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President fetes West Berbice children

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Guyana incensed Page

––UNASUR Secretary-General publishes Venezuela’s claims over Essequibo

Prince Harry visits Joshua House

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Prince Harry interacting with residents of the Joshua House Children Centre when he visited the orphanage on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Kako boy dies

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mysteriously –– brother critical at GPHC; cyanide poisoning suspected

Drought-hit Help resuscitate Tapakuma fishing industries appeals for help

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–– fishermen urge African Businesses Roundtable

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Prince Harry visits Joshua House

IT WAS all smiles between Prince Harry and the children of the Joshua House Children Centre when he paid a visit early Sunday morning. The Prince’s threeday tour of Guyana was also wrapped up on Sunday, and in the afternoon he departed Guyana through the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Just before a stopover at State House -to meet President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger -- the Prince met the residents of the orphanage, which is home to some 50 children between the ages of seven and 17. Of this number, 16 of them are females. Many of the children quickly warmed up to the affectionate Prince, as he dotingly questioned them about life at the orphanage, and in turn took questions about his own life. Harry’s welcome to the orphanage started off with a children’s choir singing a catchy welcome tune to the smiling Prince. The choir also belted out a rendition of “Oh Beautiful Guyana”. Accompanied by British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, among others, the 32-year-old Royal was given a tour of the facility by the home’s matron, Gladys Accra, who, like many of the children, was utterly smitten by the Prince’s presence. “It’s a historical moment! It is amazing, it’s a blessing. I never expect that, and I have it,” Accra said at the end of Prince Harry’s visit. Accra, who earlier this year received an award from the Government for her charitable service, said having the Prince visit felt like receiving a second award. As he prepared to

These children at Joshua House listen intently to Prince Harry on Sunday

Prince Harry arrives at State House for a reception with First Lady Sandra Granger

Prince Harry is invited to inspect the Guard of Honour at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport just before his departure

leave, the Prince was bestowed a gift from the home; while, in a returning gesture, one member of the Prince’s entourage donated his birthday cake to the home’s children. Further, on his way out, a well-dressed elderly woman hugged the Prince and exclaimed, “Princess Margaret nephew!” no doubt referring to Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon and only sister of Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Like Harry, Margaret had visited Guyana, but back in 1958, when it was known as British Guiana. Even more fans awaited the blond-headed Prince when he got to his vehicle, and he politely took some time out to shake hands and offer a few cheerful words. At State House, he was hosted by the First Lady, and met and talked in a private meeting with several young women who were victims of teenage pregnancy and human trafficking. That stop wrapped up the Prince’s activities in Guyana, and he soon departed for the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, where he inspected the Guard o f H o n o u r b e f o re boarding a Beechcraft 1900 for Barbados. Yesterday’s activities also marked the close of the Prince’s 15-day tour across the Caribbean, which began on November 20 in Antigua. Prince Harry also visited five other Caribbean territories. This was the Prince’s second official visit to the Caribbean, following his first tour to the region in 2012; but this was his first visit to Guyana. The Prince was scheduled to fly back home from Barbados.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

Italy Prime Minister resigns after heavy poll defeat Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after suffering a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution.

An exit poll for state broadcaster RAI suggests 42-46 per cent voted to back reform, compared with 54-58 per cent voting No.

and the No at 57-61 per cent. “Good luck to us all,” Mr Renzi told reporters. He said he would tell a Cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon that

Spontaneous celebrations in the streets of Rome, after the referendum defeat and resignation of PM Matteo Renzi.

“I lost and the job that goes is mine” - Matteo Renzi after losing the battle for reform. In a late-night news conference, he said he took responsibility for the outcome. He said the No camp must now make clear proposals.

The first projections based on the official count point to a wider defeat. Early indications have the Yes vote at 39-43 per cent

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he was resigning, and then tender his resignation to the Italian President after twoand-a-half years in office.

The President is expected to ask him to stay on at least until parliament passes a budget bill later this month. Mr Renzi said the reforms he proposed would have cut Italy’s bureaucracy and made the country more competitive. But the referendum was

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widely seen as a chance to register discontent with the prime minister. The No vote was supported by populist parties, and the referendum was regarded as a barometer of anti-establishment sentiment in Europe. The populist Five Star Movement says it is getting ready to govern Italy now that Mr Renzi is resigning. “Starting tomorrow we’ll be at work on a Five Star Government,” one of its leaders, Luigi Di Maio, said. The movement, led by comedian Beppe Grillo, spearheaded the winning No campaign. Opposition leader Matteo Salvini, of the anti-immigrant Northern League, called the referendum a “victory of the people against the strong powers of three-quarters of the world”. There has been an immediate reaction from rightwing leaders in Europe. The leader of Front Nationale in France, Marine Le Pen, tweeted her congratulations to the Northern League. “The Italians have disavowed the EU and Renzi. We must listen to this thirst for freedom of nations,” she said. The euro fell against the dollar immediately after the

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exit polls came out. There have been growing concerns over financial stability in the eurozone’s third largest economy. The turnout was very high by Italian standards - about 60 per cent of the electorate cast their vote. Nearly two-thirds voted in prosperous northern Italy but the turnout was much lower in the south. The No campaign in Italy has been spearheaded by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, led by Beppe Grillo. It wants a referendum on whether Italy should keep the euro. Populist parties, including the Five Star Movement and the anti-immigrant Northern League. The referendum comes in the wake of the Brexit vote in the UK in June, and coincides with the rise of the anti-immigrant Front National in France and populist parties elsewhere. It also comes less than a month after the election of Donald Trump in the United States. Some 50 million Italians have the right to vote in the referendum - many voters are fed up with years of economic stagnation. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Drought-hit Tapakuma appeals for help By Shauna Jemmott

RESIDENTS of the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) community of Tapakuma are calling on the Government to save thousands of acres of farmlands which are under threat of destruction due to water shortage and drought. Guyana Chronicle Essequibo correspondent Mohammed Khan said the situation at Tapakuma, located some 30 miles from the Anna Regina Public Road, is critical, and more than 4000 persons, representing 400 households, are suffering as a result of the water shortage. Khan said the people at Tapakuma depend heavily on a nearby creek and on the Pomeroon River for all their potable water needs, and that in addition to some 35 acres of land being cultivated by the Women’s Agricultural Group, some ten acres of cassava and 3500 acres of rice are also under threat. Crops at risk, besides cassava and rice, include plan-

tains, pineapples, bananas, cucumbers, nuts, pumpkins and other fruits and vegetables; some of these are in their bearing stages while others are expected to be ready by April next year. Farming is the main economic activity in the community, affected by the water shortage over three weeks now. The community also has a school, a health and craft centre, and a factory producing cassava bread, cassareep, and pineapple chunks commercially. The Guyana Chronicle understands that, some weeks ago, water from the Tapakuma Lake was released into the main canal to assist with the rice crop; but in order for water to reach the other farms, the ‘Dawa’ pump, which has been down since September, will have to be urgently repaired. “To get water, the pump has to pump water from the Pomeroon River,” Khan said, adding that the Government needs to either see

about repairing the ‘Dawa’ pump, or provide other pumps to save the commercial crops. NO DRINKING WATER “There is no drinking water; Pomeroon River is ten miles away,” Khan said. And the four small solar panels currently being used are not enough to generate the amount of electricity needed to fill the 150-footdeep pit that residents have dug so they could have water for drinking and other purposes. Residents contend that if the situation is not rectified in a timely manner, crops expected to be ready for reaping early next year will be wiped out. “If they do not start pumping from Dawa,” Khan warned, “Pomeroon River will run salt, and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority will pump salt water into the lake.” And should this happen, he said, rice farmers will end up in a situation in which cul-

Residents of Tapakuma are calling on the Government to save thousands of acres of farmlands under threat of destruction due to water shortage and drought tivated crops would eventually using the ‘Lake Mainstay’ which, if used, would shortroad, which is also in a bad en the distance between die out. Residents are also com- state. Residents are seeking Anna Regina and Tapakuplaining that the cost of trans- the Government’s help to ma, and constitute a cheaper portation from Tapakuma has repair a road at ‘Highpoint’, route of travel. now risen to $12,000 per passenger because of the terrible state of the roads. Khan said buses are now

City Council extends amnesty period THE Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) have announced that the amnesty on the interest on rates has been extended to December 16, 2016. According to M&CC Public Relations Officer Ms. Debra Lewis, the decision to grant an extension is due to the overwhelming response from rate payers and a request from some for a further grace period. Lewis said some citizens

claim that the initial 14day period was too short a time for them to garner the money needed to settle their accounts. She said, too, that several property owners have made to the Council special petitions for consideration, showing why they were unable to access the facility during the specified time. One of the issues highlighted is the transfer of ownership of property. Lewis said the Council

is well aware that many property owners are making every effort to put their obligations in order, and the council, as such, is willing to accommodate their requests at this time. The Council has de-

clared amnesty on interest accrued on property rates from November 15 to 30, 2016. Lewis said the response, so far, from the residential property owners has been encouraging.

