Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04-04-2023

National STEAM fair makes grand return after five-year hiatus

THE National Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair made its grand return after a fiveyear hiatus and saw a total of 177 schools countrywide displaying their innovative projects.

Themed, “Transforming Education through Innovation and STEAM,” the threeday exhibition was declared open by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Turkeyen, on Monday.

The first day of the 2023 fair saw the attendance of scores of students, parents and teachers who were elated to learn about the many innovative ideas through which the country can be further developed.

Teacher of St. Mary’s Nursery School, Region Six, Jodiah Wright, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that her school chose the Science category and their project is centred on plants and benefits along

with the process of germination.

“The whole idea behind our project was to shed some light about the importance of plants in our environment… so we created some dioramas and to help them with their learning process…we went from the different stages of germination to how we can care for those plants; then we moved on to how caring for those plants can give us various things like food medicine, shelter, and clothing,” Miss Wright noted.

Latoya McKenzie from the Virginia Primary School in Region Four, stated that her school took up the mantle to build a Mathematical ‘Green City’ using shapes.

“Today we entered the Mathematics category and the theme for our project is a geometrical green city…we created our own geometrical green city where we’ve been incorporating all the concepts like angles, shapes, the lengths of the shape, the degrees and for them to recognise the importance of these

concepts,” said McKenzie.

Meanwhile, Abram Zuil Secondary along the Essequibo Coast came out with their carbon dioxide project.

One of the students, Gishna Ramkellawan explained, “Our project is based on removing carbon dioxide from the air and converting it into dry ice…when we remove it from the air it doesn’t add to pollution and we’re also creating something that could give us a profit.”

The teen, who was excited to participate in the fair noted that she has learned a lot from her other secondary colleagues. “I had no idea that we could’ve captured this carbon dioxide and turned it into something useful,” noted Ramkellawan.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Manickchand underscored the journey the government endured to ensure that the national event returns.

“Guyana experienced one of our harshest periods…in 2020 moving forward…we have the pandemic that is

affecting the world…we had prolonged election period which had the entire country in disarray and uncertainty… and we had for the first time, the closure of schools and the request and the necessity to deliver education in a way that we have never done before.

“This was the biggest test for the education system… and it is not an exaggeration to say that I believe that we responded comparatively well as a developing country. The STEAM fair was not

something that was possible in any year prior to this, because of the harsh consequences of COVID,” The education minister pointed out.

Minister Manickchand stressed that the education system in the country will continue to be one of zeal, as the ministry continues to fight against all odds.

The ministry has also managed to obtain universal primary education according to the United Nations standards and aims to ensure that

the same quality of learning occurs at nursery and secondary levels.

“We focused on making sure that every student has access across the nursery, primary and secondary, so we are looking to achieve universal access to education…wherever you are we are going to be able to access education because we are bent and we insist that we are going to grip that out,” Minister Manickchand said. (DPI)

More constables assigned to Mayor

Narine than Stabroek Market

–– constabulary officers tell Minister Dharamlall

THE Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine has once again come under fire for his performance, this time, for not providing sufficient security for the vendors and consumers of Stabroek Market and having higher security attached to him and his personal properties.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamall, in a post on Facebook, said despite the Stabroek Market being a dangerous hub where vendors and patrons frequently complain of inadequate security, it was discovered that Mayor Narine has not addressed those concerns.

Moreover, according to the minister, City Police revealed that while six of them are lodged at the Mayor’s office, the market only has five officers.

“When questioned, constabulary officers reported that there are more city constabulary officers attached to

the person and personal properties of Mayor Ubraj Narine than to the 1,500 stallholders and thousands of shoppers at Stabroek Market,” Dharamlall said.

The Guyana Chronicle had visited Kitty Market, where vendors and shoppers also related that their concerns are not being addressed by the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.

One vendor, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said over the years the market has been deteriorating and business has been on the decline.

“I’ve been running around, going to councilors. I used to go to the statutory meeting that City Hall has. I tried talking to councillors and still we are here and nothing happened.”

When contacted for a response, Mayor Narine said that the City Council does not have the sufficient funds to complete the market.

Teacher of Virginia Primary School, Latoya McKenzie and her pupils showcase their Mathematical Green City (DPI photo)

APNU+AFC hired 119 persons without justification – cost was $19M over budget, PAC hears

By Clestine Juan

UNDER the APNU+AFC government, the Ministry of Social Protection (now Ministry of Human Services and Social Security) hired 119 temporary employees without proper justification, resulting in a $19 million increase in spending.

On Monday, the spending of the ministry under the leadership of former minister, Amna Ally, came into focus at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting.

Speaking as members of the PAC, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira raised serious concerns over the ministry’s employment costs.

The Auditor General’s 2019 report shows that $1.1 billion was budgeted for ‘Employment Costs’ for 707 per-

sons during the period under review.

However, an examination of the ministry’s Appropriation Accounts revealed that $1.082 billion was expended for 826 persons. This represents 119 staff more than the budgeted 707 and $19M under the budgeted expenditure.

As such, it would appear that the employment costs were overbudgeted.

The Head of the Budget Agency indicated that although persons were employed in 2019, those employed in the latter part of the year were not paid until 2020 and the funds for this were provided by the Ministry of Finance.

During the hearing, Minister Edghill grilled the now sitting Permanent Secretary (PS) Shannielle E. Hoosein-Outar over the temporary staffing arrangement.

However, Hoosein-Outar indicated that former PS, Lorraine Baird, would be able to answer key questions about that period.

“I was hoping the former PS would have been here. I reached out to her and she indicated that she was not able to meet with me, nor to be here,” Hoosein-Outar said. No excuse was provided by Baird for her absence at the PAC meeting.

Minister Edghill asked for the record of temporary persons who were hired and their roles and responsibilities. However, this information was not available, and the PS indicated that she would hand it over within two weeks.

Meanwhile, APNU PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul asked Hoosein-Outar if the employment for the temporary staff passed through the Public Service Commission (PSC). However, the PS was

Dr. Doerga says, chastises PNC for its extreme racism

BUSINESSMAN and known supporter of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), Dr. Turhane Doerga, has condemned wanted man Rickford Burke and others close to the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) for circulating an age-old interview that has no relevance today.

“It must be made clear that the racist Mr. Burke driven by the PNC is using this old interview to desperately hold on to whatever grassroots are still left in his party as they are leaving his party in droves,” Doerga said in a statement, adding: “Social media works and no trickery with old interviews will help their evil campaign.”

He went on to say: “As I stated before: [Afro-Guyanese] lives always mattered in Guyana, 28 years of Burnham and five years of Granger. So, Mr. Burke and all those who are still living in the past should have noticed my comments on many chats.”

Dr. Doerga, who was critical of the PPP/C in the past, said that it has redeemed itself to be an all-inclusive party. He said too that the PPP/C Government is the best when it comes to “kick-starting” the local economy.

“I also comment that this government is a legitimate government who still has time to fix the oil contracts so we must be patient as you can’t repair the damage the APNU+AFC, who I supported, inflicted on us,” he related.

On the contrary, when addressing the actions of the PNC/R, the businessman said: “The PNC is the contrary, as I have never seen so much racism.”

Although the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government has been on a campaign to build “One Guyana,” the PNC/R has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the country’s history

of racial division is not completely eradicated.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that the PNC/R’s “racist philosophy” will eventually lead to the party’s downfall.

The General Secretary said that Aubrey Norton has been the Leader of the Opposition for over a year and already the party has changed two Indo-Guyanese general secretaries and a treasurer.

He also criticised Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), David Hinds, who disparaged a number of PNC/R Indo-Guyanese members for speaking out against racist and incendiary remarks made by the WPA.

Hinds referred to Indo-Guyanese PNC/R member Geeta Chandan-Edmond as a “slaver catcher” for having condemned remarks made by WPA member, Tacuma Ogunseye, who made racially charged remarks against East Indians at a public meeting in Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

Hinds had also directed comments at PNC/R Parliamentarians Ganesh Mahipaul, and Natasha Singh-Lewis; Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram, and Mayor Ubraj Narine who had issued a joint statement condemning the remarks of another WPA Member, Rhonda Layne.

“That’s their only purpose in the party. Not to promote a multi-ethnic and to respect people of every race and every faith as this party does… they (PNC/R) saw them as outsiders. That philosophy, the racism of the PNC will lead to their demise, and now they are rapidly dying as an organisation.

At the next elections, not just the local government one, we will prove that definitively in the one in 2025,” Jagdeo said.

unable to provide an answer.

Minister Teixeira expressed difficulty in comprehending how a ministry could have 119 more staff members than it had budgeted for.

“I just find it difficult to comprehend how a ministry could have 119 members of staff more than what we budgeted for, yet, under budgeted the amount by $19M. This is very weird. It meant that the ministry probably inflated the cost for the budget, but that doesn’t explain why people weren’t paid until 2020. Because if it is so, what’s written in the Auditor General’s report is that 119 more staff were hired than what was budgeted. But they were under the budgeted amount by $19 million, therefore, why weren’t they paid,” Teixeira said.

She further probed if approval was granted by the PSC and its relevant ministry.

“I agree with my colleagues in the PAC that there must be records in the ministry… Even if you don’t have paper records in personnel, which you should have, there would have been payroll records to show what these people were paid and what they were doing.

