Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-05-2021

THURSDAY 6th May, 2021

No. 106352

COVID-19 vaccines being distributed equitably 2

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Electricity for Kamwatta, Whitewater by year end

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Preparations are moving apace with the second cut being done on the 250 acres of land for commercial trials for both corn and soya bean. The seeds will be planted in June 2021 with harvest in September 2021 (Photo sourced from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s official Facebook page)

Local recruitment agency expands operations 9 to Suriname

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines being distributed equitably ― says Director of Primary Healthcare Services

By Vishani Ragobeer THOUGH some of Guyana’s regions present unique accessibility challenges due to their geography and size, Director of Primary Healthcare Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, underscored that there have been efforts to ensure that there is equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across Guyana.

Speaking at a recent World Press Freedom Day forum organised by the United States (U.S.) Embassy in Georgetown, Dr. Hamilton highlighted that the local health ministry uses the principle of “universal health” as the basis for how healthcare is delivered across the country.

To this end, she explained that there are efforts to ensure that all health services can be accessed by people across the country.

Speaking about those efforts, Dr. Hamilton said

that in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has recorded the second highest vaccination coverage.

This region is the southernmost region of Guyana, and according to Dr. Hamilton, it is the largest region with a scattered population.

“When you think about the fact that Region Nine is second in the country

for vaccination coverage of COVID-19, that in itself should tell you that the efforts across the country are basically the same,” she said, positing: “There is no region that has benefitted than the other regions. It’s the same.”

In March, during the initial phases of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the Guyana Chronicle reported that the

Director of Primary Healthcare Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton

A village elder receiving her COVID-19 vaccine in Region Nine (Terrence Thompson/DPI photo)

geography of Region Nine and the far-flung locations of many of its indigenous communities, contributed to logistical challenges for the vaccination rollout.

Then, only healthcare workers were being vaccinated since they were a priority group, working on the frontlines. And, this newspaper reported that the few healthcare workers in the far-flung communities, such as Aishalton, were asked to travel to Lethem (the capital town in Region Nine and main commercial hub) to get vaccinated.

Travel from Aishalton in the ‘Deep South’ Rupununi to Lethem takes about three hours on a motorbike.

In March, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, explained that since the country only had a small quantity of vaccines at the

time, it was more feasible to ask the healthcare workers to travel to the central distribution point (Lethem) instead of taking just four vaccines to Aishalton. He, however, assured the nation that once Guyana secured more vaccines, there would be a broader distribution system.

Over the past few weeks, with the procurement of additional vaccines, the local health authorities have been able to expand the distribution.

In far-flung communities like Aishalton, or other communities in other hinterland regions, there have been vaccination outreach activities.

During one of his daily COVID-19 updates in April, the Health Minister highlighted that in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, there are special programmes where health teams have been going to every village and those persons who want to get vaccinated, are able to access the service.

He, however, acknowledged that there have been “peculiar challenges” in Region Eight, due to the region’s mountainous geog-

raphy. Nevertheless, several vaccination outreach activities were held in this region at the end of April.

In spite of these inherent challenges that exist, Dr. Hamilton underscored: “We cannot serve our country if we serve it in a manner in which those who are easily accessible receive more services than those who are not easily accessible.”

She affirmed that the health ministry is committed to ensuring that each Guyanese can receive “equitable, accessible and acceptable service” in all COVID-19 services and also in the general provision of healthcare.

Similar outreach activities were carried out in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Though not confronted by the geographical challenges of the hinterland regions, this region has been lagging behind all other regions in the vaccination uptake due to some degree of vaccine hesitancy.

On Sunday last, a ministerial team, including the Health Minister, visited the region, seeking to encourage people to get vaccinated. These efforts are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Electricity for Kamwatta, Whitewater by year end ―as construction of $27.5M power generation facilities commence

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and Toshao of Kamwatta village, Maurice Henry, turn the sod, as part of a ceremonial exercise on Tuesday, to mark the commencement of work at the site designated for a new power generation facility. A similar exercise was held at Whitewater village (DPI photo)

DAYS of contending with darkness are coming to an end for residents of Kamwatta and Whitewater, Region One (Barima-Waini), as the government has initiated plans to construct power generation facilities, valuing collectively $27.5 million, by the end of this year.

Efforts to “shine light on those communities” were augmented on Tuesday, when Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, turned the sod as part of a ceremonial exercise, to mark the commencement of work at the site, where the facilities will be built.

The Prime Minister, following the ceremony, said that the facilities will be

constructed and operable before the end of this year.

Completion of those facilities will see both communities getting access to reliable electricity for the first time.

Currently, electricity is supplied by generators and solar panels purchased by residents for their individual use.

The Prime Minister said that the projects are an indication that his government is one that cares for the wellbeing of Guyanese and honours its commitment to the people.

“When we campaigned, we spoke about development and we made promises to these people, now that we have formed the gov-

ernment over the last eight months, we are focused on delivering on those promises,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

Toshao of Kamwatta, Maurice Henry, said that in addition to anticipating electricity for the first time, the community is also excited about the first visit of a Prime Minister to the community.

“I feel very happy and proud because the Prime Minister came to visit us and no other Prime Minister has ever come to visit us…

I think this project will transform our community in a very important way because we’ve never had electricity in our village and I know all the residents will

be happy knowing that we will now get electricity,” Henry related.

Meanwhile, Toshao of Whitewater, Ernest Samuels, said that in addition to a Prime Minister visiting his community for the first time, he is pleased that the government is fulfilling its promises made while campaigning.

“I’m very happy and I’m very proud of the commitment by the government, because they said when they were campaigning that Whitewater will be receiving electricity to every home in our central area, and today it is the beginning of the fulfilment of that promise and the people here are very proud

and they know that it would make their lives easier because they will be able to have their appliances,” the Toshao said.

The Prime Minister, while in the region, also visited the power generation facility at Wauna Village, another small community outside of central Mabaruma.

According to Prime Minister Phillips, the Wauna facility will be upgraded and the network expanded, so that more households within the community would have access to electrical power.

While at Wauna, the Prime Minister met with a group of students at the Wauna Primary School and

also used the opportunity to meet with residents there, to hear their concerns.

The meetings were a part of the Prime Minister’s two-day visit to the region, where he installed new Boards of Directors for the power utility companies, assessed the power generation facilities and met with residents throughout various communities.

He was accompanied

by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council of Region One, Brentnol Ashley and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hinterland Electrification Company, Horace Williams. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

18-month project to motivate electoral reform gets U.S. support THE U.S. Department of State is supporting an 18-month project to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Attorney General’s Chambers regarding electoral processes, and to encourage civil society organisations (CSOs) to advocate for electoral reform in accordance with regional and international standards.

According to a press statement from the U.S. embassy, the project will be implemented by the International Republican Institute.

Through this project, GECOM, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and Guyanese CSOs will collaboratively

consolidate to improve local electoral systems and knowledge about constitutional law, establish an internal timeline to address electoral reform, improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions, and prioritise electoral and constitutional law issues, all while promoting reform through citizen engagement.

This project is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the capacity of Guyana’s governance for the benefit of all Guyanese.

It was reported that avoiding a recurrence of the destabilising five-month impasse, which followed the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, hinges on the expeditious implementation of

sweeping electoral reforms.

Guyanese, after casting their votes on March 2, 2020, had to endure an unimaginable wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections, as they witnessed alleged unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.

In this time, the patience of the electorate was tested, as electors observed what was described as attempts by the then A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition to rip the democratic fabric of the nation, with “delay tactics” which were openly criticised by a wide section of society.

It was only after the legal challenges and international

intervention that a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC Coalition got 217,920 votes.

“It is obvious that what happened last year should not happen again… I guess some changes at least in legislation concerning elections and then some of the technical practices should increase the possibility that it will not happen again,” European Union’s (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) Chief Observer, Urmas Paet, said while engaging reporters, during a recent visit to Guyana.

Some of the possible re-

forms and amendments, which Guyana could adopt, have been listed among the 26 recommendations outlined by the EU’s EOM in its final report on Guyana’s elections, which was issued on June 5, 2020.

Those very recommendations were in fact the reason for the mission’s return to Guyana, as Paet said that the plan was to engage election stakeholders and help to kickstart election reforms.

Of the 26 recommendations outlined by the EU’s EOM in its final report, there are eight priority areas which include the revision and consolidation of the fragmented election legislation; the launch of a consultation process to overhaul the com-

position and functioning of the elections commission; to develop effective legislation to regulate political financing; to foster transparency and accountability in online and offline campaigning; and to transform the state-owned media into a genuine public service broadcaster.

The mission also recommended that the country should adopt clear, written procedures for transmission and tabulation of election results; accompany any declaration of results with simultaneous publications of detailed polling station results and digital copies of all Statements of Poll; and establish a comprehensive election- dispute resolution.

Water rates reduced by 5 per cent, retroactive to March 4 FOLLOWING a public hearing last week Wednesday, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued an order granting the necessary approval for a five per cent reduction in the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) water tariff, retroactive to March 4.

In the order signed by Chairperson, Dela Britton, the PUC noted that notwithstanding the loss of revenue that would be incurred by

the reduction, it is convinced that the utility company will have enough inflow by other means to buoy it up.

“The procurement of 42,000 meters and its imminent rollout by the last quarter in 2021, will greatly aid in this regard. Lastly, commitments from various funding agencies, including the Government of Guyana to facilitate its investment activities has influenced the commission’s favourable

position in granting the application and the GWI is to be commended for its efforts,” the order stated.

reduce the water rate, GWI, on April 13, had filed an application with the PUC for the 5 per cent reduction

subsequently held, virtually, via Zoom, on April 28. At the meeting, the PUC was led by Britton, while the GWI

An external view of the GWI headquarters on Vlissengen Road

In keeping with the government’s promise in the 2021 National Budget to

on the water charges, as is required by law.

A public meeting was

presentations were headed by its Managing Director, Shaik Baksh.

The move was supported by the President of the Guyana Consumer’s Association (GCA), Pat Dial, who had joined the virtual meeting by telephone.

The hearing was held to ascertain the feasibility of the reduction and to assess the financial impact it would have on the development and operational activities of the company.

According to the order,

the company stands to lose approximately $202 million per year as a result of the reduction.

However, the company’s officials contended that several key programmes in its 2021 – 2025 strategic plan would assist the company in addressing its revenue loss.

“This includes access to water, leakage management, level of service, treatment plants, rehabilitation of the Georgetown networks, the reduction on non-revenue water and the rollout of a metering programme,” the order noted.

The aforementioned projects are expected to be funded by the government and by loan.

The utility company has also pledged that the implementation of the reduction would not have any adverse effect on the accuracy of its billing system. It noted that it will be implementing a number of strategies to address revenue collection, as the disconnection of defaulting consumers had ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, G W I pointed to assistance recently received from the government to substantially settle its outstanding debt to the Guyana Power and Light.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Post office employee tops communications programme at US university

By Rehana Ahmad

PRIOR to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the drastic shift to online learning, Thalissa Grant-McClure had enrolled to pursue a Master Degree in Mass Communication at the South Dakota State University (SDSU) in the United States.

The online programme which had a duration of two years, culminated in December 2020. This meant that much like scores of other Guyanese learners, the mother of three was faced with all the drama and violence that unfolded as a result of the country’s protracted General and Regional Elections, coupled with the frightening emergence of the deadly coronavirus.

On Saturday, Grant-McClure’s sacrifices and unwavering efforts to remain focussed will pay off, as she will be the commencement speaker for the school’s graduation, having earned the title of the most outstanding graduate of the Master of Mass Communication (MMC) programme offered by SDSU’s School of Communication and Journalism.

Currently the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), Grant-McClure said

when she started her studies she was a teacher and while she worked hard to do well, she harboured no prior intentions of becoming a graduation speaker.

“For me it was about balancing work, family, studies and my additional interests/ activities. Because I work fulltime, I had to find time to research, stay abreast with class content and complete my assignments, while being a wife and mother,” the graduate said.

