Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-08-2021

FRIDAY 6th August, 2021

' No.106445

Fabrication plants, large-scale block-making factories 03 PAGE

–– among major private projects in the pipeline to support construction boom

World Bank 12 pledges continued commitment to Guyana PAGE

Amended motions 02 submitted for removal of GECOM trio PAGE

Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo Deputy Chief Elections (left), and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield Officer, Roxanne Myers

Weapon suspected to have been used 02 in Pardessi’s murder found PAGE

A resident receiving oral treatment at a US Embassy’s Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP) medical outreach at Mabaruma, Region One, on Thursday (Jared Liddell photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Amended motions submitted for removal of GECOM trio

THE pro-government representatives of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have officially submitted their amended motion which seeks to have the contracts of three key GECOM employees terminated.

Those employees are the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; his deputy, Roxanne Myers; and the District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. It has been almost 17 months since the embattled three have been accused of attempting to thwart the outcome of the elections. Despite being criminally charged on various counts of electoral fraud, allegedly committed during the March 2, General and Regional Elections, Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo remain at their posts.

Initially, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioners had filed three separate motions which sought to have the embattled trio dismissed from their respective positions at GECOM. However, as the hearing on these motions continued to face delays, the PPP/C commissioners sought to have them amended to also consider the termination of contracts, which is catered for in the employment agreements of all three employees.

PPP/C Commissioner and Attorney-at-Law, Bibi Shadick, had previously explained that with the amendments, GECOM has been presented with more options of ridding itself of Lowenfield, Myers

PPP/C GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shadick and Mingo. “We are not removing the option of dismissal; we are doing this as an alternative to say that if the Commission does not find [grounds] to dismiss [Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo], then there is the possibility of terminating their contracts,” Shadick told the Guyana Chronicle during a previous interview. She further opined that, based on all the evidence that is currently before it, “The Commission can very well choose to dismiss” the trio.

Reflecting on the motions piloted by herself, and PPP/C colleagues Sase Gunraj and Manoj Narayan, Shadick said that the submissions call for Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo to be summarily dismissed, based on the fact that they are statutory officers who were guilty of breaching the law.

Shadick reminded that should the officers be dismissed, they would still be

Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo Deputy Chief Elections (left), and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield Officer, Roxanne Myers afforded the opportunity of though, our goal is that they National Assembly allows a seeking legal recourse, “be- [Lowenfield, Myers and Min- member to move, debate and cause there are legal remedies go] must not work in the sec- vote on motions. “That is available to them”. retariat of GECOM anymore. how it is,” Shadick insisted.

Nonetheless, should Either option will achieve It must be noted, howevGECOM pursue the ter- that result,” Shadick said. er, that due to the construct mination of their contacts She reminded also, that of GECOM, which has three instead of having them dis- following the filing of the nominated commissioners missed, the three officers dismissal motions, Lowen- representing each of the two could still stand to benefit, field had moved to the courts major political parties, the or, as Shadick termed it, to prevent her and her col- ultimate success of the mo“be rewarded for bad be- league Sase Gunraj from tions rests on the vote of haviour,” since they could debating and voting on the GECOM’s Chairperson, who, have their contracts termi- issue, since it was the latter in this case, is Justice (ret’d) nated, and still be able to who had brought the motion, Claudette Singh. capitalise on the payments and she who had seconded it.

It was in June, more than offered in lieu of notice.

During GECOM’s pre- a year after the elections, that vious meeting, the opposi- the PPP/C-nominated comSIGNIFICANTLY tion-nominated Commis- missioners tabled the three LIMITED sioners had walked out of motions seeking the “immeThe attorney-at-law the engagement in support of diate dismissal” of Lowennoted, however, that once Lowenfield’s arguments. field, Myers and Mingo. a person’s contract is terOn the other hand, ShadAs it is, Lowenfield is minated, their legal op- ick, a former PPP/C gov- faced with three counts tions would be significantly ernment minister rubbished of Misconduct in Public limited, since the option Lowenfield’s arguments, Office, and three counts of is clearly outlined in their referencing the fact that the Forgery, while Mingo was contracts, and “an employer cannot be forced into hiring an employee” it does not want to hire.

“At the end of the day,

charged with four counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and Myers with two counts of Misconduct in Public Office.

In addition to Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers, Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence; Opposition activist, Carol Joseph; the CEO’s clerks, Michelle Miller and Denise Bob-Cummings; Elections Officer, Shefern February, and Information Technology Officer, Enrique Livan, were also charged.

They are all accused of inflating the results of Region Four, Guyana’s largest voting district, to give the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition a majority win at the March 2, 2020 polls, when in fact the PPP/C had won by 15,000 votes. Based on the events of the 2020 elections, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has insisted that it is not wise for Guyana to have any other elections over which Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo are allowed to preside.

It is for this reason that the Head of State has refrained from announcing a date for the country’s Local Government Elections, even though $1.1 billion has already been budgeted in 2021 for this purpose.

Weapon suspected to have been used in Pardessi’s murder found

A PIECE of steel rod which was retrieved by police is believed to be the murder weapon used to strike Hemraj Pardessi to death.

Pardessi called “Prem”, 60, an overseas-based Guyanese was found bludgeoned to death at his Reliance, East Canje, Berbice residence on Tuesday evening at 23:42 hrs, moments after walking a visitor out of his yard.

His battered body was found at the bottom of the stairs, face down, with duct tape around his neck and blood oozing from his nose.

According to a post-mortem performed by pathologist, Dr. Vivekanand Bridegmohan, on Thursday, at the New Amsterdam Hospital, the cause of death was given as ligature strangulation and blunt trauma to the head.

Police sources have indicated that the steel rod was stained with blood and, based on the injuries seen, it

was probably used to strike the victim in the head.

Meanwhile, five persons remain in police custody and the search intensifies for two more suspects who are said to have played a critical role in the execution of the crime.

Diligent work by officers in Berbice led to the apprehension of the fifth suspect, who was found hiding in the Canje Creek area. He was jailed in 2019 for robbery at a Chinese Supermarket but was released from prison in February 2021.

The prime suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime and identified his accomplices.

Among the two suspects being sought is a female who allegedly orchestrated the act.

Pardessi had returned to Guyana on Wednesday last, and had reportedly withdrawn an undisclosed sum of money from a local bank to offset ongoing renovation

Hemraj Pardessi works on his property.

The house was ransacked, and since he lived alone, no one can validate the items stolen, nor their value.

Police are in the process of preparing the files to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Fabrication plants, large-scale block-making factories

–– among major private projects in the pipeline to support construction boom

By Navendra Seoraj ENCOURAGING development offshore Guyana and in other key productive sectors have spurred investors to inject funds into projects that are expected to fuel and support an imminent construction boom across the country.

At the centre of economic development is infrastructural advancement, which facilitates progress, expansion and innovation in key productive sectors.

According to experts, infrastructure, like the foundation of a house, serves as the root of an economy, expanding the scope for transportation, construction and investments, among other things.

This year alone, the government plans to expend $58.2 billion on public infrastructure, which is the second largest component of the government’s fiscal

programme. And on the capital side, the budget for infrastructure is $32.9 billion or 32 per cent of the total allocation for 2021.

Outside of the public sector, there are plans to construct hotels, agro-processing facilities, and shore bases to service the burgeoning oil and gas sector, and other facilities.

Further, 25 projects were initiated within the past year, of which 16 are local, six are Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and three are joint ventures.

Based on a breakdown of the local investments, four were in the agriculture sector; six in the service sector; two in light manufacturing, and one each in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), tourism, forestry and energy.

Of the six FDI projects, three are service related; two are in manufacturing, and

one in agriculture. The joint ventures account for two in manufacturing and one agriculture-related project.

Ultimately, for those projects to reach a stage of productivity, critical infrastructure needs to be in place.

Cognisant of this, investors have been positioning themselves to capitalise on the increasing demand for construction materials.

“The interest in supporting investments to boost the construction boom is on the rise,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Officer for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop said in an invited comment.

Dr. Ramsaroop said several investors have indicated their interests to establish steel and marine fabrication plants, largescale block-making factories and large cement batching plants.

“Applications to estab-

lish such businesses have been topping the list over the last month,” the CEO related.

The announcement of plans for such investments follows a recent report from the Department of Public Information (DPI), which quoted Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, as saying: “There is going to be a tremendous construction boom in Guyana, not just as a result of public sector activity – the buildings, the roads, the bridges, et cetera, the government is building – but also on the private sector side.

“You know we will have multiple hotels that are going to start constructing now.

You are going to have people taking up their house lots and starting to build their homes.”

Dr. Singh said the government has been encour-

aging the private sector to explore alternative sources of supply for construction materials like steel and cement.

The need for such investments is even greater because Guyana, despite the lingering adversities, is set to record economic growth of 20.9 per cent at the end of 2021, 26.0 per cent in 2022 and 23.0 per cent in 2023.

And the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $6.8 billion is expected to more than double by 2025, reaching over $14 billion.

In light of this, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had said that the right infrastructure is needed to accompany development and catalyse transformation.

Early this year, the President said: “We need to have the right infrastructure. We have to build and modernise and do what is necessary for growth and development, but

CEO of the Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop there cannot be an overreach and over spending… critical infrastructural links have to and will be created.”

Already, the government is building roads and bridges, and enhancing existing infrastructure which will serve as arteries to development.

Injured PM Gonsalves to fly to Barbados for head scan PRIME Minister Ralph Gonsalves, 74, will be flown to Barbados for an MRI to determine the extent of the injuries he sustained when he was struck in the head as he walked through a protest in Kingstown, on Thursday evening.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in the body.

“I want to inform the public that on the analysis and advice of the medical professionals at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, a decision has been taken that it is necessary to fly the prime minister to Barbados to receive and MRI consequent on the injuries,” Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves told Parliament, after 22:00 hrs on Thursday.

“I want to say that clearly.

This is not some scratch. This

was an attempt on the prime minister,” said Gonsalves, who is also the prime minister’s son.

“I want to thank, on behalf of the government, Prime Minister Mottley, and her team in Barbados for making the necessary arrangements tonight to fly the honourable prime minister to Barbados to receive that MRI. That is the seriousness we are talking about today,” he said.

“But I am fortified by Almighty God, and I am fortified by the prime minister’s favourite song, by Prince Buster, they could lick him down, you could knock him down, he would bounce right back, cause he is a hard man fe dead,” the finance minister said.

The update by the younger Gonsalves came about an hour after the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement that the injured

The injury inflicted on St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves (IWN photo) leader would remain warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital overnight.

The Office of the Prime Minister said in a press statement that Gonsalves was recuperating under the care of hospital staff.

“He will remain at the hospital overnight for observation. He has informed his

colleagues that he is recovering, and reaffirmed that no lawless mob will prevent him from doing the people’s business in the seat of our democracy,” the statement said.

The statement said that at approximately 17:15 hrs, Gonsalves was physically assaulted and wounded by “Opposition demonstrators

while attempting to enter the House of Assembly.

“Approximately 200 demonstrators, responding to a call to action from the Leader of the Opposition, picketed the Parliament and blocked the entrance to building.

When the crowd prevented the vehicle carrying the Honourable Prime Minister from driving through the gate of the Parliament, he alighted the vehicle and attempted to enter on foot.

“An Opposition demonstrator then hurled a projectile at the Prime Minister, which struck him in the head, inches above the temple. The Prime Minister, bleeding profusely, was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital by his security detail, where he was met by his wife,” the statement said.

The statement said that Gonsalves “strongly reiterated his belief in the solemnity

of the vote as a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy and basis of governmental legitimacy.

