronze with 67.07.

“We are the Swedish

BEN Stokes’ decision to take an indefinite break from cricket is a “wake-up call for us all”, Michael Vaughan said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

On Friday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Stokes will prioritise his mental well-being.

“If Ben is struggling then potentially many others will be too,” he said.

The former England captain also suggested this winter’s Ashes should not take place in Australia if restrictions are not eased.

“When you see someone like Ben, who we know is mentally tough and has the ability to produce under the utmost pressure on the cricketing stage, it’s a wake-up call for us all,” he said.

Vaughan added that a packed calendar of cricket - along with players having to adhere to strict COVID-19 restrictions in bio-

Daniel Stahl of Sweden celebrates winning the gold medal.

Vikings!” Stahl shouted as he posed for the cameras with his compatriot before the duo took off for a sprint carrying Swedish flags.

Pettersson’s best throw came on his penultimate attempt and he roared in delight,

bringing the handful of his compatriots in the stands to their feet.

“There was a lot of hard work and fun on the way. I am extremely proud,” Stahl added.

“My training partner

Pettersson has been working hard. We have had a lot of fun together for many years.”

Australian Matthew Denny registered a personal-best 67.02 in his final attempt but fell five centimetres short of a bronze medal.

New Zealand claim Rugby Sevens gold with victory over France

By Mayu Sakoda

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - New Zealand claimed their first-ever gold medal in Olympic Rugby Sevens with a 26-12 victory over France in the final of the women’s competition at Tokyo Stadium yesterday.

Fiji earlier followed up their gold in the men’s competition, with a bronze in the women’s event, beating Britain 21-12 in the third-place playoff, having narrowly lost a pulsating semi-final against New Zealand.

New Zealand won silver medal at the Olympics five years ago and another silver in the men’s competition in Tokyo, but finally they have their gold.

“I have looked at my silver

Stokes’ break from cricket is a ‘wakeup call for us all’ – Vaughan

medal (from Rio 2016) every day since I have been here,” New Zealand’s Ruby Tui told reporters.

“The gold is a metaphor for a dream about positive thinking. It is not just the gold medal but how we have grown since. You just have to believe.”

They controlled possession early in the final and got their reward when captain Sarah Hirini released the speedy Michaela Blyde to score the opening try.

New Zealand’s pace was creating space in wide areas and Gayle Broughton managed to dive over in the corner, before Stacey Fluhler carved through the French defence to give her side a 19-5 halftime lead.

Anne-Cecile Ciofani kept France in the contest with

a try, but New Zealand restored their 14-point advantage when Tyla Nathan-Wong crossed between the posts.

“We wanted to win the gold and right now we feel really disappointed. But maybe in the future we will feel happy about winning the silver,” France’s Caroline Drouin said.

Fiji struck first in the bronze medal match when Alowesi Nakoci crossed under the posts early before they soaked up pressure inside their own 22 from Britain for a full four minutes with some excellent defence.

When the Pacific islanders were finally able to break out with quick hands on the right wing, Nakoci raced in for a second score, before Megan Jones dotted down

for Britain, to make it 14-5.

The game was made safe for Fiji when Reapi Ulunisau burst through a gap in Britain’s defence and streaked away for a try.

It is a second successive fourth-place finish at the Olympics for the British women after they also lost the bronze-medal match in 2016.

“It’s a massive, massive achievement,” Fiji coach Saiasi Fuli said, “The efforts shown by our girls .., it was a tough, tough journey. This is the 16th week we haven’t seen our families.

“For three or four of them, it was their first time flying out of Fiji. It is a big challenge for us to manage that and play well.”

Ben Stokes has played in 71 Tests, 101 one-day internationals and 34 Twenty20s for England. secure bubbles - has been challenging for England players.

“We have to study the last 18 months and realise that these cricketers are being put in circumstances which they are not trained for, like being locked away continuously in a bubble,” he said.

“The Test team go back into a bubble today for the first two Tests against India, where they’ll be restricted again to a hotel and a cricket ground, and not be able to go out and do normal things.

“There will be many out there thinking they’re cricketers and that’s what they’re paid to do, but it’s such a time-consuming sport where your mind is being challenged all the time.”

England men’s players will meet with the ECB as some consider pulling out of this winter’s Ashes if their families are not allowed to travel to Australia.

Australia has some of the strictest COVID-19 protocols in the world and players who take part in the Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes face the prospect of being away from home for four months.

Vaughan believes The Ashes should not take place “if you’re arriving in Australia and half your team aren’t going to be there”.

