Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-05-2023

Guyana pavilion officially opened at OTC 2023 in Houston

THE Guyana pavilion at the Offshore Technology Conference ( OTC ) 2023 was officially opened , on Monday morning , with a symbolic ribbon - cutting ceremony.

The event from May 1 to May 4, 2023, at the NRG Centre in Houston , sees Guyana participating for the fourth time in this prestigious international gathering

According to a press release, Chief Investment Officer of Guyana and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment , Dr Peter Ramsaroop, and Honourary Consul General of Guyana in Houston, Lutfi Hassan, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Dr Ramsaroop , commenting on the event , said “The ongoing dedication of the government to showcase Guyana’s development and opportunities to the world is unwavering.”

Dr Ramsaroop added : “ OTC is one of the most prestigious platforms for the world to keep engaging with Guyana as we continue to lead on energy transition, low carbon development, and climate services The group that we have here comprised

representatives from Government and from private sector organisations, inclusive of individual companies at every size This is a good engagement opportunity.”

The OTC serves as a vital forum for offshore energy industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore innovative technologies Guyana ’ s participation results from a collaboration between the Guyana Office for Invest-

ment and 40 private sector companies , with over 100 participants in the delegation GKB, Guyana Logistics & Support Services, Friedlander, GTT, and Swiss Machinery are among the notable companies present, alongside key Guyanese business organisations such as PSC, GCCI, AMCHAM, and GOGEC , forming the Guyana delegation Kester Hutson, the GCCI

President said: “We continue to be satisfied with the continued enthusiasm demonstrated by our members for participation at the OTC We must applaud the Guyana Office for Investment for being able to assemble businesses and organisations for this event As we continue to be a regional energy production powerhouse, Guyana needs to be promoted to the world more than ever.”

The Guyana Pavilion’s presence at the 2023 OTC highlights the nation ’ s dedication to encouraging investment and growth in both offshore and traditional sectors The conference offers an excellent opportunity for networking, collaboration, and showcasing Guyana’s potential for future industry developments

Manniram Prashad, Pres-

ident of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber said:

“We are delighted to participate at the Guyana pavilion at the OTC GOGEC plays a significant role in linking Oil and Gas and energy companies to Guyanese businesses. We are excited to bring such a large delegation to the oil and gas capital of the world and expect to see tremendous results in the form of MOUs and contract signings.”

By participating in the OTC, Guyanese businesses can seek partners and learn about emerging opportunities in their South American homeland This involvement will help bring more supply chain opportunities to Guyana’s shores

A primary focus of this mission is education , connection, and networking . Energy professionals, engineers , executives , operators , scientists , and managers from around the globe and across all offshore energy sectors are in attendance Industry leaders will discuss licensing, business opportunities, and recent advancements in technology

Jaigobin is new Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry President

HOTEL and supermarket

owner Ganesh Jaigobin of Henrietta , Region Two , was on Sunday elected President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI).

Jaigobin and the other members of the ECCI were elected at the Chamber ’ s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Essequibo businessman will serve alongside Danraj Singh , Vice President; Verina Rasheed, Secretary; Sheleenie Sukhdeo, Treasurer; and Rawle Pierce , Assistant Secretary-Treasurer

The committee members who were elected include Balram Sukhnandan, Tagewattie Ahlam , Parmanand Singh , Chandreka Narine , Nateram Ramanan , Chan -

dresheker Sharma , Ravi Persaud , Deoshanker Mohan, Swetlana Kingston and Colleen Prince

Jaigobin congratulated all the members and pledged his commitment to work towards the upliftment of the private sector in Essequibo

The businessman said he looks forward to working with the executive of the ECCI , the Regional Democratic Council and the government to improve the business environment in Region Two He urged the members to co-operate and to work as a team to enhance the ECCI

Regional Chairperson , Vilma DeSilva, who was at the meeting, said the RDC will work with the new members to advance the development of the region

She also said the government has done and continues to do its part to support businesses, whether through

training, grants or loans

DeSilva urged the ECCI to continue to advocate for businesses and

conduct training for its members so that the business community could evolve She also urged

them to tap into the tourism sector in the region, as there is a plethora of opportunities to capitalise on

A part of the Guyana delegation at the ribbon-cutting ceremony being led by Dr. Peter Ramsaroop at the Guyana Pavilion at the OTC being held in Houston, Texas

New members of the ECCI, along with regional officials

New housing, construction opportunities highlighted at Linden Building Expo

MINISTER of Housing and Water Collin Croal said the recently held Linden Building Expo allowed persons to witness the new housing and construction opportunities that are available to residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The event , which took place on Friday at Bond Road , Amelia ’ s Ward , showcased several homes and served as a platform for cutting-edge technological innovations in the building industry It also featured the grand opening of Mast Villa

During the opening ceremony, Minister Croal commended the organisers of the event for their efforts He said that as the housing market changes, Guyanese are searching for new technology to construct homes that are sustainable, as well as time and cost-efficient He also highlighted significant developments in Linden through the Housing Ministry, including the allocation of close to 500 house lots, execution of infrastructure works, and the construction of 40 housing units at Amelia’s Ward

“Close to $500 million we have expended for road infrastructure and we have already started the land clearance or the new [Plantation] York area where at least 300 house lots will be made available,” the minister said

He said the government is also working assiduously to regularise squatting areas in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, as well as Ituni and Kwakwani

Meanwhile , Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues related that the government will contin-

Region Six Commander benefits from ITEC programme

THE High Commission of India has announced that the Commander of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Senior Superintendent of police Shivpersaud Bacchus has benefitted from training in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).

The commander benefitted from the Introduction to Ethical Hacking course at the premier Police Institute of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad Officer Bacchus from Diamond East Bank Demerara had the opportunity to meet with High Commissioner of India to Guyana , Dr KJ Srinivasa , and expressed excitement and gratitude for the scholarship The High Commissioner congratulated and briefed the officer on the ongoing collaboration between India and Guyana The ITEC programme is available for all eligible Guyanese not just officers of the Police and Defence Force The courses are short-term at prestigious institutions of India to selected partner countries across the world

The Government of India also covers all expenses related to the training and provide the trainees with a return air ticket, accommodation charges, tuition fee, living expenses, medical expenses, and external and internal tours as per the course curriculum

ue to support the development of Region 10 through its housing programmes and other initiatives

“The people of Linden, and the region by extension, are extremely important to our government ,” she affirmed

The minister emphasised the importance of private sector investments for economic growth and pledged to create an enabling environment for investments

“ Our government recognises the important role the private sector plays in the development of the country we want to create an environment where you can thrive,” Rodrigues underscored

The idea for the Linden expo originated from busi-

nessmen who connected at the International Building Exposition hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Water last year

The event showcased pre - fabricated homes , including a 20 x 30 ft and a 30 x 30 ft unit from Tower Cranes of Guyana Inc

Other units were also on display by NCHD Holdings Limited and AJM Enterprise

A number of companies offering products and services in the construction sector also participated in the event. (DPI)

The Linden Building Expo allowed persons to witness the new housing opportunities that are available to them

Long live legacies, links and lessons!