Reflecting on the vigorous journey towards attaining her master degree, Grant-McClure said that studying online was extremely challenging, especially given the unreliability of internet providers and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Just as she was grooving into her studies, Grant-McClure made a move to switch careers from teaching to being the GPOC’s public relations person.

Meanwhile, as she prepares to deliver a captivating charge to her fellow students, Friday will mark the PRO’s first visit to the SDSU campus, which had played a significant role in her life for the past two years.

Grant-McClure said that although she had no intentions of being commencement speaker for the graduation, she is quite

excited to visit and serve her alma mater. “I cannot wait to be on campus,” she said.

The graduate told the Guyana Chronicle that she is quite eager to tour SDSU’s facilities to get a sense of all that she might have missed out on during her studies.

Grant-McClure said that her “shopping” process for schools examined institutions that offered flexibility and wouldn’t demand her to relocate outside of Guyana.

It was only this week that the University of Guyana (UG)’s Centre for Communication Studies launched its new Master Degree programmes.

The suite, which encompasses three areas of specialisation: Strategic Communication, Social Change Communication, and Visual Communication Studies, is part of ten new programmes being offered by the university for this academic year. Reports are that this was done in response to the growing need for quality, affordable, and pertinent postgraduate programmes in Guyana and the Caribbean.

According to a press statement from the institution, the curriculum development for the Master in Communication Studies programme commenced in 2017, with the estab-

lishment of a task force from UG’s Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), headed by Nelsonia Persaud Budhram and Denise Hopkinson.

Now, having been approved in April 2021, applications for the upcoming 2021/2022 academic year will be opened on Monday, May 10, 2021. Anyone with a good first degree, who is working in, or desirous of working in a communication-based field, and is, or aspires to be part of management-related functions is considered an ideal candidate. The programme will be delivered in a blended fashion, and will take two years to complete.

The cost of the programme is roughly US$14,500 or US$7,200 per year. Individuals interested in specialising in the first programme, entitled Social Change Communication, can look forward to mastering various communication skills associated with the design, implementation and evaluation of various projects, with the aim of creating positive social change within Guyana, the Caribbean region, and the world.

Specialised classes in the programme include: Communication and Social Change;

Community Media and Public Sphere; Conflict, Peace, and Human Rights, and Public Policy. Career opportunities created after this programme include: Social Change Communication Consultant, Policy Analyst, Project Manager, and Advocacy Officer, among others.

By enrolling in the second programme, strategic communication majors will grasp various aspects of commercial-related communication for the purpose of being able to efficiently represent their organisations. Specialised classes in this major include: Leadership Communication; Strategic Communication: Marketing, Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility; Crisis Communication and Issues Management; Public Policy and Communicating Narratives – Beyond PowerPoint. Career opportunities include: Research Analyst, Public Relations Consultant, Marketing Consultant, Corporate Communication Consultant, among others.

Lastly, visual communications majors will be equipped to master techniques associated with pre-productions, production, and post-production, with a strong focus on visual elements utilising a variety

South Dakota State University graduate, Thalissa Grant McClure

of media with the broad aim of effectively communicating stories through visual productions.

Persons will be able to design, create, and package multimedia content of the highest quality for public consumption. Specialised classes in this major include: Introduction to Visual Communication, Animation Basics, Character Design and Animation, Art of Photography, Cinematography and Sound and Light Design.

Career opportunities include: Character Animator, Motion Graphic Designer, Cinematographer, Fine Art Photographer, Sound Engineer, Video & Audio Editor, Multimedia Producer, and others.

Grant-McClure believes that UG’s announcement marks a step in the right direction for communications professionals.

Indian indentured servants remembered MAKING the 183rd anniversary since the arrival of Indian indentured servants here, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa and Minister within the Ministry of Local Governance, Anand Persaud, visited and offered floral tributes at the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra Village, Region Six. Accompanying the High Commissioner and Minister Persaud on Wednesday were Region Six Chairman, David Armogan; Region Six Regional Executive Officer (REO), Narindra Persaud and Sohan Persaud, President of Berbice India Cultural Committee.

According to a release, it was in Plantation Highbury that the first set of East Indian Indentured labourers landed on May 5, 1838. On that day, two ships, Whitby and Hesperus, landed in the then British colony (Guiana) with approximately 396 East Indians.

Signifying the importance of the Indian Arrival Day and the standing of the Indian Diaspora in Guyana, the Government of India donated the Indian Arrival Monument, consisting of six bronze statues which, was installed at Palmyra Village in Berbice during the Indian Arrival Day celebrations on May 5, 2019.

The six bronze statues depict a Hindu man, a Muslim man, a drum boy, a woman with bundle, a woman with tawa and cahary and a man with cutlass and rice plant.

The dignitaries thereaf-

ter addressed the press and lauded the contributions of East Indians to the development of Guyana. The High

ment where the first East Indian group set their foot on the land of Guyana and offered flowers at the mon-

ument. The dignitaries then addressed the gathering and remembered the contributions of East Indians in sev-

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, gifted a set of musical instruments to members of the Lonsdale Shree Rama Krishna Mandir on Wednesday

Commissioner briefed on the latest developments in the India-Guyana bilateral relations and updated on the various collaboration projects under execution as part of Indian development assistance to Guyana.

The ongoing projects and proposals under process include in the sectors of infrastructure, transportation, drainage and irrigation, healthcare, education, training and skill development and agriculture, among others. Thereafter, the dignitaries planted a palm tree in the garden around the monument.

High Commissioner and the other dignitaries proceeded to the Highbury Monu-

eral fields, since their arrival.

The High Commissioner then visited the Lonsdale Shree Rama Krishna Mandir, the first temple constructed in Guyana in 1846, and gifted a set of musical instruments, tabla and a few religious and children books to the temple for the benefit of devotees visiting the temple.

India is celebrating its 75th anniversary of Independence Day on 15 August 2022. In the run up to the celebration of this historic occasion, Government of India is organising a number of events across the world. As a part of these celebrations, High Commission of India in Guyana is organising a series of events with effect from March, 2021. These include an Essay Writing Compe-

tition conducted in March, 2021 and a virtual symposium on “India-Guyana Relations from 1838 to 2021” organised in association with University of Guyana in April 2021. In continuation of these events, the High Commission, in collaboration with prominent Indian Diaspora Organisations in Guyana, is also celebrating Arrival Day. “In observance of Arrival Day in Guyana on May 5, on behalf of the Government and people of India, the High Commission of India in Guyana extend best wishes to all Guyanese brothers and sisters. Long live India-Guyana friendship,” the release from the Indian High Commission in Georgetown said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Looking back ON May 5th, 1838, two ships-- the Whitby and the Hesperus-- arrived in British Guiana with 396 Indian indentured workers from Calcutta, India to fill a so-called large shortage following the abolition of slavery.

The arrival of these workers was one segment of a larger movement to use Indians to replace the loss of slave labour in Mauritius, South Africa, and the Caribbean islands such as Trinidad, Suriname, and Jamaica.

The indentured workers were recruited primarily from north and south India and were mainly from the low caste of Indian Hindu society. They spoke many languages including Hindi and Urdu. Women made up about 25 per cent of the workers.

The indentured workers signed labour contracts to escape the impact of colonialism and socio-economic oppression, to avoid natural disasters and civil unrest as well as to seek employment. Some were adventurous, looking for an alternative to village life. Many chose indenture on their own “free will” but an unknown number of them were duped and kidnapped into signing labour contracts by the wiles of recruiters to then British Guiana, known as Demra. After they were considered “fit and willing” to serve indenture by a medical doctor and a magistrate, they were taken to a depot, which was a world of its own, consisting of intended indentures from different caste, religion, language, and gender. From the depot, they were taken aboard the ships to be taken to British Guiana, a journey lasting about 90 days. Their sea voyage experience was dreadful: disease, death, rape, anxiety, and fear were common. The journey was like living in a floating prison and was a grim introduction

to the plantation experience in British Guiana.

Upon arrival in British Guiana, they were inspected and then distributed to various estates which ex-slaves had departed.

The indentured contracts stated that Indians were required to provide labour on a particular estate and subject to a host of arduous ordinances that trapped them in labour regimen for five years. In exchange, the plantocracy provided the indentured workers with fixed wages, basic housing, food, and marginal fringe benefits such as medical care. Upon completion of their five-year contract, they had the option to re-indenture, settle or return home. An estimated 239, 909 came to British Guiana while an estimated 75, 000 returned to India during the period of indentureship. An estimated 6,000 of them returned to British Guiana for the second time. The last ship, the Insurgent, left British Guiana in 1955 with 255 Indians.

To cope with plantation life, they relied on their own cultural resilience, especially ganwke-rishta (village relations), Dipwa-Bhai and Dipwa-Bahin (depot brothers and sisters) and Jahaja Bhai and Jahaja Bahin (ship brothers and sisters), which were associations of close social ties that cut across caste and religion.

In so doing, they created a semblance of lost India through religious observances, festivals, and feasts and were able to maintain the main aspects of their religions, namely, Hinduism and Islam. Their caste system, however, broke down in the face of pressure from a Western-oriented plantation system that did not recognise caste principles. The door on this social structure of Indians in British Guiana is effectively closed. There have been no

recognised attempts to revive or reconstruct a caste system in British Guiana. By the 1900s, the indenture system had become unpopular, mainly because of planter exploitation, continuous pressure and criticism in India, Britain, and the Caribbean that resulted in, first, the stoppage of any further influx of indentured workers in 1917 and then the abolition of the indenture system in 1920.

After indentureship, the settled Indians used their savings to buy vacant land and utilised their agricultural skills to cultivate sugarcane, rice and raise cattle. By the 1940s, Indians had made an indelible mark on the agriculture sector in British Guiana. From their agricultural base, they did not only expand their farming activities but also began to penetrate the economic and political spheres of British Guiana. Howbeit, they did not totally give up their ancestral customs, although they did make necessary adjustments to their new Westernised homeland. These once migrant workers turned settlers started to combine their old traditional ways with new ones amid population growth, equalisation of gender and the reliance on spiritualism (Hinduism and Islam) as a means of survival. This remarkable social transformation gave way to economic materialism in which the focus on material well-being in the lives of Indians inspired them to stake claims beyond their broad agricultural base.

By the Second World War, Indians had come to form the majority population in British Guiana They started to display qualities of dynamism and depth through land ownership, cultural persistence, cultural assimilation, and political participation, business engagement,

access to education (medicine and law), and strong connections with India and the Caribbean. Indians are well integrated in Guyana amid ethnic tensions. Nevertheless, they have progressed remarkably well economically; it was primarily economic incentives that drove them to indenture themselves to British Guiana. Through hard work, thrifty habits, and investment, Indians have been able to dominate the agricultural and business sectors of British Guiana. Indians also have made significant strides in maintaining and developing their institutional culture, which sprung primarily from resistance to western norms and values.

The loss of and lust for ancestral homeland as well as their deep desire for literacy and learning propelled them to reconstruct and re-create their customs whenever possible. There is a general sense of cultural awareness, assertiveness, and pride based on Hinduism, Islam, Indian weddings, music, dance, festivals, and religious and cultural centres across Guyana.

It would be myopic to think that all is well and dandy with Indians in Guyana.

Sections of Indians communities are still poor, trapped in a cycle of poverty. Indian communities have been experiencing high rates of suicide, mass migration, domestic abuse, and wealth disparity. They rely on remittances from Indians in the North American and European diaspora.

Moreover, it is no secret that Indians and Africans continue to be at odds with each other based on racial and ethnic tensions as well as the competition for political power.

Despite these challenges, Indians have contributed significantly to the building of a better Guyana.

Great honour to be a ‘mentally lazy’ Guyanese who did not vote for PNC Dear Editor,

IT is a great honour to be counted among the 233,336 mentally lazy Guyanese who did not vote for the PNC at the March 2, 2020 general elections.