“It’s not a small amount. It’s not one or two people. It is 119 people [and] that is bizarre. Someone has to explain how people were even paid in 2020 if they weren’t on the payroll in the first place, they weren’t budgeted for,” Minister Teixeira stressed.

Minister Edghill explained that the response that some of these people were paid in 2020 is very “worrying.”

“...it would appear more money than was required for employment costs was budgeted. Because that’s the

only way you could pay for the 707 and still have money left back. Besides paying the 707, you employed 119 more and paid them, but you also received additional sums, and you still get $19 million to send back. So, something is not operating correctly accounting-wise, and that is why I’m very concerned the former PS is not here to guide us,” he said.

PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira adjourned the issue until March 17 and asked that the former PS be present.

“When I reached out to her, she said that she was on vacation, and I asked if we can do a Zoom meeting to discuss the queries, but she said she was unavailable,” Hoosein-Outar explained. Figueira said that the PAC would assist in getting Baird to appear before the commission, whether it be virtually or physically.

and opposition supporter Rickford Burke.

COMMUNICATION Consultant and civil society member, Kit Nascimento, has questioned what direction the political opposition is attempting to influence Guyana towards with their continued focus on racial politics that climaxed with recent incendiary remarks made by Executive member of the Working People Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye.

In a letter to the editor, Nascimento argued that Ogunseye went more than just “a little too far,” despite Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Aubrey Norton’s attempt to downplay the severity of racially incendiary remarks.

“We must ask the question how one of the leaders, Tacuma Ogunseye, of a political party, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which was recently an active and vocal member of the past APNU+AFC government, can mount a public political platform at Buxton on which the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, sat, and propose that our security forces turn their guns against a duly elected government to support a mass uprising to overthrow the government, and be allowed to get away with it?” Nascimento asked.

Apart from Ogunseye and Norton, Nascimento also called out the behaviour of Chairperson of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Cathay Hughes, WPA Executive, Dr. David Hinds,

Noting that majority of Guyanese understandably responded in condemnation of Ogunseye’s remarks, Nascimento called out Norton, who is also Leader of the Opposition, for seeking to justify Ogunseye’s statement as a right to free speech.

“Norton knows full well that advocating sedition, does not qualify for protection as free speech… Mr. Norton knows full well that Ogunseye went much, much too far, unforgivably too far,” Nascimento

Similarly, Nascimento highlighted the lack of strong reproach from the AFC camp, which has simply side stepped the issue at best.

“Even though the WPA is today a political party bereft from popular political support, its leadership, prominently including Professor David Hinds, persist in pursuing an utterly obnoxious and dangerous race hate activism,” Nascimento opined.

He accused Dr. Hinds, who currently resides overseas, of hiding behind the comfort of being in a distant land to spew his race hate in Guyana through his online radio programme “Politics 101”, recalling the pointed cases where Dr. Hinds advocated discrimination against Indo-Guyanese.

“Hinds, sitting in Arizona, preaches that Guyanese Africans boycott Indian businesses. But David Hinds doesn’t stop there. He calls the Guyanese Indians who are mem -

bers of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and PNC/R Parliamentarians “traitors” and “slave catchers” for condemning the hate speech of Ogunseye. Hinds then issues threats,” Nascimento noted.

He added: “While David Hinds promotes race hate in Guyana, he dares not do so in the US. He dares not embrace the just cause of African Americans who once were, and, even today, are subject to discrimination from southern white Americans in the state where Hinds teaches. Hinds knows full well that he would lose his job with the university.”

However, it is noted that Dr. Hinds is not a lone overseas based Guyanese promoting racism from the safety of being overseas.

“He is joined by Rickford Burke who heads the so-called ‘Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy’ based in New York where he lives, which published the rubbish on Burkes’ Facebook page,” Nascimento noted.

“Nothing, however outlandish, however gross, however big the lie, is beyond these men to promote division and destruction in our country. These are not stupid men. These are not men sans education, yet these are men who espouse, advocate and aggressively pursue, in the name of politics, the worst, the ugliest, the most despicable form of racial animosity, division and confrontation in a multi-racial country. These are dangerous men,” he said.

The PPP/C is an all-inclusive party, best for the economy

‘Ogunseye went, unforgivably, too far’

–– Nascimento says

Vehemence of KN, GPA signals ‘strange’ new dispensation for free media practice –– Minister McCoy laments

See full statement: THE President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir is quoted in the Sunday April 2, 2023, article of the Kaieteur News, as accusing the government of insulting the high esteem of some sections of the media fraternity and opening doors to attacks on the press.

This accusation appears to have stemmed from the conduct of a Presidential press conference hosted by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the Leonora Track and Field Centre, during the wrap up phase of a regional outreach by the Office of the President.

Raghubir’s wild accusations are in consonance with

a plethora of grouses the Kaieteur News has sought to raise about the press conference, ranging from their dissatisfaction with the oneand-a-half-hour notice issued; President Ali’s deferral of questions related to their oil and gas obsession, and the tented setting being an affront to the dignity and nobility of the media, as seen

through their perspective.

They are claiming that they somehow felt intimidated by the fact that residents of Region Three who had been benefitting from direct government services and presidential interventions to solve age-old problems across their communities during the two-day outreach, became voluntary observers

to the open-tent press conference, with some intermittently choosing to express their disgust with some reporters disinterest in the substantive matters addressed during the outreach exercise.

It would seem that the vehemence with which both the Kaieteur News and the Guyana Press Association have chosen to lament their peeves, is signaling the commencement of a strange new dispensation for free media practice in Guyana.

The standard global practice of the press being available and on stand-by for continuous coverage at a moment’s notice, at any site where the Head of State of a country is actively engaged, appears to no longer apply to this particular media house and the GPA, thereby rendering a one-and-a-halfhour notice for a Presidential Press Conference at the very site, terribly insulative to them.

The tented setting, comfortable enough for thousands of Guyanese working class citizens and the President of the country, are now somehow beneath the station of Kaieteur News reporters and Nazima Raghubir.

And for some troubling reason, the peoples’ freedom to openly express dissatisfaction with some reporter’s persistent disinterest in the issues other than oil and gas that are germane to the lives of Guyanese and their communities, are mute, to the preeminence of the freedoms and special interests of Kaieteur News and the GPA President.

The records of Friday’s press conference at Leonora would reveal that there were no acts of hostility towards any member of the media at the press conference in question, that the PPP/C Administration does not encourage any such hostilities, and the track record of the Dr. Irfaan Ali Government stands tested, proven and unrivalled with regards to extending respect, empowering people, supporting and the building an enabling environment for unfettered freedom, access and advancement of the whole media fraternity in Guyana.

While the Government of Guyana presses ahead with the important business of empowering citizens and transforming the country, those in the media with misplaced egos and other agendas would do well to stay abreast with the imperatives of the new, nimble and evolving environment that now underpins the national ethos.

President Ali will continue to avail his office and Cabinet to the press wherever and whenever the people’s business requires attention, as has consistently been the practice since assuming office in 2020.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

–– says media with misplaced egos, other agendas should stay abreast with the imperatives of new, nimble, evolving environment

Cutting-edge technology being used on

US$106.4M ECD-EBD four-lane road

CONTRACTORS have started installing prefabricated vertical drains as part of the ongoing US$106.4 million East Coast Demerara (ECD) to East Bank Demerara (EBD) road linkage project.

In an invited comment, one contractor, Mustehar Khan, told the Guyana Chronicle that cutting-edge technology forms a big part of the ongoing project.

He related that they are using new environmental technology, which enhances soil permeability and hastens settling. It speeds up building and reduces cost because the soil consoli -

Ashoka Buildcon Limited, will take on the project which is expected to be carried out over a 24-month

3.6 metres wide. The road will also feature a median, sidewalks, and a number of structures along the way.

Equal opportunities available for small businesses to grow

THE government through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is actively creating avenues to bolster small businesses to enrich the lives of citizens

portance of small and micro businesses.

She underscored the efforts made by the government through the Small Business Act, which allows small entre-

particularly in their respective communities.

It also provides a legal and policy framework to support small businesses and ensure that they have the necessary tools to succeed.

Meanwhile, Minister Walrond highlighted another significant initiative implemented by the government through the Public Procurement Law, which ensures that contracts are awarded on the basis of merit and not on any other considerations such as political affiliations or personal connections.

dates more quickly because the water drainage path is shortened.

It was announced in June last year that an India-based construction company,

period.

The first phase of the road is expected to be a fourlane highway that stretches some 7.8 kilometres, with which each lane will be

The overarching infrastructural plan of the government is to improve connectivity not just within Guyana, but between the country and its geographic neighbours, Suriname and Brazil.

With this, the road will serve as a critical link from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri.

The construction of this important piece of infrastructure will also open up more lands for housing, agriculture, and industrial development.

The idea behind the new, transformative ECDEBD road link was conceptualised by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government in 2014.

and bolster the economy.

Several small business owners underwent a procurement training exercise organised by the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and Public Procurement Commission (PPC), at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Monday.

The one-day forum provided small-business owners with the knowledge to grow their businesses.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond stressed the im-

preneurial ventures to thrive.

“We realised that the big businesses were crowding out small businesses. So, we made a carve-out in the Small Business Act for small businesses to be able to get incentives to be afforded grants. There is even a loan guarantee programme, all of it to help and support and to bolster our small businesses,” Minister Walrond disclosed.

