Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-07-2022

WEDNESDAY 6th July, 2022 PRICE

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VAT INCLUSIVE

No.106775

President Ali: Tremendous progress made in bid to reduce regional food-import bill

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Food security, trade –– among key topics to be discussed as Prime Minister of Belize arrives in Guyana 05 PAGE

Prime Minister John Briceño of Belize, arrived in Guyana on Tuesday evening on an official visit at the invitation of President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Prime Minister Briceño is accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Rossana Briceño and Foreign Affairs Minister, Eamon Courtenay (Office of the President photo)

Acting Top Cop to newly promoted ranks: Ethical standards, 03 behaviour paramount PAGE

Nervous but 16 confident: Grade six pupils begin writing NGSA today PAGE

Cop remanded for allegedly murdering 14 Quindon Bacchus PAGE

–– two others charged for ‘lying’ to investigators

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US$3M more being ‘pumped’ into Aiden Hotel project

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

— for pool, additional rooms

By Jared Liddell THE US$15M Aide n b y B e s t We s t e r n Hotel, which the Guyanese-owned Arimu Investments Inc. is developing, received a major US$3M budget addition, facilitating a massive expansion to the line of services and amenities provided at the hotel, according to the Co-Director of Arimu Investments Inc., Lorenzo Alphonso.

The additional funds being channelled into the massive project will facilitate the acquisition of additional land at its Robb and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown, location that is set to facilitate a pool, which was not a part of the hotel’s original design.

Co-Director of Arimu Investments Inc., Geraldo Alphonso (first from left); Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop (second from left); Co-Director of Arimu Investments Inc., Lorenzo Alphonso (centre); Best Western’s Director of Hotel Development for South America, Luis Alberto Tito (second from right); and attorney-at-law Sase Gunraj, during a site visit, on Thursday (Delano Williams Photo)

Alphonso said that Aiden is a boutique-style hotel

The pool addition to the facility is the second expansion to be undertaken since works on the project began. In January 2022, Alphonso disclosed that the hotel was set to expand from its initial 101-room capacity to 149 rooms following the investor’s acquisition of additional land.

The Aiden would provide guests with executive chauffeur services, shuttle bus tours around Guyana, and Demerara River tours.

The investor is also engaging the aviation sector for helicopter tour packages.

Alphonso said that works on the facility were progressing in line with the estimated timeframe for completion. He disclosed that the Steel Structure and decking are 90 per cent completed, adding that the contractor that will take

The 90 per cent completed Steel Structure and decking at the US$18 million Aiden by Best Western Hotel at June 14, 2022

under the world-renowned Best Western Hotel and Resorts. It is part of a trendy collection of laid-back boutique hotels that blend cool, casual, and charm with an eclectic neighbourly feel.

the building over from the steel stage to completion was mobilising. Phase two of the work begins by the end of July.

With the new additions to the Hotel, Alphonso has indicated that the specific

deadline for the project was in the third quarter of 2023.

In a previous interview with this publication, he had related that since undertaking the project, other than heavy rainfall in mid2021, there had been no setbacks in the progression of works. The main reason for the company’s unhindered progress was support from the government.

“We have had all the support from the necessary government agencies, from Mr. [Peter] Ramsaroop and Go-Invest, from the government, as a whole, there was no red tape or backlog.

From the first time when they issued the expression of interest in November 2020 for people that are interested in bringing hotel franchises, it was 100 per cent support from then to now,” Alphonso said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, said that the investment was instrumental, mainly because an indigenous company was behind the project.

He said that even as the economy continues to grow, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and, by extension, the government were committed to ensuring that Guyanese benefit from local investment opportunities.

The investment from Arimu, according to Dr. Ramsaroop, was timely since the government predicts an increase in demand for services in the hospitality sector.

He related that available data showed an increased need for hotel accommodations; such was projected to continue over the next five years.

“The Best Western ‘rep’ for this same brand said he had to book his hotel since November to get a room at the Marriott. So, we’re out of corporate rooms, and the President and us, we predicted that we needed 2,000 new rooms by 2025; we are on our way to getting that,” Ramsaroop noted.

Ethical standards, behaviour paramount

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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— Police Commissioner (ag) tells newly promoted ranks

MINISTER of Home Affairs Robeson Benn; acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, and Police Service Commission Chairman Bishop Patrick Findlay on Tuesday met with the newly promoted officers and inspectors of the Guyana Police Force at the Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary.

While congratulating the newly promoted ranks, Minister Benn reminded them of the huge responsibilities placed on them by virtue of their promotion.

“I want to congratulate all of you for being promoted, and for staying and standing during a particularly difficult period in our history, where, somehow, all of us, particularly the Police Force, were challenged in respect of mission paradigm and doctrine, and professional standards as to what you had to do as your duty to your country, to the Constitution, and to the People of Guyana,” Minister Benn said.

Quoting the famous scientist Albert Einstein, Minister Benn said: “Adversity confronts a man with himself.”

On that note, he added: “The adversity that we have faced over the last few years, and even recently, confronts each and every one of us with ourselves. When we speak of ourselves as Guyanese, we have to again recognise who we are as Guyanese; multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious.”

Top Cop (ag) Hicken, in a brief but passionate charge, said this is a momentous time for the Force, and that the promotion should be regarded as “the dawn of a new era for the Guyana Police Force”.

Hicken said: “Much is given; much is expected, and this long-awaited promotion was waiting on God’s time.”

Further, he said that ethical standards and ethical behaviour must be exhibited from the echelon of the or-

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and other security officials at the meeting with newly promoted officers

ganisation that is the Guyana Police Force.

“I’m leading the charge by displaying the epitome of discipline, meaning, I didn’t frown; I smiled and I continued to work, even when I was superseded, because, like every other Christian person, what is ordained is already ordained from birth.

God has brought you here, and He’s not going to leave you alone, but He’s going to guide the process forward,” Hicken said.

Highlighting the importance of the Force’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Top Cop told the promoted officers that the ELT has spent a considerable amount of time in deriving structures, putting together the strategic plan, and looking at Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Terms Of References (TORs) to guide the Guyana Police Force.

Alluding to the importance of having a contemporary Police Force, Hicken said the pillars of the Force’s Strategic Plan 2022 to 2026 speak to just that. He noted that one of the pillars speaks to professionalism and accountability, as required by any developing organisation.

TRANSPARENCY IS PARAMOUNT “Transparency is paramount,” he said, noting that the Guyana Police Force is on the cusp of modernization, both in the sense of infrastructure, and with regard to human development.

“Suffice to say, we have spent days and nights looking at the promotions list, not to just balance the Force, but to improve command and control at the strategic, tactical and the operational levels,” Hicken said.

He noted that the GPF’s objective is to ensure that all communities across Guyana are safe, and this can only be achieved by understanding the dynamics of individual communities.

“We are part of the community; we are from the community, and this is the same community we have problems with; it shouldn’t be that way. And so, as we move forward with a renewed vision, we are going to police the community and the communities by getting involved in activities. I’ve been doing outreaches to set the tone, because it’s imperative that we lead by example,” the Top Cop said, adding: “The Police Force is a

professional organisation that was structured for continuity.

We have 183 years in existence, and we are standing on a foundation that can withstand any amount of scrutiny.”

Hicken noted that there are adequate policies, SOPs and regulations to guide members of the Force in their everyday duties.

The Top Cop warned that any policeman or woman who decides to go outside of the policy of the organisation to make decisions that can impact the organisation negatively, will face the consequences.

“We are not going to allow a few policemen and women to tarnish the image of this organisation. As we witnessed the other day, we are making six steps forward, and because of unprofessionalism, we are taking two steps backward,” Hicken posited.

He also told the promoted officers and Inspectors that ‘rotation’ is a management tool that is used to create efficiency.

“We are going to do away with the word transfer, as it is too personal; it refers to a thing. We are going to rotate this organization, and

we are going to enforce best practices,” the Top Cop said, adding: “You are the catalyst of change group, and we, at the ELT level, will be looking forward to your assessment report from the commanders.

Additionally, your performance will be measured, based on how the Divisions are managed.”

He went on to say: “If you can achieve collapsing barriers and building bridges in the communities, the effort will not go unnoticed. Hence, this will build public trust and, therefore, whenever the Guyana Police Force faces challenges, the entire nation will come in support of the Police. That is what we are trying to achieve, and that cannot be done in isolation.”

In closing, Hicken said: “I believe in you; we all believe in you, because, like I said, you’re ordained to be here this day; this time.

And so, as we go forward, just remember what I said to you: Much is given; much is expected.

“Today brings the dawn of a new era, where members of the Guyana Police Force will ensure that misconduct and unprofessionalism will not be condoned, but, instead, you’re going to spend more

time and energy serving the community as mandated by our mission statement. God bless you all, and congratulations!”

In an emotional speech, Findlay said this was the largest promotions list ever.

“I am glad that I was a part of your upward mobility,” he said, adding: “I know the sacrifices you came through, and I know the storms that some of you have been through. It is for this reason that I want to congratulate you today for staying the course, and I want to encourage you to make a positive difference.” “ Yo u a r e a g e n t s o f change. Your elevation in rank doesn’t only bring opportunities or benefits; it also has tremendous responsibilities, and, therefore, I want to encourage you to walk with integrity; I want to encourage you to execute your task with diligence, dexterity, and determination,” Bishop Findlay charged.

He further charged the attentive officers and inspectors to give of their best, and stand true to the motto of the Force of service and protection.

“I charge you to understand your roles and responsibilities; you are hand-picked, and you are chosen. And I am a preacher, and I believe that none of you would be sitting here today if God did not ordain it. If God ordains it, and if He brings you to it, He will bring you through it. So, don’t be discouraged; stay focused, and let us move forward,” Findlay said.

Calvin Brutus, Deputy Commissioner of Administration (ag) noted that Tuesday’s activity is symbolic, traditional, and important.

“Our objective as the Guyana Police Force is to provide the optimal level of public security to the nation and in doing so we act as change agents and as citizens to help develop our nation,” Brutus said.

ExxonMobil Guyana has established the Centre for Local Business Development. The Centre provides a space for local firms to learn about opportunities in the oil-and-gas sector, strengthen their competitiveness, and prepare to supply the sector with various services. They maintain an interactive database which is used by the company’s prime contractors to post tendering opportunities, and to identify possible suppliers, contractors and subcontractors to potentially participate in ExxonMobil Guyana activities. The Centre is also utilised by international companies looking for potential local partnerships. (ExxonMobil)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Kiosk to be built at CJIA to support small businesses

GUYANESE small business owners will soon have the opportunity to display their goods and services to both locals and tourists at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, where a modern kiosk will be constructed.

This is part of the government’s commitment to providing a friendly environment for businesses to grow, in addition to implementing favourable fiscal and monetary policies.

The initiative is the brainchild of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and will be branded, “Guyana Shop”.

The announcement was made by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond at a ministerial outreach held at Buxton, East Coast Demerara on Monday.

“At the airport, when it is completed, we will have a place for Guyanese-owned businesses, like how we did the ‘expo’ at the ‘oil-and-gas’. We are going to have a similar arrangement. All Guyanese products will have a place to be there to be displayed at the airport, permanently; selling all of your stuff, craft, wine; everything,” she said.

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Guyanese small business owners will soon have the opportunity to display their goods and services to both locals and tourists at the CJIA

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill said that one of the reasons the CJIA is being

expanded is to facilitate more concession areas.

“There is not enough space currently for conces-

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sion areas, and that is the problem. So, we are expanding the superstructure, which is the agreement we had with China Harbour, so we will be able to put in more concessions,” Minister Edghill said.

