Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-11-2023

MONDAY 6th November, 2023

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 107256

House to reaffirm Guyana’s position on border controversy today SEE PAGE

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- Foreign Affairs Minister to table motion which denounces ‘provocative, unlawful, void’ Venezuela’s planned referendum on the Essequibo

‘Deep Jale’ ushers in Diwali with blast of cultural performances

SEE PAGE

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Scores of Hindus and non-Hindus were amazed by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s “Deep Jale,” which boasted a magnificent display of dance, music and more at the Kitty Seawall Roundabout, on Saturday evening (Delano Williams photos)

Accidents, contact with network main causes of total Crewing shortages could be addressed shutdowns with greater inclusion of women SEE PAGE

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- First Lady tells maritime industry stakeholders

CDB to establish project preparation fund SEE PAGE

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- to increase climate finance for the region

SEE PAGE

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- GPL’s Deputy CEO says

178 solar panels distributed to Upper-Berbice River villages

SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

Crewing shortages could be addressed with greater inclusion of women - First Lady tells maritime industry stakeholders

WHILE speaking at the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) Gala and Anchor Awards at the Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday evening, First Lady Arya Ali advocated for greater inclusion of women in the maritime industry through training and job opportunities.

Mrs. Ali served as patron of the Gala and Anchor Awards which honours stalwarts in the cargo and cruise industry for their accomplishments and positive impact on the Caribbean shipping and maritime sector.

This year, the Gala and Anchor Awards was held under the theme: “Talent in your backyard”. Noting that talent exists here in the Caribbean, Mrs. Ali posited that talent is underutilised when women are unable to access opportunities and

contribute to the development of the region’s maritime industry.

She drew attention to the fact that women represent only 1.2 per cent of the global seafarer workforce as per the BIMCO/ICS 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report, underscoring that this represented a positive trend in gender balance, with the report estimating 24,059 women serving as seafarers, which is a 45.8 per cent increase compared with the 2015 report.

“Now, imagine if we were to make more opportunities available to women in the maritime sector, how many of our challenges could be addressed – including crewing shortages,” she told a gathering of almost 200 people, which included executives from some of the largest shipping and cruise line companies in the Caribbean.

With the global shipping

industry suffering acute crewing shortages, particularly among officers, the First Lady said that this is the ideal time for companies and agencies to think about greater inclusion of women in the industry.

“Important in all of this is ensuring we create an environment in which women are identified and selected for career development opportunities in the maritime industry,” she said, adding that the Government of Guyana remains committed to supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender specific fellowships and other opportunities.

She highlighted an ongoing collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Atlantic Alliance Maritime and Offshore Training Institute – a 100 per cent woman-owned Guyanese company – through which 100 women

First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali served as patron of the Gala and Anchor Awards which honours stalwarts in the cargo and cruise industry for their accomplishments and positive impact on the Caribbean shipping and maritime sector

from the hinterlands are being provided with scholarships for maritime training.

Mrs. Ali said that efforts like these must continue with support from partners like ACMF, which has since provided scholarships to 42 Guyanese. “…it would be remiss of me to not acknowledge the 42 scholarships which have been provided to Guyanese through the Foundation for Maritime Training. As Guyana’s maritime sector continues to rapidly expand,

these kinds of investments in local companies and in our human resource will prove to be invaluable to our nation’s development,” she said.

Mrs. Ali also used the opportunity to urge players in the industry to reassess their individual and collective roles – both at the national and regional levels – and to rethink as industry professionals, government officials, diplomats, experts, and even advocates how they could build an industry

that is more resilient, reliable, and inclusive.

The event was attended by a number of officials including President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley; President of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), Professor Andrew Spencer; President of ACMF, Dr. Geneive Brown Metzger; and Director-General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Rear Admiral Peter Brady among others.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

House to reaffirm Guyana’s position on border controversy today

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- Foreign Affairs Minister to table motion which denounces as ‘ provocative, unlawful, void’ Venezuela’s planned referendum on the Essequibo

THE National Assembly during an extraordinary sitting today is expected to reaffirm its recognition and acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral Award as a “full, perfect and final” settlement of the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

This is according to a motion proposed to the National Assembly

by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, which is expected to have the full support of all members of the assembly.

The motion notes that the National Assembly affirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and takes place prior to Venezuela’s planned referendum which seeks to create a new state that will include the portion of Guyana’s territory they have laid claim to.

Among the resolutions proposed in the motion is that the National Assembly denounce as provocative, unlawful, void and of no legal effect, the purported referendum in Venezuela that is scheduled for December 3, 2023.

Further to this, it notes that the National Assembly supports the government in its pursuit to ensure a peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy before the International Court of Justice, and rejects the proposal to return to any form of dialogue with Venezuela on the controversy outside of the process before the court.

This motion also calls for the National Assembly to support the government’s formal

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd

approach for the International Court Justice (ICJ)’s protection, with the filing of a request for provisional measures preventing Venezuela from taking any action to seize, acquire or encroach upon, or assert or exercise sovereignty over the

Essequibo region or any other part of Guyana’s national territory.

To this end it was noted that the Government of Guyana has always relied on international law and justice, and the support of its international partners and bilateral

partners to secure its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to be able to withstand the continued systematic onslaught from the Government of Venezuela relating to its illegal and unjust claim to more than two thirds of Guyana’s territory.

On October 30, the Government of Guyana submitted a request for the indication of provisional measures to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its planned referendum on the unlawful territorial claim of the Essequibo region.

This request came following a recent meeting between delegations led by President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, when their discussions surrounded Venezuela’s upcoming referendum.

Subsequent to the meeting, a joint statement from the two parties noted that they have agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is paramount and is a matter on which the Guyanese people are all completely united.

They also condemned Venezuela’s blatant vio-

lation of the rule of law and further agreed that no effort should be spared to resist these persistent endeavours to undermine Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Earlier this year, the ICJ ruled that the case which was brought by Guyana seeking to affirm the validity of the 1899 arbitral award settling the boundaries between the two countries is admissible.

As such, the court is expected to move forward with hearing the substantive case on its merits as to whether the award is binding and valid.

The ruling earlier this year was the second time that the court rejected jurisdictional objections raised by Venezuela.

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CDB to establish project preparation fund

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

- to increase climate finance for the region

THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is establishing a Climate Change Project Preparation Fund to assist its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) in identifying and developing viable proposals to access climate finance, from the bank and other international donor organisations.

Despite significant vulnerability and considerable needs, Caribbean countries have had limited success in securing funding for climate action initiatives. Among the obstacles are the extensive prerequisites and project preparation necessary to qualify for concessional finance from development partners and multilateral climate

funds.

“Right now, climate finance flows to the Caribbean pale in comparison to the needs of the Region and a major barrier is the challenges we face putting together viable proposals because the process can be resource-intensive, and it can require specialised expertise,” Ms. Valerie Isaac, CDB’s Division Chief, Environmental Sustainability explained. “ C D B ’s C l i m a t e Change Project Preparation Fund will provide resources to de-

velop and implement climate action projects which will enable the Region to mobilise climate finance at a much greater scale, which is necessary to achieve climate change adaptation and mitigation goals,” she added.

The Fund will be central to CDB’s push to increase the climate funding available to the Region by addressing the implementation challenges faced by BMCs. A key objective will be improvement of the technical quality of climate change-relat-

ed proposals to ensure initiatives are ‘implementation-ready’ and to strengthen the regional pipeline of projects through which climate finance can flow to BMCs for high-impact investments.

CDB is currently financing preparatory work to institute the fund. Initial undertakings will involve assessments of how similar mechanisms are managed by other international insti-

tutions including the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund and regional development banks.

Best practices and key lessons from existing entities will inform the design and development of a project preparation apparatus that meets the needs of CDB’s BMCs. A detailed framework for operationalising the Fund should be completed by the final quarter of 2024. (CDB)

Afreximbank to support regional trade, transport infrastructure 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

- President Ali says

AS the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) looks to re-engineer its supply chain through trade, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signalled its intention to support the Region in its efforts to enhance its transport infrastructure.

This was revealed by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali at the recently held AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum held here in Guyana.

The President said although the financial institution is willing to support the Region in those efforts, the regional

facturing, and industrial development. We can re-engineer the supply chain, but we have to move things. We have to move things throughout the Region,” Dr. Ali said.

According to the President, the Afreximbank has assured the Region of its support in examining a proposal from the regional private sector to support the maritime transport infrastructure.

“Every single state in CARICOM has made it clear that we will give all the incentives necessary to facilitate the building of a regional transport infrastructure system to

He added: “We have to learn to remove the imaginary barriers between ourselves and act in a collective, in consortiums, bringing together our collective capital, our collective talent, and our collective structure, so that we can make use of the larger-scale opportunities that exist within the Region.”