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

THE National Assembly is meeting today to begin deliberations on the 2017 National Budget that was presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan last Monday, 28th November. The early preparation of this budget gives the country the advantage of starting the new calendar year knowing where revenues are allocated and will be collected from. Respective institutions, ministries, and tiers of Government have the advantage of putting their programmes in place to access allocated funding for projects within their sphere of responsibilities. The $250B budget was presented under the theme, “Building a diversified, green economy: delivering the good life to all Guyanese.” There continues to be varying reactions to the budget, including from the opposition, the private sector, trade unions, commentators, and the man in the street. There can be no denying the vociferous non-support, in part or whole. Government representatives responding to these criticisms by demonstrating a level of empathy could help to elevate public discourse and reduce the anxiety. This editorial makes no case about the validity or absence thereof of what is ensconced in the budget, save to say that as a nation of diverse interests, arguments and support will not be homogeneous. It is out of recognition of this reality that arriving at a place of understanding how the budget will impact the lives of citizens and advance the development of country that Government, including its information/ communication arms, could seek to address. Where persons are incensed that the budget is not in their interest, including those who can make similar argument for partisan political purpose, it cannot be ignored. It is further instructive that major stakeholders, among whom are those that have worked with the incumbent administration, in Government and opposition, are too expressing similar consternation. The nation’s stability requires not ignoring these factors. Public engagement in diverse society can be contentious. Contention does not have to be debilitating. Disagreement can be channelled in a manner of facilitating competing ideas that can withstand scrutiny, in

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

City in crisis on every front Dear Editor, PERMIT me the space in your pages for an open letter to City Councillors. Eight months ago we assumed office as Councillors and a large part of our mandate is to consider the general welfare of the whole municipality, the national capital city, Georgetown. We were already working in our various constituencies and sought to amplify our efforts by aligning with an organization, whose vision and mission closely resembled ours. We, perhaps, had laboured with utopian hopes that with the added legitimacy, a new dynamism would be affected in the communities we inhabit. But such hopes as we harboured remain unrealised, and as our national poet says, ‘those miseries you cultivate as yours as well as mine’. I am certain that you were surprised, as I was,that the issues that should have found ventilation before the Council were decided on beforehand and little more than tacit acceptance was required of

us; on other issues, the body Council was entirely circumvented or ignored; public trust diminished. What remains an anomaly is that we are a repository of so much talent, experience, and training as Councillors that our city should have been on a growth path for success and excellence, less reliance on central government, yet before us is a city in crisis on every front. We have sat at Council in disbelief at what we saw transpiring before our eyes, we have spoken in corridors in hushed tones, or with words whispered in phone calls of the little interest expressed by those in command to chart a different course. Yet, time would have the final word, which brings us to this moment in the history of our Council, and a chance at something great. As I said to my sons, Jon and Ethan, on the eve of local government elections, “The services of a city are essential to its human dignity, whether infrastructure: roads, streetlights, drains or essentials such as health and fire services or police protection,

No dental chair Dear Editor, I TURNED up at the New Amsterdam Hospital Dental Clinic, taking time off from my work, to have a filling done only to be told that there was no dental chair, hence, “you will have to check back next month”. This is most horrible, since I was waiting to have this operation done for over a month —on a waiting list at this clinic! I have heard horror stories about services (and medication) not being available to the general

public and here was my first experience of that. I would like to know what is really going on at this hospital. Why isn’t there a chair at the dental clinic? Where is the new one and why was it not installed? What really is being done at the dental clinic in the meantime? Where is the staff? What will be done to those persons whose dates have reached and expired? Will they be made to wait another couple of months to be seen? The attendant who spoke

arriving at educated and informed decisions. It cannot escape attention that immediately after the reading by Minster Jordan, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, who served as President and Finance Minister, called a press conference to excruciate the budget. It was his opinion that dominated the news for days, shaping the views of some in society. Where the society did not have the benefit of widespread hearing of the Government’s side, prior to and immediately after reading, it places the Executive at a disadvantage. Assessing the public’s mood requires facing the situations, however unpleasant they may appear. At the same time it is in the nation’s interest where concerns have been expressed by major stakeholders that Government engages them directly. Not doing so allows for the acceptance of ideas and opinions that may not be the facts to be seen as that of officialdom.

etc. They all have to work effectively and efficiently, geared towards the good life for the citizens who engage them.” I was hopeful that by the time they grow up they would “appreciate that the things you now freely enjoy were bought these many years ago at a high cost and aqfter a long, arduous struggle.” I am afraid now that on our present trajectory, your children and mine, your family and mine, the next generation of City Councillors, and inhabitants will only inherit all the struggles we now face. If you are in doubt, ask yourself are we better off than we were in April? My dream and my ardent hope for us as Councillors is that we have a greater say in the management of our constituencies, that we are given the tools; empowered to make the changes that are necessary. My wish is for us to have a city administration that carries out the directives of the Council and for a leadership that listens to our voices; leadership that is both master and servant,

transparent and accountable. Moving forward, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana David Granger sets out his administration’s vision for capital towns as engines for economic development of the regions, of which they are the nucleus. This is the framework for success that is worthy of our acceptance. Finally, I call to your remembrance when His Excellency visited with us at City Hall he told us in no uncertain terms that we are not on the City Council to represent our political parties but to represent the people. In all that is to come, we have to represent the interests of the people of Georgetown and the quality of service and leadership we offer them. There are hard choices ahead of us; we have difficult decisions to make, but I have every confidence that when future generations of city residents look back they will say this was our finest hour.

to me and told me to check back next month, behaved too as if I was bothering her from knitting! That’s the nonsense that goes on in these institutions! For too long these complaints about shabby and poor services of the New Amsterdam Hospital have been made to continue— unabated without cessation! The Dental Clinic must be made to operate in a more efficient manner. If not, the services should be decentralised to the numerous health clinics around the place, so that people won’t have to be waiting months just to do a filling. Why is the Government

spending so much money on healthcare then, if this is the experience citizens have to go through? It just does not match. Something is wrong here. The hospital did not even have the courtesy, like any efficient institution, to telephone its patients, a day or so before, and do the decent and right thing to say not to visit since they don’t have a dental chair to do work (as ridiculous as that sounds). I am expecting responses from left, right and centre.

Yours sincerely, SHEROD AVERY DUNCAN Councillor

Yours sincerely, LEON SUSERAN

This week’s deliberations in the House could help the nation in having a budget that takes into consideration the expressed concerns heard in the public domain. This can be achieved should members of the Assembly be receptive to opinions coming from both sides, recognising that while they may be representing a political party, they are ultimately sitting in this august House to advance the interest of the citizens and nation. What we must as a nation always strive for is ensuring the comity of our people. It can never be overstated that whatever is wrong with Guyana can be made right by Guyanese. The budget’s theme, “Building a diversified green economy: delivering the good life to all Guyanese” has within, what is evidently carefully chosen words, to realise the growth and development the people yearn for. It is doable and achievable.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

Criminals are products of the social, economic,

cultural and political environments

Dear Editor, THIS is the second of our letters to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. While we acknowledge improvements made by the Guyana Police Force to address and reduce crime generally, little information is available to NGOs and members of the general public about the composition and functioning of the police domestic sexual violence units. Quite a few years ago when these units were first being discussed, it was recognised that NGOs and other civil society organisations have a crucial role to play in any system for prevention and prosecution of, and protection against, domestic and sexual violence. The Police Force has initiated the Cops and Faith programme, which has been cited as being very successful, especially as it relates to juveniles in conflict with the law, but little effort has been made to initiate similar collaboration with NGOs that have years of experience and who run successful programmes addressing all forms of gender-based violence, including all forms of child abuse. We know that domestic violence and sexual violence are seen as playing an important role in constructing gender roles, power relations and as a means for some men to dominate and

inflict harm on women. We only have to listen to some of the lyrics dominating popular music to understand how this is affecting the psyche of young men and boys and young women and girls. All forms of gender-based violence share a common thread, i.e. power relations between men and women and gender inequality. Sexual violence is often used as a mechanism for controlling the body and sexuality of women. The pervasiveness of rape culture and rape myths also fuels a psychological and cultural mindset that blames the victim/survivor (‘She asked for it’) and trivialises sexual offences (‘Boys will be boys’). It tolerates sexual harassment in the workplace and schools; defines masculinity and manhood as the ability of men to exert power and control, especially over their women, including control over their sexuality and defines femininity and womanhood as being submissive, sexually passive, obedient and subservient. Rape culture believes that when women say no, they mean yes in sexual matters and that when men get sexually turned on it is impossible for them to stop; assumes that men don’t get raped or that only ‘weak’ men get raped; is influenced by music styles and lyrics that glorify violence, portray explicit sexual imagery and is homophobic, in-

sults and denigrates women and incites and encourages sexual assault and rape of women and the killing and maiming of gay and homosexual men; assumes that only promiscuous - ‘fast’, ‘easy’ - women and girls get raped and minimises the physical and psychological trauma of sexual violence. Factors that increase men’s risk of committing sexual violence include gang membership; harmful or illicit use of alcohol or drugs; exposure to domestic violence as a child; history of physical or sexual abuse as a child; belief in gender inequality; limited education; acceptance of violence (belief that it is acceptable to beat one’s wife or girlfriend); multiple partners and infidelity. Let us not forget that criminals and persons in conflict with the law are not born, but are the products of the social, economic, cultural and political environment in which they are raised. And as long as programmes and policies fail to address the acceptance, and tolerance for gender-based violence in Guyana, the high level of intimate partner domestic and sexual violence will continue. Yours faithfully, > DANUTA RADZIK > NIVETA SHIVJATAN > DENISE DIAS > CHABELA LORD For Help & Shelter http://www.hands.org.gy

Police ‘G’ Division hosts Christmas tree light-up THE police in ‘G’ Division on Thursday evening hosted a Christmas tree light-up and the event was punctuated with prayers and carol singing by members of the Baptist Mission Church. h e p r o g r a m m e c o mmenced around 16:30 hrs and the tree was lit up around 20:00 hrs by Lakeram Bissessar, a youth from the Anna Regina Police Youth Club. Divisional Commander Khali Pareshram, said the activity was geared at ushering in the season of Christmas. He told the gathering at the light-up that the police are their partners and not their enemies, as he promised that ranks within the division will provide security during the season so that all can shop safely. Pareshram also used the opportunity to extend good wishes to all for the festive season and said that ‘G’ Di-

vision will continue to work with members of the civil

society in building a closer relationship.

