Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-10-2022

Two thumbs up

–– private sector lauds Guyana’s improvements in anti-corruption framework, fiscal transparency

CHAIRMAN of the Pri vate Sector Commission (PSC) Paul Cheong has commended the prog ress Guyana has made in strengthening its anti-cor ruption framework and fiscal transparency.

The country’s improve ments in this area was re

cently highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it its report document ing the conclusions of its Article IV Consultation with local authorities.

“We have always echoed the importance of anti-cor ruption framework, because, without it, it can lead to

many ills. It could drive away good investors, and your cost to financing would be more,” Cheong said.

According to Cheong, tackling corruption requires the effort of all, and while the private sector will play its role, he is happy that the government is doing its part.

“There are always people out there who try to achieve things without the necessary effort. You always have to be reviewing your systems and practices to ensure there are sufficient safeguards to prevent these things from happening, and ensure that when it does happen, persons

are dealt with properly, and penalised.

Those are core princi ples for good governance; maintenance against cor ruption is important,” he said.

Carnival Parade attracts thousands

a night to

GUYANESE and foreigners alike flooded the National Stadium at Providence on Saturday night for the final Cricket Carnival Super Concert. For many, it was a night to remember, as the headliners: Spice, the Queen of Dancehall; Machel Montano, the King of Soca; and Skillibeng, a new dancehall sensation, did not disap point. The trio delivered energetic performances which left patrons dripping in perspiration from hours of dancing, jumping and screaming.

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centre page

PSC Chairman, Paul Cheong

Carnival Parade attracts thousands

DESPITE the late start, scores of persons lined the streets of George town on Sunday to get a glimpse of the Carnival Parade, which brought the curtains down on the inaugural Cricket Carnival celebrations here.

Sunday’s parade could be seen as the return of the carnival event in Guy ana following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revelers from the various bands were all decked out in their brightly-co loured costumes as they gyrated all the way from the Bank of Guyana on down town Avenue of the Republic, down North Road, up Irving Street to the Kitty Roundabout where the parade ended.

Among the participating bands were the Melange Band, Pulse Warriors, Gen esis X Utopia and Amazonas Fantasy.

Though the sun was hot and drain ing for some, it did not seem to bother most revelers as they seemed energised as they danced to the booming music coming from the various trucks.

While many saw it as a day to en joy a good party on the road with their friends, others saw it as an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and kept picnics and barbecues at sever al points along the parade route.

Unlike the annual Mashramani Float Parade, bands were far apart on the parade route. As such, the parade which started in the afternoon, lasted well into the night.

M ore photos on page 4

These Delano Williams photos capture the essence of the inaugural Cricket Carnival Parade

Two thumbs up

–– private sector lauds Guyana’s improvements in anti-corruption framework, fiscal transparency

CHAIRMAN of the Pri vate Sector Commission (PSC), Paul Cheong has commended the prog ress Guyana has made in strengthening anti-corrup tion framework and fiscal transparency.

The country’s improve ments in this area was re cently highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it its report document ing the conclusions of its Article IV Consultation with local authorities.

“We have always echoed the importance of anti-cor ruption framework because without it, it can lead to many ills. It could drive away good investors and your cost to financing would be more,” Cheong said.

According to Cheong,

tackling corruption requires the effort of all and while the private sector will play its role, he is happy that the government is doing its part.

“There are always people out there who try to achieve things without the necessary effort. You always have to be reviewing your systems and practices to ensure there are sufficient safeguards to prevent these things from happening. And ensure that when it does happen persons are dealt with properly, and penalised. Those are core principles for good gover nance; maintenance against corruption is important,” he said.

The IMF in its report pointed to several pillars of the anti- corruption frame work that were recently

strengthened, including the Integrity and Public Pro curement Commissions and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). ,

The international finan cial institution went on to acknowledge the publication of audited reports on public expenditures, including for COVID-19, and the govern ment’s efforts to follow up on recommendations made in those audit reports.

The authorities, the or ganisation said, also made progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2019 and 2021 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) reports, notably on the reconciliation with the fiscal regime.

“It is extremely import

ant, how the economy is go ing, that we maintain those systems to continue growing and excelling, we have seen many, many countries that has a lot of resources, but the corruption creates a lot of issues, so what we are doing here is good. It is necessary and we [the private sector] fully support it,” Cheong commented.

In addition to touching on the anti-corruption sys tems, the IMF report also credits the government’s fis cal policies, particularly the increase in capital spending in the non-oil economy as supporting the growth of the economy. Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 57.8 per cent this year.

Cheong commended this

move by the government, particularly in the case of spending on expansion of the country’s infrastruc ture while he underlined the importance of the need for support of non-oil industries.

“It is important that we build a sustainable econ omy and that we look at other sectors to build and get up strong and competitive. Those are the ones that will get Guyana into the future. It is important that we not only think about oil but that we utilise that to build a strong robust economy,” Cheong noted.

“We had an infrastruc ture deficit so we had to spend on building our infra structure.

These are necessary

and important develop ments, because we have that infrastructure defi cit.”

Contract to supply rice to Panama was corrupt

THE contract that was inked by the Panamanian and the then A Partner ship for National Unity + Alliance for Change gov ernments for the supply of rice was corrupt, Agri culture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.

Minister Mustapha, in a recent interview with this newspaper said that while the Panamanian Govern ment has acknowledged the $ 1.9 billion debt, payments are delayed due to the flaws in the agreement that was made in 2018.

“The previous govern ment would have failed, because when they sent the first shipment and they were not paid, they should have made representation like we are doing now,” Minister Mustapha said.

He added that the gov ernment in Panama has been changed since the agreement was made, and

the new regime is working to correct the errors that were made in the 2018 contract.

“We agreed that were was some corruption in the deal; when that took place there was another govern ment in Panama, and the government would have changed. This government, luckily, accepted that they will pay the debt in full.”

However, the minister is optimistic that a payment will be made on the fouryear-old debt. He noted that a commitment was made during a recent meeting with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the President of Panama, Laurentino Cor tizo.

“ They have accepted that they owe us; the Presi dent, not so long ago, had a discussion with his counter part, and I am hoping that we can have an initial pay ment from them,” Minister

Mustapha said, adding:

“The process is mov ing forward, and, hope fully, we can receive some payment from Panama.”

MILLERS AND FARMERS

The delay has put a strain on the many rice millers who would have supplied rice to the Pana manian market.

“Generally, there are some rice millers who are owed, and they owe some of the farmers who would have supplied their paddy in that time,” Minister Mu stapha said.

“I’m hoping that when we receive the money, and if we receive the payment, the small farmers will re ceive also their payment,” he added.

Recently, two Essequ ibo rice millers moved to the High Court in order to secure the payment of

millions of dollars owed to them by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) for the supply of rice to the Panamanian market in 2018.

In 2018, the govern ments of Guyana and Pan ama renewed their agree ment for the supply of rice to the lucrative Panamanian market for 2019.

Minister Mustapha reiterated that if the AP NU+AFC Government had shown an interest in the farmers, the dilemma would not have occurred.

However, the previous administration said that it was not responsible for farmers being owed by millers for rice shipped to Panama.

The People’s Progres sive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) Government, since being elected to office, has been working to correct this problem.

On November 27, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dispatched a letter to Panama, urging it to honour its obligations.

Guyana has shipped a substantial quantity of rice to Panama, after contracts were signed in 2018 and 2019; however, only part of

the payment has been made on the 2018 agreement.

In a letter to the GRDB, dated March 29, 2021, the Panamanian authorities stated that while they are willing to honour any pending debts to Guyana, they still need to comply with their own laws.

PSC Chairman, Paul Cheong

––

flaws causing delay in payments to Guyanese

millers and farmers, says minister

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

President Ali mourns passing of Philomena Sahoye-Shury

“IT is with inexpressible sorrow that I learnt of the passing of Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury,” President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said in a statement last evening. “Her death has robbed me, the People’ s Progressive Party (PPP) and Guyana of an exceptional human being who touched every life with which she came into contact,” he said, add ing:

“I have enjoyed a long relationship with ‘Cde Phil’, as she was affectionately called. I considered her as family, friend, colleague and comrade. She, along with my late grandmother, was in the vanguard of Guyana’s struggle for Independence.

“She was also involved

in the struggle for the res toration of democracy, and helped build a free and dem ocratic Guyana.

“Our country owes an eternal debt of gratitude to this outstanding daughter of our soil, who was a fearless and formidable fighter in the struggle for freedom.

“ We were close asso ciates within the People’s Progressive Party. I respect her and learnt from her.

“Cde Phil was always willing to share her vast experience and wisdom with younger members of the par ty. She never shirked from leading by example when it comes to political legwork.

“I also worked with her in the Depressed Needs Committee, of which she

was a Co-Chair. Later, she would work within the Min istry of Housing, when I was the subject minister. I always relied on her; I respected her candidness. Her work has helped to transform commu nities across Guyana.

“Guyana has lost an amazing human being; our country is poorer for her passing. Her death dimin ishes us all; the poor and powerless has lost a true champion, but she will live on in our hearts as someone whose service was selfless beyond reproach.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury, one of Guyana’s foremost warriors of freedom.”

Scenes from the inaugural Cricket Carnival Parade (Delano Williams photos)

Late PPP Stalwart, Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury

GOGEC commends further slashing of fuel prices

GUYANA Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GO GEG) President Manni ram Prashad has com mended the Govern ment for the further reduction in fuel price, through the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), by 20 per cent for gasoline, and 15 per cent for die sel.

GOGEG, in a release,

said that since the outset of the rising cost of living phenomenon followed by the global supply chain disruptions, the devas tating economic impact of the COVID-19 pan demic and geopolitical tensions in other parts of the world, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has taken a hands-on and pro active approach in con

fronting challenges on the domestic economy.