The act recognises the significance of small businesses as a source of employment and a driver of the economy,

“Contracts are not handed out to people based on what you look like [and] who you voted for. There is a public procurement system that is open and transparent, and there are a lot of laws that this government has instituted. What it does…it opens the playing field for every single Guyanese business to have the opportunity to be able to access all of these opportunities regardless of where you are,” she said.

Additionally, the government has developed a procurement portal where businesses can access opportunities and submit bids.

Minister Walrond said the government is committed to strengthening small businesses by creating a conducive environment for their growth and development. (DPI)

–– Minister Walrond reaffirms that the public procurement system is open, transparent

Participants at the procurement training seminar at the ACCC, on Monday (DPI photo)

Works smoothly progressing at ECD-EBD road linkage (Adrian Narine Photo)

The prefabricated vertical drains (Adrian Narine Photo)

A Better Life For All

IMAGINE the joy of owning a home for the first time after spending years living in a rented home. This is the case of thousands of Guyanese who became first-time homeowners and who can now proudly turn the keys to a home they can now proudly call their own because of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government.

No wonder the recipients of the homes have nothing but praise for the Ministry of Housing and the PPP/C administration for making the homes available to them.

Housing Minister Collin Croal has said that the aim

is to ensure that there is a housing programme that responds to the housing needs of every Guyanese — lower, moderate, middle and young professionals, as well as vulnerable groups.

Not only is the government building homes and providing lands for those categories of Guyanese, but several measures were also implemented that will allow beneficiaries to have easy access to funding to purchase and construct those homes.

Interestingly, construction of the homes started under a previous PPP/C administration but was halted after the APNU+AFC came

to power in May 2015. As to why a project intended to address the housing needs of young people was aborted by the previous Granger administration is at best puzzling, but it does raise some serious questions regarding the commitment of the then regime to address the housing needs of the Guyanese people and young people in particular.

In fact, housing had never been a priority under the PNC regime, which ignored the housing concerns of the Guyanese people over the nearly three decades of undemocratic rule, resulting in a huge backlog of unmet housing needs. Many

people had no choice but to squat on state lands. Sophia was one such squatting area which was only regularised after the PPP/C came to power in October 1992.

Thousands of Guyanese were given house lots by the PPP/C administration in housing schemes all over the country and thousands more are being provided with house lots under the current administration every day.

The joy of ownership is not limited only to homeownership, but to other expensive consumer items such as ownership of motor vehicles. The number of young people who are today owners of vehicles have in-

creased exponentially over the past years due to rising income levels and easier access to bank credit. The PPP/C administration has made it much easier for both home and vehicle ownership, due to a number of fiscal incentives, all of which have reduced the ‘burden’ of ownership.

Since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C administration has committed to delivering some 50,000 house lots within its first term in office. To fulfil that mandate, the Ministry of Housing through the Central Housing and Planning Authority has been making available thousands of house

lots to all eligible Guyanese in several regions of Guyana. This is in addition to the building of core homes for low-income earners and the construction of homes for young professionals.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has committed himself to providing a roof over the heads of all Guyanese, but that he said must be done in an orderly manner and within the framework of the law.

“I am calling on all Guyanese of all walks of life to embrace the future with confidence that this government will deliver to you,” President Ali had said.

Chris Ram’s questionable actions

Dear Editor,

IT is a bad editorial policy to publish criticisms by other writers, and not publish the letters that are the subject of criticism in the letters section. This observation has been made over a period of time of one particular media house, namely Kaieteur News (KN).

I have seen letters written by Mr Joel Bhagwandin being published in other newspapers, but not in KN, and then a few days later, KN would publish letters from others criticizing Mr Bhagwandin.

Specifically, there were some public commentaries on a finance-related matter that Chris Ram wrote about, which was challenged by Joel Bhagwandin. To date, Ram himself has not defended his argument or responded to Mr

Bhagwandin.

Yet, there were two letters by his defenders, in what appeared to be a desperate attempt to protect whatever perceived reputation Ram thrives on.

It is public knowledge that Chris Ram has a good relationship with Stabroek News (he is a columnist in that newspaper and if I am not mistaken, he is also their auditor). He also has a good relationship with KN’s publisher and there is a perfect relationship between both of their modus operandi in the political sphere.

Coming back to his perceived reputation that two authors have been tasked to defend (apparently on his behalf), truth be told, Chris Ram has no credible reputation whatsoever. He is an irrelevant noise maker or as Guyanese would say, “he is a loud mouth,” and worse,

he is opportunistic.

He has a well-established reputation for rallying against persons who do not give him his way. He does this to political parties as well as companies. This can be easily and systematically proven as I set out to do hereunder –where reasonable deductions can be derived.

There is a beautifully written letter published in the Stabroek News of June 24, 2020, by Desmond Trotman. In this letter, Mr Trotman responded to Chris Ram who launched his usual tyrannical attack on the WPA at the height of the elections fiasco in 2020.

Here are a few excerpts from that letter by Mr Trotman, that corroborates the notion that Chris Ram is an egregious opportunist and when he doesn’t get what he wants, he ventures into the most awful and aggressive

campaign aimed at ridiculing and destroying his opponents.

Mr Trotman wrote: “Ram should tell the truth about why he is so angry with Dr Roopnaraine, Ogunseye, me (D. Trotman) and the WPA.”

Mr Trotman goes on to reveal that subsequent to the discussions Ram had with the named members of the WPA in the lead-up to the 2015 general and regional elections, he (Chris Ram) was asked if he would allow his name to be put forward as WPA’s choice for the Prime Ministerial candidate on the APNU’s list of candidates.

Though Ram was not the finalised candidate, he firmly believed that he would be the chosen one and began to spread the news that he’s the WPA’s choice for Prime Minister. Mr Trotman further disclosed that a few in the executive of the WPA, including him, opposed

Ram’s candidacy because they felt he was unsuitable for the role.

According to Mr Trotman, he told the executive that “politically, I consider him to be a loose cannon and an unguided missile, whose candidacy would have disastrous consequences for the APNU.

Interestingly in that letter, Mr Trotman noted that Ram and Ogunseye had some discussions, during which he was told by Ogunseye that the matter was not agreed upon but is still being discussed.

Readers, does this not make sense now why Chris Ram was completely silent on the recent racially inspired controversy involving Mr Ogunseye?

In the final quote from Desmond Trotman’s letter, he outrightly labelled Ram a ‘hypocrite.’ Trotman even backed this up by pointing

out that while Ram became a staunch critic of the APNU government on the corruption front, he still accepted several contracts valuing large sums from the APNU government.

Fast forward to 2020, Ram shifted gear to ingratiate himself with the PPP with the hope that he would get whatever he asked for. It was not a case where he was not offered anything, though, he was, but those were not compatible with his politically motivated desires.

He wanted to be on the very body that Mr Bhagwandin sits, and it is public record when he launched an attack on the young man. But he never expected that Mr Bhagwandin would be unintimidated.

Christopher Ram is not what he would like others to think through the third-party defenders of his reputation.

Continued on page 7

KN publisher’s commentary on US$4B payment to ExxonMobil is utterly false, misleading

Dear Editor, KAIETEUR

News publish-

er Mr Glenn Lall, circulated one of his recent short videos on a popular social media platform in which he made an outrageously false and misleading assertion that Guyana is paying ExxonMobil some US$4 billion in interest annually.

Please permit me, therefore, to correct this misleading and callous statement by Mr Lall. It is public knowledge that the audited financial statements of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), CNOOC, and Hess are publicly available and accessible to all of the media houses.

The consolidated financial statements of EEPGL,

CNOOC and Hess for FY 2020 and FY 2021 revealed that the lease and financing cost in 2020 amounted to US$40 million and US$35 million, respectively?thus, bringing the cumulative total to US$75 million.

Guyana’s earnings in both profit oil and royalty for those two years amounted to US$609 million. As such, the debt-financing cost for these two years represented 12 per cent of Guyana’s share of profit oil and royalties and four per cent of the total comprehensive income?cumulatively as of FY 2021.

In FY 2021, the lease-interest cost represented 1.21 per cent of the gross revenue (from the sale of crude) and finance cost represented 0.15 per cent of gross revenue.

Accordingly, the esteemed publisher has effectively?whether deliberately, mischievously, misleadingly or by error, overstated the interest expense of ExxonMobil Guyana by more than one hundred (100) times.

The oil companies’ capital structure comprised both debt financing and equity financing, with a modest level of debt financing. ExxonMobil’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is 10.25 per cent.

More so, it should be noted that the financing cost is a deductible expense on the profit-and-loss statement for any type of business operations?hence, it is cost recoverable in the oil and gas business. The simple explanation is that it is the cost

Chris Ram’s...

From page 6

incurred to raise the capital requirements of the business to fund its operations, as well as exploration and development activities.

Editor, in closing, I wish to urge the news entity’s publisher/editor to examine the financial statements of FY 2020 and 2021, to confirm the interest expense and make the necessary correction.

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin Financial, Economic & Public Policy Analyst

The perceived reputation he has in the fraternity is attributed to his loudmouth and intimidating tactics in the fraternity; he is feared by many and he is of the mistaken view that fearing him is the same as respecting him.