“I think we have to be reasonable in continuing to ask them to go back into bio-bubbles,” he said.

“Young families and mothers, are they geared to go to and quarantine in Australia in a hotel room for two weeks with young kids? I don’t know who’s made up for that.

“You get the older players saying ‘we went away for four months at a time’, but I don’t care what happened back in the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s or early 2000s - none of us have ever gone through what these players have gone through these past 18 months.” (BBC Sport)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 1, 2021

Herah’s run was almost perfect, says coach Stephen Francis

By Kayon Raynor

(REUTERS) “Almost perfect” - that’s how Jamaican sprint coach Stephen Francis described Elaine ThompsonHerah’s performance as she retained her 100 metres title at the Tokyo Olympics in a scorching 10.61 seconds to become the second fastest woman ever.

“Almost perfect, but we’ll work on it,” Francis said when he greeted Thompson-Herah in the halls of the Tokyo Olympic Stadium.

Thompson-Herah led a Jamaican clean sweep of the medals, with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finishing second in 10.74, while Shericka Jackson claimed bronze in a career-best 10.76.

When asked why the performance was not perfect, Francis told the Jamaica Gleaner: “Not the time, but the execution.

“I think she was a bit hesitant at the start, but the middle part was as I had wanted it to be.”

Thompson-Herah’s Olympic record time has been beaten

Jamaican sprint coach Stephen Francis only by Florence GriffithJoyner’s 1988 world record of 10.49 - though the American also ran a 10.61.

The victory carried ThompsonHerah into elite company as only the fourth woman to win back-to-back 100 m Olympic titles along with compatriot title Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Americans Wyomia Tyus and Gail Devers.

Francis was particularly proud of Thompson-Herah’s blazing sprint as she had to overcame a number of challenges since first striking Olympic gold

in Rio, including an Achilles tendon injury which prevented her from finishing among the medallists at the last two world championships.

“We have had to try to attack it (Achilles injuries) with technology, research, especially during the (COVID-19) pandemic when it was difficult to get overseas treatment,” he said.

“Sometime in March, April, we had to try a new tactic, a new treatment methodology, and slowly but surely, it paid off.”

Despite Thompson-Herah’s

win, Francis was not about to get carried away.

“Well I mean I’ve won many of them ... I think this is the fourth one, it’s obviously satisfying, but sometimes we don’t really spend much time looking back, rather we try and see how we can get on in the future,” he said.

Francis previously coached Fraser-Pryce to back-toback Olympic 100m titles in 2008 and 2012 as well as a number of titles at the world championships.

Francis remained confident that the 29-year-old ThompsonHerah, who will be bidding to complete the 100-200m Olympic double for the second time, can go even faster.

“I’m not one to do time predictions but it was a minus 0.6 head-wind, so who knows, I don’t know if she’ll get this type of environment again.

“Let’s say that my expectations are the same as they were for the 100 metres. I have said she’s in good shape, so my expectations are no different, but I’m not going to say what is my expectation.”

America’s Mu through to 800m final, keeping quest for gold alive

By Omar Mohammed

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) The United States’ hopes of a first gold medal in more than half a century in the 800 metres got a boost yesterday when 19-year-old Athing Mu won her semi-final race with a time of 1 minute 58.07 seconds, to propel her into medal contention early next week.

The absence of South Africa’s double champion Caster Semenya, ruled ineligible due to heightened testosterone levels, has opened the field to new contenders.

Leading that charge is Mu, the fastest in the world this year with 1:56.07, who will be hunting for her country’s second gold in the event after Madeline Manning’s triumph in 1968 and their first medal since 1988.

“It’s amazing. The goal was always to make the final and

now I’m ready to go,” she said after the semi-final.

Other contenders for medals include Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, 19, who came from behind to impressively win her semi ahead of China’s Chunyu Wang, whose personal best of 1:59.14 was good enough to propel her to the final.

On Tuesday, they will face Jamaica’s Natoya Goule, the 2019 Pan-American gold medallist, who got through to the final with another confident performance in the qualification rounds to progress with a time of 1:59.57, ahead of another British runner, Jemma Reekie, whose 1:59.77 secured her spot in the medal race.

Ethiopia’s Habitam Alemu, who qualified second in her race in 1:58.40, will be a potentially dangerous outsider for a podium finish next week.

Poland win first 4x400m mixed relay gold medal

By Amy Tennery TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) -Poland scored an upset win in the inaugural Olympic 4x400 metres mixed relay yesterday, with Dominican Republic picking up silver and the

after they were disqualified for exchanging the baton outside the changeover zone in Friday’s first round. Organisers later reinstated them, citing an official’s error.