The tree was lit up in the town of Anna Regina

Kako boy dies mysteriously

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

–– brother critical at GPHC; cyanide poisoning suspected

By Ariana Gordon A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy of Kako Village,Upper Mazaruni,Region seven,is dead, while his brother lies brain-dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following what is suspected to be a case of cyanide poisoning. Unconfirmed initial reports by doctors suggest that the symptoms experienced by the duo are quite similar to those of cyanide poisoning. According to reports, the children complained of severe headaches, fever, and coughing. Tests done by medical practitioners have ruled out meningitis, an infection of the meninges, the membrane covering the brain. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday from Kamarang, an Indigenous village, which stands at the confluence of the Kamarang and Mazaruni Rivers, in Region Seven, Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton said there is no outbreak of meningitis in Regions Seven or Eight. The minister’s statement follows an article published on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in Stabroek News titled, “Team heads to Kato after meningitis death”. According to Dr Norton, the nine-year-old child died on November 13 and his brother who is a patient of the GPHC was hospitalised shortly after, complaining of severe headaches, fever and coughing. The Minister of Public Health disclosed that the nine-year-old had died from cerebral edema(swelling of the brain).Samples have been sent to the caribbean Public Health Agency for testing.Those conditions have

since been ruled out from his brother, a patient of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and who is brain-dead. The 11-year-old child was transferred from the Kako health post to Kamarang and on November 23 was transferred to the GPHC. “He was doing fairly well and then he got worse,” the

ogist gave a series of reasons why the first brother died,” said the Minister of Public Health, who noted that currently there are approximately five children in the said area who are suffering from a cough and cold, accompanied by fever. However, those children have no signs of neurological infections.

professionals. “That is not to say there is an outbreak in meningitis. There is no outbreak of meningitis,” emphasised Dr Norton. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the vaccination records of the two children are unavailable as they had lived for some time in

miners to obtain gold. “These symptoms are similar to that of cyanide poisoning,” one source close to the investigation told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) described cyanide as a rapidly acting, potentialMinister of Public Health Dr George Norton

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, sits with a team of medical and mining professionals in Kamarang Region Seven on Sunday Minister of Health said. NO CLUE But even as a team of medical professionals along with representatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are in the area, the authorities are still unclear as to what may have caused the death of the child and the severe illness of the other. “We have no clue,” said Dr Norton. “We are here to investigate… we have not concluded why… the pathol-

“The doctors have it under control,” he assured, while disclosing that the team of professionals which comprises regional health officials, two paediatricians, an environmental health officer, a surveillance officer, a representative of the GGMC and several doctors are in several communities assessing the situation. Communities such as Isseneru, Imbaimadai, Arrau, Jawalla and Waramadong, all located in Region Seven are also being monitored by the healthcare

neighbouring Venezuela with their father. “They not too long returned so their vaccine record is not available,” this publication was informed. UNCLEAR According to sources, the youngsters went hunting earlier in November and after they re t u r n e d , t h e y c o m plained of being unwell. It is unclear whether they had drunk water from a nearby stream that may have been contaminated by chemicals used by

ly deadly chemical that can exist in various forms such as a colourless gas, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogen chloride (CNCl), or a crystal form such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) or potassium cyanide (KCN). The CDC noted that persons can be exposed to cyanide by breathing air, drinking water, eating food, or touching soil that contains the chemical. Additionally, cyanide enters water, soil, and air as a result of both natural and industrial activities.

Moreover, those exposed to small amounts of cyanide may have several symptoms,including dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, restlessness, and weakness, while those exposed to large amounts of the chemical may suffer from convulsions, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, lung injury, respiratory failure leading to death and slow heart rate. The mining industry has over the years been the main cause of water pollution in hinterland communities as the use of mercury, cyanide and other chemicals to recover and amalgamate gold is prevalent. The pollution caused by mining results in serious and long-term consequences as chemicals can enter the food chain, thereby resulting in illnesses in the hinterland population. Indigenous communities such as Kako depend heavily on streams and rivers for water. That water is used for bathing, cooking, cleaning and washing as such, chemicals entering the stream (river) can prove disastrous for residents of those communities who seldom have access to potable water for the purpose of cooking.

Guyana incensed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

––UNASUR Secretary-General publishes Venezuela’s claims over Essequibo By Ariana Gordon

GUYANA has strongly objected to the publication of a proposal by the Government and Opposition of Venezuela – to claim rights over the Essequibo – being placed on the website of the Union of South American States (UNASUR) by Secretary-General of that body, Ernesto Samper. Published on UNASUR’s website in November, the document confirmed the Venezuelan Government and Opposition’s approval of the “unanimous position in claiming rights over the Essequibo”. The agreement, part of a five-point pact between the two factions, was brokered by the Vatican; and it confirmed that both political factions hold a “unanimous position in defence of the legitimate and inalienable rights of Venezuela over the Essequibo” in the country’s territorial dispute with neighbouring Guyana. An official joint declaration entitled “Living Together in Peace” was also released. Guyana’s Vice-President, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, described the move by UNASUR Secretary-General Ernesto Samper as “illegal”. He explained that the proposal made by the Venezuelan Government in collaboration with the Opposition “was internal to Venezuela”, and that UNASUR has rules which do not include a mandate to negotiate political disputes between its 12 member states. “They have no such mandate, and we have found ourselves in a situation where UNASUR has published on its website proposals emanating from Venezuela and proposals that don’t emanate from an official team which includes the Papal Monsignor (a representative of the Pope); and the proposal that has been put on UNASUR’s website is a proposal almost to buy the compliance of the Venezuelan Opposition by a promise to fight for the Essequibo territory,” he declared. Venezuela’s claim to the

Essequibo in Guyana is nothing new, except that UNASUR has published it on its website, whereas it is an internal proposal made by that Spanish-speaking country, he clarified. “No international agreement [made] after 1899 has addressed or sought to modify the borders of Guyana and Venezuela. That agreement stands; and for an institution such as UNASUR to be publishing a wish of that kind is a problem,” Minister Greenidge declared. The Foreign Affairs Minister noted that UNASUR, through its governing bod-

“One can only be critical of the factors that would drive a regional public servant to do something like this,” he stated.

tions, but the negotiators never reported or endorsed a report from the team. Minister Greenidge is of

when asked by Guyana Chronicle whether he is hopeful that a decision would be made before Mr. Ban demits office

NO AUTHORITY, MANDATE Greenidge continued: “He has no authority, no mandate, to entertain these positions. I am just drawing to your attention that we were very concerned by this behaviour by the Secretary-General of UNASUR; we have written him and require that material be sent to other members of the group.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge points to a map of Guyana in his office as he explains the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy (on Sunday) ies, did not take a decision on the matter; and Minister Greenidge insists that the decision to publish the agreement was a decision made by Secretary-General Samper, “a man who is supposed to represent the interest of all 12 countries, and in this case we see him publishing a document which no self-respecting entity -- multilateral entity -- would do.” He chided Samper, to whom he has written, while stressing that Guyana is a sovereign state and UNASUR has no responsibility or competence in the dispute between the countries.

The minister said a meeting of UNASUR was scheduled for December 3, but that meeting has since been postponed. That meeting was set up to discuss, among other things, the problems of Venezuela and the proposals of solutions to those problems, including an update by the Papal Monsignor on the progress made. Asked whether UNASUR has been involved in the negotiations on the border controversy, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that, from all indications, the Secretary-General of UNASUR was involved in the negotia-

the opinion that some members of UNASUR have sought to influence the United Nations Secretary-General’s team and staff. “I don’t think they have done so formally, as members of the negotiating team. It is not unusual for people to approach entities in a manner intended to intimidate (them),” said Greenidge, who has also alerted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the matter. Upon taking office in 2015, the APNU-AFC coalition Administration made several appeals to regional and international bodies for support on the border controversy; but, Greenidge said, UNASUR was not one of those bodies. Guyana, meanwhile, hopes that the outgoing UN Secretary-General would announce his “assessment” of the border controversy and forward the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for final ruling on the 1899 Arbitral Award, which Venezuela has claimed is null and void. “I don’t want to pronounce on what the Secretary-General is going to do… He is called upon by the Treaty to exercise a function, and I hope that he will do so,” said Greenidge

at the end of this month. “I am reporting to you the hazards that lie in our path as the Secretary-General is reflecting (on what assessment he will make). As he is reflecting, people are trying to persuade him that he shouldn’t do anything, because Venezuela is in trouble and anything he does is going to compound that,” Greenidge stated. That view is unsupported by Guyana, and the Foreign Affairs Minister made it clear that Venezuela’s internal troubles have nothing to do with Guyana. “They started outside of Guyana and they will end and be resolved without Guyana’s contribution in any way to their state.” He said, too, that whether Venezuela is stable or unstable, its Government is still taking action to destabilise Guyana; and he stressed that the action of Samper is against the interest of a sovereign member of UNASUR. NOT UNASUR “It is the UN that can determine what is a legal border, not UNASUR; not the Secretary-General of UNASUR and not the Venezuelan Opposition either. He (Samper) has responsibilities which he has abused,”

Greenidge said. Samper has, in the past, offered to intervene in the matter, and the Guyana Government outright rejected his offer. Guyana has maintained that it has an agreement (dated 1966) with Venezuela by which such controversies are to be resolved within a specifically crafted framework; and according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Guyana is not prepared to go outside of the United Nations framework. Last year, the former Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela, Odeen Ishmael (2003-2011), called UNASUR out for what he described to be the body’s “lukewarm” approach to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. In an article published by this newspaper on November 18, 2015 and titled “UNASUR’s lukewarm attitude to border crises”, Ambassador Ishmael said: “By remaining silent on Venezuela’s expanded claim to Guyana’s territory, UNASUR appears to be losing its effectiveness and vibrancy in pronouncing on crucial issues affecting its members. It did act when the presidents of Ecuador and Uruguay mediated the meeting between Maduro and Santos in September, even though no immediate solutions were reached. However, a similar action relative to Guyana and Venezuela has not been forthcoming. Is it because Guyana is a relatively small country in physical size, population and economy, that a threat of usurpation of its territory is ignored, because no one wants to tread on the toes of the larger and more powerful Venezuela? Or is it that the legitimacy of Guyana’s territorial and maritime boundaries is influencing the organisation to adopt a ‘hands-off’ position?” Guyana has maintained its position: establishing the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899, which Venezuela claims is null and void, is to have the matter settled by the ICJ. All other processes as outlined in the Geneva Agreement of 1966 have failed to provide a solution to the border controversy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Help resuscitate fishing industries