“Cognisant of the fact that fuel is a major source of energy across all sectors and households, it’s an input cost for almost the production of all goods and services, the govern ment, as part of its menu of cost-of-living measures to help cushion the impact, reduced the excise tax on

fuel from 50 per cent to zero in less than two years.

“This reduction trans lated to approximately $20 billion in foregone annual revenues for the Government. With this additional measure, GO GEC estimates this will cost the government an other $5 billion - $ 10 billion in foregone annual revenues,” the release

said.

GOGEG said these bold and commendable measures implemented by the government will bring further relief to consum ers in the short-term.

GOGEC is also con fident that the mea sures will be sustainable through the medium term until the materi alisation of a few major

Teixeira: Norton thwarting every attempt by gov’t at inclusivity

TRANSPARENCY is a crit ical component of good gov ernance, and it is embraced by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Gov ernment, said Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira.

Minister Teixeira offered these remarks during a recent interview with the Depart ment of Public Information (DPI).

“It’s a critical component of democracy, and we are a government that’s based on

the Constitution, the Laws of Guyana and the constitutional rule of law,” Minister Teixei ra said.

She added that transparen cy, accountability, inclusion and wide participation are areas that are integral to the work of the government, and also areas the government continues to “improve and keep enhancing all the time”.

The minister, in referenc ing a recent statement made by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on the multi-party

consensus for major projects, said that while the Consti tution that was amended in 1999-2001 provided for level power sharing between the Opposition and the President, Norton has thwarted all at tempts by the government for his inclusion.

“He has done everything to avoid dealing with the names of persons presented by the Parliament that had unanimous support in Par liament, as well as the names presented by the President.

So, for me, the proof is in the pudding,” Minister Teixeira said.

She added that the multi-stakeholder party con sensus is complicated when the Opposition Leader is un willing to cooperate.

For example, Minister Teixeira said: “Parliament is the forum, and that is where the engagement of govern ment and opposition remem ber … APNU+AFC, you see, doesn’t want the gentleman who is the Deputy Speaker of

the House to sit on commit tees; doesn’t even recognise him when he puts up his name to speak.

The man has to go di rectly to the Speaker or me to get his name put on the Speakers List.”

transformational devel opment projects that will seek to safeguard Guyana and the region from external shocks, such as the regional en ergy and food security agenda.

GOGEG President Manniram Prashad

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Governance Gail Teixeira

Inclusive agenda

WITH inclusion as its watchword, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been imple menting strategies and policies that promote and support the development of each Guyanese, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, creed, political per suasion or any other personal features or preferences.

The intention of the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration, as observed over the past two years, has been to address the imme diate and long-term needs of every citizen through the development of an inclusive system and agenda, all under the banner of “One-Guyana.”

Unlike the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration’s abortive attempt to foster social cohesion in the local society, the PPP/C’s efforts have ex tended beyond rhetoric and are evidenced by its investment in initiatives such as the education cash grant, the GOAL scholar ship programme and the creation of parttime jobs, among many other things that target the entire Guyanese population, and not just one section of society.

It is clear that the government’s ac tions are aligned with the United Nation’s definition of social inclusion, which is:

“The process by which efforts are made to ensure equal opportunities – that every one, regardless of their background, can

achieve their full potential in life. Such efforts include policies and actions that promote equal access to (public) services as well as enable citizens’ participation in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

In fact, President Ali has said that the overarching goal of the “One-Guyana” initiative is to make society more equal, ensure that everyone has a chance to live fulfilling lives, and lessen disparities in access to justice, employment, health care and education.

“One-Guyana vision, in this regard, aims to ensure that every citizen is ac corded a dignified existence and with due respect for their rights and with equality before the law,” the Head of State had said.

The development unfolding before our eyes and the government’s plans are evidently far different from the image that some sections of society are trying to paint and the misinformation they are propagating, as part of their efforts to destabilise the country and cultivate divisiveness among Guyanese.

Those divisive attempts were noted by political analyst, Freddie Kissoon, who said that based on his analysis, it is not the public policies and initiatives that are causing instability in Guyana’s soci ety, but rather there are anti-government “forces” in civil society who are looking

to derail progress.

“The people who stayed silent on the no-confidence [motion- 2018] and at tempted rigging of elections [2020] have been harassing an elected government,” Kissoon said during the first stream of the Gildarie-Kissoon programme on the Guyanese Critic’s Facebook page.

The analyst, who has been critical of the PPP/C on several occasions, acknowl edged that the government is working within the confines of a democratically elected administration.

In so doing, the government has so far restored the Because We Care cash grant and increased it to $25,000; increased the uniform voucher and old-age pension; disbursed billions of dollars in the form of various grants to cushion the econom ic conditions influenced by COVID-19 and other factors, and removed VAT on water, electricity and data, among other things.

Further, through its Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), some 6,000 Guyanese, in 2021, undertook dis tance learning in 187 programmes offered through eight universities. And, this year, over 9,000 persons have applied to be part of the programme that is open to all Guyanese.

There is also a three-month course that, once completed, would afford persons entry into either a tertiary-level

programme or a specialised technical programme.

Should those and other initiatives not address the direct needs of citizens, the government has gone the extra mile to conduct outreaches in various communi ties and meet Guyanese directly in order ascertain what issues exist and how they could be addressed effectively. The gov ernment has so far visited every region and engaged persons in communities such as Buxton and Linden that are known strongholds of the APNU+AFC.

President Ali has repeatedly said that the approach of his administration to decision-making is one of stakeholder en gagement, which could pave the way for the realisation of the One-Guyana vision.

“Together, we are going to embark on the journey of prosperity with all of you; the achievement of peace and prosperity; this is a golden opportunity to attain that objective. We will succeed and make proud all those whose struggles were important in achieving our independence.

“The future belongs to us.

The naysayers wish to break our stride, but the evidence is overwhelm ingly clear that Guyana is surely… on a fast track to peace and prosperity. Let us keep it that way under the umbrella of One- Guyana,” President Ali had said during his address to the nation on Independence Day.

Language games of the Opposition

Dear Editor,

THERE is a good chance most of you have never hear of Ludwig Wittgenstein. You can’t be blamed for that, because even if you were an avid reader of philosophical texts, Wittgenstein would pose a challenge because of the level of abstraction in his works.

Allow me to introduce the concept of language games developed by Wittgenstein in his Philosophical Investigations.

Language games have two important as pects relevant to our discussion. First, words have meaning only in the context of their us age; we all know that. But the second aspect, when combined with the first is what really matters. That second aspect concerns the intended outcome the speaker/writer wants. This is especially so in terms of political and cultural outcomes.

I submit to you that to understand the relentless attacks by Opposition media in Guyana, you have to understand the language games they play. The editorial in Kaieteur News (October 1, 2022), titled “Protests in Iran – Guyana beware”, is a case in point. The

editorial attempts to use the protests in Iran to make claims about Guyana, based on some thing it calls “brazen corruption”. The logic of the editorial is that a handful of unaccountable clerics in Iran practise “brazen corruption”, and it is this rather than the hijabs that is the source of the protests.

The editorial then continues to assert, and only by assertion claims, that Guyana has the same malady, and, like Iran, there may be big protests here as well.

Let us be clear about a few things. Iran and Guyana have practically nothing in common other than both countries had been democratically-elected and overthrown by foreign interests, Iran in 1954, and Guyana in 1964. Other than that, the differences are stark. Most importantly, Guyana has had dem ocratically-elected governments since Octo ber 1992, and this despite massive attempts by the APNU-AFC to attempt electoral fraud at the national and regional elections of 2020.

Guyana is also fundamentally different from Iran in that it is a secular State firmly grounded in the western tradition of religious freedoms, individual rights, and an open-mar ket economy. That bastion of westernism, the

IMF, confirmed these traits about Guyana in its most recent annual report.

One of the characteristics of language games is that subjective or politically mo tivated positions are offered up by opera tives as the outcomes of careful delibera tion. Here is a quote from the KN editorial that falls in this category: “We at this paper are not too optimistic that corrup tion in Guyana will abate anytime soon. It is now too widespread and deep-seated.” What is the basis of this claim? Well, the basis is what Wittgenstein called “family resemblance”, meaning for KN in this case that Guyana resembles Iran. Mere resemblance, therefore, can function as equivalence.

The logic of this propagandistic language game is as follows: (1) take an issue (protests in Iran) that is already getting world-wide attention; (2) make the claim that Guyana is similar to Iran; (3) claim that the resemblance is such that whatever is happening in Iran will happen here.

Wittgenstein also used the concept of rule following. In simple langue, the meaning of a word or statement follows a pattern estab

lished by the speaker/author. In this case, ‘since’ Iran is corrupt and there are protests, then (if) Guyana resembles Iran, protests will also develop here.

Do keep in mind that the author/s of the KN editorial are not consciously following Wittgenstein. They may have never heard of him.

Language games are of maximum utility to the APNU+AFC and the self-described ‘civil-society’ groups in Guyana. This is so because language games work through manip ulation of facts, of evidence, of truth.

The Opposition does not want to engage empirical information, because if they do, they won’ t be able to make outrageous claims such as “…we have politicians de ceiving, concealing, and sliding all over the place when pushed to provide straight, sim ple answers.” In fact, deceiving, concealing, and sliding constitute the bread-and-butter of the editorial in question.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randy Persaud Office of the President & Professor Emeritus

Joel Bhagwandin Financial and economic analyst

The IMF Article IV Country Report 2022 for Guyana

BY and large, the IMF country report on Guyana presented an accurate assessment of the macroeconomic conditions of the country, considering the political landscape in 2020, the fiscal and monetary policy framework administered by the current Government, and the favourable outcomes obtained as a result.