“In spite of his injuries, the Prime Minister welcomed all peaceful demonstration as a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution, but cautioned that legitimate peaceful demonstration should in no way impede parliamentarians’ rights of entrance and egress from the House of Assembly.

“Moreover, the use of violence in pursuit of political purposes is entirely unacceptable. We expect that the perpetrator of the actual act of violence will be brought to justice.

“Such an act is to be unequivocally condemned.

Equally to be condemned are the instigators and backroom authors of this kind of violence,” the statement said. (https://www.iwnsvg. com/)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Projects in place to slash –– says energy costs by half President Ali THE Government of Guyana has already initiated several programmes that seek to slash the cost of energy by at least 50 per cent before the end of 2024.

This confirmation was given by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who emphasised that affordable energy was a critical component of Guyana’s development.

“Recognising the importance of energy sufficiency, reliability, affordability and sustainability, your government has commenced investment in the energy sector,” President Ali said in his recent address to the nation.

He indicated specifically that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration will be aiming “for a new generation capacity of at least 500 megawatts in the immediate term, with the option to expand this further in the longer term”.

The Head of State had previously announced his government’s policy of pursuing a comprehensive energy mix which will capitalise on the abundance of resources

such as solar, wind, gas and hydropower.

In his speech, President Ali highlighted the major initiatives that have commenced in an effort to reduce the cost of energy locally.

These include the iconic gasto-shore project at the Wales Development Authority. This, according to Dr. Ali, “will see 250 megawatts of new power generation constructed”.

Further, the President said that solar generating capacity will also be installed to deliver at least 30 megawatts of power.

“Within individual remote communities and clusters of communities, stand-alone renewable solutions will also be explored, including hydropower and solar power plants as well as standalone solar panels,” Dr. Ali related.

He also pointed to the restarting of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which is expected to deliver another 160 megawatts of new power.

It was only recently that the Office of the Prime Minister issued a Request for

Proposals (RFP) to design, build and finance the Amaila Falls project. In a notice published online, the government expressed its desire to begin construction of the hydro-power plant by the second half of 2022, in pursuit of a 2025 completion and commissioning deadline.

It was explained that currently, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s Development and Expansion (D&E) plan for 2021 to 2025 projects the total capacity required in 2025 as 465 megawatt and energy of 2,900 gigawatt hours.

It was the PPP/C Government that had conceptualised the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, prior to demitting office in 2015.

As a matter of fact, the initiative was launched in 2009, but in 2013, it was voted down by the then two-party Parliamentary Opposition. This had forced the project’s major investor, Sithe Global Incorporated to withdraw from the undertaking altogether.

RECOMMITTED In 2014, Norway, under its climate partnership with Guyana, transferred some US$80M to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund the project.

When the PPP/C returned to office in August 2020, it recommitted to the project, and went on to propose the aforementioned energy mix aimed at utilising both natural gas, Heavy Fuel Oil, and renewables such as hydro, wind and solar.

During the parliamentary debates on the 2020 National Budget, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, had chided the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) for dismissing the project when they took office 2015.

Benn, who was the Public Works Minister when the project was birthed, pointed to the report prepared by a Norwegian company called Norconsult, which was selected by the then APNU+AFC administration, in 2016, to conduct a financial model review of the high-profile

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali Amaila Falls Project.

In 2017, Stabroek News released some of the findings of the review, which indicated that the only realistic path towards an “emission-free” electricity sector was via the development of Guyana’s hydro-power potential. It was noted, too, that the fastest way forward was to maintain the Amaila Falls Hydro-power Project as the first major step for substituting the current oil-fired generation.

The Guyana Chronicle

Friday August 6, 2021 03:00hrs - 04:30hrs

An artist’s impression of the proposed Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

had reported that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was expected to cost just under US$1 billion, and would be able to generate 165 megawatts of stable and reliable electricity for 11 solid months of the year, with the additional month, during the dry season, being used for scheduled maintenance.

Recent checks done by this newspaper determined that the project is still bankable, meaning that the financiers are still open to the idea of funding the project, and that all the technical studies are still relevant.

As a result, the restart timeline is expected to be much shorter than it was before 2015.

With all of the aforementioned projects coming on stream, President Ali said that Guyana was poised to become the energy capital of the region. “Work in all of these areas have commenced and are at various stages of implementation,” the Head of State posited.

He had previously warned, however, that even with Guyana’s petroleum potential, revenues garnered would be plugged into the acceleration of other important sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and various social services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

‘Rasta’ and ‘Magga’ charged again for Henry boys’ murder

MURDER charges were again instituted on Thursday against two prime suspects in the murder of teen cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry, whose mutilated bodies were found aback Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice last September.

Anil Sancharra, 33, called “Dan-Pole” and “Rasta”, of D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice; and Vinod Gopaul, 34, called “Magga”, of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, were last month freed of the murder of Isaiah, the younger of the two Henry boys,

by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court due to there being insufficient evidence to warrant a conviction.

Magistrate Hugh ruled in favour of a no-case submission made by the men’s attorney, Dexter Todd, who contended that the State had failed to make out a case against his clients.

But, though freed of Isaiah’s murder, they were still being held on remand, pending the preliminary inquiry into the murder of his cousin, Joel, which was to have commenced on August 10, 2021, but was inexplicably withdrawn.

On Thursday, on the advice of the police’s legal adviser, the charge of murder was reinstituted against the men, with Sancharra appearing via Zoom at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Singh, while Gopaul was a “no show”.

Vinod Gopaul, called ‘Magga’

Anil Sancharra, called ‘Dan Pole’ and ‘Rasta’

Akash Singh, called ‘Monkey’

Sancharra was not required to plead to the charge which alleges that he murdered both Joel and Isaiah Henry between September 5 and 6, 2020, in the Cotton Tree ‘back-dam’.

The matter has been adjourned to August 10, 2021, when the murder charge is expected to be read to Gopaul at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court.

Sancharra’s step-brother, Akash Singh, 20, called “Monkey”, of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, is also on

remand for the murder of the Henry boys, but his matter is being heard separately before Magistrate Hugh.

The mutilated bodies of Isaiah, 16, and Joel, 18, were found on September 6, 2020, in the Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice.

A post-mortem found that the Henrys had died of haemorrhage and shock, due to multiple incised wounds.

They’d both sustained a severed spine, along with multiple chops about the body.

The killers went so far as

to carve out a huge ‘X’ on Isaiah’s head, and cut open Joel’s chest.

It is suspected that the boys had died some 36 hours prior to being found. Three days later, Haresh Singh, 17, was found, in a bloodied state as well, in the backlands of Number Three Village, mere hours after leaving home on his motorcycle to take water to his relatives who were working on their farm.

The post-mortem on Singh indicated that he’d died of brain haemorrhage

and blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck.

In July, 27-year-old Gladston ‘Soldier-man’ Henry, the brother of Isaiah and cousin of Joel; 21-year-old Charles ‘Bucko’ Scott, of 29 Jarvis Street, Rosignol, Berbice; 27-year-old Joel ‘Bolo’ Gittins of Jangotown, East Coast Demerara; and 29-year-old Philip ‘Ratman’ Anderson, of Number Three Village, were charged for Singh’s murder.

They are currently on re-

mand at the Blairmont Magistrate Court. The gruesome deaths sent shockwaves throughout the country and resulted in widespread public outrage and mass protests.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Akash was arrested after an informant went to the police.

Gopaul and Sancharra were later detained. It is alleged that Akash confessed to the crime, while Gopaul and Sancharra remained silent.

THE Ministry of Health has reported that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, now taking the death toll to 553.

Two women, aged 56 and 62, who lived in Region Five are the country’s latest COVID-19 related deaths.

Both patients died while

receiving medical care at a facility.

As of Thursday, 84 new cases were recorded from 1,236 tests, taking the overall number of confirmed cases to 22,789.

New infections were recorded in Region Three (25 cases), Region Four (40 cases), Region Five (one case), Region Six (seven cases),

Region Seven (two cases), Region Nine (six cases) and Region 10 (three cases).

Some 13 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, 89 patients are in institutional isolation, 661 are isolated at home and three persons are in institutional quarantine.

All Guyanese are remind-

ed to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which are in effect until August 31, 2021.

This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face

mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six-feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Two more COVID deaths recorded

Guyana seeking to obtain CO-WIN software for vaccination programme WHILE Government is working on a system to generate digital versions of the COVID-19 vaccination card, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, disclosed that efforts are being made to pursue other methods of digitalising vaccine identification.

During his COVID-19 update on Thursday, Dr. Anthony revealed that the Health Ministry is currently in discussion with the Government of India to obtain the country’s CO-WIN platform for vaccination.

In an article published, in the Times of India newspa-

DEAD: Isaiah and Joel Henry

A nurse at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, preparing to administer a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

per, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced that the country’s CO-WIN platform for COVID vaccination is being made an open source to any and every country for health interventions across the world.

According to the article, the CO-WIN software has been the tech backbone of the country’s vaccination programme.

The platform is seen to have delivered in tracking first and second doses scheduling appointments, registering beneficiaries and issuing vaccination certificates that can be linked to passports.

Dr. Anthony stated that Guyana has already received confirmation that the software will become available and customised to the needs of the country’s health system.

“They have consented to give us a customised version of that software for our use.

We are continuing those discussions and, hopefully, as soon as we finalise it, we will be able to move our database into that software,” he said.

The Health Minister noted that the software will provide many features that will allow for quick searches and record-keeping.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Harmon’s petty politics

IT is great to see President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has expressed willingness to engage Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, on conformation of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice of the Judiciary.

But the Opposition Leader must officially state that the APNU+AFC Coalition recognises the PPP/C government and end his foray into senseless political gymnastics and gimmicky.

It is not a case where the government wants the opposition’s stamp of approval but given all that the APNU+AFC has said and

done, it becomes necessary that they end spreading their falsehoods, which, among other things, include the absurd claim of winning the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

It common knowledge that the APNU+AFC did not win the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and their election petitions failed in court.

While Harmon in responding to the call from President Ali claimed willingness to meet to discuss the important judicial matter, he accused the President of imposing unrealistic,

unnecessary and outrageous extra-constitutional conditionalities for the meeting.

On the basis of his claims, he believes that the government is trying to stall the appointment of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice.

The Opposition Leader is playing politics. He cannot want to have a conversation with the President and refuse to acknowledge that the PPP/C government is legitimate and exercises rightful authority over the populace. Instead of acknowledging this well-established fact, Harmon has

now resorted to a political fairy tale, saying President Ali is not making his own decisions and has a master.

Here Harmon’s seriousness on the meeting with the President with regards to the substantive appoints of a Chancellor and Chief Justice comes into question as no serious leader will inject puerile rhetoric in a serious matter.

By doing this he places little or no attention on creating an atmosphere of good faith, mutual respect and trust.

It goes without saying that nothing is wrong with

Harmon accepting defeat at the last general and regional elections; if anything it will show a sign that the Opposition Leader can show political maturity and courage.

It will demonstrate that Guyana comes first and not how a person or political party feels.

If Harmon is serious about having the Chief Justice and Chancellor confirmed in office, he will have no hesitation in recognising the current legitimately elected Government of Guyana, as has done by CARICOM, civil society and the international com-

munity.

It is a well-known fact that these reputable organisations and governments did so following a fivemonth attempt by elements at GECOM, who were defended by the APNU+AFC, to derail democracy but failed in their outrageous acts.

It is time Harmon acts responsibly, put petty politics aside, acknowledge the legitimately elected government of Guyana and come to the table of discussion in the interest of Guyana and all her citizens.

