Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-09-2021

THURSDAY 2nd September, 2021

No.106472

President Ali: Bigger role for AmCham in helping Guyanese tap U.S. market 02 PAGE

Transformational education plan launched PAGE

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- at commencement of activities for Education Month 2021

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs commemorated the start of Amerindian Heritage Month with the first-ever virtual Heritage Concert, on Wednesday evening. This year, Amerindian Heritage Month is being celebrated under the theme: “Maintaining Our Traditional Integrity; Celebrating Our Cultural Identity” (DPI photo)

Over 50 per cent of teachers vaccinated US$299,000 project to enhance protection 05 of indigenous rights PAGE

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$400M contract signed for two new 09 CJIA air bridges PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Bigger role for AmCham in helping Guyanese tap US market

_President Ali says P R E S I D E N T, D r.

Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, told members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana that he is looking forward to them helping more Guyanese to access opportunities in the US market.

He said that although the organisation has done very well in promoting opportunities for United States businesses in Guyana, more could be done for local businesses with investments in the US. “Whilst I’ve seen great aggression in you championing the cause of American businesses here, which we appreciate, we need the same aggression in championing our cause. You should be in the forefront of ensuring that our catfish and our gilbaka (gillbacker) get back on the American market,” President Ali said.

In a passionate address, the President congratulated the new AmCham President, Attorney-at-Law Devindra Kissoon, at a post Annual General Meeting

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, addresses the new executive committee of AmCham and other stakeholders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, on Wednesday function at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, and challenged him and his executives to push the organisation to new heights.

“You should be at the forefront of the struggle to

ensure that we have at least, in your first year, one FDAcertified agro-processing facility. You should also be in the forefront of having seminars with our local farmers in telling them what opportuni-

ties exist in food supply and what they need to do to be part of those opportunities,” the Head of State reasoned.

He told the new executive that the time is right to take the non-profit organisa-

Guyana scores big at International Youth Robotics Competition _secures gold, silver and bronze medals GUYANA’S skills in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) were showcased during the International Youth Robotics Competition (IYRC), held virtually in South Korea.

Though the robotics team was restricted by financial constraints, participation in the virtual competition was guaranteed as a result of timely support from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) Company.

Owing to support from GTT, the STEM Guyana Organisation was able to prepare two senior teams, comprising persons ages 13 to 18 years, and three junior teams, which included persons ages seven to 12 years, to compete against teams from 71 countries.

According to STEM Guyana, the three junior

Gold medal winners (junior) - Team Transformers: Tushaant Sanichara, Rashad Lancaster, Jonathan Lewis, Andrew Hooper and Ethan Rosine teams secured gold, silver and bronze, while the two senior teams copped bronze medals.

“Competition was stiff as Team Transformers which included Tushaant Sanichara,

Rashad Lancaster, Jonathan Lewis, Andrew Hooper and Ethan Rosine shared the gold medal with Thailand, Russia and India,” STEM related.

The 2021 challenge required junior and senior

teams to build a competition robot under the vague theme of “Robot My Friend.”

This required team members to complete an extraordinary research and ideation

(Continued on page 15)

tion to the next level and to create various opportunities for people from both countries.

He noted that this would enhance the organisation’s image and bridge the gap between them and ordinary Guyanese.

“When we do these things, the ordinary people out there would see the necessity of what they term ‘sophisticated people’ in this room sitting; otherwise, we mean nothing to those people, none of us.

“Because when they look in this room, they will see a talk shop. But when they can see you out there fighting for something they know that can improve their lives, or give them an opportunity, then they feel a part of this,” President Ali said passionately.

The President said that catering to the needs of ordinary Guyanese is essential to improving credibility, opening up new opportunities, and enhancing the respective roles in the development of Guyana.

GOOD LEADERS The Head of State spoke highly of the role of AmCham since its establishment in 2018 and credited its previous leader, Zulfikar Ally, and his team for leading the charge.

“I am very proud of the

work that Zulfi and the team would have done over the years. The integration of AmCham into the society and ensuring the acceptance and relationship building with the existing Private Sector body was crucial, and I think we can all be proud of the way that turned out. I am confident that the expertise of Devindra and his experience will hold him in good stead in leading AmChamGuyana during his tenure,” President Ali said.

The President not only commended AmCham for fostering and strengthening increased trade and commercial ties with the United States, but also for its role as an election observer, as a business-support organisation and as a driving force in attracting foreign direct investments to Guyana by providing a gateway for American companies to do business here.

The organisation was also credited for playing a key role in Guyana’s representation at the recently concluded Offshore Technology Conference.

INVESTMENTS IN NON-OIL SECTORS The President said that the organisation could also help to promote Guyana’s non-oil sectors.

“As Guyana moves forward into a booming oil and gas economy and as my administration prioritises diversification to avoid the natural resource curse, we look to AmCham as a key player in attracting the necessary investments in the non-oil sectors. And I want to emphasise that there are major opportunities in the non-oil sectors,” President Ali said.

The President added that it is the intention of his government to work assiduously to create an environment where all investors, including Americans and the diaspora, could invest in Guyana knowing that there is macroeconomic stability, respect for the rule of law, ease of doing business and, generally, a conducive business climate to ensure prosperity for all.

“AmCham has a great start. I am confident that it will continue to be a positive force for trade and investment in both Guyana and the United States,” the Head of State related. (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Transformational education plan launched

By Tamica Garnett

EDUCATION Month commenced on Wednesday with the Ministry of Education launching its five-year Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2021- 2025 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

The strategic plan, which aims to eliminate Illiteracy, enhance tolerance and modernise education, is guided by five main priority areas, namely: improving governance and accountability; improving performance at all levels; improving the efficiency of the education system; reducing inequities in education; and contributing to life-long learning and employability.

“The five pillars of the plan, though not all completely new, effectively capture core areas demanding our sustained focus and attention over the ensuing years. They align to the Sustainable Development Goals and to the manifesto promises of the political party which was elected,” Minister of Education Priya Manickchand remarked as she delivered the feature address at Wednesday’s launch.

Education Month, which is celebrated annually in September, is being celebrated this year under the theme: “Innovative teaching and learning in a global pandemic.” Minister Manickchand noted that the ESP is intricately linked to broader national development objectives.

“Its implementation must be viewed as having deep national significance,” she said.

The minister highlighted that in the ESP implementation, sharp focus will be placed on policies and programmes that are customised within the context of [a] highly varied and multifaceted

_at commencement of activities for Education Month 2021

MoE Chief Planning Officer, Nicola Johnson

Education Minister Priya Manickchand education system, requiring a “significant shift from traditional approaches to education that too often demanded conformity to standard practices across the entire education spectrum.”

CONTEXTUAL REALITIES “We are acutely aware of the need to both recognise and effectively address the contextual realities of our various educational environments.

Our approaches must adapt to the unique demands of our complex, multilayered education context. Relevance and responsiveness must be at the forefront of our approaches,” Manickchand established.

The minister said that the ministry looks forward to translating the plans from their current theoretical state to workable practical dimensions.

“We must drill down to actionable components in a way that facilitates their effective implementation across the system, accompanied by a robust monitoring and evaluation system,” the minister said.

The plan will also work to guide Guyana’s collaboration with foreign organisations, particularly those which will play a role in assisting to fund various projects and programmes as they unfold.