Works on the kiosk are being undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC). The structure will accommodate about 20 concession areas, but is still at the design stage.

Meanwhile, the CJIA is undergoing major infrastructural development, which will see the construction of an office

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building. The building will be joined to the existing terminal building, and will house a conference room, offices for the airlines and other supporting agencies, and a duty-free bond.

It will also see the rehabilitation of the international apron, and the building of a taxiway.

The modernisation of the airport will also have two additional boarding bridges to accommodate large transatlantic aircraft, and a new commercial complex to house additional duty-free shops, restaurants and lounges. (DPI)

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Food security, trade

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

— among key topics to be discussed as Prime Minister of Belize arrives in Guyana

TRADE, food security and other critical issues are expected to take centre stage as President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other senior government officials engage Belize’s Prime Minister, John Antonio Briceño, who arrived in Guyana along with First Lady, Rossana Rossana Briceño, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Eamon Courtenay, on Tuesday evening.

This engagement which follows the 43rd CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Suriname, is expected to conclude with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations.

The Prime Minister and his team, along with Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Brian Glynn, were welcomed to Guyana with a cocktail

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Belize’s Prime Minister, John Antonio Briceño, along with First Lady of Belize, Rossana Briceño, arrive at State House on Tuesday evening (Office of the President photo)

reception hosted by President Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, at State House.

The event was attended

by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips;

Fire Service Corner Today’s Fire Safety Tip: Do not leave cooking unattended. It only takes a minute for a fire to get out of hand. Don’t leave things cooking on the stove top unattended and check regularly on the things cooking in the oven.

A message from the Guyana Fire Service.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, other senior government officials, and represen-

tatives of the diplomatic community and private sector.

President Ali has said time and again that regional integration is a fundamental pillar of economic development.

In March this year, Heads of Government adopted a protocol to create opportunities to further the principles, goals and objectives of the community through enhanced co-operation.

The “Protocol to Amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, to allow enhanced co-operation among Member States and to address related issues” was approved at the Inter-Sessional Meeting in Belize.

“It provides for groups of at least three member states to seek to establish enhanced

co-operation among themselves, in areas where they feel the targeted objectives cannot be attained within a reasonable period by the Community as a whole. Approval to pursue the enhanced co-operation will require the support of two-thirds of the membership of the Community,” CARICOM said.

The regional body noted that decisions adopted in the specific areas of enhanced co-operation will only be binding on the participating Member States and the rights and obligations created will be solely for those Member States and their nationals.

Established areas of enhanced co-operation will, however, be open to other Member States, subject to compliance with the conditions of participation and the decisions already adopted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Patience Is Paramount

THE report is in. The Police Complaints Authority on Sunday recommended to the Director of Public Prosecutions that the three police officers in the fatal shooting of Quindon Bacchus be charged.

Added to this, the DPP on Monday advised the police to charge the Sergeant and two Lance Corporals named in the probe.

The family of Quindon Bacchus, and the communities which called for justice are witnessing what, caution advised, is not the end of the long walk to justice; it is merely the beginning of another process. But there is sometimes a clamouring public demand from disgruntled citizens who, despite themselves benefiting from a social contract which guarantees due process and presumption of innocence, want a more immediate outcome.

This cannot be the way a society functions. There have been multiple instances over the last few weeks where members of the government have engaged citizens on the need to respect the separation of powers. This separation of powers, which extends as far back as the teachings of the philoso-

pher, Montesquieu in 1748, recognizes that liberty cannot exist where the executive, legislative and judiciary are united in one.

Citizen’s frustrations with procedure are real. The Dr. Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government must, and has, quite skilfully, ensured there is public education on the limitations of government as far as judicial processes are concerned. In Phillipai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), weeks ago, President Ali was at great pains to assure residents there that even though he could not intervene in an ongoing court matter, he would consult with the Attorney-General for an update on the progress of that village’s case before the court.

Similarly, when His Excellency grounded with residents on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor last Tuesday during the destructive protest which erupted there, he had to, again, reassure Guyanese that as far as independent investigations are concerned, it is not prudent for the executive arm of the government to intervene. While the President could not go into great detail, considering the many questions

and frustrations coming his way as he engaged residents on that and other matters, there is an established legal principle that justice must not only be done, but it must be seen to be done.

Justice, as a concept, can easily be presumed to mean retributive justice, fixated on punishing alleged offenders. The accused is also presumed innocent, unless a court otherwise determines. With these few inexhaustive variables considered, justice is a masterly dance between swiftness and due process. A much harder pill to swallow for some is that the same justice guaranteed to the victim or survivor is also guaranteed to the accused. This, too, is part of the social contract that maintains a lawful and orderly society.

As recently as Monday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips explained to one visibly frustrated resident during the government’s well-attended Buxton/ Friendship outreach that the road to justice isn’t always short. The young woman spoke of the death of her sister five years ago, under circumstances still to be pronounced on, as the investigation is ongoing. It is not troublesome that she would be frustrated with the process; it can also be

difficult to ask someone to be patient, when the thought hauntingly lingers, year after year, that an assailant walks while a crime against a loved one remains unsolved. Moments before, Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, S.C. reminded residents of that important principle that restricts the government’s interference in investigative matters; the separation of powers.

As Guyana continues to grow as a nation in its values, there are expectations of both the government and citizens. For the government, there is an expectation that, as far as its real powers are concerned, there will be improvements in the public services, with input from citizens. Outreaches, as have been facilitated by President Ali and his Cabinet, present increasing opportunities for the government to approach leadership more responsively, while at the same time providing pressure valves for public frustration against institutional processes.

For citizens, on the other hand, it should be underscored that while we let the systems work, as was charged

by President Ali, patience is paramount.

Hate-filled acts of racial violence in Guyana must be addressed

Dear Editor,

I JOIN the President and others in denouncing in the strongest possible terms the racially inspired attacks against Indians on the East Coast of Demerara on June 28. I also condemn the threat against the President.

There were so many victims – brutally beaten and robbed, vehicles destroyed, arson, looting, and destruction of properties -- on account of their race, for being Indian. I feel the pain of what happened to the victims of June 28.

It is inexplicable why the opposition politicians have been silent on this hei-

nous bold attack on a people who were simply plying about their business.

Public figures who refuse to condemn the atrocities ought to be ashamed of themselves. Silence, ambivalence and complacency – primarily from non-Indians – have allowed this feature of hate to remain a permanent fixture in our society, for which there such be zero tolerance.

The attacks brought back memories of periods of violence in previous years.

I remember the haunting pleas of those beaten and robbed and their vehicles destroyed in September 2020 in West Berbice.

I remember those begging to be able

to pass through the blockade to get to the airport and to other destinations. June 28, 2022, was a repeat. Word is that persons on the opposing side of the political spectrum encouraged the violence in West Berbice and watched on with a cruel indifference – as members of one community pressed against the neck of another recalling what happened to George Floyd in Minnesota. They didn’t care what others think of their inhumanity.

This hate-filled act of racial violence in Guyana must be addressed. Strong actions must be taken against the perpetrators of the violence or else this sore will fester. The person or persons who threat-

ened the President must also be brought to book. We cannot allow such threats against a democratically elected official.

There will be more June 28s and threats against officials unless there is stern reaction; law must take its course with compensation provided by the perpetrators as happens in other countries.

And if we are to achieve the core ideals of equality and justice, then we all must speak out against hate and oppression and distance ourselves from those who engage in such advocacy.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Need for brand-new approaches to age-old regional problems (Part IV)

Honouring CARICOM’s heroes in living colour!

By Earl Bousquet

I NEVER found out how many CARICOM Heads of Government attending the 43rd Annual Summit in Suriname woke up in time Monday morning, July 4, to start CARICOM Day officially walking a mile together and planting trees, by special invitation of their hosts, to mark the 43rd Summit and CARICOM’s 49th Birthday.

They’d had a very late opening-night reception, followed by the usual longer-than-usual dinner; and (admittedly) I had only what Bajans (Barbadians) call ‘bare sport’ in mind, envisioning who among them would have found what reasons and words to kindly say ‘Thanks, but No Thanks…’ to both invitations to early-morning symbolic acts they’d prefer, in the circumstances, to designate.

But on the Sunday night, July 3, I’d shared with them a rare personal sporting moment when Sir Viv Richards mounted the platform to say ‘thanks’ for being bestowed (at the Golden Age of the Biblical ‘Three-scoresand-ten’) with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), CARICOM’s highest honour.

I watched the ageless world legend trot-up and down the platform with the same grace and eloquence like when walking in to bat decades ago for the West Indies, during his 121 Tests and 187 One Day Internationals between 1974 and 1991, scoring an accumulated pile of over 15,000 runs in just 17 years – and the team never losing a test while he was Captain.

I’d earlier in the day read that Brian Lara had graciously tweeted his congrats to India’s Jasprit Bumrah for having broken the younger Caribbean legend’s world record of having scored the most runs in an over, but (honestly) the West Indian in me didn’t even try to find

out what Lara’s record really was.

My memory-of-the-moment was the reminder in the citation that the Antigua-born Caribbean master blaster always held that his “best innings ever” was “not affixing my signature” to the million-dollar cheque offered him to play in Apartheid South Africa, “and seeing Apartheid end in my lifetime!”

Richards also always held that played not only for West Indies fans, “but for all the people looking like me everywhere in the world…” – and he repeated it all last Sunday night.

Watching V.V. Richards receive and accept CARICOM’s highest honour ‘live’ and ‘in full flesh and colour’ (instead of posthumously), my free mind flirted slightly down memory lane to February 2009, when several big-name West Indian players paid very high prices for banking their bets with American billionaire Allen Stanford.

The UK’s Mail Online published back then (February 19, 2009) an article by Paul Newman, headlined: West Indian winners miss out on their Stanford millions following fraud probe.

The article reported: “Five West Indian players, including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, are set to lose their million-dollar winnings in the fall-out from the Allen Stanford fraud probe that has left English cricket reeling...

“The players -- Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Kieron Pollard, Sylvester Joseph and Dave Mohammed -- were part of the Stanford Superstars team who thrashed England in Antigua last November in the first of what was supposed to be five Twenty20 matches with a million dollars going to each member of the winning side...”

And it added: “The five players are not the only West Indians to regret trusting Stanford with their money. Joel

Garner, one of the Stanford ‘Board of Legends’ sacked in December (2007) when the American’s problems were first exposed by Sportsmail, is said to have invested his earnings with Stanford, while Lance Gibbs, the Superstars manager, has not been paid the $100,000 he was due for working with the American…”

Back then, Saint Lucia’s Darren Sammy (like Richards much earlier with the open million-dollar cheque before him) had refused to sign up to deposit his hardearned earnings through Certificates of Deposit (CDs) in the paymaster’s private bank -- and he wasn’t alone.

But since Australia’s Kerry Packer and Stanford stamped their profitable dollars-and-sense schemes on West Indies cricket, the region’s team has hardly been the same, as international sporting competitions are no longer considered friendly games but business wars, well-financed and highly-sponsored business investments where dollars matter much-more than scores.

In today’s sporting business world, games are hosted on the basis of which country will yield the most profits and players face nerve-wracking challenges of balancing between talent and temptation, opportunity and loss – and letting the rest take the hindmost.

The ghosts of the original West Indian Horsemen of the 50s and 60s played cricket as a friendly sport, while also demonstrating they were not

just equal, but better than and dominant over the colonial masters at their own game.

The business models that benefit the same common investors and corporate branded sponsors and their products has suited its tailors over the decades.

But when smaller nations also with big cash do likewise, the Europeans and Americans cry foul: Qatar is accused of having ‘bought’ the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Saudis are being accused of ‘sports-washing’ -- using their oil money to offer mil-

lions of Pounds, Euros and US Dollars to attract the biggest players in PGA Golf to join the kingdom’s cash-cow LIV Series.