Teachers union must put aside narrow politics

Dear Editor,

AT such a time as this, when an unpredictable deadly virus has killed over four million people and infected 196 million around the world, and there is no telling what would happen next, I expected the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to not only mould the nation but be the teachers and educators to the nation that vaccination is the road we must take.

If not the teachers, who?

Vaccines do not kill, viruses do!

With only a disappointing 23 per cent of teachers vaccinated and school scheduled to reopen in September after more than a year’s hiatus, the voices of reason should prevail. I fully agree with President Ali who said recently, he hopes teachers will

show leadership and get vaccinated, as the government will not be exposing children to unvaccinated teachers. “Because vaccines inoculate everyone against this dreaded deadly virus, all of us should be troubled by those who refuse to be vaccinated.

The unvaccinated are now as deadly as the virus itself for they are not only susceptible to infection, they will carry it…the government has a responsibility to defend the health of all,” President Ali said.

But, according to a GTU statement, the President attempted “to cajole teachers to get vaccinated”. I ask what is wrong with “cajoling?” “Cajoling” means “persuading”.

That’s what a Head of State should do! When large numbers die or get sick and overwhelm the limited health care systems

we have, whom would they try to blame? The union’s posture is reckless, when it says, “GTU is urging ‘all teachers and right-thinking Guyanese’ to resist any attempt if it becomes mandatory to take the COVID-19 vaccine…Teachers! We will stand with you should there be any attempt to make vaccination mandatory for returning to the classroom.” Because the union cares, won’t it be nicer for them to say if you voluntarily did not get the vaccine and the virus hits you, “we will pay all your medical and treatment expenses and take care of your families while you are panting for breath on a hospital bed.”

The GTU will be hardpressed to defend itself for such an adversarial position, and it would not be lost on the nation if people

have perceptions that a top leader of the GTU who was a candidate for the defeated PNC might be playing politics with the virus. I agree with Minister Manickchand when she had said GTU must decide if it wants to play politics or work for the nation’s education interests.

It sounds so silly when the union says, “We wish to see awareness campaigns that match the zeal of the vaccination drives to assure our members (and all Guyanese) during this trying time.” Since they are the expert educators, shouldn’t the GTU and teachers be leading the education and awareness campaigns, in the national interest? Teachers might be the most informed group in Guyana and can influence their communities by their example.

What more education do

they need? Have they been living under a rock?

It is time for the parents, PTAs, school boards and civil society to speak up on this matter. Do parents want their children from nursery to high schools be exposed to unvaccinated teachers? Is that a wise thing? So, it’s voluntary to take the vaccine and to remain unvaccinated posing high risks to our students in schools, but mandatory that teachers get hefty pay hikes and all kinds of allowances from the government?

New York City just passed a rule that you must be vaccinated to go to gyms, restaurants, and other businesses. The PNC’s Dr. Karen Cummings and Burnham son-in-law, Dr. Van-West Charles, both doctors, have shed their political hats and called on

people to get vaccinated.

I am a righteous person and not given to colourful language but my friend Suresh does. He said in his deep Corentyne accent, “Meh shack dem teachers nah get vaccinated. Nowadays everybody gat rights.

Rights to use mariwanna and grow hemp, right to cross-dressing, right to sodomy, right to ask for reduce sentence when dem kill people mercilessly, and now right fuh na vaccinate… Dem ah watch too much Merican TV”.

The GTU should know that teachers have their choice and the Government has a responsibility to protect the entire nation. GTU, please put the nation’s interests first and do the right thing!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Wallison Enterprise robbed of over $58M in cash, raw gold

THREE armed men posing as customers on Thursday took Wallison Enterprise for over $38 million in local currency, and $20 million worth of raw gold.

According to the police, the 45-year-old goldsmith and a 20-yearold female cashier were on duty at the establishment, located at Lot 23, Gordon Street, Kitty, when they were surprised by the man and held at gunpoint at

around 10:05 hours.

It is alleged that the bandits came with a white car, which they parked north of the building, and entered the compound through the main gate. They were reportedly granted access into the building by a security guard, by pretending they were there to sell gold.

Once in the establishment’s waiting area, they impressed upon the cashier that the small

package they were carrying contained the gold they’d come to sell, and after they would have gained her confidence, whipped out their firearms from their pants waist, and at gunpoint, ushered her into an inner office where the goldsmith and another man were conducting some business.

Holding the two men at gunpoint, too, the bandits reportedly ordered the goldsmith

A piece of footage from one of the CCTV cameras showing the robbery in full progress

UNDP Guyana office should state whether its policy adviser was speaking on its behalf and distance itself if he wasn’t

Dear Editor,

FOR many years the UNDP Guyana office, by whatever tool and measurement they use, end up with persons within their employ who manifest in subtle and overt pro-PNC/APNU tendencies.

An examination of the work background of some very controversial figures who have been embroiled in serious acts of corruption, theft of state assets and the recent attempt to subvert the will of the Guyanese electorate, the one thing common among them all is that at some point they were under the employ of the UNDP Guyana office.

This brings me to an article published in the Kaieteur News of August 4, 2021 under the caption “Amaila Falls Hydro Project unsuited for Guyana’s electricity demands – Dr. Kwesi Sansculotte-Greenidge”. The newspaper quoted “Dr. Kwesi Sansculotte-Greenidge—a United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) policy adviser” as being critical of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. This gentleman is a staunch critic of the government and is also related to a high ranking official of the PNC. In my view and in the opinion of many others his position on Amaila Falls Hydro Project is purely

political.

The UNDP here must therefore state whether he was speaking on their behalf and if not, clearly distance itself from his comments. Its failure to do so would render it incapable of speaking objectively on Guyana’s climate resilience matters given this public political position by one of its employees.

There is a feeling among a section of the populace that the UNDP Guyana office a nestling ground for pro PNC/APNU activists.

All for your consideration, Erin Northe

to open the two metal safes in the office, before handcuffing them, and confiscating their cell-phones, valued some $360,000, made good their escape with the $38 million in cash and 60 ounces of raw gold valued $20 million

they’d managed to lay their hands on.

By the time the cashier raised the alarm, and the security guard on duty realised what had transpired, the bandits were long gone, and all that was left for them to do was summon the

police.

The security guard is reportedly in police custody, and the investigation is currently ongoing.

The entire incident was caught on CCTV cameras located inside the business premises.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Two found dead at Cuyuni mining camp — day’s takings reportedly missing

POLICE are currently investigating the murder of two men, who were allegedly killed during a brutal robbery at their Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River mining camp.

D e a d a r e 6 2 - y e a rold Suresh Bachan, and 31-year-old Steven Niles, a Security Guard. According to investigators, the men are believed to have been killed between Wednesday night, around 18:00hrs,

and Thursday morning, at around 06:00hrs.

Word is that the two men were employed at a mining operation in Blackwater Backdam, and on Thursday night, after they would have called it a day, Bachan and Niles remained on site, where they set up camp about 100 meters apart.

However, on Thursday morning, when the General Manager and several of his workers turned up to work,

they discovered both Niles and Bachan dead.

Bachan was found lying on his back on a makeshift bed, while Niles was found in a hammock lying on his back as well. The suspect(s) reportedly made off with an AR 15 firearm and the top mat from the sluice box.

Investigations are currently underway, but no arrests have as yet been made.

Suresh Bachan

Steven Niles

GuySuCo condemns misinformation on social media Dear Editor, THE management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) wishes to debunk the malicious fake news circulated via social media of the corporation’s intentions to sever employment of unvaccinated persons without pay.

The management of GuySuCo condemns strongly such cowardice act aimed at creating public mischief and calls on persons to act more responsibly in wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The corporation is committed to observing all COVID-19 protocols outlined by the Government of Guyana and is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all of its workers.

Mr. Sasenarine Singh, Chief Executive Officer GuySuCo, in his appeal to fellow workers during recent field meetings across the three operating estates, reiterated GuySuCo’s commitment to work diligently as a corporate citizen to maintain safety and security precautions for the benefit of all our colleagues and their families.

He further reiterated GuySuCo’s commitment to implement all of the COVID-19 protocols outlined by the Government of Guyana. This includes adhering to all the safety guidelines. Mr. Singh also called on fellow workers to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols

to avoid the further spread of the virus and to report any unusual practice on any of GuySuCo’s properties.

“We must follow rules of social distancing, mask up and wash up as often as possible. It is our individual responsibility, for our own safety, for example, not to get on board over crowded transportation. The corporation has contracted sufficient lorries to transport workers.

These lorries are required under our contract to be washed thoroughly and sanitised twice daily to ensure the safety of our workers.

All information shared via WhatsApp 624-0256 will be confidential and the necessary actions will be taken to address any issue reported,” he said.

Additionally, the management of GuySuCo continues to maintain all COVID-19 protocols in accordance with the national COVID-19 guidelines to ensure all of its employees’ health and safety. As part of established protocols, GuySuCo continues to deploy professional sanitisation teams to fumigate workplace areas (routinely and as needed); provide all protective gear including masks and sanitisation materials for staff; ensure a socially distant work environment and facilitate COVID-19 vaccination drives at all of its operating estates. Meanwhile, Dr. Swammy, GuySuCo’s Chief Medical Officer, is

urging persons to be mindful of their exposure to COVID-19, and the need to protect themselves by acting responsibly, whether they are on or off the job.

Finally, Dr. Swammy is advising everyone who is eligible, to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All employees identified as having close contact with any person who tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to report such immediately to their immediate supervisor and follow the advice of our medical team to visit the nearest Ministry of Health COVID-19 testing site for evaluation. Employees are asked to stay in quarantine whilst awaiting the result of their COVID-19 test. If the result is negative, persons may return to work upon receipt of clearance from the MOH COVID-19 unit. Persons who are tested COVID-19 positive are required to strictly follow the MOH’s instructions and stay in self-isolation until deemed safe to return to work by the COVID-19 Unit. During this period, persons in quarantine or self-isolation are required to submit National Insurance Scheme medical slip signed by the attending doctor at the Ministry of Health COVID-19 testing site.

Yours sincerely, Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

US Embassy hosts medical outreach in Georgetown, Port Kaituma and Mabaruma

THE US Embassy Civil Affairs Team (formally Humanitarian Affairs Programme), in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, the Health Ministry and other agencies have conducted a medical outreach and training in Georgetown, Port Kaituma, and Mabaruma.

The exercises, according to a release, started on August 2 and will conclude today. The other agencies which are part of the training

are the International Office for Migration, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and local and US-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The outreach, the release noted, is a continuation of the education and teaching outreach held in March 2021.

“The US-based NGO Global Surgical and Medical Support Group provided eight medical personnel to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and nine medi-

cal personnel to support the medical outreach activities in Region One, which included nurses, physicians, OBGYNs, an anesthesiologist, and medical trainers.

Residents of Port Kaituma and Mabaruma benefitted from critical medical services in several areas including women’s health, basic trauma care, preventative medicine and suicide prevention,” the release noted.

During her visit to Mabaruma on August 5, Ambas-

Customised COVID-19 campaign for targeted communities

HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has reported that regions One and Four are currently leading the pack as it relates to the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

With regards to the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Anthony stated that Region One is currently leading coverage, with 67.4 per cent of the population being vaccinated.

Meanwhile Region Four is currently leading second dose coverage with 29.3 per cent of the population taking the second jab.

The Health Minister noted that while the public’s response to the vaccines has improved over the past two days, the country is still some distance away from achieving heard immunity.

He explained that across the country, there are still many villages where residents have not taken the jab.

However, he stated that the ministry is currently working on a new campaign approach to target the specific needs of various communities.

“We are doing a more in-depth analysis while we have the overall numbers for the regions. Within the regions there are pockets of villages or areas that where people are very hesitant,” Dr. Anthony said.