Currently, CARICOM leaders are on a mission to reduce the Region's high expenditure on food imports.

The end goal is to slash the region's US$6+ billion food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

“ We c a n ' t t i p t o e around this anymore. The private sector has failed us in this endeavour,” Dr. Ali said.

private sector needs to do more to support governments. “ We c a n p l a n t and grow as much as we want. We can do agro-processing, manu-

solve the problem of regional transport. It is in your hands now,” the Head of State said, while issuing a direct call to the private sector to form consortiums.

While many countries have implemented policies and programmes to increase food production, some non-tariff barriers hinder the smooth trade of goods in the Region.

He added: “This is a business opportunity, not a state opportunity.

This is a business opportunity that governments in the Region are ready to facilitate and support

Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Benedict Oramah and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (Delano Williams photo)

to the right incentive and fiscal system, we have made it very clear. You need now to be what you always demonstrate yourself to be, the engine of growth.”

CARICOM has already begun discussions to examine the possibility of establishing a ferry service, and maritime policy to increase trade, but President Ali maintains that more can be done by the private sector.

Afreximbank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Benedict Oramah, said the bank has already approved US$1.5 billion in funding to enable member states of CARICOM to ratify the Partnership Agreement with Afreximbank, enabling states to tap into the bank’s various financial instruments.

The financing institution, according to Oramah, is currently in the process of establishing its first regional headquarters in Barbados, where the first AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum was held last year.

“Afreximbank ex-

pects to begin the process of developing the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre in Barbados before the end of next year.

This facility will host the permanent Caribbean office and also incorporate a hotel, trade information, and conferencing and exhibition facilities,” he said.

Once fully established, regional trade between African and Caribbean nations is expected to grow exponentially.

Oramah said: “We must persevere and forge ahead, mindful that the path we have chosen is the shock absorber we need at this time. In a de-globalising world, small, open economies will suffer if they don’t bind together, and there can be no better binding than that of brothers and sisters represented by AfriCaribbean trade and investment integration.”

The bank will be running a pilot programme for the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) for CARICOM Central Banks as the payment infrastructure for CARICOM before the end of 2024.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

Standing Together

IN a world where conflicts and disagreements are commonplace, the unity shown by Guyana's opposition and government is truly impressive.

Normally at odds with one another, these two political groups have united to protect their country's territorial integrity from Venezuela's unabated demands.

This collective determination shows a deep commitment to defending Guyana's sovereignty and demonstrates the resilience of democratic ideals in the face of outside attacks.

In discussing the latest actions by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in pursuit of its spurious claim to the Essequibo territory of Guyana, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton from the outset, agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is of paramount importance and is a matter

on which the Guyanese people are all completely united.

They condemned the flagrant violation of the rule of law by Venezuela and agreed that no effort should be spared to resist that country’s persistent endeavours to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Ali and the Leader of the Opposition agreed that protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state must be sub-served by a vigorous and comprehensive public relations programme and a proactive, and robust diplomatic effort aimed at blunting Venezuelan propaganda and misinformation as they relate to the territorial controversy generally, and the Geneva Agreement in particular.

Venezuela’s audacious and unfounded claims to a significant portion of Guyana’s land, particularly the Essequibo region, have been

a source of tension for decades. The origins of this controversy can be traced back to the 19th century, but the situation escalated when the region became the centre of attention because of Guyana’s recent oil discoveries.

The territorial controversy has, regrettably, overshadowed the potential for regional cooperation and economic development.

The latest move by Venezuela to hold a referendum on December 3, 2023, on Guyana’s land, is an alarming escalation in an already tense situation. The referendum is not only provocative, but also entirely illegitimate.

Guyana’s firm rejection of this manoeuvre is justified, as it is a blatant violation of international law and agreements, including the Geneva Agreement of 1966, which clearly established the framework for addressing the controversy.

Guyana’s political lead-

ership, across party lines, has shown a united front in denouncing this attempt by Venezuela. The government and opposition’s shared commitment to protecting their nation’s territorial integrity sends a powerful message to the international community and highlights the significance of this issue. It demonstrates that in matters of national importance, political differences can be set aside for the greater good.

It is heartening to see that Guyana is not standing alone in this critical moment.

The country has received strong support from its foreign and regional partners.

These partners understand that the controversy over Guyana’s territory is not merely a bilateral issue, but one that has broader implications for regional stability, international norms, and the principles of sovereignty and self-determination.

Additionally, regional

organisations such as CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) and the Organisation of American States (OAS) have voiced their support for Guyana’s territorial integrity.

Their unwavering commitment to upholding international law is vital in holding Venezuela accountable for its actions.

The defence of territorial integrity and sovereignty should transcend party lines and political differences.

Guyana’s commitment to this principle is a shining example for democracies around the world.

As December 3, 2023, approaches, and with it, the date of Venezuela’s illegitimate referendum, the world must stand with Guyana.

The international community must support diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the territorial controversy peacefully, while making it clear that any attempts to infringe upon Guyana’s sov-

ereignty will not be tolerated.

Venezuela’s actions are not just a threat to Guyana; they are also a threat to the principles of international law and the sanctity of borders everywhere.

Guyana has since implored Venezuela to honour its obligation to pursue only peaceful means to settle any issue it may have with Guyana, including adjudication before the International Court of Justice, where Guyana has sought confirmation of the land boundary between the two states. Allowing the court to decide would ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law.

In this critical moment, Guyana stands united, and the world should stand with Guyana in the defence of its territorial integrity and its right to determine its own future.

The role of education in a rapidly changing society

Dear Editor, EDUCATION has been identified as the catalyst for the socio-economic transformation of Guyana. This mandate falls under the Ministry of Education.

Accordingly, the top priorities of this ministry, as laid out in the Education Sector Plan 2021-2025 (ESP25) include: (1) improve efficiency; (2) reduce inequities; (3) improve governance and accountability; (4) improve performance at all levels; and (5) contribute to lifelong learning and employability.

Minister Manickchand notes that the PPP/C government’s first five-year Education Sector Plan (ESPs) was prepared in 1993 and that exercise continued until ESP 2014-2018. However, during the APNU+AFC’s term in office they did not produce any ESP. Instead, they worked with the World Bank to implement the US$14 million Guyana Education Sector Improvement Project 2017-2022 (GESIP).

The two stated objectives of

the APNU+AFC project were: (1) improve teaching practices and students' achievements in mathematics at primary, pre-primary and lower secondary level in selected schools (Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine); and (2) strengthen the teaching capacity and improve the learning environment of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Guyana. The PPP/C government restored the Education Sector Plan (ESP25) for the period 2021 to 2025.

To help meet the development goals of the Education Sector Plan (ESP 25), the Ministry of Education has been granted the biggest sectoral budgetary allocation in 2023 of $(G) 94.4 billion.

This works out to G$472,000 or US$2,247 per capita student. This per capita amount is more than four times the amount spent in 2018.

Apart from increased budgetary funding, the ministry is also working to make the schools' curricula reflective of the rapid social and physi-

cal developments taking place throughout the country.

Thus great emphasis is placed on AI technology, computer coding, critical thinking, skills training, agriculture, mathematics, English, Spanish, and the sciences.

Coursera Plus (online teaching agency) assists with AI technology and computer science.

Training in various skills areas such as carpentry, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, etc. is being conducted by the Ministry of Education’s Unit called TVET (Technical, Vocational, Educational Training).

Between 2020 and 2022 record shows that 3,882 persons were trained at 10 TVET centres. Currently six new TVET centres are being constructed with three of those located in the hinterland regions.

However most of the technical skills training fall under the Ministry of Labor (where 2,083 completed training in 2022 and 2,444 are in training). To a lesser degree, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce pro-

vides trading in the hospitality and oil/gas sector (data on graduates are not available).

About students' academic performance, Minister Manickchand said: “Our goal is to ensure that all our students matriculate,” while pointing out the significant role of teachers in the learning process.

The need to Impart quality education, has motivated her to move aggressively to have 100 per cent of teachers in the system either trained or to be in training by 2025. She also talks about the measures they take and plan to take to help those students that lag in their studies.

While focus is given to the training of all teachers, the reduction of class size, the revision of the schools’ curricula, the construction of more schools, the upgrading of others and on enhancing security, the minister cautions reporters “to be fair, and challenges them to state the truth, the facts, and to be discerning with information they receive from anonymous sources.”

On the matter of school expansion, the minister says that within three years they have built six secondary schools across the country.

These six secondary schools have eased the overcrowding situation but have not solved it.

There are still a few schools with overcrowding.

