Guyana chronicle e paper 02 13 2017

Guyana Youth Corps to be re-established Page 7

No. 104822 MONDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2017

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3 die in BV fire (VAT Inclusive)

–– Villagers suspect murder/suicide

DEAD: Nakasia Pollard

DEAD: Latoya Telford

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DEAD: Lenard Pollard

The aftermath of the deadly early morning fire which flattened the Beterverwagting Line Top, East Coast Demerara home on Sunday

Camp St inmate Guyana Belle West Goldfields recaptured man dies after brief escape eyes expansion in accident Page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Camp St inmate recaptured after brief escape –– but caught within minutes

A PRISONER, reportedly of unsound mind and on remand at the Camp Street Prison on Sunday afternoon scaled the facility’s fence, but was promptly caught within minutes, at Hadfield and Lime Streets, not far from the jail.

He was identified as Ruco McIntire, 27, who is on remand for the larceny of a cell-phone, and is on $40,000 bail.

According to a prison source, the inmate seized the opportunity to escape while attending church at the prison’s chapel.

He at first pretended to wander outside the building unsupervised, and when he thought that the coast was clear, made a dash for the fence, scaling it in the vicinity of Bent and John Streets.

But unfortunately for him, he was seen making a break for it by an officer, and

The Camp Street Prison an alarm was raised.

Reports indicate that police from the Brickdam Station heard the alarm blaring at the prison and responded with mobile patrols, which was how he came to be nabbed by prison wardens at Hadfield and Lime Streets.

When contacted, Director of Prisons (Ag), Gladwin Samuels, said that while the incident is unfortunate, “I would like to commend the

police and prison officers for their quick response which lead to his recapture.”

He said when an investigation into the matter is completed, that based on recommendations, the necessary charges will be instituted against the prisoner and the warden responsible for his supervision.

The escapee has since been placed in solitary confinement.

3 die in BV fire

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

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–– Villagers suspect murder/suicide

POLICE and the Guyana Fire Service are investigating the circumstances surrounding an early morning fire which left three dead and a two-storey house flattened at Beterverwagting Line Top, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday.

Dead are 36-year-old Lenard Pollard; his common-law wife, Latoya Telford, 26; and their 18-month-old daughter, Nakasia Pollard.

According to reports, Telford and Pollard had lived for years at the house, and had three children, namely, Nakasia; another daughter aged four; and a three-year-old son.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene of the fire Sunday morning, the Police had already cordoned off the area, and were treating it as a ‘crime scene’.

Residents in the area suspect that this was no ordinary fire; they rather suspect it was part of an elaborate murder/suicide plot born of jealousy, since the couple was having relationship issues, with Telford being accused of having an affair.

One eyewitness said the fire started around 02:45 hours Sunday in a bedroom and try as some neighbours

might, they could not get into the house.

SOMETHING AMISS Sensing that something was amiss, having not heard any cries for help, one neighbour kicked open a door, but the smoke was so thick, it prevented him from going any further.

It is believed that Pollard killed the woman and their baby, before hanging himself with a rope, which, according to reports, the police later discovered.

Pollard’s brother, who lived in a room on the lower flat of the house, said on Nightly News that even though he knew the couple was having quarrels, he never heard his brother threaten the woman.

Though neighbours described Pollard as a good man, they said he hardly worked. Some said, too, that while he and his brother often fought, they’ve never seen him abuse Telford.

They say that at the time of the fire, Pollard’s brother was not at home, as he had already left for work.

One man said he was at home around 03:00 hours when his twin brother tele-

phoned and told him the Pollards’ house was on fire. By this time, he said, he’d heard the siren as the fire tender rushed to the scene, but by the time he got there, the house had already been consumed.

One of the dead woman’s aunts told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that one of the reasons the couple was having

DEAD: Lenard Pollard and his two daughters in happier times. At right is 18-month-old Nakasia, who perished in the fire

DEAD: 18-month-old Nakasia Pollard problems was because Pollard could not keep a job, and as such the strain was always left on her niece.

The woman said when her niece first moved into the house, it was in such bad shape that she had to use her own money to make it habitable; and that after she’d done so, Pollard’s family started fighting the couple for the house, which, according to residents in the village, belong to relatives who live overseas.

DEAD: Latoya Telford, 26

ing at Qualfon, and her eldest daughter attending the Beterverwagting Nursery School.

Since moving, however, she had the child transferred to a school on the West Coast, and secured a new job at Teleperformance in Georgetown.

And while she conceded that her niece never complained of being abused by

ASKED TO LEAVE The woman said her niece was asked by her mother-in-law to leave, and take her children with her.

She said that last November, her niece did just that, and “peacefully”.

At the time of moving, the aunt said, Telford was work-

Pollard, she said their relationship was fraught with pressure from her ‘in-laws’.

“We don’t know if he used to beat her or not; she never tell us. But it was not really a nice relationship; he was lazy, and she told him he has to get a work,” the woman said, adding: “My niece go and fix that house; bring it to a home; do the best that she could. Then the mother and the brother them suddenly wanted her to move out of the house.”

“His mother told her that she got to come out of the house and give the other brother the house.”

The woman said that since her niece moved, Pollard would visit her often at La Parfaite Harmonie, on the West Bank, where she’d gone to live with her mother, but that the latter was never com-

fortable with the arrangement.

She said things came to a head recently, and the Ministry of Social Protection Welfare Department had to be called in, as Pollard kept saying that he was not comfortable with his children not living with him.

KEEP MOLESTING HER “He would always keep molesting her,” she said.

“Every time she goes home, he always find heself ‘over the river’… He took her to the Welfare Office and said that he is not getting to see his children.”

The woman said Telford was at her place on Saturday but left to stop at Pollard’s home before going to visit a friend. She said her niece was hesitant about visiting Pollard’s home, turning back twice before finally making up her mind. She left two of the children and only took the baby.

“She lie down on the bed and played with her two children; she always got the baby with her,” Telford’s aunt said, adding: “She had doubts about

going. She walk out, she turn back; she walk out, she turn back. She was hesitant to go.”

Meanwhile, Telford’s mother, Rachel, an employee of Woodlands Hospital, told reporters that the deceased was her eldest daughter, and that she had been living with her since last year after Pollard’s mother asked her to move out with her children so that her other son could fully occupy the house.

“I don’t know anything, because I left to go to work.

She was getting problem with her ‘child-father’; she hadn’t said anything to me,” Rachael said, adding: “The brother-in-law and dem was getting problem with the house, and so she decided to come by me and live, because she say the mother-inlaw say they must move out.”

“I say you could come; I have a room for you there.

She did come last year.”

The woman said that sometime Saturday, her daughter told her she was going to visit her grandfather.

“I leave her there; I don’t know what else happened,” the woman said amidst tears.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

Few good options for Trump to counter North Korea Despite his campaign vows to take a tougher line with North Korea, President Donald Trump’s restrained public reaction to Pyongyang’s first ballistic missile launch on his watch underscores that he has few good options to curb its missile and nuclear programmes.

The responses under consideration - which range from additional sanctions to U.S. shows of force to beefed-up missile defense, according to one administration official - do not seem to differ significantly so far from the North Korea playbook followed by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama.

Even the idea of stepping up pressure on China to rein in a defiant North Korea has been tried - to little avail - by successive administrations.

But Beijing is showing no signs of softening its resistance under a new U.S. president who has bashed them

on trade, currency and the contested South China Sea. More dramatic responses to North Korea’s missile tests would be direct military action or negotiations. But neither appears to be on the table - the first because it would risk regional war, the latter because it would be seen as rewarding Pyongyang for bad behaviour. And neither would offer certain success.

“Trump’s options are limited,” said Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington.

Trump’s initial public comments on Saturday on the test launch of what was believed to be an intermediate-range Musudan-class missile were unexpectedly measured - and brief - compared to earlier bluster about another U.S. adversary, Iran, since he took office on January 20.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a translation during a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

“I just want everybody to understand, and fully know, that the United States of America is behind Japan, our great ally, 100 percent,” Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, speaking in a solemn tone alongside visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The U.S. President did not mention North Korea or signal any retaliatory plans

for what was widely seen as an early effort to test the new administration.

By contrast, Trump tweeted “It won’t happen!” in January after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the North was close to testing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

White House adviser Stephen Miller insisted on ABC’s “This Week” that

Trump’s one-sentence statement was an “important show of solidarity” with Japan. He told “Fox News Sunday” the administration was going to bolster its allies in the region against the “increasing hostility” of North Korea.

While no one can rule out that Trump might still take to Twitter with harsh rhetoric as he often does, some analysts said his relatively subdued initial statement could show that aides have convinced him not to be baited by Pyongyang into issuing threats that would be hard to carry out, especially while his North Korea strategy is still being formulated.

VOWING MORE ASSERTIVE APPROACH Trump’s aides have said that they will take a more assertive approach than the Obama policy dubbed “strategic patience,” which involved gradually scaling up sanctions and diplomatic pressure and essentially waiting out the North Korean leadership.

But the new administration has been vague about how it would do this.

The Trump administration had been expecting a North Korean “provocation” and will consider a full range of options in response, but they would be calibrated to show U.S. resolve while avoiding escalation, the U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The stakes would be higher, however, if nuclear-capable North Korea makes good on its threat to test an ICBM of a kind that could someday hit the United States, analysts said.

Trump and his aides are

likely to weigh new U.S. sanctions to tighten financial controls, an increase in naval and air assets and joint military exercises in and around the Korean peninsula and accelerated installation of new missile defense systems in South Korea, the official said.

Trump has also made clear that he believes China has not done enough to use its influence to help rein in Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic programs.

The U.S. official told Reuters that Trump would now step up pressure on Beijing, but acknowledged that there were limits to how far China would go, especially in enforcing sanctions, because of its own interests in avoiding destabilization of North Korea.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the new administration might go a step beyond Obama’s approach and focus on imposing “secondary sanctions” on firms and entities that help North Korea’s weapons programs, many of which are in China.

Also unclear is whether Trump’s phone call last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which the U.S. President backed away from his threat to break from America’s long-standing “one China” policy, would engender greater cooperation from Beijing on North Korea.

“Beijing has enormous leverage over Pyongyang thanks to being one of its only trading partners and in fact could not survive without Chinese economic assistance,” said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the conservative Centre for the National Interest. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

Israel bars Peru’s fugitive ex-leader

Israel says Peru’s fugitive former President Alejandro Toledo, wanted on corruption charges, will not be allowed to enter the country.

His arrest was requested in Peru last week over allegations he took US$20M (£16M) in bribes. He denies wrongdoing.

The ex-leader was believed to be in San Francisco and could try to fly to Israel.

He is a visiting professor at Stanford University and his wife, Eliane Karp, has Israeli

Toledo governed Peru from 2001 to 2006

citizenship.

Toledo, who governed from 2001 to 2006, is accused of receiving money from Brazilian building firm Odebrecht in return for a contract to build stretches of a highway linking Peru and Brazil.

Authorities in Peru offer a reward of $30,000 (£24,000) for information leading to his capture.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Toledo would not be allowed en-

try in the country before “his affairs in Peru are settled”.

Before the announcement, reports suggested that he could have been on a flight to Israel. But when the plane landed in Tel Aviv, Toledo was found not to be on board.

Odebrecht is at the centre of a multi-national corruption scandal. It admitted, as part of a plea deal with the US justice department, to paying nearly US$800M (£640M) in bribes to governments across Latin

America.

The company said it paid US$29M in Peru to secure contracts between 2005 and 2014.

That time spans the presidencies of Toledo and his two successors in office, Alan Garcia and Ollanta Humala, who have also denied any wrongdoing.

Peru said Interpol issued a red alert to 190 member countries to help find him, but Toledo did not appear on its list of wanted per-

sons.

The current president of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, has urged him to return to the country to face questioning.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Carlos Basombrio told Reuters news agency that the US had informed Peru that there did not appear to be sufficient probable cause to merit detaining Toledo, and had asked the country to refile its request. (BBC)

Opposition condemns violence in Dominica

-- denies responsibility The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has condemned the acts of violence and vandalism that erupted in the streets of Dominica’s capital, Roseau, earlier this week.