The minister noted that several communities have already been highlighted.

“We have identified those spots where people haven’t taken their vaccines and we have, in some instances, done studies in some of these particular communities to understand what are the myths circulating, why is that they are hesitant about taking the vaccine and then customise an approach how to get people to take the vaccine.”

According to the Dr. Anthony, the ministry is currently working to roll out a customised programme in Region One to target communities that are hesitant to take the vaccine.

As of August 4, 52.9 per cent of Guyana’s adult population received their first doses of the Astra Zeneca, Sinopharm or Sputnik V vaccines. This equates to 257,384 persons.

Meanwhile, the second dose number stands at 29.3

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony per cent, which means that a total of 142,691 persons are fully-vaccinated.

The vaccines currently available in Guyana are the first and second doses of Astra Zeneca, the first and second doses of Sinopharm and the first doses of Sputnik V.

sador Sarah-Ann Lynch praised the collaborative efforts of the international community, the Government of Guyana and the local and U.S-based NGOs during the medical outreach.

“It is always so satisfying to see global, bilateral, national, and local experiences and resources come together for the benefit of those most in need, and the US Embassy is proud to support these efforts,” Ambassador Lynch said.

While in Mabaruma, Ambassador Lynch met regional officials to discuss

health, security, and the migration situation.

She also met UN officials and Venezuelan migrants, receiving a firsthand look into the challenges and vulnerabilities of Venezuelan migrants during a tour of a residential facility. Since 2017, the US has provided nearly $10 million to UN agencies to assist the migrant response in Guyana, in the areas of health, education, and protection and remains committed to this assistance in order to stabilise the effects of this crisis, which has affected millions of Venezu-

US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch elans across the continent.

The visit underscores the US Embassy’s initiatives to support Guyana in the areas of improved governance, enhanced security, and prosperity for all, the release noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

GWI delivers on promise to Great Troolie Island residents

JUST days after visiting Great Troolie Island, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has delivered on its promise to provide the community with black

water tanks.

According to a release from GWI, a team headed

by Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh on Monday visited the island to assess

the water situation there.

The visit was as a result of a request for the agency’s intervention made last month by one of the island’s residents, Ms. Estelle De Costa

The visiting GWI team and residents checking the flow of the water from the existing well on Thursday Wallace.

The CEO heeded this call for assistance, and met with the residents at the island’s primary school to listen to their concerns. With the company’s technical team in tow, Mr. Baksh also paid a visit to an existing well in the community, which was drilled some 20 years ago by the US-based charity, Global Outreach Ministries.

While there, he committed to providing the community with several water tanks in order to facilitate rainwater harvesting, which he advised the residents to do. On Thursday, 12 water thanks were handed over to the residents.

In his address to the residents, Mr. Baksh committed to testing the quality of the water produced by the existing well, and in this regard, a

sample has been taken.

The CEO also committed to doing an analysis of the well to determine what rehabilitative works can be done in order for it to produce potable water for the residents. This, of course, depends on the quality of water it produces.

Great Troolie Island has a relatively small population of about 40 households, and Mr. Baksh said that notwithstanding that, the objective of GWI is to bring service to all communities.

The visit by the team also proved to be an opportune time for the residents to highlight the difficulty faced in their primarily farming and fishing community with regard to drainage and irrigation. The CEO committed to bringing this issue to the

attention of Agriculture Minister Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha.

The residents showed up in their numbers, and were pleased about the interventions GWI will be making to improve access to water in their community Chairman of the Community Development Council, Nigel Stephen was one such person. The interventions will “bring joy into the hearts of our community people knowing that help is on the way,” he said.

Another resident, Nicola Stephen, asked for a level of cooperation among the community members, as GWI improves the water supply over time.

She also expressed gratitude to the team for the interventions which will be made.

GWI’s Region Three Manager, Aggrey Anderson (left) and two of the community’s residents, Ms. Estelle De Costa Wallace and Ms. Nicola Stephen with some of the water tanks that were presented to the community that day

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

UK, Canada welcome Guyana to Media Freedom Coalition

THE British High Commission and the High Commission of Canada officially, on Tuesday, welcomed Guyana as a member of the Media Freedom Coalition.

The Media Freedom Coalition is a partnership of countries whose objective is to defend media freedom where it is under threat, a release said.

Guyana is now the 49th country to join the Coalition which was formed in July 2019 and Canada and the United Kingdom are currently the Coalition’s

the Media Freedom Coalition member countries on a progressive agenda in the months and years ahead to achieve lasting impact on the issues of media freedom for the bastions of the ‘Fourth State’ among our democratic societies.”

COMPLIMENTARY Minister McCoy added that the coalition’s goal of advocating for media freedom is “complimentary to the policy and practice of the Government of Guyana”.

reiterated Canada’s support for media freedom and congratulated the Government of Guyana on their decision to join the coalition.

CORNERSTONE “Our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said that the media is the cornerstone of any fair, strong, and vibrant society and Canada has been a long time and vocal supporter of media freedom both at home and abroad,” he stated.

“We congratulate the

Minister Kwame McCoy signs the agreement as High Commissioner, Mark Berman (left), Nazima Raghubir and High Commissioner, Jane Miller (right) look on co-chairs.

Present at the symbolic signing ceremony to welcome Guyana were Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; Canadian High Commissioner, Mark K. Berman and President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir, along with Guyana Press Association executives, Rawle Toney and Svetlana Marshall.

Minister Kwame McCoy, in his statement, indicated that the Government of Guyana is pleased to join the Media Freedom Coalition and is supportive of its goals.

“The Government of Guyana is pleased to have ratified the instruments of principles and cemented its participation in the Media Freedom Coalition launched by the United Kingdom and Canada,” he said, adding that, “We look forward to engaging with

The goal of the coalition is to advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists, and hold to account those who harm journalists for doing their job. The Media Freedom Coalition promises to speak out publicly through collective statements, including in international forums, and to pursue collective diplomatic approaches and lobbying.

In welcoming Guyana, British High Commissioner, Jane Miller, highlighted that press freedom was good for democracy, prosperity and development.

“A vibrant and free media is not only good for democracy, it is also essential for prosperity and development. Guyana recognises this and is now a member of the Media Freedom Coalition.

Members of the Coalition believe in protecting the freedom of journalists,” High Commissioner Miller said in her statement.

High Commissioner of Canada, Mark Berman, in his statement

Government of Guyana on making this step to join the coalition,” he said. He added that Canada will continue to support the local media “where ever possible”.

All members of the Media Freedom Coalition are asked to sign the ‘Global Pledge on Media Freedom’ and as signatories, each member has made the commitment to work together to improve media freedom and the safety of journalists both at home and abroad.

President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir, in her statement said, “The Guyana Press Association welcomes the government’s move as one of the latest signatories to the Media Freedom Coalition. We see this as a commitment to free press, citizens’ freedom of expression and the safety of media workers.”

Raghubir stated that the Guyana Press Association will hold the Government of Guyana accountable for the commitments they

have made in clauses of the coalition.

“We will hold the government accountable to the clauses of the coalition to ensure that the work of the media is unhindered and the safety of media workers is paramount. We feel a free press is absolutely

necessary for any democracy and aids in promoting transparency and accountability,” she said.

Other countries that are a part of the Media Freedom Coalition include the United States, France, Italy and Germany.

Belize is the only oth-

er CARICOM nation that is currently a part of the coalition. Membership is granted after a country indicates its interest to join, and when at least 2/3 of the Coalition’s members have no objections to the new country joining.-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

World Bank pledges continued commitment to Guyana

WORLD BANK Vice-President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, and Country Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc, completed their first official visit to Guyana on Thursday.

According to a release, they commended the progress made by the Government of Guyana towards COVID-19 recovery, noting that over 51 per cent of Guyana’s adult population has received the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Jaramillo and Burunciuc also discussed how the World Bank could support the government’s plan to create a more enabling environment for the private sector and improved living standards for the citizens of Guyana.

“We are pleased to provide ongoing support for the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Guyana, which is critical to accelerate the recovery and for equitable growth,” said Jaramillo.

During their visit to Guyana, Jaramillo and Burunciuc met with P r e s i d e n t , D r . I r f a a n Ali; Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and other stakeholders, including international development partners.

“In our conversations with the country’s leadership, we underscored our

commitment to making a real impact on improving people’s lives in Guyana,” said Burunciuc.

“I look forward to continuing work with the government on climate resilience, supporting the private sector, and investing in people.”

To see the progress made by some of the projects financed by the World Bank in the country, Jaramillo and the team visited the Westminster Secondary School that was constructed and equipped under the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project. They also toured pumping stations in Lusignan and Enmore, which were built as a

World Bank Vice-President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo component of the Guyana Flood Risk Management Project. These pumps mitigate the impact of floods by reducing the time that floodwaters remain on land.

The World Bank currently has seven active projects in Guyana that address human capital development, fiscal sustainability, disaster risk management and governance, as well as the mitigation of the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Sacked Enmore Estate sugar workers engage ‘Agri’ Minister –– farmers to benefit from planting material, feed

A farmer raising an issue during the meeting

Minister Mustapha pays keen attention to what a farmer is saying during the meeting AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha has met with residents and farmers from the village of Enterprise and its environs on the East Coast Demerara to discuss issues faced in their communities. During the meeting, persons who were employed at the Enmore Estate but lost their jobs following the closure of the estate by the previous government engaged the minister about being rehired.

The Enmore Estate is one of the estates earmarked for reopening as part of the government’s phased approach to reopening most of the closed estates, a release said.

While offering remarks, Minister Mustapha told those at the meeting that most of the estates will be reopened, but in a phased approach.

“As long as commitments were made, we will fulfill those commitments,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “We cannot do everything at once, but, rest assured, we will work to deliver assistance to those displaced sugar workers. The Enmore Estate will be reopened, but we cannot open all of the estates at the same time. We also cannot employ everyone at once; as we get

production going, we will be able to rehire more persons.

The previous administration closed four estates within a year; we are trying to reopen them, but this has to be done in a phased approach. Over the past year, we’ve been putting money into the closed estates to have them reopened, and at the same time, we’ve been putting money into the operating estates to recapitalise and rehabilitate them.”

The minister also informed those present that a lot of work has to be done ahead of the reopening of the estates.

“GuySuCo is beyond sugar; as a government, we recognise the importance of sugar and GuySuCo. Over the last year, we’ve already transferred $10 billion to GuySuCo. We are now working aggressively to reopen Rose Hall, and then the others will follow,” Minister Mustapha said. “For the estates that are currently operational, we have to do a lot of work to make them efficient,” he added.

Minister Mustapha also said that assistance will be given to the farmer’s group from the area, after representatives who were present at the meeting made representation on behalf of the group for

assistance. Minister Mustapha committed to assisting the group with tools, seeds, planting materials, and fertilisers to assist with their production.

Cattle farmers who were also present at the meeting told Minister Mustapha that they were also in need of assistance. One farmer said that many cattle farmers in the area need assistance with molasses and feed for their animals.

The farmer explained that the current cost for molasses is too high, and sought the assistance of the minister with providing some for farmers in the community.

While responding to the farmer, Minister Mustapha said the ministry, through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), will be providing farmers with molasses and feed by the end of the week.

Residents also raised with the minister issues to do with their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits and improved infrastructure, and his response was that will engage his fellow Cabinet ministers on those matters, so that they can meet with residents with a view to haiving them resolved.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

$80M to improve hinterland water services –– drilling of two wells in Region Seven to significantly increase water coverage

APPROXIMATELY $80M has been invested for the drilling of two wells in Region Seven, as the Ministry of Housing and Water aims to achieve 95 per cent hinterland water coverage.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who recently handed over the first contract in the community of Jawalla, said that development will bring first-time access to hundreds of households.