The minister says that the student to teacher ratio ought to be as follows: Kindergarten 15:1; Primary school 25:1; and Secondary school 35:1. She asserts that with the highest number of teachers ever to be graduated (N=2,300) on November 29, 2023, the student to teacher ratio will improve accordingly. The ministry will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.

While the PPP/C government is pleased that the United Nations has declared that Guyana has achieved universal primary education, there is still much more work to be done.

Consequently, the PPP/C government plans to build six primary schools across the country

within the next two years.

She reminds Guyanese that prior to the PPP/C demitting office in 2015, IDB approved funds for the construction of four secondary schools. However, during the APNU+AFC regime (2015-2020) “they failed to start and finish any single Secondary school.”

Minister Priya Manickchand says that she is part of the PPP/C government that continues to work hard to win people’s support.

She says, “The PPP/C is never going to resort to rigging elections, so we know that we must work hard to win the hearts and minds through service to the people.”

She compliments the staff at the Ministry of Education, teachers, and other support workers in the education system. The minister knows that taking government to the people is the way to win their confidence and support.

Regards, Dr Tara Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

Dorms are under the direct supervision of regional administrations

Dear Editor, IT is difficult to believe the SN editorial is merely naively writing in ignorance. Too much information has been supplied publicly and directly to the newspaper for this to be the case.

The SN editorial, a day after a long letter from me which the paper itself called “detailed,” boldly misrepresents again, claiming that dorm children are “under the direct care of the Ministry of Education.”

I’m not sure whom they

are trying to influence, but I have more belief in our people’s discerning capacity and intellectual prowess to believe these misrepresentations will take root.

For whoever is interested in the truth, I repeat, the maintenance of all schools, dorms, teachers’ quarters, hiring of staff like dorm parents, cooks and security, supervision of students and residents in dorms, etc…, in the regions are the direct responsibility of the regional administration, which is governed

by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Dorm children, therefore, are under the direct care of the regional administrations, which is managed and governed by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

I repeat again also it is the law that mandates that we engage here in Guyana in decentralisation of government which sees schools and dorms in regions being managed

Dear Editor, STABROEK News’s lead story in its Sunday, November 5, 2023 edition is a promise by the APNU of a “livable income for all,” among several other things.

The irony in this is that it starts with a lie. Guyanese are expected to believe that there is in existence a grouping of political parties in the opposition operating under the banner of A Partnership for National Unity. Nothing could be further from the truth, as what we have is the PNC, a few appendages and what remains of the AFC. Secondly, this promise of a “livable income for all” is laughable given what we experienced in 2015 and the five-year period that pre-

ceded it. The APNU+AFC coalition promised much in 2015 then when it got into office what we saw was quite the opposite.

They promised to create jobs, then turned around and fired 7,000 sugar workers and lost 30,000 jobs as a result of their incompetence.

After telling Guyanese that “it is time to vote for jobs” in 2015 when they got into government, they said it's not their role to create jobs and that Guyanese would be better off selling plantain chips and cook-up rice.

This same APNU+AFC coalition promised a livable wage and then gave themselves a 50 per cent salary increase within the first three months of its tenure in office, while public servants

got next to nothing.

Added to that, they then put VAT on water, electricity, data, education, medical services, and several food items. As if this wasn’t enough, they then raised over 200 taxes and fees, some by as much as 500 per cent.

Guyanese people are not stupid. Our experiences with the APNU+AFC are real and recent. We know that we couldn't trust them to keep their promises in government and given the daily outpouring of lies and racism, we know that we certainly can't trust them in opposition.

Yours truly, Anson Paul

Couldn’t trust APNU’s promises in gov’t and certainly can’t trust them now

directly by the Regional Democratic Councils and Local Government Ministry.

The Constitution, our Supreme Law, the Local Government Act and Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and consequential orders, and directives issued thereunder all clearly demonstrate said decentralisation and how it works.

For even more information, each region is designated a budget agency as is evidenced by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development being asked and answering questions in relation to education in the regions at every single budget debate when the National Assembly is seeking to appropriate funds to run the country.

In the absence of Cabinet direction which was being sought after the receipt of the Deen and Partners report, which dorm would be repaired, which one wasn’t finished and why, which dorm has enough dorm parents, which one doesn’t get adequate or nutritious food, which one doesn’t deal with discipline properly, etc…, are all questions that have arisen and many have been covered by this newspaper in annual budgets.

They were/are all asked of the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. If the roof in a dorm is leaking and the Ministry of Education by itself utilizes money in its budget to fix it, the Ministry of Education would be engaged in misappropriation, a criminal offence

and a breach of our fiscal rules that will invite audit queries.

That roof would have to be fixed by the region, as money was directly appropriated by the National Assembly for that purpose.

That region is managed directly by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Looking forward to more opportunities to engage with your readers when tomorrow, again, the SN will write as though they did not read this or as though they never covered the budget debates or reported on the regions’ responsibilities towards dorms and schools that are located in those regions.

Sincerely, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

Coalition tomfoolery

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IN my Tuesday, October 31 column that reviewed the autobiography of Moses Nagamootoo, I mentioned the incident w h e re b y L e o n a r d Craig, a senior figure in the AFC, during the tenure of the APNU+AFC administration, was fired from the position of head of the National Broadcasting Authority (NBA) and Mr. Nagamootoo as Prime Minister had the portfolio that covered the NBA and did not know that the decision was taken to fire Craig.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

As a response to that, I got several emails asking me if I can give more details. I think the reason for the curiosity is more about Nagamootoo than the incident itself. I can understand how people feel about Nagamootoo because as Prime Minister they figured that on such a small issue why Nagamootoo was overlooked by PNC figures in the government.

I have detailed knowledge of what went on, but it would take up too much space, so I will be brief and

then look at a statement Dominic Gaskin made on the Freddie Kissoon-Gildarie show in relation to how the AFC failed in government. First the broadcasting incident.

Craig was Chairman of the NBA and had a running battle on the board with Tony Vieira.

There was a public spat between the two. Vieira at the time was with APNU. The Ministry of the Presidency took the decision to side with Vieira and the decision was made to fire Craig as Chairman. Craig told me he confronted Nag-

amootoo who admitted to him that the decision was not his. I would not print here what Craig said to me about Nagamootoo’s character.

The nature of the coalition in government among the PNC, WPA and AFC constitutes a story that is so surreal, incredible, unbelievable and degenerate that it is almost impossible to do a scholarly study of it.

The peculiar behavioural output of these three parties in a governmental coalition is extremely rare in politics, and we are unlikely to see such a repetition anywhere in the world in the future.

Even when governments are single party administrations, within the ruling party itself, there would be tempestuous disagreements between senior party officials that result in change of policy.

Logically then, there should be more upheavals between coalition parties in government. After Cheddi Jagan died, the post 1997 PPP government had disagreements on policy. The same in the PNC after Burnham died.

After Eric Williams passed away, the government of the People’s National Movement had constant bickering

that led to the weakening of the party. Also in Trinidad, when the United National Congress under Basdeo Panday came to power, acidic internal dissention led to the fall of the government. The New Jewel Movement in Grenada had so many internecine disagreements over policies that it led to bloodshed.

It is expected along the lines of human nature for coalition parties to quarrel all the time and divorce becomes the order of the day. That is a political law in coalition governments. The exception is the PNC, WPA and AFC coalition in Guyana- 2015-2020.

This was no coalition but a PNC dominated regime.

Today, only one man from one of the contributing parties explained his position.

Dominic Gaskin announced on the Freddie Kissoon-Gildarie Show that the mistake the AFC made when it was in power was that to protect the coalition government it forsook its own core values.

Coalition parties do not do that. In the history of coalition governments, the contributing units dissolve the government when issues fundamental to their raison d’être cannot be

resolved. In the case of the WPA and AFC, their inner beliefs on which rest their raison d’être were constantly violated by their senior partner in the government, the PNC, and they sycophantically accepted the loss of their identity.

Some examples should suffice. A party like the WPA should never have accepted the dissolution of the amendment to the marijuana law. Clive Thomas wrote several books on the sugar industry yet as Chairman of GuySuCo was not consulted on the closure of the estates and accepted the denial of severance pay to the sugar workers who had to go to court to get it.

For its part, the AFC went along with the Hamilton Green Pension Bill. It accepted Leonard Craig’s dismissal even though Craig constantly informed his boss, Nagamootoo, the victimisation he was facing from the APNU people in government. If as Gaskin explained, the AFC sacrificed its core values to protect the coalition in power, then the AFC agreed to commit suicide. There is no other example of such coalition madness in politics the past 200 years.

Ramjattan’s ‘Venophobia’ 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

BEHIND the government–opposition co-operation on border issues there seems to be a lot of hysteria surrounding the presence of Venezuelans in Guyana.

Given all the history between the two nations, it is rational and sensible to be cautious, measured and strategic when it comes to managing the influx of Venezuelan migrants.