ALL international events leave lasting legacies and the 1886 Haymarket Strike in Chicago, that saw deaths of striking workers, is one of the biggest and longest - lasting ones

On May 1, 1886 between 350,000 and 500,000 American workers participated in a general strike to put pressure on the federal government to commit to an eight-hour work day, which culminated in the Haymarket protest that saw several workers killed

Earlier, in October 1884 , a convention held by the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions had unanimously set May 1, 1886, as the date by which they wanted an eight-hour working day to be made law

As the chosen date approached, the American unions prepared for a general strike in support of the eight-hour day and on Saturday, May 1, thousands of workers who went on strike and attended rallies that were held throughout the United States sang from the anthem, Eight Hours

The chorus of the song reflected the ideology of what was also called ‘The Great Upheaval’: “Eight Hours for work Eight hours for rest Eight hours for what we will.”

Following the death of some workers during the protest, May 1 was thereafter declared -- and is still being ob-

served today as -- International Workers Day (also called May Day and Labour Day in different countries) also as a national holiday in many

The US workers who died for the eight-hour day did not live to see it, but their deaths inspired those left behind to push even harder for the victory that followed, now being enjoyed across CARICOM

Similarly, the 1938 uprisings across the British West Indies led to the establishment of the trade unions and political parties that are today playing great parts to institutionalise workers ’ rights and fight for pay to be in line with cost of living

Likewise, there’s an intrinsic link between 1938 and the long legacy of British slavery across the British colonies called ‘ Labour in the West Indies’ written by W Arthur Lewis in 1939

The young West Indian scholar left the London university circuit at the London School of Economics ( LSE ) in 1938 to visit all the British colonies, to study and document the social and economic conditions that led to the region-wide strikes by stevedores and estate workers

Lewis applied his economic theories to the findings and produced his first book, in which he called on Britain to take blame for the conditions that led to the strikes and take radi-

cal remedial action to compensate the workers for centuries of neglect and exploitation

Arthur Lewis also advocated a large-scale development model for the colonies to be financed by the British, much akin to the later Marshall plan for reconstruction of the UK after the Second World War

His assessment of all the economic and financial factors involved and the historical context in which it was being presented saw the document adopted in 2020 by CARICOM ( 81 years later ) through its Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations (PMSC), as the Blueprint for any regional economic plan for reparations as being sought by CARICOM since 2013

The book ( available on Amazon) is an amazing timeless template that can be applied in any Caribbean country and is flexible enough for adoption by other Commonwealth member-states that were British colonies

The historical continuity between events saw the French Revolution in 1789 result in ripple revolutions across the French West Indies, including Saint Lucia and Haiti that sent the strongest messages to Europe that slavery was beginning to end

A little-known fact is that in 1795, a small group of freedom fighters in Saint Lucia, inspired by the French 1789 Revolution,

Chronicles of a Chronic Guyana Chronicler

By Earl Bousquet

defeated the British occupiers at the battle of Rabot in Soufriere, then proceeded to outlaw slavery

Abolition of Slavery in Saint Lucia by a bunch of socalled ‘Neg Mawon’ (‘Escaped Negroes ’) who were actually Freedom Fighters , was an embarrassment to the British, but also a danger signal to the French planter and merchant class that had opposed the liberation of French slaves after 1789

The British and French , which had been warring over Saint Lucia for its strategic location between French-controlled Martinique and British-owned St Vincent, found common cause in putting down the Saint Lucia revolution , ending the abolition of slavery and re-establishing European control

It took 10,000 British and 7,000 French troops a long

time, after a combined attack on Saint Lucia from Martinique, to overcome the freedom fighters and eventually end the ban on slavery – to send a clear message to the other slaves planning revolutions in the British and French Caribbean that they will not be allowed to succeed, no matter how long it takes

The Saint Lucia revolution was put down in 1796 , but eight years later came the Haitian Revolution (started since 1791) and establishment of the world ’ s first Black Republic in 1804 proved there was no turning back and that Slavery wouldn’t last forever

The Saint Lucia revolutionaries ’ slavery ban lasted only one year ( 1795-1796 ); and in 1825 French warships sailed into Haiti to demand 150 million French gold francs for reparations for loss of French planters’ property and slaves

That was the first European

demand for Reparations for Slavery Losses that preceded the UK’s Abolition in 1834 and equal payment of major reparations (40 per cent of GDP at the time) to British planters and slave traders

Workers of the world are today fully enjoying the eighthour day week, with weekends off or paid extra, while slavery has been legally abolished worldwide, thanks to the early abolitions in Saint Lucia and Haiti

But only half that story has been told and books and movie/ TV documentaries are starting to be produced featuring the big Saint Lucia story: as the first British colony to have experienced a revolution by formerly enslaved freedom fighters – and who abolished slavery, albeit for one year

Indeed, history is always loaded with links, legacies and lessons that last long!

32 police ranks are now certified prosecutors

SOME 32 ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have successfully completed an international training course in prosecution at School of the Nations.

The graduates are the second batch of police officers to benefit from the course Among them are three top performers who all completed their studies with a 100 per cent pass rate

The police prosecutors’ course was established to give police ranks formal accredited training to improve their performance in court

Top performer Danilla Dow was excited after receiving her examination results

She said: “I was scared and didn ’ t want to continue because it was new to me I had never done anything like that before.”

Happy about the new knowledge , the police constable said she intends to further her studies in the field, explaining that the course has helped her to better understand and appreciate the law

“ The partnership between the GPF and Nations and other educational institutions to teach police

the law and court procedure, and how to deal with citizens will benefit the force , as police will become more aware of the law,” Dow said.