“This is a sector plan being published in collaboration with all the world to make sure we are all on the same page. It is hugely important if everybody is to be on the same page and we are to march on as partners in the system,” she explained.

Crafting of the plan included contributions from several international stakeholders including UNICEF, UNESCO, CARICOM, and the World Bank.

Also making remarks at the launch were Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hut-

son; UNICEF Resident Representative, Nicolas Pron; and World Bank Senior Operations Officer, Ricardo Habalian. An overview of the plan was delivered by MoE Chief Planning Officer, Nicola Johnson.

The launch was also attended by MoE Permanent Secretary, Alfred King and several other MoE department heads.

In his remarks, Pron called the plan a very important strategy that UNICEF was happy to see coming to fruition after having played a role in its development. UNICEF now looks forward to playing its role in the implementation.

“From the conceptualisation of the plans to the final stages, UNICEF is very pleased the MoE allowed for our participation. The achievement of this final document

The five-year strategic plan is guided by five main priority areas, namely:

1. Improving governance and accountability; 2. Improving performance at all levels; 3. Improving efficiency of the education system; 4. Reducing inequities in education; and 5. Contributing to life-long learning and employability

The Ministry of Education launched its Education Sector Plan 2021 – 2025 on Wednesday (Elvin Croker photo)

Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson was no easy feat. UNICEF remains committed to working side-by-side as all of us implement it together,” Pron commented.

COMPREHENSIVE AND INCLUSIVE Habalian described the plan as one that “is not only a comprehensive plan but one that is inclusive of all learners”. Pron and Habalian delivered their remarks remotely via Zoom.

During her presentation, Johnson noted that the plan aligns with the national education aims articulated in the government’s manifesto, the CARICOM Human Development Strategy and the United Nations SDG Goal Four which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all.”

“An independent appraisal certified by the Global Partnership of Education appraised this document and found it to be ‘a strong and responsive sector plan that is poised to engender transformation change

in the education landscape for Guyana’,” Johnson informed attendees.

Johnson explained that the development process for the plan included widespread local consultations with key stakeholders including teachers, parents, students, education officers at the central and regional levels and ministry staff.

Meanwhile, CEO Dr. Hutson noted that the plan articulates a vision, mission and the values of the ministry, as well as provides a framework for stakeholders to work towards a common vision.

“The plan clearly delineates a vision to move the education process forward. It effectively organises the units of the MoE to work towards the achievement of a common agenda.

The plan encourages commitment by showing staff that their work is essential and we are all part of a larger strategy to help our schools succeed,” Dr. Hutson remarked.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

U.S. to help build border facilities on Tajik-Afghan border- embassy

Tajik service members line up during a parade following a nationwide military exercise, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan July 22, 2021 (Tajik Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS) (Reuters) THE United States will help build new facilities for border guards in Tajikistan along the Central Asian country’s frontier with Afghanistan and will also help Uzbekistan to better

respond to security threats, the U.S. embassy in Dushanbe said on Wednesday.

The new facility, which will be built in Tajikistan’s southwestern tip, will replace an outdated detachment and allow border guards to “de-

ploy forces more quickly to border areas in response to threats,” the embassy said.

Tajikistan, which has pledged to accept 100,000 Afghan refugees escaping the Taliban, hosts a Russian military base and is a member of a Moscow-led postSoviet security bloc.

Moscow has reinforced its military base in Tajikistan and its forces are holding a month of exercises near the border with Afghanistan.

The final U.S. forces pulled out of Afghanistan on Monday and President Joe Biden spoke on Tuesday of the end of an era of major military operations to remake other countries.

Rescue boat keeps migrant plight in spotlight as Mediterranean arrivals soar

(Reuters) A WOODEN dinghy carrying 19 African migrants is so heavily laden it is almost taking in water over its sides in the open sea off the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The two babies on board are crying.

The dinghy, stuck in the Mediterranean with its outboard engine apparently broken, is just one of the boats helped by volunteers from the Spanish charity, Proactiva Open Arms, in the past days amid a surge in arrivals to Lampedusa.

Migrant boat departures from Libya and Tunisia to Italy and other parts of Europe have increased in recent months due to the warmer weather.

A r o u n d 11 , 0 0 0 migrants have disembarked on Italy’s coasts from the start of 2021 to May 7, up from 4,105 in the same period last year, interior ministry data shows.

“The route from Tunisia to Lampe-

Members of Italian Guardia Costiera prepare to bring on board the migrants of a wooden boat near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021 (REUTERS/Juan Medina)

dusa has suffered a huge increase (in crossings) ... over the past year. A couple of days ago we had six rescues during one day, and on the same day over 800 people arrived in Lampedusa,” said David Llado, Open Arms coordinator on the motorised sailboat Astral.

The Astral is too small to take the migrants on board itself, but stays to provide support as night falls until they are picked up by the Italian coastguard. It

keeps the dinghy in its searchlights after its team, on a speedboat launched from the Astral, give the migrants life jackets and water.

Italian media said on Wednesday 191 migrants had been rescued overnight from seven different boats.

According to the U.N.-affiliated International Organization for Migration, more than 1,100 people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East have perished this year in the Mediterranean.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

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US$299,000 project to enhance protection of indigenous rights _ promote preservation of forest, environment

THE Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) has secured a grant of €252,500 (roughly U S $ 2 9 9 , 0 0 0 ) f ro m t h e French Government to enhance the protection of indigenous rights, forest resources and the environment.

According to a press release from the APA, the project: “Protecting indigenous rights, the forest and the environment in Guyana,” is being supported with funds from the French Government’s Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI).

The project commenced in June, 2021, and will run for one year with

the possibility of renewal for another year, the APA said.

The project aims to influence national policy towards better forest management and indigenous peoples’ rights; strengthen indigenous peoples’ governing bodies for improved territorial governance and protection of forests; engage in territorial monitoring in efforts to reduce forest crimes and mainstream women and youth involvement in community economies.

It will also support the governance and decision-making processes of indigenous peoples through their District

Councils and other representative bodies, the strengthening of their institutional and technical capacities to monitor their lands, as well as provide other tangible support.

The APA will collaborate with indigenous communities in Regions One, Seven and Eight through the Moruca District Council, the Upper Mazaruni District Council and North Pakaraimas District Council, respectively.

The APA believes that “new revenue” from Guyana’s offshore oil development could either be spent in ways that protect forests and achieve sustainable development goals,

or it could expose vast portions of the country’s remote interior to poorly planned infrastructural development and subsequent resource-plundering.

“This project focuses on win-win strategies by taking advantage of this critical window in time, including government’s

promise to add two million hectares to the country’s protected areas portfolio to provide long-term p r o t e c t i o n t o G u y a n a ’s forests and staggering natural beauty,” the APA related.

On Tuesday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in his message to commemorate the beginning of Amerindian Heritage Month, recommitted his government’s intention to update the Amerindian Act, which, he said, will become the “principal legal” instrument for protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, including guarantees of their entitlement to their lands and rights over those lands.

“The updated Act will entrench provisions that will promote greater Amerindian inclusion in decision-making and greater integration in national development. It will outline an enhanced role for Amerindians in the management of their communities and control over their resources, including mea-

sures aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development,” Dr. Ali said.