Notably absent from the U.S. relay roster was six-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson

Kajetan Duszynski of Poland celebrates with Karol Zalewski of Poland after winning the gold medal. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach) United States taking bronze.

The Polish team, comprising Karol Zalewski, Natalia Kaczmarek, Justyna SwietyErsetic and Kajetan Duszynski, put on a gutsy performance inside the fan-free Olympic Stadium after posting the fastest time in Friday’s heats.

It was the first Olympic medal for all four team mates, who cheered and embraced as anchor leg runner Duszynski crossed the finish line in a time of three minutes 9.87 seconds.

“I can’t believe it. It is a dream since childhood. It has come true,” Duszynski, 26, said after picking up Poland’s first gold medal of the Tokyo Games.

The U.S. were the favourites after winning the event at the 2019 World Championships. But they almost did not make the final

Felix, who was a part of the Americans’ winning relay team in 2019 and is set to compete in the women’s individual 400 metres on Tuesday in her fifth and final Games.

The event, which features two men and two women per team and made its World Championships debut in 2019, contains a certain level of unpredictability as there are no gender rules governing the order in which athletes choose to race.

Poland had experimented with its lineup in the Doha title race, placing men in the first two legs, but they finished fifth. The team opted to place its two women competitors in the middle legs of yesterday’s race, as did the other eight teams.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 01, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Viv Richards-153* (Melbourne, 1979-80) (2) Mark Waugh-173 (Melbourne, 2001)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI bowler has captured most ODI wickets against AUST to date?

(2) Which AUST player has claimed most ODI wickets against the WI to date?

Nineteen-year-old Athing Mu won her semi-final race with a time of 1 minute 58.07 seconds.

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sunday, August 1, 2021

Everest gets GTT support to remodel squash court

GUYANA Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) and Everest Cricket Club (ECC) on Friday inked a deal to rebuild the squash court at the Club.

Orson Ferguson, Chief Operations Officer (COO) of GTT Business Solutions and Colonel Bhageshwar Murli, executive member of ECC signed the contract which will see the 30-yearold communications giant in Guyana, provide the funding for the Club to completely makeover its squash court.

The new upgraded court will provide better lighting, back glass, and a viewing lounge making the players’ and spectators’ experiences up to international standards.

A release from the club indicated

GTT’s Orson Ferguson (left) and Colonel Bhageshwar Murli sign the contract. Looking on is club president Manzoor Nadir.

Col. Murli thanked GTT for coming on board with one of the oldest sports club (established in 1914) in the country.

He said that this squash court will provide our players with

conditions that are comparable to what they will encounter when they have to play competitions locally and internationally.

Col. Murli added that it is the club’s policy to have the best

facilities and such will provide for the best talents to emerge.

The court will also add to the national stock of excellent facilities available for the sport of squash.

Ferguson said it was an honour for them to partner with ‘this prestigious and premier club’ which had been producing outstanding sport personalities.

He and his company have been impressed by the efforts and energy being put into upgrading, expanding and modernising the facilities of the club.

And he looks forward to seeing the Everest Squash Court produce national players while others can enjoy safe and healthy competition.

Pollard insists WI still ‘learning’ to combat dot-ball problem

PAKISTAN took the series lead after they defeated West Indies by seven runs in the second Twenty20 International at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, yesterday.

In pursuit of 158, West Indies reached 150-4, and soaked up 50 dot balls in the process, while Pakistan had just 36 in their 157-8.

The issue of dot balls was prevalent for West Indies during their previous series against South Africa and Australia, but they seem not to have found a way to combat the problem which is costing them in close encounters.

Captain Kieron Pollard speaking at the post match presser indicated they are still learning but they are making strides, and he hailed the effort of Shimron Hetmyer and Evin Lewis who attempted to do such along with top-scorer Nicholas Pooran.

“We could have gotten a couple more singles, and boundaries but having said that the guys really fought through and we talk about finding a way and

fighting and in the middle period I thought that was impressive.”

Pollard added, “I think it is a learning curve for us; we came out on the losing end on this time but there are some things we see we can continue to work with.”

With the ball in hand, West Indies continue to show consistency which elated the skipper, as they managed to pull back Pakistan from 85-1 in the tenth over.

“I just thought the way the guys came back in the back ten (overs); obviously we stared down the barrel of a 170-180 and on a track like this that would have definitely been too much.

The way the guys bounced back showed that we continue to be consistent in that part of the game.”

The skipper who opted to field first said the pitch didn’t change much but rather “dried out” and the Pakistanis used the angles and bowled straight lines.