Another top performer, Corporal Carl Pedro said that the course will enhance his capabilities as a police officer

“It helped me to better understand the power that the police possess so that I won’t overstep my authority It also helped me

to better understand that the role of a prosecutor is not to get a conviction but to ensure that justice is served,” Pedro related Meanwhile , Elisha Barrington felt privileged after having the opportunity to complete the course Her intention now is to do her best in the court to ensure justice is served

“ The field of prosecuting is new to me, but I grasped a lot that will help me as a prosecutor

in the criminal justice system The facilitator was adamant that we understand and know what to look for before establishing certain offences and before an actual case can be made out,” Barrington said

The government has committed to invest in the Guyana Police Force, particularly to enhance the effectiveness of police prosecutors during court proceedings. (DPI)

Some 32 ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are now certified prosecutors

46 parties, voluntary groups and individuals contesting LGE

A TOTAL of 46 parties , voluntary groups and individuals have been approved by the Guyana Elections Commission ( GECOM ) to contest the June 12 Local Government Elections (LGE).

Based on information from GECOM , the People’s Progressive Party/Civic ( PPP / C ) is already poised for default wins in 12 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) being contested

Meanwhile, after weeks of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) dodging questions on the magnitude of its participation in the

ousie / Novelle Flanders in Region Three ( Essequibo Island - West Demerara ); Herstelling/Little Diamond in Region Four ( Demerara - Mahaica ); Kintyre / No 37 Borlam, Ordanance/Fort Lands No 38, Kilcoy/Hampshire , Port Mourant / Johns , Bloomfield/Whim, and No 64/No 74 in Region Six (East Berbice - Corentyne ); and the Aranaputa/Upper Burro Burro NDC and municipality of Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

While APNU has managed to contest in all of the LAAs in Regions One, Two,

As expected, the municipality of Georgetown had the most participation, with a total of 14 participants Aside from the PPP/C and APNU, the Guyana National Services Party, Independent Citizens for Progress , and Movement for Unity and Democracy are contesting the PR component

For individual constituencies, The Citizenship Initiative executive , Shazaam Ally, is running as a candidate in Constituency #One, and a candidate by the name of Malcolm De Freitas is also running in this constituency.

Yenchandra Rambarran

component of two separate NDCs.

In Bartica, the only LAA in Region Seven, aside from the PPP/C and the APNU,

Edward Anthony is contesting in Constituency #Three of that municipality

In Linden, aside from the PPP/C and APNU, car-

penter Avis Isaacs is contesting under the title “The New Horizon Movement” in Constituency # One of that municipality.

LGE, GECOM has revealed that the party is only contesting 261 or 42.9 per cent of the 610 constituencies and 55 or 68.75 per cent of LAAs

As required , GECOM published the approved lists of candidates in the Official Gazette on April 29

The most popular entity on the list, the PPP/C, has been approved to contest in all 80 LAAs, which includes 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities

The PPP/C is also set for no-contest wins in a number of individual constituencies of other LAAs where other parties are only contesting the Proportional Representation ( PR ) component of the elections , or a limited number of the individual constituencies in the LAAs

The LAAs where the PPP/C is the only contesting entity include Leguan , Canal Polder , and La Jal -

Five, Seven, Eight and 10, the party had no submissions for Region Nine, and struggled in most of Region Three where it only managed to submit PR lists for two of the 14 LAAs, and has candidates for six of the 124 constituencies in that region

The party also does not look good in Region Six , where it has only managed candidates for 61 of the region ’ s 152 constituencies , spread across 14 of the region’s 22 LAAs

However, aside from its no show in Lethem, the party has managed to contest all of the municipalities, but came up short on constituency candidates in some of the areas, covering only four out of the seven constituencies in Rose Hall, and seven of the eight constituencies in Corriverton In Mabaruma, the party fell one short, contesting six of the seven constituency seats

is running in Constituency # Two under the Destiny to Oneness banner School teacher Natasha Anthony is running under the title “People Royal Empowerment Enforced” in Constituency #10, and LGE regular, pensioner Hubert Maloney is running under the “Horizon and Star” banner in Constituency #12.

In Constituency #14, independent candidate Rawle Aaron is running under “Leadership with a Purpose,” and businesswoman Juliet Julian under “The Lamb.”

In Region Three , there are 11 voluntary groups contesting in the PR component of the elections, in various NDCs , while four persons are also contesting individual constituencies

There are three individuals in Region Five, while in Region Six there are four individual constituency candidates and two independent groups contesting in the PR

Trade unionists renew calls for higher wages as Guyana progresses

––

also call on unions to address their differences and work together for the betterment of the workers

By Tamica Garnett

CALLS for discussions to commence on a further increase of the national minimum wage to a “ livable wage,” the need for the revamping of the local labour laws, and the need for

mending divisions in the local labour movement were some of the leading messages addressed in speeches at this year’s Labour Day rally, on Monday.

Delivering messages at the “ May Day ” rally held by the Federation of Inde -

pendent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), the union’s President Carvil Duncan, and Treasurer , Seepaul Narine conveyed the sentiments of the country’s working class

Appeals for increases in the national minimum wage as a relief measure to ease

cost of living burdens on the working class were once again advanced as the trade union leaders spoke during a closing ceremony for the rally held at the National Park

Duncan called for uniformity in the minimum wage being paid between the private sector and the public sector

In Guyana, the national minimum wage , which is mandatory for the private sector, is $60,000 This was increased last July; however the minimum pay being made by the government is higher According to Duncan, it is time this imbalance be dealt with.

“Our problem is what we now earn in the private sector cannot sustain and maintain us Something ought to be done; while the grass is growing the horse is starving If we talk about One Guyana, we must also talk about one salary Some getting $60,000 and others getting $80,000 and they have to go to same workplace We can’t afford that We need to have in this country a minimum wage for all sectors So that everybody earns the same thing,” Duncan related.

Salary increases, however, must be decided on by a tripartite committee, which comprises representatives from the private sector, government and trade unions

Narine said it is time for the committee to begin discussions for the increase of salaries , given that cost of living remains a pressing concern and increases in the national minimum wage could be a relief measure to ease cost of living burdens on the working class

Commending the gov -

ernment for having since implemented a number of welfare measures to cushion the cost of living situation, Narine said that the situation nonetheless remains dire for the working class

“The situation, for workers at the bottom , remains challenging ,” Narine said , adding: “As an interim measure, to assist our lower earning workers , the national minimum and public sector minimum wages should be equated to offer relief and breathing room to families who are harmed by the drastic price increases.”