However, there are stories making the rounds about some people who are going overboard with xenophobia, in this case, ‘Venophobia.’

It can’t be stressed enough that we should treat every person with dignity. The Venezuelans coming here are people with grave vulnerabilities, and we are not without legal remedies if they break the law.

That said, this past week I’ve heard a lot of hogwash regarding how to deal with Venezuelans residing in Guyana, but none quite as elaborate as the confounded parochialism coming from Ramjattan and the AFC. For those who missed it, let me give you a brief background before delving into AFCs delirium. As is common around the world, citizens from bordering countries facing greater economic or ethnocultural pressures will skip across their borders to seek betterment.

In the north, a great number of Americans are settling in Canada to take advantage of cheaper and better healthcare. Mexicans are moving to America for all-round economic betterment. On the Asian continent, ethnic

Rohingyas are fleeing ethnocultural pressures from Myanmar into Bangladesh, North Koreans cross the Amnok River into Dandong China for jobs.

In the past, when economic pressures were higher in Guyana than among its neighbours, Guyanese, by the thousands, skipped into Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname. These days, the economic and political pressures are pitch high in Venezuela, it is therefore only natural for Venezuelans to seek better living situations prevailing in Guyana.

Among those who are headed to Guyana are Guyanese by birth who moved to Venezuela when things were better there. Accompanying many returning Guyanese are their spouses and children.

Under the Guyanese constitution, all spouses and children of Guyanese born abroad are entitled to be citizens of Guyana, which by default makes it applicable to grandchildren and their spouses.

This means, such persons are entitled to a passport, registration for a national ID card and all the constitutional rights and privileges of Guyanese citizenship, including voting.

In comes Ramjattan and the Dippy Gang advocating for the suspension of the constitutional rights of bonafide Guyanese Citizens.

Ramjattan is reported as saying: “All Venezuelans granted citizenship, in view of the severely strained relationship we have now with Venezuela, not be allowed to be on the voters’ roll.” I will go ahead and assume that at the time

of reading a prepared statement Ramjattan was in a trance.

One would hope that Ramjattan comes to his senses and foreswears this statement, it has the potential of raising the spectra of election time “Venophobia.”

Some will believe that all people with Spanish accents have no voting rights in Guyana and may resort to all sorts of discriminatory actions with the potential to turn violent.

The AFC wants a “transparent process” where the party can verify all the registrants. I think the AFC is forgetting one detail.

The registration process already has legal provision for there to be opposition scrutineers during the continuous registration process.

AFC is working against its own interest.

It claimed it knows that the PPP/C is busy registering Venezuelans, but from all inquiries, the AFC has not provided a single scrutineer to accompany GECOM staff to verify the registrations.

If it did, it would’ve been able to examine all source documents used to make a claim to go on the list. Further, AFC has the option of making objections to any name wrongfully or illegally included.

It is, therefore, nothing short of crass political laziness and Trumpish fearmongering of the electoral process, long before the elections are held.

Instead of utilising the apparatus provided for in law, the AFC choses to squat in its political outhouse and coerce the government to fabricate an extra-legal backdoor process

to provide information the AFC could obtain for itself, at the source.

News flash for the AFC, electoral politics is not an armchair process.

The AFC also wants the registration of those already eligible for citizenship to be suspend-

ed until after the ICJ has made its final ruling. Further, they expressed fear that there could be a Venezuelan party winning seats in the house and turn Guyana over to Venezuela.

For the benefit of the AFC, please allow me to hark back to a

suggestion I made in last week’s column.

Propose a legislation to end dual citizenship between Venezuela and Guyana. Single nation allegiance as a condition of citizenship should not violate the constitution.

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Border controversy must not be used for opportunistic politics

THE political opposition is playing a dangerous game with Guyana’s territorial sovereignty that could undermine Guyana's handling of the threats that are emanating from Venezuela.

Any right-minded citizen, after listening to the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Nor-

ton and APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, Amanza Walton-Desir, would wonder if these individuals have any training in matters of diplomacy and governance.

In fact, both of them sound as though they do not understand the government’s posture and position on the border controversy, and the

Venezuelan migrants and refugees.

This is despite the government offering up detailed information on its strategy for responding to the controversy, and to a lesser extent what the opposition appears to really want to know: How much Venezuelans are in Guyana, where they are settled

and how much are registered to vote as Guyanese nationals.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd, have given the opposition all the facts and information available at this time.

But the opposition keeps making these unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations under their breaths that the government is not handling the matter seriously and sufficiently. They continue to insinuate this and that, and point fingers as opposed to using the channels available at the level of the parliament and executive to get answers to specific things which they are claiming they are not satisfied with.

By doing this, they continue to undermine Guyana's position and the solidarity that we, as a country, must have on the border controversy with Venezuela.

They also need to stop playing opportunistic politics and political gamesmanship.

The border controversy is above the fray of normal politics and should be treated as such by the opposition.

Norton and Desir, who are both seeking to outdo each other because

of the looming upcoming PNC/R Congress, must not seek fame, likes, or attention with this very important issue.

Reckless statements could also cause mass hysteria and mass xenophobia towards the section of innocent Venezuelans and people who are here legitimately.

The opposition should speak and treat every single person, refugee and migrant with respect and universal decency even when talking about deportation and migration matters.

They should be responsible when discussing the border controversy and migrants issue, and resort to behaving like a responsible opposition which would pick up the phone and call the minister responsible or write him formally.

Too much is at stake for Guyana, for the opposition to be acting and sounding irrational.

Venezuela is watching and listening to them.

They want to see a division and a crack in Guyana's iron fist position on the Essequibo.

Any basic lawyer, diplomatic expert or politician would know this. The opposition must curtail what is said in the public about the government with

respect to this issue.

It must always remain professional and responsible.

They must not give into the temptation of the Mark Benschops, Rickford Burkes, Glen Lalls and other personalities who usurp the roles of journalists and sane Guyanese at the media conferences.

The vote and motion that the opposition and government must agree to and unanimously approve will be a test of the seriousness and strength of Guyana’s Parliament and people on this border controversy.

After all, President Nicolas Maduro must be sent a strong message that he will understand, even if he is undergoing a mental health and political crisis in Venezuela.

Tomorrow, Guyana should stand with the parliament and sound its unified voice that despite the murmurs made by Venezuela, it will be business as usual but we are ready to defend our Essequibo.

F o r t h i s re a s o n and this reason alone, Norton and the opposition should put a hold on the politics and political statements, and stand firm with the government as we confront this threat head-on.

FAO Food Price Index dips in October

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- international quotations for rice, wheat, palm oil and pig meat decline

THE benchmark for world food commodity prices declined moderately in October, down by 0.5 percent from September with the index for dairy products the only one to rise, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 120.6 points in October, down 10.9 percent from its corresponding value a year earlier.

T h e FA O C e r e a l Price Index declined by 1.0 percent from the previous month.

International rice prices dropped by 2.0 percent amid generally passive global import demand, while those of wheat dropped by 1.9 percent, weighed on by strong supplies from the United States of America and strong competition among exporters.

By contrast, quotations for coarse grains rose slightly, led by maize due to thinning supplies in Argentina.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index decreased by 0.7 percent from September, as lower world palm oil prices, due to seasonally higher outputs and subdued global import demand, more than offset higher prices for soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils. Soy oil prices rose owing to a robust demand from the biodiesel sector.

T h e FA O S u g a r Price Index declined by 2.2 percent but remained 46.6 percent above its year-earlier level. The October decline was mainly driven by a strong pace of production in Brazil, although concerns over a tighter global supply outlook in the year ahead capped the drop.

The FAO Meat Price Index declined by 0.6 percent, as sluggish import demand especially from East Asia led to a fall in the international prices of pig meat, more than offsetting marginal increases in the prices of poultry, bovine and ovine meats.

In a contrasting trend, the FAO Dairy Price Index rose by 2.2 percent in October, ending a nine-month decline. World milk powder prices rose the most on the back of surging import demand for both near and longer-term supplies as well as some uncertainty over the impact of the El Niño weather conditions on the upcoming milk production in Oceania.

COMFORTABLE WORLD CEREAL STOCKS In a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, also released Friday, FAO maintained its forecast for world cereal production in 2023 at 2 819 million tonnes, a record high.

Some adjustments were made to country-level figures, notably higher coarse grain production in China and most of West Africa and lower forecasts

for the United States of America and the European Union. Wheat output forecasts were raised for Iraq and the United States of America and revised downward for the European Union and Kazakhstan.

World rice production in 2023/24 is forecast to increase marginally year on year. The new revisions include an upgrade to India’s production, more than offsetting various other revisions, particularly

that of rice expected to stagnate at the previous season’s level.