He noted that in keeping with promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the government has started to adopt measures to improve access to the delivery of education, health services, housing, and infrastructure within Amerindian communities.

“Through the injection of resources into the Amerindian Development Fund, we are also stimulating economic projects in Amerindian villages, thereby generating jobs and providing incomes,” President Ali noted.

The Head of State said that his administration is wholeheartedly committed to improving the lives of all Amerindians over the next five years and beyond.

“We will build on our past record of promoting and supporting Amerindian rights and development,” Dr. Ali posited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Heeding Lessons

THERE has been an overwhelming response to the ongoing process of vaccinating adolescents against COVID-19. This is extremely heartening, especially when the hesitancy against the vaccine pushed by some adults is taken into consideration.

All of the images thus far demonstrate a willingness by parents and their children to be immunised.

This is critical to the efforts of reopening schools in a manner to cater for this new norm within a COVID-19 environment to ensure that children are safe. It is yet another demonstration of the priority the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led government continues to place on combat-

ing the impact of this deadly pandemic.

This deliberate and strategic effort was evident since the party came into government in August of 2020 and within a very short period of time, testing was ramped up and decentralised, relevant equipment and training provided and vaccines were made available.

The latter was a significant achievement, especially since many countries are still grappling to provide vaccines to citizens.

To date, a fairly large amount of adult Guyanese have been vaccinated, at least with the first dose. Given the response by adolescents and if the current pattern were to continue, there is a strong possibility that the targeted numbers

would be achieved within the expected timeframe. That aids confidence in the mindsets of both parents and students with respect to the safe re-opening of schools on September 06.

Anyone can attest to desired peace in mindset regardless of the situation and when that becomes compromised, the related anxiety is understandable. In this case, some have found ways to try and derail the process of protecting people against COVID-19.

This, is spite of the devastating impact the pandemic has on people and countries.

Every day, thousands of COVID-19-related deaths are recorded across the world.

Here in Guyana, related deaths, on a much smaller scale, are registered and new cases not-

ed. With a small society, it is almost certain that everyone knows someone who is/was affected by COVID-19 or died from it. They would therefore be aware of the struggles and emotional pain faced by those infected.

That brings an interesting perspective on those being discouraged against taking the vaccines, for it questions their decisions aside from those based on irrefutable medical reasons. There is no ambiguity as to who is integral in fomenting doubts and spreading misinformation over the vaccines and related hesitancy here. The relationship between those who addressed recent protests in Linden and those who reportedly filed court action to have entry require-

ments deemed unconstitutional, speaks volumes.

From what has transpired, it appears more a political intent rather than an apprehension premised on scientific data. That, in any society, is dangerous since the lives of people are deliberately being put at risk with seemingly little or no concern. A prominent member of the Region 10 political and administrative structure died some weeks ago from COVID-19-related illness, while a former legislator of the affiliated party is in the COVID-19 ICU. One would expect that with such tragedy so close to home, lessons would be taught and mindsets influenced away from the hesitancy being peddled. The opposite is actually occurring, forcing one to question whether the sufferings of associates are mere collateral.

That will be unforgivable, not the least unacceptable as those who are deliberately

misleading people for political purposes.

In this circumstance, the question of what would have been the scenario had those people been in government and were responsible for the COVID-19 vaccination is unavoidable. While the question of whether they would have been prudent in managing the process lingers, there is reasonable expectation that they would have been clamouring for vaccination.

Simply put, those with responsibility are expected to act responsibly, regardless of which public office they hold.

That responsibility cannot be convenient nor conditional; more importantly, it cannot be one that is used to jeopardise the welfare of any citizen. That said, the example being shown by the adolescents is not only inspirational, but pregnant with many pertinent lessons. If only they are heeded.

Amerindians and their communities have come a long way from decades of neglect by the PNC Dear Sir/Madam,

Amerindians of Guyana, our first peoples, and their communities have been major beneficiaries of the many transformational projects executed by successive PPP/C administrations throughout the country.

Through the aegis of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, dozens of projects costing billions, increasing incrementally

with each succeeding budget, have been executed since the PPP/C took office in 1992 and are continuing to be executed for the qualitative improvement of Amerindians and their communities under the current Irfaan Ali-led Government. These are the hinterland development projects programmed to make Amerindian communities self-sufficient, and finally integrating these well-deserving people into

the mainstream of national life.

Amerindians and their communities have come a long way from those years of decades of criminal neglect, especially during the regime of the former People’s National Congress. The improved lives that are currently the daily experience of Amerindians and their hinterland communities are a direct result of a genuine policy on the part of the People’s

Progressive Party/Civic Government to correct the historical wrongs that our Amerindian brethren had suffered for so long.

One of the successes of the hinterland development programmes has been its electrification initiative, beginning in 2005, from which an initial 11,000 solar panels were distributed to over 135 communities, in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 before the coalition

government truncated the programme in 2015.

But Amerindian socio-economic development is a continuous process under every PPP/C Government; therefore, it should be of no surprise when the government recently restarted distribution of solar panels to augment those already provided to hinterland communities and riverine areas that are “off-grid.”

Unsurprisingly, the

political opposition, the “Cummingsburg Two,” had levelled the accusation that these interventions were “vote-buying.”

But successive PPP/C Governments’ record on hinterland development is best manifested in the much-improved lives and changes of Amerindians and their communities under their watch.

Yours sincerely, Attiya Baksh

Guyoil needs to shar pen up on its brand image

Dear Editor,

THE two most public faces of the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) are their service

stations and fuel tankers.

Public perception of the company, whether good or bad, is formed on how well these assets are maintained.

The fuel tankers are the moving billboards of the company; hence, the importance of maintaining them in pristine condition. The logos

on most of the tankers are faded or badly scuffed, the tank trailer and cab are dirty and in need of polishing as well as painting. Compared to the competitors and private tankers, Guyoil fuel tankers are virtually pale in comparison. This gives the public

impression that the work ethic of the company might not be of the required standards.

This applies also to Guyoil’s service stations. Their main ID signs are faded, canopies are dusty, dispensing pumps need cleaning and the general ambience can do with

some improvements.

Guyoil really needs to sharpen up on its brand image if it wants to keep up with the competition.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

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Browne is ver y green on facts

Dear Editor,

NORMAN K. Browne, UK-based PNC/APNU political activist, makes a few enquiries in his letter, “Angry and anguished questions generated by a one-year-old dictatorship.” Well, I think I need to put things in perspective for this writer, even though I will not answer all of his questions, as most are seemingly based on a lack of information on his part.

First, he speaks of a ‘one-year-old dictatorship.’

Norman K. Browne was

in oblivion during the post March 02, 2020 General and Regional Elections in Guyana. So, I ask him now, to name the people/parties who were opposing ‘fair and free’ elections and transparent counting/recounting. I also want him to answer on the issue of the present stand on COVID-19 issues, as against that of what obtained under the previous regime.

Let me point him to the March 18, 2020, edict of erstwhile President David Granger. On that day, Granger actually directed former Minister

of Health Volda Lawrence, to remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease.