Our collective mentally lazy reasons are as follows:

• the birth of the PNC is rooted in its role in destroying the first ever multi-racial nationalist working class mass movement in the 1950s because of the egotistical nature of their founder leader Burnham; • the release of CIA classified documents revealed

how the PNC, in collaboration with external forces, created mayhem and destruction in our country between 1962-1964; • the PNC under the Burnham dictatorship rigged elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and the referendum in 1978. The PNC under Hoyte

rigged the 1985 elections; • the PNC as a fulfilling prophecy attempted in the crudest and vulgar way to rig the March 2, 2020 elections. As a bunch of mentally lazy Guyanese we were unable to comprehend that in moving a no confidence motion, 34 would

have to be the majority of 65. We were also mentally challenged to fathom how out of 18 nominated Guyanese, none were fit and proper to be Chairman of GECOM but an octogenarian of Granger’s choice was suitable. However, the biggest strain on our lazy

mental capacity were the audacious and falsified results declared by GECOM high ranking officials, Mingo and Lowenfield. That really taxed our credibility as well as the international community. What is even TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

ILO issues call for ideas and solutions ― to support e-formality through skills development in Latin America and the Caribbean

THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has announced a call on innovators from all over the world to propose innovative ideas, solutions and practices that, based on the use of new technologies, support efforts to reduce labour informality by promoting skills development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This “2nd ILO Skills Challenge Innovation Call” is addressed to entities or organisations that, through the use of new technologies, facilitate the formalisation of labour and economic units through skills development.

The call, launched on May 4, aims to promote innovation in the areas of e-formality and skills development to contribute to the recovery of formal employment in the region after the massive job losses caused by COVID-19.

The ILO is looking for solutions that will strengthen skills development and improve apprenticeship systems to reach those in the informal economy. More specifically, it is seeking innovative solutions to facilitating access to social

protection, simplifying registration, improving access to finance, increasing productivity, supporting labour inspection, supporting law enforcement and giving a voice to those working in the informal economy.

pandemic highlighted the high cost of labour informality in Latin America and the Caribbean”.

It is estimated that before the pandemic, just over half of those employed in the region, i.e. around 158 million

workers in the formal economy. Similarly, informal enterprise owners are about twice as likely not to be educated or have only a primary level of education compared to those operating formally.

Against this backdrop,

“The ILO’s long history of supporting governments and workers’ and employers’ organisations in the search for efficient solutions, has shown us the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that takes into account the multiple dimensions of informality ,” said Vinícius Pinheiro, Director of the ILO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ILO Regional Director added that “the crisis triggered by the COVID-19

people, worked informally and were severely impacted by the crisis, which caused job losses, massive departures from the labour force and a sharp reduction in labour income. This impact mainly affected women, due to their over-representation in the informal economy.

According to available data, workers in the informal economy are more than three times likely to have no education or only primary education compared to

there is an urgent need to enhance skills development and ensure lifelong learning opportunities in the informal economy to foster productivity and labour formalisation. Technology can be a key tool to identify and develop innovative solutions that simplify and accelerate the transition to decent jobs.

“Promoting employability and income opportunities of people working in the informal economy is highly critical for inclusive societ-

ies, and more so in times of crisis,” explained Srinivas Reddy, Chief of the ILO Skills and Employability Branch.

“Innovations to facilitate outreach, the recognition of prior learning or digital solutions are highly needed, requiring new financing models and partnerships with employers’ and workers’ organisations,” he added.

Proposals must include innovations to be implemented in one or more countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and have the potential to be scaled up and replicated on a larger scale.

However, participating entities or organisations can be located in any country, inside or outside the LAC region.

The top two proposals will receive grants of US$30,000 and US$20,000 respectively, to implement the proposed solutions.

In addition, they will receive access to an Innovation Lab to develop their solutions into ready-to-implement prototypes, as well as an invitation to join the ILO Skills Innovation Network. (ILO)

Minister McCoy congratulates Rahubir on election as President of regional media body MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, has congratulated Guyana Press Association (GPA)’s President, Nazima Raghubir, on her election to the helm of the Caribbean Media Workers Association. “ M s . R a g h u b i r ’s achievement is a momentous one, as it ushered in the 30th annual World Press Freedom Day observance which refocused the attention of the world’s media on the critical use of Information as a public good,” Minister McCoy said in a recent message.

He said it also comes during a remarkable season of global breakthroughs for women’s leadership and is emblematic of the indefatigable strength of the Guyanese media fraternity.

“We can expect that the high standards of professionalism and advocacy exercised in her role as president of the Guyana Press Association, will be extended across the region,” Minister McCoy posited.

Gold miner murdered allegedly by wife POLICE are investigating the death of 35-year-old Dameon George, who was murdered, allegedly, by his reputed wife, on Wednesday.

According to information from the police, the body of George, a gold miner of North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), was found motionless

around 07:45 hours, with a stab wound to the ear.

The victim was immediately taken to the Baramita Health Centre, where he

Great honour to ...

more incredulous on our mentally lazy outlook is the PNC regurgitating the same legal arguments that were ruled against them by the CCJ but always hoping for a different outcome without a shred of verifiable proof.

Talk of mental laziness; • the PNC under the Burnham dictatorship was responsible for the assassination of our greatest his-

torian and world renowned revolutionary, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney. That act of terrorism by the PNC, deprived Guyana and the world at large of one of its most enlightened souls of our generation. It is an act that should never be historically forgiven.

• the PNC reduced Guyana from being the bread basket of the Caribbean to

a basket case from 19641992. We were the wretched of the earth and the nomads of the Caribbean because of economic destruction by the PNC; • it was during the PNC senseless dictatorship that the most massive brain drain occurred in the 70’s and 80’.

In those days prior to the exodus, we had intellectual giants that were Members

of Parliament. Today, it is a pantomime and tragedy to see some of the intellectual pygmies masquerading as Members of Parliament where their intellectual depth is limited to espousing racist stereotypes and pigeonholing a whole group of people as mentally lazy.

These and a host of other egregious reasons are why we will never vote or follow

was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect has since been apprehended and is in the custody of the police, as investigations continue.

FROM PAGE 6 the PNC, and for the Walton-Desirs of this world that are locked in a metal prism of their own making, it will do them good to reflect on the lyrics of the revolutionary icon Bob Marley when he sang ``Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”

Just imagine it has been 183 years since our fore-

fathers made Guyana their homeland yet we are still subjected to morally reprehensible racist drivel promulgated by intellectually bankrupt sycophants.

On behalf of the bunch of 233,336 mentally lazy Guyanese that voted for the PPP. Yours Sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Republic Bank’s parent company earns US$102.9M in first half REPUBLIC Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), parent company of Republic Bank Ltd., has recorded a profit of US$102.9 million for the first half of the financial year, which ended on March 31, 2021.

This figure represents an increase of US$21.6 million or 26.5 per cent when calculated against the US$81.3 million recorded for the corresponding period of the last financial year.

In a statement published in sections of the media, the company said that even through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has managed to perform considerably well.

Chairman of RFHL, Vincent Pereira, was quoted in the statement as saying: “These positive developments were partially offset by a reduction in the net interest margins, fees and commission income across the group. Lower interest rates, fees and commissions reflect

the group’s decisions to maintain many of the concessions granted to our customers at the inception of the pandemic.”

Contrary to RFHL’s performance, the local subsidiary, Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd., recorded a decrease in profits of $248 million in the first half of the financial year, when calculated against the corresponding period last year. It was reported that the company recorded an after-tax profit of $1.7 billion.

The decrease, the bank recognised, is as a result of reductions in net interest and other income, due to reduced levels of economic activity and the non-recurrence of certain one-off events along with an increase in its provisions for loan loss.

At the end of September last year, RFHL also recorded a 42.8 per cent decrease in revenues, when compared to the same period in 2019.

In a press release issued

then, Chairman of the company, Vincent Pereira had attributed the decline to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and related challenges that it brought on. “…. decreased economic activity, lower margins due to reduced interest rates; waiver of fees and commissions under the COVID-19 relief initiatives; increased provisioning to cover potential future losses on the loan and investments portfolios, and impairment of the remaining Goodwill held in our Barbados subsidiary,” Pereira was quoted as saying.

Despite the results recorded last year, the group, at the end of the first half of this financial year, recorded total assets at US$16.0 billion, an increase of US$1.3 billion or 8.8 per cent when compared to the total assets at the end of March, 2020.

The company noted that this was due mainly to the British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited, Vincent Pereira

acquisition and the growth in customer deposits across most subsidiaries.

Additionally, the company’s stabilization of the credit portfolio resulted in lower provisions for loan losses.

Further, the company said it is committed to supporting the recovery efforts of the economies in which it operates, even though there is uncertainty as it relates to the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pereira pledged the organisation’s support for its staff and customers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who continue to work tirelessly dealing with the effects of the recent volcanic eruption.

The Chairman related: “We want to assure you that the Republic Bank Group is fully committed to assisting in the recovery efforts. I am confident that, as in 1979, they and the economy will emerge stronger.”

Replacement of aged pipelines at Kitty almost complete AS efforts to replace Georgetown’s aged pipe network continues, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), on Tuesday, announced that ongoing works to replace a section of the network that runs from Shelterbelt to Lamaha Street, is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

The $100 million project entails the installation of approximately 700 metres of 22-inch transmission pipeline, four and six-inch distribution pipelines, installation of service connections, as well as the excavation and restoration work necessary for the laying of the pipe, which runs underground.

The execution of this project had commenced in 2017 but hiccups were encountered due to the previous contractor’s failure to meet his obligations.

The contract was terminated and legal proceedings were instituted against the defaulting contractor in the High Court.

The project recommenced in January and was initially expected to conclude by the end of March, this year; however, the deadline was extended due to inclement weather.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GWI, Shaik Baksh, and other technical officials, on Tuesday, visited the corner of Republic and Lamaha Streets, where

work being conducted by R. Kissoon Contracting Services is coming to a close.

Director of Projects at GWI, Aubrey Roberts, explained that remaining works include the installation of distribution mains on Vlissingen Road between Garnett and Duncan Streets, connecting pipelines from the various streets to the new mains, the installation of new service connections and the commissioning of the new mains.

According to a statement from GWI, the company also found, in the project areas, clogged drains, which had not been cleaned for years, and were contributing to flooding in the City. “ A l r e a d y, G W I h a s

cleared some of the drainage pipes and even installed new ones. The unclogging of the drains is an added

government has committed to providing funds for the replacement of all aged transmission and distribu-

has been severely affecting water supply to residents.

Over the past few years, the city experienced

GWI’s CEO, Shaik Baksh (right) and GWI’s Director of Projects, Aubrey Roberts, observe ongoing works to replace a section of pipeline at Kitty

benefit of the project and the changes are evident,” the statement said.

Baksh noted that there still remains much more to be done, stating that the

tion pipelines in the City; this will require significant capital expenditure.

Replacement of the GWI network in the city is a long-awaited project, as it

countless breakages to the transmission lines due to this. When this happens, water supply is disrupted in order to rectify the issue.

Guyana to host Food Systems Dialogue

THE Ministry of Agriculture will be hosting a Food Systems Dialogue on Tuesday May 11, 2021, to inform the first-ever United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit, which will take place in New York in September, 2021, the Agriculture Ministry has announced.

The dialogue will bring together participants from civil society, the private sector and from all facets of the government and non-governmental organisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), for a lively and constructive discussion on how to make the food system across all regions in Guyana safer, stronger, and more equitable.

The primary topics that will be discussed are the global status of agri-food systems and implications for Guyana; developing pathways towards sustainable food systems and the perspective from the private sector, and participants will be expected to agree on a number of ways Guyana’s food system can be strengthened, a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture stated.

The Ministry of Agriculture will afterwards submit the outcomes of the dialogue to the organisers of the UN Food Systems Summit.

The information will be used to feed into the summit’s five-priority action tracks, which are: Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; shift to sustainable consumption patterns; boost nature positive production; advance equitable livelihoods; and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Local recruitment agency expands operations to Suriname ―targets oil and gas job seekers

WITH the growing success of Guyana’s oil and gas industry, the Strategic Recruitment Solutions Inc. (SRS), on Tuesday, expanded their professional network and services to Suriname, partnering with the Humus Consulting Group.

clients grow their businesses by providing the most talented and qualified companies and personnel available on the market.