–– fishermen urge African Businesses Roundtable FISHERMEN within the Mahaica- Berbice region are wasting no time in engaging the recently formed African Businesses Roundtable (ABR) in resuscitating the lucrative fishing trade within their communities. A group of fishermen from the Belladrum community sent out an urgent request to the ABR to have them examine the poor state of what was once thriving fishing industries in several Afro-Guyanese communities within

Joseph Grenville

that location. Following preliminary meetings with the ABR, the men were urged to organise themselves by first gathering all their colleagues from the various villages, and all those who are interested in joining the trade. The men will also organise themselves according to their skills, whether boat builder or otherwise. Another meeting will be held on Saturday, November 10 in Belladrum for further empowerment of the communities. The ABR is seeking to aid the fishermen in accessing finance for investments and finding markets for their products. The aim of the organisation is to use its business networking to allow for the flow of business opportunities; that is, larger businesses helping smaller ones to grow. The Belladrum fishermen told the ABR that the communities are in deplorable states with little to no developmental opportunities. “We are not doing any business here. This (Belladrum) is a stagnant community,” 88-year-old Joseph Grenville told the Guyana Chronicle. The community elder was seated front row during the first ABR meeting with the fishermen in Belladrum two Saturdays ago. He told this newspaper that he was there to lend his support to the fishermen since he was aware that the community is in dire need of workable economic strategies. Grenville who lived in Belladrum from Boat-building in Essequibo the age of 10 remembered the community being a vibrant, united one. He said that there were several cottage industries since people purchased from each other. He even spoke of a community bell that was rung to summon the community together. “My grandfather Nelson Daniels was a boat builder, people knitted seine with their fingers,” Grenville said. He said people farmed; highlighting that currently there are several sections of transported land, some carrying as much as 350 acres belonging to the Belladrum community. But according to him, for as much as “20 to 30 years, not a seed has been sown”. Grenville said it has been hard on persons to get financing, while finding markets for products has proved problematic. The community was left to deteriorate, he indicated, before noting that many residents had to venture into other areas such as mining to make ends meet. “(Now) everything they want they have to go outside the community to buy. You want cement or sand, you have to go to New Amsterdam, till to Rosignol Market for fish and greens, and Bush Lot. We don’t have anything here,” Grenville urged.

The community elder lost his left arm in a train accident when he was 12, but that did not stop him from holding supervisory positions with various local companies in the area of carpentry. He said he did a little fishing, farming and other activities when he retired and that is why he will make it his duty to see the fishermen forge ahead with their plans. The December meeting to be held in Belladrum will see other communities such as Washington, Golden Fleece, El Dorado, Weldaad and Foulis, among those participating. According to information received, the ABR will soon be making its way to Essequibo after a request was made from that region. It is understood that Essequibo may have a thriving boat building establishment there. The ABR is a product of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA). Apart from the fishing industry, village economies under the ABR will involve farming communities; while villages are heading into banking and other financing mechanisms, manufacturing and other productions are also on the table.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Kids and Crime IF there were a law that meant parents would be incarcerated for the criminal acts that their underage children performed, no doubt they would do their best to ensure that their children followed a straight and narrow path until they legally became adults (18 years old). Parents who tend to be ‘too busy’ to nurture and find quality time for their offspring would suddenly realise that it is only with their positive inputs that children stand a chance at obtaining a good outcome in life. They will finally realise once and for all that CHILDREN NEED ADULTS TO GUIDE THEM. But alas, there is no such law and when young children end up doing senseless, cruel criminal deeds, the type of care and protection they received from adults always comes into question. Where were the child’s parents at the time of the crime? Did they know where their child was or what he/ she was up to? Did they realise their child was capable of doing such wicked/illegal things? What happened to the child’s schooling? Was he or she even attending? (In Guyana, it is compulsory for children to attend school up to the age of 15.) When children ‘go bad,’

society seems to blame the parents for not doing a better job and the general public are usually left to wonder, ‘why did they allow their children to go astray?’. But some parents do not realise how much their negative behaviour or failures affect their children and the impact it can have on their child’s outcome in life. For instance, child neglect and child abandonment can be devastating for a child’s personal development. To feel unwanted and unloved by your family for no fault of your own could produce a very angry teenager with very low self-esteem and very few morals or values. He/she might unleash that anger in the most unexpected way or take out his/ her ‘pain’ on society by being rebellious, carefree or wild: totally beyond parental control with no fear of authority. Without guidance, attention and affection, children who have been ‘hurt’ during their childhood, when left to their own devices (may indulge in adult behaviour and) could become juvenile delinquents. This is just an example of how a child’s personal development can be affected quite unintentionally through the things caregivers might have done or failed to do. Wherever parental skills are lacking, children suffer, their all-round development

is affected and with little sense of direction they could end up getting mixed up in criminal activity. ONLY ADULTS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Calling all adults, Mothers Fathers, Grandfathers, Grandmothers, Aunties, Uncles, Neighbours and extended family members: we need to stay vigilant and pay attention to what is going on in the lives of the children around us. We need to keep our children on the straight and narrow path, keep them on track so they cannot go astray or get involved in wrong-doing. We must get involved in their day-to-day activities; find out where they are going, what they are doing, and whom they are with. It is not an invasion of privacy to double-check here and there, after all, they are ‘our children’ and we must not leave anything to chance. We have the authority to protect them by any means necessary: it is our given duty of care. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the Childcare and Protection Hotline on 227 0797 or you can write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

‘It’s not over ‘til it’s over!’ –– NAPS’ Dr. Rhonda Moore at annual awards ceremony

By Shirley Thomas PROGRAMME Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr. Rhonda Moore warned Friday that there will be no resting on one’s laurels until a cure is found for HIV/AIDS. “Regardless of the achievements made over the years, we must recognise that the work is not done until a cure is found,” she said. “And so, we have to continue to be diligent in what we do, and not give up,” she told guests at a function Friday evening at the Hotel Tower on Main Street, here in the city. The occasion was NAPS’ annual ‘Apprecia-

Invitees and awardees at the NAPS Appreciation Ceremony on Friday night at the Hotel Tower

Seated at the head table are, from left, UNAIDS Country Representative (Guyana and Suriname), Dr. Martin Odiit; CMO, Dr. Karen Boyle; and NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Karen Moore

were the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), and Advancing Partners & Communities (APC). Those Health Care Workers presented with plaques in appreciation of their selfless and dedicated work beyond the normal call of duty in the area of HIV/AIDS were: Dr. Nicole Nedd-Jerrick; Dr. Mallika Mootoo; Ms. Deborah Success-Hall; Mr. Eson Crandon; Mr. Kenwyn Carmichael; Ms. Coleen Farrel; Ms. Shevonne Benn; Mr. Murvin Chalmers; and Ms. Nafeza Ally.

for their sterling performance in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The awardees were broken down into two cate-

SURPRISE NOMINEES Meanwhile, one of the surprise nominees was Dr. Morris Edwards, cur-

tion Ceremony’, its 11th to date, at which it honoured 12 members of staff, including three medical doctors,

gories: Ten Health Care Workers, among them two ‘surprise honorees’, and two organisations. The organisations receiving awards

rent HDSU Project Director, who was also the first Head of the AIDS Programme in Guyana, and functioned in that capacity for a number of years. The other was Dr Moore’s secretary, Ms Melanie Brown. And spicing the evening’s programme were cultural pieces, including a skit by the NGO, Artistes in Direct Support; A Dance by the National Dance School; the rendition of inspirational songs by Michelle ‘BigRed’ King (Big Red); and an interlude in pan by iconic pianist and steelpanist, Ras Camo Williams. In her opening remarks, Dr. Moore recalled that the NAPS was established in 1992 with the aim of coor-

dinating the HIV response in Guyana. “Our vision is actually to eliminate HIV in Guyana, and we aim to do so by reducing the spread of AIDS and improving the quality of life of People Living with HIV,” she said. Noting that the goal they set themselves was no easy task, Dr Moore said, “Most of what we achieve cannot be achieved, or we could not have achieved alone. This was done with collaboration with our donors and partners.” She listed as being among those donors and partners the (US) President’s Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS; and the Government of Guyana, which is now covering a large portion of NAPS’ expenditure. She also cited the technical partners who assist by offering technical advice and guidance in this very important response by the NAPS. In this regard, Dr. Moore acknowledged the presence of UNAIDS’ Dr. Martin Odiit, for the significant role his organisation has played over the years. Another key technical partner, she said, is PAHO/ WHO, in terms of advising NAPS on what should be done and where they could better their response towards the fight against HIV & AIDS. But the most important partners of all, she said, See page 13

A dance item by members of the National Dance School

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

‘It’s not over ‘til it’s ... from page 12

are those persons who are living with HIV, otherwise known as PLHIV. “Without PLHIV working with us and offering feedback on what we are delivering to them,” Dr Moore said, “we would not accomplishing our goals either.

“So I have to say thank you to the persons who would have been brave enough to form networks to help us in the fight against HIV.” Dr. Moore noted that this coordinated response required all the collaboration in order to get us to our

goal, noting that one of the aims is to acquire the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. That is: To see 90% of PLHIV knowing their status; 90% of those people linked to a Care facility; and 90% of that portion being on treatment.

President David Granger addressing the children of West Coast Berbice. He is flanked by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes (left), Parliamentarian, Ms. Jennifer Wade and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson (at extreme right)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

President fetes over 300 Wes AS THE year winds down and Guyanese prepare to usher in 2017, President David Granger is urging citizens to hold strong to the value of fellowship, which is best exemplified at Christmas time. The President made these remarks Sunday at Onderneeming Village, West Coast Berbice, where he distributed Christmas gifts to over 300 children.

He was assisted by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson. â€œChristmas is about faithfulness and fellowship. We forget our differences, we forget our religion, we forget racial differences, we forget geographical differences and we all come together

Singing â€˜We wish you

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

st Berbice children

u a Merry Christmas’ for President David Granger

and we look forward to living a good life in this country… [And] as we plan for the New Year we must hold certain values,” the President said. The Head of State said that Guyana’s rich

diversity is what makes it a unique country and reminded the gathering that they all have the good fortune of living in the biggest, most beautiful and bountiful CARICOM country that is capable of producing

enough for everyone. Turning to the children, he urged them to stay in school and said that the Christmas gifts are a demonstration of his administration’s love and concern for children and their welfare.