Leader of the opposition Lennox Linton rejected claims from the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) Government that the violence began because of a public meeting held by the UWP on Tuesday, CBN4 reported.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana’s President David Granger, expressed concern over the violence in Dominica.

“CARICOM recognises the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protest. However, the Community condemns the vandalism that resulted in the destruction of private property and businesses,”

Granger said in a statement.

The Community urged all to act with restraint and maintain the orderly and peaceful society to which Dominicans and the wider Community are accustomed.

Linton stated that the public meeting was in compliance with the Constitution of Dominica.

“The peaceful non-violent assembling of patriots was conducted according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica and concluded without any adverse incidents whatsoever,” he insisted.

“The United Workers Party condemns the acts of violence and vandalism that erupted in the streets of Roseau during the evening of February 7, 2017, causing widespread loss and damages to business enterprises and triggering fears for safety

and security in heightened tensions in our practice of civility,” he added.

Linton expressed sympathy to persons who were in one way or another affected by the acts of violence.

“As the events unfolded the leadership of the United Party was being blamed on the grounds that the disorder resulted from a public meeting calling for the resignation of Roosevelt Skerrit as prime minister. We say to you today both events are unrelated and we condemn these baseless criticisms as forcefully as we condemn the lawlessness visited on the capital city Tuesday night,”

he continued.

Linton called on the individuals who used the meeting as an opportunity to embarrass the UWP to speak the truth about what transpired.

“Those who saw and used the meeting as cover to engineer this order and destruction to embarrass the United Workers Party, just as Mr Skerrit and company have been doing over the past 24 hours know themselves and owe it to a deeply concerned nation to speak the truth… because that is precisely what will set us free,” he said. (Caribbean News Now)

Opposition Leader Lennox Linton

Monday February 13th, 05:00 hrs Tuesday February 14th, 05:00 hrs Wednesday February 15th, 08 :30 hrs

gnnleditorial@gmail.com 6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

Editorial

Complexities of global trade

TRADE has always been an economic activity between and among companies, countries, regions, and blocs. It enhances activities toward the realisation of improved goods and services and more so, impacts the socio-economic and even political well-being of the participants.

Global trade has been seen in various forms, and programmes given names based on the need or adaptation of the time.

Shapers of global decision-making have described the world as a global marketplace and call for barriers to free trade to be removed, as others call for free trade to be buttressed by fair trade; and there are the congruence of ideas, policies, and laws working towards achieving common ground.

Free trade has caused the removal of tariffs on goods entering countries and also demanded that producers conform to internationally accepted specifications, physical and ingredients. In specific cases, demands are made for goods to enter certain countries such as the United States (U.S.) or European Union to satisfy requirements such as that they are not produced by force or child labour, and made within certain specifications to meet durability standards.

In trading there is always reciprocity where each participant can benefit from the other. In fact, when the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) products enter Europe under certain guidelines, European products will enter CARICOM countries using the same guidelines. Benefits a group derive will be based on how competitive their product can be at the respective market place, and for this reason trading comes with responsibilities.

Trading is one element in the economic process, since it complements the production of goods and services. There is a reason why there are trade agreements, such as between the U.S. and Caribbean, or among CARICOM member-states.

Between the Caribbean and the U.S., it offers a ready market for goods and services, positively impacting a country’s revenue base, the people’s employment and economic opportunities, and its overall development.

In instances where countries or blocs, such as the U.S. and European Union, make available lines of credit to countries and regions such as the Caribbean, the objective behind this is to make available immediate markets for the exportation of the goods they produced. This is driven by efforts to sustain the company or industries in their home state.

And though these create debt in the purchasing country, that debt serves the host country’s national interest, where relationship, levels of dependency, and reciprocity are forged.

Trade also has a political component in expanding a country’s economic might and influence in others parts of the world. It is not an accident that rich countries such as China and the U.S. are competing to get into new markets in Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Asia. This so-called soft power also carries with it the culture of the originating countries and their desire to influence appreciation for their values.

While powerful countries are not presently involved in military wars with each other, they have been waging trade wars to expand their influence at the market place and in societies around the world.

Trade brings with it access to the cultures of other countries and aids migratory patterns, mostly to the countries where it is perceived better opportunities exist. And where developed countries are seen in such light, persons will seek to flock to them by any means necessary. The Middle East wars that have resulted in migration and refugee crises, and have the affected pouring into the European countries and the U.S. are seeing negative reactions from the indigenous populations.

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Some politicians in those receiving countries have found political currency in creating the sense of apprehension that external trade and migration are resulting in the loss of jobs, loss of cultural values, and decrease in standards of living. They have used these arguments to justify campaigns built on intolerance and govern on protectionist policies.

Such actions can create trade wars, spread intolerance among countries and peoples, breed extremists, and result in the pauperisation of others.

Global trade must be encouraged, since no country can survive independently of others. And while people pursue freedom, equality and peace, some trade has proven to be building blocks to these. At the same time, this approach to interaction and development creates avenues for cultivating tolerance, respect for others and more so, presents opportunities to reduce hunger, poverty, and other deprivations.

No positive effort to honour, implement Linden 2012 Agreement Dear Editor,

THE August,21, 2012 Agreement between central Government and the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10,was marked with the citizens’ blood and lives, and the destruction of properties.

The opposition APNU and AFC rode on the passion and determination of a people who stood up against successive regimes that set out, in every way, to marginalise them because of their identity and political persuasions.

To bring about normalcy during the protest, the APNU and AFC sat at the table. The signing of the agreement between central and regional governments saw Rupert Roopnaraine signing as the APNU representative and Nigel Hughes for the AFC, giving the parties’ support for its implementation. Citizens must now question whether these gestures were intended to

gain political mileage on the backs of a struggling people.

After the signing, the then opposition joined with the people in consistently calling on the Donald Ramotar government to honour and implement the agreement. The 2015 elections campaign saw the agreement used as a rallying call in mobilising Region 10 and afar against the PPP/C, and commitment was given that an APNU+AFC government will not only honour and implement it, but will govern by honouring agreements, respecting laws and the people’s rights.

The 2012 agreement speaks to three very important elements:-i) the development of an economic plan for the region, ii) examination and development of an energy plan; and iii) return of the television dish 14 days after its signing. Since the APNU+AFC came to office it can confidently be

said that no positive effort has been made to have this agreement honoured and implemented.

It would take nothing of the government to establish the Economic Committee to carry out a study and develop a plan for Region 10, as President Granger talks about developing flags and emblems in recognition of each region. It helps if the president’s intention is not only seen as symbolic, but his earnest desire for each region’s development, using the intellectual capabilities and other resources at its disposal.

The government is talking about developing an alternative energy programme; the Technical Committee speaks to examining the energy supply in Region 10 and coming up with proposals for the future. Outside of political will and commitment, there is absolutely nothing preventing government from establishing this committee.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who has responsibility for the information sector, continues to find excuses to deny Lindeners the return of their television station. Since coming to office, he has moved with a high degree of alacrity to realise broadcasting access to the Amerindian communities, who are not only allowed to determine their management, but also the content of their programmes. Now he is moving to establish a community broadcasting service in Bartica.

Given the clear inequity in treatment, the denial to Linden of its community television is not only discriminatory, but also carries a sinister political agenda to continue to deny a people their fundamental rights, which the High Court upheld in 2008.

The PPP/C government contempt for the Guyana Constitution (Article 147), 2008 court ruling, and 2012 Agreement, is being contin-

ued under the APNU+AFC. Nagamootoo must be told that when the Trust was established by the people, the spirit and intent was for it to be controlled by the community. There was no intent for the Office of the Regional Chairman to chair its board. Sharma Solomon, under whose leadership the citizens were allowed to establish the Trust, his membership on the board was not because of the office he held, but the leadership he delivered to the people.

As the APNU and AFC had rightly demanded, the will of the people must be respected when they held the parliamentary majority in 2011, and in 2015 with securing the Executive and Parliament, so too must they respect the will of people who established the Trust.

Seeking to foist the Regional Chairman into the Trust as its chairman is violating the rules and intent that established the

Trust, and transgressing the will of the people in the management of their organisation. This sinister agenda to control and deny the people continues the PPP/C’s contempt for them and the seizure of their assets and resources in furtherance of a few. What the prime minister is seeking to execute, having been a politician for decades and also in a different era, is Machiavellian at its most ruthless.

When a senior minister was confronted by me with the idea that Region 10 may rebel in 2020, given the mistreatment they continue to receive, the response was, “they have no alternative, since they will not go to the PPP/C, we will continue to get their support.” This type of politics where people are seen as mules and treated with contempt is self-serving and destructive, and we must reject it.

Yours respectfully, Lincoln Lewis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

Guyana Youth Corps to be re-established -- to advance youth empowerment

PRESIDENT David Granger has announced that he will re-establish the Guyana Youth Corps on January 1, 2018, to empower the nation’s youth and provide them with the skills needed to prepare them for the work force and equip them to aid in the development of Guyana.

The Head of State made this announcement at the graduation ceremony for 57 young people, who successfully completed Module Two of the Youth Leadership Training Programme at the Madewini Training Centre.

The Guyana Youth Corps was first established on January 1, 1968, as a means of solving the youth unemployment problem. It operated for seven years, during which time, approximately 1,200 youth benefitted from the programme.

The Youth Corps was then absorbed by the National Service on January 1, 1975, which itself was dismantled in 2000.

Due to a weakened education system over the past two decades, President Granger has lamented the fact that over 4000 children drop out of school every year in Guyana.

In some regions, 90 per cent of students fail English and Mathematics at the National Grade Six level. This leaves many young people disadvantaged and unable to develop their potential.

“It will be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first Guyana Youth Corps and I will bring together some of the agencies, which are just nibbling at the edges of our youth enterprise in Guyana…so that young people, who might have faced challenges in their education can voluntarily come in and learn skills and prepare themselves

for the world of work… so that we give our young people an opportunity. This will take place in the hinterland and the coastland,” the President said.

The President said that such a move is critical to ensuring youth empowerment in Guyana and added a good education is fundamental to reducing youth unemployment and preparing young people to lead in the development of a more technologically advanced ‘green’ Guyana.

GREATER EMPLOYMENT “I want to see a [country] of fuller employment, of greater empowerment, of wider equality and of progress for the young people of this country… I look forward to the establishment of the Guyana Youth Corps when we can move thousands of children out of poverty and into prosperity,” he said.

The Head of State commended the graduates for reaching this stage of the Youth Leadership Training Programme, and said that this signifies that they have now taken a step forward toward achieving Government’s vision of the good life.

As such, the President said, the programme is meant to help young people holistically understand both their destiny and their legacy. He also acknowledged that there are many challenges facing young people.

However, the President said that these challenges can be solved through ensuring equality, education, employment, empowerment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the nation’s youth.

“We have to deal with these challenges facing Guyanese society because you are the future of Guyana. My genera-

tion has to prepare this country for you and when your turn comes you have to do the same to bequeath this great country to your children and grandchildren,” he said.

More importantly, the President said, young people between the ages of 15-25 take up about one third of the country’s population.

“This is an important group for me because if you don’t make it successfully through that 10 year gap, it means that your prospects of having that good life would be severely impaired… That is why I am so concerned about giving children equal access to education. We have to do something about those 250,000 young people.

Those are the young people of Guyana and those are the people who concern me most,” he said.

Meanwhile, some of the participants expressed their gratitude to the Government for investing in their development and aspirations in order to empower them and their peers to

I MAY be wrong, but there appears to be a growing sentiment that the current administration is counting their chickens before they are hatched and borrowing money as a result.

It is important to note the recent history of Venezuela, who has larger oil reserves than most countries in the

HELPFUL Shavez Hendricks, who hails from the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine), believes that the hosting of such programmes is one of the best ways of investing in young people in order to groom them to be leaders.

“When you bring young people together from various backgrounds we learn from each other and we can use this experience to deliver to our people, encourage our people and share the knowledge in our communities and I think it’s a good investment by the government,” he said.

Hadeeya Asgar from Lethem, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine), said that the programme helped to teach her good leadership skills and the lessons learned will enable her to motivate young people in her community.

“I am happy about this be-

President David Granger, Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton and other facilitators and officials with the graduates of the Youth Leadership Programme on Sunday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Counting chickens before they are hatched

Dear Editor,

deal with their challenges.

world and by some accounts their reserves are the largest in the world at over 280 Billion barrels. This is over 170 times our oil find and yet today the masses in Venezuela are impoverished and standing in long lines for their food supplies.