Meanwhile, with too many CARICOM heroes being honoured posthumously every year across the region, the OCC is also a fitting tribute to those who’ve paid their dues but were never acknowledged while aliveand-kicking, or in full bloom.

Three-per-year is just not enough to even to catch up, what with cases like Marcus Garvey and Robert ‘Bob’ Marley, who were more than

nationals of just one CARICOM nation but have been formally adopted and honoured as regional citizens.

The secretariat will always explain why CARICOM can’t or won’t increase the number of OCCs awarded annually, but even so, I’m still simply glad to the max to have witnessed the master blaster still blasting through history’s pages at 70, instead of through an afterlife award in what the late Saint Lucian calypsonian ‘Mighty Mighty’ described in song as a “Dead Heroes Society.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Tremendous progress made in bid to reduce food-import bill --President Ali says, affirms that regional ‘25 per cent by 2025’ initiative is more than just a political commitment

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that there has been tremendous progress in achieving CARICOM’s 25 per cent by 2025 food-import bill reduction target.

The Head of State made this disclosure during an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation-DIME Network in Suriname on Tuesday, while he fielded questions on the progress of the initiative.

The ‘25 by 2025’ initiative is aimed at reducing extra-regional agri-food imports by 25 per cent by 2025.

President Ali said that an overarching, measurable strategy has been developed which incorporates various stakeholders within the region and in individual countries, including the private sector, women, youths, farming communities and in some cases, university students.

“We have outlined a strategy that is measurable, a strategy that has very specific targets, and in that strategy itself, it outlines the specific actions that are required by each State in achieving the 25 by 2025 plan,” the Guyanese Head of State said.

In highlighting the commitment to achieving this

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

target, the President pointed to the Agri Investment Forum and Expo hosted in Guyana and Agro Fest in Barbados.

One integral aspect of the plan, he noted, is transportation and logistics, which was addressed at the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting.

“We’re seeing great movement in not only the infrastructure and the architecture, to bring about the transportation plan and to

action it, but also a commitment in advancing the work to get the financing and get this operational as quickly as possible,” President Ali related.

He said too that there is a clear commitment from all the leaders that a strategic time-bound approach to the removal of trade barriers is needed.

SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL MODEL

President Ali said that while financing is integral to the plan, creating a sustainable financial model is equally important.

“It is how do we create a sustainable financial model that speaks to the existing need and incorporates the future dynamics of food production itself?

We have the issue of technology, technology transfer, research and development and importantly, how do we create a business model, an agro-business model that incorporates young people?”

President Ali said.

He added that it is important for young people to understand that agriculture and food production is not a backward thing, but it’s a forward-looking initiative.

Dr. Ali said young people need to know that the sector is profitable, and it has opportunities for them to advance their own careers and advance a business processing model as part of it.

Regarding the setting up of a fertiliser plant in Guyana using resources from the downstream oil-and-gas sector, the President reminded that oil and gas present an opportunity to get much-needed

revenues to build the infrastructure, diversify the economy, make the sectors competitive, and also bring regional prosperity.

The oil-and-gas sector is usually divided into three major sectors: upstream, midstream, and downstream.

The downstream sector is the refining of petroleum crude oil and the processing and purifying of raw natural gas, as well as the marketing and distribution of products derived from crude oil and natural gas.

“So, if we are able to get enough gas to have a fertiliser plant, it goes to the benefit of the region; the region’s agricultural system,” President Ali said.

ENERGY PLAN On this note, the President also said that Guyana has always been a leader in the environment and that Guyana will continue to charter the way, especially since the country has more than 85 per cent forest cover and stores 19.5 gigatons of carbon.

“So, not only are we looking at the preservation of the forests, we are moving

forward with our development, based on a Low Carbon Development Strategy framework. In that framework, it speaks about community enhancement and community empowerment. How do we help the Indigenous communities?

“How do we create this Low Carbon Development model that looks at livelihood options, that looks at the blue economy; that looks at transitional renewables, that looks at integrating the economic prosperity of communities with the development strategy of the country in line with a balanced approach with climate and energy?” President Ali said.

He, however, expressed confidence in the future of CARICOM and has encouraged the media to hold regional leaders accountable by monitoring and following up on the decisions that are made.

“I am very optimistic about the future of CARICOM. I believe strongly that there is a renewed commitment to moving from strategy discussions to strategy implementation, and this is a good place to be and a good time to be in CARICOM,”

Guyana increases reach in US market

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

–– earns more than US$1.7B from the exportation of commodities last year

GUYANA’S presence in the US market continues grow, with the country expanding its reach last year by shipping more commodities to the North American nation.

Addressing the enhanced trade relations between the two nations was US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, during a recent ceremony to commemorate the United States of America’s Independence Anniversary.

The ambassador said that the US has been a close partner of Guyana, and evidence of this relationship lies in both the public and private sectors.

To this end, Lynch said that for the year 2021, the United States imported US$1.7 billion worth of commodities from Guyana.

Guyana’s major exports to the United States in 2021 continued to be non-monetary gold, fish, shellfish, bauxite, lumber and wood, apparel, and household goods.

And, according to Ambassador Lynch, while oil and gas is important, US companies are also partnering in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and tourism among others.

She went on to say that the US will continue to partner with Guyana in these areas, and, more broadly, on inclusive democracy, economic development, security, and other important areas.

“Our commitment to Guyana is to continue to collaborate with you along this fascinating journey and to reinforce your aspirations to realise a safe and prosperous Guyana for all the people of this beautiful country,” the Ambassador said.

Guyana has been recording positive economic growth, benefitting meaningfully from the exportation of local commodities during the first quarter of 2022.

In the area of trade, the Bank of Guyana (BoG) reported that export earnings in the first quarter, topped some US$1.3 billion Higher export receipts, according to the BoG, came from crude oil, which earned US$1.6 billion; “other export,” US$63.8 million; bauxite, US$23.3 million, and tim-

ber, US$6.9 million.

Conversely, lower export receipts were from gold, rice and sugar, which earned US$27.7 million, US$5.3 million and US$2.8 million, respectively.

It was reported that earnings from the exportation of locally produced commodities could reach US$7 billion this year, as Guyana looks to further overcome the pervasive challenges presented by COVID-19, and institute appropriate mechanisms and measures to guard against any eventualities that might arise as time progresses.

Using current basic prices as a benchmark, authorities had determined that Guyana could earn roughly US$7,792,800,000 by the end of this year; this represents an increase of about 55 per cent, when compared with revenues totalling US$4,352,000,000 earned last year.

Notwithstanding the projected volatility in prices, based on Budget 2022, the government intends to maintain and even enhance its approach to stimulating growth in various economic sectors.

WORK IN EARNEST “Even as we confront, head-on, the formidable challenges before us, our government continues to work in earnest to advance the aggressive agenda for transformation that we had previously outlined.

At this moment of unprecedented opportunity for our country, we seek now to convert the bright

prospects before us into realised national and individual well-being for all Guyanese,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had said.

Supported by the robust institutional architecture that the government has established, Budget 2022 ensures that two complementary and critically important objectives are met: Firstly, that the urgent development needs of the country are met in the shortest possible time, and that the long-term economic well-being of the country is protected and safeguarded at all times.

The first quarter of 2022 was somewhat a reflection of the government’s vision, as that period was a productive one for Guyana’s economy, which recorded positive economic growth, on account of sustained production in the oil-andgas sector, and positive output performances in the non-oil sectors.

“As oil-and-gas activities continued, the nonoil economy experienced moderate growth, on account of economic activities regaining momentum from the full reopening of the economy, coupled with fiscal measures to alleviate the rising costs of production and services,” the Central Bank said.

Considering its overall performance in the first quarter of 2022, Guyana’s economy is well positioned to record real oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 49.6 per cent, and 7.5 per cent non-oil growth by the end of this year.

The United States imported US$1.7 billion worth of commodities from Guyana in 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Fisherman dies in accident along Success Public Road

AJAY Ali, 22, a fisherman of Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was killed after a motorcar crashed into him while he was crossing the Success Public Road, ECD on Monday, about 23:20hrs According to Police Headquarters, the fatal accident involved motorcar HB 5349 driven by 46-year-old Kumar Persaud of Cane Grove, ECD. According to the 46-year-old driver of the motorcar, on the said date and time, he was proceeding west along the Success Public Road when Ali ran from south to north into the vehicle’s path, causing a collision.

As a result, the 22-year-old fell onto the roadway, receiving several injuries.

Police ranks were informed and immediately visited the scene of the accident where Ali was seen motionless on the road.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel from the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The body was subsequently taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver found no trace of alcohol. He remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

World Insights: Xi’s speech hailed for drawing blueprint for Hong Kong’s brighter future

BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Friday, made an address at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The speech by Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, has elaborated the significance of adhering to the “one country, two systems” principle, and draws a blueprint for a brighter future for Hong Kong, experts and professionals worldwide have said.

A BETTER CHANCE AT DEVELOPMENT “Since its return, Hong Kong, amid China’s monumental reform and opening-up efforts, has been breaking new ground, functioning as an important bridge between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. As a result, it has made irreplaceable contributions to our country’s economic miracle marked by long-term, stable, and rapid growth,” Xi said in his speech at the meeting.

Stephen Perry, Chairman of Britain’s 48 Group Club, said: “China has, along with Asian nations, the best potential growth -- 30 per cent of world growth comes from China.”

As part of China, Hong Kong has a very important role to play, Perry said, noting that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area “will be the leading region in China.”

Pui Jeng Leong, a media veteran in Brunei, said that he was impressed by Xi’s speech at the celebration, adding that over the years, he has found that Hong Kong people are getting better at speaking Mandarin, and their recognition of the motherland is growing stronger.

Backed by the large mainland market and linked to international capital, Hong Kong’s political, economic, social and business environment has further improved, laying a solid foundation for the city’s future development, he said.

The Chinese president noted in his speech: “Be it the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 epidemic, or social unrest, none of them have stopped Hong Kong from marching forward.”

country, two systems.”

Citing the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as examples, the former ambassador said that the central government of China has carried out a series of infrastructure projects for Hong Kong, from which the people of Hong Kong have benefited.

Referring to “one country, two systems” as “a policy without precedent,” Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, said President Xi has demonstrated the central government’s “ringing endorsement” for “one country, two systems.”

Xi has made it clear that Hong Kong will continue to make “contributions to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and that Hong Kong’s future is bright,” said Kuhn.

Selcuk Colakoglu, Director of the Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, said despite all the challenges, Hong Kong’s social vitality and average life expectancy now rank among the highest in the world, and “Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, trade and shipping center has been consolidated and enhanced.”

For Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, political stability is the foundation of progress. He said that by adopting the Hong Kong National Security Law and improving the city’s electoral system, Hong Kong’s stability has been further guaranteed.

This provides a strong platform for the city’s greater integration with the rest of China, thus a better chance for Hong

Kong’s sustainable growth, said Adhere.

LONG-TERM ADHERENCE TO “ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS” Stressing that “one country, two systems” serves the fundamental interests of not only Hong Kong and Macao, but also the whole country and the nation, Xi said in his speech: “There is no reason for us to change such a good policy, and we must adhere to it in the long run.”

Echoing Xi’s words, Masood Khalid, former Pakistani Ambassador to China, said Hong Kong’s economic achievement and the fact that it is becoming comprehensively integrated with both the Chinese mainland and the international market are a testament to the success of the implementation of “one

A BRIGHTER FUTURE “I can confidently say I have witnessed the development of Hong Kong’s business sector,” said Dewan Saiful Alam Masud, President of the Bangladesh Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong, told Xinhua.