I recall when the Berbice bridge was built, there was a debate involving him and the Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on national television.

Dr Singh was calmly countering him by explaining the financial model of the project and

the economic benefits, Ram then rudely interrupted by screaming on the top of his voice that “the model wrong! The model is wrong! Which made him look outrageous. He did the same with the Marriott. Today, the Marriott is a profitable entity, and the government is poised to obtain a minimum of 100 per cent150 per cent ROI through the sale of its equity stake in the Marriott.

Yours sincerely, Dhanpaul Bhairav Rampersaud.

There was no attempt to interrupt the reporter from asking her question

Dear Editor,

I FEEL compelled to respond

to the allegations made by the Guyana Press Association President, Ms Nazima Raghubir, regarding the

presidential outreach held at Leonora between March 30 and March 31.

As a writer, I know that the

PPP/C government believes and embraces press freedom as well as all other freedoms enshrined in the constitution. But I also know that no freedom is absolute; they do have limits.

A Code of Conduct for the press, for example, requires balanced (or impartial) news coverage and news analysis. As far as practicable, a responsible journalist will also fact check information before having it published.

Let us put the Leonora outreach in its proper context. It was the first time in Region Three, where a press conference was held (comprising the President, his Cabinet, support staff from other essential government agencies and the Guyana media) in the presence of a diverse group of residents.

The environment was completely different from other press conferences where only the press and either the government or the opposition parties, and sometimes with visiting dignitaries and local and foreign executives, were in attendance.

I am not sure if media representatives understood the special setting for the press conference. Were their expectations, for example, similar to those of the regular press conferences in which they participate?

Did they understand that some of the residents at that press conference were from the same home village as the President?

Did they make any allowance that the residents’ emotional connection with the President is strong? The residents view the President as their champion. And to question the President about a topic which they do not consider as a top priority, did not go down well with them.

According to Ms Raghubir, the first question asked by one of the media houses was related to the oil and gas sector and it was greeted by someone in the audience with a sigh of “Oh Lord!”

Just imagine that Region Three residents went there anxiously waiting to hear about their house lot applications,

their markets’ upgrade, their roads and bridges to be fixed, their flooding to stop, their job training, their assistance in farming, etc…, and the first thing they heard from the press was none of those pressing issues, but a question on oil and gas, which was not their immediate concern. I watched other residents expressing their frustration with the question.

Ms Raghubir regarded the person’s remark as disrespectful. I share a different view.

That person wanted his problem to be resolved and he knows that the press cannot do that, but the President can. This approach helps to understand his behaviour. I do not support any form of uncivil behaviour.

But to imply that it was orchestrated behaviour is unfortunate. Rather, it was a spontaneous act, something over which the President had no control. The defining word of “heckler” is certainly out of context.

Continued on page 9

Kids Fest promises an educational, entertaining experience for everyone

for the 2023 edition.

“It’s important to educate children about dinosaurs and we don’t have that kind of exposure here for our children. One of the primary goals of having the kiddies dinosaur museum is to provide an interactive and engaging educational experience for children.

“By learning about dinosaurs, children can develop an interest in science and history, which can have long-lasting positive effects on their lives. Our museum will feature a diverse collection of dinosaur exhibits, including life-size replicas of

various species of dinosaurs and interactive displays, and we’re very excited about that,” the Director said.

In addition to the dinosaur museum, the event will also have plenty of fun games for the entire family to enjoy, including face painting, trampoline, bouncy castles and more.

Parents and kids can bond over these fun activities, creating memorable moments that will last a lifetime. Thomas-Small also disclosed the launch of two special projects that will happen at the event.

Firstly, the “Baby 2

Baby” is an initiative that encourages philanthropy and reminds persons to be their brother’s or sister’s keepers, through the creation of a charity bank that offers essential care and products for babies, to give to less fortunate moms. Meanwhile, Genomatics is a stem-based project that engages the minds of the younger generation encouraging futuristic thinking, expression of uniqueness, creativity, and exceptional execution skills. Admission is $1000 for children and $2000 for adults.

KIDS Fest has returned this year with a spectacular theme, “Dinosaur Adventure,” that will be the first of its kind in Guyana and promises to be exciting and educational for the entire family.

According to a press release, an idea that was conceptualised five years ago by a young woman who wanted to fulfill the childhood dreams of others, has now grown to be the premier event for the kids during Easter.

Slated for April 9 and 10

at the Promenade Gardens, Kids Fest has a packed two days of activities including a Princess Pageant, where nine little girls will dress up and showcase their inner princess, vying for the title of “Miss Kids Fest Dino Princess 2023.”

This exciting activity will allow kids to embrace their creativity and imagination, while learning about the values of confidence, courage, and grace.

The highlight of the event, however, will be the educational dinosaur museum, where kids can explore

the prehistoric world and learn about the different species of dinosaurs that once roamed the earth.

The museum will feature interactive exhibits, life-size (20ft-30ft), dinosaurs, and informative displays that will spark the imagination and curiosity of young minds.

Creative Director of Kids Fest, Natalya Thomas-Small said that in choosing the theme each year, she thinks outside the box to offer families, particularly the children, experiences they’ve never had before. Hence the reason for choosing the dinosaurs

From page 8

There was definitely no attempt to interrupt or abuse the reporter from asking her question, either verbally or physically. The President entertained one more question in the interest of time then closed the press conference.

The big story at Leonora was the super outreach that delivered so many things to the residents. To convert this into a media story by claiming victim status, is totally misplaced. At the outreach, 12 people got titles to their house lots, residents will get their roads fixed, they will get job training, farmers will be assisted with upgraded farmto-market roads, and squatter communities will be regularised or given alternative housing locations, among others. These are the things that matter most to residents, and they rightfully applauded the President for delivering on their campaign promise and for going beyond that.

I reiterate I was there along

with family members and several villagers, and I was, therefore, in a better position to comment first-hand on the events in contrast to Ms. Raghubir, who was not there, and who received second-hand information.

Her claim of intimidation of the press by PPP/C supporters is without merit. I know many of the residents and they are peaceful people, but they always long to get reliable news and analyses, and especially those that impact them directly.

To articulate that “the atmosphere was unwelcoming,” was far from the reality and blown out of proportion. Being absent, the writer could not empathise with the state of mind of those present but to offer an opinion based on interpretation!

Ms Raghubir uses the opportunity to lament that the PPP/C government has not appointed a Cabinet Secretary to host regular press conferences. The government has an agency, DPI, to provide daily information to the public and the press.

Additionally, the Vice-Pres-

ident hosts press conferences regularly. Each government ministry also issues press releases and hosts press conferences periodically, to give updates on projects within their ministries. Whether there is a need for regular (weekly or fortnightly) press conferences is a matter for the government to determine.

Ms. Raghubir likens the failure to host elections of the Guyana Press Association with the PPP/C’s Congress. Why is she seeking refuge in the PPP/C’s deferment of their congress? The PPP/C runs a government with multiple development projects, varying and expanding demands, and grapples with numerous challenges. Nevertheless, I have heard from a PPP/C source that their congress will be conducted later in 2023. Does the GPA have a date for their election?

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

Child with bone cancer needs treatment overseas

DIAGNOSED with a rare form of bone cancer, sevenyear-old Munesh Narayan of Somerset, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), needs help to go abroad to access specialised treatment unavailable here in Guyana.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, the child’s father, Anil Narayan, said Munesh was recently diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. This rare bone cancer typically affects children and teenagers.

Munesh’s father explained that in January, Munesh began complaining about pain in his foot. He was taken to a hospital in Charity, where the parents were told he had a sprain after conducting an X-ray.

“They did an X-ray, and they told us that it is a sprain, so the doctor said to put ice on it and they gave him

Panadol and that was it for then,” he said.

However, two weeks after that visit to the hospital, Anil said they began to notice stiffness on the child’s thigh, so they took him to another hospital in Suddie, where he was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis and had emergency surgery done.

“So, we decided to take him to another hospital in Suddie… We met with an orthopedic doctor, and he said that it was Osteomyelitis. So, at that point in time, it was mid-January and we did an emergency surgery,” Anil noted.

According to the Mayo Clinic, osteomyelitis is an infection of a bone. Conditions can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissues.

Munesh spent two weeks in Suddie. His parents began to think everything was okay, but a week after he

was sent home, the situation got worse.

“After that he spent like two weeks in Suddie, we thought everything was okay and from then things got worse, the swelling was still there… it was not going away,” he related.

After this, his parents decided to take him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where they were met with unfortunate news.

“That (at GPHC) is where they did some tests, and we did an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and another biopsy, and that is when we got to know that he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma,” he explained.

Anil said the doctor informed him that the technology and advanced treatment needed to assist Munesh are unavailable in Guyana.

Due to this, Munesh’s

parents reached out to the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Charity, which accepted the child’s case and is currently working with his medical team to coordinate this lifesaving transfer and treatment.

According to Anil, Munesh was discharged from the GPHC about a week ago, but when the pain gets unbearable for the young child, they will take him to the hospital in Charity.

The boy’s father said they are thankful for the help they receive through SHEA and grateful because every donation, big or small, will make a difference.

SHEA said that due to the severity and urgent nature of Munesh’s condition, he needs immediate treatment, consisting of cancer management and possible amputation of his leg where

cancer has been detected.