If our country’s destiny will be dictated by outside forces due to poor economic choices that reduce financial

independence, the future opportunities of the next generation will be limited.

In addition , the expenses of the populace are being increased in areas where we have been accustomed to affordability, such as parking and low taxation. It is important for all of us to be cautious about dealings with Exxon. The economics do not make long-term sense and the

aggressive budgetary spending appears to be quite premature. We as a nation have benefited from our long-term approach to development; let’s not let greed and impatience take us off course of achieving a sustainable vision for our future.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee Strategy Consultant

cause it will help a lot of young people… we are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to be educated and know how we should be good leaders,” she said.

Orin Nelson, who lives in Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), said that he has been involved in youth groups for quite some time and was happy to be able to attend the course and benefit from the training.

“It is important to learn these things at this age because is easy to bend a tree when it is young. I am happy that Government is investing in the lives of young people… I believe that what the government is doing is good and I applaud them for that,” he said.

The training programmes are conducted by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment. Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Aubrey Norton, said that module two of the Youth Training Programme, enabled the participants, who all participated in module one of the training prior, to think critically.

“As we moved around the country we found that there was the absence of youth organisations and that many young people were never exposed to youth leadership training. It is in that context that we decided that we would develop a youth leadership training programme,” he said.

Skills learned included writing reports and minutes, the formulation and implementation of policy, how to conduct meetings as well as social psychology and team building exercises. The course also included a mock parliament exercise where the youth were allowed to debate the contents of the National Youth Policy. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Chateau Margot leak repaired Dear Editor THE Guyana Water Incorporated wishes to provide the following statement in response to a letter in the Stabroek News newspaper, titled: “No water in Chateau Margot,” dated February 10, 2017.

Contrary to the letter, only one household was without water in the Chateau Margot area, owing to a leak that was discovered by our team during an inspection on February 9, 2017. However, the leak was repaired on the said

day and water has been restored.

As such, GWI would like to refute claims by Mr Dudhnath, the author of the letter, that the entire community of Chateau Margot has been experiencing a water disruption for the past three days. The management of GWI would like to remind all customers that it remains committed to ensuring equal water access to all citizens of Guyana.

Regards GWI, Leana Bradshaw Public Relations Officer

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Speak to the people –– mayor invited to town hall meeting on parking meter project

By Svetlana Marshall THE Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) is inviting city Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to a town hall meeting on Saturday to discuss the controversial parking meter project.

In a statement, the MAPM said it was invited to a meeting with the mayor today, however, in the spirit of transparency, it believes that such a meeting should be open to the public.

“We do not feel that a handful of organisers meeting with the mayor for closed-door talks is in keeping with our call for full transparency on this burning issue… we believe that this is the best forum to have discourse, since the mayor is really answerable to the people,” MAPA explained.

However, the pres-

sure group is maintaining that the project should be scrapped and not altered to show a slight decrease in the parking fees.

Last week, the mayor agreed to reopen consultations on the controversial project, following a meeting with President David Granger and a team of ministers including the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan.

These consultations are being held with the executing agency – Smart City Solutions, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the business community, and the regular citizens who may have concerns.

The current parking meter system in place stipulates that between the hours of 07:00hrs and 19:00hrs, drivers, once desirous of parking, are

City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green mandated to pay in designated areas of the city, fees ranging from $570 to $11,400, VAT inclusive.

The rate for parking is $50 for every 15 minutes, plus VAT. Although VAT has been reduced from 16 to 14 per cent, the company is still charging 16 per cent.

Since becoming fully operational, citizens have rejected the metered parking system, with countless parking spots remaining vacant on a daily basis.

This has even prompted the town clerk to issue a statement asking citizens to support the initiative, which he believes will

benefit the city.

Simultaneously, there is a “Say no to parking meters in Georgetown” movement, calling for citizens to “starve the parking meters.” Several protests by this movement have been planned.

Additionally, an online petition introduced on Thursday has already received more than 300 signatures of citizens who reject the parking meters.

The petition states that most of the fines and measures which will be instituted, once the by-laws are approved, are “too high” in cost and have “unfair” penalties.

Should an individual fail to pay for parking while occupying a parking spot, his/her vehicle would be wheel-booted, and they would have two hours to pay a release fine of $8,000 + VAT. If the individual tries to

remove or interfere with the immobilisation device, that person could be fined $100,000 or spend three months in prison.

After two hours of being immobilised, the vehicle would be towed and this would attract a towing fee of $12,000.

If the vehicle is damaged during this process, the individual will not be compensated by the M&CC. The impoundment fee is $7,000, and each day the vehicle remains impounded, an additional $7,000 will be charged.

Should an individual fail to pay these fines within 90 days, the M&CC can sell the vehicle at a public auction. Persons providing false or inaccurate names to wardens or city constables, run the risk of being placed before a magistrate and could be fined up to $50,000.

Linden students march against child abuse

By Vanessa Braithwaite HUNDREDS of students attending both primary and secondary schools in Linden last Friday braved the scorching sun as they marched against child abuse, in an effort to bring awareness to this unfortunate phenomenon plaguing the mining town.

The march was held under the theme “Breaking the Silence.” The procession started from the Bayroc Ground on the Wismar shore and concluded at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, where a rally was held.

Students from Regma Primary, Amelia’s Ward Primary, St Aidens Primary, Christianburg Wismar Secondary and Wisburg Secondary were smartly dressed in their school uniforms holding placards and banners with slogans “bash-

ing” child abusers and saying no to any involvement in the various types of child abuse.

The students were joined by regional officials and members of other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The march was organised by radio personality Lester Glen and friends in collaboration with Youths for Change. At the MSC ground, the students were furnished with information from Child Link representatives who journeyed all the way from Georgetown.

There were also presentations from Deputy Regional Executive Officer Maylene Stephens, representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health.

According to organiser Lester Glen, he was motivated to hold the march which was a follow-up

Children during the march against child abuse on Friday from last year’s Suicide Awareness Walk after being cognisant of the many child abuse cases, the latest reported case being that of

an eight-year-old girl being raped by her father.

“Through careful consideration, deliberation and research, it has been proven

that an above normal rate of children are abused in various forms; however, it is our hope that through awareness and education,

victims and communities will feel a sense of support in breaking the silence; instances which encourage interventions by the law and further physiological through social protection policies,” Lester told the Guyana Chronicle.

Glen expressed satisfaction over the turnout, which saw in attendance scores of teachers, parents and ordinary residents.

At a child abuse awareness rally held in Linden by the Ministry of Social Protection last year, Director of Child Services, Ann Greene, reported that some 267 cases of child abuse were recorded in Linden for the first seven months of 2016.

Former Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, urged Lindeners to “stamp it out” from their town by speaking up against child abuse.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Bartica Easter Regatta launched

By Svetlana Marshall

PLANS for the hosting of the Bartica Annual Easter Regatta is moving apace, with history set to be created when the much-anticipated event for the first time will be held in a town, and not a community, with major emphasis to be placed on the green agenda.

With a touch of class and elegance, the Annual Easter Regatta was launched last Wednesday at the Palm Spring Hotel by the Bartica Regatta Committee and the Bartica Mayor and Town Council.

Speaking at the launch, Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford ,and the Mayor, Gifford Marshall, underscored the importance of having all of Bartica involved in the three-day event which begins on April 15 and ends on April 17, especially the business community. They both agreed that in everything, care for the environment must be demonstrated.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Secretary and Event Coordinator Elizabeth Moonsammy, said Guyanese will not be disappointed with the preparations for the much talked-about power boat racing and Miss Regatta Pageant.

“The Bartica Easter Regatta has been around for more than some 60 years. Initially begun as a wager between two captains of what was then

‘grant boats’ to see whose engine was faster, it has grown over the years from boat-racing to include the Ms Regatta Pageant, the oldest pageant in Guyana and over the last 30 or so years, sports such as cricket, football and dominoes, not to mention swimming and regular Run Bartica Race,” Moonsammy pointed out.

Additionally, there will be a fun-day with novelty events such lime and spoons and bag races, along with the regular athletics and the gospel fest, which was a major success last year.

Zooming in on the Miss Regatta Pageant, the event coordinator noted that already eight beautiful and intelligent young ladies have signed up to participate in the event being coordinated by a former Miss Regatta Pageant participant, Angelica Fredericks.

This year, as the committee raises the standard of the event, the delegates, in a sophisticated manner, will be promoting Bartica as the green model town with a clean, green and pristine environment.

Additionally, in keeping with the theme for the regatta, special awards will be presented to John Willems, Mark Jardine, and Winston Miller (snr) for their sterling contributions in sustaining the Annual Easter Regatta.

Posthumous recognition will also be given to the late Oscar Smartt and Montgom-

Some of the delegates for the 2017 Miss Regatta Pageant ery ‘Monty’ Belle for their contributions to this event and Bartica at large.

Moving forward, the event coordinator said it is the hope of the committee that within the next two to three years, the Annual Easter Regatta will see greater involvement from the private sector.

She explained that during the early history of the regatta, it was organised and executed by the business community; however, for a short period,

the event was suspended until it was revived by the Regional Democratic Council.

“We want to be able to take it back to where it began, because they owned it [business people/community], they were more committed to seeing it being successful.”

However, she said, the committee is forever grateful for the continued support being offered by key members in the business community.

“I would like to make spe-

A jet-ski race in full swing during the Easter Regatta (file photo)

cial mention of the businesses and individuals who have played a major part in sustaining regatta over the years – in particular – beverage giant Banks DIH, which has been with us since the inception, Mr Chunilall Baboolall and the Aruwai group of companies, Ricky Ramnarine, the Mahadeo brothers, Nizim Kassim, Ansa McAL, DDL,

Deon Ferrier and the Beverage Depot, Leon Thomas, BK International and GBTI amongst others.”

Other sponsors are invited to come on board, the event coordinator posited, noting that in supporting the annual regatta, they will get a chance to showcase their products and services to persons of all walks of life.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Some facts about children THEY are everywhere! Big ones, small ones and in-between sized ones too. But do you know some simple facts about them? Have a go at our quiz and see how many marks you get out of 10.

1 Which one of the following statements is true? a) Toddlers eat more often that adults b) Toddlers eat three square meals per day from the age of one c) Toddlers eat only tasty foods until their taste buds develop

b) Ten years old c) Eight years old 8 Adolescence is a time when teenagers feel: a) Like adults without any sense b) Dependent on adults, yet seeking their own independence c) Like they need someone to idolise

2 From about what age do you think children learn to tell lies? It is a) Four years old b) Two years old c) One year old

9 One of the biggest mistakes parents tend to make with children is: a) Saying ‘No’ and not sticking to it b) Letting them express themselves c) Giving them too much love

3 When people make reference to the “terrible twos,” are they referring to a) The vaccination that children are given at this age b) The way children suddenly grow between two and three years old c) The type of behaviour that children usually display at this age

10 When a child misbehaves in public, it is best to: a) Shout at them and embarrass them to ensure it does not happen again b) Have a quiet word immediately and elaborate when you reach home c) Wait until you reach home and give it to him/her good

4 Children usually start lying because a) They want to deny something they’ve done wrong b) They’ve tried it out and they think it is fun c) It is part of their psychological make-up 5 What is a good age to start teaching children good lifetime habits? a) As soon as they are born, young babies are very perceptive b) Between 4 and 7, when they are getting ready to start school c) Between the ages 1 -3, when they start forming patterns and routines 6 What is puberty: is it? a) When a child tries to act like a grown-up b) When a young person is allowed to think for him/herself c) When a young person’s body begins to develop and change 7 Puberty in girls can start as early as: a) Twelve years old

Belle West man dies in accident A DRIVER who collided with a pedestrian Saturday night on the La Parfaite Harmonie Highway, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is in police custody pending investigation into the man’s death.

Dead is Rickey Manichand, called “Candy Man,” of Lo 487, Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The police reportedly responded promptly and took Manichand to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reports indicate that the driver who collided with the man on the highway reported to the police station hours after, where he gave a statement and is assisting with investigations.