President Xi’s speech offered both encouragement and reassurance to Hong Kong, he noted.

“With the valuable support from the central government, I am certain that valuable opportunities for Hong Kong people and businesses will emerge, hence allowing Hong Kong to make positive strides towards emerging as an even stronger and more appealing business hub,” Masud said.

“I’m optimistic about the future of Hong Kong,” said Andrey Karneev, Head of the School of Asian Studies at Russia’s Higher School of Economics.

While retaining its specialty, Karneev said, Hong Kong will gradually discover new spheres of development, and could become a global art or design hub.

Sharing Karneev’s point of view, Yaroslav Lissovolik, programme director of Russian think tank Valdai Discussion Club, described Hong Kong’s development over the past 25 years as “very successful.”

“Hong Kong has not only developed into a global financial center, but also a center attracting international talent,” Lissovolik added.

China’s top legislature enacts 69 new laws in ten years

BEIJING - China’s National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee have enacted 69 new laws and revised 237 laws over the past decade, said the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

As of now, 292 laws are in force, said the department at a press conference Wednesday.

The NPC and its Standing Com-

mittee have accelerated the pace of legislative work while ensuring quality legislation. A batch of laws urgently needed for the country’s governance and satisfying the people’s growing needs for a better life were introduced or revised, said Wang Tiemin, deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee.

Public opinion has been solicited on 217 draft laws over the past decade,

and more than 3.8 million suggestions have been made by more than 1.2 million people.

Wang also noted that the NPC Standing Committee has constantly innovated forms and improved mechanisms in law enforcement inspection processes, combining onthe-spot inspections with random checks, questionnaires, and online researches.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Major infrastructural projects underway across Guyana

IN keeping with the government’s development trajectory, the Ministry of Public Works has been executing major infrastructural projects across Guyana.

According to a recent media release from the Department of Public Information, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, noted that these projects are timely and necessary.

He related that the government has been taking steps to ensure that innovative and advanced infrastructure is introduced across the country to improve the daily lives of all Guyanese.

The government allocated some $3.4 billion for hinterland roads.

In Region One, citizens will benefit from several rigid pavement concrete roads in the sub-regions of Mabaruma, Moruca, Port Kaituma, and Matarkai.

In Region Eight, the construction of a hinter-

land road link that connects the region to Region Nine is underway. When completed, the road will alleviate the high cost of transportation, thus creating social and economic benefits for users.

The 72-mile hinterland road link begins in North Rupununi, Region Nine, and will connect to Region Eight at Monkey Mountain. The road maintenance project will benefit some 15,000 residents from 28 villages in the region.

Additionally, the KatoKurukubaru, Kurukubaru- Itabac, and KamanaKopinang roads are set to be rehabilitated to the tune of some $39.8 million.

In keeping with the government’s vision to make transportation easier, work has also begun on the new stellings in the various sub-regions to facilitate the docking of the new $2.5 billion NorthWest ferry, the MV MA Lisha, which is expected

to set sail to Guyana in the coming months.

Two massive infrastructural development works are in progress on the Lima Sands and Onderneeming roads, Region Two. Work on the sea defences at Charity River Dam and several miscellaneous roads in every NDC is also ongoing.

In Region Three, the alignment for the Del Conte Road, which begins at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and goes all the way down to Goshen has already been cut and established. This road will link Region Three to Region Seven creating massive development. In addition, similar alignment works were executed on the Schoonord to Parika roads.

Minister Edghill noted that these projects will boost the region’s economic development.

“These are going to be major new infrastructure that we will put in for the

opening up of new lands, getting produce to market, being able to help with industrialisation, and gas to energy project coming in at Wales with the possibilities of downstream petro-chemical industries including the production of fertilisers,” he said.

The 2022 budget saw $2.3 billion allocated for the East Bank-East Coast Demerara Road linkage between Ogle and Eccles. On this note, Minister Edghill said that contracts have already been signed for this project.

This road network will be linked to the ongoing Eccles to Great Diamond four-lane highway. The major infrastructure project that is geared towards cutting travel time will be completed within 18 months.

Major road works are being executed in Region Five, from the Mahaicony area in every NDC. Additionally, the minister highlighted that res-

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill idents from traditional areas in Region Six will now benefit from rigid pavement concrete roads and footpaths.

Works are being executed in Little Africa, Little India, and Crabwood Creek among other areas, and are being undertaken by residents from the various communities. This initiative is geared at making residents more proactive in the execution of developmental projects within their communities.

The government has developed a plan which will see the development of Region Seven into a service hub for the mining sector, which will in turn benefit over 21 communities.

Works on the Timehri to Bartica Road are ongoing. This is one of the government’s major transformational projects.

Works are also ongoing on the Bartica to Mahdia and Issano roads.

In budget 2022, the sum of $2.5 billion was approved for Region Eight, which would go towards its development.

In Region Nine, works including rehabilitating and building access roads and bridges and installing lights and other infrastructure in and around the region are progressing well.

The government also signed a US$190 million contract to construct 121 kilometres of road from

Linden to Mabura Hill, Region 10, and a contract to the tune of $3.1 billion to construct 32 concrete bridges along the Kurupukari-Lethem corridor to facilitate the construction of an asphaltic road that will eventually lead from Linden to Lethem.

The ministry is currently in the process of awarding contracts to the tune of $800 million for the rehabilitation of road works in the region. Road networks are a major aspect of a country’s development, not only do they ease transportation and cut costs, they integrate communities and boost people’s development, hence the government’s major focus on building the country’s road networks.

The Public Works Minister noted that the government is committed to rolling out these projects without discrimination.

“The PPP/C Administration, President Irfaan Ali, and his cabinet, we are working in every single community; the ones who have voted overwhelming for us and the ones who didn’t vote for us because we are not developing a PPP/C Guyana, we are developing a ‘One Guyana’, and in developing a One Guyana, we bring development to all the people,” Minister Edghill said. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Indian High Commission announces KIP opportunities

THE High Commission of India, Georgetown, announced that the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (GoI) was organising three Know India Programmes (KIPs) from August to November 2022.

The Know India Programme (KIP) is a flagship

initiative of the GoI which familiarises youths of Indian Origin (between 18 - 30 years) with their Indian roots and contemporary India through a 25-day orientation programme in India.

The upcoming KIP’s are as follows: 60th KIP Edition - August 25, 2022 to September 14, 2022 in Goa; 61st KIP Edition - Septem-

ber 26, 2022 to October 16, 2022 in Gujarat and 62nd KIP Edition - November 01, 2022 to November 21, 2022 in Rajasthan.

According to the High Commission, the requirements are a printed and signed application and Annexure Form, along with two recent passport-size photographs submitted to

the High Commission of India not later than: 18th July, 2022 for 60th KIP, 18th August for the 61st KIP and 22nd October for the 62nd KIP. “The Government of India will bear complete expenditure on boarding/ lodging/gratis visa and 90% of the economy class return air-ticket to the

participants. The Guidelines for the Know India Programme (KIP) can be downloaded at http://kip. gov.in/home/guidelines.

Applications are to be filled out online at http:// kip.gov.in/home/register.

The High Commission of India invites all eligible youths to apply in order to avail of this excellent

opportunity to visit and learn about India. For any enquiries, please contact Mr. Bala Dutt, Attache (Cons, ITEC & Edu.) by telephone number 226-3996 or email edu. georgetown@mea.gov. in,” the High Commission noted in a statement on Tuesday.

Cop remanded for allegedly murdering Quindon Bacchus

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

-two others charged for ‘lying’ to investigators

By Clestine Juan A SERVING member of the Guyana Police Force was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison

for allegedly murdering Quindon Bacchus on June 10, while two of his colleagues faced obstruction charges for their alleged actions following

the shooting incident.

Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega, 22, of Downer Canal Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara; Lance

Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega

DEAD : Quindon Bacchus

Corporal Thurston Simon, 24, of Bare Root, East Coast Demerara; and Cadet Officer Dameion McLennon, 35, of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, appeared via zoom at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

DeNobrega was charged with the capital offence of murder, which alleged that he fatally shot Bacchus at Haslington New Scheme, East Coast of Demerara. He was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until July 19.

Meanwhile, Simon and McLennon were separately charged for wilfully attempting to obstruct the

Lance Corporal Thurston Simon

Cadet Officer Dameion McLennon

course of justice by giving false information to the police during the course of the investigation into Bacchus’ death.

Police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Neville Jeffers, presented the case facts.

He told the court that the three officers, who were attached to the Police Special Branch, told investigators that, on June 10, they went to Haslington to meet with Bacchus, who was allegedly selling unlicensed firearms.

During the “sting” operation, the three officers said that Bacchus pulled out a firearm and opened fire at them, resulting in the trio returning fire with their service weapons.

Jeffers told the court that Bacchus, a father of one received seven gunshot wounds and had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he died.

He said based on investigations conducted and statements taken from the other police ranks who were at the scene, there were inconsistencies in the three officers’ statements.

According to Jeffers, the force’s ballistics expert tested the alleged firearm which was found in Bacchus’ possession and concluded that it was impossi-

ble for Bacchus to open fire at the ranks since his gun was not functional.

The prosecutor said that, on June 11, Simon gave two statements to investigators on his account of the shooting and attempted to “cover up” the truth of what transpired at the scene by giving false information.

Simon, Jeffers said, claimed that he did not open fire at Bacchus. However, not only was this found to be untrue, but the other ranks at the scene saw him shooting at Bacchus.

“He was trying to misinform investigators about the truth of what really transpired,” Prosecutor Jeffers told the court.

Similarly, according to the prosecutor, this was also the case for Cadet Officer McLennon. According to Jeffers, on June 30, McLennon gave his statement to investigators and said he did not discharge his firearm at Bacchus.

However, McLennon told investigators that he gave two of his rounds to another officer during the “shoot out.”

Jeffers said that this was a lie since that ballistic expert found that two rounds were discharged from McLennon’s service pistol Continued on page 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

World at serious risk of food access, availability crisis — FAO Director-General tells stakeholders at UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development pastureland are severely affected by recurring drought.

Better use of the best technology and regulation for the efficient use of water in agriculture are needed.

FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, addresses the High-Level Political Forum

(FAO) THE pandemic, global interruption to supply chains, rising costs of major primary commodities, conflicts and humanitarian crises threaten the functioning of world agri-food systems, QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said Tuesday.

“We are at serious risk of facing a food access crisis now, and probably a food availability crisis for the next season. All this has put at risk our efforts to achieve the SDGs,” Qu said at the opening of the 2022 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York.

The HLPF is the main United Nations platform for following up and reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals on the global level.

“We must prevent the acceleration of acute food insecurity trends in the coming months and years,” Qu said.

The FAO Director-General outlined measures to be taken by the international community to address this situation: * Food production at the country-level must be expanded. * Cash and critical inputs are needed for cereal and vegetable production and to protect livestock

with treatments, vaccinations, feed and water. * Agri-food supply chains and value chains must be strengthened with the engagement of the public and the private sectors, to support smallholder farmers and households. * In addition, livelihoods, agri-food systems and economies need protecting against future shocks.

Increased sustainable productivity, strengthened capacities to deliver services and commodities, and increased access to innovative financial tools and digital services are required to mitigate the impacts of conflict on food insecurity.

NO TIME TO LOSE Speaking later in the day at the FAO-led Side Event: Agri-food Systems Transformation for a Resilient World: Responding to Global Crises, Qu said, adding: “We only have eight years before our agreed timeline to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. We have no time to lose.”