More so, the assessment is largely con sistent with previous assessments conducted over the past two years, and more recently on the mid-year performance for 2022 by this author/SPHEREX Analytics.

FISCAL POLICY

The report noted that the “fiscal policy in 2022 has been appropriately supporting growth, while considerably reducing the fiscal deficit”. The report also highlighted the notable reduction in current expendi ture relative to non-oil GDP compared to 2021.”

SPHEREX ANALYTICS’ COMMENTS

In the Budget 2022 review and analysis conducted and published by this author, a trend analysis of the allocation of public expenditure (current and capital relative to total expenditure) was performed.

The results showed the substantial in

in 2016 and 27 per cent in 2019, thus, result ing in the underperformance of some of the major economic sectors during this period. This trend changed in 2020 where allocations towards the economic sectors increased by 24.46 per cent in 2020, 25.31 per cent in 2021 and 27 per cent in 2022.

The overall fiscal deficit from 2012 through 2019 remained below four per cent and increased to just over six per cent in 2020 and 2021. This level of increase was necessary owing to the COVID-19 pandem ic where the government had to roll out a comprehensive rescue package to confront the economic impact therefrom to avoid any major adverse impact and further decline in economic activity.

The fiscal deficit position is forecast to im prove by the end of 2022 by 2.18 percentage points to 4.26 per cent of GDP. As a rule of thumb, a fiscal deficit of around 10 per cent of GDP is considered moderate, and as shown in the analysis, Guyana’s overall fiscal deficit is well below this benchmark. The non-oil fiscal deficit is just over 11 per cent in 2021 and 2022 which will improve in the medium term. Again, this outcome was as a result of the measures in response to the rising cost of living and rescue packages implemented by the government to address the effects of the

The report noted that “Guyana’s debt sustainability analysis (DSA) indicates that risk of external debt distress remains moderate, with debt dynamics improving significantly with incoming oil revenues, with debt dynamics improving significantly with incoming oil revenues. Guyana’s debt carrying capacity, for both overall public debt and public external debt, has been downgraded from ‘moderate’ to ‘weak,’ reflecting a relatively low international reserves-to-imports cover in 2022 that is driven by a sharp increase in oil-related imports.

Nevertheless, Guyana still has substantial space to absorb shocks, reflecting the current low level of external debt, a rapid expected increase in international reserves, and ac cumulation of savings in the NRF over the medium term.

Furthermore, Guyana’s level of inter national reserves is expected to remain above adequate levels in terms of shortterm debt, broad money, and non-oil re lated imports.”

SPHEREX ANALYTICS’ COMMENTS

In the review and analysis of the midyear performance for 2022 report con ducted and published by this author and published in early September 2022, it was shown that the level of public debt is within sustainable levels with low to moderate default risk.

The debt-to GDP ratio is an estimated 29 per cent for the first half of FY 2022 and the non-oil debt to GDP ratio is an estimated 63 per cent for the period. Both of these ratios indicate that the level of public debt is rel atively low to moderate in terms of the risk of default and that the level of public debt is within sustainable levels. The Government must be commended for this type of prudent public debt management by restricting the temptation to borrow excessively against future oil revenue. The external debtto-GDP

ratio remained low at 16 per cent as of the end of 2021 and based on the 2022 forecast, an estimated 10 per cent by the end of 2022.

The IMF also recognized the unreported overdraft balances at the Bank of Guyana during the period 2015 – 2020 where the previous Administration racked up an over draft of about $100 billion in the government deposit accounts that was never part of the official stock of domestic debt. The current Administration has since corrected this sit uation where the overdraft balances were cleared and added to the stock of domestic debt. Hence, should this overdraft amount be excluded from the stock of debt of $100 billion, the non-oil debt to GDP ratio would have been around 54 per cent and overall debt to GDP ratio below 29 per cent.

MONETARY AND EXCHANGE RATE POLICY

The IMF noted that “given the expected continued tightening of the U.S. monetary policy, monetary policy in Guyana also needs to be tightened, to maintain exchange rate stability. In addition, monetary policy will need to contain inflationary pressures due to elevated international commodity prices, the recovery in domestic economic activity, and higher government spending. Staff suggested deploying a combination of instruments to curb the growth of monetary aggregates, including raising the reserve requirement rate and expanding the sale of Treasury bills to contain excess liquidity.” In addition, “the exchange rate should continue to serve as the nominal anchor, along with increased efforts to deepen the domestic financial markets.”

SPHEREX ANALYTICS’

COMMENTS

The exchange rate appreciated margin ally by 0.91 per cent from $208.8 for the first half year period in FY 2021 to $206.9 for the first half year period FY 2022.

creases in current expenditure by the previous Administration during the period 2015 – 2019 and reduction in capital expenditure. This manner of misallocation of public finances that increased expenditure on non-productive areas would have necessitated an unsustain able fiscal framework and laid the foundation for an economic disaster. Budgets 2020, 2021 and 2022, however, were then reoriented by the current Administration to its pre-2015 trend where more resources were expended on capital projects that would ultimately create more value for the economy and its people in the long term. Additionally, during the period 2015 – 2019, budget allocations towards the economic sectors declined by 10.32 per cent

COVID-19 pandemic, to both the household level and firms.

In these respects, the estimated impact of the cost-of-living measures and inter ventions implemented by the government is almost equivalent to 100 per cent of the oil revenues in profit and royalties earned as of July 2022. Using conservative esti mates in an attempt to quantify the impact of the cost of living (COL) measures and interventions by the government on the economy, cumulatively for the period 2021 – 2022, amounted to approximately $226 billion, representing 96 per cent of the total NRF balance to date from the inception of oil production.

The IMF Article IV Country ...

The Bank of Guyana foreign exchange (FX) reserve balance which stood at US$711 million for the period ended Jan uary – June 2022, represented 2.46 months import cover. The FX reserve weakened steadily during the period 2015 through 2020 in terms of its equivalency relative to the min imum requirement of import cover – that is, three months’ worth of import cover.

In 2009 the FX reserve represented 5.79 months of im port cover, six months import cover in 2010, five months import cover in 2011 – 2013, more than four months import cover in 2014 and close to five months import cover up to 2016. From 2017 – 2020 the FX reserve started to weaken below 4.5 months of import cover down to 3.4 months im port cover in 2018, 1.7 months import cover in 2019 and 2.2 months import cover in 2020.

global economy, and the war in Ukraine (which could result in escalating sanctions and other disruptions, leading to even higher commodity prices) could adversely affect growth and fiscal performance, especially if the global economy enters a recession, leading to a reduction in oil demand and oil prices. New outbreaks of Covid could weaken growth. An excessively rapid increase in government spending could subject Guyana to appreciation pressures on the real exchange rate and an eventual loss in reserves, and possible governance concerns.

At the same time, further oil discoveries and production could significantly improve Guyana’s long-term economic prospects.

SPHEREX ANALYTICS’ COMMENTS

The IMF’s medium-term outlook is consistent with the development trajectory of the country given the ambitious development agenda of the Government.

development programme. b) The budget had to be reoriented as explained earlier, wherein, the country was deprived of ade quate investment in capital projects for the preceding five years period (2015 – 2020). c) Owing to the inherent challenges in the political landscape since 2011 – 2020, Guyana has largely been deprived of major developments, thus, there is more than a decade of economic development setback. This, coupled with the impact of the externalities stemming from a series of global turmoil currently on the domestic and regional economy, it has become more urgent than ever before, for the country to accelerate its development needs while solving the many development challenges that have been largely unresolved for more than two decades.

Notwithstanding (c) above, the government is on a path of rebuilding the macroeconomic fundamentals and in view of the IMF’s and this author’s assessment of the macroeconomic conditions, there is sufficient fiscal space while maintaining other stable macroeconomic indicators to pursue these (devel opment) goals.

Despite this, the exchange rate remained stable because for tunately, the net foreign assets (NFA) of the commercial banks (which are the dominant players in the FX market) experienced dramatic increases during the twelve years’ period spanning 2009 to 2021 and thus remained strong. In this respect, while the Bank of Guyana FX reserves increased by 43 per cent over this period from its 2009 position of US$569 million to US$811 million by the end of 2021; the commercial banks NFA increased by 174 per cent from US$164 million in 2009 to US$449 million by the end of 2021. This outturn is largely due to increased foreign direct investments, growth in the private sector FX balances, and growth in overseas investments by the local financial institutions.

Moreover, it is noteworthy to mention that owing to the poor economic management of the economy and bad policies during the period 2015 – 2019, have resulted in the cumulative loss of productive output in the sugar, forestry, fishing, bauxite, manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade subsectors togeth er with the cumulative loss of export earnings of a number of key commodities (as shown the midyear review and analysis report by this author), during the period 2009 – 2014 relative to the corresponding period 2015 - 2020, amounted to a whopping $238.7 billion or US$1.14 billion. Put differently, under the stewardship of the previous Administration, a number of key productive sectors and export earnings declined by US$1.14 billion cumulatively. This amount represents 36 per cent of the total stock of public debt, 1.5 times the Bank of Guyana FX reserves and more than one year’s equivalent of oil revenue in both profit oil and royalties.

Evidently, this situation is the primary cause for the weakened position of the FX reserve relative to the import cover, otherwise, the FX reserve would have remained above 3-4 months import cover.