The minister was also ordered to prevent the spread of the disease on the seas, rivers and waters of Guyana, and on the high seas within 12 miles from the baseline, as well as on land. He stated that the minister “Diagnoses, prevent or check the disease, including the prohibition or restriction of movement of persons and public and pri-

vate conveyances of any kind whatsoever within and to and from an infected area.” The language herein suggests an operation that defies democracy and promotes bullyism.

Imagine if this kind of talk had come from, or was coming now from the present Head of State!

Now, concerning “What sort of government turns on its public servants?” which I surmise is about the COVID-19 situation. I hope that you ‘get the drift’ shortly. You see, anti-vaccination drives are met with a number

of choices here in Guyana, as is the case worldwide. The ultimatum kicks in when nothing works, not even a proliferation of scientific evidence that almost compels people to ‘take the jab.’ What happens?

Boundaries have to be set.

All over the world that is the case. Governments have a duty to protect their nations.

That is why, beginning at the end of July 2021, U.S. Federal workers were required to sign forms attesting they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus, or else comply with new rules on mandatory

masking, weekly testing, distancing and more. Just a few days ago, CNN news network started allowing only vaccinated employees to return to its U.S. offices, and in fact, fired three of its employees earlier for violating its policy.

Do I need to go on? I think not. I suggest to Mr. Browne and all who have issues, to take the time and examine issues before commenting.

don’t respond to complaints and the police don’t take effective action. A proposed solution to the minibus noise nuisance is to ban all music on public modes of transport and to put a decibel limit on music loudness at private events.

I am not an expert of specialist on the effects of alcoholism or loud noise, although some three decades ago I did teach a course on hygiene and health sciences for a few years. My memory on both issues is, they have deleterious effects on health and go together -- imbibing alcohol tends to be accompanied by loud music – damaging the brain, liver, ear drum, etc.

As I found in my travels, men tend to be violent when they are drunk and don’t get their way.

Drunkenness has a tendency to cause people to lose control over their senses and feelings. That would have played out in the murder of Pandit Bharat. And that is why it is important that laws against public consumption of alcohol be enforced. If there are no laws, then Parliament must legislate! It must be made punishable and the murder of the religious figure has given politicians on both sides of the aisle an opportunity to effect legislation on the subject.

In the Guyanese diaspora, developed societies, especially in North America and

Europe, public consumption of alcohol is against the law and violators are fined.

Alcoholic drinks cannot be displayed in public and underage drinking is also prohibited and laws enforced against sales of alcohol or cigarettes to minors. We must enforce same in Guyana as too many underage youngsters are seen drinking alcohol and smoking.

Alcohol has the toxic effect to impair one’s ability to think rationally and to function optimally, whether at work, at home or in the public, not to mention its effects on the physical health of drinkers. Health experts say that anything above four drinks daily will lead to health issues. In my observation, most drinkers gobble down a dozen shots if not more and in a short time span, not allowing the body to process and dispose of the poisonous substances in alcohol. That leads to all kinds of health and social problems, including violence in the home where females and children are abused. As experts note, alcoholism contributes to a range of health and social problems, including automobile crashes, drowning, heart disease, hypertension, various cancers, interpersonal violence, HIV infection, unplanned pregnancy, alcohol poisoning, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. A lot of money is spent to address health-re-

lated disorders resulting from drinking.

It also leads to many deaths with over 100K Americans dying ‘from overdose’ of alcohol every year, not to mention the hundreds of thousands who die annually from alcohol-related health effects.

Figures for Guyana on alcohol-related deaths are not available, but must be higher per 100K than the developed countries, given the widespread consumption of alcohol. Everywhere I travel, there seems to be drinking binges all over the country and people drink till they can’t walk prop-

erly.

We must limit alcohol consumption. For many decades alcohol consumption was banned on Sundays in the U.S. and most developed countries. It was also the law during the “White man’s” rule (probably still is but not enforced). Wedding house bars that pop up ad hoc must be banned; their liquor must be confiscated and dumped. Government must also ban licensing of bars or rumshops in residential communities, especially in close proximity to schools or religious buildings. In the U.S., bars or liquor stores are not al-

lowed within a few blocks from a school.

An action guide is needed against alcohol abuse.

Public health-related ministries and agencies must take the lead to combat alcohol abuse, playing a vital and necessary role in efforts to reduce alcohol consumption. They must team up with NGOs and community-based organisations on educating the public about the dangers of alcohol on the body and society at large, so as to reduce its consumption.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

An action guide is needed against alcohol abuse

Dear Editor, THE beating to death of a pandit by drunkards. Our society, social mores and culture have really fallen.

Our adults have no respect for religious figures. The police didn’t have time to visit the neighbourhood to stop the drinking binge and end the noise nuisance, but they found time to visit the murder victim. A simple police visit could well have prevented the murder. The politicians have not issued statements condemning the murderous act or proposing how to address the noise nuisance and public consumption of alcohol. Both must be banned and effectively enforced, fining (heavily) and locking up the perpetrators for long periods with flogging (yes, let us return to flogging for criminal acts. When the “White man” governed us and used flogging as a remedy to correct our waywardness, we behaved ourselves).

I travel all over the coast and frequently, every couple of months and for decades. I can attest through my observations that alcoholism and the noise nuisance are widespread problems throughout the country, more particularly so in poor neighbourhoods.

The loudness of minibus music can turn one deaf; the drivers and conductors

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Over 50 per cent of teachers vaccinated _Education Minister says, calls for good sense to prevail ahead of physical reopening of schools

A nurse at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, preparing to administer a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to a local healthcare worker (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, has said that over 50 per cent of the teachers in the public school system have been vaccinated.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Ministry of Education’s Education Sector Plan (ESP) and Education Month 2021, on Wednesday, Minister Manickchand said that aside from the advice of the Ministry of Health, the decision to reopen schools on September 6 was taken based on appeals from teachers and parents across the country, who lamented the impact of physical school closure.

“I want it to be known

that it was the teachers of this country and parents of this country who told us they cannot deliver education effectively with schools doors closed. [It was] a call by teachers,” Manickchand related.

The minister was responding directly to questions from the press on reports that the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has called on teachers to stay away from schools on Monday.

Manickchand said the union’s position is not reflective of what majority of teachers have communicated to the ministry.

“Based on the representation we have gotten from teachers, and the robust calls for us to reopen school doors, I would have to say that this call that Mr. [Mark] Lyte [President of the GTU] made does not seem to be reflective of what majority of his teachers want,” Minister Manickchand related.

She added: “I’m not certain what informs collective decisions but it should be the views of the majority of teachers.

I would hope the union is acting based on information from majority and not inspired and motivated by anything else but that.”

The GTU led by Lyte, on Wednesday, held a protest, calling on teachers to strike if the ministry

follows through with a requirement that teachers and other staff at public schools will not be allowed into the school compounds on Monday if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

GTU is also party to a joint court order filed alongside the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) challenging a requirement for public service employees, including teachers, to be vaccinated or be marked absent from work.

Minister Manickchand acknowledged that while industrial action by the teachers would affect the operations at schools, she is hopeful that they will see reason.

“Teachers teach our children and we are reopening so that children can be taught. It would be foolish of me to say teachers staying away wouldn’t have an impact because it will. At this point, I’m asking each teacher to look into their hearts and determine what is their professional duty to this country, themselves and the children they swore to serve.