Kerri Gravesande-Bart and her husband, Lloyd Bart, are the founders of SRS. Gravesande-Bart, the Chief Executive Officer

Kerri Gravesande-Bart, co-founder and CEO of SRS

SRS, a recruitment agency based in Guyana, has trained over 200 persons, some of whom have secured offshore jobs in the oil and gas sector. The company is also well known for building relationships and helping

“We are thrilled to be working with Humus Group and doing what we love to do,” she said, adding: “Extending our portfolio to Suriname is an exciting part in our growth journey. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with the locals, ensuring that

Demis Johnn, CEO of Humus Consulting and Strategic Recruitment Suriname

(CEO) of the SRS brand said the joint venture will provide a level of services and human resources that multi-nationals require through the selection and specialised training of local companies and individuals.

capacity building of the local labour force is our main priority.”

Meanwhile, leading the joint venture at the Suriname end is Demis Johnn, the CEO of Humus Consulting and Strategic Recruitment

CIOG hosts medical outreach in Rockstone

THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), last Sunday, hosted a small medical outreach at the 18 Miles, Rockstone residence of the Sugrim family.

Residents of the Region Ten community were able to access general medical checkups, first aid training, a blood donation drive and a wide range of medical assistance.

Along with the medical services, the residents also received a number of packages that catered for their daily needs, along with clothing and footwear. Over 50 persons were able to benefit from the outreach.

According to the CIOG, the successful venture was a collaborative effort involving the Sugrim family, the Guyana Cancer Foundation, the U.S. Embassy Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP), the Rosewood Foundation and the National Blood Transfusion Services.

“Our esteem thanks to the doctors, nurses, and team of all the medical personnel who gave their time and services voluntarily for this humanitarian cause…The entire team put their best efforts forward, were very hardworking in assisting the needs of the public and CIOG thanks all for their efforts and sacrifice they made,”, the CIOG said.

Some of the Rockstone residents who benefitted from the medical outreach

Suriname. He stated that he is optimistic about the impact the company will have on the oil and gas industry.

He noted that the joint venture is seen as a natural extension of the consulting group.

“Humus stands for growth and with the next

and gas industry, it is in our trajectory to become a key partner in the industry,” he said.

He added: “We are especially excited to prepare Surinamese people to work in the promising oil and gas industry, creating a skilled and long-term local human

Humus Group co-founder, Dr. Semanthe Gits

big driver of growth for Suriname, the offshore oil

resources base. Of course, it is a challenge to compete

with the many expats from other countries who are currently dominating the job market in the sector. But with SRS Guyana as our partner, we are confident that we will succeed in getting the local content percentage up.”

Additionally, Humus Group’s co-founder, Dr. Semanthe Gits, reiterated that the new opportunities in the oil and gas sector represent a way out of the crisis that the country currently faces.

Gits said the venture will motivate the Surinamese business community to seize the major opportunities coming their way.

“The ‘ethics first’ approach of SRS is the foundation of the collaboration with Humus and will be the basis on which Strategic Recruitment Suriname will do business across different sectors in Suriname,” Gits said.

“We are ready to contribute to inclusive growth through local ownership and providing equal opportunities for citizens of Suriname,” she added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

A group of the fire victims, made up of predominantly women, paid a visit to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, on Tuesday

Counselling, support for victims of Sharon’s Mall fire

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Tuesday, sought to comfort victims of the recent Sharon’s Mall fire by assuring them that the ministry wants to help, in any way possible, to get them back on their feet.

“I can’t promise everything, but whatever and however I can support you, you can count on me. I know this is a tough one,” Minister Persaud told the group of persons who visited her Lamaha and East Streets office, on Tuesday.

you’ll need much more than this,” the minister said.

In kind, stirring remarks, Minister Persaud reassured the gathering that she understands what they are going through is not easy, especially as many of them have to provide for their families, while being single parents.

“You’ve invested a lot of your time; your finances, etc. and what I want to say is that this is just the first level of help that we’ll be offering. I am glad to be in touch with all of you so that we can help you to manage a little better,” she said, adding:

what it is that you need to get back on your feet,” Minister Persaud said.

She further told the group that in the event her ministry cannot fill a specific need, she will reach out to her colleagues in other ministries to see if they can help.

“Let us know specifically what you would need.

However, we can help you, we are ready to do that; as much as we can.

“If anyone needs counselling, let us know that too.

Just know that you can count on us here. As women, we are out there dealing with all

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, speaks with the fire victims

On April 28, a massive fire ravaged Sharon’s Mall, decimating several of the businesses housed within.

The four-storey building at King and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, was reduced to ashes, leaving persons counting their losses, which run into millions of dollars.

The group of persons, comprising mainly women, who visited the minister, were offered counselling and given a food hamper.

“You have a very special place in my heart. These hampers are just a temporary measure because I know

“As women going through this, you have a very special place in my heart.”

She called attention to the feelings of uncertainty that she knew they are experiencing and reminded them repeatedly that she is there to help and will be in constant communication with them.

“Some of you have children and businesses so we may be able to help with a few things to get you back on your feet. Everyone’s need is a little different so we will have an officer sit with you in very small groups at a time and see

kinds of things and we don’t have a network, so use this opportunity to network and support each other. This is a shared, difficult experience,” Dr. Persaud said.

A few of the women expressed gratitude to the minister and noted that they were happy to benefit from whatever help she was offering.

One woman remarked: “It means a lot to us. Most of us are single women and thank you for being there for us. You are the only one who reached out to us so far and we really appreciate it.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Sophia residents get solar streetlights

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, handing over the streetlights to residents of Sophia (DPI photo)

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on Tuesday, handed over 20 solar-powered streetlights to the residents of Sophia.

The lights, obtained through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme, would be distributed equally among each of the ‘fields’ in Sophia.

Minister Dharamlall said the exercise is in keeping with the government’s promise that it would be partnering with citizens to raise the standard of living in all communities countrywide.

“You have a strong partner in the government, and we look forward to working with you. We must get out there and work with residents of various communities to find out what their issues are and to see as much as possible to resolve those issues,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall noted that the government will do most of the ‘heavy lifting’ because it has found that many of the local democratic organs lack the necessary resources to transform the

communities.

During his last visit to Sophia, in April, residents raised concerns about the prevalence of crime there and the need for streetlights to boost security.

Tuesday’s exercise is a fulfilment of the minister’s pledge to provide lights to the community. The minister committed to taking steps to ensure that community policing groups in the area are reformed in order to deter crime.

Minister Dharamlall also called on residents to work closely with the government to develop the community.

“So, the commitment has been made, and we are playing our part to move this process forward. We look forward to your support. We would like you to enhance your lives.

“As the social services are enhanced, we’re going to see an alleviation of the problems that you all have. This is a work in progress,” he said.

The minister said the lights will be installed by skilled residents of the community.

Meanwhile, residents expressed gratitude to the minister and the government for their hard work to advance the nation, and for the lights.

In an invited comment, Odette Clarke said she has resided in ‘E’ field Sophia for over 21 years and street lights were never installed in that area.

“I am very thankful with what minister has done for us in ‘E’ field and we will put it where the dark area is,” she said.

Another resident, Marcia Nurse-Cato, also expressed gratitude to the minister for making good on his promise.

“I feel it’s a good initiative and he is not the only minister who has come here and promised, other ministers have been coming and they have fulfilled, even the President,” she said.

This initiative is in keeping with the government’s promise to implement programmes that aid in bettering the lives of Guyanese by creating safer communities, countrywide.

(DPI)

Two arrested in connection with robbery of Brazilian gold miner TWO persons have been arrested, as investigations continue into the robbery of a Brazilian gold miner, at Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Monday night.

The miner, 62-year-old Paulino De Jesus, who stayed at the Sheriff Inn Hotel, Second Street, Bartica, claimed that his passport and other important documents, $30,000 and 320 grams of raw gold, totalling $3.2 million, were stolen from his room.

However, based on police investigations, the miner was robbed before he returned to the hotel. The miner was reportedly imbibing at a nearby shop and, as he was making his way to the hotel, he was robbed.

The police, as part of their investigations, have since retrieved gold valued at $500,000. The hunt is still on for a third suspect.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Two die of

COVID-19

― 173 new cases recorded in 24 hours

THE Ministry of Health, o n Tu e s d a y, re c o r d e d two more deaths due to COVID-19, pushing the death toll to 308.

The latest fatalities are a 58-year-old female and a 65-year-old male, both from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The Ministry of Health reported that they both died while receiving medical care at a public facility.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health has recorded 173 news cases of COVID-19 from 1,156 tests conducted for Tuesday, May 4.

Of these new cases, Region One (Barima – Waini), recorded one; Region Two (Pomeroon – Supernaam), one; Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara), 23; Region Four (Demerara – Mahaica), 69; Region Five (Mahaica – Berbice), two; Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne), 37; Region Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni), 12; Region Nine (Upper Takutu – Upper Esequibo), 21 and Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Berbice), seven.

There are currently 16 persons within the COVID-19 Intensive Care

Unit (ICU), 100 in institutional isolation, 1,733 isolated at home, and 10 in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has confirmed a total of 13,829 cases of COVID-19 since it was first recorded in the country. Of that number, 2,157 are currently active; and of the 11,672 recoveries, 76 were recorded within the past 24 hours.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 6246674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.gy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Labourer feared dead after trip to Mabura creek

Labourer, Akeem Davidson

A labourer of Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10, (Upper Demerara-Berbice), identified as 20-year-old Akeem Davidson, is feared dead after a trip to Mabura Creek.

Reports are that at around 14:15 hours on Tuesday, he was bathing in a creek at Mabura, Region 10, which is located some 300 meters from the camp site he works at.

Davidson’s friend, Sheldon Vanaco, was reportedly also swimming in the creek. It is alleged that while they were swimming, Davidson dived but did not resurface.

Vanaco told investigators that he thought his friend was “playing,” but after 15 minutes had elapsed and the young man did not resurface, he became worried.

After waiting for a while, Vanaco ehreturned to camp and alerted the camp owner of what transpired; they then both went in search of Davidson but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The camp is located about five kilometers away from the Mabura Police Outpost. Police have since been dispatched to the area to search for victim, but up to midnight on Tuesday, the search yielded no positive results.

Both Vanaco and the camp owner remain in police custody and are assisting with the investigations.

Pork-knocker shot by security guard while walking by mining operations A 29-year-old pork-knocker of Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, was, on Tuesday morning, shot to his shoulder by a security guard attached to a mining company, operating at a backdam in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Kurt Walcott, the victim, said he was walking by the mining operations when he heard a loud explosion and suddenly felt a burning in his left shoulder. The pork-knocker said he then realised he had been shot.

The victim was taken to the Bartica Public Hospital where he remains in a stable condition, as further treatment is being administered.

The suspect, a security guard, was armed with a .223 rifle. He was arrested and placed in the custody of the police, but has been uncooperative during interrogations thus far. The firearm, which was used during the ordeal, was lodged, as investigations continue.

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Body cameras in the works for CJIA security staff

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

An external view of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)

IN keeping with government’s mission to boost security at the country’s main port of entry, the management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is looking to procure body cameras for its security staff.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who has responsibility for the aviation sector, made this disclosure at the commissioning of new pieces of screening equipment at the Timehri, East Bank Demerara airport, on Saturday.

Edghill related that the decision to procure the body cameras was made after a third Guyanese was recently busted at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport while attempting to smuggle birds into the United States.

According to reports, on April 30, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP) discovered 40 finches concealed in hair rollers inside a 36-year-old Guyanese man’s baggage.

While noting the “stain” these incidents have on Guyanese travellers, Minister Edghill said the CJIA security systems when checked had indicated that the man was “clean” upon inspection. This, he said, is an indication that a member or several members of the CJIA security staff would have facilitated this illegal “clearance.”

He noted that the government in combatting crime, intends to take airport and aviation security to “the next level” through the use of modern pieces of innovative technology, and, as such, the decision was taken to have the officers outfitted with “body cams” to minimize similar occurrences in the future.