“It is a token of our faith for the future and it is a token of our commitment to you to make sure that Guyana remains a land of plenty that is capable of providing a good life,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

A little something for everyone –– as new makeup brand hits the market By Clestine Juan

FINDING a truly unique lip shade or eyeshadow is well-nigh an impossible task these days. As everyone would have known by now, they’re so many beauty brands around, that every skin colour under the sun has at least one per-

fect match, if not more. So when we’re drawn to a new cosmetics launch in Guyana, it usually has more to do with packaging and formulation than hue. However, that’s not the case for once, thanks to ‘Malani Cosmetics’, which was officially launched on Saturday at the Palm Court

by local distributors, Shoe Heaven. POPULAR BRAND ‘Milani’ is a popular brand of cosmetics designed for women of all races, ages and income levels, due to the fact that no two colours are the same, which is nothing short of amazing

when one considers the range of the collection. At the launch, make-up lovers were treated to professional makeovers by a local makeup artist, along with a mini fashion show with models strutting the runway with their faces neatly made up. According to a Shoe Heaven representative, the cosmetics brand will be like a new breath of fresh air, as well as “gorgeous to the eyes,

Malani Cosmetics makeup sample pallet and friendly to your pocket.” ‘Milani’ comes in products for the eyes, lips, face, skin-care, nails and tools, and are available at Shoe Heaven stores across Georgetown, including at their Giftland Mall location. Popular ‘Milani’ lip products include: ‘color statement’ lipstick, and ‘brilliant shine’ lipgloss. Top-selling eye products include ‘runway

eyes’ eyeshadow, ‘shadow eyez’ eye-shadow pencils, and ‘grandissimo lashes’ mascara. ‘Smooth Finish’ creamto-powder makeup, ‘Bronzer XL’ and ‘TANtastic face and body bronzer’ are among popular face products, while ‘high speed, fast-dry nail polish’ is one of the many nail products available.

A Malani makeup artist giving a customer a makeover

A model struts the runway in Malani makeup (Photos by Clestine Juan)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Joshua Abdool admitted to the bar

HE had a proclivity to argue from a young age, and Joshua Abdool’s parents thought that one day he would fit seamlessly into the legal profession. That dream of theirs became a reality last Wednesday, when the young man was admitted to the bar after his petition was presented by one of the country’s leading legal minds, Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo. “I’m ecstatic. It’s the c u l m i n a t i o n o f m a n y, many, many years of study; and it was difficult, but I’m more than pleased [to reach this stage],” a visibly elated Abdool said, moments after taking the oath. The petition of this 27-year-old was heard in Justice Diane Insanally’s chambers, and the judge urged the young man to remain steadfast in the execution of his duties and to always uphold the rule of law. Once on the reserve of the national squash team, Young Abdool said he was drawn to the judiciary. “I always had an inclination towards English, and my parents noticed that I like to argue; and I

Attorney Joshua Abdool (third right) with his family members. Also in this picture, taken last Wednesday, are Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo (extreme right) and Justice Diane Insanally (third left) kind of let that build, and I followed that direction and I found that law is a very logical field, and it appeals to me in that way. So I followed that path. I did well in A levels, in law particularly; and I decided I’m going to go down that road,” Joshua explained. Abdool said the journey through studies at the University of Guyana and the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago was by no means easy, but he was determined to conquer and achieve.

“It was not easy at all. In fact, it’s a good message to send to prospective students of law, that: It’s quite difficult, and you have to want it; otherwise, it’s very difficult to succeed. The study itself is cumbersome; it’s a lot of information and you have to stay on top…. Once you do, you will succeed,” the young attorney highlighted. Family support, Joshua pointed out, played a critical role in his reaching this point. He added that his parents provided an atmosphere wherein he had no

other issues to deal with, but rather focus his attention exclusively on studies. While Joshua is the first attorney to emerge from the immediate Abdool clan, the young law practitioner can fall back on the vast experience of close relative Sir Shridath Ramphal. Joshua’s father, insurance executive Peter Ab-

dool, is understandably proud of his offspring’s achievement at such a tender age. “Josh has worked long and hard. I think we knew since he was a very small child, based on the fact that he argued about everything, that one day he would be an attorney,” Peter related. He added, “I think he

has the ethics to allow him to progress in a profession that is in dire need (of ethics). I think initially he’s going to start (his career) in Trinidad, but I’m really hoping that he comes back home to Guyana and contribute meaningfully; and I think that is going to happen.” The elder Abdool also had a few words of advice for Joshua as he embarks on a new journey, one that could define how the Abdools progress into the future: “I want to see him spread his wings and do as well as he possibly can. As I said, I would love to see him being able to contribute meaningfully to Guyana and its development. I think we’re at a stage where people who are in the legal profession and who have good moral and ethical standing are going to be imperative to the development of the country.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Alexander flags Adonis’ ‘erroneous’ claims

MINISTRY of Education Technical Facilitator Vincent Alexander has called out Dennis Adonis, the controversial “Editor in Chief” of little known online news outlet Guyana Guardian, for seeking to discredit Texila American University and besmirching the name of the National Accreditation Council of Guyana. Adonis, Alexander noted, is well known in Guyana for accusations of unsavoury and deceptive acts levelled at him over the years. Only recently, Texila American University

Vincent Alexander threatened to sue Adonis following the publication of an article on his news outlet it deemed ‘scandalous’.

The response of the university to the said article was carried by Guyana Chronicle, and subsequent to the publication, Adonis sued this publication’s editor-in-chief, Nigel Williams, Online Editor Fareeza Haniff, and Reporter Ravin Singh, claiming defamation. This was after an article appeared on the Guyana Guardian that viciously attacked the character of Singh, accusing him of taking bribes to write favourable stories of businesses. The article in question published by Guyana Guardian about Tex-

ila American University seems to question the legitimacy of the university. Alexander, in a release, said the local accreditation council is the legally authorised body responsible for regulating post-secondary and tertiary level educational institutions in Guyana, including the granting of registration, accreditation and related instruments. “In the prevailing circumstance, the Ministry of Education would be remiss if it did not lend clarity in relation to the post-secondary and tertiary education landscape,

Dennis Adonis which is being put at risk by these crafty and defamatory articles. “The Ministry firstly wishes to reiterate that the National Accreditation Council (NAC), by virtue of the National Accreditation Act, Act No. 12 of 2004, is the body responsible for regulating post-secondary and tertiary level education in Guyana, and is the source of authentic information on post-secondary and tertiary institutions in Guyana. Much of this information is public and available on the Council`s website: www.nac. gov.gy.” QUANTUM LEAPS Alexander said the Ministry has observed that in the Guyana Guardian articles there are quantum leaps from the factual information which they rely on for legitimacy and the conclusions which they draw, that are oft-times erroneous. One such case in point, he said, is their article of Nov 25, 2016, in which the news outlet purported NAC to “have revealed that medical degrees issued by institutions in Guyana are only recognised if the degrees are accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM_HP). And since CAAM-HP has also confirmed that the Texila America University is not accredited, it is now officially confirmed that the medical degrees issued by that institution, along with several other offshore universities in Guyana, are

not recognised anywhere at all” Alexander said that while NAC has stated that “medical institutions…are required to seek accreditation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Services”, it also stated that “The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) of the USA recognises the authenticity of the quality assurance process of the National Accreditation Council, and accepts medical schools that are registered by the National Accreditation Council”. And according to the National Accreditation Council, “Texila American University is listed with the ECFMG, which allows students and graduates of the institution to apply for ECFMG certification and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).” “This is but a sample of the Guardian`s conclusions. It is erroneous, at least, and may well be mischievous if their intellect and competence are to be assumed. “It should be noted that in quality assurance parlance, terms such as registration, accreditation, recognition et al each has a specific meaning; results from different processes; and signifies different statuses. The Guardian seems to unwittingly or intentionally substitute these terms, one for the other, in pursuit of the predetermined plot of their articles,” Alexander contended. He said that while the Ministry of Education does not hold a brief for the off-shore medical schools, and even the National Accreditation Council, in the national interest and in the interest of the reputation of the country, the Ministry found it necessary, through this one example, to expose the injurious and defamatory nature of the Guardian’s articles. “Many of their conclusions are founded on illogicalities and (are) characterised by quantum leaps,” Alexander said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday December 5, 2016

Sydney Thunder hoping for a positive outcome as Russell awaits fate SYDNEY, Australia, (CMC) – Sydney Thunder have been left sweating on the

Andre Russell

availability of Andre Russell for this season’s Big Bash campaign, as the explosive West Indies all-rounder awaits his fate from Jamaica’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel. The Thunder training camp bowls off on Saturday but there is no indication yet whether Russell will be able to suit up or if he will be slapped with a two-year ban for committing an anti-doping whereabouts violation. He missed three drugs

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tests in a 12-month period after failing to inform authorities about his whereabouts. The hearing to determine Russell’s fate concluded recently and Thunder chief executive, Nick Cummins, said they were hopeful of a positive outcome. Two of the alleged filing failures were while he was playing for West Indies at the World Cup so he was hardly hiding in a cupboard,” Cummins contended. “He was on international television representing his country. But they’re the rules. “Certainly from what we’ve followed we think there’s enough evidence to exonerate him but it’s not my decision obviously and we’ll just have to see how it goes.” Russell has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the T20 format, and is one of a plethora of West Indies players who ply their trade in multiple foreign leagues. A big-hitting lower order batsman and a lively seamer who is also brilliant in the field, the 28-year-old has already played 225 T20s and made over 3400 runs and

taken 202 wickets. Cummins said the fact Russell appeared in person before the Anti-Doping had been a good sign. “I’ve spoken to him a couple of times over the journey. He feels like he’s done everything he can,” said Cummins noted. “He attended the hearing in person. So he’s taking it very seriously and wanted to make sure that was noted.” A huge fan favourite, Russell was excellent for Thunder last season, grabbing a high 16 wickets and gathering nearly 200 runs, as they franchise won their maiden Big Bash title. Cummins said while they preferred to have Russell again this season, they had been understandably forced into contingency planning. “While he’s an important player we believe that our contingency plan is enough to give us a good run to defend our title. We don’t think it will be jeopardised,” the official said. “We know what Andre can deliver, and he’s a wellloved member of the team, so we would much prefer he keeps playing with us.” The Big Bash League bowls off December 20.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

Liverpool and United thwarted in dramatic finales By Steve Tongue LONDON,(Reuters)-Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester United were caught by late sucker punches in two games that finished far more dramatically than they began yesterday. Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool wasted a chance to return to second place in the table, a point behind Chelsea, twice surrendering a two-goal lead before losing 4-3 in added time in a thriller at Bournemouth. United dropped two points at Everton after Marouane Fellaini conceded an 89th-minute penalty soon after the former Goodison Park favourite had come on as a substitute. Third-placed Liverpool’s defeat was their first in any competition since August and looked highly improbable when they built on a slow start to cruise into a 2-0 lead midway

Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Steve Cook Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic

through the first half. Sadio Mane and Divock Origi, starting his first league game of the season, scored for the visitors from successive attacks. Although Bournemouth had strong claims for a penalty turned down as Roberto Firmino chal-

lenged Nathan Ake, they did not threaten until the introduction of Scotland Under-21 international Ryan Fraser 10 minutes after halftime. He had been on for barely a minute when he won a penalty that Callum Wilson converted.