Narine called for people’s needs to be prioritised in a world order based on peace, humane relations, and steady progress Noting that the country ’ s rapid economic expansion is expected to see Guyana soon rivaling the developed world on a per-capita income basis , Narine said that given the country’s economic trajectory, the union’s call is a justified one

“The National Tripartite Committee should begin discussions to arrive at a livable wage for our nation’s workers We are open to engage in constructive dialogue to arrive at pay levels which are reasonable in the context of our development,” Narine said

He also called for discussions to be advanced on an all-encompassing social pact addressing retirement and retirement benefits , safety and health, working hours , and labour productivity

Narine also expressed sadness over the number of workplace fatalities, calling for an overhaul of the lax attitude to safety both by employers and employees ,

as well as the examinations of Guyana ’ s Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other labour legislations with a focus on identifying gaps and shortcomings and working towards implementing appropriate measures

“We believe it is time for a comprehensive evaluation of our labour legislation to rebalance the owner-worker relationship,” Narine said

The trade union also took the opportunity at the rally to voice its concern over the reckless driving by persons operating heavy duty vehicles on the roadways, and the treatment being meted out to women in Guyana, particularly as there continues to be a serious domestic violence issue

The rally held by FITUG was one of two major rallies held on Monday across the streets of the capital city The other rally was held by Guyana ’ s other umbrella trade union body, the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC).

The separate rallies was an illustration of ongoing division between FITUG and the GTUC However, the trade unionist said that this approach was harming the labour movement , diluting the impact in lobbying for the rights of workers

“We must stop this confounding nonsense of a divided trade union movement. When we divide the trade union movement that is in fact dividing the working class and our aims and objectives cannot be achieved Therefore , let us say to ourselves, send a message to our leaders, only in unity there is strength,” Duncan said

Workers from across the country joined their unions to observe Labour Day on Monday (Shaniece Bamfield photo)

‘Food for lunch’ discussion whets appetite for 25 x 2025 initiative

THE Caribbean Community Secretariat has launched its “ Food for Lunch” conversations that are aimed at highlighting the 25 by 2025 initiative through engagements with the wider community.

The initiative aims to reduce the Region’s US$5 billion food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and is being piloted by President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who is the lead head of government with responsibility for agriculture in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet

The first of the “ Food for Lunch” conversations on April 21, featured representatives of the private sector who provided insight into their approaches to reducing the food import bill They identified opportunities in the agriculture sector and shared strategies to take advantage of those prospects.

The first discussants were:

David Fernandes, Assistant Managing Director,

Bounty Farms Limited , a poultry and feed-producing company which is part of a conglomerate – Tacama Gold Inc., that is planting corn and soyabeans in Guyana;

Stephen Grell , Managing Director , Republic Bank Limited which strongly supports the 25 by 2025 initiative;

Ralph Birkhoff , Co - Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Alquimi Renewables LLC which uses innovation, engineering and renewable energy in its food production operation in countries across the region;

Teesha Mangra-Singh, Chief Executive Officer , One Guyana Agriculture Inc., which aims to train and empower young people to become successful agriculture business owners who will contribute to increased domestic production and reduced importation

CARICOM Director , Sectoral Programmes, Ambassador David Prendergast

moderated the hour - long discussion He indicated that some of the key objectives of the initiative are the removal of non - tariff barriers to regional trade in agricultural products ; de-risking of the agriculture sector; digital agriculture; research and development; and a review of the Common External Tariff (CET).

The lunch guests lauded the initiative as a timely one They underscored the need for collaboration towards self - reliance and self - sufficiency in food, given the impacts of climate change, the COVID - 19 pandemic , and the war in Ukraine.

Here are key takeaways from the initial ‘Food for Lunch’ conversation:

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE

The One Guyana Agriculture Inc , which Ms Mangra - Singh heads , focuses on the opportunities that exist for young

people in the agriculture sector She said the entity established an Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP) through which climate-resilient agriculture, and crops such as carrots, cauliflower and broccoli are being encouraged

The AIEP provides space for experiencing agriculture in a practical way, she said, and the programme acts as an incubator where young people can have hands-on training throughout the production chain

The programme began with 50 participants from across the country on a rotation basis The AIEP partners with other entities and participants are drawn from a variety of sources including schools and non-governmental organisations

Mr Birkhoff also highlighted the importance of involving youth in the sector

INVESTING IN THE SECTOR IS CRITICAL

The panellists are con-

fident that the opportunities for investment in agriculture in CARICOM are great Mr Grell indicated that Republic Bank is providing a spread of resources to allocate to entities ranging from small and medium sized enterprises to large conglomerates

The panel praised the efforts of the CARICOM Heads of Government and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative . Mr . Birkhoff pointed out that through the current advocacy, people are finally listening . (CARICOM TODAY)

Scenes from Labour

(Adrian Narine and Shaniece Bamfield photos)

Labour Day 2023

Labour Ministry conducted over 7,000 workplace inspections

–– in under three years - Minister Hamilton

THE government, through the Ministry of Labour , remains dedicated to Guyanese workers and has pledged to continue to enforce laws and regulations through inspections at workplaces.

Since the government assumed office on August 2 , 2020 , the ministry has conducted over 7,000 labour inspections throughout Guyana, with the view of enforcing labour and occupational safety and health laws

This was according to Minister Joseph Hamilton in his message to commemorate Labour Day, which is observed annually on May 1

Minister Hamilton said the inspections provided technical information to

both employers and employees

They also ensure that the legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers are enforced

He further noted that tackling labour and employment issues is critical for Guyana to achieve the targets set out in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for the country’s economic and social progress

“ Consequently, the tripartite dedication of government , employers and workers ’ organisations is imperative and one that must be encouraged , promoted and sustained, for us to realise our goals and prosperity

for all the workers and people of our beautiful country

“ The process of social dialogue is fundamental and at the core of good industrial relations , which is needed for achieving solutions, stability, and good economic outcomes Importantly , workers must also be active and ensure their rights are not ignored in the workplace,” he said

As the oil and gas industry continues to experience accelerated growth and a spike in foreign direct investments, the minister said the government is committed to ensuring that both local and foreign employers comply with the constitutional provision of the “right to equal pay for equal work

or work of equal value and to just conditions of work.”