Qu summarised the scale of the task ahead, pointing to the impacts of the pandemic, conflicts, and the cumulative loss to the global economy of more than $12 trillion in 2020 and 2021, setting back progress on the SDGs. To overcome these problems, he outlined four main areas that need attention: investment in the

countries most in need; policies that increase productivity and protect natural resources; ensuring more efficient use of available inputs and outputs; and the importance of innovation, science and research.

Timely food aid is required but there needs to be more attention on producing nutritious food locally, FAO advocates.

Only eight per cent of all food security funding in emergencies goes to assist agricultural production but investing in agriculture and rural livelihoods is seven to 10 times more cost-effective than traditional assistance.

“We must put policies in place that both increase productivity and protect natural resources,” Qu said.

Significant financial investment – estimated at 8 percent of the size of the agri-food market – is needed to transform agri-food systems to deliver healthy, nutritious diets, and to ensure equitable outcomes.

COMBATTING WASTE Qu also spoke of the need to ensure better and more efficient use of available outputs and inputs, citing the examples of global water stress, food loss and waste, and using fertiliser more efficiently.

Around 1 billion hectares of land face severe water constraints and almost 800 million hectares of rainfed cropland and

The FAO Director-General also highlighted the issue of food loss and waste.

Current levels of food lost and wasted could feed around 1.26 billion people per year. Qu also stressed the need to use technology

to improve the efficiency of fertiliser use.

T h e FA O D i r e c tor-General pointed out that innovation, science and research are a key accelerator for all the points.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Confident but nervous: Grade six pupils begin writing NGSA today

By Tamica Garnett

AS Grade six pupils across the country prepare to write the 2022 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), many feel the usual nervousness with preparing for the exams, but many are nonetheless confident, ahead of the major assessment.

At the Patentia Primary school on the West Bank of Demerara, young 11-year-old Ezekiel Baboolall shared that he was using his final day of preparing to brush up on his knowledge in social studies, which he believed was his weakest area.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on how he felt, the youngster noted that he was

as prepared as he could be for the exams.

“I feel a little nervous, but I’m confident that I will pass it. I’m hoping to work a bit more on Social Studies area, and do a little more work on covering Guyana monuments and main imports and exports,” Baboolall shared.

Baboolall said that Mathematics and English were

Grade six pupil Ezekiel Babolall

Grade Six pupil, Keineka Phillips

his strongest areas, so he’s hoping to do his best in those subjects.

S ome 16,288 at 509 Primary Schools across the country will be writing the Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies examinations.

NGSA is considered a significant assessment for pupils in Guyana, as the scores will be used to determine their

classmate, 11-year-old Keineka Phillips, who was also at school on Tuesday doing her final preparations ahead of today’s exams.

“I’ve just been studying, revising on the two subjects that I have tomorrow [Wednesday], which are English Language and Science.

My favourite subject is English Language so I’m really looking forward to that, and

Grade Six teacher, Ronwick Lopes, doing final NGSA preparations with his pupils

placement at a Secondary School in September.

Many pupils often strive and hope to place among the country’s top one per cent performers and earn a spot at a List ‘A’ secondary school.

Today, the pupils will write Paper one and two in English Language and Science, while, on Thursday, they will write Mathematics and Social Studies.

Similar sentiments to Babolall’s were shared by his

I’ve been working on my letter writing, so I am confident but a little nervous,” Phillips shared.

At the Patentia Primary School some 110 pupils were registered to write the exams, and Grade Six teacher, Ronwick Lopes, said he believed the pupils were as ready as they could be to write the determining assessment.

“I think our pupils are well prepared, because we had a full three terms to pre-

pare for the exams this year as opposed to last year where we had five months due to the pandemic. Having had more than that five months, they are supposed to be well prepared,” Lopes shared in an interview on Wednesday with the Guyana Chronicle.

Over the past two years, the writing of the NGSA had been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused school closures throughout the country, and resulted in teaching by virtual means. However, schools returned to normalcy this past school year.

Lopes said that allowed teachers to do more work with the students.

“We have done all that we had to get done; we completed the syllabus. We completed the consolidated curriculum; we went back through things.

We’ve been working past papers and grilling them; we had them reading the concepts from the textbook because we have all the textbooks now.

So the children are prepared now; they just have to do what they have to get done,” he said.

Lopes commended the Ministry of Education (MoE) initiative that saw the Ministry issuing each Grade Six pupil with all of the textbooks they needed. He noted that that played a significant role in allowing the pupils to complete even more work.

“That was a big plus for us, having the textbooks.

Prior to the textbook it was all chalk and talk but with the textbook we could have given instructions and send them home with work. Them having those material was very important in a positive way, especially how it meant that each child had equal resources to study and prepare for exams,” he shared.

Lopes was spending the final day of preparations going over several of the concepts with his pupils, giving them some tips on working on their composition and essays.

“We’ve been talking to them about how to structure their sentences and how to follow instructions and write proper sentences and give complete answers for the paper two questions,” he noted.

He noted that the day was also spent advising and counselling the pupils to mentally prepare them for the exams “We’ve also been talking to them to just remain focused and calm and to apply themselves,” he said.

Cop remanded for allegedly...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

From page 14

and its spent shells were recovered at the scene.

He added that there were several inconsistencies with Simon and McLennon’s statements. He strongly objected to the two officers being released on bail since they might tamper with witnesses, which mostly consist of police officers.

Among other things, Jeffers said that the two ranks denied giving chase and opening fire at Bacchus, but other police officers who were at the scene said the opposite.

Simon and McLennon were represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy, who told the court that Simon has done “nothing but performed his police work.”

He also said that Simon was allegedly threatened by senior ranks that he would be prosecuted under the Secrets Acts and was instructed not to reveal “secretive things” from the incident or department.

The Chief Magistrate refused to grant Simon and McLennon bail on the grounds of the “high likelihood” that they will tamper with witnesses. As such, she remanded them to prison until July 22.

On Sunday, Head of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Justice (Ret’d) William Ramlall, said in a press release that he had recommended charges against three ranks but he

did not reveal their names.

He indicated that he had forwarded the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar AliHack, for her to decided who was to be charged and for what offences.

The DPP subsequently advised the police to proceed with charging the trio.

In addition to the criminal charge, Simon was charged departmentally with conduct prejudice to good order and discipline, contrary to Section 4(z) of the Police (Discipline) Act, Chapter 17:01.

The PCA investigated the matter in collaboration with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to ensure a free, fair, and transparent finding.

Bacchus’s fatal shooting has had much public attention, with his family calling for justice and an independent probe.

Last week, a protest was held along the East Coast of Demerara corridor resulting from a false report on social media which claimed that the rank who allegedly shot and killed Bacchus had been released.

Police issued a statement rejecting the false report stating that DeNobrega was still under arrest at the Police Headquarters.

Following the protest, 16 men appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly engaging in riotous behaviour.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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Women, girls an integral part of Guyana’s development

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

— Minister Persaud tells human rights council

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Tuesday morning, presented at the 50th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC50), where she said that partnerships with women and girls were necessary to eliminate Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Minister Persaud stated, during her presentation, that the Government of Guyana’s approach to eliminating gender-based violence was creative and diverse, and it takes time to change ingrained ways of thinking.

“We recognise that partnership with women and girls is indispensable in this process,” she said.

Minister Persaud said that women and girls were dis-

proportionately affected by gender-based violence, which impedes their empowerment and the achievement of gender equality.

“The Government of Guyana’s innovative programmes are geared towards ensuring that women and girls have significant roles in the development of effective responses to gender-based violence through the creation of enabling environments,” she related.

The Human Services Minister said that the efficacy of any measure geared towards preventing and eliminating gender-based violence could be assessed by how comprehensively it addressed the problem.

She explained that women and girls who were victims of gender-based violence were in the best position to ventilate

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

their experience of violence fully, providing a holistic picture of its impacts and putting forward essential insights into the range of issues to be addressed by policymakers if

gender-based violence was to be effectively countered.

“In Guyana, many of the initiatives that my government has developed to tackle gender-based violence have

stemmed from ideas and proposals put forward by women and girls themselves, and a significant proportion of these are implemented primarily by women, notably the 914 24-hour hotline, free legal services, survivor advocacy, and other intervention programmes,” Minister Persaud said.

Minister Persaud related that she spearheaded the legislative review of the domestic violence act, was the chair of the National Sexual Offences Task Force, and led the development of economic empowerment programmes and policies to combat gender inequality.

The 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council started on June 13, 2022, and will run until July 8, 2022.

According to the Universal Rights Group, the Human

Rights Council is the leading intergovernmental body within the United Nations (UN) system responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and for addressing human rights violations, including gross and systematic violations.

The Council was created on March 15, 2006, by UN General Assembly (GA) resolution 60/251, which decided to establish the Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, in replacement of the Commission on Human Rights.

The Council, which comprises 47 members allocated by geographic region, meets for three regular sessions per year in March, June, and September for 10 weeks or more.

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GDF officer remanded for Berbice hairdresser’s murder

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

she visited the man’s residence. She was also seen on a nearby CCTV camera exiting a car and entering Hazel’s home. Her umbrella was found inside his bedroom.

Park’s sister said she last saw her on June 29.

DEAD: Donalesa Park

GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Corporal, Colin Hazel, was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison for the gruesome murder of Donalesa Park, whose lifeless body was recently found inside a garbage bag at Courtland Village Public Road, East Berbice.

Colin Hazel, 32, ap-

GDF Corporal Colin Hazel

peared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the capital offence, which alleged that between June 29 and June 30, 2022, at Courtland Village, he murdered Park.

Hazel will make his second court appearance

on August 23, 2022 at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

The Guyana Chronicle previously reported that the lifeless body of the 29-year-old mother of one was discovered stuffed inside a garbage bag opposite Hazel’s home.

Park was last seen alive on June 29, when

She said the now-deceased woman left Fort Ordinance, Berbice to braid a client’s hair. However, she did not meet the client, as the person was not there when she arrived at the location.

Relatives became

alarmed when Park failed to return home. A search was launched and a report was made to the police. The next morning, the family’s worst fear was confirmed when the young mother’s body was found.

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Guyanese jewellers gear up for new Barbados gold hub

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 6, 2022

— with training offered by local authorities

IN preparation for the Guyana Gold Hub in Barbados, the Government of Guyana, on Thursday, facilitated a training exercise to prepare local jewellers to learn and develop essential skills related to jewellery-making processes and techniques.

The programme was con-

ducted through a partnership between the Guyana Mining School and the E.R Burrowes School of Art. The course is designed for beginners and those with some experience who are interested in learning fundamental skills such as sawing, filing, sanding, drilling, texturing, forging, and sol-

dering. Further, the course will expand to include local semi-precious stones in jewellery designs.

The establishment of a gold jewellery hub is part of the St Barnabas Accord signed by the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

The Guyana Gold Jewellery Hub will see up to 15 jewellers from Guyana establishing stores at a prominent mall in Bridgetown, which is in the heart of the tourist shopping district.

There is a high demand for gold in Barbados and the quality jewellery produced in Guyana are of particular

Some of the jewellers who participated in the jewellery-making course (Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

interest to residents of Barbados and tourists. The hub is expected to become a reality in nine months.

Several jewellers were allowed to showcase their products at the Agro Fest which was held from May 26-29, 2022 in Barbados.

Rampersud Gopaul of Gopaul’s Jewellery, who showcased his products at the Agro Fest said that his establishment was pleased to be a part of the arrangement that will rejuvenate Guyana’s rich historic heart of commerce and reignite its reputation as El Dorado, the country rich with gold.

“It is our view that the project comprising of a modern mix of jewellers in this hub will connect Guyana with Barbados in the most positive and superior way,” Gopaul noted.