The world cereals stocks-to-use ratio for 2023/24 is forecast to stand at 30.7 percent, “a comfortable supply situation from a historical perspective” and marginally above the previous year’s level of 30.5 percent, according to FAO. Global trade in cereals in 2023/24 is forecast at 469 million tonnes, a 1.6 percent

countered by weak currencies in many low-income countries.

A total of 46 countries around the world, including 33 in Africa, are assessed to need external assistance for food, according to the latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, a triannual publication by FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), also published today.

More than half the

ing concern, FAO said, adding that spillover effects from the conflict could worsen food insecurity in Lebanon.

While world cereal production is forecast to expand by 0.9 percent in 2023 from the year before, the pace of growth will be half of that rate for the group of 44 Low Income Food Deficit Countries (LIFDCs), the report notes.

The report offers detailed information

a further downgrade of Indonesian production prospects.

World cereal utilisation in 2023/24 is forecast to reach 2 810 million tonnes, with the total utilisation of both wheat and coarse grains set to surpass the 2022/23 levels while

contraction from the preceding year.

CONFLICTS AND WEAK CURRENCIES Persisting and intensifying conflicts are aggravating food insecurity, and moderating international food commodity prices are being

residents of the Gaza Strip were estimated to be in acute food insecurity already in 2022, and escalation of the conflict there will increase humanitarian and emergency assistance needs even as access to the affected areas remains an alarm-

about food insecurity and price trends that people face on the ground in the affected countries. It also provides a detailed assessment of regional cereal production and trade prospects around the world.

(FAO)

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‘Deep Jale’ ushers in Diwali with blast of cultural performances

Scores of Hindus and non-Hindus were amazed by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s ‘Deep Jale,’ which boasted a magnificent display of dance, music and more at the Kitty Seawall roundabout on Saturday evening (Delano Williams photos)

By Cindy Parkinson SCORES of Hindus and non-Hindus were amazed by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s “Deep Jale,” which boasted a magnificent display of dance, music and more at the Kitty Seawall roundabout on Sat-

urday evening.

While some families were entertained by the musical performances and dances, both classical and modern, others were seen enjoying the variety of vegetarian foods and non-alcoholic beverages.

The atmosphere was filled with a sense of peace and tranquility, one that

showed unity amongst all Guyanese, regardless of their race or religion.

In her presentation to the diverse crowd, the Minister of Human Services and President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said that Deep Jale is one of the loveliest events on the Diwali calendar.

She related that in addition to Deep Jale, several other activities were introduced to develop an understanding of and respect for the Hindu religion.

“I am cognisant of what’s happening across the world, where many times we wonder how we can remove the darkness and challenges that im-

pede progress... kindled the divine light within you," she said, noting that auspicious occasions such as Diwali serve as timely opportunities to promote messages and solutions that counter those challenges.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller; India’s High Commis-

sioner to Guyana, Dr. Amit Shivkumar Telang and other distinguished persons were among the crowd which enjoyed the festivities.

Guyanese could also look forward to the annual Diwali motorcade which will be held on Saturday, November 11, the day before the Festival of Lights.

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Accidents, contact with network main - GPL’s Deputy causes of total shutdowns CEO says JUST around 99 per cent of the cases of total shutdowns of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) systems are a result of accidents and persons coming in to contact with the network.

This was according to GPL’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (ag), Bharat Harjohn, during a press conference hosted by the company last week to update the public on efforts to improve generation capacity.

When asked to give statistics on the number of system shutdowns and their causes, Harjohn made the revelation that almost all of these are as

GPL’s Deputy CEO (ag) Bharat Harjohn

a result of people coming in to contact with the network, such as vehicular accidents which involve utility poles being destroyed. The issue of

vehicles coming in to contact with the poles causes a breakdown in the feeders. As such, teams would have to be mobilised to bring that network

back up.

“So, while we are working behind the scenes to maintain a reliable supply and ensure our system works efficiently and minimise shut down, we are now faced with this additional challenge,” he said.

Harjohn added that one of the common challenges lately, comes from the construction sector working close to power lines. He said that they would not have to touch the line but for example, can pass closely with a metal pipe and this can cause the system to trip.

He added: “The protection system will activate because it's doing its

Land clearing commences for modern hospital at New Amsterdam LAND clearing at the site for the US$161 million state-of-the-art New Amsterdam Hospital in Region Six has commenced with other preparatory works moving apace.

This update was provided by Regional Chairman David Armogan during a recent interview, during which he provided reporters with the progress of the construction of two new high-end medical facilities that are scheduled to be built in the Ancient County.

He said the New Amsterdam hospital will be a three-storey facility that will be equipped with modern machines to deliver new and advanced services.

Armogan reiterated that, “The hospital will provide services like [sic] open-heart surgery, kidney transplant, and some of the major operations

that we don’t currently do in the region and to an extent in Guyana right now.”

The contract for the New Amsterdam Hospital was signed in July between the Ministry of Health and VAMED Engineering, an Austriabased company.

Accordingly, foundation works for the new Number 75 Village Hospital are almost complete.

The new facility is expected to replace the Skeldon Hospital; it is being constructed by Sinopharm and is expected to be completed by 2025.

According to Armogan, these services will decrease the chances of persons having to travel to Georgetown or out of the country to access healthcare.

With the National Psychiatric Hospital expected to be closed, the chairman made it clear

that the new facility will also cater to patients with mental illnesses.

“We will put new wings so that we can have mental patients be facilitated in each of these hospitals. So, they will not be stigmatised because they will also

be able to have access to the new hospital. We will just have a more modern room for them so that they recover in a better environment and be reintegrated into society,” the chairman noted. (DPI)

job and when it's activated, it takes that line completely off and it depends on the load that line was transferring at the time, it could have a domino effect in the system.”

He gave one where contractors were cutting a bamboo tree which fell on a transmission line and brought the entire system

down.

Harjohn said that GPL has started to implement harsher penalties for persons and companies that cause damages and subsequently system shutdowns.

“We are taking a no-nonsense approach to them,” he said.

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178 solar panels distributed to Upper-Berbice River villages

SOME 178 solar panels and accessories were distributed to several villages in the Upper Berbice River

by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill recently.

During the distribution ceremony at the information and communication technology (ICT) hub at DeVeldt Village, 123 of the photovoltaic systems were handed over to DeVeldt and a total of 55 were distributed between Fort Nassau and Gateroy Savannah.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to the beneficiaries who were

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

elated about the new improvement.

Chairman of the Community Development Council, Laxley Lindie explained that the panels will offer immense relief to the residents.

“I know that this is a big relief to people.

I am thankful to know that this could have been done in our community,” Lindie stated.

Another resident, Mathew Brimmond said he is overjoyed by the move the government made to ensure homes within the area are lit and he looks forward to future development plans for the commu-

nity.

“We never really had the opportunity to have this. So, we are thankful for it and we hope that we can get much more,” Brimmond told DPI. Meanwhile, Minister Edghill updated residents on the government’s development initiatives, with a particular focus on the delivery of solar panels, public works, health, and education.

The minister explained that the efforts made to support those riverine areas to date are only the beginning of what the government has in store for its citizens.

“These solar panels are three times the size of the ones that we have distributed before. It’s 165 watts and since the place is hot these days, along with the panel everyone is getting a fan,”

the minister announced.

The fulfillment of the government’s ongoing photovoltaic (PV) system distribution is in keeping with the government’s commitment to deliver

30,000 solar panels to families in riverine communities bridging the gap between the hinterland and the coastland. (DPI)

19-year-old dies in accident at Agriculture Road

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident which occurred at Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), in the vicinity of Guyana Livestock Development Authority.

According to the police, the accident, which occurred around 01:45 hours, claimed the life of 19-yearold Glenroy James, who was an occupant of motor lorry GAD 6445 which was involved in the accident.

Information revealed that the motor lorry, owned and driven by 20-year-old Mahendra Surujpersaud, was proceeding south along Agriculture Road when, according to the driver, the right of the vehicle hit a lantern pole and toppled several times before smashing into a utility pole along the western parapet.

The driver and the occupants of the ve-

hicle were pitched out as a result of the impact and landed on the western parapet.

Surujpersaud and 32-year-old Anand Motielall, the other occupant of the vehicle, were picked up by public-spirited citizens in a conscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where they were seen by a doctor on duty and treated for bruises about their bodies before being discharged.

James, however, was picked up by police ranks in an unconscious state, placed into a police pick-up and taken to GPHC, where he was seen by a doctor on duty, who pronounced him dead on arrival. The body is presently at Memorial Gardens Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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Fluminense win dramatic Copa Libertadores final

Fluminense won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history by beating Boca Juniors in Saturday's dramatic final.