“Delivery of safe water to communities is a priority for the PPP/C Government, to enhance the livelihood of Guyanese, irrespective of their geographical location,” the minister said.

He added: “We want to assure you that we’re at work and there is currently 80 per cent coverage across the hinterland, despite geographical challenges.”

Meanwhile, in the community of Kamarang, the minister said that during needs assessments

for Budget 2021, it was discovered that the area had no means for accessing potable water.

However, through this intervention, Kamarang will now have 90 per cent water access for residents and government buildings.

The contracts were handed over to the toshaos in the presence of Member of Parliament and geographical representative of Region Seven, Allister Charlie; GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailall; regional representatives and residents.

Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailall, explained that the scope of works in Jawalla included the drilling of a $39.9 million well; installation of 2,000 meters of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes and 1000 meters of 19mm (3/4”) pipes with 80 service connections; construction of a 20-foot high elevated metal trestle for four 450-gallon storage

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, hands over the first contract in the community of Jawalla to Toshao, Verron Henry, while flanked by other officials tanks; installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories.

In Kamarang, a $42 million well will be

drilled; installation of 2500 meters of 50mm (2”) PVC pipes and 500 meters of 19mm (3/4”) pipes, with 50 service connections, construction of a 20-foot high elevated metal trestle for four 450-gallon storage tanks; and installation of photovoltaic pumping system including submersible pump, controller, solar panels and accessories Drilling has already

begun in Kamarang, after which the rig will move to Jawalla by mid-September, and be completed in October.

A total of 3,000 residents are expected to benefit. Over the past year, some $350 million has been injected to develop the hinterland.

In 2022, the minister stated that a number of new wells will also be drilled to improve hin-

terland services. Minister Croal also used the platform to push the government’s agenda for herd immunity against COVID-19.

Residents were also given an opportunity to raise a number of concerns in various sectors. representative of Region Seven, Allister Charlie (at left) and regional representatives and residents

Toshao of Kamarang, Lemmel Thomas, received the contract from Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, in the presence of Member of Parliament and geographical representative of Region Seven, Allister Charlie (at left) and a regional representatives

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

GTT donates several smartphones to Linden co-op society

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), on Tuesday, donated six Blu G70 smartphones, SIMs and $1,000 Top Up on each phone to the Future Economic Development Strategy Cooperative Society Limited (FEDS).

According to a release, FEDS is a multi-purpose co-op society that serves the community of Region 10 by providing self-employment opportunities as well as assisting the Linden community in a number of ways.

The outfitted handsets will go towards aiding selected students in the Linden community who have difficulties accessing their schoolwork online.

GTT’s Linden Retail Manager, Avril Bacchus,

who handed over the donation, said the company was pleased to maintain its ‘Together We Rise’ support to those who need it most during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognise the importance of access to education and the company has done a lot to support students across Guyana.

Our support does not end here, and we look forward to further strengthening our community in the areas we serve and beyond,” Bacchus said.

Secretary to the FEDS, Clyde Fowler, thanked GTT for the contribution towards its priority project of supplying electronic devices to students in need in the Linden community.

“We observed that many youths in the community

have difficulties in accessing their schoolwork via the social platforms. While many may have access to the websites for free, some do not have the necessary devices to connect, so we are grateful for this contribution by GTT,” Fowler said.

In October 2020, GTT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education Ministry to zero-rate several educational websites in support of online learning in Guyana.

By zero-rating the websites, students have been able and continue to be able to browse and learn without a data plan.

The company has also made a number of SIM and data donations to several schools across Guyana.

15

GTT’s Linden Retail Manager, Avril Bacchus, hands over smartphones to Secretary to the FEDS, Clyde Fowler

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

The budding pianist who triumphed during Talent Search

By Dillon Goring Among the 10 winners of the Guyana Talent Search competition is Logan Marley Levi Simpson, a 12-year-old who hails from Nandy Park on the East Bank Demerara, and attends the New Guyana School.

Now that the competition

has concluded, the very busy young man managed to schedule in some time to speak with the Buzz in relation to his life, his successes so far, and his dreams and intentions for the future. Simpson said that in addition to playing the piano, he is also quite versatile with several other instruments such as the drums and violin.

“A lot of children who can play the keyboard, also play the piano, [it] is just that they don’t have access to an instrument like that,” Simpson said, as he expressed how fortunate he is to have had, and still have, access to a number of instruments.

“They are a number of children who are playing key-

board, but there is little accessibility for some children,” the young man recognised.

Reflecting on his ability to play multiple musical instruments, Simpson was careful to mention that his efforts to learn as much as possible requires a lot of hard work, consistency and dedication, not only from himself as an aspiring musician, but also from his parents, who have been his cheerleaders from day one.

Simpson said that his parents have also been his pillar when it comes to receiving encouragements and motivation for consistency, especially as it relates to continuous practice.

Simpson recalled that initially, with the help of his tutor, he was able to perfect one instrument after the next, until eventually, he became skilled at playing several instruments.

The young man, throughout the competition, played his instruments while he sang. As the competition approached its final leg, Simpson found himself to be the only finalist whose talent revolved around singing whilst playing an instrument. Today, looking back on his journey as a contestant, Simpson said he is pleased with his performances., “I think I did well, [and] in a way I was in my own category,” the lad related.

In addition to the requisite exposure, Simpson said

Logan Simpson in competition mode that the competition created a stage for him to grow as an individual. “I am typically a very shy person among people that I am not familiar with, but being on the show, everybody became a family towards the end,” Simpson said.

He noted too that his fellow contestants as well the advisors to the show, helped with him tremendously with stage fright and overcoming the jitters.

“I got help with my nervousness and so,” Simpson admitted.

Added to the on-show support, Simpson attributed his success at the competition to the unwavering support from his family and close friends. “A lot of my school mates were rooting for me; in the lessons and also in school.

It is my dream to sing on stage as a child. You sing in front of the mirror with your brush and that kind of thing, I was basically living everybody’s dream at that point of my life,” a smiling Simpson

As he dreams about a thriving career as a singer and musician, Simpson said that he has several R&B artistes that he looks up to with the hope of achieving successes as big as theirs. Some of Simpson’s sources of inspiration comes from well-known names such as Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, John Legend and Alicia Keys.

Simpson also attributed the role that the New Guyana School Band has played in shaping his skills and interests as a person. The young man said that over the years, he has become quite skilled at balancing both his academia and the nurturing of his talent.

Simpson confessed that even though he is a competitive student, he is even more competitive when as an artiste. Coming from a musical family, a young Logan Simpson is bent on a musical career as against pursuing studies in family law.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

New local sitcom delights our screens

— ‘Those People’ deemed to be ‘bare laughs’

Scenes with ‘Beyonce’ and ‘Toya’ The players of Guyana’s comedy circle will no longer be allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to stifle their creativity and starve their fans of hilarious content. Luckily for us, on Sunday, August 1 – Emancipation Day 2021, the team at Signature Productions emerged to rescue our wits with the premiere of their first-ever sitcom called “Those People.”

Aired on Television Guyana (TVG), the show follows the lives of a diverse group of colourful characters who

experience life in a “simultaneously hilarious and tumultuous fashion,” according to local comedian and actor, Leza Singh, who is best known for her portrayal as the bubbly and naïve ‘Radicka’ on multiple stage shows.

In the sitcom, ‘Radicka’ assumes her new role as ‘Noreen,’ a woman with endless ‘gyaffs,’ and baseless brags, who is seemingly oblivious to the tenets of sarcasm. “The characters are all living in one neighbourhood and, as the show progresses,

The biggest laughs surround ‘Beyonce’ and ‘Toya’ serving ‘Noreen’ an overdose of sarcasm

viewers will see their lives intersect as the writers take them on a comedic adventure,” Leza dished.

She reasoned that within every neighbourhood there are always “Those People” – “those people who always play their music too loud, those people who like to mind everybody else’s business but their own, those people who always ‘give them more to talk,’ etcetera.”

“They are the most fun, outrageous, [and] ratchet bunch of people,” Singh not-

ed.

The show also prominently features the hilarious Michael Ignatius as Beyonce, and Clemencio Goddette as Toya. These two characters are sure to keep you cracking up.

The other supporting actors include Mark ‘Chiney Man’ Kazim, Opara Samuels, Shivanie Latchman, Jermaine Grimmond, Rajan Tiwari, and Natoya Thomas, along with a number of other fresh, new faces.

The show is slated to be

aired on TVG this and every Sunday at 19:00hrs. It will also be aired on Facebook pages: ‘Nothing to Laugh About’, ‘Love & Laughter’, ‘UNCENSORED’ and ‘Sauce it Up’, as well as Signature Comedy’s YouTube Channel.

“Episodes of the sitcom have been uploaded to our social media and the response has been overwhelming,” Leza Singh told the Buzz.

She said that the response from viewers have confirmed the team’s conviction that

locals are thirsty “for this level of continuous Guyanese entertainment.”

The show is powered by: KFC Guyana, Edward B. Beharry & Co. Ltd., Transpacific Motors Spares and Auto Sales, Beesons Windows & Doors, 401 furniture, S. Jagmohan Construction, MVP Sports, Urban Life, Peppy’s Foods, Vintage Café, Amanda’s Bridal and Daddy’s Enterprise.

Therapy through poetry -Quanisha Patterson dishes on her journey to the stage

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By Dillon Goring “Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality.

But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it

means to want to escape from these things.” This may be the wise words of renowned poet T. S Eliot, but it is also the reality of 19-year-old, Quanisha Patterson, who recently thrilled local audiences by her participation in the recently concluded Guyana Talent Search

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Competition.

During a recent interview with the Buzz, Patterson, a charming young woman, became candid and opened up about her struggles with self-confidence, and how writing became the therapy she needed to calm her sometimes overwhelming emotions. “I actually

Poet, Quanisha Patterson started writing poetry even before [I realised] it was poetry,” Patterson said.

She noted that initially, her writings could have been interpreted as song lyrics. “I realised that I was writing poetry because I didn’t have any sort of rhythm [in terms] of music…so [I realised that] it couldn’t [have been] a song,” the poet shared.

Soon enough, Patterson would begin her research in relation to the art of poetry and the work of poets all across the world. Eventually, she fell in love with poetry, and wanted to add her contributions to the art. “[It was] then [that] I seriously started writing. I want to say in fourth form because at that time, I was doing theatre arts as well,” the young woman said. In the months that followed, Patterson would capitalise on the opportunity to perform her first spoken word piece, and from all indications, it was a crowd-stunner that spring-boarded her into the deep world of poetry.

Patterson noted during her interview that most of her pieces were inspired by her struggles, particularly as it related to her self-esteem.

She noted that although her self-image has improved exponentially, she still uses poetry as an effective method of catharsis.

She is hoping that her work as a poet would provide words of comfort for other young people who may also be struggling with their emotions and the way they see themselves.

Acknowledging that a career in the creative industry could be difficult, Patterson is advising her peers

to take a leap of faith, and believe in themselves, their talents, and what their creative input could mean for the world. “Just do it as the Nike commercial says” is Patterson’s genuine advice.

She also cautioned prospective poets and writers against seeing their talents as a means of just competition. “We are not competing with anyone but ourselves.

As a result, we should never focus on what others are doing, as we elevate ourselves.

You can get caught up in it, and it feel as though it is a competition,” Patterson admitted.

In an effort to embrace other creatives and tame her own competitive mind, Patterson will soon be collaborating with some of her fellow contestants in the Guyana Talent Search Competition.

“I actually plan on collaborating with some of the contestants, for sure Cassie Adams [and I are] working on a few pieces to produce [together],” Patterson divulged.