He believes Barbados’ status as a leading tourism destination in the region, makes it an ideal trading hub.

“Gopaul’s Jewellery advocates that we should embrace the opportunity to market Guyana as a country rich in gold. This development will transform Guyana into a modern reality, supporting trade, tourism, and growth to secure a golden future,” Gopaul said.

Meanwhile, Stephen Jacobs of Jacobs’ Jewellery, who was also a part of the delegation, extended much gratitude to President Ali and the Government of Barbados for providing the opportu-

nity for Guyanese Jewellers to showcase their skills and Guyana’s gold to Barbados and the rest of the world.

“We are highly anticipating being a part of the jewellery hub,” Jacobs said.

Karl Gobin of Gobin’s Jewellery also spoke highly of the initiative, stating: “Guyana’s distinctive gold is one of the most recognised minerals in so many countries and I can say, with absolute certainty, that our gold being displayed in Barbados will bring so many opportunities to those in the gold industry.”

Also, part of the visit was Kevin Narine of Steve’s Jewellery. He described the trip as insightful, adding that the hub presents a great opportunity for jewellers to showcase their merchandise in Barbados.

One of the finished ring pieces completed by the participants of the jewellerymaking course (Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 6, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 6, 2022

Malteenoes Sports Club to host cricket camp from July 18-30 THE annual Malteenoes Sports Club cricket (MSC) camp will make a return from July 18 – 30 at their facility located on Thomas Lands club, Georgetown, and this year, it will cater to both males and females from ages seven to 18.

According to a release from the club on Tuesday, the activities will run Monday through Friday from 09:00h – 15:00h.

Registration forms are currently available and they can be accessed by visiting the club or Jacobs Jewelry & Pawnshop, Pike Street, Kitty.

Formed in 1902, MSC indicated they facilitate young people from the lower end of the economic

Malteenoes Sports Club

strata to hone their sporting talent by having a support, development, and mentorship system for some of the commonly known names in Guyanese cricket.

MSC has produced Guyana players such as Charlie Jones, Glendon

Gibbs, Rex Collymore, Barrington Brown, Colin Stuart, Kenneth Wong and female Test player Indomattie Goordial, while Test Players John Trim and Clayton Lambert from Berbice have also played for the club.

President Ali lauds Chess...

Commission Councillor Yolander Sammy and President of the Deaf Association of Guyana, Sabine Macintosh.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr was also at the meeting, which was held at State House.

Meanwhile, the President was pleased with the development of deaf player, 12-year-old Anaya

Lall, who will be representing Guyana for the second time, having competed last year in the online World Chess Championship for People with Disabilities.

To this extent, he promised to continue supporting the advancement of the sport for persons with special needs across Guyana as well as with equipment to further expand the federation’s reach across the

(From back page)

country.

He also pledged Government’s assistance and support for the team to compete in India.

The federation has unearthed and nurtured young talent through its school programmes and the proactive nature of its executive members, who have held a number of competitions in the first half of the year.

Trinidad and Tobago relay... (From back page) ing the medals: “I am very excited and relieved at the same time. This has been a long time coming. We should have originally won these medals 14 years ago, but the circumstances were beyond our control. We are happy that the IOC acted with immediacy and all the relevant bodies continued to

do everything they could for the integrity of the sport and the Olympics in general.”

He added that it was special to have the ceremony at The Olympic Museum.

“When you see some of the names that are on the wall here, like Jesse Owens, Michael Phelps, Michael Johnson, Roger Federer –

they are greats, they go beyond just sport, they have the ability to reach people from all walks of life and different parts of the globe.

So, it is a huge honour for us to be here to donate items of ours as well from the final, and to have a space alongside these people,” Thompson said.

Shaw leads Reggae Girlz to... the chance of extending the Jamaica advantage by sending it over the crossbar.

They were more chances starting in the second half, as Shaw tried to surprise the Mexican front again, but was denied the 2-0 lead by the goalpost. Ordonez, in the 54th, had the equaliser

again, but barely missed a header that would have been an assist by Bianca Sierra.

Mexico kept pushing as Joseline Montoya, subbed on in the 80’, put a ball in the area but the Jamaican defence players were there, ready to cover it.

With this result, Jamaica

(From page 34)

earned their first win over Mexico in a CWC match, making their overall record one win, no draw, three losses.

The next opportunity for Mexico will be against Haiti, while Jamaica’s next challenge will be against the United States.

Tour de France 2022:

Wout van Aert claims victory on stage four WOUT van Aert's sensational escape in the final 10km of stage four gave him his first win at this year's Tour de France and extended his overall lead.

The Belgian had finished second in each of the first three stages of this year's race but this time his plan worked to perfection.

A breathtaking attack up the final climb sent him clear and he held on in the closing kilometres into Calais. van Aert moves 25 seconds clear in the General Classification.

Behind him, Jasper Philipsen won a bunch sprint to the line and raised his arms thinking he had won the stage, illustrating the chaotic nature of the finish.

That was all down to van Aert's attack, with a cross tailwind helping to split the pack as they tried to stay with him. van Aert had been denied a stage win by a photo finish in a bunch sprint as the Tour left Denmark on Sunday, but marked the first day of racing in France with a memorable triumph.

"I didn't want to take the risk anymore," he said afterwards about the move by his Jumbo-Visma team

Van Aert has now won six stages at the Tour de France - he claimed two victories in 2020, and three last year

on the way up the Cote du Cap Blanc Nez. "It was quite obvious that we were trying something with the team," he explained.

"We were in a perfect position thanks to Nathan (van Hooydonck) and Stevie (Kruijswijk), then Nathan opened up on the climb, Tiesj (Benoot) took over and we heard on the radio there was some damage.

"The goal was to go full to the top and see what happened, but then I came over the top alone.

"I was a bit in doubt whether I should wait for Jonas Vingegaard and Adam Yates behind me, but by going full, I also put Jonas and the others in a good position

because they didn't have to ride.

"So I decided to go on alone, and then it was 10km of all-out suffering."

Last year's winner, Tadej Pogacar, and the other leading contenders for the General Classification recovered to finish together in the group immediately behind van Aert but, along with the pure sprinters in the race, they were unable to organise themselves in time to catch him.

The 27-year-old flapped his arms before punching the air in triumph as he crossed the line in yellow, and later explained his celebration by saying "this jersey gives you wings".

(BBC Sport)

Bitter rivals Shields, Marshall face off at press conference BITTER rivals Claressa ‘GWOAT’ Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) and Savannah ‘The Silent Assassin’ Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs) faced off yesterday in London at the kickoff press conference for their September 10 clash at the famed O2 Arena.

On the line is the undisputed female middleweight championship. Shields will enter the ring carrying the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, while Marshall will wear her WBO strap.

Claressa Shields: “I don’t hate anybody but I really do have a huge dislike for her.

My grandmother told me not to use the word hate so I won’t use it, but I don’t like

Savannah and she’s one of my biggest haters.

They’re saying she’s a big knockout puncher, she’s the only blemish on my record as an amateur and that she has the recipe to beat me.

My job is to show that she doesn’t and that I don’t reign supreme in three different weight classes for no reason.

If she was better than me, she’d be the one supreme in three different weight classes, not me.”

Savannah Marshall: “I’m actually a fan of Claressa Shields. She’s a pioneer and what she has done for the sport has been amazing. But the reality is she doesn’t beat me. She didn’t before and

she won’t again. And it kills her, It absolutely burns her inside. The fact is that I beat her and I’ll beat her again.

I’m not just going to beat her, I’m going to outbox her. I’m going to hurt her. This fight has been a long time coming but we’re here now and September 10 I will be the new middleweight champion of the world.”

It was also officially announced that the chief support slot will see WBO and IBF world champion Mikaela Mayer and WBC champion Alycia Baumgardner face off in a unification bout in the 130-pound division. (Fightnews)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 6, 2022

Root, Bairstow complete remarkable record chase at … England have cruised to a seven-wicket win over India to complete their Edgbaston highest-ever Test chase, and the ninth highest in history ENGLAND nonchalantly completed a record chase of 378 to beat India in rapid time on the final morning of the fifth Test at Edgbaston.

Centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took England to their highest successful pursuit in Test cricket and the ninth-largest in the history of the game.

Needing another 119 from their overnight 259-3, Root and Bairstow coasted with incredible ease, taking England to a memorable seven-wicket win, one of their all-time greatest victories.

Bairstow’s 114 not out was his second century of the match, while Root ended unbeaten on 142 in an unbroken partnership of 269.

They carried England to a new height in what is turning into a spectacular summer under new captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

The win ensures a series that was postponed last summer is drawn 2-2 but, more importantly, it is the greatest validation to date of England’s ultra-positive approach to Test cricket.

Their next series is with South Africa in August, while an entirely different squad under new white-ball captain Jos Buttler plays the first

378 for the loss of only three wickets is truly remarkable.

What can this new England go on to achieve?

Jonny Bairstow scored his fourth hundred in five innings and sixth this year (Photo: Getty Images)

of three T20s against India tomorrow.

BAZBALL SCALES NEW HEIGHTS Just five weeks ago, England’s Test cricket was in the doldrums, with McCullum and Stokes given the task of reviving a team that had won only once in 17 attempts.

While the manner of the 3-0 series win over New Zealand was thrilling, it felt like a different prospect to play ‘Bazball’ against the powerful Indians.

The home side were under huge pressure at different times during this match. They were 83-5 in response to India’s first-innings 416, then

on Monday India were 322 ahead with five second-innings wickets in hand.

And yet, England’s insistence that they could chase any target was proved correct, thanks largely to the cavalier progress they made on a scintillating fourth afternoon.

Strangely, given the magnitude of the result, the fifth morning was almost anticlimactic.

Edgbaston was far from full despite all of the available free tickets being taken, while Root and Bairstow removed what little jeopardy remained in the chase.

That takes nothing away from what England have accomplished – to overhaul

ROOT, BAIRSTOW LEAD ENGLAND ROMP Superlatives for England’s pair of Yorkshire batting maestros have long been exhausted. This was Bairstow’s fourth hundred in five innings and sixth this year, Root has made 11 since the beginning of 2021.

Their rebuild from 109-3 on Monday ran India ragged.

When Root resumed on 76 and Bairstow 72 yesterday morning, India still had fielders scattered, allowing runs to flow.

Root played dreamy drives and clips off the pads.

After he had run Mohammed Siraj to third man for his 28th Test ton, he unfurled the trick shots. Shardul Thakur was belted back over his head for four, then reverse-scooped for six.

Bairstow was more circumspect, but still pummelled anything short. He only showed nerves on 99, going to three figures with a pinched single off Ravindra Jadeja and celebrating with an emotional embrace from Root.

By the end, their partner-

ship was the fourth-highest by any pair in the fourth innings of a Test, while the run chase surpassed the previous England record of 359, set when Stokes stunned Australia at Headingley in 2019.

Victory, a formality for most of the morning, was completed almost half an hour before lunch.

INDIA MISS THEIR CHANCE This is a crushing defeat for India. Last summer they were by far the superior team, but they called off the fifth Test after a COVID-19 outbreak in their backroom staff and have now missed out on a first series win in England since 2007.

Not only that, but this is the largest target they have failed to defend in Test cricket.

They made a selection error in omitting spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, carelessly threw away a dominant position when they were batting in their second innings, then were completely passive as England overwhelmed them in the run chase.

Would the tourists have avoided the mistakes if Jasprit Bumrah did not have to stand in for captain Rohit Sharma, who was ruled out with COVID-19?

Realistically, the way England played, nothing would have stopped them.

(BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 416 ENGLAND 1st innings 284 INDIA 2nd innings 245 ENGLAND 2nd innings (o/n 259-3

Alex Lees run-out Mohammed Shami 56 Zak Crawley b Jasprit Bumrah 46 Ollie Pope c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 0 Joe Root not out 142 Jonny Bairstow not out 114 Extras: (b-8, lb-7, nb-2, w-3) 20 Total: (three wkts, 76.4 overs) 378 Fall of wickets: 1-107, 2-107, 3-109.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 17-1-74-2 (nb-1), Mohammed Shami 15-2-64-0, Ravindra Jadeja 18.4-3-62-0, Mohammed Siraj 15-0-98-0 (w-1), Shardul Thakur 11- 0-65-0 (w-2, nb-1)

India drop in WTC rankings, Bumrah deplores batting after loss … Having started day four of the Edgbaston Test in a promising position with seven wickets in hand, India failed to bat into the final day and were eventually defeated by England's go-for-it approach inside the first session on day 5 (REUTER) - As if the seven-wicket loss against England was not bad enough, India were docked two World Test Championship (WTC) points for their slow over rate in the rearranged fifth Test at Edgbaston.

The tourists were found to be two overs behind the over rate which also led to a fine of 40% of the match fees, the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement yesterday.

The points penalty

meant India dropped below Pakistan in the WTC rankings to the fourth spot, with Australia at the top followed by South Africa.

The top two teams will reach the WTC summit clash. India lost to New Zealand in last year’s final of the competition’s inaugural edition.

India held a 2-1 lead going into the Edgbaston Test where England pulled off an epic chase to level the series The tourists dominated the first three days of the

see-saw contest and looked in the box seat with a handy lead of 132 on a pitch with variable bounce.

They could not capitalise on it though, and England pulled off their highest successful chase with two sessions to spare.

Makeshift captain Jasprit Bumrah blamed the loss on India’s poor batting in the second innings when they were all out for 245.

“I think yesterday we fell short with the bat, and we had to come back with the ball,” Bumrah said.

Ben Stokes and Jasprit Bumrah share the trophy as England and India end series at 2-2. (Photo: ECB/Twitter)

“That is the phase where we let the opposition in, and

the momentum kept shifting away from us.”

The 28-year-old was put in charge of the side after regular skipper Rohit Sharma tested positive for COVID-19. That also meant India had to send Cheteshwar Pujara, who bats at number three, to partner Shubman Gill at the top of the order.

“They played better than we in the second innings and won the game,” Bumrah said.

“So yeah, hard-fought series, but that’s the ideal result, isn’t it? Both teams played good cricket.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 6, 2022

Djokovic beats Sinner to reach Wimbledon semi-finals NOVAK Djokovic said talking to himself in the mirror when he was two sets down was the turning point as he beat Jannik Sinner to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The top seed and defending champion, bidding for a fourth successive SW19 title and seventh overall, came through 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Centre Court.

Serb Djokovic, 35, will play Britain's Cameron Norrie next.

"He was the better player for the first two sets," Djokovic said.

"I went out and had a refresh, had a toilet break, I had a little pep talk to myself in the mirror, it's the truth.

"Sometimes in these circumstances when not much is happening positively for you, sometimes these things are necessary. A little break, to try and re-gather the thoughts and reassemble."

Djokovic was given a huge scare by Italian 10th seed Sinner, who initially rose to the occasion as he tried to reach a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time.

However, the 20-year-old

faded in the final three sets as Djokovic improved after an erratic and subdued opening.

THE REAL DJOKOVIC EVENTUALLY EMERGES There was no suggestion of the drama before Djokovic moved 4-1 ahead in the first set and brought up a break point for 5-1, but his level suddenly dropped just as Sinner grew into the match.

Groundstrokes began to fly long and drop shots either flopped into the net or sat up for Sinner to put away as the Serb fell two sets behind, at risk of his first defeat at Wimbledon since retiring from the 2017 quarter-final against Tomas Berdych because of a shoulder injury.

It has been difficult to judge where Djokovic's game is this year as he did not play in the Australian Open and the American hard-court swing because of his COVID-19 vaccine status.

Having lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarterfinals, he did not play

a grass-court warm-up tournament but had reached the last eight here for the loss of just one set.

Perhaps the lack of his usual match-play had an effect here, and he showed little emotion as he dropped serve twice in both the first two sets and was thoroughly outplayed by the more aggressive Sinner.

After his toilet break at the end of the second set, a more recognisable Djokovic appeared. He began to step into the ball rather than scramble behind the baseline and a break to love for 3-1 gave him a foothold in the match.

At 30-30 in the next game, Sinner netted a makeable volley and Djokovic engaged with the crowd for the first time, waving his arms and encouraging them to make more noise.

Sinner saved two set points at 5-2 down but Djokovic wrapped it up in the next game, dropping only five points on his serve in the third.

Two Sinner double faults set Djokovic on his way immediately in the fourth

Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his quarter-final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner, All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 5, 2022 (REUTERS/Toby Melville)

set and he then broke again as he moved 4-0 up. The Italian did become more competitive towards the end of the set, but he had a scare when his left foot slipped as he chased a volley.

He grabbed his ankle and

Lyon fast approaching 'best since Murali' status NATHAN Lyon is on track to leave Sri Lanka as the world's most potent Test off-spinner since Muthiah Muralidaran in a stunning endorsement of the Australian's rise.

Lyon climbed from 13th to 10th in the all-time leading wicket-taker rankings in the first Test in Galle after taking nine scalps, as Australia romped to victory over Sri Lanka inside three days.

South African quick Dale Steyn sits three wickets ahead of Lyon on 439 Test victims in ninth, while Ravichandran Ashwin is in eighth spot with 442.

Ashwin did not play in India's current Test against England at Edgbaston which ended yesterday and he does not have another on the horizon until November.

If Lyon can take seven or more wickets in the second Test, only Muralitharan's 800 wickets would stand above him for off-spinners in Test history.

"I'm not really sure where I stand on the (alltime wicket-taking) list ... (but) the top end of the wicket-takers, there's some

Should Nathan Lyon take seven wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka, he will become the world's most prolific off-spinner since the great Muthiah Muralitharan

amazing names there," Lyon said during the first Test win.

"For me it's always been about the team ... it's something I'm proud of but will look at in more depth at the end of my career.

"But that's a long way off."

Lyon’s achievement is remarkable considering he did not play first-class cricket until he was 23 years old, before making his Test debut seven months later.

"You could see that skill level straight away," New Zealand spin legend and Australia's assistant coach Daniel Vettori, who played against Lyon in his fifth career Test, said.

"There are very few bowlers who are able to be consistent with that amount of top spin and revolutions.

It's a really tricky thing to do.

"And then you see the development of that bowler, to read conditions, to add things to his armoury and a desire to just keep wanting to get better.

Australia expect another big-turning track for Friday's second Test in Galle but are unlikely to change their attack or even consider bringing in an extra spinner in Jon Holland.

It was once the wickets of the sub-continent that were the most difficult for Lyon to conquer.

But the 34-year-old has now learnt to use his top spin and bounce to his advantage.

Five of Lyon's nine wickets in the first Test came with the hosts trying to sweep or reverse-sweep

him, beaten by the bounce and turn as they struggled to get over the ball Lyon has also spoken at length about his willingness to depart from the usual shape he bowls in Australia when on the subcontinent, becoming Australia's best in these conditions in recent years.

It's a tactical change that looms as crucial ahead of next year's four-Test tour of India, where Lyon will play a big role.

"Because his stock ball is so amazing, sometimes for him that is good enough," Vettori, who took 362 Test wickets, said.

"But for his development, he is looking to bring variations in. Different balls, over and around the wicket … he is very receptive to all information."(AAP) Most Test wickets as an off-spinner: Muthiah Muralitharan: 800 Ravichandran Ashwin: 442 Nathan Lyon: 436 *Rangana Herath: 433 Harbhajan Singh: 417 *Daniel Vettori: 362

was down for a while, but was fine to continue after Djokovic came round the net to check on his condition and helped him to his feet.

The crowd got behind Sinner and roared in encouragement when he held at the

start of the final set, but a tentative volley and weak drop shot that both found the net gave Djokovic a break for 2-1.

There seemed little doubt now about the result and Djokovic duly moved on after a spectacular backhand cross-court winner, which left him lying flat on his chest, was followed by a wild drive volley from Sinner on match point.

Djokovic said his "pep talk" at the end of the second set was entirely "positive".

He added: "As negative and down as you feel on yourself in those moments, even though as fake as it looks or sounds to you, it really gives you an effect and support if you are trying to find the right and positive affirmations and tell it to yourself and kind of re-animate yourself in a way.

"So that's what I have done. I've done that after I lost two sets in finals of (2021) Roland Garros against (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, and today it worked.

It doesn't always work.

It's not a guarantee it will always work.

White-ball India regulars likely to be rested for West Indies tour A COUPLE of regular members of India's white ball team are likely to be rested for the eight-match series against the West Indies later this month.

The players to be left out are not yet finalised but understandably it will be the seniors rather than the youngsters.

India play three ODIs and five T20Is against the West Indies between July 22 and August 7 in the Caribbean and the US. The announcement of the squads was to happen in the last few days but has been delayed as the national selectors have not yet finalised on the rest issue.

Selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma, who is travelling with the team in England, may have a chat with the players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant among others after the final day of the Edgbaston Test.

With coach Rahul Dravid having had to work with multiple skippers in his short tenure so far, the selectors may not entertain the idea of resting the captain once more. Rohit, having skipped the home South Africa series and the ongoing

Test by choice and compulsion, may helm the squads.

Meanwhile, the Indian white-ball team barring skipper Rohit, have reached Southampton where India will start their six-match white-ball leg of the England tour with a T20I today.

Rohit, it is learnt, is still in Birmingham while other members of the squad for the first T20I have travelled to Southampton.

VVS Laxman, who went to Ireland as the coach of the T20I side, is also travelling with the team. Laxman managed the side during the two warm-up games, against Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, on July 1 and 3.

After the Southampton game, India will return to Birmingham to play the second T20I before going to Nottingham for the third and final T20 game.

Of the three ODIs two will be in London (The Oval and Lord's) on July 12 and 14 respectively. The final match of the series is in Manchester on July 17 following which India fly to Trinidad for the West Indies series.

(Cricbuzz)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 6, 2022

Regal Legends retain Independence Cup in exciting finish REGAL Legends extracted sweet revenge on New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Legends to successfully defend their Independence Cup on Sunday at Baisley Park, Queens, New York.

Set a target of 155 runs from 20 overs, the defending champions fell behind the required run rate and then lost wickets in a heap but still pulled off the heist with five wickets and three balls to spare thanks to composed batting from Mohendra Arjune and Ramesh Narine and the cool temperament from Throy Kippins.

Arjune was promoted up the order alongside established opener Unis Yusuf and the pair put on 77 for the first wicket in 13 overs.

Arjune set the tone early with some attractive shots on both sides of the wicket to see the 50 coming up in the seventh over.

However, there was a quiet period of six overs on either side of the mid-innings break which allowed the hosts, NYSCL Legends to pull things back. During

the period, Regal Legends only managed 22 runs with Yusuf sweeping and missing consistently. In all, the right-hander faced 38 balls of which 22 were dot balls before he was eventually dismissed for 30 (1x6, 2x4) in the 13th over.

At that point, NYSCL Legends were beginning to control the match having already picked up Arjune in the previous over for 41 (31 balls; 6x4). Arjune, who faced only 10 dot balls, was desperately looking to regain the momentum but succumbed to the pressure and was caught behind off Jagdish Persaud.