Veteran forward German Cano opened the scoring for the Brazilians in the first half, sweeping home a firsttime shot.

Luis Advincula equalised with a stunning strike from distance to take the game to extra time.

In the added period, substitute John Kennedy powered in the winner before he was sent off after a second booking.

The Brazilian forward, already on a yellow card, raced off to celebrate the historic strike in the crowd and

champions Boca Juniors, but the Argentines were also then reduced in number when Frank Fabra was dismissed for slapping Nino.

It added up to a feisty end to a game that had been simmering for a while before Fluminense's extra-time winner.

The Brazilian side will now play in the Club World Cup in December in Saudi Arabia alongside Premier League and European champions Manchester City.

Extra time delivers the drama This was in essence a home game for Fluminense as the final took place in their stadium - Rio de Janeiro's Maracana.

But Boca were

Fluminense’s German Cano lifts the Copa Libertadores trophy

The Copa Libertadores final - South America's equivalent of Europe's Champions League final - can

Marcelo joined Fluminense’s academy before making his professional debut in 2005

was dismissed on his return to the pitch.

That left Fluminense needing to hold on with 10 men against six-time

backed by a sizeable support themselves with tens of thousands having travelled from Argentina.

often be a sparky affair, but on the pitch this one took a while to get going, before it

exploded into life in a drama-filled and tense extra time.

Kennedy's thunderous 18-yard finish for his goal was worthy of winning any final, as he powered an unstoppable drive into the back of the net.

His celebrations were ill-fated as the referee showed a second yellow card after he ventured into the crowd, and that gifted what appeared to be the perfect opportunity for Boca to make the most of a numerical advantage.

But as challenges became more robust, a clash between the two sets of players resulted in Fabra also being shown a red card after he struck Nino across the face.

That was a real blow

to Boca's hopes of taking the game to penalties and although they dominated possession, it was Fluminense who went closest to scoring again when Guga's shot hit the post.

The showpiece match ended with a nerve-jangling last few minutes, but Fluminense held firm and the final whistle was met by huge celebrations on and off the pitch.

My most important club title - Marcelo Former Brazil leftback Marcelo, 35, returned to his boyhood club in February after a short spell with Olympiakos which followed 16 seasons at Real Madrid.

Marcelo won five Champions League

and six La Liga titles in an impressive trophy haul at Real.

He joins a group of 15 players including Ronaldinho, Neymar and Julian Alvarez to win both continental competitions.

"Real Madrid will understand. It's my most important title, at club level, because it's the club that raised me," Marcelo, who was substituted at half-time, told ESPN. "I'm winning a very important title with my favourite club, the club that gave me all the tools to have my career, with the employees who saw me grow up.

There's nothing more rewarding than that.

It's priceless."(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar's record with 49th ODI ton as India thrash South Africa

By Tom MallowsBBC Sport

VIRAT Kohli equalled the record of fellow India great Sachin Tendulkar as he hit his 49th one-day international century in a dominant 243-run win for the hosts against South Africa in the World Cup. Kohli, on his 35th birthday, hit 101 not out from 121 balls, sending the crowd at Eden Gardens into a frenzy.

His superb knock helped India post 326-5 from their 50 overs in Kolkata.

South Africa were then skittled out for just 83 in 27.1 overs.

It means India are assured of top spot after winning all eight of their group-stage matches.

South Africa, who have already secured a semi-final place, are second on 12 points, two points ahead of Australia in third.

'KOHLI THE ONE-DAY KING AND KING FOR ONE DAY' Kohli put on 134 for the third wicket to anchor the India innings with Shreyas Iyer, who came to the crease in the 11th over with the score 92-2 following a typically explosive start by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Shreyas was eventually dismissed by Lungi Ngidi for 77 from 87 deliveries, before an energetic 22 from 14 balls from Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 29 from 15 saw the innings end with a flourish.

India's powerful seam attack was backed up by their spinners as they breezed through the South Africa batting line-up, with Jadeja the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-33.

With India and South Africa leading the way at the top of the group stage, this match was a potential dress rehearsal for the World Cup final in Ahmedabad later this month.

And the convincing nature of this win will do little to alter India's status as heavy favourites to lift the trophy for a third time.

Kohli draws level with the 'Little Master' Eden Gardens became a sea of light as the crowd lit up their mobile phones in anticipation when Jadeja nudged a single off Kagiso Rabada to bring Kohli on strike on 99 in the 49th over.

Kohli pushed the next ball to cover for a single to spark huge celebrations in the stands, with Kohli calmly raising his bat before taking off his helmet and looking to the sky.

"Every opportuni ty to play for India is a big one and to do this on my birthday in front of a huge crowd is the stuff of dreams. It is something you dream about as a child," said Kohli, whose innings included 10 fours.

"To equal my hero's record is a huge honour.

"People like comparisons - I am never going to be as good as him. He is perfection with batting.

"It's an emotional moment. I know where I come from and to watch him on TV... his appreciation means a lot to me."

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Tendulkar said: "Well played Virat. It took me 365 days to go from 49 to 50 earlier this year. I hope you go from 49 to 50 and break my record in the next few days. Congratulations!"

Most centuries in oneday internationals Player H u n -

dreds Innings Virat Kohli (India) 49 277 Sachin Tendulkar (India) 49 452 Rohit Sharma (India) 31 251 Ricky Ponting (Australia) 30 365 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) 28 433 Legendary batter Tendulkar took 451 innings and 462 ODIs to hit his 49th century, while it has taken Kohli 277 innings and 289 ODIs. He is also now the second-highest run-scorer at the tournament with 543 and may also have one eye on breaking Tendulkar's record for most runs at a single World Cup, which stands at 673.

Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008, and played alongside Tendulkar in the early stages of his career, including a World Cup victory against the same opponents in 2011.

He was in the team when Tendulkar made the last of his 49 ODI centuries against Bangladesh in Mirpur at the 2012 Asia Cup. Kohli already had 10 ODI hundreds to his name at that point and the 'Little Master' must have had more than an inkling about who was the most likely candidate to dethrone him.

Kohli averages 58.48 in ODI cricket - the best of any player to have played 50 matches or more.

He also has an astonishing record when chasing targets in ODIs, averaging 65.24 in chases, while 27 of Kohli's 49 hundreds have come while batting second.

Tendulkar still holds the record for the most ODI career runs, with 18,426, and has the most

Test centuries, with 51.

Kohli is joint 16th on the list of Test centuries, with 29.

With fewer ODIs expected to be played in the future, amid the popularity of T20 cricket, he could reach 50 ODI centuries knowing the record may never be broken again.

South Africa faltered

wickets before pushing on later in the innings, also backfired when Bavuma and Aiden Markram fell cheaply to reduce the Proteas to 35-3 after 10 overs.

They never really recovered as wickets then fell with alarming regularity to an India attack that bowled out Sri Lanka and England for 55 and

the last three games, we played better in terms of adapting to the situation.

We were put under a little bit of pressure by England but we collectively came through.

"We are not getting ahead of ourselves. There are couple of big games [left]. We have to stay in the moment which has

Virat Kohli reached his 49th ODI hundred in 277th innings•Nov 05, 2023•Associated Press

on the chase again South Africa's fate was perhaps decided when they were asked to chase after losing the toss.

Temba Bavuma's side have scored 428, 311, 399, 382 and 357 when batting first at this World Cup, winning by more than 100 runs each time.

On the two occasions they had chased, the Proteas lost to the Netherlands and scraped a one-wicket victory against Pakistan.

Their innings got off to a terrible start when tournament top-scorer Quinton de Kock chopped Mohammed Siraj onto his own stumps after scoring just six.

Their conservative approach in the powerplay, with the aim of preserving

129 respectively in their previous two matches.

Only four players reached double figures, with bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen top scoring with just 14.

'I think we are getting better' - What they said Player of the match Kohli: "It was a big game and we were playing the toughest team in the tournament who have played well so far. Because it's my birthday it becomes more special. I had the sense it's going to be something more than just one more game in the World Cup. I woke up with that excitement."

India’s captain Rohit Sharma: "I think we are getting better. We look how we have played in

been the talk from day one. We want to show our potential."

South Africa’s skipper Temba Bavuma: "Look we know it's a challenge.

We know there's a narrative about us chasing. We didn't do that game a lot of justice, but I think we have our conversations as a batting group; we have discussed it unemotionally.

"The wicket played the way we suspected it would play, against all the advice we were getting. We expected it to deteriorate, but we weren't able to adapt our skills accordingly.

We could be here for the semi-finals - we got a proper look; we have to adapt."

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Chanderpaul, Hetmyer take Harpy Eagles into Super 50 semis TAROUBA, Trinidad, (CMC0 – Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer both struck form at the ideal time as Guyana Harpy Eagles thrashed Jamaica Scorpions by seven wickets in their final preliminary game of the Super50 Cup here Saturday, to secure their spot in this week’s semi-finals.