OUTLOOK AND RISKS

The IMF is of the view that: -Guyana’s medium-term outlook is very favorable, with increasing oil production having the potential to transform profoundly Guyana’s econ omy; public investment spending is expected to increase in the medium term, to close infrastructure gaps and to support development needs, helping growth in the non-oil economy; the external outlook is expected to recover strongly, with revenues from oil production providing substantial buffers; Guyana’s debt-sustainability analysis (DSA) indicates that the risk of external debt distress remains moderate; and Guyana’s medium-term outlook is subject to both downside and upside risks. On the downside, highly volatile oil prices, the slowing

At the same time, the gov ernment has adopted a prudent fiscal policy approach in its pur suit of the development goals set out over the medium to long term. To this end, there is more than adequate fiscal space to support the government’s eco nomic development and diver sification programme at the cur rent pace of development, while maintaining a prudential macro economic stability framework. With respect to the downside risks, the government has so far taken a hands-on approach to proactively manage and contain these risks from spiraling out of control, for example, investing heavily in the non-oil sectors, thereby avoiding the Dutch disease phenomenon, and a sharp appreciation of the domestic currency against the U.S dollar. In addition, the authorities have managed to keep inflationary pressures contained, in the mid-single digits range, while the rest of the world in some cases have been experiencing double digit inflation.

THE IMF’S KEY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

1) Implement a feasible and moderate increase in capital spending to address social development needs and infrastructure gaps and avoid macroeconomic imbalances.

2) Set budgets within a fiscal framework that, over the me dium term, maintains zero overall fiscal balance to anchor fiscal policy in a sustainable way. 3) Develop and deepen the markets needed to support a move towards greater exchange rate flexibility over the medium to long term. 4) Structural reforms to support inclusive growth – including through labour market reforms– and strengthen climate change policy framework.

SPHEREX ANALYTICS’ COMMENTS

1)While budget 2022 represented an increase of 109 per cent towards capital expenditure compared to 2021, this was necessary for three major reasons as follows: a) Budget 2022 is first budget the Administration sought to drawdown the first set of funds from the NRF to finance the government's

More so, with these in mind, future budgets are unlikely to have substantial increases of over 100% towards capital projects as has been the case with the 2022 budget, which was necessary and well justified in the circumstance.

2) In view of the explanations outlined in 1 (a) – (d) above, the current fiscal deficit is well below the minimum benchmark and while it is prudent to ensure a tight fiscal policy framework is maintained, for the reasons stated above, it is also critical to ensure that there is room for flexibility in the fiscal policy frame work to be able to respond to external shocks while balancing the development needs and creating prosperity of the country and its people. Therefore, there is no need for a zero overall fiscal balance as proposed by the IMF at this time neither will this auger well for the country in the medium term. The government needs to maintain the current fiscal trend albeit gradually strengthening while leaving room for “fiscal policy flexibility”.

3) There is need for capital market deepening which would necessitate certain amendments to the legal and regulatory framework, and the development of secondary market. These changes, however, which are inevitable need to be followed by a simultaneous paradigm shift in the market behavior.

4) The structural reforms proposed by the IMF are already being undertaken by the government, inter alia, an updated labour market study, the examination of an im migration policy framework, accessibility and affordability of education (scholarships and free tertiary education by 2025) as well as curriculum review etc., and the updated Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) among others.

References https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Is sues/2022/09/27/Guyana-2022-Article-IV-ConsultationPress-Release-Staff-Report-and-Statement-by-the-523930.

https://guyanachronicle.com/2022/09/15/review-andanalysis-of-the-mid-year-2022-economic-performance-2/ https://guyanachronicle.com/2022/09/16/review-andanalysis-of-the-mid-year-2022-economic-performance-3/ https://guyanachronicle.com/2022/09/14/review-andanalysis-of-the-mid-year-2022-economic-performance/ https://oilnow.gy/featured/budget-2022-lays-the-foun dation-to-avoid-the-paradoxical-resource-curse-and-thedutch-disease/

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joel-bhagwan din-57481470_budget-2022-review-analysis-activi ty-6897627254843670528-rFyW?utm_source=share&utm_ medium=member_desktop

‘Improving lives is our unwavering commitment’

–– says Minister Edghill as $6.8M online ticket booking system comes onstream

THE Ministry of Public Works’ Transport and Harbours Depart ment (T&HD), in collaboration with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG+), launched Guyana’s first online ticket booking system for water transport, ‘Ferry Pass’, on Saturday

The platform, which costs some $6.8 million was developed by local

will improve the lives of people, we are achieving what we set out to do,” the minister said.

He outlined the benefits of the ser vice, highlighting that not only does it save time for passengers travelling by ferry, but utilising the online service ensures that persons will be able to secure a place on the ferry; especially

technology company, V75 Inc, and aims to mitigate issues encountered by ferry passengers relating to securing places on the vessels.

Delivering his remarks at the launch, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, stated that the launch of the rev olutionary new service was in alignment with the PPP/C’s manifesto promise of making life better for all Guyanese

This includes introducing new and innovative methods of eliminating is sues that are faced by citizens.

“At the centre of the People’s Pro gressive Party/Civic manifesto and work, it is not only about delivering the new roads and bridges, and new four-lane highways, and building better Stellings and hard infrastructure, but at the centre of what we do, it’s people. And whenever we do something that

those who are travelling with vehicles.

“So, this afternoon (Saturday) as we launch ‘Ferry Pass’, it is making a dif ference in the lives of tens of thousands who use this ferry service,” Bishop Edghill said

The launch of the service is a culmi nation of Minister Edghill’s initiative to improve the level of service delivered by the Transport and Harbours Depart ment.

It will be used concurrent with the existing ferry system. However, persons who book online would take precedence over those who register in person

Persons utilising the online book ing platform can pay primarily via MMG+. However, CEO of V75 Inc has assured that other payment op tions, inclusive of credit and debit cards, will be added in the future.

From right: Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill; Chairwoman of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Rosalinda Rasul; General Manager of GTT+ and MMG+, Bobita Ram; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; General Manager of T&HD, Marcelene Merchant, and a represen tative of the Ministry of Public Works at the launch on Saturday

Some children are Autistic

AUTISTIC children have variations in their brain signals, meaning they do not see the world through the same eyes as most people – they analyse and process information in their own way.

Some autistic children cannot speak or write; they find other ways (such as

pointing and using picture symbols) to convey their needs. All children on the autism spectrum have communicative or social problems.

However, there are also high-func tioning autistic people (and children) with remarkable memories and high IQs. They

usually become fixated with anything they take an interest in and can be a great asset in the workplace because they think outside the box and not in a conventional manner

Producers create fictional movies about autistic children who can decode intricate cryptic messages and hack the highest-ranking top-secret computers. Some autistic children draw highly so phisticated designs and some complete University at the tender age of ten.

Autistic symptoms can be mild and barely detectable (especially in girls). They can also be moderate or severe to the point where a child might display repetitive or odd behaviour - such as rocking back and forth, flapping their arms, making strange noises, or shouting. Most people would find such behaviour alarming, but there is a reason for their unusual actions.

People who work with Autistic chil dren, or families with guidance, un derstand that autistic children need environments that suit their particular re quirements - to help them function in the world. They need empathy, love, patience and space to live their best lives.

One woman recalls; Even when my son was old enough to smile back at me, babble and interact, he was silent and not as responsive as his siblings were at that age. I spoke to the Health Visitor, who advised me to try different toys and books to stimulate and enhance his development.

An example of a case of moderate autism would be a child who needs to have the same things in place every day; that is how his brain operates . It helps him feel secure in knowing that everything is done the same way all the time. Each day he sits in a specific chair at the breakfast table and eats the same things using the same cup and bowl. If someone is in his seat one morning, he might become highly disturbed and react negatively. His reaction could be physi cal - shouting, running off, or refusing to eat anything. Forcing him to comply with threats and punishment, like you might to a neuro-typical child, would only lead to further distress and challenging behaviour – he is neuro-diverse.

Although he looks like his peers and attends school; when it comes to making friends, he does not understand the social cues that other children take for granted. Simple things like making and maintain ing eye contact, laughing at jokes, reading other people ’s facial expressions and body language, and contributing appro priately to conversation among peers. He may or may not be highly intelligent, but he does not enjoy school because he feels like a misfit. His brain does not conform to social norms.

A day care worker said; Although we

encouraged Alison (aged 3) to interact with the other children, she preferred to play alone. She was happy to sit in a group at story time, but she’d go off again on her own afterwards. When you ask her anything, she nods or shakes her head, and if she wants anything, she will hold your hand and pull you to what she wants; sometimes, you have to guess. We are working alongside the parents to support her language and social development

The average person cannot point the finger at someone and say they have au tism, as autism is not a singular ailment; it is a spectrum disorder with associated features- no two children will have pre cisely the same symptoms, behaviours or reactions. Diagnosis should be made through a doctor, psychologist, paediatri cian, or therapist.

Along with a lack of communication skills, a autistic children could be sen sitive to or obsessed with certain things they touch, smell, taste, see or hear. Their senses can be either over-sensitive or under-sensitive. In the latter’s case, they would need to find ways to compensate. Some autistic children have the eating disorder PICA - where they tend to eat weird things like toilet paper, soil or other non-food items.

Autistic children find it hard to read facial expressions, which means they also have trouble expressing themselves. This is sometimes mistaken for a lack of empathy or compassion. Luckily, they can be taught certain traits and qualities over time through role play and repetition.

A Father said: It was not a surprise when my son was assessed, and the doctor confirmed that he is on the spectrum; in fact, it was a bit of a relief. During his day care and primary school days, he strug gled socially and could not keep up with the class. He didn’t notice that his social skills were poor and few children both ered to play with him in the playground, but he was cool with everyone. I learnt to understand how he thinks – he has his way of doing things.

Health visitors and people who work in child care may recognise when a child is not developing in the usual way or has diverse reactions or behaviours. It is part of their training to pick up on character istics in young children that may signal a developmental disability, condition or dis order. Autism is a life-long condition that needs to be managed by those who have it- and assisted by those who can help.