With 72 runs still needed from 39 balls, the pressure was on Ramesh Narine and Wayne Jones but the experienced left-handers quickly added 58 for the third wicket to bring back the game in favour of the 2021 champions.

Then disaster struck again.

With 14 runs needed for victory at the start of the 19th over, Jones (seven) tried to clear long-off but found the waiting hands of Ronald Evelyn instead. Three balls

NYSCL president Eric Ferrier presents the winning trophy (Eagle) to Regal Legends skipper Mahendra Hardyal

later, Eric Thomas (one) topedged Nandalall Doodnauth for one, followed by a contentious stumped-out decision to remove Eion Abel (0) off the very next ball to send panic in the Regal camp.

Doodnauth had delivered the perfect over, picking up three wickets for just four runs. It was any team’s game with 11 needed from the final over.

Chad Richmond, whose

only over had cost 13 runs, was entrusted with the responsibility of defending 12 runs while new batter Throy Kippins was on strike with Ramesh Narine at the other end on 41. A nervous-looking Richmond bowled to Kippins and the batters ran three runs as the ball was played to backward point and not fielded cleanly which allowed two overthrows and

a change of strike.

It was then eight runs needed from five balls. Richmond bowled a wide to Narine. who took a double to make it five runs to win from four balls. The spectators then began chanting ‘Regal, Regal, Regal’ and eventually Richmond sent down another wide which also eluded the wicketkeeper while a bye was taken to bring the equation to three runs to win from four balls.

Kippins then flicked for the winning runs to the fine leg boundary which sparked wild celebrations in the park with Regal Legends finishing on 156 for five to take their second consecutive Independence Cup. Doodnauth was the pick of the bowlers with 2-26 while Bhagwandin (1-11) and Persaud (1-21) also got among the wickets for the hosts who opted to bat upon winning the toss in sunny conditions.

The NYSCL got a promising start with Ravi Sahadeo (39) and Chaitram Bhagwandin (33) putting on 73 for the first wicket in 12 overs

before they were both sent back by Kippins just seven runs apart.

After their dismissal, Jagdish Persaud with 39 and Robert Mohan 18 put on 71 runs for the third wicket before they were both dismissed in the final over which was bowled by Kippins. NYSCL finished with 154 for four as Kippins picked up three for 38 to finish the eight-team tournament with 10 wickets.

In the other categories, NYSCL Masters beat Hustlers to take the Masters title while Kingsmen defeated NYSCL All-Stars to take the Open title.

It was the 17th edition of the annual NYSCL Independence Cup which was played in good spirits and was well supported by sponsors and spectators, according to president of the league, Eric Ferrier.

The next tournament of this magnitude will be the Prime Minister;s T20 Softball Cup hosted by Georgetown Softball Cricket League on November 11, 12 and 13 in Guyana.

(GSCL Inc)

Guyana beat Barbados by nine wickets in Regional Women’s U-19 T20 GUYANA started the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Under-19s Rising Stars T20 Championship on Tuesday with a thumping nine-wicket win over Barbados at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex in Trinidad.

The Guyanese restricted the Barbadians to 62-3 from the reduced 15 overs then blazed to their target in just 10.4 overs.

Opener Zaliya Campbell made 17 (3x4s) off 27 balls for Barbados while extras were 16.

Bowling for Guyana, Niveena Ramnauth had figures of 2-3 off three overs, while Realeanna Grimmond took 1-13 off three overs after which Naomi Barkoye and skipper Ashmini Munisar secured victory with an unbroken partnership of 44.

Opener Barkoye made The Guyanese bowlers were on top (Photo: CWI Media)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 6, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI won by 35 runs (2) Rovman Powell (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times the WI & BANG have contested T20 Int’l games against each other to date?

(2) How many the WI have won?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

an unbeaten 25 off 36 balls (4x4s), while Munisar was not out on 14 off 24 (2x4s) as Guyana won with 26 balls

remaining.Guyana will face the Leeward Islands from 10:00h today at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

es:

Scores in the other match-

USA defeated Jamaica by seven wickets at the Bri-

an Lara Cricket Academy.

Jamaica 49-5 from 20 overs (Gabrielle Bryan 12*; Geetika Kodali 1-3, Snigdha Paul 1-4, Isani Vaghela 1-11, Jivana Aras 1-15) vs USA 53-3 from 11.2 overs (Extrs 20, Anika Kolan 11*; Brianna Plummer 1-6, Kade Wilmott 1-7, Kate Wilmott 1-11).

Trinidad and Tobago defeated Leeward Islands by 137 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Trinidad and Tobago 1642 from 20 overs (Shalini Samaroo 61, Shunelle Shaw 53*, Djenaba Joseph 21) vs Leeward Islands 27 all out from 12.1 overs (Shalini Samaroo 4-0)

2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship

Shaw leads Reggae Girlz to first win against Mexico MONTERREY, Mexico (CMC) – Khadija Shaw scored the only goal of the night on Monday when Jamaica beat Mexico 1-0 in Group A action of the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship (CWC), to take a major step toward qualifying for another Women’s World Cup.

Playing at the Estadio Universitario here, Jamaica got their goal early from Shaw in the eighth minute with a header via a free kick from Deneisha Blackwood.

The forward’s scoring opened the Reggae Girlz’ goal count in the CWC and also left her tied with Jody Brown for most CWC goals by a Jamaican player – four.

Mexico looked to respond and in the 15th minute, Diana Ordonez almost equalised the game with a header but was denied by the goalpost.

Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer came up with a big save in the 28th minute by denying Carolina Jaramillo a goal after she tried a long-distance shot,

resulting in a corner kick that the Mexican side didn’t take advantage of.

In the 35th minute, after a VAR review, the referee ruled in favour of a penalty for Jamaica after Mexico’s Casandra Montero committed a handball in the area.

Havana Solaun was the one who took the ball, missing (Turn to page 31)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday July 6, 2022

Former Windies captain expands coaching training with mission to help women’s cricket PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Retired West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira is making additional moves to become a professional coach, saying that she wants to contribute to taking the women’s game in the region to the next level.

Aguilleira, who is also the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) technical director (TD) for women’s cricket, participated in the face-to-face component of the

naments (CG United Super50 and T20 Blaze) in Guyana.

She is also playing a major role in the CWI Women’s Under-19 T20 event as Tournament Director.

Aguilleira, recognised among the most successful women’s cricketers for West Indies, said she always liked the idea of coaching and was encouraged to go in that direction.

“I remember, I spoke to someone recently when I was

Former West Indies Women captain Merissa Aguilleira (left) with CWI Coach Development Manager Chris Brabazon

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Representative Coaching Programme (Level 2) at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad on June 13 and 14.

“I’m passionate about cricket, I have a lot of knowledge about the game. I think it would be very selfish of me not to pass it on to the next generation. I have a vision of where I want to see West Indies cricket go, so it’s really important that we have persons who are passionate about the game and willing to take up that mantle of really carrying women’s cricket and pushing it forward to the rightful position that it’s supposed to be.… It has to be in with our dedication and our commitment,” she said.

“I think when you’re a coach, all these things can tie into developing women’s cricket and really selling a brand. And once you build that coaching philosophy, and what you really want the players to look like, and you want them to be, I think that can also make West Indies cricket stronger. So, I’m passionate about this, happy that I’m getting myself involved in it, and I look forward to it.”

Aguilleira has been involved in recent cricket series, including the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s tour of Barbados in May and the Cricket West Indies Women’s Tour-

trying to get involved in match refereeing. And while I had another discussion with the person, I remember seeing him looking at me, and he was like, ‘you’re supposed to be a coach’. I really started to think deep within myself that this is something I really need to get myself involved in,” she said.

CWI Coach Development Manager Chris Brabazon said CWI was supporting Aguilleira’s transition into coaching as well as the broader strategic approach to recruit and train female coaches.

“There is a need for more female coaches at all levels of our West Indies Cricket Pathway across the region. If we can increase the number of female role models in our cricket, we are much better placed to engage and inspire the next generation of girls to take up the game and continue through to the senior ranks,” he said.

“We have managed to train and accredit over 150 female coaches from Foundation to Level 2 over the past two years and it is great to now be putting processes into place for Merissa and other experienced players and coaches to go on and play a key role in the High-Performance realm of West Indies cricket.

“To have Merissa involved is fantastic as she is such a knowledgeable and passionate cricket person, a well-respect-

ed figure, and a great role model for our players and coaches. So, we want to make sure that we support her on her coaching journey as much as we can,” Brabazon added.

Aguilleira started her in-

ternational career in 2008 and finished in 2018 during which time she played 112 ODIs and 95 T20Is. She was a member of the T20 World Cup-winning team in the memorable final against Australia at Eden

Gardens, Kolkata in 2016, the biggest success in West Indies Women’s history.

A classy right-handed batter and wicket-keeper, she captained the West Indies to the ICC Women’s

World Cup final against Australia in 2013 in India and to three ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2010 in St. Lucia, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

President Irfaan Ali (right) speaks with members of the GCF during the meeting

President Ali lauds Chess Federation during meeting with Olympiad team THE Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has been one of the most proactive sport associations over the last few years with exponential growth, especially at the school level.

President Irfaan Ali seems to be aware of this development and has lauded the local governing

body for its drive and vision.

During a meeting recently, the President said he was happy with the work done, not only in growing the sport but also in making it inclusive.

He also charged the federation to continue on its developmental route so as to ensure that the sport

is accessible in every region in Guyana.

The federation was accompanied by the national team selected to travel to the 44th edition of the FIDE Olympiad, which is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 10 in Chennai, India.

The team, the youngest ever

from Guyana to the Olympiad, comprises five male and five female players. Taffin Khan, Anthony Drayton, Loris Nathoo, Roberto Neto and Ethan Lee will participate in the Open Tournament, while Sasha Shariff, Pooja Lam, Jessica Callender, Nellisha Johnson and Anaya Lall will par-

ticipate in the Women’s category.

The national players were accompanied by Company Secretary Marcia Lee, Executive Director Irshad Mohamed, Team Captain and Executive Director Davion Mars, Executive Director and FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary TURN TO PAGE 31 ►

Trinidad and Tobago relay men Root, Bairstow complete remarkable receive Olympic gold 14 years later record chase at Edgbaston

Trinidad and Tobago's men's 2008 4x100 Olympic team collected their gold medals from IOC president Thomas Bach at a reallocation medal ceremony in Switzerland yesterday Photo: Naaatt Facebook Page

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s 2008 Olympic men’s 4×100-metre relay team yesterday received their long-awaited gold medals.

The quintet of Richard ‘Torpedo’ Thompson, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and Aaron Armstrong (reserve), along with TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Diane Henderson, travelled to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland for the medal presentation at

The Olympic Museum.

Initially, T&T earned silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, behind the Jamaican quartet of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell.

However, due to Carter testing positive test for the banned substance methylhexaneamine, the country was stripped of gold by the IOC, and T&T were named the official gold medal winners at the event.

Thompson described the team’s emotions on receiv- TURN TO PAGE 31 ►

Jonny Bairstow's 114 not out was his second century of the match, while Joe Root (left) ended unbeaten on 142 in an unbroken partnership of 269 (Photo: Getty Images) See sories on page 32

HIGHEST TEST RUN CHASES

7-418 West Indies vs Australia, St. John's, 2003 4-414 South Africa vs Australia, Perth, 2008 4-406 India vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 1976 3-404 Australia vs England, Leeds, 1948 7-395 West Indies vs Bangladesh,

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Chattogram, 2021 6-391 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Colombo, 2017 4-387 India vs England, Chennai, 2008 3-382 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2015 3-378 England vs India, Birmingham, 2022 WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022