Emre Can restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion but they were stunned when, in the space of three minutes, Fraser drove in Wilson’s centre and then defender Steve Cook brought down Fraser’s cross like a striker before driving home the equaliser. In the third minute of added time Bournemouth secured one of the best wins in their history -- and first against Liverpool -- as goalkeeper Loris Karius fumbled a shot from long range and Ake poked the ball in. Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said it was “a very special day” for his 10th-placed team. “It would have been easy for our players to give up and see out time but our group knows not to give up,” he added. ROCKS AND STONES Klopp said his side gave the points away although he was surprisingly sanguine

about the outcome. “Of course this can help us,” the Liverpool manager explained. “If we learn, then it’s OK. “No road is without rocks and stones. It’s three points, no more, these things happen. The base is pretty good but we need to

Everton’s Leighton Baines celebrates use our quality more.” United manager Jose Mourinho also tried to dwell on the positives after he had sent on Fellaini against eighth-placed Everton. The Belgian produced a clumsy tackle on Idrissa

Gueye and could only watch as defender Leighton Baines beat the previously defiant David De Gea from the penalty spot. Earlier, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his run of goals for sixth-placed United with a clever lob via the bar and post as goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg unwisely rushed out of the penalty area. “We are not getting what we deserve,” said Mourinho. “In every one of our draws we deserved to win.” “You have (other) teams playing defensive and counter-attacking football but getting results.” “I’m happy my team is playing extremely well. But this season what matters is the results.” With six draws in the last eight league games and only one victory, results are not going United’s way, leaving them nine points behind Manchester City who are in fourth spot.

New England manager questions Mahmudullah steers need for winter break Khulna into playoffs (REUTERS)-England manager Gareth Southgate has questioned whether the introduction of a winter break in the Premier League would improve the country’s fortunes in major tournaments. Southgate, who was handed a four-year contract last week having impressed the FA during four matches as interim manager, said any negative effects of England’s fixture-packed winter schedule were an “assumption”. The lack of a winter break during the season has often been considered one of several factors contributing to England’s international failures in recent years, with some Premier League managers claiming the gruelling festive period pushes players to their limits. “It’s an interesting debate. The idea of a winter break will be flagged at this point but I don’t ever remember this debate happening when I was playing in 1996 or 1998,” Southgate, who was appointed England manager on Thursday, was quoted as saying by British media. “When I look at the

league, there are as many players from abroad playing here in our league, if not more, so they have the same problem and maybe we can over-egg that. It’s another

Gareth Southgate was handed a four-year contract last week. thing that is an assumption, rather than what is the reality. “I cannot assess that until I speak with him. I would like to speak to him before we make a decision and happy to make that happen,” Southgate said when asked whether he felt Zaha’s decision was final. “He has played very well this season.”

“We can put hurdles in our way that maybe are not there. You then have to get the level of your training bang on at the end of a season and get the loading correct in order to peak for the right moments. That is the bit you can control.” Many of Europe’s major leagues, including the Bundesliga in Germany, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1, include a mid-season break. English football traditionally has a busy Christmas period when teams frequently play several matches in a short period, with just a few days rest between games. “If there are things that can happen on a wider scale around fixture planning and breaks, then fantastic and that sure could help,” Southgate added. “But I don’t want to get distracted by that. I have to plan within the boundaries we’ve got.” Southgate said he hoped to speak to Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, who has announced his intention to switch his international allegiance to Ivory Coast, after failing to break into England’s senior team.

KHULNA Titans, having to win their last league game to qualify for the playoffs, did so emphatically courtesy Mahmudullah’s half-century.

vo and Andre Russell, they breezed to the target with 12 balls to spare. It didn’t seem a cakewalk when they lost Andre Fletcher early. Mohammad Hasanuz-

Khulna needing eight, but with no pressure, they cantered home to dash the hopes of Rangpur Riders, who lost to Comilla Victorians earlier in the evening.

Mahmudullah hit five fours and two sixes in his 28-`ball 50 © Raton They finished the group stages in second position to ensure the first qualifier against the same opponents on December 6. The eliminator will be played between Chittagong Vikings and Rajshahi Kings. Khulna, having never gone past 157 in the tournament, had to make their highest team total. And against a weakened Dhaka side that rested Dwayne Bra-

zaman struck three sixes and as many fours in his 18-ball 40 to get them ahead of the asking rate. Mahmudullah then took over after Hasanuzzaman’s dismissal; he hit five fours and two sixes in his 28-ball 50. The trigger boost meant Abdul Mazid’s strike rate of 58.33, the lowest of the season for batsmen who have faced 35 or more deliveries, was negated. Mahmudullah fell with

When Dhaka batted first, Kumar Sangakkara, reprieved on 2, brought up his second half-century of the tournament. The rest of the Dhaka batting lineup threw away starts with, with Mehedi Maruf, Nasir Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Seekkuge Prasanna and Ravi Bopara not going past 20. Junaid Khan picked up three wickets.(ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

Super Smith takes Aussies to 1-0 lead with record–breaking 164 STEVE Smith hit a record-breaking century and took two superb catches as Australia beat New Zealand by 68 runs in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series opener in Sydney yesterday. The Australia skipper smashed 164 off 157 balls, the highest one-day international score at the Sydney Cricket Ground, to lead Australia to 324 for eight. Man-of-the-match Smith struck 14 fours and four sixes in his seventh ODI century after winning the toss to give the Black Caps a tough target to chase down. Smith then took two great catches and paceman Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets to dismiss the Kiwis for 256 in 44.2 overs. Smith’s knock, the seventh highest by an Australian, surpassed South Africa’s AB de Villiers’ 162 at the same ground in last year’s World Cup. It was also the joint-highest by an Australia captain. Ricky Ponting also made 164 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006.

He then underlined his man-of-the-match credentials with two decisive catches in the Black Caps’ innings. His throat-high catch at slip dismissed skipper Kane Williamson for just nine. Smith later latched onto a flying one-handed screamer to dismiss BJ Watling for six off Mitchell Marsh, hurling himself to his left in the gully for a stunning catch. “I got a bit of luck. I was probably out lbw at one point,” Smith said. - SMITH RECORD “It’s nice to get my highest score at my home ground and post a huge total. “We were able to get over the line, which was the most pleasing thing. I am sure New Zealand will hit back hard.” Opener Martin Guptill reached his 11th ODI century with a mighty six off Marsh over long-on off 93 balls and was his side’s major hope of reeling in Australia’s huge target. But leg-spinner Adam Zampa coaxed Guptill into a false shot to find fielding

substitute Glenn Maxwell at mid-wicket and he was on his way for 114 off 102 balls in the 33rd over.

a tall total to chase.” Jimmy Neesham put on 92 runs for the third wicket with Guptill before he holed

But Smith, who could have been out three times, flailed the Black Caps’ bowlers and put his side in

Steven Smith made the highest ODI score at the SCG with his 164 off 157 balls. “Guptill’s was a fantastic hundred -- one of his better hundreds -- and gave us a chance,” Williamson said. “If we reflect back, we bowled poorly in the middle stage. I think we were good in patches, and not so good in some, which left us

out to Hazlewood off Mitchell Starc in the 22nd over. Smith’s top-ranked team suffered a 5-0 ODI series drubbing in South Africa in October and earlier looked shaky again when reduced to 92 for four in the 21st over.

the ascendancy. Smith was finally out three overs from the end when he skied Trent Boult to Colin Munro at midwicket. The Australian captain was supported by 52 from newcomer Travis Head,

who was dropped by Matt Henry on nine, while wicketkeeper Matt Wade clobbered three sixes off a Jimmy Neesham over on his way to 38 off 22 balls. Smith gave New Zealand two chances in Boult’s third over. BJ Watling missed a leg-side catch on 13 and one run later Boult’s leg before wicket appeal was turned down by the umpire. New Zealand inexplicably did not call for a review, which showed the Australian captain would have been out. Smith had a third “life” on 152 when Munro dropped him at square leg. David Warner attacked debutant paceman Lockie Ferguson, smashing two boundaries off the youngster’s first over before he inside-edged on to his stumps for 24 off 29 balls. Head put on 127 for the fifth wicket with Smith, before he was caught and bowled low down by Boult. The second match in the series takes place at Canberra’s Manuka Oval tomorrow.(AFP)

Chelsea apologises to abused former player (REUTERS)-English soccer club Chelsea issued a public apology to former striker Gary Johnson on Saturday for the sexual abuse he suffered as a young player and said it had been wrong to insist on a confidentiality clause when paying him compensation. Johnson, 57, said on Friday that he had been abused by former Chelsea chief scout Eddie Heath in the 1970s, receiving 50,000 pounds from the club in settlement in 2015. In a statement the club said their former player had “suffered unacceptably” and they had “no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view”. Chelsea added that an