“ Importantly , this accelerated expansion and increase in economic activities have increased the demand for skilled workers,” Minister Hamilton pointed out

To this end, workers are

being urged to make use of the many opportunities made available by the government to enhance their skills

“It would be remiss of me not to underscore the importance of trade unions and the role that they have played and continue to play

in the struggle for workers’ rights , equity , just conditions of work and justice for workers throughout Guyana

“In this regard, the Ministry of Labour will continue to work with the trade unions to ensure that they remain a formidable and major stakeholder in ensuring workers ’ rights are protected and contributing to economic growth through involvement in economic and social policy - making , collective bargaining and negotiations at all levels,” the Labour Minister said Hamilton also saluted workers for their commitment , effort , dedication and hard work as the nation works towards building a sustainable future

NBA play-offs: Curry scores 50 points as Golden State Warriors eliminate Sacramento Kings

Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow for fifth win

STEPHEN Curry ensured reigning NBA champions the Golden State Warriors avoided an early play-off exit with a masterclass in the series decider at the Sacramento Kings.

Curry hit a play-off career-high 50 points as his side won 120-100.

The Warriors will face LeBron James' LA Lakers in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Earlier, the Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 108-101 to go 1-0 up in the Eastern Conference semis.

The Warriors were trounced 118-99 in game six on Friday but Curry, chasing a fifth NBA title in nine years, starred in the decider - finishing with the most points ever in a game seven - as his side progressed.

"What an incredible all-time performance," said Curry's team-mate Klay Thompson. "This is a game seven I'll forever remember as the Steph Curry game."

"We all take him for granted because he's brilliant night after night and we've been watching this for 10 years," added Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

"You just have to remind yourself, big picture, this is one of the best players in the history of the game."

The Kings, who were making their first post-season appearance in 17 years, and had the benefit of a home crowd, led 58-56 at half-time with Domantas Sabonis scoring 16 points.

But the third quarter belonged to the Warriors, and once Curry scored five points in a row to put them 69-62 up with seven minutes 50 seconds remaining they seized control and never relinquished it.

Curry was devastating with seven three-pointers in his tally but Kevon Looney (21 rebounds and 11 points), Andrew Wiggins (17 points) and Klay Thompson (16 points) also played their parts in the win.

The opening game between the Lakers and the Warriors will take place at 03:00 BST on Wednesday in San Francisco.

The Warriors faced a James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in four consecutive NBA finals between 2015 and 2018, winning three of them. Four-time champion James won his last title with the Lakers in 2020.

Speaking about facing NBA record scorer James again, Curry added: "It's special from the first series we played him in Cleveland. We're blessed to be playing at this level still and excited about a

new chapter."

Heat concern after win

The Heat continued their good post-season form, making it five wins from six play-off games to follow up their surprise win over top seeds Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.

The influential Jimmy Butler led the eighth seeds with 25 points and 11 rebounds but rolled his ankle late in the game and, although he continued, will require treatment before game two at 00:30 on Wednesday.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra refused to speculate on whether Butler would be involved in that game.

"You just don't know with ankle sprains," he said. "I don't even know if we will know more by tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see. It will be a waiting game."

New York led 32-21 after the first quarter and were 55-50 ahead at the break but the Heat took over in the third quarter led by Butler, along with Max Strus who landed two crucial three-pointers.

The Knicks were led by 26 points from RJ Barrett and 25 from Jalen Brunson but were without two-time AllStar forward Julius Randle, who was sidelined with a left ankle sprain. (BBC Sport).

ROYAL Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs to claim their fifth win in the Indian Premier League.

Virat Kohli hit 31 from 30 balls and Faf du Plessis struck 44 off 40 to help Bangalore post 126-9 in Lucknow.

Lucknow captain KL Rahul walked off injured in the first innings but returned in the final over in a bid to help his side recover.

But needing 23 from the final over, Lucknow fell short at 108 all out.

Both teams are level on 10 points but Lucknow, who are ahead on net run-rate, have dropped down to third place while Bangalore have moved up to fifth.

Kohli and Du Plessis shared the highest partnership of the match, scoring 62 off 54 balls before the Indian batter was stumped off Ayush Badoni.

Naveen-ul-Haq's three-wicket spell dismissed Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma and Mohammed Siraj as the visitors fell from 114-6 to 121-9 in the space of two overs.

In reply, Lucknow struggled to capitalise on their home advantage and were 0-1 in the first over when Kyle Mayers was caught off India's Mohammed Siraj.

Ayush Badoni and Krunal Pandya shared a partnership off 19 off 19 balls before they were both caught out by Kohli.

Lucknow were 34-4 after losing four wickets in the powerplay but Marcus Stoinis and Krishnappa Gowtham gave their fans some hope when their partnership added 27 to the total.

But when Naveen was caught off Josh Hazlewood (2-15) to bring the injured skipper to the crease, the game seemed to be over.

Lucknow needed 23 from the final over but Rahul struggled to run between the wickets and saw Amit Mishra caught off Hazlewood with the penultimate ball of the match.(BBC Sport)

Stephen Curry had eight rebounds and six assists alongside his 50 points

Royal Challengers Bangalore have participated in all tournaments of the Indian Premier League but are yet to win a trophy

David fills Mumbai's 'big shoes' with crowning moment

By Louis Cameron

TIM David is the last person who needs to be reminded he has "big shoes to fill", as Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma put it after the Australian's finest Indian Premier League performance to date.

Asked if David could be Mumbai's "next Kieron Pollard", Rohit was wary: "'Polly' has done it for so many years and we have won so many championships with his performances."

Even in retirement, Pollard's legacy looms large over the competition's most successful franchise, whose five titles all came with the power-hitter in their XI. The Trinidadian called time on his IPL career last year after his 13th season (all with Mumbai) but has been retained as their batting coach.

The A$3.15 million price tag for Cameron Green, dwarfing the $1.53m David went for 12 months earlier but which at the time made him the highest-paid Australian in the IPL, has put the focus squarely on the Test allrounder this season.

But it is Mumbai's other Western Australian big hitter who admits he has felt the heat

"Last year was my first year of the IPL and I was hungry to make a name for myself and establish myself in the team. That can be a flawed concept," said David.

"Anything

Pujara prepares to play with, not against, Smith...for now

so I was getting down out of the crease and trying to close the angle down and just react to wherever the ball is bowled. At that point, it just had to be good shots and try and hit the middle of the bat."