If you are concerned about the wel fare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

$24M Mibicuri Magistrate’s Court recommissioned

RESIDENTS and legal practitioners in Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, and neighbouring communities in the East Berbice-Corentyne region have been given improved access to legal services with the recommissioning of the Mibicuri Magistrate’s Court.

Upgrades to the facility began in 2020 due to the dilapidated and outdated state of the building, with some $24 million expend ed to execute the project.

In his feature address at the recommis sioning ceremony, Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, said the occasion was important for the community, the County, and country as a whole.

“The government partners with the ju diciary to ensure that the Rule of Law, the administration of justice, and Law and Or der is maintained in our country. These are the fundamental pillars that keep civilisation and civil society together.

“Translated into the community where they manifest themselves in the form of courthouses and other institutional edific es, it is these institutions that keep order in these communities right across the length and breadth of our country,” The AG said.

Besides highlighting the successful relationship that exists between the execu tive and the judiciary, pointing out that the two branches of government will continue to enjoy the relationship as they strive to ensure access to justice for all Guyanese, the Attorney-General also drew attention to the importance of legal services in Guy ana, asserting that access to justice is just as important as access to any other service, including healthcare, food and water.

“If you have no rights; if your freedom is not protected, then life becomes a waste of time,” he said, adding: “And it is this

institution, the Rule of Law; the adminis tration of justice that protects your freedom, your liberties, your property, and life itself. So, it is important as every other right and every other facility that the government is working on to provide for the people of our country.”

The Mibicuri Magistrate’s Court boasts a number of modern amenities, including wheelchair ramps, dressing rooms for law yers and judges, a small library, ergonomic furniture, and a briefing room.

The courthouse is also equipped with climate control, and an automatic record ing system to keep a record of trials and evidence.

An important feature of the courthouse, however, is the special-hearing room, which was also commissioned on Thursday.

The room provides a safe space for vulnerable victims of crime to give their testimonies, and interact with court officials in a more comfortable environment, while ensuring they are not revictimised or retrau matised by facing perpetrators.

Students across the community are also permitted to attend court to participate in the court process, and utilise its facilities.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, Chan cellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Senior Magistrate Alex Moore, Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, Magistrate Renita Singh, members of the Berbice Bar Association, Country Representative (ag) for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar, as well as representatives from ChildLink and Blossom Inc. were also present at the recommissioning.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s Manifesto promise of ensuring that the delivery of justice is improved in Guyana. (DPI)

Left to right: Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan; Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, and Country Representative (ag) for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar at the recommissioning of the court

The rehabilitated Mibicuri Magistrate’s Court

Spice, Machel, and Skillibeng give

GUYANESE and for eigners alike flooded the National Stadium at Providence on Satur day night for the final Cricket Carnival Super Concert.

For many, it was a night to remember, as

the headliners: Spice, the Queen of Dancehall; Machel Montano, the King of Soca; and Skillibeng, a new dancehall sensa tion did not disappoint.

The trio delivered ener getic performances which left patrons dripping in

perspiration from hours of dancing, jumping and screaming.

Several locals also took to the stage, and they, too, did not disappoint the crowd.

At the end of the con cert, many patrons, as well

as those who viewed snip pets of the various perfor mances on social media, were left with one question on their mind: Is Raj okay?

During her perfor mance, Spice, who is known for inviting patrons to showcase their dance

moves or to teach them, asked Raj to join to join her on stage.

In fact, she stopped her performance to ‘borrow’ Raj, who was standing in front of her, from his wife.

To his credit, Raj did not disappoint. But it

would seem a bit strange if persons were not con cerned about his well-be ing after he danced with Spice and her backup dancers as she performed her song, ‘Sheets’.

He was picked up, thrown on the ground and

Scenes from the final Cricket

give fans a night to remember

jumped on. To most, Raj was no match for Spice, both in size and talent.

The Jamaican’s perfor mance was nothing short of fulfilling. This was the first time many were see ing her perform live, and they did not hesitate to

show their love for her and her music.

Spice also performed ‘Tape Measure’, a song from her latest album, and gave dancing lessons to a fan in the crowd.

Additionally, she per formed one of her songs,

‘Jim Screechie’. The song was released in 2010, and many persons grew up hearing it. Screaming and dancing, they expressed their love for the song.

Machel was next on stage. He performed many of his popular tunes. One

of the two persons he in vited on stage was Terry Gajraj, who is known for his song, ‘Guyanese Ba boo.’ He sang this popular tune for the crowd along side Machel, who made it clear that he could not perform without having

some “classics” sung.

The President of Guy ana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, was the second person to join the Soca King on stage. The president showed the crowd that he loves Soca and was not ashamed to showcase his moves.

Of course, Skillibeng ensured that his perfor mance was memorable. Persons screamed as he ran on to the stage.

At the end of the show, it was clear that all those who attended had a good time.

Cricket Carnival Super Concert (Carl Croker photos)

Hindus at home, diaspora observe Navratri

By Vishnu Bisram

THE auspicious Hindu festi val of Navratri, nine nights of worshipping the feminine as pects of God, Mother Durga and her reincarnations, God dess Lakshmi and Saraswati, is being observed by Hindus at home and the diaspora.

The festival began on Sep tember 26 and concludes on Tuesday, October 4.

Like at home, Guyanese and other Caribbean Temples in America have been holding Ramayana sessions or Devi Bhagwatam nightly during this period, and many Hindus have been conducting poojas or yajnas at their home.

Temples throughout the

Durga is the collective mani festation of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer).

As such, when devotees worship Durga, they are wor shipping the other manifesta tions of God as well. People worship for protection, love and comfort and Goddess Durga offers divine protection and removal of diseases.

During Navratri, devotees normally hold special prayers in the mornings and in the evenings to pay obeisance to the universal mother. They pray to the sun to burn the evil around society.

It is the mother who pro vides her children with suste nance, and as such, she must

the morning and evening over the nine days. The observance was extended into the Dusseh ra celebration on October 8; Dussehra means tenth day. Dussehra symbolises the con quest of good over evil. All temples in the NY area held discourses on the occasion –some nightly discourses.

Navratri is one of the ho liest periods in the Hindu cal endar that was accompanied with people fasting, visiting mandirs, and performing pu jas as well as inviting pandits to conduct special services at their home. People fasted during this period focussing on purification of the minds and bodies. During this peri od, people tend to pray with

New York metropolitan area have been packed with devo tees throughout the observanc es, including a nightly service presided over by Pandit Rajin Balgobin of New Amster dam. The festival concludes with the celebration of defeat of Ravan (evil doings) also called victory or Vijay Dash mi.

There are several mean ings of Navratri. Nav means nine and ratri means night. It is a festival that is celebrated during the night with prayers and spiritual dancing and a dis course about its meaning that also includes kirtan singing.

Navratri is the most aus picious period for Hindus during which time they fast and worship Goddess Durga and her reincarnations, Laxmi and Saraswati. Each Goddess is worshipped for three nights to offer protection (Durga), provide wealth (Lakshmi) and guide the devotee to knowl edge (Saraswati) respectively.

During this time, worship pers tend to fast for the entire period, avoiding meat, sex, fish, eggs and maintain clean liness in the homes for almost two weeks to maintain purity of mind and body to welcome the Lord in their home. As pandits explained, Goddess

be propitiated OFFERINGS

In the mornings, Guy anese Hindus offer jaal or dhar, which is a mixture of curd, milk, honey, sug ar, neem, cloves, hardi or ground dye, tills, and other sweet spices to appease the God to offer bliss over hu manity.

This tradition is a continu ation of the practice inherited from Hindu ancestors going back to 1838 when they first arrived in then British Guiana as indentured labourers.

Guyanese Hindus contin ue the tradition of observing Navratri and other festivals in New York, New Jersey, Flori da, Minnesota, Georgia, Texas and other places where they have settled. Other Caribbean Hindus joined Guyanese in observing the Navratri festival that commenced after the end of the two- week festival of Pitri Paksh.

Guyanese and Trinis have helped to institutionalise Navratri and other Hindu as well as Islamic festivals in parts of America. They re ceive support and recognition from politicians. With regards to Navratri, the celebration included making offerings in

great fervour and devotion. Observants were seen nightly dressed in traditional colourful garb heading for the mandirs; there are dozens of mandirs in the greater Richmond Hill area. In New York, all of the temples held Navratri kath as and poojas. The pandits explained that Navratri is an extremely wonderful festival highly inspiring and instructive on how people should live.

Navratri which is direct ly linked to other Hindu festivals like Ram Leela, that will be celebrated right after Navratri which will be followed by Diwali and then karthik or Teerat that concludes the year for reli gious festivals. The famed Lord Rama is also associ ated with Navratri — his appearance, disappearance and reappearance in the holy city of Ayodha. In the spring Navratri, Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Rama, and in the fall, Hindus celebrate the destruction of the evil Ravana by Lord Rama, sig nifying the triumph of good over evil which is also called Dussehra, a holiday in India.

The Ramleela celebra tions are associated with this period and some temples are holding such celebrations.

Hindus worshiping at a temple in New York

Spousal abuse and stalking

By Vanessa Cort

IT is with mounting alarm that I continue to read reports of women dying at the hands of abusive spouses.

What is more concerning is that women who have chosen to end these relationships and move on with their lives are still being targetted and killed by violent former partners.

Like in the Jennifer Lopez movie, ‘Enough’, these men often stalk their victims, sneaking up on them unexpectedly, or learn of their whereabouts and lie in wait.

I remember well one scene from that movie when the victim was advised to take out a restraining order by the police after re porting the stalking. Her frustrated response was to ask the officer if she should throw the order at her stalker when she saw him.