“Fortunately, Munesh’s case was presented to a team of doctors on a medical mission to Guyana, and they have expressed willingness to assist with treatment in the United States,” the foundation stated on its official website.

However, the team of doctors cannot offer the treatment free of charge and has estimated the cost to be between US$100,000 and US$300,000.

Persons can donate at https://savinghandsemergencyaid.org/muneshnarayan or local bank, Demerara Bank under the name Lori Narine, account number 6002041325 for EFT, select Savings Account at Le Ressouvenir Branch, or VENMO: @SheaCharityGY OR Zelle: shea@sheacharity. org.

Seven-year-old Munesh Narayan

Ogunseye released on $100,000 bail for attempting to incite racial hostility

EXECUTIVE Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye, was on Monday released on $100,000 bail for attempting to incite racial hostility in Guyana.

Ogunseye, 71, of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court and denied attempting to incite hostility or ill will on the grounds of race on March 9 at Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

The pensioner was represented by Attorney-at-law Clarence Nigel Hughes, who made an application for bail. The State was represented by Police Legal Advisor, Mandel Moore.

Magistrate Azore granted Ogunseye $100,000 bail and adjourned the matter until April 6 for report.

According to a Guyana Police Force (GPF) press release, Moore was “prepared for any challenge” by Hughes, who “unconvincingly argued that the charge is ‘bad in law’.”

“Attorney-at-law Moore immediately indicated to the court that he had pre -

pared and had 11 pages of a written submission on hand to prove that Mr Hughes’s argument is wholly without merit,” the GPF said in a release.

Moore laid over his written submissions to the court and Hughes.

“The procedure followed in instituting this charge under the Racial Hostility Act is the same procedure that is followed when instituting charges under several other acts or legislation. Moreover, Mr Hughes would have made the same submission in another court. Mr Clarence Hughes used similar tactics in a previous matter whereby he argued that the charge was bad in law, and the court rejected his submission and ruled that it was without merit,” the release added.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that during a public meeting at Buxton, Ogunseye made incendiary remarks about Guyana’s In-

do-Guyanese and called for the Disciplined Services “to turn their guns on the State.”

Ogunseye, during a gathering at Buxton on the East Coast Demerara said: “I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed, and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police and they say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”

He also called for a day of “National Resistance” on June 12, 2023, the date that has been set aside for the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE).

Since the utterance of those statements, numerous persons and groups have called out and condemned the remarks as racist and inciting.

Thus far, several Opposition members have publicly condemned the remarks.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton is yet to distance himself from those problematic remarks.

Instead of publicly condemning Ogunseye’s incendiary remarks, the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) would only say that he did not agree with Ogunseye’s choice of words, though he noted that he supports the freedom of speech of the WPA.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Region Three Private Sector Inc., and other groups from the business community have all issued statements condemning the remarks.

From the religious community, the Guyana Pandit’s Council, Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Guyana Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana have also expressed condemnation.

WPA executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye

ICJ to rule Thursday on Venezuela’s objections in border case

COME Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule on the preliminary objections raised by Venezuela in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.

The ruling will be handed down at the Peace Palace in The Hague, which is the seat of the court.

Venezuela had raised objections in response to Guyana’s submission of its Memorial on the merits of the case.

Guyana brought the matter to the ICJ in an application submitted on March 28, 2018. The court, in December 2020, confirmed its jurisdiction over the case, rejecting Venezuela’s objections.

Then on March 8, 2022,

Guyana filed its Memorial on the merits of its case against Venezuela in accordance with the court’s March 8, 2021 order.

Venezuela in June 2022 filed preliminary objections to the admissibility of Guyana’s application to the court to determine the validity of the award.

In accordance with its rules, the court suspended the proceedings on its merits until determination of the preliminary objections.

The ruling will be streamed live in English on the court’s website and on UN Web TV.

Guyana maintains that a judicial settlement of the matter is the only recourse remaining as it has exhausted

all other measures.

As recently as October 4, 2022, the United States government reaffirmed the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and solidified its support for a “peaceful resolution” of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy through the proper court, if there is any deviation from that Award.

Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

Enhancement of Leonora market progressing rapidly

WORKS are progressing rapidly to enhance operations at the Leonora market with a massive tarmac and other facilities.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, in an invited comment, said that construction of the tarmac is on schedule.

“The concrete binding is already placed. After this, six inches of reinforced concrete will be placed at the final surface,” he related.

Following a walkabout in April 2022, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had cited the need for such a facility to reduce congestion in the market.

President Ali related that the government’s vision is to transform the market into a massive tarmac that would cater

to both vendors in the market as well as those vendors who have chosen to “set up shop” along the roadways leading to the market.

In his view, the current setup of the market allows for disproportionate access to a larger group of shoppers.

Minister Dharamlall had said too that the modernisation of the market

will benefit vendors who conduct business on the parapets, providing them with a tarmac so that vending is done healthily.

“We believe that we have to make this centre of business much more upgraded and enhanced. We expect that vendors are going to use this opportunity to improve their businesses,” he said.

The Members of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Wendy van Bree)

FLASHBACK— President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other government officials interacting with a vendor at the Leonora Market (Delano Williams photo)

GDF Air Corps commissions three new facilities

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Air Corps recently commissioned three new facilities to cater to the comfort of the ranks.

The warrant offices and other rank accommodations, the passengers’ lounge, and the new mess facility and club are the facilities that enhance the quality of life, as well as the services provided at Air Station London.

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and other members of the Force leadership team attended

the brief but important commissioning event.

Because of the Corps’ increased resources and capabilities, the Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag, praised the Force’s leadership for their commitment to seeing the projects through to completion.

In his brief remarks, Brigadier Bess repeated President and Commander-in-Chief Dr. Irfaan Ali’s goals for the Air Corps to become the best in the region. He explained to

the ranks that he expected them to take steps to preserve and maintain the new facilities.

Brigadier Bess, who will retire shortly, told the Air Corps soldiers he was looking forward to hearing good things about them.

Brigadier Bess retires in another month. “I am happy to have served as your Chief of Staff and I am grateful to every one of you for putting your best efforts forward and seeing to it that the Air Corps operated properly and efficiently,” he said.

23 arrested as drugs, cash seized in police operation

AN intelligence-led operation by ranks on Sunday within the Whim Police Station district has resulted in the arrest of 23 adults between the ages of 21 and 74 and the discovery of 54 ecstasy pills, 1,110 grammes of cannabis sativa, and a large quantity of local and foreign currency.

According to the Guyana Police Force, acting on information received, the police went to Rose Hall Town, where they searched the southwestern side bedroom of a two-story structure and found 54 ecstasy tablets, a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa, and an amount of cash in the presence of Nicholas Samaroo and Sita Mootain.

During the search, Roxanne Clarke entered the building, behaved disorderly, and said that the house belonged to her. Police said investigations are continuing.

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess commissions one of the three new facilities in the presence of Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag

The items seized in the building

Easter Swim Camp launched at National Aquatic Centre

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports (MCY&S), in collaboration with the Na-

tional Sports Commission (NSC) opened their Easter Swimming camp yesterday at

the National Aquatic Centre, at Lilliendaal.

This year’s programme at-

Sampson named ‘Best Boxer’ after beating T&T’s Prince Charles

By Sean Devers

A good-sized gathering at the National Gymnasium saw both Guyanese pugilists beat their Trinidadian opponents when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA)’s Mike Parris Under-16 Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing tournament was held on Sunday night.

For the first time in this tournament, named in honour of Guyana’s only Olympic Medalist, Mike Parris, overseas boxers were invited to give the 12-fight card an international flavour

The curtains came down on the tournament just after 23:00hrs, and, by then, Guyana’s Tiquan Sampson, who defeated Trinidadian Prince Charles in the night’s final bout, was adjudged the ‘Best Boxer’, while the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym, of West Demerara, and Rosehall Jammers of Berbice, tied with three points each to share

the ‘Best Gym’ Trophy.

The Jackman sisters (Alisha & Abiola), just back from India where they failed to medal at the Women’s World Boxing Championships, went at each other in an exhibition bout.

In the main bouts of the night, the talented but temperamental Taffina Barker beat Trinidadian lass, Shania Nunez, while Sampson put on a clinical showing in his victory over his ‘Trini’ opponent.

The ladies went at each other with plenty of zest, and Nunez, who has improved from the last time she was here, was courageous enough to trade punches with Barker.

But although Barker was hit a few times, she still dominated the bout, switching early from ‘Boxer mode’ to ‘Fighter mode’, as she caught Nunez with some good shots to body and head as she backed her up against the ropes.

If Barker can stay focused and remain calm, she has the ability to

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday April 04, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-

83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Yogesh Takawale: 11 – 10 catches; 1 stumping (MI)

(2) 155* for the first wicket: Adam Gilchrist & VVS Laxman (DC vs MI) Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which two teams played the opening game of this season’s IPL?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match in the first game of IPL 2008?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

English Racing Tips

Fontwell

09:00 hrs Double Click

09:30 hrs Shaw’s Cross

10:00 hrs Mistral Nell

10:30 hrs Monjules

11:00 hrs Flintara

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12:00 hrs Taita Hills

Southwell

12:30 hrs Haven Lady

13:00 hrs Zoology

transcend to be one of the better female boxers in the Caribbean.