She added, “We all have our own path in life; hence, you need to focus on what you are doing and the only person that you should be competing with is yourself,” Patterson told the Buzz.

She also shared with us, her plans to write and publish her own book of poetry “…as well as hosting workshops for not only poets, but fellow youths in general about the importance of creativity and [how] they can use [it] to impact their lives in a positive way.”

We at the Buzz wish the young woman well, and we look forwarded to seeing her new releases.

Our girl Ri-Ri is a billionaire!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

-and the world’s wealthiest female musician on Twitter—to build a beauty brand, she is the most successful beauty entrepreneur to do so.” But, “Fenty Beauty isn’t Rihanna’s only billion-dollar brand.

In February her lingerie line Savage x Fenty raised $115 million in funding at

Billionaire, Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty In typical Guyanese fashion, we claim every celebrity with even an ounce of Guyanese heritage coursing through their veins.

So, since Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty is a whole 50 per cent of Guyanese, owing to her Guyanese mother, Monica Braithwaite, we have been claiming the songbird for decades. And, as usual, RiRi continues to do us proud. Recently added to her many accolades, was the title of billionaire, having been named the wealthiest female musician in the world.

What is even more impressive, is the fact that our very own RiRi is the second richest female entertainer, behind the iconic and legendary, Oprah Winfrey.

Below, we share with you, excerpts of an article written by Madeline Berg for Forbes Magazine. It reads, “When Robyn Fenty, known to the world as Rihanna, launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, she sought to create a cosmetics com-

pany that made “women everywhere (feel) included.”

A perhaps unintended consequence: The beauty line has helped her enter one of the world’s most exclusive ranks: Billionaire.

Rihanna is now worth $1.7 billion, Forbes estimates—making her the wealthiest female musician in the world and second only to Oprah Winfrey as the richest female entertainer.

But it’s not her music that’s made her so wealthy. The bulk of her fortune (an estimated $1.4 billion) comes from the value of Fenty Beauty, of which Forbes can now confirm she owns 50%.

Much of the rest lies in her stake in her lingerie company, Savage x Fenty, worth an estimated $270 million, and her earnings from her career as a chart-topping musician and actress.

While Barbados-born Rihanna isn’t the only celebrity to capitalize on her social media presence—she has 101 million followers on Instagram and 102.5 million

Rihanna and her Guyanese mother, Monica Braithwaite

a $1 billion valuation. The company, which launched in 2018 as a joint venture with TechStyle Fashion Group, counts blue-chip investors like Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners and private equity firm L. Catterton (in which Bernard Arnault is an

investor) as shareholders.

Rihanna maintains a 30% ownership stake, Forbes estimates. The latest round of funding will reportedly be used for customer acquisition and retail expansion.”

While we do wish Rihanna would acknowl-

edge her Guyanese roots a little bit more, we do love all the same, and when we see exciting news such as this, we are filled with pride. The Buzz continues to wish RiRi the best in all that she does.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Bahamian Gardiner...

From page 28 Gardiner, who sat on the track holding the palms of his hands together after winning in a season’s best time of 43.85 seconds, stumbled out of the blocks and trailed midway through the race.

“I recovered, I kept it moving and with 200m to go, I started to push a little bit,”

he said. “And (with) 100m to go, I gave it all I’ve got.

“I came across the line and saw my name on the big screen and I was in first place,” he told reporters.

“I’m cherishing this moment.

Olympic champion!”

James said he was happy being a part of the elite of his sport after securing bronze.

“I’m just happy to be

back on the podium, happy competing against these guys, they are so good,” James said. “I lost my mother in 2019, so obviously this was kind of like a goal. I wish she would have been here to see me back.”

Zambrano, who went into the race wearing gold earrings saying “400”, dedicated his silver medal to his

Canada’s Warner breaks Games record on way to decathlon gold

By Sudipto Ganguly TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) Canadian Damian Warner led from start to finish to win the men’s decathlon gold at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday with a new Games record score of 9 018 points.

Frenchman Kevin Mayer, who holds the world record in decathlon with 9 126 points, took his second successive Olympic silver medal after finishing on 8 726 points.

Australian 21-year-old Ash Moloney, the world Under-20 champion, won bronze with 8 649.

“That’s crazy,” an emotional Warner said, still looking relatively fresh after competing in hot an humid conditions over two days.

“When I was in grade six I wrote in a school project that I’d be in the Olympics one day, and who would have known that I would be an Olympic gold medallist.”

Warner arrived in Tokyo as the leading decathlete in the world in 2021 after scoring 8 995 points at a meet in May - the fifth highest total in history.

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He finished in the top five at the past six outdoor global championships, picked up an Olympic bronze in 2016 as well as world silver in 2015 and world bronze in 2013 and 2019.

“In Rio 2016, when I finished third, while I was happy to be on the podium I was also disappointed that I didn’t get on top,” he said.

“So I used that experience from 2016 to accomplish the performance that I’ve had over the last two days.”

The 31-year-old could not have hoped for a better start to his Tokyo campaign in the all-round test, which covers 10 disciplines spread over two days to determine the best overall athlete at the Games.

GAMES MARK The Canadian tied his own world record in the 100m and then bettered the Games mark in long jump on Wednesday to stay ahead of the field.

He returned yesterday to set a Games record 13.46 seconds in the 110 metres hurdles to extend his advantage and threw his discus 48.67 metres.

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his Achilles heel.

But Warner cleared to a personal-best 4.90 to maintain his points cushion and in the evening he threw the javelin 63.44m - close to his best of 64.67.

He also ran the 1,500m - the final event in decathlon - in 4:31:08 to become only the fourth man to score 9 000 points, after Mayer, Ashton Eaton and Roman Sebrle.

Warner also became the oldest Olympic champion in the men’s decathlon, overtaking Norway’s Helge Lovland, who was 30 years and 102 days in 1920.

Mayer, who faced some back issues, was out of the medal positions for most of the two days, but a lifetime best of 73.09m in the javelin helped him climb up to second spot.

“There was a lot of doubt about whether I was going to be able to finish it, but for me to finish with a medal is amazing,” he said, adding that he will target gold at his home Olympics in Paris in 2024.

“I really want to win there, to win decathlon gold medal in Paris would be amazing.”

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mother.

“I am very happy to win this medal and I want to dedicate this to my family, my country. But more importantly, to my mother because it is her birthday today,” he said.

“I want to show to the world that Colombia belongs on the athletics stage.”

American Michael Cherry finished a disappointing fourth ahead of his compatriot Michael Norman to continue the country’s poor

run in the event.

The U.S. had won seven straight gold beginning in 1984 until 2008, with two podium sweeps during that stretch. But they have failed to win the title since, with James securing gold in 2012 and South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk winning in Rio five years ago.

On Thursday, a terrific run by Gardiner proved decisive.

After failing to make the

final in 2016, he powered to victory, adding the Olympic title to the world gold he won in Doha in 2019.

He told reporters he had dealt with knee and ankle issues during the season but ran through the pain barrier to secure his country’s first medal of the Games.

“When I saw that I was in front, the pain was unbearable, but I just wanted to win,” Gardiner said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

China sweep Japan to win women’s team table tennis gold,

… extend unbeaten Olympic record

By Eimi Yamamitsu

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - China won the Olympic women’s team table tennis gold medal yesterday after a 3-0 victory over Japan in the final, continuing the country’s undefeated streak in the event.

The Chinese trio of Chen Meng, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, who were all competing at their first Olympics, hoisted the national flag together with their coach Li Sun after clinching the title.

In the second match, Sun played Japan’s Mima Ito, whom she beat in their singles semi-final last week.

The 20-year-old paddlers, who have both said they improve every time they play each other, fought a heated battle, but the Chinese triumphed 3-1.

World number four Wang crushed Miu Hirano 3-0 in the third match to secure victory for China, who have won all four women’s

Olympic table tennis team events since it was introduced in 2008.

“To wear this gold medal again - this happiness feels different from before,” said Chen, who also claimed

has put in effort, everybody who has quietly supported and helped us. I really want to thank them here.”

Li said the Japanese players deserve respect as they constantly challenged China.

“Our young players grew so fast because of Japan.

The Chinese women celebrate their table tennis gold women’s singles gold at the Tokyo Games.

“This is a team medal and the meaning is different. It required the three of us to get it and the whole team, the Chinese Table Tennis Association, everybody who

Every day we are worrying about Japan. We’ve been in this process for the last five years,” he said.

Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, who had won silver and bronze in the team events at the past two Games, as well

as Ito and Hirano were all in smiles after the match.

But the three choked up with tears as reporters asked about playing at home.

“I’m grateful to my team mates and everyone who’s supported us,” Ishikawa said as she wiped her tears with her hands.

“Winning was my main goal. If I’d won, I would’ve enjoyed it more,” Ito told reporters.

“But I honestly think from the bottom of my heart that I practised more than any other player. I’m glad that I worked hard for the Tokyo Games. And that’s why I can say with confidence that I earned a medal,” Ito, who won every colour of medal at the Tokyo Games, said at a post-match news conference.

“I want to calm myself down first and relax. I want to continue doing what I want to do and go my own way.”

Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching, Doo Hoi Kem and Minnie Soo Wai Yam secured the bronze with a 3-1 win over Germany.

Burkina Faso rejoices as triple jumper Zango delivers first-ever medal

By Thiam Ndiaga

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (Reuters) - Burkina Faso triple jumper Hugues Fabrice Zango’s disappointing first two jumps in the final in Tokyo left his family watching live at home in Ouagadougou stressed and fearful that he could miss out on a medal his country’s first-ever at the Olympics.

Urging him on from their sofa, Zango’s father, brother and sisters erupted in joy when he leapt 17.47m on his third run, propelling him briefly into second place behind Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo.

Zango eventually finished third behind Pichardo and China’s Zhu Yaming, who jumped a personal best of 17.57m to

Burkina Faso triple jumper Hugues Fabrice Zango dispays his bronze medal. claim the silver medal.

“We were really very scared.

After the first two tries we were really intensely stressed; we really didn’t know how things were going to go,” said Zango’s brother, Alex Cedric.

Zango won his bronze medal, the first for the West

African nation since it began participating in the Olympics in 1972, on Burkina Faso’s Independence Day. “It’s an immense joy, because we experienced it live with the chills - and in the end, victory.

It’s really an immense joy for us, parents, but also for the

people of Burkina Faso. We are very proud,” said Zango’s father Jacques, hugging his wife, who was so nervous she chose not to watch the event.

Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Kabore was among the first to congratulate Zango.

“I have just followed the magnificent performance of our great champion from start to finish,” Kabore wrote on Twitter. “Thank you Hugues for this bronze medal. We are all proud of you.”

Zango said he had hoped to do better than bronze but said he was proud to win his country’s first Olympic medal.

“Burkina Faso is really happy. Everybody is happy. I think they will throw a great party when I go back,” he said.

Durant powers Team USA to rematch with France for gold medal

By Rocky Swift SAITAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Kevin Durant and Team USA trounced Australia yesterday in the men’s basketball semifinals and will play for their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal when they take on France in the final.

The Americans overcame an early deficit and ran away with the game for a 97-78 rout, while France needed a blocked shot in the final second to edge Slovenia.

Tomorrow’s gold-medal matchup gives the NBA star-filled squad a chance to avenge their lone loss in these Games.

Team USA’s semi-final was also a measure of revenge against a team that had upset them at an exhibition game in

stands of the Saitama Super Arena, north of Tokyo, in the absence of paying spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions. An Australian contingent pounded drums and a tambourine to cheer their team.

The Americans have historically been the team to beat, with 15 men’s basketball gold medals since 1936.