David made a long-awaited appearance in Australian colours last year in the leadin to the T20 World Cup and few debutants have come into that side as fully-formed as the right-hander.

…The Australian arrives this week for a three-match spell with Sussex ahead of the WTC final and Ashes

for the team. That's been my theme for the year so far, and take some of the focus off my own performance."

David nonetheless conceded he has been "hungry" to be the one responsible for lifting Mumbai over the line like Pollard, whose game David has partially modelled his own on, did so many times.

Green (44 off 26 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (55 off 29) played blinders last night against Rajasthan Royals, but Mumbai, needing more runs than any chasing team had ever made in an IPL match at the Wankhede Stadium, still needed 61 off 26 when David arrived at the crease.

Two sixes in his favoured arc between long-on and mid-wicket, along with a pair of bullets to the fence through cover, left him on strike for the final over with 17 required.

Some may suggest Jason Holder's inability to hit the

pitch for what proved the final three deliveries of the game gift-wrapped David's task.

What may be overlooked was how David managed to muscle Holder's first ball – a low full toss – for six over long off.

Unlike the ensuing deliveries, Holder had not missed his mark by much. With the pressure on, many would have struggled to generate the necessary power and elevation to lift the attempted wide yorker over the rope

"I've been putting some really hard work on the training field. I'm grateful for the support from the support staff and Polly is there, a big part of it," said David.

"A lot of conversations and then just trying to relax and enjoy the games.

"I'm working as hard as ever on that (power hitting). I'm trying to develop to become a more rounded player.

"It was a little bit sweaty,

Propelled onto the global T20 franchise circuit after shining for the Hobart Hurricanes, David's career has been enhanced further in the IPL after Mumbai went all in on the finisher at last year's auction.

The fickle life of an overseas player at the tournament was spelt out to David early –he was dropped after just two games – but he delivered on the investment by finishing the tournament with a strikerate of 216.27, the highest ever recorded in a single IPL season.

But Sunday evening was his crowning moment.

"For me personally it was about trying to stay quite level because I've been really hungry to finish off a game like that," said David, who now has 170 runs at a strike-rate of 170 this IPL campaign.

"It plays on your mind because you want to do it … I've been waiting for my chance and I'm really pleased I took it." (Cricket. com.au)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should receive touchline ban, says Chris Sutton

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp should be handed a touchline ban for his behaviour during Sunday's match against Tottenham, says Chris Sutton.

Klopp was shown a yellow card for running towards the fourth official and celebrating Liverpool's 94th-minute winner in the 4-3 victory at Anfield.

"For the way he acted on the touchline, he should be banned from the technical area," Sutton said.

"I don't think a fine is enough. He's got previous."

The Liverpool boss, who injured himself in running towards fourth official John Brooks, later said the way referee Paul Tierney spoke to him when he received his booking

was "not OK".

But Referees' body the PGMOL said it "strongly refutes"

Klopp's suggestions that Tierney's actions were "improper".

Speaking on BBC Radio

5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton added: "It's a big deal. There will have been coaches and kids watching and think-

ing it's OK to run towards and abuse officials.

"As far as I'm concerned, Klopp should be banned. He knows what he did was wrong."

Martin Cassidy, chief executive of Ref Support UK, echoed Sutton's call for Klopp to receive a touchline ban.

The charity has also called

on the Football Association to consider more severe punishments to deter such behaviour in future - including points deductions.

"We believe the ban should be at least three games," Cassidy told BBC Sport.

"We also believe the FA should look at bringing in points deductions at all levels for those who regularly abuse match officials."

Klopp was given a onematch ban after he was sent off against Manchester City in October for berating the referee's assistant.

The German also received a £30,000 fine, in addition to being warned about his future conduct.(BBC Sport)

IN March they were facing each other in Ahmedabad and next month they will do so again at The Oval, but for the next few weeks Cheteshwar Pujara and Steven Smith will be team-mates at Sussex.

Smith joins the county this week for his somewhat controversial pre-Ashes stint, which will see him play three County Championship matches in the build-up to the World Test Championship final against India and then the five-match series against England.

During the Test series in India earlier this year, Smith helped conjure the dismissal of Pujara at a vital time in Indore, both with his field settings as he captained in the absence of Pat Cummins, and then the remarkable catch at leg slip.

Now Pujara will be the captain as he leads Sussex and will form one of the more formidable No. 3 and 4 combinations county cricket could see with Smith, although the battle to come won't be far from the mind.

"We have spoken, but most of the time we have played against each other. It is never for the same team, so it will be exciting to have him in the same side," Pujara told Sussex Cricket after the recent match against

Gloucestershire. "I will try and get his thoughts, try and know him a little better. "We will be playing WTC final, so it will be mixed feelings. On the field we always have good battles, but off the field we are good friends."

While the signing of Smith has sparked a debate about whether the county game is being too accommodating to the Australians ahead of the Ashes, it has also been talked up as a great opportunity for Sussex's young players to work alongside a great of the game.

"He's a great influence to have in the team," Pujara, currently the leading run-scorer in Division Two, said. "Will be looking forward to having him in the dressing room and trying to have a chat with him, learn from him, see how he prepares because he has a lot of experience [and] the amount of runs he has scored in Test cricket.

"All of us are looking forward to having him here and sharing his experience. He has a lot of knowledge about the game so it will be nice to have his inputs."

Smith's three-match spell with Sussex is also set to bring him up against Marnus Labuschagne when they face Glamorgan. (Cricinfo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday May 02, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Naman Ojha: 16 – 14 catches; 2 stumpings (Delhi Daredevils)

(2) 204 for the second wicket: Chris Gayle & Virat Kohli (RCB vs DD)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who has scored most runs in a single IPL season to date?

(2) Who has claimed most wickets in a single IPL season to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

I do now is

Kieron Pollard (left) and Tim David played together for Mumbai during the 2022 season // BCCI/IPL

Jurgen Klopp was furious at the awarding of a free-kick which led to Spurs' equaliser and ran to celebrate Liverpool's winner in front of the fourth official

Steven Smith and Cheteshwar Pujara share a smile at the end of the recent Test series • (Getty Images)

Kwakwani Secondary are new Kayaking Inter-School Champions

THE Kwakwani Secondary School thrilled all, as they displayed sound judgment and a stellar performance at this year’s second Inter-Schools Kayaking competition.

The event was once again organised by Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, and staged at the back of the Watooka Guest House along the Demerara River in Mackenzie, Linden on Sunday.