Former footballer Gary Johnson played for Chelsea’s first team between 1978 and 1981. external review would establish whether they carried out a proper investigation when the allegations first surfaced. “We are fully commit-

ted to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children and young people who are in our care or attending our premises. Their welfare

is of paramount importance,” said the club. Johnson, who played for the first team between 1978 and 1981, joined Chelsea in

1970 when he was 11 and told the Mirror newspaper that he had been groomed from the age of 13 by Heath who was chief scout from 1968 to 1979. Heath died before the allegations became public. When Chelsea agreed to the compensation deal with Johnson they initially did not accept any blame and insisted on the confidentiality clause, which they agreed to waive only last week. Chelsea now accept the clause was “inappropriate”. “In light of what we know now about the widescale abuse in football clubs in the 1970s and 1980s, it now believes that the use of such a clause, while understandable, was inappropriate

in this instance,” the club said. “We certainly have no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view. Quite the opposite.” The club said that although Johnson’s solicitors had said other boys had been abused by Heath, they had not been able to identify any. The allegations of child sex abuse in English soccer from the 1970s through to the 1990s have shocked Britain. In a sign of how widespread the abuse might have been, British police said on Thursday that about 350 victims had come forward to report sexual abuse within soccer clubs and indicated the number was likely to rise.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

Plans afoot for Brian Lara stadium to host 2017 Hero CPL opening ceremony THERE are reportedly plans for the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, South Trinidad to host the opening ceremony of the 2017 HERO Caribbean Premier League. The incomplete stadium had been sitting idle for the past few years but for the past year the current government resumed work to complete the facility that was named after that country’s most famous cricketer, the Trinidad Guardian reported. Once complete the gov-

The Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, South Trinidad

Guinness Greatest in the Street football

Wins for Camp Street All-Stars, Festival

City Warriors and Sparta Boss

IT was an exciting night for Guinness Greatest in the Street Football when 8 games were played on Saturday night. In the first game of the night Camp Street All-Stars defeated Stevedore 4-3 on sudden death kicks after the game finished 0-0 at the end of regulation time. Festival City Warriors defeated Up Like 2-1 despite a late game surge by the Up Like 7 side. Festival City looked like they would run away with it when Daniel Favourite and Eon Alleyne

netted in the 7th and 15th. However,when Dwayne Lowe netted in the 25th minute for the Up Like side it took resolve from the Festival City Warriors to hold out to the end. The next three matches went down to penalty kicks. North Ruimveldt defeated West Back Road 3-1 on penalties while North East La Penitence took out Leopold Street 3-2 in penalties as well. Back Circle also won 2-1 on penalty kicks when their game against Tucville finished 0-0 in regulation

time. The Broad Street Bullies defeated Bent Street 2-1 behind goals from Lennox Cort and Jimmy Gravesande in the 2nd and 22nd minutes. Bent Street’s only goal happened in the 20th minute when the Bullies scored an own goal. Meanwhile, Sparta Boss defeated Channel 9 Warriors 1-0 when Dennis Edwards scored in the 9th minute. Queen Street Tiger Bay won 2-1 on penalty kicks against Albouystown A. Games continue tomorrow from 19:00hrs.

Pietersen hails ECB Director for role in England’s progress FORMER England batsman Kevin Pietersen has put his grievances behind him and has come out in praise of former captain Andrew Strauss who is currently England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Director of Cricket. Pietersen has hailed the southpaw for England’s progress in Test cricket under his watch. Pietersen and Strauss have had a rocky relationship over the years, which started in 2012 due to the texting scandal during England’s tour of South Africa, a controversy which had was one of the main reasons for the batsman being frozen out of the England cricket set-up. The 39-year-old Strauss, who was named England’s Director of Cricket in 2015,

decided not to pick Pietersen, quickly putting an end to Pietersen’s hopes of a comeback, citing lack of trust. Pietersen, for his part, has claimed that he has moved on and that The Three Lions progress in the longer format of the game is due to the vision of Strauss. “He’s actually doing a very good job for England. He’s stuck to his principles and he’s not deviated. And England have done okay, they won against Australia, they’ve beaten South Africa in South Africa and they’ve got a huge series right now against India. I think he’s done an okay job. He’s a current player and I like that about ‘Straussy’. He’s played over 100 Test matches and

so he gets the modern day thinking”, Pietersen said to Cricket Australia. “He doesn’t really get the shorter formats of the game because he hasn’t played too much of that, but he does get the modern-day way, which I think is a really good for a position like that. I’m thumbs up with Straussy. We’ve had our issues but everyone has issues with certain people. It doesn’t bother me now. I live with a smile on my face all day, every day.” Since being ostracised from England’s national squad, Pietersen has become somewhat of a Twenty20 freelancer playing in the T20 leagues ranging from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to Australia’s Big Bash competition.

ernment is expected to bid for the opening ceremony of the CPL which will coincide with the official opening of the stadium in July 2017. “The stadium is owned by the government and, of course, the owners of the CPL will be looking to use it because it would be cheaper than the Oval,” a source told the Guardian. “The venue is world class for what it offers in terms of ‘live’ broadcast and this will be a great fit for the CPL which is called

the greatest party in sport when it comes to the game’s T20 format.” According to the newspaper, CPL rents the Queen’s Park Oval for an average of US$40,000 per day and now the government can use the facility to negotiate with the organizers to have more matches played in T&T. The stadium has been at the centre of controversy involving significant cost overruns which resulted in construction being halted for several years.

Young Yadram focused on making West Indies U-19 team - two Guyanese named in the WI U-19 training squad

By Rajiv Bisnauth

OPENING batsman, Bhaskar Yadram is focused on being selected on the West Indies Under-19 team to compete in next month’s Regional Super50 tournament. Ya d r a m i s a m o n g a 20-member preliminary squad which will undergo training from December 9-20 in Grenada, and will also receive physical assessment along with life skills sessions and mental preparation. The other Guyanese selected for the 20-man camp is Joshua Persaud. The national youth player divulged that he has achieved his first goal of making the training camp and is now focused on being selected in the final squad. “I have been working hard for a really long time and I set my mind to making the training squad after I represented Guyana at that level. Knowing that I am in the West Indies training squad and I have a chance of making the final squad makes me happy,” said the 17-year-old. The former Bladen Hall Multilateral School student said playing among the

region’s best players will be another major step in his career if he makes the final squad. “Well honestly I want to concentrate on making the final squad, I want to play and perform, and I want to make everyone happy and proud, especially those people who have been working hard with me. I want to

Bhaskar Yadram

show people the hard work they invested in me did not go to waste,” said the Enterprise resident. The Under-19s will do battle in Group A of the Super50 which runs from January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados. Title-holders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force,along with Leeward Islands Hur-

ricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and visiting English County, Kent Spitfires, have also been installed in Group A. Group B, meanwhile, comprises last year losing finalists Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Jamaica Scorpions and ICC Americas. The tournament will serve as part of the buildup for the Under-19s as they ready themselves for the defence of their ICC Youth World Cup title captured earlier this year in Bangladesh. A management team, led by head coach Graeme West and comprising Dwain Gill, Anthony Gray, Khevyn Williams and Zephyrinus Nicholas, will oversee the camp. SQUAD – Keagan Simmonds, Kirstan Kallicharan, Cephas Cooper, Navin Bidaisee, Matthew Patrick, Te-Shawn Alleyne, Johann Jeremiah, Emmanuel Stewart, Johnnel Eugene, Daneal Dupigny, Alick Athanaze, Jerellius Louis, Javier Spence, Kian Pemberton, Joshua Persaud, Bhaskar Yadram, Jeavor Royal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

I could have won more if I’d got serious: Bolt By Mitch Phillips | MONACO,(Reuters)-Looking back at his astonishing career on the night he was named Athlete of the Year for the sixth time, Usain Bolt said his only real regret was not taking his sport more seriously at an earlier age. “Maybe I would have been at four Olympics,” the superstar Jamaican sprinter told reporters on Friday before being crowned IAAF male Athlete of the Year again on the back of his amazing Rio de Janeiro Games sprint triple-triple in August. “The award is definitely a big deal, it proves all the hard work has paid off,” he said after Olympic 10,000 meters champion and world record holder Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia took the women’s equivalent. “The fans helped vote for this and it’s for the fans I keep doing it.” With nine Olympic golds in the drawer, Bolt plans to hang up his spikes next year after a farewell tour of his favorite venues. He will run the 100 metre only before competing at the world championships

in London where he will be gunning for his 12th and 13th world titles if he goes in the relay. “When I look back the only real thing I think I would change was to have got more serious more quickly,” said Bolt. “I was relying more on my talent. If I’d got more serious I think I would have done a lot more in my career. It’s shocking but it’s true. Maybe if I’d started younger I’d have had four Olympics.” Despite his multiple titles and world records, Bolt said the race that would always have a particular place in his heart was the world junior championships in his home country when he won the 200 as a 15-year-old. “That was special,” he said. “That was the beginning. Jamaica 2002, where it all began. That was the biggest step.” However, it was a defeat five years later that made the biggest impact. Bolt took the 200 silver behind American Tyson Gay at the 2007 Osaka world championships and it was a real wake-up call. “After I lost I remember going to my coach saying,

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt (left) shakes hands with IAAF President Sebastian Coe after being awarded 2016 male world athlete of the year in Monaco last Friday during the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) gala. PHOTO | VALERY HACHE | AFP ‘I really tried my best but what can I do to win because I really need to win?’,” Bolt explained. “He said: ‘You’re slacking off in the gym. If you want to win you have to get stronger.’ So I was like ‘alright’. I knew what I needed to do and from then I took the step and just worked and

worked.” SPECTACULAR STYLE Within nine months Bolt was the 100 world record holder and weeks later blasted himself into worldwide consciousness by winning the 100 and 200 and 4x100 relay at the Beijing Olympics in spectacular style.