“The President, Dr. Ir-

faan Ali’s administration is taking aviation security, airport security, countering the trafficking of narcotics and other illegal drugs and substances, preventing the passage of explosives and other illegal items through our airport, seriously,” Minister Edghill said.

keeping with government’s commitment to modernise and transform Guyana. He explained that the change in the physical infrastructure of the CJIA must be complemented with the technology to support innovative advancement.

Just last week four new

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

Further, he said that the hope is to have security staff who want to ensure that crime at the airport is reduced and will utilise the new security measures not just as a deterrent, but as a badge of honor in their role to secure the airport.

“We don’t want men and women who are being enticed with filthy lucre to compromise a system.

We don’t want people who would delete images and prevent prosecution.

We want people who are honest, people who are upright, people who are properly equipped,” Minister Edghill said.

Minister Edghill had noted that this move is in

pieces of screening equipment costing $400M were commissioned to help detect threats to civil aviation such as the illegal trafficking of drugs, explosives and other substances and products.

The new scanners are ideally intended to help detect these threats quickly, and to aid law enforcement in its fight against narco-trafficking at Guyana’s ports of entry. The new machines have automatic detection capabilities, and will allow the screener to manipulate and further examine anomalies detected in passengers’ luggage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Ferries to undergo massive maintenance IN an effort to alleviate serious issues plaguing marine vessels, which ply various routes across the country, the Ministry of Public Works will be embarking on a comprehensive maintenance programme which will see a number of local ferries going into “dry dock” for routine rehabilitation.

Earlier this month, the ministry, via its Transport and Harbours Department, issued invitations for persons to bid for the contract to rehabilitate the MV Kimbia, which currently operates the Georgetown to Northwest, Region One (Barima-Waini) route.

The vessel was hauled in recently for critical repairs, following the detection of a hole in the ship’s bow. Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, had said then that emergency repairs were executed by Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), at a cost of more than $16 million.

The minister had said that the cost of the works had exceeded the ministry’s expectations due to the severity of damages to the vessel.

“We had that major hole, and when we went down there, it was more than we expected; it was expensive work,” Edghill said.

He further attributed the high cost of repairs to the former administration’s failure

to adhere to the maintenance requirements for the vessels.

“A vessel needs to go into dry dock and do routine maintenance every specified period; the reason why we ended up with the emergency the other day was because they (the former Ministry of a Public Infrastructure) did not keep the routine for a significant period, so this is routine rehabilitation, maintenance,” Edghill explained on Wednesday.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill

He said that the vessels will be taken into dry dock one at a time, so as to eliminate the possibilities of hindering travel operations.

“When the Kimbia goes in, the Barima got to pick up the slack,” Minister Edghill related.

Prior to the emergency

repairs in January, the MV Kimbia went into dry dock in 2015, and only came back out in 2019. At that time, some $488 million was set aside for repairs.

At the time of recommis-

When the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government assumed office in August 2020, the ministry launched a wide and extensive investigation into a number of outstanding infrastructural projects flagged by the Office

The MV Kimbia

sioning, the then Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, had said that the repairs were outsourced to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited.

Recent investigations done by the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration revealed that the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) had been sole-sourcing and paying the company millions for incomplete and, in some cases, flawed works.

The probe had determined that the company was paid in excess of $610 million to execute repairs on a few other vessels, but to date, no works have been done on any.

of the Auditor General. So far, incomplete works on at least three vessels remain the most significant of all the highlighted projects.

Nonetheless, in an effort to increase the efficiency of water transport to and from Region One, the government recently inked a $2.6 billion contract with Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Limited from India, for the construction of an ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel to replace the MV Kimbia.

That new ferry, which is expected to be built and shipped to Guyana within 18 months, is being financed

through a line of credit and an accompanying grant from the Government of India. This was secured by the Donald Ramotar administration, prior to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Once the monies for the vessel have been expended on the project, the savings will be directed towards the construction of new stellings in Region One, namely at Morawhanna, Kumaka, and Port Kaituma.

Overall, the 2021 national budget has $500 million for the rehabilitation of the M.V. Malali, M.V. Makouria and M.V. Kimbia, respectively.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY, 6, 2021 2021 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, MAY May 6,

Test trio rewarded with central contracts after recent success

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Rookie Test players Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner and Joshua Da Silva have been rewarded with central retainer contracts for the first time, while established Test all-rounder Roston Chase, along with batsman Shimron Hetmyer and gloveman Shane Dowrich, has been axed from the new list announced yesterday by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Newly appointed Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite has also earned a red-ball contract after previously missing out due to poor form while the man he replaced, all-rounder Jason Holder, was the only player to retain an all-format contract.

In all, 18 players have been handed central retainers for the next year starting July 1, down by four over the previous period.

“I am happy for all the players who have been offered retainer contracts for the upcoming period,” said director of cricket Jimmy Adams.

“Especially pleasing was the number of players who were awarded first-time contracts in recognition of their performances during the period under review.

“I know that the 11 players who have lost their International retainers will be striving and fighting hard to get back into the teams and to earn their central contracts back next year.

He subsequently averaged 50 in the recently drawn two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua, and currently boasts a Test average of 66 from tour matches.

Bonner was one of the heroes of the Bangladesh tour, averaging 57 to end as Man-of-the-Series, before hitting his maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka in the opening Test last March.

He averages 62 in four Tests.

Da Silva, meanwhile, made an encouraging debut last December on the tour of New Zealand when he replaced Dowrich for the second Test and struck 57 in the second innings. He followed up by averaging 43 on the tour of Bangladesh before averaging 33 against Sri Lanka.

Head coach Roger Harper emphasised “strong performances” had been behind the new players on the central retainer list.

“Contracts offered for the 2021-22 period sees 18 players being retained, a decrease of four from last year.

Jason Holder is the only player to retain his all-format contract due to his strong Test and T20I performances during the evaluation period,” Harper said.

“There are several new players offered red-ball contracts earned by their strong performances during the last period. A number of players were not retained because they did not meet the minimum requirements.”

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who made his OneDay International debut last January against Bangladesh, has also been rewarded with a white-ball contract.

The 28-year-old has taken eight wickets in six matches.

Hetmyer, meanwhile, one of the shining lights of West Indies cricket, has found himself without a contract having played precious little international cricket recently while Chase, vice-captain on the Test tour of New Zealand five months ago, has also found himself out of an all-format contract.

Since the start of 2019, the right-hander has averaged only 21 with the bat in Tests and 33 in ODIs. Dowrich, who abruptly left the tour of New Zealand for personal reasons and has not played again since, joins batsman Shamarh Brooks in losing his red-ball contract.

Rovman Powell, who captained West Indies on an ODI tour of Bangladesh as recently as two-and-ahalf years ago, has lost his white-ball contract along with Sunil Ambris, Sheldon Cottrell, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd and Oshane Thomas.

While CWI has not revealed the value of the central retainers, up until three years ago an all-format deal was worth between US$150 000 and US$200 000, while a red-ball contract worth US$100 000 to $140 000 and a white-ball contract, US$80 000 to US$120 000.

23 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Eight England players return home, Australians to wait in Maldives or Sri Lanka

By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Eight England players returned to London yesterday after the abrupt suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with tournament organisers planning an airlift to Maldives or Sri Lanka for the stranded Australian cohort.

Hours after the lucrative cricket league was suspended on Tuesday because of India’s COVID-19 crisis, the English members of the Delhi Capitals squad rushed to Delhi from Ahmedabad to catch a flight to Heathrow.

Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Billings, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Jason Roy and Curran brothers Sam and Tom landed yesterday morning, an England spokesman told Reuters.

“They will now quarantine in government-approved hotels,” he said.

Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler is among the eight England players who returned to London after the IPL was postponed on May 4 (PTI/BCCI/IPL Photo) England’s limited-overs gent of Australian playcaptain Eoin Morgan, bats- ers, coaches, umpires and man Dawid Malan and media pundits will have to all-rounder Chris Jordan wait longer, though, to get would leave India in the next home, in the face of a ban on arrivals from India until 48 hours, he added.

The 38-strong contin- at least May 15.

Canelo Alvarez says he’s just focussed on winning

CANELO Alvarez (55-12, 37 KOs) had the media all to himself on Tuesday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, the stadium he’ll face Billy Joe Saunders (33-0, 14 KOs) for the WBC, WBA Super and WBO titles on Saturday night live worldwide on DAZN and distributed by TV Azteca in Mexico and Latin America. Saunders was a no-show in protest of the ring size.

“He thinks he’ll give me a boxing lesson?” said Boxer Canelo Alvarez says he is just focussed.

Alvarez. “We’ll see. I am not the same guy I was five or six years ago. I have experience. I am a more mature fighter. So he can say whatever he wants, on Saturday night, he is in a different level of fight. I hope that I don’t need the judges on the night.

“We have always been open about what are short- and long-term plans have been. I want to unify the 168lb division, and Caleb Plant would be next in line to secure that short term goal if successful against Billy Joe Saunders “The goal is to be undisputed at 168lb and then we’ll see. I think I could stay at Super-Middleweight until the end of my career. I think I have about seven years left until I retire, but I’m listening to my body and when it tells me to quit, I’ll quit.

“Nothing frustrates me; I am just focussed on winning on Saturday. He has to fight me on Saturday. That has to happen, it’s not a problem.

“I don’t care about anything; I am just going to go in there and do my job. Saunders has come up with other excuses, he’s had plenty of excuses, but I am just going to go in there and do what I have to do.”

“We have faced everyone, lefties, righties, champions, former champions, so to us this is nothing new,” added trainer Eddy Reynoso. (Fighnews)

Cricket Australia (CA) said there was a plan to get them out of the pandemic-ravaged country by chartered flight “in the next two or three days”.

“What the BCCI is working to do is to move the entire cohort out of India where they will wait until it’s possible to return to Australia,” CA interim chief executive Nick Hockley told reporters in Sydney.

“That’s now narrowed down to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The BCCI is committed not only to the first move, but also to putting on a charter to bring them back to Australia.”

The CA official refused to speculate if the league could resume this year “I think it’s premature to speculate on that,” he said.

“At the moment, the BCCI is very focussed on getting all the players, not just the Australians, home

safe.”

Chennai Super Kings’ Australian batting coach Mike Hussey, who has tested positive for COVID-19, will stay back to complete his quarantine period in India.

Players’ union boss Todd Greenberg said the cricketers were under an “enormous amount of stress” in India.

“The public will see our best Australian cricketers as almost superheroes ... but they are human beings,” the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association said.

MOUNTING TOLL India’s coronavirus deaths rose by a record 3 780 during the last 24 hours, a day after it became the second country to cross 20 million infections, after the United States.

While the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has promised

safe passage for the players and officials, New Zealand Cricket said all of their players were isolating in team hotels in India.

An NZC spokesman said captain Kane Williamson and several of his team mates had already been booked to join rest of the Test side in England next month.

“We haven’t got the finer details of that sorted yet.

We’re working now with the ECB (English cricket board) and BCCI to arrange flights to get them over to England,” the spokesman said.

New Zealand players’ union boss Heath Mills said the cricketers were “pretty anxious now and pretty keen to come home”.

“They are working with their IPL franchises and some franchises have been good at assisting and others haven’t,” Mills told media.

Griffith wins 60-mile cycling ...

FROM BACKPAGE

seventh, Michael Anthony eighth, Jaikarran Sukhai ninth and Steve Fernandes 10th.

The race commemorated the birth anniversary of the late Jason Choweenam (the younger brother of Paul), who was a successful junior cyclist in the 1980s.

Jason died in 1998 at the age of 24.

Although the second half was a battle between John and Griffith, for the first half of the race they played catch up as the quartet of Fernandes, Choweenam, WalRACING TIPS American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Overdressed Race 2 Back Channel Race 3 Great Workout Race 4 Miss Alex Race 5 Dangerous Edge Race 6 Snow’s Island Pimlico Race 1 New York One Race 2 Deshackled Race 3 Forloveofcountry Race 4 Joseph Race 5 Stir Crazy Race 6 Olive’s Bumpa Race 7 Virgina Beach Race 8 Dashing Circles English Racing Tips Chester 08:45 hrs Jabbarockie

ter-Grant Stewart and Sukhai were in control.