Manichand’s reputed wife,

Hardai Singh, told the Guyana Chronicle that he left home around 20:30hrs Friday evening to visit a job site where he had secured work on the West

Dead: Rickey Manichand Coast of Demerara.

She said he would usually call her cell when he would

sleep out, but although she did not see him return home Saturday night, nothing seemed amiss since he could have slept over at his employer.

Singh said that the father of her three children was a hardworking man who sold candy for several years. He was also a carpenter and tradesman.

“This is the first time that I know he was involved in an accident. I was shocked when I get a call that he died, because of some car that run into him,” she said, adding: “He is the breadwinner in the family, what will we do now, how can we deal with this now, we will need help, his brother said he will take care of all the funeral arrangements, but we need help.”

ANSWERS 1 (a) Toddlers eat far more often than adults (usually snacks) but not half as much 2 (b) Children learn that telling lies can get them out of trouble 3 (c) Around this age, children find it hard to express themselves and sometimes this results in tantrums 4 (a) Children try to deny their wrongdoings to avoid punishment 5 (c) One of the most confusing times of a young person’s life,is when they are neither adult nor a child 6 (c) Girls tend to mature faster than boys, but boys usually catch up 7 (c ) Some teenagers find a balance and become somewhat self-reliant 8 (b) Children are like sponges, soaking up information at this stage, use it wisely 9 (a) Boundaries once set should be adhered to, adults should not give in to children (even if they are super cute) 10 (b) Bad behaviour must be highlighted immediately for maximum effect, but not over emphasised to embarrass the child.

Improved living quarters for Mazaruni prison officers CONSTRUCTION of six living quarters for prison officers will soon commence at the Mazaruni Prison in the CuyuniMazaruni region.

Government gave its no-objection to the $41M contract awarded to N&A Construction for Lot 1 of the project, while $35M was awarded to AAV Ragobeer General Construction for Lot 2 of the project.

In March 2016, President David Granger and a ministerial team had visited the prison and found the living quarters of the prison officers to be in a deplorable state.

Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told a post-Cabinet media briefing Fri-

day that the two lots will include nine residences and a third lot is being considered.

“But the important thing is to ensure that we create the condition in that facility where the prison officers feel comfortable, they can work in a certain level of comfort and that they don’t have to think about running home every weekend, so that we will have a better level of supervision of the inmates at the prison,” Minister Harmon said.

Due to the terrible condition of the living quarters, most prison officers would go home as soon as they are off duty, which proves to be very costly.

“So what we find was that as soon as the prison

officers were off of duty, they were finding their way if they live on West Berbice or whatever it is, they’re going home and it cost them about $10,000 every time they have to travel.

“So if you look at the salary of a prison officer and the fact that he needs to go home, and the cost of travelling, we needed to do something to ensure that the conditions under which these officers live and work at the facility are improved,” Harmon reiterated.

The prison houses approximately 289 inmates, 24 of whom are high-profile criminals. On the other hand, the required staff complement is 95, but the facility has only 54 on staff.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Guyana Goldfields/AGM eyes expansion – gold production target set at 170,000 ounces

By Ariana Gordon GUYANA Goldfields/ Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) has announced that its gold production target this year stands at 170,000 ounces in comparison to just over 150,000 ounces last year, as plans are progressing to expand operations in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region.

Speaking at a brunch on Sunday at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Scott Caldwell, told a gathering of journalists that so far this year, the company has been doing “very well.”

He said that last year’s production represented a record tonnage for the mill which moved approximately 5300 tonnes of ore daily.

“Things are going very, very well at the site. We have a strong January and are having a strong February.

This year we think we will make about 170,000 ounces of gold if everything goes the way we think it is…things are looking pretty good.”

Caldwell also announced that the mining company is in the process of beginning exploration and will start working near the existing Aurora mine on targets.

He said too that the company has every confidence that its exploration activities will be successful, thereby leading to expansion.

“We bought another mill; we have imported most of the mill and are storing it at our Buck Hall facility… It can be set up very quickly.

The mill, power plant, all of that has been purchased and starting to arrive, most of it is here….a few more pieces coming in over the next few months.”

The new mill costs

US$6M and it will be installed some 50 kilometres away from the existing mine.

Additionally, the CEO said once the exploration is proven successful, the company will begin to go through the requisite processes to obtain approvals to mine.

He noted that the company is in the process of expanding the Aurora gold mine by adding tanks. Caldwell said the expansion process cost some US$70M and is aimed at increasing the company’s production on an annual basis from 150,000 ounces to approximately 210,000 ounces of gold.

The first exploration will be done close to the Aurora mine and in fact, will be adjacent to the mine. That process is expected to begin later this month, some 10 or 15 km from the mine. The CEO disclosed that the company is working on additional projects, but those projects will be followed up in 2018.

The company is also looking to expand the life of the mine, which currently stands at 15 years. With the purchase of a new mill and the expansion of the mine, it is estimated that about 80 persons will be involved in the construction process.

The CEO said most of the contractors, wherever possible, will be local.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES Caldwell explained that there are exciting growth opportunities and the company believes that Guyana is a good country to do business. Asked whether the company during the past 15 months of mining has discovered diamonds, silver or semi-precious stones, Caldwell responded

in the negative.

“There is no diamonds… only gold. It is a very unique deposit… it is very microscopic, a bit unusual gold,” he stated.

The Guyana Goldfields/ AGM executive said in com-

at US$800 an ounce once the cost of fuel remains stable.

Fuel, the CEO said, is the company’s largest cost. Gold is being sold on the world market at over US$1000 per ounce as of last week.

Guyana Goldfields/

Guyana Goldfields/ AGM President and CEO, Scott Caldwell parison to other South American mining companies, his company is not performing badly and noted that the company though producing less gold currently is more profitable than some.

The mining company employs the same mining process as was used when OMAI Inc. was operational, but stressed that it adheres to strict environmental practices and Caldwell noted that the company is currently examining the possibility of utilising renewable energy.

He said too that notwithstanding the price of gold on the world market, his company will continue to sell gold

AGM paid to the Government of Guyana eight per cent of its declared 150,000 ounces of gold as royalty.

Meanwhile, Michael Williams, the mining company’s health and safety officer, told reporters of the company’s success in that area. He said Guyana Goldfields/ AGM prides itself on the fact that they have had no accidents or injuries during the past 468 days.

“In our business at AGM, we pride ourselves with safety first-- we pride ourselves with zero harm; zero harm for the environment, employees, contractors, visitors, students, company property with the sole aim of returning each employee to their individual families without injury or illness.”

He said a thorough look at the company’s key performance indicators will be done this year in two categories: leading and lagging indicators.

“We have an excellent safety record… 15 months in operation without a lost-time injury. Today we are 2.5M hours without lost-time injury. Zero malaria for the past two years plus…468 without any lost time. No company in Guyana can demonstrate or exhibit such a record,” said Williams.

Environmental Monitor Monique Williams disclosed that the company has embarked on a number of activities that are geared at keeping it compliant with local environmental regulations and their environmental permit.

She said of the activities, bio-diversity monitoring is “most exciting”, noting that the company has a strict no-hunting, no-fishing policy and staff are encouraged to report any siting of animals.

That information is documented, so that a comparative analysis can be done during the lifetime of the mine. Additionally, Williams disclosed that

the company has implemented a bio-diversity monitoring plan which has resulted in the purchase of 30 infrared motion detecting cameras that have been installed around the mine perimeter.

To date, the company has hundreds of photographs of various animals on the work site.

“We debunk the theory that where there is mining there is loss of biodiversity …that is not the case. We plan on doing this study every year for the lifetime of the mine. We’d be able to see how our project’s activities are impacting biodiversity at our site.”

The environmental monitoring officer said too that water monitoring is also done while noting that quarterly reports are submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Guyana Goldfields/ AGM employs approximately 625 employees, 28 of whom are expatriates and other specialists.

The Aurora Gold Mine reached commercial production on January 1, 2016 and is designed to produce 3.3 million ounces of gold, averaging 220,000 ounces per year, over an initial 15-year mine life.

Guyana Goldfields signed a Mineral Agreement with the Government of Guyana and received the mining licence in November 2011 to operate and build the Aurora Gold Project.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Bandits terrorise Canal Number 2 family

GUN-TOTING bandits carried out a brazen attacked Saturday night on a family who recently moved into a Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home.

The men escape with a small amount of cash, jewellery and electronics but returned to the home about an hour after firing a few shots in the air before driving away.

Reports indicate that four masked bandits dressed in black descended on the family of four around 20:30hrs Saturday night. The man, his wife and two children were at home at the time the gunmen entered their premises.

During the attack, the family was cleaning up after moving into the house earlier this month as the previous occupants left the country to reside overseas.

The bandits armed with a rifle and handguns confronted the man of the house first and subdued him and his wife with duct tape.

Police said the victims

The house into which the family recently moved and were attacked by bandits in East Half Middlesex, Canal Number Two

related that one of the bandits held up their nine-month- old baby by the neck threatening to shoot the infant if they were not given the cash and jewellery that were in the house.

The other child was gun-butted in the process.

The family related that they are poor and did not have anything much and a search of the property could confirm their claim.

“The men told the family that people said they had cash and money in the house and they came for it, but is only this month they occupy the place,” one relative told the Guyana Chronicle.

“They tape up everybody in the house, then they ask the woman to count to one to a hundred and the bandits ducked out.”

The relative said they family previously lived at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

“The husband does not even work because he is sick and not feeling well,” the relative said.

Corentyne murder

Police seek wife of Tain businessman

POLICE are seeking the wife of a prominent businessman from Tain, Corentyne, the alleged mastermind in the execution of a Corentyne domestic worker.

The police have so far detained a barber with whom the alleged mastermind is said to be having an affair, the barber’s wife, the two suspected hit men as well as the mastermind’s husband.

According to information received, the woman plotted the execution of 45-year- old Lilawattie Mohamed after she found out the woman was having an affair with her husband.

She allegedly sought the help of her lover, the barber in getting the hit men to kill Mohamed.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the barber managed to solicit the services of two men from Rose Hall Town with the promise of a handsome reward.

The two men, a Jamaican and a deportee from the United states of America, who is also a tattoo artist, were tasked with making the execution appear as though it was a robbery in an effort to distract the police from the

true motive of the crime.

According to reports, the Jamaican served time in his home country for murder and only recently came to

Lilawattie Mohamed Guyana.

A police source has indicated that checks will be made with International Police (Interpol) to ascertain if the information is correct.

The men made their move on Tuesday night around 23:30 hrs while Mohamed was at home with her 19-year-old son and 20-yearold daughter.

The two masked gunmen barged into their home and ordered the woman and her

son, Ashad Ishack, to kneel on the floor, while the daughter hid under a bed.

The men asked “where the money at?” and when Lilawattie said she did not have any, one of the men placed a gun under her throat and shot her at point blank range.

The bullet exited through her skull, killing her instantly.

‘B’ Division investigators managed to gather vital information that pointed to the execution and had detained the barber since he had reportedly issued threats to Mohamed and her daughter on several occasions.

The barber was subsequently released on Saturday but re -arrested shortly after on the said day.

His re-arrest came after the arrest of the tattoo artist and the Jamaican. Police allegedly got information from the tattoo artist and his accomplice that implicated the barber and the alleged mastermind.

It is unclear what role or level of involvement the barber’s wife and husband of the mastermind played but they were also arrested on Saturday and remain in police custody assisting with investigations.

Investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

SASOD touts ‘sandwich effect’ to achieve social cohesion

SASOD’s Managing-Director, Joel Simpson, has floated the marrying of the top-down, bottom-up approaches as a vital strategy in achieving social cohesion.

At a recent meeting with Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, Simpson discussed a combination approach which gives a “sandwich effect” to realise social cohesion, a release said.

Simpson, who was accompanied by Social Change Coordinator, Jairo Rodrigues, and Advocacy and Communications Officer Schemel Patrick, explained to Dr Norton that the top-down approach tackles law and policy reform, especially constitutional reform, to protect minority groups from discrimination.

He contended that constitutional reform is paramount to sanction discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The SASOD director then pointed out that the bottom-up approach involves engaging communities and educating citizens to curtail their prejudices.

“SASOD believes that both approaches need to be taken together to achieve social cohesion in Guyana,” an optimistic Simpson said.