The point she was making is that the restraining order could not protect her from an actual physical encounter with her abuser. She was forced to move several times, and even resorted to using disguises to try to protect herself from a man who persistently followed her, and had the resources to do so.

When in a similar situation with an abusive partner who was also a stalker, I, too, opted to leave Georgetown to get away. I was placed in a shelter for battered women in the Corentyne after seeking assistance from ‘Help and Shelter’, the local organisation established to help domestic violence victims.

While not every abuser is a stalker, women who manage to get out of abusive relationships certainly need to be on their guard. And those who are being stalked should consider relocat ing, even temporarily, to another part of the country to avoid any encounter with their abuser.

You may question why you should have to feel the constant need to ‘look over your shoulder’, or why you should have to be the one to move away. The short answer is that these actions could save your life.

However, there is no easy option for women who want to get out of a relationship and ensure their safety after leaving an abusive spouse, particularly if they are being stalked, and, in some instances, are not even aware of it.

A research paper on partner stalking by TK Logan, Ph.D gives great insight into the nature of this kind of behaviour, noting that it often begins while the relationship is intact, and escalates after separation

According to the researcher, “Being stalked while the rela tionship is intact may make separating practically and physically very difficult. Stalking while separated may hinder the ability to stay separated for a variety of reasons, including safety con cerns.”

Partner stalkers were also found to be more threatening to wards their victims, more likely to carry out their threats, more inclined to use weapons, and more likely to offend and re-offend more quickly after a court intervention.

Victims often exhibited higher levels of distress and anxiety, particularly where abusers had been coercive and controlling within the relationship, which was based on fear

When children are involved, the problem is compounded, as they may be used as “tools, targets, or allies in the stalking”. In addition, having children in common with a stalker means the likelihood of interaction is greater, and makes changing routines or location more difficult.

Victims may also be threatened with reduced custody of children, kidnapping or actual harm to their offspring. They are also generally disconnected from friends and family, and have limited social movement.

The issue of partner stalking is, therefore, very complex, and studies on how this may be tackled are limited, but reveal that even law enforcement officers are unclear about what to do when cases are reported, with few ever reaching the stage of prosecution

Protection from Abuse Security Services, in the US states that, “Published statistics and studies strongly correlate domestic violence and stalking with future violence, including death.”

Women are warned that stalking should not be confused with common jealousy, because it can turn dangerous without warning. They are also advised to keep a record of stalking in cidents in a “stalking log”, which should contain such details as the date and time of the incident; the location and description of what occurred; and the name, address and phone number of any witnesses. Each incident should also be reported to the police, and the name and badge number of the officer taking the report should be noted.

And while restraining orders alone cannot prevent potential attacks, they have been shown to act as a deterrent, particularly when used along with other measures aimed at ensuring victim safety.

However, none of this will be effective unless victims heed professional advice, and take the necessary action to safeguard their lives.

For, as a study by the US National Institutes of Health tells us, “Intimate partner violence has been deemed one of the most pressing public health concerns affecting women of all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic background.”

Golden Grove take charge of schools League

... Christianburg beaten in clash of Multilaterals

THE GOLDEN GROVE

Secondary School have taken over the lead at the completion of the third round of matches in the PE TRA GUYOIL Tradewind Tankers under 18 schools football League being played at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifes ta Avenue

Last Saturday’s fixtures in the one round 8 team com petition resulted in a com fortable 3-1 win for Golden Grove over West Ruimveldt, while President ’ s College came from a 2- goal deficit to eke out a 3-2 win against bot tom placed team, Friendship Secondary, and in the battle of the Multilaterals , North Ruimveldt prevailed 1-0 ver sus Christianburg The other encounter produced a 1-1 stalemate between Dolphin and Cummings Lodge

Goals by Kelon Croal (4th), Nathan Shaw (53rd) and Kelvin Richardson ( 70th ) propelled the East Coast Demerara boys to their second win and they maintained their unbeaten

run, while it was the second loss for West Ruimveldt whose consolation strike came from Donovan Wel come in the 40th minute as they remain second from the bottom.

Neighbours, President’s College, in a much tougher game also sustained their unbeaten run to move to 7 points and a +2 goal differ ence , but Golden Grove ’ s superior +5 separates them at the top of the table

Two quick goals within 5 minutes by Kevon Williams (30th) and Rayon Emmanuel ( 35th ) piloted Friendship ahead after 35 minutes

Ronoko Vaughn erased the lead with a brace (37th and 67th) before William Sabastian netted the win ner in the 70th minute to ensure Friendship continue to prop up the table with three defeats from as many outings

Coach Wilton Cameron, commenting on his team ’ s performance shared , “ At President’s College we take sports very serious While

we may not be known to be a ‘ football school ’ we take pride in balancing our students’ academics with ath letics So whatever the com petition may be we always let them know we expect them to come out and give of their very best and this is what they have been doing It is the culture of the school to always give of your best”.

In a much anticipat ed clash , a solitary Jevon Pluck ’ s conversion ( 62 nd) proved decisive in the first loss for perennial school champions , Christianburg , who dropped to 3rd position on 6 points It was the first win for North Ruimveldt who now occupy 5th place on 4 points

‘ We knew we had to bring our ‘A’ game since we did not want Christian burg to go 2 -0 on us as we would have lost to them in the Milo final ...it was by the slimest of margins, but a win is a win’, an elated coach Leon Vyfhius told Chronicle Sport

His opposite, Delon Pe

ters, stated that ‘I believe in every tournament a team is entitled to have a bad game and today was just our turn for that This loss will not affect our chances going for ward We are not here just to participate since everytime we enter a tournament we enter with the expectation of coming out on top’.

The other team yet to lose is Cummings Lodge who were held to their second draw by Dolphin in a fiercely contested affair Dolphin, in search of their first 3 points, took the lead in the 8th min ute through Jequan Cole who became the third player to be ejected for the side

Reaquan Corbin was the first to be sent off in the 28th minute , followed by Jude Charles in the 60th. With the numerical ad vantage, Cummings Lodge got the equaliser, thanks to Elijah Mendonca (68th), to share the points and hold 4th position on 5 points

The tournament contin ues next Sunday with the 4th round of matches

Dravid still awaiting official

these two games.

He has gone to the NCA, and we are waiting for the official confirmation on the next steps We will see what happens over the next few days, and once we get some official confirmation, we’ll be able to share that.”

Bumrah is only just re turning from a back injury, which sidelined him for two months between July and September 2022 . He led India’s attack in two of the three T20Is against Austra lia earlier this month, with the captain Rohit Sharma saying it was pleasing to see the fast bowler in full throttle

But during practice be

fore the first T20I against South Africa, Bumrah com plained of back pain and was taken for scans in Thiruva nanthapuram where it was revealed that he was suffering from a stress related injury

He has since been rushed to Bengaluru , where the Na tional Cricket Academy, is located and is in the care of the board ’ s medical team along with some independent experts who have been hired to take care of him and figure out a way forward

India’s T20 World Cup squad contains five fast bowlers. Bhuvneshwar Ku mar , who is a powerplay specialist , Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh, who

are back end specialists , Hardik Pandya, who offers support during the middle overs and Bumrah who is yet to be ruled out. If he is though, the reserve players Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar come into the frame

Given those options, Dra vid is not pressing the panic button just yet. “I think we’ve been very clear about the kind of skills that we want in the 15 I think for me that is really important, the kind of squad that we picked for the World Cup - barring injury, what were the kind of skills that we were looking for , different kind of bowlers , certain batting skills - so

page 23

all of those things, without going into too much detail, we’ve always been very clear about it, and I think to a large extent we’ve managed to get everything

“ Not everything will be perfect, at times due to injury, due to many other factors . I think , in terms of the skills in the squad, everyone being fit , as we go ahead from here on in, I think we ’ re quite com fortable that we’ve got all the skills that will allow us to play different combina tions and different kinds of XIs based on the different wickets that we might get in Australia and the different oppositions.(Cricinfo).

Haaland, Foden bang in hat-tricks as dazzling City humble United

( REUTERS )- Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat tricks to fire champions Manchester City to a rampant 6-3 thrashing of local rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

City’s football was slick, incisive and ruthless in its execution as Haa land claimed his third hat trick in eight league games and Foden netted his first Premier League treble on a humbling afternoon for United

After a disappointing start under Erik ten Hag this season , with the Dutchman tasting defeat in his first two games, a run of four successive league wins had promised better times ahead but United were brought firmly back to earth by the neighbours No City play er had scored a hat trick against their bitter rivals since Francis Lee in 1970 and in the space of 90 minutes two men achieved the feat.

“We scored six goals, what can I say, it’s amazing,” Haaland told Sky Sports. “To win at home, and score six goals, it’s nice

“You can feel it all the time You can see the passes we give each other We always want to go forward and to attack It’s what I love about the team.”

Foden got the scoring under way inside eight minutes, becoming the first

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates his side’s fifth goal and his hat trick with team mate Jack Grealish in the Premier League match against Manches ter United at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on October 2 2022.

Image: Michael Regan/Getty Im ages

English City player to score in a home league derby against United since 2006, sweeping home Bernardo Silva’s low cross, before Haaland headed his first in the 34th minute to put City in command

Haaland has made a mockery of settling into life in the Premier League and the Norwegian struck again in the 34th minute on the stretch before Foden added the fourth three minutes later

Big money signing Antony curled a stunning strike into the net early in the second half to give United faint hope of a remarkable comeback, before Haaland fired home his 17th goal of an incredible season

Foden completed his first Premier League treble to finish off the perfect afternoon for irresistible City Aged 22 years and 127 days, the England interna tional also became the youngest player to reach 50 goals under Pep Guardiola, surpassing Lionel Messi

United substitute Anthony Martial added a late consolation double, one from the penalty spot, to make the score line more respectable, but the margin of victory does not tell the true tale of the disparity between the sides

Pep Guardiola’s team moved to within a point of Arsenal at the top of the standings and a bruised United stayed sixth.