Each teacher must decide that and I hope that is what will guide people,” the minister said.

of violence was found on it.

The body was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where it was seen and examined by a doctor on

duty who pronounced it dead on arrival. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Body found in koker THE body of a male of East Indian descent, whose name, age and address were unknown up to press time, was fished out of a koker at Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam, Region Three ( Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Wednesday morning.

According to police reports, a resident of Wakenaam, who went to the Maria’s Pleasure koker, observed a human head floating in the water and immediately raised an alarm which caused a crowd to gather Soon after, ‘cops’ at the San Souci Police Station were summoned to the scene and the body, clad in brown short pants, was fished out and examined but no mark

The body after being fished out of the koker

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

$400M contract signed for two new CJIA air bridges

F U RT H E R u p grades to Guyana’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), are imminent, following the signing of a $400 million contract between the Ministry of Public Works and Total Solutions for the provision of two new boarding bridges (air bridges).

Speaking during a simple signing ceremony on Wednesday, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said that the signing of the contract marks a significant step towards achieving the government’s vision of modernising the CJIA. He related that the contract caters for the installation of new boarding corridors to facilitate D and E type of aircraft, along with the two additional air bridges.

The D and E type aircraft are the widebody vessels that are used in transatlantic flights. These planes, according to the Public Works Minister, could carry more than 300 passengers at a time.

“These two new boarding bridges would enhance the operations and efficiency at the airport.

We have been having a few chartered operations as a result of Exxon, and when those passengers come off of the aircraft they have to deplane via the stairway and walk onto the international apron then

into the airport.

“With these new boarding bridges for the Code D and E, we would have those passengers deplane via the boarding corridor, basically out of the weather,” Minister Edghill explained.

In December 2020, after four months of resisting the governm e n t ’s r e q u e s t t o have the CJIA expansion project completed in accordance with the initial contract, the Chinese company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), agreed to foot a US$9 million bill for additional work at the airport.

Based on the particulars of the agreement, there will be an extension of the airport’s boarding corridor to accommodate two more passenger boarding bridges, taking the total number of boarding bridges to six.

All bridges are capable of servicing aircraft such as the Boeing 777 Dreamliner, AirBus, and similar trans-Atlantic aircraft.

Minister Edghill said that this type of expansion would allow Guyana’s booming tourism sector to benefit from an influx of visitors. He related too that the two new air bridges would also allow larger planes to arrive in Guyana, affording persons from other continents such as Europe and Africa easier access to Guyana.

In addition to tour-

ism, Guyana’s export and local agricultural sectors would also benefit from this expansion.

On this point, Edghill said: “The possibility of moving cargo at a cheaper cost and even perishables into other destinations increases. So, our peppers and our vegetables and our pineapples can get to destinations and it means that widening our marketing not just into the west but into Europe and beyond is possible.”

As it is now, works are ongoing for the expansion of CJIA, and blueprints are already mapped out.

Specific to the air bridges, preparations are underway to get those up soon.

“So, we are advancing… my last update is that for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan international airport, the blueprints are already mapped out and the foundations [are] being prepared… they are just waiting for the arrival of steel and other fabricated things from China.

“Some got delayed because of covid and the shipping issues we had around the world, but we’re advancing and today’s signing is the signal to say loudly that President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to getting this airport into a modern world-class airport is being advanced,” Minister Edghill said.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill overseeing Wednesday’s signing for the two new air bridges at the CJIA (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

More than 3,412 adolescents vaccinated against COVID-19 _vaccination teams move to Region Three today

ALMOST a week after the launch of the government’s countrywide COVID-19 vaccination campaign for adolescents, some 3,412 children, ages 12-17 years have been vaccinated against the deadly disease.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, on Wednesday, commended parents for allowing their children to take the vaccine.

“I want to encourage people to make use of this opportunity. Come out and get your vaccine so that you can get protected. Yesterday [Tuesday] we were at two sites, one on the East Coast at Bladen Hall and one also on the East Bank

at Diamond, and I think we had a very successful day yesterday because at Diamond we got 538 students, who got their vaccines and at Bladen Hall it was 697 students who got their vaccines,” Minister Anthony said.

O n We d n e s d a y, s t u dents of Queen’s College, Bishop’s High and other schools within Georgetown received vaccines. Vaccination teams will be in Region Three today.

“We are going to be at six schools. So, we are going to be at the West Demerara Secondary School, the Patentia Secondary School, Vreed-en-Hoop, L’ Aventure School, we are

also going to be at Leonora and the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN),” Dr. Anthony said.

Minister Anthony reminded the public that the US FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine is for adolescents only. Older children must walk with identification, along with a consent letter from their parents before being vaccinated.

So far, 315,279 persons or 61.5 per cent of the country’s adult population have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 162,806 persons or 31.7 per cent adults have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (DPI)

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, administering a dose of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to a child during the COVID-19 drive through at the MovieTowne parking lot, East Coast Demerara, last Sunday (Elvin Croker photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Five arrested as police uniform, motorcycle found during raid

The blue police shirt

POLICE, on Wednesday, discovered a quantity of clothes resembling police uniform during a raid for drugs, guns and ammunition at a Church Street, Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD) house.

At approximately 12:00 hours to 13:30 hours, police conducted a raid on the home of a 45-year-old female at the said location during which they found

one blue police shirt with duty badge, two black pants, two khaki pants bearing the name and regulation number of a deceased policeman and one pair of police regulation boots.

Police also seized one black and red motorcycle bearing registration number CJ9076, along with a quantity of motorcycle parts during the exercise.

Five men, a 22-year-

old male of Stanleytown W B D ; a 2 0 - y e a r- o l d male of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo; a 27-year-old male of Seadam, Vreed-EnHoop, West Coast Demerara; a 24-year-old male of Nismes Housing Scheme, WBD and a 17-year-old male of Stanleytown, were arrested and taken into custody as investigations continue.

The motorcycle bearing registration number CJ9076

Boy discovers remains of parents in suspected murder/suicide

Dead: Camile Robertson Rodrigues (left) and Rolin Rodrigues

A 12-year-old boy discovered his mother lying on her bed in a pool of blood and her husband dead a short distance away in their Recht DoorZee, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home on Wednesday morning.

According to Police Headquarters, the couple in the suspected murder/suicide, Camile Robertson Rodrigues, 36, and Rolin Rodrigues, 42, were caretakers of the property where the incident occurred.

The police disclosed that early reports suggest that the wife went against her husband’s wishes to visit the interior for a friend’s party and upon her return home on Tuesday, she met her husband consuming alcohol.

O n We d n e s d a y morning, her 12-yearold son went to the

premises and called out for her but received no answer. It was then when he decided to peep through a window and saw his mother lying on the bed in blood and Rolin not far from her, also dead.

The child immediately alerted his uncle who came and confirmed the child’s report. An examination reveals what appears to be three stab wounds to various parts of her body. The suspected murder weapon was found a short distance away on a chest of drawers.

Both bodies were then escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. The bodies are at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Unit being established to tackle long-term effects of COVID-19 THE Ministry of Health is working to establish a COVID-19 unit that will address issues which may arise after an infected patient has recovered from the virus.