The meeting sought to discuss SASOD’s partnership with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the ministry’s public education work which is pivotal to the prevention of violence and discrimination.

–– floats top-down, bottom-up approach to Dr Norton

the release said.

And Patrick noted that with the absence of specific prohibitions against discrimination based on sexual

Norton to commit to amending the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 to include “sexual orientation, gender iden-

In photo from left to right: SASOD Social Change Coordinator, Jairo Rodrigues; Technical Officer in the Department of Social Cohesion, Pamela Nauth; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; SASOD Managing- Director, Joel Simpson; and SASOD Advocacy and Communication Officer, Schemel Patrick This, the organisation said, is at the heart of its work with sexual and gender minorities.

Patrick elaborated on the need for constitutional and law reform. Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) are not expressed grounds for discrimination in the Guyana Constitution,

orientation, gender identity and health status within the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons, as well as people living with HIV and other stigmatised illnesses, are subject to discrimination with impunity in the labour sector.

She urged Minister

tity and health status,” as grounds for discrimination.

REPEAL DISCRIMINATORY LAWS In her presentation, she also called for the repeal of laws that criminalise same-sex intimacy and cross-dressing and

referred to the recent incident before city Magistrate Dylon Bess, where transgender women were denied access to the courts and thereby justice.

Patrick noted that the existence of the colonial-era law is being misused to violate constitutional rights.

The Ministry of Social Cohesion is currently engaged in delivering “Diversity and Inclusion” training education programmes to various communities across the country, as part of their public education mandate.

SASOD’s Jairo Rodrigues asked that the ministry extend this work, not only in communities, but also in schools.

He noted the importance of education and how information and knowledge can shift attitudes and behaviours.

“Education is a fundamental prerequisite for social cohesion, in order to prevent violence and discrimination against marginalised groups,” Rodrigues stated.

Rodrigues also presented SASOD’s most recent publication titled, “Fact Sheet on Social Cohesion and LGBT Communities” to the minister and his

Technical Officer for further reading on community engagement.

In wrapping up the meeting, Simpson raised the issue of Guyana’s voting record at the recent 71st Plenary Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in a failed attempt to rescind the creation of the UN mandate of Independent Expert on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

He urged Minister Norton to invite the UN Independent Expert, Professor Vitit Muntabhorn, to Guyana, noting that social cohesion is a fitting portfolio to lead State action to prevent anti-LGBT violence and discrimination.

Minister Norton expressed his delight to have met with the delegation and commitment to working with SASOD in achieving mutual objectives.

The release also noted that the minister committed to exploring a possible visit by the UN Independent Expert, Professor Muntabhorn, and requested that SASOD prepare a draft amendment bill to the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 for his ministry to consider.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

GYSM plugs establishment of separate Ministry of Youth

THE Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), youth arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), on Saturday passed a motion calling for the establishment of a separate Ministry of Youth.

The call was made at the organisation’s extended General Council meeting held on Saturday at party Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown.

That meeting, held under the theme, “GYSM Champions of Change: Repositioned for Leadership”, saw youth leaders of the PNCR representing all 10 of Guyana’s administrative regions, gathered to conceptualise a plan and strategy to re-energise the youth movement, and catapult the youth into Guyana’s political, economic and social stratospheres.

The GYSM said in a statement Sunday that PNCR Chairman and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Basil Wil-

liams, who delivered the charge to the youth leaders, stressed the importance of youth in Government, and their role in the party.

He specifically spoke on the issues of Empowerment, Education, and Enterprise, and encouraged youth participants to seek out ministers where necessary so as to be informed.

He also urged that they not be afraid to speak out, as they’re the future leaders of the country.

Following the opening of the Extended General Council, there was a plenary session, which was chaired by Randolph Critchlow, and allowed participants to share their vision for their respective regions.

LACK OF INFORMATION Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice)’s Michael Forde spoke about

the lack of information on the party and its foundation principles in a format that can be easily disseminated to the youth demographic.

He also spoke of his frustration in trying to access the party’s website, and expressed concern that there is little information on current issues and the position of the party on topical issues.

Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)’s Hernandez Castro indicated that more has to be done to re-engage the young people in that region.

He is of the opinion that sport is a mechanism through which to do it, and that entrepreneurship must be used to stimulate the latent talent in youths.

Representatives of Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne),

also outlined their concerns and made specific reference to the lack of information and opportunities.

With reference to concerns about the lack of information, the party’s Chairman refuted those claims, saying that on the contrary, such information is readily available.

He suggested that youths make it a habit of reading the party’s monthly newspaper, the New Nation.

He also reminded his young audience that the party’s ideology, which is enshrined in the Vreed-enHoop Declaration and written

by President David Granger, is available free of cost from the party’s secretariat.

He, however, promised that copies of the party’s weekly televised programme will be made available to each administrative region for dissemination.

He also advised that they visit the websites of each ministry within the government to access information pertaining to the respective ministry’s work.

SCHOLARSHIPS GYSM Chairman, Ryan

Belgrave, disclosed that the organisation is open to acquiring scholarships to the University of Guyana for its members, and noted that several members have been exposed to local and overseas training.

At the conclusion of the plenary session, Attorney-at-Law James Bond presented the Vision 2020 concept ,which is a roadmap to ensuring that the coalition government succeeds in the 2020 general elections, as well as the implementation of a quota-based system of representation for young Guyanese.

Bond spoke of the five keys to success, namely: Making a president, generating wealth, reconciliation, providing leadership and organising and activating youth.

Utilising statistics from the 2011 and 2015 Regional and National Elections, Bond said young people account for approximately 76 per cent of the population, and challenged those gathered to ensure that the President has a victory in excess of 50,000 votes in 2020.

He also stressed the importance of reaching out to all Guyanese irrespective of race, religion or political persuasion, as our primary interest and goal is securing what’s best for all Guyanese youth. The entire General Council expressed support for Vision 2020.

Meanwhile, former GYSM Chairman, Christopher Jones, in a brief address to the youths spoke of the many challenges facing young people in Guyana, and called on the nation’s youth to have their voices heard.

He urged them to seize the opportunities afforded them, while calling on them to form at least seven groups in each of their regions to ensure the growth of the body.

General Council then formulated a workplan which covered activities relating to an Education and Training Policy Development, Heritage and Cultural Affairs Mobilisation and Outreach Health and Environment, Youth and Sports, Gender and Social Issues amongst others.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

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Social Protection Ministry distributes 40 bicycles

First Lady Sandra Granger, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, APNU+AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Jennifer Wade and others with the children of Black Bush Secondary SOCIAL Protection Minister Amna Ally and First Lady Sandra Granger on Saturday distributed 40 bicycles to the students of Black Bush and Canje Secondary Schools.

The first stop was Black Bush Secondary, where 20 students were awarded bicycles to assist in their travels to school.

The minister, in addressing the parents and students gathered, encouraged the children to take care of their bicycles, and be sure to use them to get to school on time, since an education is vital to their successful future.

Mrs Granger reiterated to the students being awarded that in addition to using the bicycles for transport to and from school, that they should be sure to help their parents with any transport that may be needed to help around the house.

Another 20 bicycles were awarded to students of the Canje Secondary

School. The programme at both schools included prayers from the three major religious organisations and cultural presentations showcasing the talents at the different schools.

The bicycle initiative is one of the 5Bs birthed under President David Granger’s administration, whereby children from different schools across the region are presented with buses, boats and bicycles in order to facilitate their travels to and from schools.

The children from both schools showed their appreciation by thanking both Minister Ally and First Lady Mrs Granger for presenting them with the bicycles, which will help them to get to school in a timely manner.

Also in attendance were APNU+AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Jennifer Wade, Region Six Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kim Williams-Stephens and New Amsterdam Mayor Kurt Wynter.

A student from the Canje Secondary School receiving her bicycle under the 5Bs programme from First Lady Sandra Granger

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

Mason stabbed to death in Tabatinga

THE police have apprehended a man who reportedly stabbed a 50-year-old mason to death in Tabatinga, in the Upper Takutu-Up-

per Essequibo region on Sunday morning.

Dead is Cheddi Glasgow of Tabatinga.

Police say he was stabbed four times about the body,

and was bitten on the forehead. He was stabbed twice in the back, and twice to the right side of his chest.

Reports indicate that the men had a heated argument in Tabatinga when the 30-year- old perpetrator whipped out a knife when the argument got physical and stabbed the mason.

When contacted, Di-

visional Commander, Ravindradat Budhram, confirmed the death and said that the police were very prompt in their response, since the perpetrator could have escaped across the border if he had not been caught.

He said the police recovered the knife that was used in the stabbing, and that the incident occurred around 09:30hrs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

First Lady participates in army walkathon

The contingent on its way to the National Park FIRST Lady Sandra Granger on Saturday morning joined with the Guyana Women’s Army Veterans for a walkathon in observance of the 50th Anniversary of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The walk, which was held under the theme, ‘Remembering our Service, Maintaining the Bond,’ was led by Mrs Granger and began at the 1923 War Memorial of Guyana, known as the Cenotaph, and proceeded east on to Church Street, and south into Camp Street, then east along Brickdam

we respect and honour what they have done, and will continue to laud them for their efforts,” Brigadier West said.

Speaking on behalf of the veterans, Welfare Officer of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Retired Warrant Officer, Ms Beverly Somerset ,said, “We want to show the Guyanese that even though we are retired ex-soldiers we are still fit. We can be called upon at any time to represent our country as a reserve.”

The walkathon is the first celebration organised by the women army veterans in observance of the 50th anniversary cele-

First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, participated in a walkathon with veterans of the Women’s Corps. Here she is pictured doing warm-ups before the walkathon as the group headed for their final destination at Durban Park.

GDF Chief-of-staff, Brigadier Patrick West, in an invited comment praised the women’s contribution to the GDF and Guyana as a whole.

“We are thankful for their service and

bration.

The veterans were joined in the walk to celebrate their Jubilee anniversary by the women from the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority and other organisations, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

First Lady Sandra Granger, veterans of the Women’s Corps and others in their stride

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

ARIES Planning out your day enables you to make the most of your time. It seems like nothing could go wrong when you have every detail in place, but you soon find that your narrow focus allows broader considerations to be left out of the picture. Aligning the small with the large is the only way to proceed successfully now, even if it seems like you could get more done by ignoring the future in favour of the present. The Moon’s shift into affable Libra lightens your mood and alleviates mental strain. Henri Matisse wrote, “What I dream of is an art of balance.”

TAURUS Your mind is set on riding your hobby horse to your heart’s content. You don’t want to give up any of your spare time to other obligations today, but your fixation on your projects may be placing stress on the people closest to you. The industrious Virgo Moon is challenged by responsible Saturn in your 8th House of Shared Resources, revealing how much you’re taking away from others to feed your own pursuits. Whether it’s time or money, you must create a healthy balance of giving and receiving for everyone to be satisfied.

GEMINI Once you hit your stride organizing your ideas, you don’t want to slow down until you have everything just right. However, promises to people hang over your head, and you feel like you must choose between tending your own garden and watering someone else’s.

Until you find a way to accommodate your plans and the needs of others, you probably won’t get much done. Luckily, a special connection between your key planet Mercury and innovative Uranus delivers a creative solution just in the nick of time.

CANCER One task leads to another today, and before you know it you’re tweaking little things that you typically don’t even notice. It feels constructive to tend to the tiniest details while the efficient Virgo Moon sorts through your 3rd House of Immediate Environment. However, you can’t help but realize that your nit-picking detracts from your normal routine when stern Saturn steps in. The challenge is to satisfy your need for perfection without falling behind on daily chores. Discernment and discipline are your key ingredients for success.

LEO Anything you invest time or money in must be worth your while. You don’t see a reason to compromise your high standards today, and all purchases need to pass your strict evaluation. You’re willing to go above and beyond to find the perfect fit as the shrewd Virgo Moon emphasizes your 2nd House of Material Possessions. However, Luna’s encounter with mature Saturn warns you that trying to score the best deal isn’t always in your best interest. Happily, establishing middle ground is easier when the Moon relaxes into gracious Libra, reminding you that the best things in life are not things.

VIRGO Putting extra effort into your personal presentation is at the forefront of your mind now.