Real Madrid president Perez still commited to European Super League

REAL Madrid president Flo rentino Perez has reaffirmed his club's commitment to a European Super League (ESL) and says football does not recognise that the game in its present form is "sick".

Real were one of 12 Eu ropean clubs to sign up to the ESL in April 2021 but it collapsed after a fan backlash.

Real, Barcelona and Ju ventus have yet to formally abandon the project.

"To solve a problem, you need to start by recognising you have a problem," said Perez.

"And our beloved sport is sick."

The 12-team Super League, including Premier League sides Arsenal, Chel sea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, was greeted with widespread condemnation from supporters and sparked protests outside grounds in England.

But speaking at Real Ma

drid's general assembly, Perez said future generations of fans were focusing on different types of entertainment and made a comparison with tennis when he highlighted what he sees as football's inadequacies.

"Nadal and Federer played each other 40 times in 15 years.

So far, Nadal and Djokovic have faced each other 59 times in 16 years. Is this boring?

These historic clashes have grown tennis as a whole," he said.

"In football the figures are staggering. It turns out we have played Liverpool, a historic team with six Europe an Cups, only nine times in 67 years. And only three times in Madrid. We have only played Chelsea four times in the his tory of the European Cup."

Perez made reference to an ongoing case at the European Court of Justice, which is due to make an interim ruling in December about whether Eu ropean governing body Uefa

should be allowed to have a monopoly over organising club competitions.

Perez also rejected the Super League proposals would have meant the end of domestic leagues.

"The Super League for mat will never be an obstacle stopping a constructive and free dialogue to address the very serious problems in European football. Problems that we must urgently solve," he said.(BBC Sport)

Singapore GP win Perez’s best drive yet, says Horner

“That is without a shadow of a doubt the best drive of his career,” he told Sky Sports television.“Tricky conditions, he’d nailed the start, converted the start, settled himself into the race, he looked after those intermediate tyres, safety cars coming and going, re starts, and he just was always in control, super cool

“That’s world class, that is right up there That’s for sure his best victory, I think it even surpasses his Monaco victory and under massive pressure he’s gone out and delivered Just super, super proud of him He’s done a wonderful job.”

The victory, if confirmed, would be the fourth of Perez’s career and third since he joined Red Bull in 2021.

The Mexican won this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, another tight street race where the smallest of errors can carry a hefty price

Stewards’ summoned Perez and Red Bull after the race, with the risk of a time penalty being imposed, and Horner said there were plenty of precedents

“For us, really, it’s a non issue. They asked us to close up (behind the safety car), we closed up immedi ately,” he said, alluding to reports Perez had not kept within 10 car lengths of the safety car.

Perez finished with a 7.5 second advantage over Fer rari’s Charles Leclerc, meaning that a five second penalty would have no impact on the result

Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, however, told Sky that there were two potential offences, which could mean a 10 second penalty.

“Two infringements behind safety cars so it can be twice penalty,” said the Italian.

(REUTERS)-Sergio Perez’s Singapore Grand Prix victory was ‘world class’ and his best drive yet in Formula One, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said on Sunday.

With the paddock waiting on a post race stewards’ investigation of possible safety car infringements by the Mexican, Horner played down concern about the win being taken away

Singapore - October 2, 2022: Red Bull’s Sergio Perez celebrates after winning the Singapore Grand Prix (REUTERS/Caroline Chia)

Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final in May to lift the trophy for a 14th time - seven more than any other side.

Miller ton in vain as India seal series win

SURYAKUMAR Yadav and David Miller led a glit tering display at the Barsa para Stadium as India and South Africa slugged it out on a fine batting surface.

At the end of 40 overs which saw an intervention by a snake , a flood light failure and 458 runs scored, India edged their visitors out by 16 runs, completing their first home T20I series victory over the Proteas

Suryakumar slammed 61 off 22 and put on 102 off just 42 for the third wicket with Virat Kohli (49*) while Miller’s 106* off 47 came in a partnership of 174 with Quinton de Kock (69*) in a night full of batting records and bowling ignominy

(Scores: India 237/3 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Ya dav 61, KL Rahul 57, Virat Kohli 49*; Keshav Maharaj 2-23 ) beat South Africa 221/3 in 20 overs ( David Miller 106 *, Quinton de Kock 69*; Arshdeep Singh 2-62) by 16 runs).

The Rohit - Rahul plat form

If there were lingering concerns about KL Rahul’s spot at the top of India ’ s line up, they were dispelled spectacularly on the day Rahul punched the first ball of the day, setting the tone for the carnage to follow He then proceeded to display his full range of scoring - the pick up whip for six fol lowed by a back foot punch off Wayne Parnell Rohit , at the other end, struggled for a bit in coming to grips with the surface but once he did, it was a double barelled assault on South Africa

The pair put on 57 in the PowerPlay and then added another 39 in 3.4 overs as South Africa’s pacers bled runs Anrich Nortje in par ticular was plundered for 31 off his first two overs The belligerent stand was even tually ended by the excellent Keshav Maharaj (2 for 23), who first had Rohit miscue a pull to deep mid wicket and

then trapped Rahul LBW on the sweep after a fine knock of 57 off just 28 balls

Carrying the baton ft. Suryakumar Yadav

If South Africa hoped for respite after sending back the openers, they were in for a rude shock Suryakumar walked out and broomed away the third ball he faced behind square leg for four He then took down Kagiso Rabada in the 15th over ,

plundering 22 runs with shots ranging from a pulled six over square leg, a loft over mid off and a pair of scooped shots over the ‘ keeper ’ s head for a four and a six

As South Africa strug gled with the heat and offered a slew of full tosses, Suryakumar raced away to an 18 ball half century - the joint second fastest for India in the format

In all, he hit five sixes and as many fours and held a strike rate of 277.27 before he was run out trying to get back on strike when his partner Kohli wasn’t ready.

Kohli (49* off 28) played second fiddle in the stand despite hitting at 175 SR himself and saw the entire final over from the other end as Dinesh Karthik played all of the six balls from Rabada and added 18 runs to the team, what eventually proved crucial

The faltering start be fore Miller time

India seemed to be head ing to a comfortable win when South Africa slipped to 1/2 and then 47/3 just after the PowerPlay It was then that Miller joined a struggling de Kock in the middle At the 10 over mark, Miller was only 10 off 10 and South Africa needed 167 to get in the second half of their innings.

Overs 11 and 12 brought

32 runs as Miller hit a pair of boundaries off Harshal Patel and then clubbed two sixes and a four off R Ashwin Another six off a slot ball from Arshdeep gave Mill er a 25 ball half century He needed only 21 for his second fifty as he galloped away to a hundred swing merrily through the line South Africa needed 62 off the final two overs when Miller belted Arshdeep for a 26 run over

That meant, mathemat ically, South Africa could still tie the game with six sixes in the final over, to be bowled by Axar Patel, who Rohit tried to shield from the two southpaws Miller began by getting under two slot balls for sixes in his swinging arc, the second of which took him from 99 to 105. Axar fired a yorker to confirm victory for India but de Kock swung the last ball to end the game with a six tally of 25. (Cricbuzz. com)

Malan takes England to T20 series win over Pakistan

DAWID Malan thumped an unbeaten 78 to help England to a comprehensive 67 run win over Pakistan in the seventh Twenty20 international to take the series 4-3.

Having been asked to bat first in Lahore , En gland piled on the runs with Malan making Paki stan pay for dropping him on 29 and 62 as he lifted the visitors to 209-3

Harry Brook ’ s fine form continued as he made 46 not out from 29 balls - having been dropped on 24 - in an un broken stand of 108 with Malan.

Babar Azam was responsible for two of those dropped catches and could not atone with the bat, falling to Chris Woakes in the first over of the chase.

Reece Topley bowled Mohammad Rizwan two balls later and, with their two in form openers gone early, Pakistan were

unable to recover and limped to 142-8 Chris Woakes took 3-26 and David Willey chipped in with 2-22, also claiming his 50th T20 international wicket

England now head to Australia for a three match T20 series be fore starting their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on 22 October. Meanwhile, Pakistan will now travel

to New Zealand for a T20 tri series that also includes Bangladesh.

Pakistan lend helping hand as Malan finds form

After their staggering ly quick start in the last game, England’s openers got off to a flyer again but two wickets in three balls brought the onslaught to an abrupt end

Alex Hales was pinned lbw by Moham mad Hasnain and, two

balls later, a mix up be tween Malan and Phil Salt saw the latter run out at the non striker’s end after being turned down for a single.

Salt ’ s reaction sug gested he was in little doubt over where the blame lay but Malan was able to spend the rest of the innings making amends

The left hander swat ted Shadab Khan over deep mid wicket for six with Ben Duckett add ing another maximum down the ground later in the ninth over to take England’s run rate back over 10 an over, where it stayed for the vast major ity of the innings

Malan has been short of runs in the series , with a highest score of 36, but with the help of Pakistan fielders, he was able to improve on that.

Firstly , soon after some excellent glovework from Rizwan saw Duckett run out, he drilled Iftikhar

to extra cover but Babar shelled the catch

The Pakistan skipper then dropped a dolly to give Brook a reprieve and deny the impressive Haris Rauf a wicket, and the fast bowler was let down by his fielders again as Mohammad Wasim spilled a skier to give Malan another life on 62

The former world number one T20 bat

ter further punished Wasim , who went for 61 from his four overs, with his third six of the innings to start the fi nal over as, in a timely return to form, he pro duced a typical Malan knock : a steady start before a sharp accelera tion later in the innings, scoring freely square of the wicket. (BBC Sport)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday October 03, 2022)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 97 CPL matches

(2) 88 as captain

Today’s Quiz:

(1)Who has scored most CPL runs without hitting a half century?