This was disclosed

by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, at a press conference, on Wednesday, to mark the first anniversary of the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Post-COVID conditions or ‘long COVID’ as it is being described, is where persons who were infected with COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms for more than 12 weeks after the infection, which cannot be explained by another cause.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony

Dr. Anthony explained that the unit will be “multidisciplinary” since the effects of COVID-19 affect almost every organ in the human body. He explained that the virus invades the neurons in the brain and can cause long-term problems.

The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) has reported that some persons

Guyana scores...

(From page 2)

process to try to innovate robot ideas which would make their submissions globally competitive.

The gold medal team created a robot which could play soccer with the team members and which could also complete chores like bringing medication to patients with limited mobility.

Further, Team Mighty Jaguars with On Beaton, Elijah Rosine, Mahir Rajkumar, Eva Boodie and Jeanpaul Applewhite Hercules shared the silver medal with eight other teams in the junior category, while Team Dominators, which comprised Joshua Doris, Lenisha McAlmont, Zaki Ishmael, Jayden Robin, and Daniel Lewis shared the bronze medal.

Bringing home bronze medals in the senior category were Team Next Gen, which included Riya Balkarran, Haresh Pooran, David Balkarran, Sanella Ballarmine and JoanAnn McCurdy, and Team Legendary, which comprised Nailah Asma Fordyce, Lucas Simpson, Michael Blake and Angel De Mendonca.

For the fifth year, teams were prepared for global competition by the STEM Guyana organisation, which has a working robotics lab at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The current laboratory is sponsored by the Department of Youth and the Office of the Prime Minister, which ensures a secure location and internet connectivity for the organisation’s work.

The International Youth Robot Competition is an annual youth competition in robotics, programming, and digital technologies, organised by the International Youth Robot Association (IYRA). Previous competitions were held in Korea, Thailand, China, and Malaysia.

The annual event usually facilitates 28 states, but it was recently expanded to include teams from North America and South America. This was the second year Guyana participated.

Currently, Guyana is fielding another senior team for the First Global Robotics competition of 175 countries globally.

Team Guyana 2021 is presently tracking ninth place out of 175 teams, with opportunities to raise its ranking before the end of the competition in October. Team Guyana won the “gold Albert Einstein medal” in 2019.

experience hallucinations, insomnia, hearing and vision changes, short-term memory loss and speech and language

issues.

These are symptoms of ‘long COVID’.

Others have reported gastro-intestinal and bladder problems, changes to periods and skin conditions.

“We have seen patients here, they are cleared of COVID, but then they end up having cardiac problems, some patients who never had diabetes, when you clear them from COVID they now start presenting with signs and symptoms

of diabetes,” Dr. Anthony said.

He added: “If people are presenting with the symptoms after having been cleared of active infection then we need to follow them up to make sure that we can guide them through and help them as they recover from this.”

However, while the unit is being formulated, when persons are discharged after being treated for COVID-19 at a government institution, they are also

followed up and a clinic is recommended for them to visit to ensure they recover well.

“When someone is discharged from here there are follow ups; the person is followed up according to their needs … we’re not going to send you to any clinic in Guyana, you’re sent to the clinic that’s appropriate for you,” Emergency Medicine Specialist at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr Tracey Bovell said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Autopsy: Pandit Bharrat died from fractured skull, brain haemorrhage

A POST-MORTEM examination performed on the body of Rishi Bharrat, 60, who was brutally beaten to death by a group of men on Saturday night, has indicated that he died as a result of a fractured skull and brain

haemorrhage.

The autopsy was conducted on Wednesday at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary by pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.

At approximately 22:15 hours on August 28, Bharrat, a pandit and joiner of Lot 10

Grant 1806 was attacked by a group of men who were imbibing, behaving in a disorderly manner and using indecent language in front of his property.

Earlier in the night, he had asked the men to remove

from the area as their actions were disturbing to him and his family including his four children. Despite his appeals, the men continued and Bharrat went out to confront them.

The men became annoyed, armed themselves with pieces of wood and lashed the pandit several times about the body, which caused him to fall to the ground. He was picked up by his relatives in an unconscious state and rushed to

the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following investigation, the police nabbed 12 suspects of which four reportedly confessed to their involvement in the murder.

Meanwhile, Commander of B Division, Jairam Ramlakhan, said a file will be sent for further legal advice on the matter on Thursday.

THE COVID-19 death toll continues on an upward trajectory as Guyana registered its latest deaths -- a 70-year-old female from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and a 95-year-old male from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), taking the total number of deaths related to this virus to 624.

In addition to the death toll, the number of new cases of persons who tested positive for the virus continues to increase as well with an additional 222 from some 2,998 tests conducted within a 24-hour period.

With the new confirmed cases, the country’s overall number of confirmed cases stands at 25,770. The bulk of new cases were recorded in Region Four (Demerara – Mahaica) which saw 131 persons testing positive.

Region Two recorded 10 new cases; Region Three recorded 33; Region Five, nine new cases; Region Six, three new cases; Region Seven, 20 new cases; Region Nine, two new cases, and Region 10, 13 new cases.

At the end of Wednesday, 34 persons were in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious

Dead: Rishi Bharrat

Two COVID-19 deaths take death toll to 624

Diseases Hospital, 107 were in institutional isolation, 1,809 were in home isolation and there were seven persons in institutional quarantine.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which are in effect until August 31, 2021.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Kimi Raikkonen to retire at the end of F1 season (BBC) - Former world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

The 41-year-old Finn, who won the 2007 championship with Ferrari, currently races for Alfa Romeo.

"This is it. This will be my last season in Formula One. This is a decision I

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did during last winter," he said on Instagram.

"Formula 1 might come to an end for me but there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy."

Raikkonen began his career in 2001 and has started 341 Formula 1 grand prix -- more than any other driver.

He has won 21 races and finished on the podium more than 100 times.

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Raikkonen has started 341 Formula 1 grand prix

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday September 2, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) GAW defeated TKR by 9 runs (2) Odean Smith (GAW) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many games were scheduled for the inaugural CPL (2013)?

(2) How many games have been scheduled for this season’s CPL? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Ronaldo breaks world record for men’s football goals

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 28 headers for Portugal, including his two against the Irish

(BBC) - Cristiano Ronaldo broke the world record for goals scored in men's international football as he hit his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland.

The 36-year-old scored two late headers -- to break and extend the record -- after he had a penalty saved by Gavin Bazunu.

Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006, held the record which Ronaldo equalled with a double against France at Euro 2020.

The Manchester United forward has also equalled Sergio Ramos' European record for men's caps - with his 180th Portugal appearance.

The world record - only ratified by Fifa this summer - is the 195 Malaysia caps won by Soh Chin Ann between 1969 and 1984.

Ronaldo, who rejoined United from Juventus on deadline day, and Daei are the only two male players to score 90 or more international goals.

"I'm so happy, not only because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had," he told RTE. "Two goals at the end of the game. I have to appreciate what the team did, we believed until the end. I'm so glad."

This is the latest landmark to push the argument for the Portuguese to be considered an all-time great.

He is already the top scorer in club football's top tournament, the European Cup/Champions League, a trophy he has won five times.

The former Real Madrid forward is also the top scorer in European Championship history (14) and in Euros and World Cups combined (21).

Almost half of Ronaldo's goals have come in the final 30 minutes of games.