The foursome built a one minute plus lead. In the latter stages of the ride down, Andrew Hicks managed to pull away from the chasing pack, but then that group, which included Griffith and Briton John changed into second gear and the chase was on.

As they turned at the halfway mark, it was obvious that the leaders would be caught.

When the senior riders were caught, it was by the two top finishers and Ridley and the seven rode on for a short while before John

surged ahead with Griffith following him close behind.

Both youngsters were short-listed for the Caribbean Road Race Cycling Championships scheduled for Cuba in June and both will look to continue their rivalry when the GCF host the three-stage National Independence Championships next weekend.

Pre-race favourite and the winner of the last GCF competition Jamual John suffered a puncture in the first half and opted to drop out of the race.

09:15 hrs Yibir 09:45 hrs Aquaman 10:15 hrs Japan 10:45 hrs Al Madhar 11:15 hrs Zoltan Star 11:45 hrs Sonning

14:50 hrs Murhib 14:20 hrs Allegranza

Worcester 08:30 hrs Storm Home 09:00 hrs Legend Zorro 09:30 hrs Glance From Clover 10:05 hrs Meep Meep Mag 10:35 hrs The Composeur 11:07 hrs The Tin Miner 11:40 hrs Nye Bevan Chelmsford City 11:50 hrs Red Mirage 12:20 hrs Arion Fox 12:50 hrs Velvet Vista 13:20 hrs Big Wing

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:50 hrs Kissing Booth 09:20 hrs Royal Wulff 10:00 hrs Way Of The World 10:30 hrs Sea Ways 11:05 hrs So They Say Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 11:20 hrs Gypsy Island 11:55 hrs Land Jet 12:25 hrs Espion Du Chenet 13:00 hrs Pilbara 13:30 hrs Flurry Yeats 14:00 hrs Golden Bidar 14:30 hrs My Immortal

24 24

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Manchester City:

Guiding club to first CL final ‘now makes sense’, says Guardiola

`MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola says guiding the club to a first Champions League (CL) final “now makes sense” of his five-year spell in charge at Etihad Stadium.

Riyad Mahrez’s second-leg double against Paris St-Germain secured a 2-0 win and sealed a 4-1 aggregate victory.

The Blues are one win away from a third league title under Guardiola but he had failed to steer them past the quarter-finals in Europe until this season.

“This is remarkable,” said Guardiola.

“People believe it’s easy to arrive in the final of the Champions League. Getting to the final now makes sense of what we have done in the past four or five years.

“Every day these guys have been consistent. We scored a goal through the hips (of the defensive wall) in the first game, and today Marquinhos hit the bar in the first half - you can be out for little details.

“Manchester United

NBA action …

Pep Guardiola won two Champions League trophies at Barcelona but this will be his first final in 10 years.

won a title because of John Terry’s slip and scored in the last minute against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid won a title against Atletico in the 93rd minute.

It’s a competition that is so difficult and something in the stars is involved in that.

“I want to thank the owner, the chairman and the staff at the club. This club is about all the people that work be-

hind the scenes, it’s not just about money. If you want to think that then you are wrong.”

Guardiola’s side have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in the past three seasons by Lyon, Tottenham and Liverpool and lost in the last 16 to Monaco in his first campaign in charge.

Anthony makes history, New York Knicks continue impressive run

RUSSELL Westbrook and Stephen Curry shone while Carmelo Anthony made history in Monday’s NBA action - but the night belonged to the New York Knicks who recorded their 12th win in 13 games.

The Knicks’ impressive run was extended with a 118-104 win over Memphis Grizzlies, with Julius Randle top- scoring on 28 points.

Westbrook posted his 32nd triple-double of the season with 14 points, a career-high 21 rebounds 24 assists as Washington Wizards won 154-141 against Indiana Pacers.

Curry scored 42 - his ninth 40-plus point haul of the season - in Golden State Warriors’ 123-108 victory over New Orleans Pelicans.

And there was movement in the history books as Anthony rose to 10th in the NBA’s all-time scorers list, after his 14 points for Portland Trail Blazers put him on 27 318 career points, surpassing CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Elvin Hayes.

(Thursday May 06, 2021) “Top 10 in anything of all-time is a special thing,” Anthony said after COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRI- Blazers’ 123-114 defeat by Atlanta CAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbell- Hawks. ville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) “I don’t want to take this moment for granted.

I understand how big this Answers to yesterday’s quiz: moment is.”

(1) Sachin Tendulkar-49 ODI centuries (IND) Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers (2) Chris Gayle-25 ODI centuries (WI) ground out a 93-89 victory over the Today’s Quiz: visiting Denver Nuggets without (1) Who scored the first ever Test century?

(2) Who is the first WI to hit a Test match hun- star player LeBron James, who was dred? resting a sore ankle. (BBC Sport) Answers in tomorrow’s issue

They are playing in the Champions League for a 10th successive season and had only once before reached the semi-final stage, losing 0-1 over the two legs to Real Madrid in 2015-16 when they were managed by Manuel Pellegrini.

When the difficult times come, we step up’

City fell behind in the first leg in Paris when Marquinhos headed home a corner, but fought back in the second half to earn a 2-1 advantage.

Mahrez, who scored the winning goal in Paris, was again the star in Manchester, slotting under Keylar Navas in the 11th minute, before rounding off a scintillating counter-attack just after the hour mark.

Just like in the first leg when former Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off, Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG side were reduced to 10 men after Angel di Maria stood on City midfielder Fernandinho after the ball went out of play “We could have scored more,” Mahrez told BT Sport. “They lost their nerve and started to kick us and after the red card it was more comfortable.

“We didn’t concede much and I think that’s why we’re in the final.”

Kyle Walker, who was part of a back four that kept their eighth clean sheet in this

season’s competition, said he was “buzzing” and “it is what you dream about”.

“In big occasions there are going to be nerves - we have to control that,” the right-back said.

“We go back to Anfield (in 2018) and throwing it away in the first leg. The second year we are at Tottenham (2019) and lost in the first leg before chasing it here. Last year (against Lyon) it was different over one leg - a proper cup game.

“To finally get the victory over there and then come here and win is full credit to this squad.”

Ruben Dias, who joined the Blues from Benfica in the summer, said the two legs showed the “real character of the team”.

“When we went in to half-time in Paris losing 0-1 and we put on a show that says the most about our team,” the Portugal international told CBS Sport.

“When the difficult times come, we step up.”(BBC Sport)

Ex-Australia Test bowler MacGill kidnapped for ransom - reports

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Australian police arrested four men in dawn raids yesterday in connection with the alleged kidnap and assault of former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill, media reported.

The 50-year-old former leg-spinner was allegedly abducted near his home in Sydney on April 14 and taken to another part of the city where he was beaten and threatened with a gun, the media said.

New South Wales (NSW) state police, who verified the abduction reports but declined to identify the victim, said the man was freed an hour after his capture and no ransom was paid for his release.

“Our belief is that the motive was purely financial.

He was seen as someone that they could get money from,

Australia’s MacGill prepares to bowl delivery during practice at Kingsmead in Durban.

although no money was paid prior to him being released,” Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Holton told reporters in Sydney.

The victim did not sustain any serious injuries but due to the traumatic experience he filed a police complaint six days after the attack, Holton said.

Police said the victim knew one of his captors.

Four men - aged 27, 29,

42 and 46 - were charged ahead of court appearances yesterday where media reported they did not apply for bail.

MacGill played 44 Tests for Australia between 1998 and 2008 and probably would have earned many more caps had his career not coincided with that of fellow spin-bowler Shane Warne.

“Stuart’s a wonderful former Australian cricketer and a member of the ACA,” Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Todd Greenberg told a news conference.

“My primary concern for Stuart today is his well-being. We’ve reached out to him ... and my primary message to him was to make sure he was all right.”

25 25

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Four outstanding medical workers honoured by RHTYSC teams

THE 11 cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation on Tuesday honoured four outstanding medical workers from the Port Mourant Hospital.

The four workers were selected by the administration of the hospital, based on their performance and commitment over the last year.

A team of RHTYSC executives including vice-president Mark Papannah, secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, assistant/ssecretary/CEO Simon Naidu and organising secretary Ravindranauth Kissonlall visited the institution to host a simple presentation ceremony for the 3rd Annual Tribute to Medical Workers Programme.

The four workers honoured were Dr Rafeek Rahaman. Medex Sheliza Shultz, Nurse Venisa Persaud and driver Nigel Trotz.

Foster stated that in 2019, he was a patient at the hospital and over the course of his eight-day stay, and he was very impressed by the

high level of professionalism among the staff and commit-

,,. Another donation made to Port Mourant Hospital.

The awardees, along with Doctor In Charge Dr Sukhdeo, Administrator Shaneeza Nabi and RHTYSC’s Ravindranauth Kissoonlall, after the presentation.

ted the RHTYSC to assisting as much as possible and to also host an annual award to honour the best of the best.

Over the last three years, a total of 23 staff members have been honoured for out-

standing performance and Foster, who is also the president of Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), pledged that the club would continue to host the awards in the future.

He urged the awardees to uphold their high standards and reminded them that the health of the nation is the wealth of the nation. The long-standing club official stated that the professionalism of the Port Mourant Hospital was unmatched across the country, along with its general appearance.

New boy shatters record with stunning Test debut

LEFT-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama claimed a match-haul of 11 wickets in a fairytale debut, as he bowled Sri Lanka to a 209-run victory, and a 1-0 series win, in the second Test against Bangladesh in Pallekele.

The hosts took just over an hour on Monday to claim the last five Bangladesh wickets, with Jayawickrama claiming three of them for a second-innings haul of 5-86 after he took 6-92 in the first innings.

He is the first Sri Lankan to take a 10-wicket haul on his Test debut and his match figures of 11-178 are the tenth best by a debutant in history.

The previous Sri Lankan record was the 8-44 taken by Akila Dananjaya in Dhaka three years ago, also against Bangladesh.

Jayawickrama is also the first debutant since India’s Narendra Hirwani in 1988 to take a five-wicket haul in both innings.

“There was a bit of pressure ahead of the debut, but the captain and the senior players really helped me,” Jayawickrama, 22, said after being adjudged player-ofthe-match.

Replying to Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 493-7 declared, Bangladesh were all out for 251.

Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 194-9, setting the tourists a daunting victory target of 437.

Bangladesh made just 227 in response.

Home captain Dimuth Karunaratne heaped praise on Jayawickrama and young off-spinner Ramesh Mendis, who claimed four wickets in the second innings.

“Praveen was fantastic and Ramesh too,” said Karunaratne, who won the player-of-the-series award for his scores of 244, 118 and 66 in three innings.

“I think they need to play Test matches regularly and build confidence, and if they

do that, they will fill the shoes of Dilruwan (Perera) and Rangana (Herath) for sure.”

Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque rued losing the toss on a flat wicket which he felt determined “50 per cent” of the outcome, but was also disappointed with their own batting effort.

“We lost this Test in the first innings when we were bowled out for 250. We should have batted better,” he said. (Cricket.com. au) Best bowling on Test debut (since WWII) 16-136 – Narendra Hirwani, Ind v WI, Chennai, 1988 16-137 – Bob Massie, Aus v Eng, Lord’s, 1972 12-358 – Jason Krejza, Aus v Ind, Nagpur, 2008 11-130 – Mohammad Zahid, Pak v NZ, Rawalpindi, 1996 11-145 – Alec Bedser, Eng v Ind, Lord’s, 1946 11-178 - Praveen Jayawickrama, SL v Ban, Pallekele, 2021.

Foster made special mention of Dr Rahaman and Nurse Persaud, who were among the workers who had looked after him during his stay three years ago.

He noted that the nation was blessed to have such outstanding medical workers during the ongoing pandemic.

Each of the awardees received a plaque, Medal of Excellence, framed certificate along with three special gifts.