The Upper Demerara River school in Region 10, as first-timers, walked away with the lion’s share of the prizes that were up for grabs.

Kwakwani ended the meet with Kasim English and Orlina Sauers taking the mixed short-distance 400m race ahead of Linden Foundation’s Rovaldo Lambert and Ronika Lambert, and New Silver City’s Iwayne Torres and Jumia Bremner.

Kwakwani also won the female and male relay races, as Linden Foundation were victorious in the male long distance event through Nicholas Estwick, as New Silvercity’s Derriann Braith-

wate took first position in the female individual long distance race.

Linden Foundation were tops in the female individual event won by Lavisha Cornelius, as Harmony Secondary’s Ezikiel Persaud topped in the male individual short distance race.

In the end, Kwakwani Secondary accumulated a winning 50 points, total, to squeeze past Linden Foundation with 49 points, as third came New Silver City Secondary, ten points adrift

on 40 points.

Fourth place went to last year’s inaugural schools’ champion Harmony Secondary, with 35 points ahead of Christianburg Wismar ‘Multi’, who, with 31 points, placed fifth, with Mackenzie High settling for sixth on 26 points.

The schools from the City could not place higher, as St. Stanislaus College having 23 points for seventh position, Wisburg Secondary, the urgent secondary school from Linden getting 10 points for

eight place, while St. Roses High finished ninth with six points, St. Joseph High mustered two points to be tenth place above Queen’s College, who ended in the cellar position with one point for eleventh place.

For their outstanding performance, Kwakwani Secondary won $200,000 in cash, along with trophies and medals, compliments of SLB. Courts will also be donating ‘tablets’ and school supplies to each student of the Kwakwani team.

Dr. Deon Anderson, who heads the organising kayaking body, took time out to give special thanks to sponsors Banks DIH for their unwavering support.

He made specific note of title sponsors, SLB, for making this possible in a very big way; Courts for honouring the champions; and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Guyana Tourism Authority, Office of the Prime Minister, and ENet for their very tangible contributions.

Ponting reflects on Tendulkar's greatness and Kohli comparisons

FORMER Australia captain

Ricky Ponting has had his say where he believes Sachin Tendulkar sits in the pecking order among the best players of alltime, and how the India legend compares to modern-day great Virat Kohli.

Tendulkar is one of few players in the history of the game with a resume that can match or rival Ponting, with the India maestro still maintaining his place as one of the best batters ever and holding the distinction as the highest run-scorer of all-time in both ODI and Test cricket

Ponting spoke with host Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review just prior to Tendulkar's 50th birthday on April 24 about where he rates the India legend and the Australian did not hold back with his assessment of the former star player.

"I've said forever Sachin's technically the best batter that I've ever seen, and played with or against," Ponting remarked.

"Whatever plan that we came up with as a bowling group, he found a way to combat it, whether it was in India or Australia.

"It's hard to rank and judge players as everyone is different and everyone plays the game differently.

"But certainly through the generation that I played, he was technically the best player that I saw.

Ponting recalled a brilliant innings of 241 that Tendulkar made against Australia at the SCG in 2004

IBA president Kremlev blasts ‘black sheep’ that formed breakaway...

From page 24

in a breakaway aimed at securing the troubled sport’s Olympic future while seeking recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

With representatives from Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sweden and the U.S., World Boxing has an interim executive board and said there would be no bar on any national federation being a member of both bodies.

But Russian Kremlev, who is in Tashkent for the IBA men’s world championships, said the IBA is the only international association that governs the sport.

“We say that there’s always a black sheep in our family, there are always people who go their own ways… Someone tried to register an international association from their garage, why should we even consider them,” Kremlev told a news conference.

“Those who want to leave and go to another association, all I can say is: we have only one association. We have the right to govern boxing and the IBA has the right to organise tournaments.

“Some officials decided they wanted to create their own association, but I think it’s all clear and simple. Some sports functionaries are like hyenas, like predators, they need to understand that they do not belong to sport.”

The United States tops the all-time Olympic boxing medal table with 50 golds and 117 medals while Britain is third.

as one of his standout knocks and had no hesitation in nominating the right-hander's straight drive as his most potent shot.

"I think his straight driving was his best shot," Ponting said.

"Whether it be on front foot or even back foot – because he was short in stature, he won't mind me saying that – he was able to sort of stand up on top of the bounce of the ball and punch it back down the ground, off the front foot or back foot.

"The trademark things you think about with Tendulkar was just seeing the full face of that bat coming straight back down the line of the ball and straight back past the bowler. So I think that'd be his trademark for sure.

Some of Sachin Tendulkar's finest straight drives

asked

he would choose out of Tendulkar and Kohli,

Ponting was a little more circumspect.

The Australian said it was extremely hard to compare players of different eras and noted that rule changes in recent times had made it easier for modern-day batters to score more freely.

"Trying to compare the times and I know Virat played a little bit in the back end of that Sachin played, but it is a bit of a different game now," Ponting noted.

"There's different rules, for instance, around 50-over cricket, with less fielders outside the circle. Two new balls. I think it makes it a lot easier now for batting than probably ever before. There's no doubt that the bats have got better. Field restrictions and new balls is a big part of it as well.

"When Sachin was playing ODIs, the ball at the end of a 50-over game was very hard to

see. It was very soft. It was very hard to hit, it reverse swung. You don't see that at all in the modern 50-over game.

"I always like to judge the quality of players on their longevity in the game. I think that's the best way to judge players because maintaining such a higher level of excellence for so long is the hardest thing to do. Some players can come in and do it for three or four years and look like the best players in the world, but the very, very best sustain it for long periods of time and Sachin sustained it for more than 20 years at the international level.

Ponting said a comparison between the two run machines may be easier to make once Kohli finishes his career.

"To play 200 Test matches (like Tendulkar) within itself is an unbelievable feat,” Ponting added.

"Regardless of how many runs you make, how many hundreds you make, to be physically good enough and have a skillset set good enough to stand up and play 200 Test matches is amazing.

"Virat's got all that ahead of him just yet. He's an unbelievably good player, there's no doubt about that. He's got over 70-odd international hundreds now. Sachin made a 100, didn't he?

"Let's wait until Virat's career's over and then I think it'll a much fairer comparison."

USA Boxing terminated its IBA membership last week, committing its “full support” to World Boxing’s efforts to seek provisional recognition of the IOC.