He has netted 33 times in the final 15 minutes - including twice against the Irish - and 22 times between the 61st and 75th minute.

Ronaldo has scored 17 times between minutes 1630 and 16 times between 3145, with 11 in the opening 15 minutes of the first half and 12 in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

Some 91 of his goals have been inside the box with 20 from outside. He has scored 14 penalties and nine free-kicks.

Lithuania and Sweden seven each - are the sides he has scored the most against.

He had not scored against the Republic of Ireland before Wednesday's game in the Algarve.

‘He’s an absolute genius’ - The inside story of Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd How Ronaldo's record stacks up There is no official database for top men's international goalscorers which makes it hard to say exactly who ranks where.

Ronaldo is top on 111

and Daei is next on 109, of that there is no doubt.

Iran's Daei, who played for Bayern Munich, was said to have broken Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas' record in 2003 with his 85th international goal. That is the year Ronaldo made his international debut.

Cynics could argue that Daei's goals were against easier opposition - with 95 against fellow Asian sides.

He scored eight against the Maldives and Laos and six against Lebanon.

But Ronaldo has also benefitted from facing weaker nations including six against Andorra and Luxembourg each.

The only question is who ranks below them? Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia - who played in the 1970s and 80s - is credited as being third in some places with 89 goals.

A Fifa tweet this summer seemed to confirm that, despite it never being officially validated.

Puskas is definitely next, with 84 goals in 85 caps for Hungary. He was the top-scoring European before Ronaldo.

Zambia's Godfrey Chitalu scored 79 goals between the 1960s and 1980s - again not certified but also mentioned on that Fifa tweet.

Ronaldo is unlikely to beat the world record, including women's football, of Canada striker Christine Sinclair. She has scored 187 goals in 304 caps and has not yet retired.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

GGA, Texila American University seek to make golf part of activities TEXILA American University (TAU) has yet again raised its standards for delivering quality rounded education for its more than 800 students, including those in the Business and Public Health faculties, as it signed a partnership agreement with the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy on Thursday.

The University will now be able to offer its alumni, current and new students full access to the only fully covid-19 compliant sport when classes resume this semester.

The Nexgen Golf Academy team will be at the TAU Career Day in Providence this Saturday from 9 am -5 pm to introduce the sport to incoming students and attendees.

TAU Career Day allows prospective students and graduates to interact with university department heads as well as potential employers to discover career opportunities, whilst exposing them to a variety of extra-curricular activities such as Golf, Archery, Yoga and Table Tennis.

Attendees will also get access to COVID vaccines, blood drives, motivational

seminars, recruitment opportunities by top Guyanese and international companies and career counselling with university staff.

TAU spokesperson, Mr. Jesvin Pradeep, said "Our students must be given the best opportunities in all areas, including non-academic activities. We are extremely happy with the programme that Nexgen Golf Academy is offering since Golf is a sport that enhances mental acuity and focus, along with stress relief, something that students and doctors need.

It also offers great business networking opportunities."

President of the GGA,

Aleem Hussain, commented "Golf has seen an increase in interest by many current medical professionals and we look forward to developing a structured programme for higher education students." The partnership will allow students and alumni to receive preferential rates at all Nexgen Golf facilities and participate in inter-collegiate tournaments.

Hussain said that the Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy will be offering ‘putting’ lessons and prizes to participants who attend the Career Day at the TAU campus, starting from 9:00am this Saturday.

NGA Head Coach, Dr. Joaan Deo added "as a young professional woman golfer, I am glad to see the sport reach the highest levels of the education system and I look forward to working with TAU to help add to the skills of their students."

TAU commenced operations in Guyana in 2010 and has rapidly grown to become a leading force in providing top medical education to hundreds of students.

The University recently opened its state-of-the-art campus in Providence and has now added Masters in Business Management studies to its curriculum

through a partnership with Monroe College in the United States.

Golf has continued to expand its reach around Guyana since the GGA was launched just over a year ago. Over the past few weeks, the Guyana Golf Association has donated millions of dollars in equipment and balls to schools in Regions 3, 6, and 10, held two Junior Golf Camps and will commence training for an additional 50 Physical Education teachers in Regions 2, 4 and 5 in its efforts to expand the game with the MOE Allied Arts Unit.

Bravo bats for Rutherford Spinners hand Bangladesh CMC – Veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo believes Sherfane Rutherford can be a precious asset to West Indies cricket and has urged authorities not to allow the dashing left-hander to become lost to the region.

The 23-year-old Rutherford played the last of his six Twenty20 Internationals 20 months ago but has not found himself in the selection frame since, with West Indies currently preparing to defend their title at the T20 World Cup in October.

With the Guyanese hitting two half-centuries in his first three innings of the ongoing Caribbean Premier League for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, however, Bravo said the player needed to be carefully managed so the region could benefit from his talents.

“Sherfane is up there with (Nicholas) Pooran and Hetty (Shimron Hetmyer) and these guys so we can’t afford to lose him,” said Bravo, who is leading Patriots for the first time this season.

“He’s somebody that’s very [important]. I asked him what number he wanted to bat [in the last game] and he said number five but the way the game progressed, it gave him the opportunity to go in there and play [with] his natural ability.”

Rutherford slammed an unbeaten 58 off 34 deliveries last Sunday as Patriots defeated Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets to remain the only unbeaten side in the campaign.

His knock followed on the

historic first... tralia 4-1 in the T20Is.

Sherfane Rutherford goes on the attack during the ongoing Caribbean Premier League

heels of 53 in Patriots’ opener last week in a 21-run win over Barbados Royals.

On both occasions, Rutherford shared vital partnerships with Bravo, putting on 115 for the fifth wicket against Royals and 72 for the fourth wicket against Amazon Warriors.

While Rutherford’s four innings in T20 Internationals have yielded only 43 runs, he has been busy plying his trade in various franchise leagues across the globe.

And Bravo, one of the finest ever T20 all-rounders with 6 498 runs and 533 wickets from 493 games, said providing the right environment for players like Rutherford was critical.

“He has all the talent, it’s just to make sure we guide these youngsters properly and give them confidence,” Bravo explained. “There’s not much more I can do [other] than give them opportunities and confidence.”

Left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes has also shown great signs of improvement under Bravo’s leadership in the tournament, the 23-year-old taking five wickets at 14 runs apiece and an economy rate of just under six, to lead the attack.

And Bravo stressed both Drakes and Rutherford were responding well to advice and the culture inside the Patriots camp.

“I’m just talking to them trying to guide them. These guys have a lot of talent,” Bravo pointed out.

“I played with Sherfane in T10, I saw what he did for Guyana a few years ago.

“It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to play with Drakes but he played for Queen’s Park a few years ago.

“It’s just about guidance, encouraging them, getting them to believe, giving them opportunities – that’s what it’s all about.”

NASUM, MAHEDI SPIN A WEB Rachin Ravindra, on T20I debut, returned to the scene of his maiden Under-19 World Cup campaign from five years ago, looking to give New Zealand a headstart against Bangladesh's plethora of spin options.

Having played every summer in India for a better part of the past five years on raging turners, he was placed well to do so, too.

However, the pressure of an international debut can do strange things as he found out, chipping a return catch to Mahedi Hasan off the very first ball to fall for a golden duck. It was the start of a procession of wickets. Barring Colin de Grandhomme's dismissal to a slog sweep, batter after batter failed to either pick the length or being done in sharp turn or skid off the pitch.