(2)What is the highest score ever made by a batsman in a losing cause in CPL cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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

David Miller’s unbeaten 106 was in vain•(BCCI

Dawid Malan returned to form with an unbeaten 78 as England clinched the T20 series

Confident Cariah gets first taste of action Down Under

YANNIC Cariah was all smiles as he arrived at the Metricon Stadium for his first training session in Australia.

On a cool afternoon he joined team mates during an intense training session on the scenic Gold Coast Cariah arrived in Australia as part of the first group of West Indies players to touch down, Down Under The allrounder is on his first overseas tour with the men’s senior team and expressed great delight to be part of the 15 member

squad

“ I’m feeling really great to be in the group for the upcoming series as well as the T20 World Cup to follow. We touched down and the work has started. It is a great honour to represent the people of the region at any level. I’m here and ready to go… any challenges I ’ m ready for it,” he said

The right handed leg spinner and left handed batter announced himself on the international stage with

Matthews unable to prevent defeat as Windies fall behind

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC – Hay ley Matthews’s all round enterprise went to waste as West Indies Women slid to a five wicket defeat to New Zealand Women to fall behind in the five match series.

Sent in at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in the third Twenty20 International here Sunday, the hosts could only muster 93 for nine from their 20 overs, with captain Matthews top scoring with 30 from 29 balls and 18 year old left arm spinner Fran Jonas snatching three for 16

In reply , New Zealand Women re bounded from dire straits at 20 for four in the sixth over to reach their target with eight balls to spare, Player of the Match Maddy Green leading the comeback with an unbeaten 49 from 45 deliveries.

Matthews claimed four for 12 with her off breaks to wipe out the top order but lacked support, and New Zealand Women recovered to establish a 2-1 series lead

The two teams will clash again in the critical fourth match at the same venue on Wednesday

a well crafted half century in the CG United ODI Se ries against New Zeeland in August He made a topscore with 52 in his first knock at Kensington Oval

“ The way I per formed against New Zea land gave me confidence Now we’re here in Austra lia … this is my first time playing here… First, I want to get use to the conditions, as we are a long way from home, and then maintain my processes and look to perform ion the big stage

I was doing a lot of fitness work at home and sharp ening up my skills. I have played a lot of cricket with many members of the team, so I’ve fitted in quite well.”

West Indies will face Australia in a two match T20 International Series in Queensland before the ICC T20 World Cup The open ing match is Wednesday at the Metricon Stadium in the Gold Coast and the second at The Gabba in Brisbane on Friday First ball is 7pm local time (5am Eastern Caribbe

an/4am Jamaica Time).

Cariah previously played for West Indies Under 19 at the ICC World Cup 2010 in New Zealand and was captain of the West Indies Emerging Players when they won the CG United Super50 in 2019.(CWI)

MATCH SCHEDULE

Wednesday 5 October: 1st T20I at Metricon Sta dium

Friday 7 October: 2nd T20I at The Gabba

Nurse fifty leads Capitals superb run chase

Matthews struck four fours in her 28 ball stay at the crease but was one of three wickets to fall as West Indies Women slumped to 38 for three in the ninth over.

Kyshona Knight ( 16 ) and Chinelle Henry (13) staged the best stand of the innings when they put on 29 for the fourth wicket but once they were separated , wickets fell steadily again as six tumbled for 24 runs

Seamer Suzie Bates (2-5) and 21 year old off spinner Eden Carson (2-14) pro vided support for Jonas with two wickets apiece.

Matthews then turned the game in her side’s favour when she knocked over both openers Bates (2) and captain Sophie Devine (3) before adding the scalps of Amelia Kerr (0) and Georgia Plimmer (12).

However, Green countered for the visi tors, hitting half dozen fours as she put on 38 for the fifth wicket with Lauren Down (16) and a further 36 with Hayley Jensen (eight not out) in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership, to see off the hosts challenge.

ODHPUR , India , ( CMC ) – Former West Indies off spinner Ashley Nurse lashed a thrilling unbeaten half century as India Capitals staged a daring run chase to beat Bhilwara Kings by four wickets in the Legends League here Sunday

Set a massive target of 227 at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium, Capitals over hauled their target with three balls to spare with Nurse finishing unbeaten on 60 from just 28 deliveries

The 33 year old struck five fours and four sixes and more importantly, inspired an unbroken, 52 run seventh wicket stand with Englishman Liam Plunkett (22 not out) which rallied the innings at the back end

New Zealander Ross Taylor had earlier set the foundation for the chase, top scoring with 84 from 39 deliveries, including nine fours and five sixes.

Capitals slipped to 48 for three in the sixth over when all rounder Dwayne Smith drove a return catch to former West Indies

Dravid still awaiting official confirmation of the extent of Bumrah’s injury

FORTY eight hours after the first reports of Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury, there is still no clarity on the extent and seriousness of it with India coach Rahul Dravid saying they are waiting on expert opinion.

Bumrah and India are racing against the clock with the T20 World Cup just around the corner The team leaves for Australia on October 6 and will play their first match of the tournament two weeks later

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was un willing to rule Bumrah out of the ICC event just yet, saying a decision is expected in “two or three days”. Dravid stuck to the same tune while addressing the press ahead of the sec ond T20I against South Africa in Guwahati

“I haven’t gone deeply into the medical reports,” Dravid said. “I rely on the experts to tell me what it is They ruled him out for this series, and he’s being assessed. We’ll

know in due course what happens in the future. Obviously, till he’s completely ruled out, till I get official confirmation that he’s ruled out, we’ll always be hopeful, right? We’ll always hope for the best, for us as a team, and also for Jasprit as an individual. We will always hope for the best.

“As of now, officially he has been ruled out of this T20 series against South Africa

teammate Fidel Edwards (2-54) but Taylor revived the chase in a 62 run, fourth wicket partnership with former West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin (13).

Taylor added another 58 for the fifth wicket with Nurse who then took respon sibility for finishing the game once his partner perished in the 16th over

Choosing to bat first, Kings gathered an imposing 226 for five from their 20 overs with Australian Shane Watson (65) and Ire land’s William Porterfield (59) hammering half centuries and Yusuf Pathan chipping in with 48 from 24 balls

Watson lashed 10 fours and two sixes in a 39 -ball knock while Porterfield punched seven fours and three sixes off 37 balls, the pair posting 116 for the second wicket

When both fell to leave Kings on 153 for three in the 16th over, Pathan belted three fours and four sixes in a hasty 55 run, fourth wicket partnership with Rajesh Bishnoi who blasted an 11 ball 36 not out, including five fours and two sixes

West Indies all rounder Yannic Cariah

Off-spinner Hayley Matthews claimed four wickets

Former West Indies off - spinner Ashley Nurse

India coach Rahul Dravid (left) and pacer Jasprit Bumrah

Golden Grove take charge of schools League

FIFA president Infantino says it is a ‘dark day’ for football

… after Indonesian stadium disaster

FIFA president , Gianni Infantino says it is a “dark day” for football following the death of at least 125 peo ple in a crush at a football match in Indonesia.

About 180 people were also hurt after Arema FC’s loss to rivals Persebaya Sura baya in East Java on Satur day

The crush took place after police tear gassed fans who invaded the pitch.

“The football world is in a state of shock following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Indonesia ,” Infantino said.

“This is a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond compre hension.”

As panic spread in Kan juruhan Stadium in Malang, thousands surged towards the exits, where many suffocated

FIFA, the world’s gov erning football body, states that no “crowd control gas” should be carried or used

by stewards or police at matches.

Infantino added: “I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following this tragic incident

“ Together with FIFA and the global football com munity , all our thoughts and prayers are with the victims , those who have been injured, together with the people of the Repub lic of Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation, the Indonesian Football Asso ciation, and the Indonesian Football League , at this difficult time.”

The head of the Asian Football Confederation , Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, told Reuters in a statement he was “deeply shocked and saddened to hear such tragic news coming out of football loving Indonesia”.

La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have agreed that clubs will

observe a minute’s silence before kick off in Sunday’s games as a mark of respect.

A statement by La Liga said the silence would “offer condolences to the Indonesian people, especially the fami lies of the deceased, as well as wishing a quick recovery to those injured”.

‘ There should never be violence at a football match’

Players wore black arm bands in Sunday’s two Pre mier League matches, and several clubs offered their condolences to the victims of the disaster.

Liverpool tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the events at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Indonesia The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with all those affected at this time.”

In the UK, a crush de veloped at the Hillsbor ough Stadium in Sheffield in 1989 , resulting in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans

attending the club’s FA Cup semi final against Notting ham Forest England captain Leah Williamson posted on Twit ter : “ My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy Indonesia holds a special place in my heart.”

Spain defender Sergio Ramos called the incident “heartbreaking” while ex En gland forward Wayne Rooney said it was “devastating”.

Ajax ’ s club account tweeted : “ We are deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang , Indonesia There

should never be violence at a football match.”

Barcelona said they were “pained by the tragic events” at Kanjuruhan Sta dium, adding they “reject all acts of violence both on and off the field ”. ( BBC Sport).

Angry football fans invaded the pitch

Golden Grove’s goal-scoring trident (L to R) Kelon Croal, Nathan Daw and Kelvin Richardson President’s College goal scorers, (L) William Sebastian and Ronoko Vaughn

... Christianburg beaten in clash of Multilaterals see story on page 20