The Russian-led IBA – suspended by the IOC in 2019 over governance, finance, refereeing and ethical issues – has defied IOC guidance and lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian boxers competing under their flags last October.

The strained relations between the IOC and the IBA, which was sponsored by Russian energy giant Gazprom, further soured after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

An independent investigation had found that the IBA was on the “verge of financial ruin” due to mismanagement by the previous administration until Gazprom’s sponsorship saved the body.

However, Kremlev said Russia’s state-controlled gas giant was no longer a sponsor after the contract expired.

“Our contract with Gazprom ended in December 2022. We are grateful to them for helping us in a difficult period,” he said.

“In June or July, we will have a new sponsor, but as of now there is no contract with Gazprom.

“We did not terminate the (Gazprom) contract as there were obligations to complete… Most federations were against Gazprom being sponsor, but at the (IBA) Congress there were no objections.”

Boxing’s place in the Olympics after next year’s Paris Games remains uncertain, with the sport not on the initial programme for Los Angeles 2028, pending reforms demanded by the IOC.

New kayaking champions, Kwakwani Secondary celebrate with their hardware

India’s Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendular

Regal Legends continue winning ways

…Cart off inaugural Speaker’s Cup

REGAL Legends continued their superiority in Over-50 softball cricket, inflicting a 68-run victory over Vapes Guyana to emerge undisputed winners of inaugural Speaker’s Cup Over-50 category when the threeday tournament climaxed at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, in brilliant sunshine yesterday.

Playing unscathed in the tournament, Regal Legends completely dominated the East Coast based side after opting to take first strike, despite losing the key wickets of Mohendra Arjune (one), Ramesh Deonarine (18) and Uniss Yusuf who struck two fours and two sixes in 34.

Rudolph “Gussy” Baker, whose attacking 53 off 33 balls contained four fours and three sixes, shared an important 58-run fourth-wicket partnership with Wayne Jones (26), before the latter went caught by Sahadeo Budhu of Jai Ram.

Baker added a further 28 with the left-handed Eric Thomas who’s breezy 25 off 19 balls included a four and

two massive sixes as Regal Legends reached a formidable 181 seven in their allotted 20 overs. Jai Ram finished with two for 44 and Mahadeo Chunilall two for 50 from their respective four overs.

Despite a quick start of 27 in 3.4 overs between openers Chunilall (17) and Mohamed Rafeek (11), Vapes Guyana plummeted to 40 for four in the sixth over and never really recovered. Jones was the architect of the collapse, claiming the first three wickets, eventually finishing with the impressive figures of four for 24 from his four allotted overs.

Left-hander Seeraj Bhimsain offered token resistance with a top score of 22 (one four and a six) as Vapes Guyana could only muster 113 for seven when their 20 overs expired. Lalta Gainda was undefeated on 18. Surujdeo Ramdeen took one for three while two batsmen, including Bhimsain, went via the run out route.

The winners pocketed $250 000 while the runners-up took home $100 000. Jones copped the man-

IBA president Kremlev blasts

that formed breakaway world body

of-the-match of the final award, while Yusuf topped the runs chart and Randolph Perreira of Parika Legends took the most wickets. The three collected $25 000 and a trophy each. The league matches, which commended on Saturday and concluded on Sunday, were 15 overs per side while the final was a 20-over affair.

Meanwhile, Regal Masters later made it two in two with a thrilling nail-biting victory over Ariel Masters in the Masters Over-40. Details will follow in a subsequent issue.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir is

the patron of the tournament and featured in the ceremonial bowl off on Saturday and was also on hand to present the trophies after the finals.

While pointing out the tournament is slated to be an annual affair, he said the organisers are also aiming to stage another competition later this year. The trophies were sponsored by popular businessman and proprietor of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, who also presented a plaque to the speaker on behalf of the participating teams. Businessman Lalta Gainda took the opportunity to hand over $50 000 worth of Vapes to Everest Cricket

Club and cricket balls to the Everest Masters hardball team.

Tournament Director, John Ramsingh had earlier disclosed that the tournament will become another permanent fixture on the calendar of events for softball cricket following the Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup which is played towards the end of the year among teams in and out of Guyana.

Among the sponsors were V-Net Communications, Raj Ace Auto Plus, Coss Cutter Supermarkets, MMD Hollow Blocks and Pavers, ACS Auto Parts, The New Doctor’s Clinic,

Rohan Bhojraj, Lisa Gulamoidin, Power Producers and Distributors Inc, Colin Talbot Contracting Services, New Dimension Services, Vishal’s Auto Toy Store, We Care Health Supplies, Friends of Everest Masters, Movements Family, Imtiaz Sadik, M.S. Imports, General Marine Company, JSB Bumpers, Clermont Cricket Team, Mike’s Pharmacy, Two Brothers Gas Station, Right Aid Pharmaceutical, Guybiz Establishment, Rohan Auto Spares, FL Sport, Windjammer International Cuisine and Comfort Inn. (Frederick Halley)

Djokovic able to play at US Open after change to Covid-19 policy

World number one Novak Djokovic will be able to play at this year's US Open after the United States confirmed international travellers will no longer need to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner, 35, was forced to miss last year's tournament because of his vaccination status.

to return to Flushing Meadows in August.

(REUTERS)-International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev blasted the national federations who broke away from the body to form a new world boxing federation, describing the officials as ‘black sheep’ and ‘hyenas’ who do not belong in sport.

A group including the United States and Britain announced a new federation – World Boxing – last month

He also missed the past two Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.

But US policy will change on 12 May, allowing Serb Djokovic

"Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the Covid-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end

of the day on May 11, the same day that the Covid-19 public health emergency ends," the White House said in a statement.

Despite applying for special permission to enter the United States, Djokovic withdrew from Indian

Wells in March because he was still unable to enter the country.

He won the Australian Open in January, a year after he was deported from the country on the eve of the 2022 tournament because he had not been vaccinated.

Although injury kept him out of the ongoing Madrid Open, Djokovic is due to begin his bid for an overall men's record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open later this month. (BBC Sport)

Regal Legends top scorer Rudolph Baker smashed an attacking 53 off 33 balls

Ramesh Sunich (left) presents an appreciation plaque to Speaker Manzoor Nadir on behalf of the participating teams

Novak Djokovic is tied with Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles in the men's game

‘black sheep’

International Boxing Association (AIBA) President Umar Kremlev attends a news conference ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland June 28, 2021.