Watched by a vocal gathering, which included Olympian Keevin Allicock and former Boxers Wayne Harris, Vincent Howard and Joseph Murray, the young boxers showed plenty of enthusiasm, which suggests that, if properly developed, Guyana will continue to be the headquarters of Amateur Boxing in the English-speaking Caribbean.

In the male international bout, the ‘Prince’ was out-boxed by the talented Sampson, who caught him with ‘rights’ to the body and four-shot combinations to the head. When Charles tried to counter-attack, most of his punches were taken on his opponent’s glove. During the latter stages of the contest, the ‘Trini’ resorted to ‘hugging’ his man as the Guyanese won 3-0.

In the other bouts, Mihil Ramsaroop lost to RHJ gym-mate Roopesh Balgobin, while VBG’s Keyon Britton looked very organised, and displayed sound technique and boxing skills as his fight with Pace & Power’s Jerimiah Joyce was stopped in the second round

Jaydon King (RHJ) beat Stephen Allicock (P&P); Ryan Rodgers (P&P) beat his stable mate Khumda Alexander; Keyon Hamilton (RHJ) threw some very fast left-right combos to the head of Oshawn Edwards (P&P), as the bout was stopped in the opening round; Chance Niles (P&P) lost to Shakquian James (FYF); Garvel Hyman (VBG) beat Joshua Bynoe (P&P), after his corner threw in the towel, and Jermain McGarell (VBG) beat Shemroy Wintz (RHJ).

12:45 hrs Zoom Star

American Racing Tips

Will Rogers Downs

Race 1 Briggsey

tracted over 2000 applicants, as opposed to the 600 in 2022. In addition to the Aquatic Centre, sessions will be held at Watooka, in Linden, Colgrain, in Georgetown, and at Albion.

President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Dwayne Scott was present for the opening ceremony, and gave brief remarks, detailing that, “It is a pleasure to be here and witness so many beautiful faces taking part in this initiative.”

“It exposes every one of you to this very important life skill. This is the Land of Many Waters, and the last thing you would want is to not know how

to swim.”

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle indicated that the NSC, as a collective, is mapping out different ways to make it easier for persons to participate, and since last year, they removed the need for payment at registration. This year, he said, the registration was done Online.

Given the number of participants in the programme this year, Ninvalle said safety is priority, and that in addition to the programme for children in August, there will also be one specially for adults.

More so, the Director of Sport revealed that they acquired 20 touchpads that will be

installed soon, thereby boosting Guyana’s capacity to host regional and international events at the National Aquatic Centre.

NSC Vice-Chairman Cristy Campbell, during her remarks, said: “We (NSC) are committed to sports development, infrastructure and programmes that will benefit all Guyanese.

“The increase to 2000 signals that parents are au fait with the NSC’s work, and they are grasping the opportunities presented. I wish all the participants a successful two weeks at the camp, and I hope that we will have some new swimmers channeling into our National Swim Academy.”

13:30 hrs Dear Daphne 14:00 hrs Double March 14:30 hrs Cavalluccio

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Thirsk 09:15 hrs Classic Puzzle 09:45 hrs Gemini Star 10:15 hrs Philos

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South Africa Racing Tips

Turffontein

08:20 hrs Southern Style

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09:25 hrs Memorial Day

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CRICKET Australia have announced an increase in payments for all centrally contracted cricketers, with female players the big winners with a boost of almost 66 percent.

CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) announced a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Mon-

day, with female players set to share in a $133 million ($AUD) over the five-year period.

The boost in payjumping from $80 million in the previous agreement - comes on the back of recent increases made in New Zealand and India towards the end of last year that ultimately saw female players

Women the big winners as Cricket Australia announce pay boost

when they collected the ICC Women’s World Cup trophy for the seventh time with a commanding victory over England in the final in New Zealand.

in both of those countries receive a major boost in pay and match payment figures that is in line with their male counterparts.

Earlier this year Australia’s Women’s team won a record-breaking sixth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in South Africa and Meg Lanning’s side also tasted success in 2022

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley was thrilled he was able to announce the new deal and believes female cricket will continue to grow even further within Australia and around the world.

“ We are delighted to have reached an agreement on behalf of Australian Cricket that fairly rewards professional cricketers, while aligning with our strategy to grow and nurture the game at all levels,” Hockley said.

“I am particularly

pleased this MOU represents another major step forward in the rise of women’s cricket, with significant increases in remuneration for the inspirational role models of the world champion Australian Women’s team and

the WBBL who are driving substantial growth in female participation.

“Cricket now clearly offers the best earning opportunities of any team sport for elite female sportspeople.” (ICC Media)

GISE, Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall two-day first div cricket

Balgobin, Hemraj inspire Everest to victory over GCC

By Sean Devers

USHARDEVA Balgobin’s century and a half-century from Junior Sinclair rescued Everest from the precarious position of 3-1 to reach 248 on

fours and two sixes and Devon Lord struck three fours and two sixes in 20 not out.

The two batters joined forces at 64-4 and batted out the rest of the day as national fast bowler Keon Joseph had 2-32

the opening day of their GISE, Star Party Rentals & Trophy

Stall two- day first-division cricket against GCC at Everest last Saturday, before GCC reached 107-4 by stumps

Balgobin hit 11 fours and four sixes from 126 balls in his 117, while he shared in a 71-run stand with Sinclair whose 58 lasted 48 balls and included six fours and three sixes.

The pair came together after Louvel Parks removed former West Indies opener Rajendra Chandrika, Anthony Sanichara and Niron Bissu for ducks, with just a run on the board.

Parks had 4-61 while Navindra Persaud took 3-22 for GCC as Renaldo Ali-Mohammed hit an unbeaten 59 with six

for the Camp Road team. GCC were bowled out for 157 on Sunday as Ali-Mohammed fell for 81, while Lord was dismissed for 23 as Junior Sinclair took 4-45, while Nityanand Mathura had 3-44 and Keon Joseph 2-59.

In their second innings, Everest were dismissed for 79 as only Balgobin with 25 offered resistance as Lord took 5-16 and Franchot Duncan-Clarke had 4-29

Set 170 to win, GCC were bowled out for 139 in 41.2 overs as only Navindra Persaud who hit two fours in 31 offered any fight as Chanderpaul Hemraj had 5-22 with his left-arm spin as GCC fell 31 short of their victory target.

There are now more reasons to celebrate for Australia’s elite female cricketers // Getty

Balgobin (left) hit 117, while Chanderpaul Hemraj took five wickets for Everest/

Former India allrounder Salim Durani dies at 88

…He played 29 Tests, scoring 1202 runs and taking 75 wickets

FORMER India allrounder

Salim Durani has died aged 88. He was living with his brother Jahangir Durani in Jamnagar, Gujarat, according to PTI.

Durani had undergone a proximal femoral nail surgery after he broke his thigh bone in a fall in January this year.

An aggressive left-handed batter and a left-arm spinner, Durani played 29 Tests, scoring 1202 runs and taking 75 wickets.

He was best remembered for that magical spell that helped India to their first Test win in the West Indies in 1971, which is also remembered for Sunil Gavaskar’s Test debut. In the space of a few balls, Durani had dismissed Clive Lloyd and Garry Sobers - the latter for a duck - at a crucial time in the second innings in Port of Spain for India’s seven-wicket win. Durani conceded just 21 runs in

the 17 overs he bowled. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Durani gave details of how he set up Sobers and Lloyd for those wicket. “They’re one of the finest cricket-playing

countries in the world... but not on the ground. On the ground they’ll break your head. But after the game they used to take us to [their] home[s], and this and that,” he spoke about sporting

Shakib Al Hasan opts out of IPL 2023

West Indies.

Ten years before this Test, he bowled India to victory against England in 1961-62, successively taking eight and ten wickets in Kolkata and Chennai respectively. He was the highest wicket-taker in the series with 23 scalps from nine innings, in what was only his second Test series.

Born in Kabul in 1934, Durani had created a special rapport with the spectators with his aggressive style of batting and acquired the reputation of hitting sixes on demand. He scored one Test century, against West Indies in Port of Spain in 1962. He played his last Test in February 1973 against England at the Brabourne Stadium, where he had also made his debut in 1960, and finished with a batting average of 25.04.(Cricinfo).

Moeen’s four-wicket haul leads Super Kings to victory over Super Giants

MOOEN Ali’s four-wicket haul held off the charge of the Lucknow Super Giants as the Chennai Super Kings secured a 12-run Indian Premier League victory on Monday.

KL Rahul, Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya and Marcus Stoinis were all dispatched by Moeen (426), who dismissed all but one of the Super Giants’ first five batsmen.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (57) and Devon Conway (47) opened for the Super Kings

in a strong start with a 110run stand, before the pair were eventually sent packing by Ravi Bishnoi (3-28) and Mark Wood (3-49).

The Super Kings then lost momentum, with their next seven batters accumulating just 117 additional runs to set the Super Giants a target of 217.

Rahul (20) and Mayers (53) gave the Super Giants’ chase a promising start, but Deepak Hooda (2) and Pandya (9) failed to reach

double figures as the visitors began to wane.

Krishnappa Gowtham (17) and Ayush Badoni (23) got the Super Giants close with 18 runs on a single Deepak Chahar (0-55) over.

But superb bowling from Tushar Deshpande (245) limited Lucknow to just seven runs in the 18th over, then just about defending a lead of 28 on the last to seal a Super Kings victory.