But the team in Tokyo have proven to be vulnerable, dropping two-straight exhibition games in July and suffering their first Olympic defeat since 2004 against France earlier in the event.

But it all came together in the semi-finals, Durant leading the way with 23 points. Three of his teammates also scored in double figures.

“They got a lot of firepower,”

Kevin Durant led the way with 23 points in the USA victory.

Las Vegas last month.

The Americans, champions at the previous three Games, got off to a rocky start, shooting poorly and racking up fouls that let Australia build a 15-point lead in the second quarter.

The United States rallied in the second half, opening with 12 unanswered points. A barrage of three-pointers and dunks widened the gap to 19 points by the final buzzer.

“I’ve got to give credit to Australia; they came out and hit us with a nice haymaker,” said Durant, who in these Games surpassed Carmelo Anthony as Team USA’s highest career Olympic scorer.

“We were able to get some momentum going to the half. Guys came out with that intensity, man, we made shots as well,” the Brooklyn Nets star said. “I feel like everything aligned for us in that second half, and that’s who we are.”

Athletes, officials and volunteers filled out the

said Australia’s Matisse Thybulle, who plays for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

“We knew that if we gave them an inch they’d be able to take a mile, so that’s really just what happened.”

Slovenia’s Luka Doncic of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks had a triple double - 16 points, 18 assists 10 rebounds - but came up just short in a nail-biter against France.

With time running out, France’s Nicolas Batum batted away a layup from Slovenia’s Klemen Prepelic that could have put them ahead and Rudy Gobert grabbed the ball to secure a 90-89 win.

“Out of nowhere, Batum just gets a block and Rudy gets a rebound, which was big time,” said Evan Fournier, who had 23 points for France before fouling out. “What a crazy game.”

Slovenia, making their first Olympic basketball appearance, will play for the bronze medal against Australia tomorrow.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

American Nageotte overcomes shaky start to vault to gold

By Sudipto Ganguly TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - American Katie Nageotte needed a third and final attempt to clear her opening height but overcame the nervous start to win the Olympic women’s pole vault gold medal yesterday.

The 30-year-old arrived in Tokyo in red-hot form with two worldleading marks of 4.95 metres and 4.93, but she struggled to get over 4.50 to register her opening mark in the final.

“It was the worst warm-up I have had in a long time and I did an ugly first few jumps,” she said.

“It took me a few heights to get into it, but I was just fighting and I finally found a smooth jump. It came together.”

Nageotte’s clearance of 4.90 at the second attempt was enough to secure victory, however, as Anzhelika Sidorova and Britain’s Holly Bradshaw finished on 4.85.

American Katie Nageotte needed a third and final attempt to win pole vault gold medal.

World champion Sidorova, representing the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), cleared her first four vaults at the first attempt to take silver ahead of Bradshaw.

The pressure of competing in the Olympic final also showed on the other vaulters as the field was cut to four after the second

round with the bar at 4.70. All four made it past the 4.80 mark too.

Greek Katerina Stefanidi, the gold medallist from Rio, was the first to drop out of medal contention when she failed to clear 4.85.

A teary-eyed Nageotte returned to the field after climbing into

the stands to celebrate with members of her team, attempting to set a new personal best at 5.01.

She gave up after her first failed attempt, however, wrapping herself in her country’s flag before taking a full lap of the track with the other medallists.

“It hasn’t even begun to sink in yet. This is the biggest dream I have ever had for myself. And here I am living the dream,” she said.

“This is about as good as I could feel. We’ve all been through so much with COVID and everything, I’m really grateful.”

It was redemption for Bradshaw, who finished sixth in the 2012 London Games and fifth five years ago in Rio. She also came fourth at the 2019 world championships in Doha but made amends for her previous near misses to claim Britain’s first Olympic medal in women’s pole vault.

England’s Archer to miss T20 World Cup, Ashes due to injury

LONDON, England (Reuters) - England’s Jofra Archer will miss this year’s Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes series against Australia after the country’s cricket board (ECB) said yesterday the fast bowler suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture in his right elbow.

“The England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that England fast bowler Jofra Archer underwent further scans on his injured right elbow last week,” the ECB said in a statement..

“The scans revealed that he has suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture of his right elbow.”

Archer underwent operation in May to remove a bone fragment from his elbow and was left out of England’s twoTest series in June against New Zealand, which they lost 1-0.

The 26-year-old was also excluded from England’s squad for the opening two

Tests against India and the ECB said he will now miss the rest of the series.

“As part of his return-tobowling programme, he became aware of increasing discomfort in his elbow during matches for Sussex in the Vitality Blast and a 50-over friendly against Oxfordshire,” the ECB added.

“The operation is not related to the stress fracture that sidelined the player previously. He will now spend time on an extended break from cricket before returning for a medical review in early autumn.”

Barbados-born Archer has been plagued by the injury since early 2020 and it kept him out of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held from October 17 to November 14 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The five-Test Ashes series is scheduled to begin on December 8 in Brisbane.

Jofra Archer has suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture of his right elbow.

Barcelona says Argentina forward Lionel Messi will not stay at club BARCELONA says Lionel Messi will not be staying at the club “because of financial and structural obstacles”.

Messi, 34, has been a free agent since July 1 when his contract expired.

He agreed a new deal on reduced wages with club two weeks later, but it was dependent on Barca selling players to afford his salary.

“Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled,” the club said.

Barcelona had said Messi was poised to extend his 21-year career with the club by signing the new deal yesterday, and blamed La Liga for the failure to do so.

He had reached an agreement to stay with the Catalan side until 2026 - but La Liga said the club must reduce wages before he and any new players can be registered.

“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” the club said.

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

Messi is Barcelona’s record scorer with 672 goals and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys, as well as claiming the Ballon d’Or on a record six occasions.

Keeping Messi at the Nou Camp had been (president) Joan Laporta’s top priority this summer.

The Barca future of a player who is widely regarded as being one of the world’s greatest of all-time, however, has been severely complicated by the club’s financial problems.

The presidential election earlier this year was held against the backdrop of Barca being on the verge of bankruptcy.

The Argentine arguably now

becomes the most in-demand player in world football.

Messi has long been linked with a move to either Paris StGermain or Manchester City, where he would be reunited with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.

America’s Major League Soccer, which Messi has previously considered experiencing, is another

Lionel Messi is Barcelona’s record scorer with 672 goals and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys. option.

The announcement that Messi is to move on comes a year after he sent a fax to Barcelona bosses saying he wished to exercise a clause in his contract that would have allowed him to leave for free last summer.

Days later he said he would stay, admitting it was “impossible” for any team to pay his 700M euro (£624M) release clause, which Barca insisted needed to be met.

END OF AN ERA Aged 13, Messi joined Barca’s famed La Masia academy in 2000 from Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys and made his senior debut aged 16 in 2004.

He has gone on to make 778 appearances for the club, scoring 672 goals, including 120 Champions League goals (second behind Cristiano Ronaldo), and a record 474 La Liga goals.

He has collected the European Golden Shoe award for the continent’s top scorer on six occasions.

(BBC Sport

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

‘Embarrassing and ridiculous’ U.S. men under fire

By Amy Tennery TOKYO (Reuters) - With world records smashed and dozens of personal best times achieved on its speedy track, Tokyo’s Olympic athletics programme is proving to be one of the most memorable for decades.

For an ever-growing number of what is normally an all-powerful United States’ men’s team, however, these are fast becoming the Games to forget.

With just one gold secured - courtesy of Ryan Crouser in the shot put - the American men’s team face the dire prospect of missing the top of the track podium for the first time in the Games’ 125-year history - barring their boycott year in 1980.

“At this point in the 2019 World Championships, U.S. men had won seven of an eventual nine gold medals,” former American sprint champion Michael Johnson wrote on Twitter. “So far only 1 gold in Tokyo with 8 med-

bronze in Tokyo.

U.S. men were kept off the 400 metres podium, an event they swept in 2004 and 2008 but haven’t won since.

Among their four gold rush was in store for the men als remaining up for grabs as medals, Sydney McLaughlin as well.

I write this.”

Grant Holloway came

By Thursday evening, the broke her own world record number was dwindling after to win the 400 metres hurdles within one hundredth of a the U.S. men were kept off and Athing Mu delivered a second of Aries Merritt’s 110 the 400 metres podium, an first U.S. 800 metres gold metres hurdles world record and Noah Lyles posted a event they swept in 2004 and since 1968.

On paper at least, impres- world-leading 19.74 in the 2008 but haven’t won since.

The American women, by sive results at June’s U.S. 200 metres. They, however, trials suggested a Tokyo gold walked away with silver and contrast, have dazzled.

TOUGH LUCK For some, missing gold was simply a matter of tough luck.

Although Rai Benjamin’s 46.17 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles smashed the world record, Norway’s Karsten Warholm smashed it by even more.

Other performances prompted instant critique.

The U.S. failed to make the 4x100 metres relay final after finishing a shock sixth in their semi-final, despite a talented roster including individual 100m silver medallist Fred Kerley, finalist Ronnie Baker and world leader Trayvon Bromell.

“The USA team did everything wrong in the men’s relay,” nine-times Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis said on Twitter. “The passing system is wrong, athletes running the wrong legs, and it was clear that there was no leadership. It was a total embarrassment.”

Johnson, who boasts 12

Olympic and world gold medals but no silver or bronze, levelled his criticism at USA Track & Field (USATF), as Baker told reporters the team had little time to practise.

“This isn’t rocket science,” Johnson wrote on social media.

“Trying to get two people running full speed to exchange a baton within a 20 meter zone requires practice!

Especially, when you haven’t won this event since Sydney 2000 due to drops and zone violations! Embarrassing and ridiculous.”

USATF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For some, the near-shutout reignited the debate over USATF’s decision in May to scrap their pre-Olympic training camp in Japan over COVID-19 concerns.

“No (training) camp. No time to acclimatise. SUPER YOUNG TEAM,” Benjamin tweeted on Thursday.

“It’s forever about the bigger picture!”

Pollard galvanised by knowledge gained from recent T20 Internationals BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Captain Kieron Pollard believes the just concluded bloc of Twenty20 matches against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, has been fruitful in providing clarity for selectors on the final squad for the T20 World Cup. In back-to-back series which bowled off in June, the Caribbean side went down 3-2 in five-match series against the Proteas, thrashed Australia 4-1 before losing 1-0 to Pakistan in a four-match series decimated by rain. buoyed And with West Indies arriving at the October 17 to November 14 tournament in United Arab Emirates and Oman as defending champions, Pollard said valuable knowledge of players gained during the recent series would prove vital.

“I think we have found out exactly what we wanted to find out,” Pollard said.

“It was very, very disap-

Left-arm pacer Obed McCoy pointing for us losing some guys (to injury). Because of the nature of how compact the games were, guys weren’t able to get through it, even myself missing the entire series against Australia.

“But having said that, as a team, we know exactly what we want to do and how we want to go forward and what is needed.

“And having the opportunity to have these 18 guys here, I

thought we saw what we needed and let’s see what happens in the CPL as it comes around the corner in a couple weeks time again.”

Importantly for West Indies, young players came to the fore during the recent matches, with leg-spinner Hayden Walsh finishing with 12 wickets at an average of 11 against Australia and left-arm pacer Obed McCoy grabbing nine scaps at just over 15-½ runs apiece against the South Africans.

Pollard was quick to praise both players, pointing to their high levels of commitment to training and performance.

“I thought these two guys were fantastic. Hayden Walsh has been a work in progress since 2019 when he got the opportunity,” Pollard explained.

“He got dropped and he came back and worked tremendously hard and that was a true testament of hard work, the way he came out when he started to

play in the T20 series against Australia.