Needing nine points to overtake West Indies Academy for the final spot, Harpy Eagles bundled out the winless Scorpions for a paltry 181 to gain three valuable bonus points, before comfortably chasing down a revised target of 184 under Duckworth-Lewis-Stern, after the game was reduced to 47 overs per side due to a length rain break.

Test batter Chanderpaul, with a highest previous score of 30 in his last

five innings, top-scored with 77 off 110 deliveries with eight fours while fellow left-hander Hetmyer, with just 83 runs from six innings in the tournament, punched an unbeaten 62 off 53 balls with five fours and two sixes.

“It’s no secret that we’ve been struggling a bit with the bat,” said Tevin Imlach, in his first game as captain.

“It’s good to see them back among the runs.

They’ve been short of runs in the tournament but peaking at the right time hopefully.”

With the result, Harpy Eagles moved into fourth place on 34 points, joining Leeward Islands Hurricanes (44), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (40) and Barbados Pride (37) who had already qualified.

West Indies Academy narrowly missed out with

33 points in fifth while Combined Campuses and Colleges finished sixth with 29 points.

The semi-final matchups were to be confirmed yesterday following the final preliminary game between Red Force and Pride.

Dethroned title-holders Scorpions, meanwhile finished rock bottom on seven points without a win, losing six of their seven outings.

“It’s hard for me now to pinpoint one or two things [behind our poor performance],” said a dejected captain Rovman Powell.

“But we can go back to the batting – the batting haven’t [stood] up all season. Last night I was laying in bed and when I look around [in my mind] we have about five or six half-centuries in the entire team. At this level, that is unacceptable.

“And when you look on the bowling aspects of things, we can count maybe one or two times where a bowler [got] three or so wickets for us.

“And when you look on the fielding aspect of things, we dropped catches at crucial intervals so all in all it’s been a disappointing season.”

Brad Barnes top-scored with 36, Powell got 33 while Chadwick Walton chipped in with 26 as the Scorpions folded cheaply after choosing to bat first at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Walton and Nkrumah Bonner (20) put on 39 for the second wicket, Powell and Andre McCarthy (23) added 53 for the fourth but a middle order slump that saw four wickets tumble for 13 runs off 45 balls, sealed the Scorpions demise.

Barnes belted a couple

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer hits through the off-side during his unbeaten half-century against Jamaica Scorpions on Saturday night.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

of sixes in a 53-ball knock, posting 30 for the ninth with Shalome Parnell (13 not out) but he was one of two wickets to fall in the final over from pacer Nial Smith (3-26), to give Harpy Eagles the crucial early bonus points.

“With the bonus points system, it’s a game within a game,” said Imlach.

“Going in, we knew we needed about nine points and having gotten three points already was always going to make it a lot easier for us with the bat.”

Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair captured three for 48 while medium pacer Sherfane Rutherford (2-38) and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-38) finished with two wickets apiece.

Sinclair (7) was an early casualty of the Harpy Eagles run chase, holing out to mid on in the fifth over but Chanderpaul held the innings together, posting 86 for the second wicket with Imlach (30) and 63 for the third wicket with Hetmyer.

Sunil Narine retires from international cricket ...He last played for West Indies in 2019 and said it will be “business as usual” for him in the T20 circuit going forward

Sunil Narine has called time on his eight-year international career. He last played for West Indies in a T20I in August 2019.

"I appreciate it has been over four years since I last played for West Indies but today I am announcing my retirement from international cricket," Narine wrote on Instagram. "Publicly I am a man of few words but privately there are a few people who have given me unwavering support throughout my

career and helped me realise my dream of representing West Indies and to you I express my deepest gratitude."

Narine came into limelight in the now defunct Champions League T20 for Trinidad & Tobago in 2011 before making his international debut in an ODI in December later that year.

He played 122 international matches, which included six Tests, 65 ODIs and 51 T20Is. He helped West Indies to their first T20 World Cup ti-

tle in 2012 - their first World Cup win across formats since 1979 - with nine wickets in the competition. He would go on to play just one more edition of the T20 World Cup, in 2014.

Since 2012, Narine has been a regular fixture in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad and is now a familiar face in the T20 circuit across the world, which is now "business as usual" for him in the foreseeable future.

He continues to play for

the Knight Riders franchise across leagues - KKR in the IPL, Abu Dhabi in the International League T20, Trinbago in the Caribbean Premier League and Los Angeles in Major League Cricket. He is also part of the Hundred men's competition with Oval Invincibles and also plays in the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and Bangladesh Premier League.

In 2014, Narine was first reported for a suspect action following which he with-

Sunil Narine last played for West Indies in 2019 • AFP

drew from the ODI World Cup the following year. That played its part in his sporadic international appearances.

Now 35, Narine also has his sights on a domestic trophy. "[My father] is ever present with me when I take to the field and I am indebted to his support and love, which carried me

through the times I questioned whether the pursuit of my dreams was really worth it," he wrote. "I love representing Trinidad & Tobago, the country of my birth, and to add another title by winning the Super50 Cup will be the perfect send-off."(Cricinfo)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

EBFA/Ralph Green/NSC Under-11 League kicks off Saturday at Agricola

Equipment and gear were handed over to the 16 teams

The respective teams and coaches display their uniforms and balls following the presentation on Saturday after last at the Agricola Ground

THE fifth edition of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) / Ralph Green Under-11 League with the marquee sponsor being the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MSYC) through the National Sports Commission (NSC) is set to kick off this Saturday at the Agricola Ground, East Bank Demerara.

The league was scheduled to be played in 2022, but owing to some challenges including ground availability, it was not played.

However, the teams are all set and ready to take on each other as they have not only honed their skills, but will also get the opportunity to make new friends and learn from each other.

At the handing over of the branded gear to the teams last Saturday at the Agricola ground, former East Bank

Football Association President, Franklin Wilson, under whose watch the league commenced, told the players that they are all winners despite one team being crowned champions.

EBFA President Orien Angoy extended thanks on behalf of his association to all who made the competition a reality, especially the MCYS, NSC, Messer’s Green, Wilson, and the contesting teams.

Wilson expressed gratitude to all the clubs, schools, RMA’s, GFF, MCYS, NSC, and the EBFA which will be coordinating the league for their support in making the tournament a reality for the youths to grow and play the game they love.

Timothy Blair, Chairman of the Central Management Committee for the Agricola ground was also thanked

for allowing the use of the ground for the duration of the League.

Each team was presented with a set of numbered tops which included the goalkeeper, and two balls while the respective coaches also received jerseys to be worn at all matches.

The players of the winning team as well as the runner-up will receive trophies, whilst the third and fourthplaced team players will each receive medals.

Plaques would be awarded for the Best Team Sportsmanship, Best Coach, Most Promising Player, Most Valuable Player, Most Disciplined Player, Best Goal Keeper, and Highest Goal Scorer.

The sixteen (16) teams would be placed into four (4) groups of four (4) players each other with the top

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday November 06, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) David Warner (AUST) (2) Heinrich Klaasen SA) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many centuries were scored in the 1975 World Cup? (2) What was the highest individual score?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

two (2) advancing to the quarter-finals, the start of the knock-out stage. Each team is guaranteed at least three matches.

Those contesting teams are Herstelling Raiders,

President of the East Bank Football Association, Orien Angoy (left) receives equipment on behalf of Diamond United FC from Franklin Wilson

Timehri Panthers, Diamond United, Swan, Friendship All-Stars, Den Amstel Primary, Friendship Primary Jaguars (East Coast), Samatta Point/Kaneville, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Pouderoyen,

Eagles FC (Stewartville), Agricola Red Triangle, Santos, Riddim Squad, Vengy and Fruta Conquerors.

Matches will be for 30 minutes, with two halves of 15 minutes each.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

GFF-NAMILCO THUNDERBOLT Flour Power Under17 football

Nineteen goals scored in four thrilling matches in Georgetown, Bartica and Essequibo

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and National Milling Company (NAMILCO) Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff delivered an action-packed day of football with four exciting matches played across Georgetown, Bartica and Essequibo, resulting in a remarkable total of 19 goals scored.

On Saturday last, Georgetown matches took place at the Georgetown Football Club Ground on North Road, where the East Bank Football Association Academy and Georgetown Football Association Academy secured remarkable victories.

The East Bank Football Association Academy clinched a 3-1 victory over the National Under-15

Goal Scorer Georgetown: Dwayne James

Team. Keshaun Campbell opened the scoring for the National Under-15 Team in the 29th minute. However, the East Bank Football Association Academy mounted a comeback, with Levi Wilson equalising in the 69th

Nat Under15 Keshan Campbell

minute, and Jan Daniels delivering two spectacular goals in the 76th and 90+1 minutes to secure the win.