Will Young was bowled looking to cut Shakib Al Hasan to one that kept low, while Tom Blundell played for turn, only to beaten by an in-drifter that crashed into the stumps. New Zealand were under the pump at 9 for 4.

(From page 23)

LATHAM, NICHOLLS PROVIDE A BATTING BLUEPRINT As long as they were there, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls showed the top order just how they should have approached their innings. They were decisive in their footwork against spin - going either fully forward or playing right back and playing late. Latham, in particular, used his feet well to smother turn and milk the singles. The pair put together 34, the highest partnership of the innings, before Latham fell.

Having thwarted the spinners, Latham fell to a long hop, failing to control a pull that he hit straight to fine leg to give Mohammad Saifuddin his first wicket.

Five balls later, New Zealand's second debutant of the day - Cole McConchie - also fell for a duck when he chipped a tame catch to short midwicket off Shakib.

Realising he was running out of partners, Nicholls then looked to launch one down the ground off Saifuddin, only to be beaten by the slowness of the surface as he dragged one to long-on for 18. New Zealand had slumped to 49 for 7 in 13 overs. It didn't take Mustafizur Rahman long to then

clean up the lower order and finish with 3 for 13.

BANGLADESH SLOW BUT STEADY It was by no means a cakewalk for the hosts, but hours of training and playing on such decks meant they knew how to approach the innings. Not even two early wickets and five quiet overs had them press the panic button, especially after Ajaz Patel kept them quiet with his ripping left-arm spin, finishing his four overs with 1 for 7.

Mohammad Naim chipped one to short midwicket as offspinner McConchie struck with his first ball on T20I debut. In the next over, Liton Das was sucked into a drive, only to be beautifully deceived in flight as Latham effected a stumping to leave them 7 for 2.

Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim used their strong spin game to play the sweeps and paddles to pick off runs. Shakib cruised through to 25 before giving Ravindra his maiden international wicket when he top-edged a cut to Latham.

Mahmudullah, the captain, and Mushfiqur then saw off the chase without any further hassles.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 2, 2021

Warriors claim super-over win over Trinbago Knight Riders GUYANA Amazon Warriors claimed a stunning Super Over victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders at the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Sunil Narine bowled the Super Over for the Knight Riders and conceded just six runs. It was left to Romario Shepherd to bowl the Amazon Warriors' Super Over and he conceded just four runs to win the game for his team.

Both teams finished on exactly 138/9 from their 20 overs with neither side consistently dominating with the bat. Knight Riders were

favouries with five overs to go but some big hits from Nicholas Pooran and Shepherd tied up the game.

The Amazon Warriors got off to the perfect start with Lendl Simmons bowled

by Chandrapaul Hemraj off the second ball of the innings. With two further TKR wickets inside the PowerPlay Warriors must have been the happier of the two teams after six overs, but it could have been even better. Two chances went down which prevented them from having even more success.

A partnership of 39 between Sunil Narine and Tion Webster looked promising

before Narine was caught at mid-on attempting to hit over the top of the in-field. When Webster was dismissed seven runs later, it was left to Colin Munro and Tim Seifert to rebuild.

Munro top scored with 32 from 28 balls before he was dismissed by Imran Tahir when he got a leading edge that was caught in the covers.

A steady flow of TKR wickets prevented them from getting going but a sprightly 21 from nine balls from Isuru Udana took them to 138/9.

The Amazon Warriors chase also started with early wickets with Ravi Rampaul dismissing Hemraj and

Nicholas Pooran (R) of the Guyana Amazon Warriors hits a six and Denesh Ramdin (L) of Trinbago Knight Riders watch during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 11 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 1, 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/Getty Images)

Lewis powers Tallawahs to victory JAMAICA Tallawahs earned their second victory of the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a six-wicket victory over the Barbados Royals.

The Royals won the toss and opted to bat, with Azam Khan’s fluent 50 off just 30 balls taking them to 151/8.

However, the Jamaica Tallawahs were able to chase the target in 17.4 overs through the sublime batting of Kennar Lewis; his innings of 89 being the highest score of the tournament so far, supported by the graceful play of Sharmarh Brooks, who hit 47 not out off 26 balls.

Barbados Royals had found themselves in early trouble, losing key batsmen, Shai Hope and Kyle Mayers, off successive balls in the Powerplay to Fidel Edwards, who was making his first appearance in this year’s Hero CPL. A recovery mission was led by Azam and Phillips; the pair putting on a part-

Kennar Lewis of Jamaica Tallawahs hits a six during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 10 between Barbados Royals and Jamaica Tallawahs at Warner Park Sporting Complex on August 31, 2021 in Basseterre, St Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

(Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/Getty Images)

nership of 71 runs off 51 balls to build a foundation for the innings. Joshua Bishop then struck 18 off 8 balls at the back end of the innings to take his side to a respectable total.

Migael Pretorius was the standout bowler for the Tallawahs, taking four wickets, while Rovman Powell led by example with three excellent catches in the field.

Tallawahs response was led by Lewis, who powered the innings despite his team losing early wickets to the spin of Joshua Bishop, including that of captain Powell, who was dismissed by a superb piece of fielding as Jason Holder held on to his shot with one hand at long off.

Barbados Royals will count themselves unlucky as star bowler, Mohammad Amir, had to leave the field injured during the second innings. The win takes the Jamaica Tallawahs up to second in the Hero CPL standings.

Odean Smith off successive balls to leave them 7/2 in the second over.

Shimron Hetmyer and Hafeez looked to rebuild but they were tied down by the TKR spinners. Hafeez was dismissed by Khary Pierre for 16 from 30 balls to leave the Amazon Warriors needing 100 runs from nine overs.

Pooran was dismissed by a stunning one-handed grab by Akeal Hosein before Shepherd took the game deep with the bat. Amazon Warriors squeezed out the tie off the last ball before they claimed a famous win in the Super Over.

Spinners hand Bangladesh historic first win over New Zealand

Player of the Match Shakib Al Hasan returned 2 for 10 and scored 25 (AFP/Getty Images)

(ESPNCRICINFO) For New Zealand, it was the stuff nightmares are made of. They crashed and burned to 60 all out on a challenging Mirpur surface, failing to utilise their full complement of overs. While they made a good fist of it with the ball, applying the spin choke, they just didn't have the runs on the board to give Bangladesh the jitters.

The hosts overhauled the target with seven wickets in hand and five overs to spare.

There was sharp turn on offer for spinners from both sides, but the conditions weren't unplayable. The New Zealand batters looked rusty against spin and lost so much ground early that they couldn't make much of a mark against the pacers either.

This was Bangladesh's first-ever victory over New Zealand in T20Is, one that helped carry forward their impressive string of home performances from last month where they beat Aus(Turn to page 22)

Romario Shepherd (2L) and Kevin Sinclair (L) of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate winning against Tim Seifert (R) of Trinbago Knight Riders in the super over during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 11 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 1, 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/Getty Images)

Warriors claim super-over win over Trinbago Knight Riders

GGA, Texila American University seek to make golf part of activities

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Students of the Texila University putting in some work on the mini greens THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021