The 11 cricket teams also handed over a bicycle and a trolley to the management of the hospital as part of their annual Basil Butcher Trust Fund project.

The bicycle would be used by the porters at the institution to fulfil their duties while the trolley would be used to move around the EKG machine.

Naidu disclosed that over the last three years, the club and its cricket teams have made numerous donations to the hospital in an effort to assist management to fulfil its mandate to the general public.

The club would also be providing some Mother’s Day hampers to the hospital for outstanding mothers working there.

Medical Doctor in Charge, Dr Sukhdeo, expressed gratitude to the club for its assistance over the years and congratulated the awardees on being selected.

Dr. Rahaman, speaking on behalf of the awardees, pledged to uphold their high standard in the future and also congratulated RHTYSC on the outstanding work, it was doing across the county of Berbice for youths and the less fortunate.

The 11 cricket teams of the club are Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes U-15, Bakewell U-17 and Second Division, Pepsi U-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Vitality Inc. U-23, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour U-21 and First Division.

400*, brilliant Bridgetown...

FROM PAGE 27

In October 2003, Australia’s Matthew Hayden had eclipsed Lara’s 375 with a score of 380 against Zimbabwe at the WACA. In April the following year, Lara did what no player in Test history ever has. He reclaimed the record for the highest score in the format, doing the unthinkable but seemingly inevitable as he scored Test cricket’s first 400.

Almost 10 years on from torturing England at St John’s when he first claimed the record, he dealt out similar punishment to the same opponents at the same ground to make his unbeaten 400.

It was an innings played with haste throughout. The first 50 runs came in just 61 balls, the first 100 in 131. By the time he reached his triple-century, he had faced 404 deliveries, hitting 36 of them to the ropes.

On day three he belted Gareth Batty into the stands to equal Hayden’s 380 and on the next he went past the Aus-

tralian, kissing the St John’s pitch in gratitude afterwards.

He brought up his quadruple-century after the lunch break, declaring the West Indies innings at 75-5.

It was not enough to conjure a victory for the hosts but it did ensure they avoided a series whitewash.

Test: 226 against Australia at Adelaide Oval, 2005 Fittingly, we round out this list where we started it.

In Australia.

In his final Test on the Australian soil where he had first announced himself as a star, he scored a brilliant 226 off 298 at the Adelaide Oval.

Incredibly, despite coming out to bat at No.4, he raced to his double-century on the opening day’s play.

By lunch, he was only on 27 off 67 balls. Whatever he had during the interval worked magically, as he belted 175 runs off 199 deliveries across the final two sessions of the day.

An attack featuring Warne, McGrath, Brett Lee

and Stuart MacGill was not meant to be played that easily.

That much was shown by the fact the next highest score in the West Indies’ total of 405 was Dwayne Bravo’s 34.

On day two Lara claimed one more record in a glittering career, going past Allan Border’s tally of 11 174 for the most runs in Test cricket.

“It’s a great feeling,” Lara said. “With stuff like this you’d like to do it in front of your home crowd but it’s special with Allan Border being an Australian. The reception this morning was excellent and it’s really touching to be appreciated by a country I’ve had great battles with throughout my career.”

Border was effusive in his praise of the West Indian after the record was broken.

“I have had the pleasure of seeing him play a lot of cricket and there is no doubt he is a genuine genius,” Border said. “I am sure I am not the only Australian who is pleased to see him hold this record. (ICC)

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

Four youths in Linden receive bicycles from Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund

By Joe Chapman

ON Tuesday at the presentation of four bicycles to youths who are aspiring to become national cricketers, vice-president of the recently elected Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) Andrew Forsythe said the choosing of the youngsters would signal a balance in terms of the distribution.

Handing-over was done at the residence of cricket enthusiast Compton London, on Greenheart Street in Mackenzie, Linden.

In his opening remarks Forsythe stated: “We know the history of the Butcher Family in relation to Linden.

As you know Basil Butcher was once a former manager at the Demerara Bauxite Company and lived with his family here in Linden.

The Butchers also operated a business in Linden, so we are very pleased that the Butcher Family is still thinking of the people of Linden and Region 10.”

According to Forsythe, it was also his duty as vicepresident of the UDCA to note that the vice-president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Hilbert Foster was very influ-

From left: Mark Greenville, Mrs Pamela Butcher, Jade Simmons who was presented with the bicycle, Andrew Forsythe and Compton Parkinson.

ential in terms of this presentation which is being made on behalf of the three sons of Basil Butcher, in collaboration with the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund.

Forsythe added that the UDCA is pleased and happy with this gesture and looks forward to other agencies and business persons to make other such presentations. “We know that hard ball cricket has

died but this newly elected UDCA and I as vice-president will bring back this aspect of cricket to this community and Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice) as a whole.”

Mrs Pamela Butcher, wife of the late outstanding West Indies middle-order batsman Basil Butcher, was on hand to make the presentation of the bicycles to the four youngsters on behalf of her three sons

Chelsea set up all-English Champions League final

CHELSEA will face Manchester City in the Champions League final in Istanbul after convincingly overcoming a fading Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

On a night of high tension, even behind closed doors, Chelsea fully deserved a victory that sets up an all-English final against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders on May 29.

Thomas Tuchel’s hosts were grateful to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for two fine first-half saves from Karim Benzema but they were able to build on the 1-1 draw they achieved in Madrid when Timo Werner headed in from almost on the goal-line in the 28th minute after Kai Havertz had lofted a finish on to the bar.

It set the platform for a second half of total Chelsea domination that was nevertheless laced with anxiety as the hosts missed chance after chance to put the game to bed.

Real’s former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved from N’golo Kante and Havertz, who also headed against the bar, while Mason Mount shot wildly over the top when clean through.

It was Mount, though, who finally sealed Chelsea’s place in their first Champions League final since they won the competition in 2012.

The outstanding Kante, who was also instrumental in the opening goal, fed substitute Christian Pulisic and his cross was turned in by Mount with five minutes left.

The result adds another chapter to the remarkable transformation under Tuchel since he succeeded the sacked Frank Lampard in January - and gives him the chance to make amends for the 2020 Champions League final, when his Paris St-Germain side lost to Bayern Munich.

Chelsea take all the plaudits Chelsea’s win over two legs was almost as emphatic as Manchester City’s dismissal of PSG in the other semi-final. The Champions League has two high-quality finalists.

Tuchel’s side, totally rejuvenated under their impressive German manager, were starting to assume dominance as the first half drew to a close before totally over-running a Real side that suddenly started to look their age in the face of the energy of Havertz, Werner and Mount - as well as Pulisic when he came on - allied to the all-round brilliance of Kante in midfield.

Mendy played his part with those crucial interventions from Benzema, with Antonio Rudiger also a rock, but the home goalkeeper was virtually redundant after the break as Chelsea produced a terrific display of skill and intensity.

The only downside was their failure to take one of the many chances they created until late on, leaving the door open for a potential reprieve for Real that would have amounted to grand larceny given how they were being let off the hook.

- Basil Jr, Brian and Bruce.

She was pleased to attend the simple handing-over ceremony.

“On behalf of the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust and the Rosehall Town and Sports Club, I would like to make this presentation in collaboration with my three sons. I hope the kids make good use of the bicycles and try to do their best to become

the cricketers that this town will be proud of,” were the brief remarks made by Mrs Butcher.

The recipients were chosen from across the Town of Linden. They are 18-yearold Aaron Lewis of Amelia’s Ward, 13-year-old Josiah Boston of the Linden Constabulary area and who attends the New Silvercity Secondary School, Joshua Manbodh aged 15 years of Mackenzie High School and who resides at Speightland and 15-year-old Ms Jade Simmons of Coomacka Mines.

The GCB’s Community Development Cricket Officer and former national pace bowler Mark Greenville spoke also, noting the thrust that will be placed on developing the sport at schools and youth levels, as the GCB aims to revamp the sport in Linden and it’s environs.

Greenville, who also hails from Linden, said “I am disappointed with the state of cricket in Linden.”

He said while he was among the last set of players from Linden to play for the senior national team, he was certain others with the ability were unable to do so; not because they did not have

the talent, but that the opportunities were not given to them and “because of certain people and grounds being not available.”

Grenville continued: “We are looking to develop male and female players in the area.”

It is hoped, Greenville said, that the bicycles will be used to have the youngsters attend cricket training and school for their academic studies.

Grenville announced that he intends to have training and eventually have competitions at the Under-15, U-17, U- 19 and Under-23 levels. But an effort will also be made to attract players in the Under-10 age category Former Mackenzie Sports Club cricketer Compton London, who played with Butcher when he first visited Linden as a coach with the Bauxite Company, expressed the hope that with the regularisation of the sport this national sport will be played once again at a competitive level.

London noted emphasis will have to start at the level of the schools and various age groups.

Coe says Tokyo organisers delivered on COVID-19 protocols

By Chris Gallagher SAPPORO, Japan (Reuters) - World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe yesterday gave Tokyo Olympic organisers high marks for a marathon test event they staged in Sapporo, saying they were able to deliver both on the operation of the race and on their COVID-19 counter-measures.

The Sapporo Challenge Half Marathon 2021 was held yesterday as a dress rehearsal for the marquee Olympic event with less than three months before the Summer Games begin.

Six international athletes participated in the event in the northern city and had to go through stringent testing protocols before and after entering Japan.

“The organising committee here not only demonstrated the ability to stage an event on the field of play, it also demonstrated the ability to deliver across other complexities including, of course, the COVID-19 protocols,” Coe told a news conference.

All participants, including staff and media, had to log their temperature and answer a health questionnaire daily in the week leading up to the event, either through a mobile app or on paper.

Organisers urged spectators not to come and watch the race, with event staff holding signs reading: “To prevent infection, please refrain from watching.”

Nevertheless, a handful of observers turned out for a glimpse of the action.

Staff wore masks and sometimes face shields and plastic gloves.

Japan is battling a resurgence in coronavirus infections, and organisers are wrestling with how to hold the world’s biggest multi-sporting event safely with about 15 000 athletes expected to participate.

They have already decided not to let in international spectators, and have said they would decide by June how many local spectators they would allow into venues, if any.

“Everybody of course, the athletes particularly, will hope for spectators but I think they recognise that if that’s not possible, then the Games will still take place and the competition will still be extremely good,” Coe said.

“And of course the athletes are now used to competing in stadia where there aren’t any crowds.”

Coe, who was the chief organiser of the 2012 London Games, said it was important that the Olympics were delivered successfully and safely.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 6, 2021

400*, brilliant Bridgetown, and eclipsing Sobers: 10 of the best from Brian Lara AT the end of his 17-year international career, Brian Lara asked one simple question: “Did I entertain?”

On his 52nd birthday, we look back at 10 innings that prove he most definitely did.

Test: 277 against Australia at the SCG, January 1993 Having made his debut in late 1990 against Pakistan, Lara’s next Test did not come until 1992; such was the strength of the West Indies XI in that era.

Once a long-term opening arose in the batting order in 1992, he quickly made it his own, returning to the side with a half-century in South Africa.

But it was in his fifth Test that he announced himself, scoring a brilliant 277 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It was the highest maiden Test century since 1964.

It was simultaneously a thrilling innings and a series altering one. Down 1-0 after the first two Tests, the West Indies were in trouble at 31-2 in the third match. In the company of captain Richie Richardson, Lara dragged the tourists out of trouble as the pair combined in a 293-run stand.

The rookie took just 125 balls to raise his ton and carried on the run-scoring after his captain departed.

“I can hardly remember my hundred,” Richardson said afterwards. “It was difficult playing and being a spectator at the same time.”

By the time Lara fell he had hit 38 fours, with his 277 runs coming at a strike rate of 74.46. To put his effort in context, that is as many fours as Australia had hit in their first innings.

The match would end in a draw, and with Australia’s momentum halted, the West Indies went on to win the next two Tests and take the series 2-1.

ODI: 153 against Pakistan at Sharjah, 1993 By late 1993, Pakistan’s bowlers were sick at the sight of Lara.

In February, he had played them with ease at Durban, scoring 128 in an ODI tri-series featuring South Africa.