You hope to give the right impression and may spend more time in front of the mirror today, making sure every hair is in place. It’s not that you want to steal the show, but you believe improving your image might cast you in a more favourable light. Focusing so much on your appearance distracts you from more important matters. Fortunately, a brilliant Mercury-Uranus connection delivers a sudden insight that frees your mind from its self-imposed cage. Be beautiful from the inside out.

LIBRA A mental block may keep you from verbally expressing your feelings today. Your brain is tied in a knot, and the harder you pull the tighter it gets. The good news is that you won’t have to struggle with this tangled mess for long. Once Luna moves out of her contentious alignment with suppressive Saturn and into your charming sign, your communication troubles will be a thing of the past. In fact, radical new ideas begin to arrive out of nowhere, renewing your confidence in your creative powers. Breakthroughs require equal amounts of faith and risk.

SCORPIO A special insight is hiding in the noise of the day, so subtle and quiet that you might miss it if you’re not paying attention. This gift from a creative Mercury-Uranus connection sends you into long-term planning mode, and you’re ready to sign the dotted line and board the train to your dreams. However, you may have to rearrange your budget to accommodate new expenses to make these hopes a reality. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but if you ignore this piece of the equation you will need to start over from scratch down the line. Establish a solid financial framework first before launching your plan into space.

SAGITTARIUS Your professional goals are top priority as you appear to have a sharper vision for all things work-related today. Your quest for excellence appears to falter, and in your search for the reason why you may not think to look in the mirror. If your heart isn’t in resonance with your ambitions, you could be the one holding yourself back. Happily, fluidity returns as the Moon moves from worrisome Virgo to light-hearted Libra, and problems won’t seem so insurmountable. Zig Ziglar wrote, “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.”

CAPRICORN Your bags are all packed for your next big adventure, but something keeps you from walking out your door. Sometimes taking a step back from all the facts allows them to fall into place. The rational Virgo Moon urges you to control every moving piece, but a square from austere Saturn in your 12th House of Privacy warns that you must spend some time alone to allow your thoughts to coalesce. Fortunately, Luna’s shift to cooperative Libra introduces a greater sense of mobility. Everything you say or do in life is a choice.

AQUARIUS Your pals are the first to notice that something is off today, and getting through a conversation is a challenge on both sides. It might seem like you’re stuck in a stalemate until you find a way to share what’s going on inside emotionally. Fortunately, an inventive connection between communicative Mercury and your key planet Uranus gives you the right words to express just what you mean. Expect the unexpected to come out of your mouth. Spontaneity is your friend.

PISCES It seems like no matter how hard you try to lay out all the details, no one really understands what you mean. In fact, the more you explain, the deeper you dig yourself into a hole. The fastidious Virgo Moon promises that additional facts will prove your point, but a stressful square from serious Saturn warns you to pare down your over-justification.

Fortunately, integration becomes possible when the Moon moves from compulsive Virgo to conciliatory Libra and your 8th House of Intimacy. Making your case is more about timing than anything else.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 27, 2017

Team Coco’s Jamal John opens 2017 cycling season on winning note TEAM Coco’s Jamal John opened the 2017 cycling season on a winning note when the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) staged its first race with a 75mile road race yesterday.

John returned a very slow three hours 20 minutes 23 seconds for the event which is usually completed in two hours 45 minutes and was unchallenged as he crossed the finish line on Homestretch Avenue way ahead of his main rivals.

John’s team mate Paul DeNobrega placed second by outsprinting Howard Eastman and Berbician Andrew Hicks almost one minute after John had crossed the finish line.

Brighton John placed fifth, some nine minutes after John.

There were no sprint prizes as is normal for such road races as it was reported in another section of the media that Guyana Cycling Federation’s president Hor-

race Burrowes wants to introduce a points system for six races planned for this year by the GCF and based on points accumulated by individual cyclists, those cyclists with the highest amount of points will be considered for selection to represent Guyana at Regional and International events.

Yesterday’s event attracted a mere 18 starters and got underway from Homestretch Avenue and proceeded to Dora on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway before returning to the place of origin for the finish.

After being sent on their way, as usual, there was a jostle for the lead and the top four finishers – John, DeNobrega, Eastman and Hicks went to the fore of the affair at Diamond, East Bank Demerara and stayed there throughout the remainder of the 75-mile event, working in tandem

sharing the lead.

H o w e v e r, w h i l e o n Mandela Avenue on the downward journey, John jumped DeNobrega, Eastman and Hicks and opened a sizeable lead which he never relinquished and went on to sail; past the finish line all by himself.

Eastman started the sprint for the minor positions but was overtaken by the second place finisher, DeNobrega, just about 25 metres from the finish line.

In the junior category, Brighton John who placed fifth overall was named top junior ahead Andealie Hodge and Jerome Stephens respectively, while Leer Nunes was the first veteran to complete the grueling course. Second in this category was Eion `Dumb Boy’ Jackson and Junior Niles was third.

The top performers received no trophies or prize monies for their efforts.

TTFA president saddened by murder of female youth player The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) have expressed regret at the untimely passing of former national youth player Abiela Adams.

After being reported missing overnight Adams’ body was found in Courland, on Tobago’s north west coast. Her throat had been slashed. The 15-yearold was a student at the Signal Hill Secondary School.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of young Abiela’s passing.

Our deepest sympathies goes out to her family and we pray that God will grant her family and her

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National Under-15 player Abiela Adams close ones the much needed comfort and peace during this time,” president of the TTFA David John-Williams said.

12:30 hrs Funny Oyster Wolverhampton 10:20 hrs Persistence 10:50 hrs My Rosie 11:20 hrs Toga Tiger 11:50 hrs Perfect Cracker 12:20 hrs Miss Dusky Diva 12:50 hrs Dandilion 13:20 hrs Lizzy’s Dream 13:50 hrs Siege To Boston Catterick 10:40 hrs Almonst Gemini 11:10 hrs Bativir

“The TTFA will make every effort to support the family in this difficult time. Her death comes at a time when women’s football in our country is heading in the right direction. We are all shocked at losing a bright prospect like her.”

Adams was considered as one of the most promising players in the current crop of youth prospects.

She was member of the national Under-15 team and journeyed to the CONCACAF Under-15 Women’s Championship at Disney, Orlando, USA in 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

History for Ashwin as India edge closer to victory

Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest bowler to reach 250 Test wickets

(REUTERS)-India’s spinners sent back the top three Bangladesh batsmen in the second innings of the one-(off Test at Hyderabad yesterday to keep the hosts on course for victory.

Chasing an improbable target of 459 in four sessions for a win, Bangladesh reached 103-3 at stumps on the fourth day of their maiden Test in India, the world’s top-ranked nation.

Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten on 21 for Bangladesh with Mahmudullah nine not out at the other end.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who during the day became the fastest to reach 250 wickets in Tests, dismissed Tamim Iqbal (3) and Mominul Haque (27) while spin partner Ravindra Jadeja picked up the wicket of Soumya Sarkar, who made 42.

Sarkar and Mominul added 60 for the second wicket but both left-handers were out in

the space of 14 deliveries, dampening the touring side’s hopes of saving the test match.

Cheteshwar Pujara hit an unbeaten 54 off 58 balls as India declared their second innings on 159 for four at tea.

The hosts batted for 29 overs and scored at a rate of more than five runs per over with useful contributions from captain Virat Kohli (38) and Ajinkya Rahane (28). Paceman Taskin and Shakib shared the four Indian wickets.

In the morning session, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim registered his fifth Test hundred before his side were bundled out for 388 as the hosts took a first-innings lead of 299.

The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was the last man out for his side on 127 with Bangladesh’s innings ending shortly before lunch. Kohli opted against enforcing the follow-on after his bowlers

needed almost an entire session to pick up Bangladesh’s last four wickets.

Resuming on 322-6, the visitors got off to a bad start as seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar breached the defence of half-centurion Mehedi Hasan with the fourth ball of the morning without a run being added to their overnight total.

Paceman Umesh Yadav, the most impressive of India’s bowlers, got Taijul Islam to glove one back to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, raising fears for Mushfiqur that he could run out of partners before reaching

three figures.

However, Taskin Ahmed stayed with his captain for a 39run ninth-wicket stand, during which Mushfiqur scored freely.

The diminutive right-hander top-edged Ishant Sharma for a six and then reached his century when the lanky bowler miss-fielded near the boundary to allow a four.

He was finally out, caught down the leg side to Ashwin, who reached 250 test wickets with the dismissal.

Umesh finished with three wickets, while Ashwin and Jadeja picked up two wickets apiece.

Mushfiqur Rahim grins after completing his hundred against India in Hyderabad on the 4th day.

Chelsea extend lead but champions Leicester lose again

By Steve Tongue LONDON,(Reuters)-Chelsea were left disappointed but still extended their lead to 10 points at the top of the Premier League after Burnley held them 1-1 yesterday.

Champions Leicester City, however, sank deeper into trouble at the bottom, as a 2-0 defeat away to Swansea City left them a point above the relegation zone.

Manager Claudio Ranieri agreed that the Welsh club, who moved three points above his team, had been more determined and said that “it is not possible to continue this way”.

Leicester remain in danger of becoming the first English champions to go down the year after winning the title since Manchester City in 1938.

The current City side under Pep Guardiola have an opportunity to cut Chelsea’s lead back to eight points if they win at Bournemouth today.

In an entertaining game at

Burnley played amid flurries of sleet and snow, Pedro gave Chelsea an early lead from a pass by Victor Moses but the home side fought back well and equalised midway through the first half with a superb curling free kick by Robbie Brady, making his full debut.

Burnley, promoted last season, moved up one place to 12th and fully deserved a draw. They have earned 29 of their 30 points this season at home.

They restricted the leaders to only two shots on target, including the goal, which led Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to conclude his team could have done better with their 71 percent possession.

REWARD FOR BRAVERY “We must be disappointed with the point because I think this type of game we could win,” Conte said.

“We started very well and created chances to score. We could have killed the game but it

Chelsea’s Pedro celebrates scoring their first goal Reuters / Phil Noble

didn’t happen.

“Now it is important to restart.”

Brady’s equaliser was believed to be the first goal Chelsea had conceded from a direct

free kick in four years.

“The lads were excellent and it shows what they’re about,” he told Sky Sports.Manager Sean Dyche said the result was a reward for bravery.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1st innings 687 for 6 decl (V. Kohli 204, M. Vijay 108, W. Saha 106no, C. Pujara 83, A. Rahane 82, R. Jadeja 60no)

Bangladesh 1st innings (Overnight: 322-6) T. Iqbal run out (U. Yadav, B. Kumar) 24 S. Sarkar c Saha b U. Yadav 15 M. Haque lbw b U. Yadav 12 Mahmudullah lbw b I. Sharma 28 S. Al Hasan c U. Yadav b R. Ashwin 82 M. Rahim c Saha b R. Ashwin 127 Sa. Rahman lbw b Jadeja 16 M. Hasan b B. Kumar 51 T. Islam c Saha b U. Yadav 10 T. Ahmed c Rahane b Jadeja 8 K. Rabbi not out 0 Extras (lb-15) 15 Total (all out, 127.5 overs) 388 Fall of wickets: 1-38 S. Sarkar,2-44 T. Iqbal,3-64 M. Haque,4-109 Mahmudullah,5-216 S. Al Hasan,6-235 Sa. Rahman,7-322 M. Hasan,8-339 T. Islam,9-378 T. Ahmed,10-388 M. Rahim Bowling: B. Kumar 21 - 7 - 52 – 1, I. Sharma 20 - 5 69 – 1, R. Ashwin 28.5 - 7 - 98 – 2, U. Yadav 25 - 6 - 84 – 3, R. Jadeja 33 - 8 - 70 - 2 INDIA 2nd innings M. Vijay c Rahim b Ahmed 7 L. Rahul c Rahim b Ahmed 10 C. Pujara not out 54

V. Kohli c Mahmudullah b Al Hasan 38 A. Rahane b Al Hasan 28 R. Jadeja not out 16 Extras(lb-5 w-1) 6 Total(for 4 wickets declared, 29 overs) 159 Fall of wickets: 1-12 M. Vijay,2-23 L. Rahul,3-90 V. Kohli,4-128 A. Rahane Did not bat: R. Ashwin, W. Saha, B. Kumar, U. Yadav, I. Sharma Bowling: T. Islam 6 - 1 - 29 – 0,T. Ahmed 7 - 0 - 43 2(w-1), S. Al Hasan 9 - 0 - 50 – 2, M. Hasan 7 - 0 - 32 – 0.