“Obed McCoy started in Sri Lanka (last year). He had a few injuries before that but they worked on him and he came back and he showed what he can do.

“So those are the two guys who have been very, very interesting and they’ve done very well for themselves.”

He added: “I thought (all-rounder) Fabian Allen, as well, is a find for us and we need to continue to work with him, and find a way as well to keep them on the park going forward.”

West Indies have been drawn in a difficult Group 1 at the T20 World Cup, alongside the likes of England, Australia and South Africa.

However, Pollard said the focus now would be finding the best combination which would guarantee the Caribbean side’s best chance of success.

“When you go into any tournament it is to win but again, it’s a process we have to go through,” he cautioned.

“With that being said, it is very, very exciting times coming up, a lot of selection quandaries will come up, a lot of persons will have their (squads) but we’re never going

to be perfect.

“What we’re going to try to do is pick the best team to put on the maroon and represent us at the World Cup so let’s see what happens then.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 30, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shiv Chanderpaul (46 ODIs) (2) Mohammed Azharuddin(43 ODIs)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI has scored most ODI runs versus IND to date?

(2) Which IND player has made most ODI runs against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Persaud aims for 2024 Olympics qualification

AT 15, Aleka Persaud shattered her own National Record of 28.10 seconds in the Women’s 50m Freestyle when she registered 27.76s at the ongoing Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The spirited effort placed her second in her heat, but it was not quick enough for one of 16 places in the semi-finals.

Back in Guyana after her historic performance, Persaud and her coach Sean Baksh held a media briefing on Wednesday at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, where she revealed that it was an honour to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the global showpiece.

“It was an honour to represent my country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I have been swimming since the age of three and competing from the age of five,” Guyana’s youngest-ever Olympian expressed.

Overall, Persaud’s time in the qualifying rounds was ranked 55 out of 81 swimmers.

“My dream was always to represent Guyana at the

Olympic Games. It was very challenging training for the Games during the COVID-19 pandemic because the Olympic Swimming Pool at Liliendaal was closed to the public.

“My parents, Holly and Ivan Persaud, were forced

Guyana’s fastest female swimmer, Olympian Aleka Persaud. (Photo: Green Mango Media)

to frequently drive me to the Blue Lake in Linden to train, while my father and coach Sean Baksh were constantly on the lookout for vacant pools,” she revealed.

Persaud, who broke senior national records at her first outing at Junior CARIFTA Championships in Barbados in 2019, said she was not nervous ahead of debut Olympic swim since she “did the work”, which has resulted in her securing a spot for the Junior PanAmerican Games to be held in Colombia from November 25 to December 5.

Persaud holds the long course National Records in the 100m Butterfly (01:08.52s) and 200m Medley (02:42.42s), all accomplished when she was just 13 years old in Barbados.

Additionally, with the next Olympic Games just three years away in Paris, Baksh reiterated that for Persaud to steadily improve and gain an automatic qualifying time, which for this Olympics was 24.77s, there must be considerable investment to give her the necessary high-

performance training, noting they have a plan.

“We were not preparing for the Olympics because she would have been too young in 2020, and the pandemic happened and we continued to train (land training mainly), we got some pool time and then we got the opportunity to go the Olympics”.

“My expectation is that she will swim much faster at Junior PanAm,” Baksh indicated as he confirmed Persaud will look to break records again in the 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly.

Baksh said they are preparing a budget for a high-level training camp overseas for Persaud and stated while it is “costly”, it must be done for Persaud and other athletes in Guyana.

“If we don’t do these things, we will not progress to the higher levels … we have the talent, it is there (but) we need to put some effort behind it so it can bear fruit down the road,” Baksh remarked.

(Newsroom)

Anderson leads thrilling England fightback before rain

JAMES Anderson led an exhilarating England fightback before the weather curtailed the second day of the first Test against India at Trent Bridge.

Anderson took two wickets in two balls - including India captain Virat Kohli for a golden duck - in a thrilling passage of play at Trent Bridge.

That was part of an India slide of four wickets for 15 runs, the tourists falling from 97-0 to 112-4.

They had reached 125-4, only 58 behind England’s 183 all out, when bad light and rain sent the players off at 14:30 BST. They returned for one delivery at 16:15hrs and two at 17:00hrs, only for the rain to reappear on both occasions.

It could have been even better for England had Dom Sibley held KL Rahul at second slip on 52 during Anderson’s skilful spell.

Rahul remains on 57 not out, with the dangerous Rishabh Pant on seven.

The weather forecast is mixed for the remainder of the match, and warnings are in place over thunderstorms due today.

ENGLAND BOWLERS LIFT GLOOM For a while it looked as

James Anderson after dismissing Virat Kohl without scoring (Image: witter) though England were suffering a hangover from a dismal firstday batting display, their mood as dark as the clouds that slowly engulfed the ground.

Rahul and Rohit Sharma batted beautifully almost the entire morning session, sharing 97 for the first wicket.

There was little wrong with England’s display - they arguably bowled too wide and failed to test Rahul and Rohit with the short ball - but the home side seemed lacking in energy, spirit and fight.

Then, when Rohit, on 36, sloppily helped a bouncer from wholehearted Ollie Robinson to long leg, England were transformed.

They returned after lunch full of venom, carrying a threat with every delivery that was sent down under the floodlights.

Cheteshwar Pujara overturned being given lbw to Robinson before he edged Anderson behind. From the next ball, Kohli poked at a wide one to send the crowd into rapture.

From a position of control, India were frantic. Ajinkya Rahane could have been run-out had Dan Lawrence’s throw hit, then was run-out when Jonny Bairstow’s throw did.

After that came the Sibley drop, low to his left, and India would have been glad to escape to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms.

ANDERSON WINS FIRST BATTLE WITH KOHLI Anderson, now 39, managed only three wickets in the 2-0 series defeat by New Zealand in June and was off-colour in his short spell of bowling on Wednesday evening.

His battle against Kohli was a feature of England’s 4-1 series win, here three years ago, and England’s all-time leading wicket-taker was back to his masterful best to land the first blow this time around.

After Pujara feathered a beautiful delivery that angled in and nipped away, the stage was set for a moment of sporting theatre.

As Anderson roared to the crease, Kohli needlessly felt for the ball. As the edge nestled into the gloves of Jos Buttler, Anderson wheeled away in ecstatic celebration while Kohli stood in disbelief before dragging himself away.

Stuart Broad conducted the crowd for the hat-trick ball, which Rahane survived.

Anderson ended the day with miserly figures of 2-15 from 13.4 overs, his name being sung as the players departed for the final time. (BBC Sport)

GOA assists CAC body-building team with airline tickets

THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has sponsored part of the airfare costs for the eight members of Team Guyana, who will compete at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador from August 12 to 16.

still short of about $200 000 and $300 000 but as regards the athletes’ performance, he felt they would do extremely well.

Bess also highlighted that during the Congress of the event on August 13, a bid will be placed to host the annual

GOA president K.A Juman-Yassin (centre) along with the bodybuilders and GBBFF president Keavon Bess K.A Juman-Yassin, GOA president said that their initial plan was to cover the cost of all eight athletes but as time progressed, the budget allowed for seven and a quarter of the overall sum required.

President of the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), Keavon Bess thanked GOA for the support and indicated that most of the expenses have been covered.

Bess said the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has also supported, but they are

fixture in 2023. The athletes also expressed confidence they can represent the country well.

The contingent is scheduled to depart on August 10 and 12 in two groups to be a part of the 48th annual CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.

Guyana will be represented

by Emmerson Campbell, Rosanna Fung, Darious Ramsammy, Kerwin Clarke, Nicholas Albert, Rawle Greene, Yannick Grimes and Roger Callender, while Videsh Sookram is the coach.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings Rory Burns lbw Jasprit Bumrah

0 Dominic Sibley c Lokesh Rahul b Mohammed Shami 18 Zak Crawley c Rishabh Pant b Mohammed Siraj 27 Joe Root lbw Shardul Thakur

64 Jonny Bairstow lbw Mohammed Shami 29 Dan Lawrence c Rishabh Pant b Mohammed Shami 0 Jos Buttler c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 0 Sam Curran not out

27 Ollie Robinson c Mohammed Shami b Shardul Thakur 0 Stuart Broad lbw Jasprit Bumrah

4 James Anderson b Jasprit Bumrah 1 Extras: (b-1, lb-8, nb-4) 13 Total: (all out, 65.4 overs) 183 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-42, 3-66, 4-138, 5-138, 6-145, 7-155, 8-155, 9-160.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 20.4-4-46-4 (nb-2), Mohammed Shami 17-2-28-3, Mohammed Siraj 12-2-48-1, Shardul Thakur 13-3-41-2, Ravindra Jadeja 3-0-11-0 (nb-2).

INDIA 1st innings Rohit Sharma c Sam Curran b Ollie Robinson 36 Lokesh Rahul not out

57 Cheteshwar Pujara c Jos Buttler b James Anderson

4 Virat Kohli c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 0 Ajinkya Rahane run-out Jonny Bairstow 5 Rishabh Pant not out

7 Extras: (b-5, lb-3, nb-8) 16 Total: (four wkts, 46.4 overs) 125 Fall of wickets: 1-97, 2-104, 3-104, 4-112.

Bowling: James Anderson 13.4-7-15-2, Stuart Broad 11-1-45-0 (nb-3), Ollie Robinson 15-5-32-1, (nb-3), Sam Curran 7-1 25-0 (nb-2).

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 6, 2021

Jamaica’s Parchment wins gold, Levy bronze in 110m hurdles Hansle Parchment, left, crosses the finish line to win the men’s 110-metre hurdles final.

Bahamian Gardiner takes 400m gold on night of firsts

By Omar Mohammed

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Steven Gardiner of The Bahamas won the 400 metres yesterday, becoming the first athlete to win Olympic gold in an individual men’s event in his country’s history, after

a carefully balanced race shut out the Americans over a distance they once dominated.

Anthony Zambrano of Colombia took silver, becoming the first male athlete from the South American nation to win an Olympic medal in athletics.

TOKYO, Japan - Hansle Parchment created one of the biggest upsets in the track and field competition of the Olympics Games in Tokyo on Wednesday evening (Jamaica time), when he won the 110m hurdles with a stunning run, beating red-hot favourite Grant Holloway of the United States in the final.

Parchment, who won bronze in London in 2012, overcame serious injuries

this year to make the Jamaican team after he placed third at the national trials and ran a season’s best 13.04 seconds (-0.5m/ s) to give Jamaica backto-back gold medals in the 110m hurdles after Omar McLeod won Jamaica’s first gold in the event in Rio in 2016.

Ronald Levy, the national champion, took the bronze in his first major global final in 13.10 seconds, just behind Holloway, the second

fastest ever in the event.

He ran 13.09 seconds.

Parchment, who also has a World Championships silver medal, got off to his customary slow start but caught the leaders including Holloway and Levy and ran past them after the final barrier.

It was the first medals for the Jamaican men at the Games and took the Jamaican tally to seven - three gold, a silver and three bronze. (Jamaica Observer)

Steven Gardiner became the first Bahamian athlete to win Olympic gold in an individual men’s event for his country.

Kirani James of Grenada grabbed bronze, his third medal in the event and his country’s first of the Games, after winning gold in 2012 and silver in 2016.

He is the first athlete to win three Olympic medals in the men’s 400m.

Continued on page 23

Canada’s Warner breaks Games record on way to decathlon gold

See page 23

Canada’s Damian Warner took gold with a new Games record score of 9 018 points.

Persaud aims for 2024 Olympics qualification 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

See page 27

| FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021