Ali in his groove

A fine bowling display from Moeen saw him reg-

ister his best IPL bowling figures in the competition’s victory.

He became just the fifth spinner to take a four-wicket haul at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the IPL.

Dhoni’s landmark

Hitting two sixes off three balls, MS Dhoni took his overall run tally in the IPL to 5,004, becoming just the seventh player overall and fifth Indian to score over 5,000 runs in the competition’s history. (Sportsmax).

Proteas down Dutch to edge closer to World Cup berth

(REUTERS)-CaptainTemba Bavuma scored an unbeaten 90 to steer South Africa to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over the Netherlands in their one-day international and put them in sight of automatic World Cup qualification.

Bavuma’s decisive knock came off 79 balls as South Africa scored 2-190 in reply to the Dutch total of 189 in Friday’s clash at Benoni.

Aiden Markram contributed 51 in a 102-run unbeaten partnership with Bavuma to steer South Africa to victory with 20 overs remaining.

The Dutch were put in to bat on an unusually cold day on the Highveld and, with the altitude assisting them, got off to a bright start with 58 off 66 balls for

the first wicket.

But Max O’Dowd’s dismissal, as he edged Sisanda Magala to Quinton de Kock, took the momentum away and the Dutch were never able to get a profitable partnership going again.

Opener Vikramjit Singh hit some impressive sixes in his 45 off 53 balls while Teja Nidamanuru, in at number six, top-scored for the tourists with 48.

Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took 3-25, backed up by seamer Magala with 3-37 as the Dutch were bowled out in 46.1 overs.

The victory moved South Africa, who picked up 10 points, into ninth place in the World Cup Super League which determines the eight automatic qualifiers for the World Cup in India later this year.

South Africa’s win means Sri Lanka will finish outside the top eight in the standings and will have to compete in a qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June, when two more World Cup places are on offer.

If South Africa win their last qualifying ODI against the Dutch at the Wanderers on Sunday, then the West Indies will also drop out of the top eight and be forced to compete in the qualifying tournament.

Only Ireland will then stand a chance of automatic qualification but will need three emphatic wins over Bangladesh when they host them at Chelmsford in May to finish above South Africa in the Super League standings.

International engagements and personal reasons have forced Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan to opt out of IPL 2023. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Shakib informed Kolkata Knight Riders about this development on Sunday. The franchise will begin the process of seeking a replacement once it gets a nod from the IPL.

Shakib is set to be involved in a busy few weeks for Bangladesh He and keeper-batter Litton Das already missed Knight Riders’ first match of the season, against Punjab Kings while playing a home T20I series against Ireland The two are also part of Bangladesh’s squad for a one-off Test match against Ireland that begins on Tuesday This will be followed by a tour of the UK, where Bangladesh are set to play three ODIs against Ireland in Chelmsford on May 9, 12 and 14

It is understood that Shakib told Knight Riders that he

would be busy playing for Bangladesh in this period, and also mentioned that he has “personal issues to attend to”, which would keep him away from the IPL

The development also puts the spotlight on Litton, who was also signed by Knight Riders at the 2023 player auction in December Litton will be part of the same two series Shakib will be involved in, against Ireland, but at the moment he remains part of the Knight Riders squad There was no confirmation or clarity on whether Das, too, will opt out of the IPL

On December 22, the day before the auction, the IPL had informed teams about the availability of overseas players At the time, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had informed the IPL about the “limited availability” of its players The BCB told the IPL that the Bangladesh players selected for the Ireland series would be “available from 8 April to 1 May.”

On March 18, Knight Riders had communicated to the media that Shakib would be arriving in India after the third T20I against Ireland on March 31, while Litton would arrive after the one-off Test match, which runs until April 8.

Shakib, however, was later named in Bangladesh’s Test squad, reducing his availability to the franchise

Without Shakib, Knight Riders have only six overseas players in their squad, including Litton The team has already been hit hard by player unavailability issues, with their full-time captain Shreyas Iyer ruled out of at least the first half of the season with a back injury.

Knight Riders have played one game so far this season, losing a rain-affected contest against Punjab Kings in Mohali. They will play their next game on Thursday, at home against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kolkata.(Cricinfo).

Shakib Al Hasan is set to have a busy time with Bangladesh over the next few weeks • (BCB)

Salim Durani starred in India’s 2-0 victory against England in the 1961-62 series at home ©( Getty)

CRICKET West Indies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johnny Grave has described 2022 as a year of recovery recovery both on and off the field, following two extremely challenging years due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Grave, in his annual report at the recently concluded Annual General Meeting, “CWI has just staged our busiest-ever regional and international cricket schedule, as well as delivered record revenues to help get the organisation back on track, continuing to work towards achieving

CWI Chief Executive describes 2022 as year of recovery

…lauds launch of Emerging Players Academy

our key strategic objectives.

Grave pointed out that four years ago in 2019, CWI) embarked on a mission to achieve its Cricket First Strategic Plan (2019-2023), the ethos of which was simple - to ensure that cricket was at the centre of decision making, throughout every level of the organization.

“This transformational and ambitious roadmap had been developed with the collective input of key stakeholders and was intended to guide the organisation towards improved performances on and off the field. As such, the strategy was geared towards growing the sport, achievement of winning teams, the modernization of the organisation’s governance, and the achievement of financial stability.”

Grave said “placing emphasis on our

objective to continue to develop, train and support the best young talent in the region, this year saw the return of all of our regional youth competitions and also marked the launch of our new Emerging Players Academy at our very own Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG). These are two critical facets of our player development pathway which will ultimately feed into our international teams.”

Grave disclosed that 2022 also marked the conclusion of successful negotiations with longstanding partner, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, for full ownership of the CCG property.

“Once the final paperwork is completed, this major development, coupled with the now completed CCG redevelopment masterplan, means that we are making good progress on our goal to establish the

CCG as a worldclass High-Performance centre for the current and next generation

of West Indies players.”

According to the CEO, “financially, I am also happy to report that CWI is in a much stronger position, helped by the key strategic media and commercial partnerships secured in conjunction with the successful hosting of tours by England and India in this financial year. With the adoption of a very prudent financial management strategy, coupled with this record-setting revenue year, the company achieved total revenues of approximately US$78.5M and a total annual surplus of US$20.8M. CWI’s accumulated deficit has significantly decreased by approximately 90% from $23.2M in 2021 to now just $2.5M.

He pointed out that “these achieve-

Tri- State Under-19 team beatS TSC by nine wickets at Everest ground

THE touring USA TriState U-19 cricketers romped to their third consecutive victory on their tour to Guyana when defeatedTransport Sports Club (TSC ) by nine wickets at the Everest ground yesterday.

TSC, led by 50 from

Shamal Angel off 30 balls with six fours and two sixes. He was supported by Riyad Latif, who reached the boundary twice in his 31 from 49 balls as Abhiram Yeruva grabbed 3-28 and Aditya Gupta took 2-16

Tri State in reply

reached 173-1 in 26.1 overs in steaming heat as the diminutive Utkarsh Srivastastava stroked an elegant unbeaten 73 from 69 balls decorated with nine fours and three sixes and shared in century opening partnership with the inform Pranav Chattipalayam before

he fell to Shaquans Walters but by then the game was all but over.

Chattipalayam reached the ropes five times and cleared it thrice to follow up a century in first match against Everest and 41 against DCC.

(Sean Devers)

ments would not have been possible without the collective hard work and dedication of our staff and management team, supported by our Board of Directors and our many stakeholders.

“As we prepare for yet another exciting year, with the launch of the women’s programme at the Emerging Players Academy and another full schedule of regional and international cricket, including again hosting both India and England Men’s tours, we have much to look forward to.

The year ahead will also include the important planning period for hosting the biggest cricket event ever in the West Indies, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, in June 2024. This tournament will be a major financial boost to Cricket West Indies and all our host countries, it is the perfect opportunity to invite the world to the biggest cricket carnival ever staged and a once in a generation chance to build a strong foundation for the future.”

JURGEN Klopp has said he is still Liverpool manager “because of the past” rather than his team’s current form.

Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter were sacked on Sunday, meaning a record 12 Premier League managers have been dismissed this season.

Liverpool are in danger of their worst league finish under Klopp,

whose team visit Chelsea on Tuesday, but his position is yet to come under scrutiny.

“If it was my first season it would be slightly different,” said the German.

“I’m aware of the fact that I’m sitting here because of the past, not because of what we did this season.”

Klopp, 55, has helped Liverpool win club football’s major honours during seven and a half years at Anfield, making him the longest-serving manager in the Premier League.

The Reds have lost their past three games in all competitions and are eighth in the league, the position they finished in 2015-16 - the season in which Klopp took over from previous manager Rodgers.

“We have smart owners, they know about the situation,” he added.

“There is no need [for me] to be afraid, I am here to deliver, I’m not here as a talisman or for murals on house walls.

“I know I’m still here because of what happened in the last few years.

“I don’t like the fact that I pretty much have to rely on that. Is it right or not? We’ll see in the future.”

Liverpool challenged Manchester City for the Premier League title in three of the previous four seasons, winning the club’s first topflight title in 30 years in 2019-20.

However, they are 30 points behind current leaders Arsenal after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at City.