Bangladesh 2nd innings (Target: 459 runs) T. Iqbal c Kohli b R. Ashwin 3 S. Sarkar c Rahane b Jadeja 42 M. Haque c Rahane b R. Ashwin 27 Mahmudullah not out 9 S. Al Hasan not ou 21 Extras(nb-1) 1 Total(for 3 wickets, 35 overs) 03 Fall of wickets: 1-11 T. Iqbal,2-71 S. Sarkar,3-75 M. Haque To bat: M. Rahim, S. Rahman, M. Hasan, T. Islam, T. Ahmed, K. Rabbi Bowling: B. Kumar 5 - 2 - 14 – 0, R. Ashwin 16 - 6 34 – 2, I. Sharma 3 - 0 - 19 - 0(nb-1), U. Yadav 3 - 0 - 9 - 0 R. Jadeja 8 - 2 - 27 - 1

Fastest to 250 Test wickets Ravichandran Ashwin (India) - 45 Tests Dennis Lillee (Australia) - 48 Tests Dale Steyn (Soouth Africa) - 49 Tests Allan Donald (South Africa) - 50 Tests Waqar Younis (Pakistan) - 51 Tests Muthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka) - 51 Tests

“The mentality is the main thing I’m pleased with,” he said.

“We wanted to do what we do. For the first 20 minutes we couldn’t get it right, but I was super-impressed with the reaction to their goal.”

Leicester’s poor run continued and they have now not won in 15 away games in the league since last April or scored in six league games in 2017.

Ranieri, who was given a vote of confidence in an official club statement last week, saw his team go two goals down to Swansea before halftime to defenders Alfie Mawson and Martin Olsson They improved a little after he made two substitutions for the second half but Lukasz Fabianski still had little to do except make one save from Algerian striker Islam Slimani.

Leicester now have a break for an FA Cup tie at

Millwall and then a Champions League tie with Sevilla before league games at home to Liverpool and relegation rivals Hull City.

“I wanted the start of a ‘new season’ today, but it is the same, it is unbelievable,” Ranieri said.

“We have to speak together to find the solutions, it is not possible to continue in this way.

“The machine is not broken but when you don’t play at a maximum level it is a difficult battle. They were more determined than us, that’s the truth.”

Swansea have now won three of their last four games under former Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich assistant manager Paul Clement.

“We have worked hard on the training ground to get the basics right, nothing complicated,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

Indian greats tip Kohli to topple all FORMER India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin expect their contemporary Virat Kohli to shatter most batting records in the game after the 28-yearold toppled two cricketing legends with his double century against Bangladesh.

And in an ominous warning for Australia’s bowlers, Gavaskar says “the mind just boggles” when he thinks about what Kohli could do against the Aussies in their upcoming four-Test series Kohli’s innings of 204 in Hyderabad was the fourth time in consecutive Test series that he’d posted a double century, passing the previous record of three held by Sir Donald Bradman and Rahul Dravid.

The right-hander now averages 68 from 23 Tests as India’s skipper, including nine hundreds, drawing level with Azharuddin’s mark of nine centuries from 47 Tests as skipper.

Only Gavaskar stands in Kohli’s way in terms of centuries by an Indian skipper, the former opener notching 11 tons in 47 Tests in charge.

And the older duo are in no doubt that the current skipper is on the path to legendary status.

“He’s a great in my book,” Gavaskar told NDTV. “I think he’s on his way to becoming a legend.

Virat Kohli’s innings of 204 in Hyderabad was the fourth time in consecutive Test series that he’d posted a double century passing the previous record of three held by Sir Donald Bradman and Rahul Dravid.

“That’s something which is eventually going to happen sooner rather than later.

“The way he’s batting, he’s going to rewrite the whole record book.

“Most of the batting records, if not all of the batting records, are going to be his the way he’s going about scoring runs and scoring big runs in all forms of the game.”

Azharuddin, who scored 22 centuries in 99 Tests for India, agreed that most batting records were well within reach of a man whose thirst for runs seems unquenchable.

“Records are meant to be broken and I think the form he is (in) at the moment most batting records will tumble,”

Azharuddin told xtratime.in.

“The hallmark of a great player is to do well in any condition and under any situation.

Virat has proved that time and again in recent times.

“The one thing that stays apart for me is his ability to stay focused and score runs in any format consistently.

“He is well aware of what is happening and has the ability to read the situation.”

Kohli’s double centuries against the West Indies, New Zealand, England (all last year) and now Bangladesh are his first in Test cricket having previously passed 150 just twice in his career.

Of his nine centuries he has scored as captain, seven have been scores of 140 or more, while just one of his

seven centuries he posted when he wasn’t been captain topped the 120 mark.

It’s a record the skipper himself is fully aware of and says he made a conscious effort to turn all of his centuries into big, match-winning performances.

“I think because of captaincy you tend to go on more than what you usually would as a normal batsman,” Kohli told BCCI.TV. “The room for complacency is no more present when you become captain.

“That has something to do with me playing long innings. I have always wanted to play long innings and my first seven or eight hundreds were not even 120-plus scores.

“After that I made a conscious effort to bat long, control my excitement or not be complacent.

“I have worked on my fitness as well over the years. I feel like I can go on for longer periods now.

“I don’t feel tired easily, and I definitely don’t get satisfied when I get a Test hundred.”

“The way he’s batting, he’s going to rewrite the whole record book.

“Most of the batting records, if not all of the batting records, are going to be his the way he’s going about scoring runs and scoring big runs in all

forms of the game.”

Azharuddin, who scored 22 centuries in 99 Tests for India, agreed that most batting records were well within reach of a man whose thirst for runs seems unquenchable.

“Records are meant to be broken and I think the form he is (in) at the moment most batting records will tumble,” Azharuddin told xtratime.in.

“The hallmark of a great player is to do well in any condition and under any situation.

Virat has proved that time and again in recent times.

“The one thing that stays apart for me is his ability to stay focused and score runs in any format consistently.

“He is well aware of what is happening and has the ability to read the situation.”

Kohli’s double centuries against the West Indies, New Zealand, England (all last year) and now Bangladesh are his first in Test cricket having previously passed 150 just twice in his career.

Of his nine centuries he has scored as captain, seven have been scores of 140 or more, while just one of his seven centuries he posted when he wasn’t been captain topped the 120 mark.

It’s a record the skipper himself is fully aware of and says he made a conscious effort to turn all of his centuries into big, match-winning performances.

“I think because of captaincy you tend to go on more than what you usually would as a normal batsman,” Kohli told BCCI.TV. “The room for complacency is no more present when you become captain.

“That has something to do with me playing long innings. I have always wanted to play long innings and my first seven or eight hundreds were not even 120plus scores.

“After that I made a conscious effort to bat long, control my excitement or not be complacent.

“I have worked on my fitness as well over the years.

I feel like I can go on for longer periods now.

“I don’t feel tired easily, and I definitely don’t get satisfied when I get a Test hundred.”

Gavaskar said the Australians had every right to be fearful of the Indian superstar as they seek to reverse their poor recent record in the subcontinent over the coming weeks.

“Four double hundreds in four consecutive series against four different oppositions and there’s still Australia to come,” Gavaskar said.

“The mind just boggles at the thought of what is going to happen in the next four Test matches.”

Germans outraged as U.S. plays wrong version of their anthem (REUTERS)-German tennis has responded with outrage after the United States Tennis Association (USTA) made the embarrassing error of playing the Nazi-era version of Germany’s national anthem during a Fed Cup tie in Hawaii.

The version played included the first stanza, beginning “Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles,”

which was used as Nazi propaganda. It was dropped after World War Two. “I thought it was the epitome of ignorance, and I’ve never felt more disrespected in my whole life, let alone in Fed Cup,” Germany’s Andrea Petkovic said, adding that she considered walking off court before the singles match against Alison Riske.

She later said her first comments had been somewhat emotional but that was because the incident happened before her game and she was left stunned.

“We were left shocked and did not know how to react,” Petkovic said.

German team coach Barbara Ritter said the mistake was “an absolute scandal, a disrespectful incident and inexcusable”.

German team coach Barbara Ritter

German tennis federation chief Ulrich Klaus said his American counterpart had apologised for the mistake.

“Our American hosts at the Fed Cup opening in Hawaii made a mistake that should not happen,” Klaus said in a statement.

“The fact that in the year 2017 a wrong anthem can be played that is associated with the horror of the past

was for players and staff and the officials present both shocking and disturbing.”

“The USTA through its president Katrina Adams has apologised officially in writing and in person and deeply regrets the blunder.”

Riske won the opening rubber to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Bad weather prevented any further play on the opening day of the tie.

Barbados Pride finishes atop Group B after win over CCC Marooners BARBADOS Pride secured first place in G ro u p B w i t h a 1 4 3 run win over Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners at Kensington Oval on Saturday evening.

The Group B host fin-

Jonathan Carter top scored for Barbados Pride with 79

ished 7-1 in pool play with their only loss coming to Jamaica. Barbados’ opponent in the semi-final stage will be the loser of yesterday’sLeeward Islands v Trinidad & Tobago Group A match at Coolidge.

The win was set up by a trio of fifties from Kraigg Brathwaite (51), Shai Hope (62) and Jonathan Carter (79) as Barbados posted 294 for 8 after choosing to bat first.

The bulk of the damage was done during a brisk

third-wicket stand between Hope and Carter in which they added 119 in just 13 overs after coming together in the 29th over.

CCC’s chase struggled to get momentum early after Jason Holder struck twice in the Pow-

erplay. Ashley Nurse, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, and fellow spinner Sulieman Benn took three wickets apiece to rip through the middle order and CCC were eventually bowled out for 151 in the 45th over.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

2017 Limacol

Mahaica edges out Camptown 3-2; Den Amstel destroy Ann’s Grove 4-1

Part of the action between Mahaica Determinators and Camptown on Saturday evening at the Victoria ground. Mahaica eventually won 1-0

By Stephan Sookram MAHAICA Determinators and Den Amstel produced contrasting wins over their respective opponents when the Limacol round robin knockout football tournament continued at the Victoria ground on Saturday night.

Mahaica produced the goods needed to break the deadlock and secure their win against the Georgetown based Camptown 3-2 while Den Amstel decimated their Ann’s Grove opponents 4-1.

In the first game, the Mahaica team knew they needed only a draw to progress but pushed for the

win, knowing that any 1-0 margin would give them the top spot in group D. And they found their first goal in the 16th minute through a Neil Lynton strike. They did not back off however as they found goal number two through Lynton in the 36th.

Camptown however, were not out of the fight

yet, netting their first of the game two minutes into the injury period of the first half through Joel Juman and returning with that momentum in the 63rd to level the game through Andy Parks It would take Devon Harris’ 75th minute intervention to secure the much needed win for the Mahaica

side and in the process take them into the lead in group D, knocking Police down to the second spot.

In game two, it was an utter decimation by the West Bank Demerara side Den Amstel, as they ran rampant over Ann’s Grove.

A double each from Delon Lanferman (1st and 6th) and Gideon Payne

(45th and 90th+2) outshone the lone Phillip Williams (76th) minute strike to surge ahead of the rest of Group C Santos would finish second in that group.

Meanwhile, the final two spots in groups A and B were to be confirmed last evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

IAAF impressed by Bahamas’ Paul’s belligerent 72 not enough to save Windies Under-19s World Relay preparations

TRACK and field’s world governing body, the IAAF, has given the thumbs up to the progress so far being made in preparation for this year’s IAAF World Relays set for the T. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas on April 22 and 23.

The Bahamas hosted the two previous world relays in 2014 and 2015.

The county will also host the 2019 edition and is hoping it will be selected for 2021. A team from the IAAF visited the island earlier this week and based on their reactions, things are looking good for the Caribbean island.

Carlo de Angeli, the IAAF Head of Event Operations said he was impressed with what he has seen on his visit.

“We can honestly say we are pleased with what we have seen so far,” de Angeli told the Nassau Guardian.