The following month he dealt

out similar punishment in Kingston, scoring 114 off 116.

He followed that up with an unbeaten 95 at Queen’s Park Oval.

On November 5, in the final of a tri-series in Sharjah, Pakistan went with their latest plan to try and contain him, with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis bowling outside off with a packed offside field.

Chasing a sizeable target of 285, Lara knew he could not afford to wait out the Pakistanis and simply backed himself to beat the field. He pounced on anything fractionally short with his cuts and pulls and drove anything too full. Even deliveries that had nothing wrong with them found themselves racing away to the ropes.

Eventually, he perished for 153 off 143 but by then he had already made victory for the West Indies an inevitability.

Test: 375 against England at St John’s, 1994 For 36 years, Sir Garfield Sobers’ unbeaten 365 had stood as Test cricket’s highest-ever score.

On April 18 1994, Lara claimed the record for the first time in his career. Having shown a knack for turning starts into big scores with his maiden century, in his 16th Test Lara scored 375.

Taking on England, he reached stumps on day one unbeaten on 164, with the West Indies cruising at 274-3.

A 179-run stand between Lara and Jimmy Adams had resuscitated the innings from 12-2.

If day one was long for England, day two was torturous as Lara marched on to 320, with the West Indies only losing one wicket by stumps.

Needing another 46 runs to claim the record, Lara struggled to sleep going into day three, waking up at 04:00hrs and eventually starting his day with nine holes of golf.

On day three the signs of fatigue would start to show but there would be no denying him history. On the 530th delivery he had faced, he pulled Chris Lewis and mere moments later the field was flooded by fans in a mass pitch invasion to celebrate the

record-breaking feat.

Among those to come onto the field to congratulate him was Sobers himself.

“He is the only batsman today who plays the game the way it should be played – with his bat,” Sobers said of the innings. “He never uses his pads, and it is always a pride and joy to watch him play.”

Enjoying a serious purple patch, Lara scored an unbeat-

ODI: 146* against New Zealand at Queen’s Park Oval, 1996 Playing at his home ground of Queen’s Park Oval, Lara penned another classic against the Black Caps in the third ODI of a five-match series.

In a tricky chase of 220, Lara was both the bedrock and the motor of the West Indies’ pursuit, helping himself to

crease, Lara turned the match on its head, hitting 29 fours and three sixes on his way to a brilliant 213 It was a performance that saw Lara shelve his attacking instincts early, taking 140 balls to bring up his fifty, before taking the sword to Australia’s all-star attack once he had got himself set, hitting four successive fours at one point.

Brian Lara scored a double-century in his last Test in Australia.

en 501 off 427 for Warwickshire against Durham less than two months later. It remains the lone half-thousand in firstclass history.

ODI: 169 against Sri Lanka at Sharjah, 1995 Two years after demolishing Pakistan’s bowlers in an ODI at Sharjah, Lara did the same to Sri Lanka’s at the same venue.

It wasn’t quite single-handedly, but ‘the Prince’ powered the West Indies to the huge total of 333-7 – sizeable in any era.

In an all-out assault on Sri Lanka’s attack, Lara belted 169 runs off 129 balls, smashing 15 fours and four sixes.

To put those numbers in perspective, the only other West Indian batsman to pass 30 was Shivnarine Chanderpaul (62 off 45), who was also the only other player to make a notable contribution with a strike-rate above 80.

Having claimed the records for the highest Test and first-class scores in the past 18 months, Lara set to do the same in ODIs. With Viv Richard’s record score of 189 in sight, he perished to Kumar Dharmasena with plenty of time still left in the innings.

146* runs off 134 deliveries.

It was the eighth century of an ODI career that was growing more impressive every game. The great-in-themaking finished the match in style, hitting a six to wrap up the chase with more than four overs to spare.

As was often the case when he was in full flow, no one could keep up with him, with Lara dominating hundred-run stands with Phil Simmons and Jimmy Adams.

Test: 213 against Australia at Kingston, 1999 By 1999 the sun was setting on the West Indies’ era of dominance.

Going into the second Test against Australia of the Frank Worrell Trophy, the team had suffered six straight defeats in the format. They had been trounced 5-0 by South Africa and in their last Test against Australia; they had been bowled out for 51.

Suffice to say, Lara was a captain under pressure and things were looking ugly when the side finished day one at Sabina Park limping at 37-4 in reply to Australia’s total of 256.

Across 344 deliveries and nearly eight hours at the

The double-century powered the West Indies to a 10-wicket victory and in retirement, he would rate it the favourite performance of his career.

Test: 153* against Australia at Bridgetown, 1999 Just a match later, Lara produced what many rate as his greatest ever innings.

Chasing 308 to win on a wearing Bridgetown pitch, the West Indies were in trouble at 85-3 going into the final day’s play. Lara resumed the day on two, having scrapped his way through a difficult period in shadowy conditions on day four.

He could do little as the situation quickly deteriorated for his team, with Jason Gillespie removing Adrian Griffith and Carl Hooper to reduce the hosts to 105-5.

In Adams he found company, dominating a 133-run stand in which his partner contributed 38 before having his timber rattled by Glenn McGrath. Adam’s 38 turned out to be the second-highest score of the innings as Lara carried the team to the most improbable of victories.

Incredibly, he did most of it in the company of the tail as

McGrath struck twice in two balls to leave the hosts on the brink at 248-8, still needing 60 runs to win.

The dashing left-hander put on a 54-run stand with Curtly Ambrose, who scored 12 runs but more importantly stood stubbornly for 82 minutes.

When Ambrose fell, the West Indies still needed six runs to win. A wide and a noball helped the cause before Lara finished the match with a four off Gillespie, cueing delirium in a crowd that quickly took to the field.

Test: 221 against Sri Lanka at Colombo, 2001 Lara had struggled in Test cricket in 2000, averaging 29.23 for the year.

Heading into the tour of Sri Lanka his average had slipped to 47 and he was coming up against a man at the height of his powers in Muttiah Muralitharan.

It was on the island nation against the beguiling spinner that he reignited his Test career.

He plundered a ton in the first Test and 74 in the second but it was in the third that he really took things up a gear.

In a first-innings total of 390, Lara scored 221, hitting 25 boundaries in a 354-ball stay. It was a performance that had the West Indies on course for a big score, only for the final six wickets.

Incredibly, Lara was not done there. He stepped up again in the second innings, scoring an excellent 130 in a total of 262.

It was not enough to save the West Indies from a 3-0 series whitewash, but it did leave an impression on Muralitharan, who would state in 2003: “I think, of all the batsmen in the world, he plays my bowling better than anyone else, including Sachin Tendulkar.

“His eye and hand coordination is very good and he’s able to adjust very quickly to very good deliveries.”

Test: 400 against England at St John’s, 2004 For six months between 2003 and 2004, Lara did not boast the record for the highest score in Test cricket.

SEE PAGE 25

400*, brilliant Bridgetown, and eclipsing Sobers: 10 of the best from Brian Lara

See Story on Page 27

CWI announces men’s Central Contracts for 2021-2022 season

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) confirmed the international retainer contracts for the West Indies Men’s Team for the 2021-2022 season but found no place for the Guyanese trio of Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul who previously held whiteball contracts.

According to a release from CWI, a total of 18 players have been offered contracts for the upcoming 202122 season which runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

Following his omission from all three formats during the Sri Lanka series in March when he was deemed unfit and subsequently passed the required fitness test, Hetmyer, according to CWI lead selector Roger Harper, “was still in the forefront of our mind and we are waiting for him to display the passion and consistent performances.”

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s director of cricket also confirmed that Hetmyer had met the fitness standard and he would have been available for selection for the Test series against Sri Lanka but this never materialised.

The 24-year-old was also the third-highest run-getter in the Regional Super50 tournament behind Jason Mohammed and Jonathan Carter, accumulating 280 runs in six matches at 56 while keeping a

strike rate of 130.23.

Hetmyer also showed glimpses of returning to top form with some scintillating batting performances for Delhi Capitals in the IPL which suffered a postponement because of an upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

After enjoying a fruitful tour with the West Indies A team to India, Shepherd played with limited success in the first and second ODIs against Sri Lanka while Paul, who was plagued with injury throughout the early part of this year missed selection to the Guyana Super50 team, hence wasn’t considered for a place in the West Indies squads.

For the first time Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Akeal Hosein and Kyle Mayers have been awarded International retainer contracts, whilst newly appointed Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo receive International contracts for reball and white-ball cricket respectively.

West Indies Men’s Team Lead Selector, Roger Harper said, “Contracts offered for the 2021-22 period see 18 players being retained, a decrease of 4 from last year. Jason Holder is the only player to retain his all-format contract due to his

strong Test and T20I performances during the evaluation period.”

Mr. Harper added,

players who have lost their

Keemo Paul

Shimron Hetmyer

“There are several new players offered red-ball contracts earned by their strong performances during the last period. A number of players were not retained because they did not meet the minimum requirements.”

CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams said, “I am happy for all the players who have been offered retainer contracts for the upcoming period. Especially pleasing were the number of players who were awarded first-time contracts in recognition of their performances during the period under review. I know that the eleven

International retainers will be striving and fighting hard to get back into the teams and earn their central contracts back next year.

These players, along with our T20 specialists, will ensure that we have genuine competition for places that will push everyone to attain higher standards of performance.”

The evaluation period for the 2021-22 contracts covered performances and statistics from April 1, 2020 to April 1, 2021 (this was also supported by statistics from the previous 2019-2020 evaluation period). This

… Hetmyer, Shepherd and Paul fail to make the list allows for all players to be

Romario Shepherd

appraised immediately after the evaluation period and provides a notice period before new contracts on July 1, 2021.

All-Format Contracts: Jason Holder.

Red-Ball Contracts: Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner*, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva*, Shannon Gabriel, Kyle Mayers* and Kemar Roach.

White-Ball Contracts: Kieron Pollard, Fabien Allen, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein*, Evin Lewis, Alzarri Joseph, Nicholas Pooran and Hayden Walsh Jr. *Players offered contracts

for the first time in 2021-2022 Players who are no longer receiving international retainer contracts are: All-Format Contracts: Roston Chase.

Red-Ball Contracts: Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich.

White-Ball Contracts: Sunil Ambris, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd and Oshane Thomas.

All players who are no longer on International retainer contracts are offered an A* grade Regional Franchise Contract for the following year.

According to the CWI release, the Board invests in the long-term development of cricketers at both international and regional level by retaining 108 male players on retainer contracts each year as part of the professional cricket system.

Following the announcement of International Retainer Contracts, the six Regional Franchises will now complete the process of awarding their 15 contracts, with the Professional Franchise Player Draft due to take place on Tuesday, May 25.

Griffith wins 60-mile cycling meet in finish-line drama

-John relegated to second position after infraction CHRISTOPHER Griffith was awarded first place yesterday afternoon after rival Briton John was penalised for an infraction on the finish line of their team Alanis 60-mile road race from Georgetown to Half-Way Tree, Mahaicony and back.

The Team Evolution rider, who has been consistent in the previous races this year, held his own against the more established John after they separated from the pack approximately 14 miles from the finish line.

The two talented youngsters rode together up to the University of Guyana, when John made a sprint to get away, but Griffith caught him and employed the tactic of staying just behind—whereby benefitting from wind reduction.

John again decided to breakaway and was again caught. The two riders continued to stay close until the final 300M when John, known for his sprinting abilities, darted off on the left side of Carifesta Avenue, but Griffith powered through and

attempted to pass him from the inside for the win, John limited the space, which resulted in Griffith riding very close to the edge of the road.

John won the race by the slimmest of margins, but according to GCF Racing Director Malcolm Sonaram, because of his infraction on the line, he was relegated to second place.

Curtis Dey finished third, Alex Mendes fourth, Paul Chooweenam fifth, Kwame Ridley sixth, Ian Jackson

Briton John (left) and Christopher Griffith battle on the finish line.

Test trio rewarded with central contracts after recent success

SEE PAGE 23

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See Story on Page 23 THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021