With 11 games left, Klopp’s side are eight points off the Champions League qualification places.

“I’m fully in, there’s no doubt about that, but we have to sort it,” he said. “We cannot continue play-

ing like we do from time to time. That’s not allowed.

“I’m really disappointed about us, that we do these kind of things, but it happened. Now we have to find a way out and that’s what we’re constantly working on..

Speaking at Monday’s news conference to preview Liverpool’s game at Chelsea, Klopp joked that he was the Premier League’s “last man standing”.

“I think probably the elephant in the room, from your point of view, is why I am still sitting here, in this crazy world,” he said.

Over in Klopp’s native Germany, Bayern Munich sacked Julian Nagelsmann on 24 March to replace him with Potter’s predecessor at Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel.

Antonio Conte (Tottenham), Rodgers (Leicester) and Potter were

then dismissed in the space of seven days.

“It’s a strange week,” said Klopp. “The season gets into a decisive part and people are afraid of maybe not reaching their targets.

“But I would say for all four their football managing future is still bright so it’s not a disaster. It’s a situation they probably don’t like but it’s part of the business.”

Klopp said that 12 Premier League managers being sacked this season was “an awful number, but it is how it is”.

He added: “Some clubs are underachieving this year. We are, other clubs are too.

“There are expectations out there, rightly so, and if you don’t reach them then you have to accept the decisions.”(BBC Sport)

CWI Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave

Utkarsh Srivastasva hit an unbeaten 73 for Tri-State

Klopp says he is still Liverpool manager ‘because of the past, not this season’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Best of the lot, says elated Leon Johnson

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Apr 2, (CMC) – Leon Johnson has labelled Saturday’s final day of the decisive last round of West Indies Championship matches as the best of all his title conquests.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles captain led his side to an astonishing come-from-behind 17-run victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Guyana National Stadium here, the hosts clinching their sixth title of the professional era.

Johnson, who announced his retirement from first class cricket during the season, had also overseen the five previous title successes for Harpy Eagles – then Jaguars – between 2014 and 2019.

“Coming in to today’s play, we would’ve been a bit on the back

foot,” Johnson said.

“Our old nemesis Leeward Islands who would’ve thwarted us over the years, looked to be on top but I thought the guys came out and played well.

“Special mention to (Veerasammy) Permaul. Especially [on Thursday] he encouraged everyone to play a bit harder and he went out and led by example and he came and started again today (Saturday).

“We fought hard throughout the tournament. Everyone has turned up this tournament and played well.”

He continued: “I announced my retirement after two games in this season and the boys put out a great effort in the last three games.

“I must commend you guys, especially today. It’s our sixth

championship and today would’ve probably been the best day I had out of them.”

Harpy Eagles entered the final round with a 10.2 point lead over second placed Windward Islands Volcanoes, but quickly found themselves behind in the the contest after they were bowled out cheaply for 122 and conceded a first innings deficit of 125 runs.

The hosts rallied in the second innings with 267 runs but that left Hurricanes with only 143 for victory, and they ended the penultimate day on 81 for one – requiring a further 62 to get over the line.

However, off-spinner Kevin Sinclair proved magnificent with six for 33 while veteran left-arm spin-

ner Veerasammy Permaul claimed three for 44 as Hurricanes lost their last nine wickets on Saturday for a meagre 29 runs in a dramatic finish.

“This was a great performance … a great team performance and I’m massively proud of everyone who contributed towards us winning,” said the 35-year-old Johnson, who managed nine Tests for West Indies – the last coming seven years ago.

“We worked hard before the season, and we worked hard throughout this season. We were really tested in this final match, and we responded to the challenge with a magnificent win.”

Johnson finished the season as his side’s leading run-scorer with 388 runs at an average of 43, support coming from 19-year-old Matthew

Daniel Singh challenges CSCC members on way forward

…Akeel

Mohammed steals spotlight at presentation

SENIOR umpire Daniel Singh has complimented Caribbean Stars Cricket Club (CSCC) for an encouraging and successful 2022, in both the Toronto District Cricket Association (TDCA), and the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA).

Giving the feature address at the Club’s annual trophy presentation, dinner and dance, held recently in Toronto, Singh, a West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) qualified umpire, however, challenged the members as to “where does the club go from here, and how do you chart the next steps.”

Giving an insight into his own strides in the field of coaching when he was a Development Officer as part of the West Indies ScotiaBank-sponsored Kiddy Cricket Programme before he started his umpiring courses, Singh pointed out that there were two important guiding principles he learnt as part of the training for team meetings.

“The first principle is to spend more time encouraging and praising performance, rather than focusing too much on errors. The second is to never criticise a player’s performance in front of his/her teammates, whether face-to-face or group messaging,” he said.

Singh, who was also a journalist at the Guyana Chronicle in the 1990s before migrating, advised that “when coaches highlight errors in front of teammates, it is the worst thing they could do to anyone’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence.

“Often,” he said, “these

coaches think that creating fear by public scrutiny would make better players, but they were wrong.

“Alternatively, there is nothing better for a player’s confidence when a coach praises the performance in front of teammates; it gives credibility amongst peers, and makes players feel like they are adding value to the greater team cause. Most importantly, it makes players want to give their best for their coach.”

According to Singh, “in addition, be extremely mindful to use the right tone and language when facilitating a debrief of a team or an individual player’s performance. Naturally, in every match, there are errors and mistakes.

“Players are human beings; not performance tools or machines, and they will make mistakes. This is what makes running a cricket club, or any coaching such a skillful practice.

“How we choose to respond is vital to our credibility and quality as a leader in the club. We must never forget we are training and leading the person; not the position the player holds in the team.”

Singh also told the players not to make any unnecessary comparisons with other players, as this is a kind of back-handed criticism. “We know the experience of Darren Bravo being compared to Lara and Ricardo Powell being called the next Viv. None ever happened.”

“I hope you note what the cricketing pundits and fans are doing with Tage Chanderpaul in comparing him with his father. Let us hope the same does not become of him.

“It is fine to want to perform like a great player, but do not make the person or the style as the standard; make performance the standard.”

Trinidadian Akeel Mohammed stole the spotlight, scoring

Nandu with 273 runs and 26-yearold Kemol Savory with 269 runs.

The 23-year-old Sinclair scored 285 runs to add to his 18 wickets, and Johnson said he had been pleased with the development of the younger players during the course of the championship.

“One of the great things about the season was the progress made by the young players in the team,” the left-handed noted.

“At various times, they stood up with major performances and

that was great to see. We made progress. Also, tribute to the senior players who also led from the front, offered invaluable advice and made my job as captain easier on and off the field.

“Thanks to the fans and all those persons who backed us from start to finish.

“As a proud Guyanese, I retire from the game lifting this prestigious trophy and also happy that I can bring smiles to the faces of the supporters.”

WIPA hails Harpy Eagles ‘dominant’ title capture

most runs in the TDCA (263), and the SCA (535) to cop the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards for both leagues. He also registered a century in the SCA Elite Division, while claiming a five-wicket haul.

Other outstanding performers in the TDCA were Moonasar Mahadeo (22 wickets), which included five in one game; Jermylee Barnett (five wickets in a match); Navindra Nauth (most catches, 13) and best fielder. Trushil Patel was the MVP of the semi-final.

In the SCA, Patel and Nicholas Ali took 20 wickets each, while there were centuries for Mario Belcon and Nauth. Patel and Mohammed had five-wicket hauls, while Nauth was again in the limelight with the most catches (11), and got the nod for the best fielder. The most disciplined player award went to Jonhatan Singh. (Frederick Halley)

Harpy Eagles, led by captain Leon Johnson, defeated Leeward Islands Hurricanes by 17 runs on a dramatic final morning of the decisive final round at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday, to clinch the sixth title of the professional era but first in three seasons.

The conquest was especially significant as Johnson was playing his final first class match after announcing his intention to retire mid-way during the campaign.

“WIPA whole-heartedly congratulates the Guyana Harpy Eagles on a dominant performance throughout the tournament and lifting the title,” said president and CEO, Wavell Hinds.

“Additionally, WIPA salutes captain Leon Johnson on a successful career at his retirement from first-class cricket and we wish him continued success for the future.”

Harpy Eagles ended with 84 points, 10.2 clear of Windward Islands Volcanoes who trounced Barbados Pride by 121 runs at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, also on Saturday’s final day.

Pride, who were seeking a hat-trick of titles, finished third on 55.6 points after suffering their third defeat of the season, while Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were fourth on 49.4 following their resounding nine-wicket victory over winless bottom-of-the-table Jamaica Scorpions at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

Hurricanes were fifth on 46.2 while Scorpions were last on 25.6.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Regional players union, WIPA, has hailed Guyana Harpy Eagles’ capture of the West Indies Championship.

Leon Johnson speaks following last Saturday’s final day of the West Indies Championship at the Guyana National Stadum

Awardees at the Caribbean Stars Cricket Club presentation

Guyana Harpy Eagles celebrate their title capture

GBA president Steve Ninvalle (fourth left) with the boxers on Sunday night

A left jab from Guyana’s Tiquan Sampson connects to the head of T&T’s Prince Charles

Guyana’s Taffina Barker (left) was all over Shania Nunez in her win (Sean Devers photos)

The children got into the pool soon after the opening ceremony, but they had to stretch first (Adrian Narine