“There was a demand for this event and the IAAF decided to have a test run

and we are happy that the Bahamas decided to come on board with us. And we have to thank the Bahamas for hosting the past events so well and making them successful.”

The World Relays is a qualifying event for the sprint and mile relays for the IAAF World Championships in London in August, but for Dr Daniel Johnson, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, it means even more, especially since the country is gunning to host in 2021.

“We know that the two first events were test events.

The first was just to see if we could stage such an event, and the second, which consisted of an all-Bahamian team, pulled off an even more spectacular event,” he said.

“That was said by the people attending, not by us. Now what I can say is that we have signed off on 2019, we are going after 2021.”(Sportsmax.com)

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Under-19 World Cup star, Keemo Paul, stroked his maiden Regional Super50 half-century but it was not enough to save West Indies Under-19s as they collapsed to a six-wicket defeat to Kent Spitfires here yesterday.

All-rounder Paul was impressive with a stroke-filled 72, an innings that helped pulled the Under-19s around from 83 for five in the 32nd over and lift them to 191 for eight off their 50 overs at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Captain Kirstan Kallicharan chimed in with 47 and Shamar Springer got 26 but the Under-19s innings never really found flight and they failed to crack the 200-run mark.

New ball bowlers Matt Coles (3-42) and Calum Haggett (3-43) did the early damage with three wickets apiece.

In reply, Kent strolled to their target in the 45th over with wicketkeeper Adam Rouse top-scoring with 61 not out and Sean Dickson

getting 53.

Opener Daniel Bell-Drummond struck 29 from 36 deliveries while opening partner Adam Ball weighed in with 25, in a stand of 50 for the first wicket.

When they both departed to leave Kent on 64 for two in the 18th over, Rouse and Dickson combined in a 104-run partnership for the third wicket to set up the win.

Rouse faced 105 deliveries and counted one four and a six while Dickson hit two fours and a six in a 76-ball knock.

Left-arm quick Obed McCoy was the best Under-19s bowled with two for 47.

Earlier, winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Under-19s were tottering at 20 for four in the eighth over before Kallicharan, Springer and then Paul came to their side’s rescue.

First, Kallicharan and Springer put on a critical 63 for the fifth wicket before Paul and Kallicharan added a further 46 for the sixth wicket.

Kallicharan, a member of the successful Under-19 World Cup side, struck three fours in a responsible 110ball knock before perishing in the 44th over at 129 for six.

Paul then took charge in a belligerent innings which required only 57 balls and included four fours and five sixes. Importantly, he added 41 for the seventh wicket with Joshua Bishop (10), which helped Under-19s extend their rally in the death overs.

Keemo Paul struck four fours and five sixes in his innings of 72.

SCOREBOARD UNDER-19s S Brathwaite b Haggett 9 +E Stewart lbw b Haggett 0 B Yadram c Blake b Coles 3 A Athanze c Gidman b Haggett 2 S Springer run out 26 K Kallicharan lbw b Coles 47 K Paul c Robinson b Gidman 72 J Bishop b Coles 10 J Royal not out 5 Extras: (lb8, w9) 17 TOTAL: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 191 Did not bat: O McCoy, T Alleyne.

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-15, 3-20, 4-20, 5-83, 6-129, 7-170, 8-191.

Bowling: Haggett 10-3-43-3, Coles 10-2-42-3, Ball 6-0-24-0, Gidman 6-1-23-1, Qayyum 10-026-0, Riley 8-1-25-0.

KENT D Bell-Drummond st Stewart b Bishop 29 A Ball c Kallicharan b Royal 25 A Rouse not out 61 S Dickson c wkp Stewart b McCoy 53 *W Gidman c Yadram b Mccoy 7 A Blake not out 4 Extras (lb2, w11) 13 TOTAL (4 wkts, 44.5 overs) 192 Did not bat: O Robinson, C Haggett, M Coles, A Riley, I Qayyum.

Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-64, 3-168, 4-188.

Bowling: McCoy 7.5-0-47-2, Alleyne 8-0-44-0, Bishop 10-221-1, Paul 1-0-4-0, Royal 10-032-1, Yadram 5-0-25-0, Athanaze 3-0-17-0.

Points: Kent 4, Under-19s.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 13, 2017

George, Foster, Bright and Williams among awardees at AAG annual ceremony

By Tamica Garnett

OLYMPIAN Winston G e o r g e , C A R I F TA Games medallists Andrea Foster, Chintoba Bright, and South American Youth Championships silver medallist, Daniel Williams, were among those who received athlete of the year awards, in various categories, when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its annual award ceremony last Saturday night at the YMCA. Loud applause greeted the announcement that Coach Johnny Greavesande, of the Upper Demerara athletics club, won the Coach of the Year Award.

Most of the night’s awards were generally predictable, given the small pool from which the athletes had to be chosen, making Guyana’s most

outstanding athletes easily identifiable.

The Youth Female Athlete of the Year and Youth Male Athlete of the Year deservingly went to Lindeners Chintoba Bright, and Daniel Williams, respectively, both of whom are coached by Greavesande.

Bright, who last year peaked with a 6.09m in the female long-jump, won two bronze medals at the CARIFTA Games and another bronze medal at the South American Youth Championships (SAYC).

Locally, she produced the year’s best female jump in the long-jump.

Williams, who finished second place in the boys’ Under- 18 400m at the CARIFTA Games, but was later disqualified for a lane violation, later went on to be Guyana’s most decorated athlete

at the SAYC, winning two silvers and a bronze medal.

For his many stellar performances last year, including representing Guyana at the Rio Olympics, George, for the second consecutive year, won Senior Male Athlete of the Year. The men’s 400m national record holder triumphed over fellow sprinter Rupert Perry and AP Invitational men’s 800m winner, Devaun Barrington. Perry took the runner-up spot.

Coming up against sprinters Alita Moore, and Aniquah Powley, high-jumper Hooper was adjudged to have the best track record last year and won the Senior Female of the Year award, leaving Moore as the runner-up.

George, who is currently training in the U.S., and Hooper, who is on a scholarship in Jamaica,

Some of the coaches who received their IAAF Level I coaches certificates

AAG president, Aubrey Hutson (right) and some of the awardees (from left): Coach of the Year, Johnny Greavesande, Youth Female of the Year runner-up, Kenisha Phillips, Youth Female of the Year, Chintoba Bright; Samuel Lynch, Youth Male of the Year, Daniel Williams, Junior Male of Year, Compton Caesar; Avon Samuels, Senior Female of the Year runner-up, Alita Moore; Senior Male Athlete of the Year, Rupert Perry

received their awards in absentia, as did Foster.

Foster retained the title of Junior Female Athlete of the Year. The CARIFTA Games bronze medallist prevailed over CARIFTA Games silver medallist Natricia Hooper, a judgment that some questioned.

Hooper finished in the runner-up position, while the other nominee of this category was Jevina Sampson, who also attended last year’s CARIFTA Games but failed to impress. Both Foster and Natricia are away on scholarships at Essex College in the U.S. Both Foster and Hooper had medalled at last year’s CARIFTA Games.

Foster, a distance runner won two bronze, and Hooper took silver in the triple-jump. However, Foster also performed well at other regional

meets, including copping two gold medals at Trinidad’s annual Hampton International Games, and a silver at Trinidad’s National Seniors.

Locally, Foster championed the women’s 800m at the AP Invitational, where Natricia won silver in the women’s triple-jump. Foster also took a gold at the National Seniors. Natricia finished with two silvers at the National Seniors.

The Junior Male Athlete of the Year award was starved for nominees, and that award went to InterGuiana Games gold medallist, Compton Caesar.

Like George and Foster, Caesar was also a repeat awardee, moving up from the Youth Male Athlete of the Year award that he won last year. Runner-up Odwin Tudor was the only other nominee in this

category.

The night’s ceremony also saw the 23 coaches who recently completed the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Level One coaches course being awarded their certificates. The course was topped by Kenisha Headley, one of only three females who participated in the programme.

The ceremony was attended by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, and president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) K.Juman-Yassin , who both called for more to be done for athletes and coaches, throwing around the idea that athletes and coaches need to be given monthly stipends.Jones said the National Sports Commission already has several coaches on its payroll with plans to expand.

West Demerara Colors/Guinness Street Football

Showstoppers continue fine form to crush Money Team 5-0 THE wins continued for Showstoppers as they beat the MoneyTeam 5-0 when action in the Colors/Guinness street football championships on the West Bank of Demerara, continued on Saturday evening.

Playing at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, the organisers surly left the best for last as the Showstoppers side through Hubert Pedro (10th and 23rd), Dexroy Adams (14th and 18th) and Kayode King (17th), scored another blowout.

Earlier in game one, Harmony Ballers needed penalties (2-1) to be adjudged winners against Goal Getters as their game end-

ed goalless while Agricola needled Golden Warriors 1-0 through Gordon Grant (16th).

Game three was a walkover for Tajoe’s Admiral United after West Side Ballers failed to show up, while Leon Yaw helped Brothers united beat De Kinderen 1-0 and Nicquan Nestor (5th), allowed ESPN a win over Young Ballers.

Jetty also needed to go to penalties for a 3-2 decider against Goed Intent All-Stars After two rounds of action, ESPN lead Goal Getters by a +1 goal difference as they both tied on six points with Harmony Ballers and Young Ballers are third

and fourth respectively.

Group B has Tajoe’s Admiral United on top with six points while West Side

Ballers has a goal advantage over Brothers United and De Kinderen is down in fourth.

Group C see Hustlers

in the lead by a +7 goal difference over Agricola (+1), Golden Warriors and Patentia are in third and fourth respectively, while Showstoppers lead the D group with six points,

Jetty are in second place and Money team third due to a -5 goal difference; Goed Intent are down in the cellar.

Matches continue on Thursday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday February 13, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shai Hope (Bar) (2) Devendra Bishoo (Guy)

An ESPN player (right) attacks the Young Ballers duo during Saturday evening’s Colors/Guinness street football championships at Pouderoyen. (Delano Williams Photo)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team have had scores of 58 & 78 all out in CWI Nagicor

Super 50 2017?

(2) Against which opposition Guyana lost their first two games

in this year’s tournament?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 13, 2017

31

‘George, Foster, Bright and Williams among awardees at AAG annual ceremony See Page 31

Team Coco’s Jamal John opens 2017 cycling season on winning note See story on Page 26

Team Coco’s Jamal John is all alone as he crosses the finish line to win the GCF’s 2017 season opener 75-mile cycle road race. (Adrian Narine photos).

Paul DeNobrega (right) outsprints Hamza Eastman and Andrew Hicks to place second in the GCF’s 75-mile cycle road race yesterday

GFF plans new facilities in Rupununi – Forde

GUYANA Football Federation’s (GFF) president Wayne Forde intends to place more emphasis on infrastructural work in the hinterland of Guyana and to this end the GFF will work assiduously to make this a reality.

According to a GFF press release, the Federation’s president has announced a Guy $300,000 grant for the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) league prize money and Lethem will benefit by way of football infrastructural support to support the growth of the game in hinterland communities.

Forde, according to the release, made this known on Saturday last when Forde addressed the RFA at the association’s Annual General Meeting.

Also present was GFF’s first vice- president Brigadier (Ret) Bruce Lovell who kicked off the GFF’s annual Member Outreach Programme to the region aimed at strengthening relationships and listening to the concerns of the local football community.

The GFF also announced that it would provide three hundred thousand (GYD $300,000)

GFF president Wayne Forde and first vice-president Brigadier Bruce Lovell with RFA executives

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in funding for prize money to help kick off the RFA’s next league competition, which is expected to start next month.

Forde said the GFF was looking into ways to upgrade existing playing facilities in Lethem with new turf, stands and lights, but was also considering a request to build a new ground to better serve a community where football is growing rapidly.

“Let’s think big. The ultimate goal is to have a separate venue that belongs to the GFF and the RFA. The key reason for these projects is so that the RFA and its members can find a sustainable source of revenue. If you have a facility like that, you can have proper income from games and fans – the opportunities are endless.” Forde is reported to have told the gathering.

The GFF representatives also inspected local club grounds and met with prominent members of the private sector, including representatives from the Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry (GBTI), to encourage further investment in the sport.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017