Having found a way to win he was in no mood to stop, repeating the feat at London 2012 and, despite early season injuries, doing it again in Rio. Now 30 and with his speediest days behind him, Bolt is trimming his workrate to enjoy one last season, running a series of 100 races

only. “Next year is mainly for the fans,” said Bolt who always gives up a huge amount of time to sign autographs and pose for photos every time he races. “It’s a last opportunity for some people to see me run and a chance for me to say goodbye. I’d like to go back to some of my favorite places to run, Ostrava, Lausanne, maybe Paris.” And then that will be it. The man who has carried his troubled sport, sometimes single-handed, for a decade will step aside for the next generation. There will be no Michael Phelps-style comeback at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics either. “Oh no,” he said. “My coach said, ‘Do not retire and come back, don’t ever do that’. “It’s a bit different for swimming but for most track and field athletes it never goes well.

“I’m still talking to people about what I will do afterwards and I definitely want to stay involved in the sport but at the moment I am just looking forward to doing nothing,” said Bolt.

Brathwaite back as Barbados Pride captain BRIDGETOWN: Barbados - As expected, West Indies Test and One-Day International opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has taken over the captaincy of Barbados Pride from Kevin Stoute for the fourth round top-of-the-table Day/Night clash with defending champions Guyana Jaguars at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, starting on Friday. All-rounder Stoute led the side in the first three matches against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and Jamaica Scorpions.

Kraigg Brathwaite Te s t v i c e - c a p t a i n Brathwaite is one five West Indies players just back from the Tri-Nation One-day International series in Zimbabwe who were named yesterday in the Barbados Pride 13-man

squad. The others are batsman Jonathan Carter, wicket-keeper/batsmen Shai Hope and Shane Dowrich and off-spinning all-rounder Ashley Nurse. They replace all-rounder Kenroy Williams, who is nursing a hamstring injury, wicket-keeper Mario Rampersaud, leg-spinner Nikolai Charles, batsman Aaron Jones and fast bowling all-rounder Kevin McClean. Jones and McClean have not played for the season. All told, there were nine Barbadians in the West Indies squad in Ziimbabwe. The others were captain

Jason Holder, fellow fast bowling all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and pacer Miguel Cummins. Barbados Pride are in second position in the six-team Championship table on 33.4 points, just marginally behind Guyana Jaguars on 33.6 points. Leeward Islands Hurricanes are on 29.4, followed by Jamaica Scorpions 28.6, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 27 and Windward Islands Volcanoes 17.6. Barbados squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Shamarh

Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase. Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Omar

Phillips, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute, Jomel Warrican. Play starts at 15.00hrs in the Day/Night fixture.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday December 05, 2016)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Anthony Alleyne-443 runs (Barbados Pride) (2) 88.60 runs per innings Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has taken most wickets after third round matches of the WICB PCL? (2) What is his average per wicket? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 5, 2016

Former manager says Walters was not ready for Lomachenko ESTRANGED manager of boxer Nicholas ‘Axeman’ Walters, Jacques Deschamps, has joined experts like former middleweight champion Roy Jones Jr., in saying the boxer was not prepared for his fight with Vasyl Lomachenko. Walters failed to answer the bell for round 8 during the World Boxing Organisation Super featherweight title bout between the two at the Hotel Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. According to Deschamps in an interview with The Gleaner, “Nicholas was not prepared for his fight against

Part of the action in the Nicholas Walters and Vasyl Lomachenko fight Lomachenko, physically, mentally or technically.”

“For a fighter like Lomachenko,” he said, “you have

to be well prepared.” According to Deschamps, there should have been a two-month camp, during which, a number of aspects of fighting Lomachenko would have been taken into consideration and prepared for. “Apart from the physical aspects, Lomachenko’s style had to be taken into consideration and sparring partners should have been engaged to do what he was likely to do on fight night. I am sure that this was not done,” said Deschamps. All is not lost for Walters though, as De-

schamps believes that Walters’ ability could see him back at the top of the fight game within a year. Deschamps and Walters fell out over finances during their time together but both parties seem willing to talk, and the former believes he can still help the fighter. “Nicholas is one of the best boxers in the world, and if he applies himself the right way, he can be back to the top in less than a year,” he said. “I can get him back there, if he is willing to listen to me.”

Walters has also admitted to not being quite ready for the fight, spending too much time focussing on making sure he was the right weight, rather than the technical applications necessary for the fight. A reconnection of the two could be on the cards as well, based on the conversations Walters has had with The Gleaner. “Mr Deschamps has been very good to me and I owe him a lot. I really do not have any problem with him. We have some differences but we can talk,” said Walters.(Sportsmax.com)

St. Stephen’s finishes at the top of group D AS the Smalta 11 and Under football tournament group stage came to end yesterday,some 8 teams will move forward to the quarterfinals. In group A, North Georgetown finished at the top of the group despite being tied with West Ruimvedlt on 7 points. North Georgetown had a goal difference of plus 7 to West’s

plus 6. In the rest of the group,Winfer Gardens and Smith Memorial finished on 0 points and both had no contests since matches weren’t played. In Group B, St Agnes, St Pius and South Ruimveldt all finished on 6 points but only St Agnes and St Pius moved forward since both had a goal

difference of plus 6 to South’s plus 2. St Gabriel’s finished at the bottom of the group with 0 points. In Group C, Enterprise and St Angela’s both qualified with 7 and 5 points respectively. F.E Pollard and Stella Maris finished at the bottom of the group with Pollard finishing on 4 points and Stella Maris on

Decision not to review Smith lbw was understandable - Hesson (REUTERS)- The decision not to review a leg before wicket appeal on Australia’s captain Steve Smith was the right one at the time as there was significant doubt from even people off the field, New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said. Smith was on 14 when he was trapped in front by Trent Boult, who was convinced he had struck a major blow to Australia’s innings in the first one-day international in Sydney on Sunday. The appeal, however, was turned down by umpire Mick Martell and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson chose not to review. Television replays, however, showed the on-field decision would have been overturned. Smith, who told reporters that he felt he was out and relieved the visitors did not review, went on to make 164 to guide his side to 324 for eight before they bowled New Zealand out for 256 in 44.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. “There was plenty of chat afterwards about that,” Hesson told reporters in Syd-

ney today. “There were two sounds and the possibility of an inside edge. “From our angle we heard two noises. Macca (batting

while their death bowling was too expensive, going for 110 runs in the final 10 overs. Debutant Lockie Ferguson also bowled four no balls, gifting Australia a free hit on the next delivery as he conceded 73 runs from

Debutant Lockie Ferguson bowled David Warner in his first over. coach Craig McMillan) and I were going ‘he’s probably nicked it’ and clearly he didn’t. “Generally (Williamson) looks to the guy square on in terms of height, the keeper has a good look, is sometimes obscured, first slip sometimes has a better look and he was unsure. “All that’s got to happen pretty quickly. It was obviously pretty costly in the end.” That decision was not the only thing to go wrong, with the side making uncharacteristic errors in the field, including several dropped catches,

nine overs. Hesson, however, said a bout of cramp may have affected the 25-year-old, who still impressed with his pace that hurried up the Australian batsmen. “He conceded a lot with his extras and a lot of that was cramping and loss of stride length,” Hesson added. “Those things happen and can be tidied up pretty quickly once he gets used to that kind of intensity. “We want him to run in and bowl quick and create opportunity. We certainly saw some good signs.”

0 points. It was St Stephen’s that finished on top of group D with 9 points after winning all their games with a goal differ-

ence of plus 6. St Margaret’s, Tucville and Redeemer all finished on three points with St. Margaret’s qualifying with a goal difference of minus 2

to Tucville’s minus 4. St Stephen’s also finished on top of all the groups with their excellent performances.

I could have won more if I’d got serious: Bolt See story on page 26

Fruta Conquerors maintain lead in Elite League

The first two Elite teams to play at the MSC ground in Linden: Fruta Conquerors left and Buxton United

… beat Buxton 2-1 By Ras Wadada A young Fruta Conquerors team withstood the physical aggression of Buxton United to record their third win in the GFF-Stag Elite League when action continued yesterday at a partially water-logged MSC ground. Heavy overnight showers on Saturday that went until after lunch yesterday delayed the start of the Elite League football in the mining town of Linden. The rain-drenched MSC ground could not be marked until an hour before the opening game;forcing the game to

kick-off at 17:05 hrs. When the first game of Guyana’s top flight football finally kicked-off, neither team settled or adapted to the soft conditions and both resorted to more physical aggression in a dull first-half that ended 0-0.The two keepers were rarely called upon to make saves in a first period that accounted for few shots on target at both ends of the field. The most clear-cut opportunity was presented to Buxton in the 19th minute, but Eson Hamer could not get a boot unto the ball,

Sydney Thunder hoping for a positive outcome as Russell awaits fate

See story on page 22

Sydney Thunder are anxiously awaiting Andre Russell’s fate ahead of the new Big Bash season.

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Eon Alleyne,scorer of Conquerors first goal last night,leaves Buxton’s Okemi Edwards on his way to goal. (Ras Wadada photos) squared across the goal mouth from the left side by Dillon Wright, as he ran in at the far post to an unprotected goal. Substitute Eon Alleyne gave Conquerors the lead after seven minutes of the 2nd half when he fired in a low right-booter from inside the area that left the Buxtonian keeper flat-footed. Within a minute Buxton levelled the score after debutant goal-keeper, Leon Sealey-Yow punched an attempted shot on goal unto the body of defender Cecil Jackman and the ball rebounded into the net for the first time against the Conquerors side in the competition.The goal was,however,credited to Clive Andries.

‘Super Sub’ Kwame La Fleur then produced a sumptuous winner after collecting a perfect pass from Jermin Junor in the 78th minute. La Fleur held his composure on receiving the pass inside the area on the right side before unleashing a low-curling right-footed shot to the far post that left custodian Marks unmoved at the near post. Buxton were denied another equalizer when 18 year-old Sealy Low made a brilliant save in the 84th, diving to his left to make amends for his earlier mistake. Conquerors maintain the lead in the points table as they move to ten points after four games while Buxton suffered their third consecutive loss to be left on 3 points. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016