The third T20 match is today at Guyana National Stadium, Providence from 11:00hrs.

Kieron Pollard makes adjustments in the field. (Randy Brooks/ AFP via Getty Images)

Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka get one-year ban SRI Lankan cricketers Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, and Danushka Gunathilaka have been banned by Sri Lanka cricket for one year from all forms of international cricket and for six months from domestic cricket. The players have also been fined 10 million Sri Lanka Rupees.

This decision has come after the cricketers had breached the Covid-19 restrictions in England. The trio happens to be important to the Sri Lankan team and this comes as a big blow for the team.

Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilake.

To look upon this matter, a five-member Committee was formed which was supposed to conduct the disciplinary action about this incident. The panel that included Justice Nimal Dissanayaka (Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka), Panduka Keerthinanda, (Attorney-at-Law), Asela Rekawa (Attorney-at-Law), Uchitha Wickremasinghe (Attorney-at-Law), and Major General (Retired) M. R. W. De Zoysa had previously recommended about the ban and fine on the players. The decision thus was awaited to be given the green signal from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Executive Committee.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board was expected to start the hearing on the matter on Thursday. The Sri Lankan vice-captain Kusal Mendis, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka were found guilty of not following the necessary protocols of the covid-19 bio-secure bubble during their series in England.

With the ongoing pandemic and the uncertainties it has been bringing in everybody’s lives, cricket has been played in closed doors and under the strict bio-secure bubble. However, when such incidences take place, it causes a threat to the entire team and the series. Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka & Niroshan Dickwella were seen roaming on the streets of Durham during their tour to England.

The videos and images of these players not adhering to the necessary protocols had gone viral on social media. The cricket on-lookers had expressed their disappointment at the irresponsible act of the players.

Sri Lanka had a dismaying outing in England where they were outplayed by the hosts as they lost both the ODI and the T20I series. This had placed the team under major scrutiny. (CricTracker)

Thompson-Herah defends Olympic 100m title in allJamaican podium See page 23

Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrated several metres before the line.

Jamaica leads the world in women’s sprinting, says Sport Minister

From left: Shelly Ann FraserPryce, Elaine Thompson Herah and Shericka Jackson completed a Jamaican one-two-three in Tokyo.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Minister of Sport, Olivia Grange has praised Jamaican women sprinters, led by Elaine Thompson-Herah, for sweeping the medals in the 100 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan yesterday.

Elaine Thompson-Herah defended her Olympic title by setting a new championship and Jamaican record time of 10.61 seconds in the final to become the second fastest woman on the all-time list.

Thompson-Herah won ahead of compatriots Shelly-Ann FraserPryce (10.74) and Shericka

Jackson (10.76) who ran her personal best time.

Minister Grange said it was one of the greatest achievements in Jamaica’s sports history.

“My tears flow for a grateful nation. Jamaica leads the world in female sprint. I want to congratulate Elaine ThompsonHerah on successfully defending her Olympic title.

She has made our small nation extremely proud once again, winning gold in a new Olympic Record of 10.61 and becoming the second fastest woman of alltime. I am overwhelmed.”

She also congratulated ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce on her silver

Babar half-century, economical Hafeez hand Pakistan 7-run win over Windies

medal. “She worked very hard and she’s deserving of being on the podium.”

“I also congratulate Shericka Jackson on winning the bronze.

Again, I have to commend her.

She has really shone and she has really made us proud. So, for the second time in Olympic history, Jamaica have swept the podium places. What a great nation!

“I’m so happy as the Minister of Sport and I’m sure all of Jamaica shares my joy. At home the pans and the pots would have sounded.” ”Clean sweep Team Jamaica,” said Grange.

Nicholas Pooran top-scored for Windies with an unbeaten 62 from 33 balls.

By Clifton Ross

IT was a mouthwatering encounter at Guyana National Stadium, Providence as Pakistan held their nerve to inflict a 7-run loss on West Indies after an outstanding all-round effort, to keep things interesting in the three-match T20 series.

Babar Azam played a captain’s knock for Pakistan, stroking an elegant top score of 51 from 40 balls with four fours and a pair of sixes. He found ideal support from the in-form Mohammed Rizwan who smacked a 36-ball 46.

Windies pacer Jason Holder stood out among the pack, returning sublime figures of 4-26 while veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo chipped in with 2 scalps to help restrict the visitors to 157-8 in 20 overs.

West Indies then came agonisingly short of their target,

Babar Azam hammers one onto the on-side (Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images)

Continued on page 23

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| SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021