Georgetown Football Association Academy secured a 4-1 victory over East Coast Football Association Academy, powered

by striker Dwayne James' outstanding performance.

The game kicked off with Bryan Wharton from East Coast Football Association Academy netting the first goal in the 11th minute. However, the spotlight belonged to Dwayne James

as he displayed remarkable prowess on the field.

The teenage sensation orchestrated his team's comeback with goals in the 31st, 37th, 80th, and 90+1 minutes, contributing to a fantastic win for Georgetown Football Association Academy.

For the out of town matches, enthusiastic fans were treated to a captivating showcase of skill and determination with the West Demerara Football Association Academy securing a 3-1 triumph over Essequibo Football Association Academy, while Bartica Football Association Academy endured a 1-5 loss to the dominant Upper Demerara Football Association Academy.

The NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Acade-

my Playoff aligns with the Academy Training Centre (ATC) programme, which is designed to cater to young males aged 14 to 17 years. The ATC is officially recognised as a 'Generation Next' FIFA development initiative.

The teams have been categorised into two groups, with Group A consisting of Georgetown, East Coast, East Bank, the National Under-15 Team and Berbice.

While Upper Demerara, Essequibo, Bartica, and West Demerara are in Group B. Following the round-robin phase, the top-performing teams from each group will progress to the championship round, vying for the esteemed title of national champions.

GCA’s NBS 40-overs 2nd division cricket

Wins for MYO, GCC and Bel Air Rubis

THE action continued yesterday in the GCA’s New Building Society (NBS) 40-overs second division cricket - MYO, GCC and Bel Air Rubis being in winner’s row.

At Everest, the home team won the toss and were all out for 73 in 19.4 overs with only Nityanand Mathura (19) and Travis Mohamed (18) offering fight to the MYO bowling attack, Bowling for MYO, Sameer Husain 5-29 from 7.4 overs while Keon Morris

ENGLISH RACING TIPS HEREFORD 08:50 hrs Kentford Mallard

supported with 2-16 from 5 MYO responded with 76-5 in 17.4 overs with Chien Gittens following up his five-wicket haul on Saturday with 23 while Bahendra Singh made 19 Bowling from the Camp Road side, leg spinner Javed Rasheed 3-11 from eight overs got support from Mathura who took 2-36 from 5.4 overs in a losing cause as MYO won by five wickets.

At Bourda, the host made light work of Agricola

09:20 hrs Magic Seven 09:50 hrs Baltray 10:20 hrs Kraqueline 10:50 hrs Bonttay

when they beat them by nine wickets.

Agricola won and batted first on a track with some pace and bounce and a fast outfield and were blown away for 48 in 18 overs.

Josh Charles had 2-11, Revaldo Phillips bagged 2-14 and Stephon Wilson took 2-4 for GCC who replied with 49-1 in five overs.

J o s h u a Wa d e , w h o slammed 183 in Saturday’s 50 over first-division game against Everest, made 16 while Shaid Vieira scored an

11:20 hrs School Days Over 11:50 hrs Fiveonfive 12:20 hrs Pencil PLUMPTON

unbeaten 18.

At DCC, Bel Air Rubis got a walkover from Third Class.

In Saturday’s game at MYO, MYO defeated 4R Lions by 67 runs after making 194 all out in 34.1 overs and dismissing 4R Lions for 127.

Ricard Latiff 35 and Chien Gittens 34 were MYO’s main contributors with the bat.

Justin Dooban took 3-37 from six overs for 4R Lions as Kevin Kirsten hit 32 in a 09:07 hrs Brave Jen 09:37 hrs Theonlywayiswessex 10:07 hrs Goodwin 10:37 hrs Mr Freedom 11:07 hrs Kayf Hernando 11:37 hrs West End Boy 12:07 hrs Copshill Lad SOUTH AFRICA RAC-

Chien Gittens

Sameer Husain

lone show of resistance.

Gittens took 5-40 while

Abdul Ramsammy took 4-25. (Sean Devers)

ING TIPS GREYVILLE 08:25 hrs Certainly 09:00 hrs Qhawe Lami 09:35 hrs Zinikele 10:10 hrs Mindgue 10:45 hrs Wylie Riley

FINGER LAKES Race 1 Color Commish Race 2 Jayle And Liam Race 3 Central Love Race 4 Sweet Brown Sugar Race 5 With Know Name Race 6 Ripe For Mischief Race 7 Runabout

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27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

Baird lands bronze in Men’s Javelin …Pan American Games in Chile

LESLAIN Baird powered his way to a historic men’s javelin bronze for Guyana at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday evening at the Julio Martínez Prádanos National Stadium.

On his fourth attempt, Baird produced his best throw, a new season best of 78.23m.

American Curtis

Thompson (79.65m) and Brazilian Henrique Nunes (78.45m) took gold and silver respectively.

It is the first time a Guyanese won a medal in the event since the Games started in 1959.

Though he won silver at the South American Games in 2018, which still stands as the national record (78.65m), Baird said the accomplishment in Chile felt

even more significant due to the high-level competition from the region and his battle to reach that stage.

Guyana ended the Games with three medals following Jasmine Abrams’s (silver) and E m a n u e l A r c h i b a l d ’s (bronze) success in the 100m.

Twenty athletes across nine disciplines represented Guyana at the Games.

Leslain Baird powers away one of his throws at the Pan-American Games in Chile Leslain Baird with his bronze medal

Lennox Blackmore Nat’l Intermediate C/Ships

‘Blackout’ fails to knock out night two action

By Sean Devers

A POWER outage and the absence of a generator failed to adversely affect the penultimate night of the Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate Boxing Championships held on Saturday

However, the general standard in the skill sets and techniques of most pugilists was lacking as many of the fighters failed to use their left jabs to set up right-hand shots and swung with wild blows, which at times caused them to lose their balance.

on caught his man with some good shots to the body as his opponent was backed up onto the ropes.

Hunte counter-punched with a few good shots of his own but as both boxers began to tire, it was the Berbician who got the better of the ex-

FYF’s Septon Barton (right) stopped GDF’s Mark Benn in two minutes of round two in their lightweight semi-final on Saturday night

night at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

There was plenty of entertainment for the small crowd, including drumming by the GDF Band Corps and a sound system playing music between the bouts.

The Lightweight (60kgs) category produced the better fights of the night with Rosehall Jammers Morlando Cameron beating Ronaldo Hunte.

Both boxers traded punches as they went toe to toe in the middle of the ring. Camer-

survive the onslaught, the referee stepped in to halt the contest in two minutes, 24 seconds of the second round.

In the third and last fight in the Lightweight category, Oswald Jewan from the army defeated Christopher Albert of the Police Boxing Gym.

total mismatch.

Gravesande seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and appeared scared to be hit and when a hard combination connected to his head, he was given a standing eight-count.

Clarke again connected

Morlando Cameron of RHJ pounds away at Police’s Ronaldo Hunte (red) in the Lightweight semi-final on Saturday night at the Gymnasium (Sean Devers photos)

changes and eventually won on points.

In the same division, Septon Barton of the Forgotten Youths Foundation (FYF) was all over solider Mark Benn with an early flurry of blows and although Benn tried to

In the Welterweight semi-final, Rondel Captain of the GDF beat Daman France of the Police Boxing Gym. The Light-Heavyweight semi-final between GDF Gym mates Malachi Clarke and Sherwyn Gravesande was a

to Gravesend’s head and he stood in a daze as the referee stopped the fight in the first round The Cruiserweight fight between Police fighters Camara Chandelier and Jaleel Weeks proved to be comical

at times, with haymakers being executed and at one time both of the boxers were on the canvas simultaneously.

This evoked peals of laughter from the small gathering which included Olympian Keevin Allicock.

Weeks would spin round and round when he was hit as he kept turning his back on his opponent before falling and injuring his shoulder, resulting in his fight being stopped.

The ring announcer duties were done by the referees and judges while two Police boxers gave their opponents walk-overs for medical reasons.

In the Light Middleweight contest, GDF’s Christopher Henry got a walkover from Osias Prince, while GDF’s Ryan Harry received a walkover from Prince Warner in the Super Heavyweight semi-final.

In the last fight of the night, GDF’s Zidhan Wray beat policeman Leandrea Abrams in the second Super Heavyweight semi-final.

It was also interesting that a couple of GDF boxers’ soles of their boots came off during their bouts.

ENET Caribbean clash of champions...

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, November 6, 2023

Fans entertained with thrills and spills Vishok Persauds KTM Won one of the unlimited class races

Dan Linfoot won both superstock races (Team Mohameds photo)

THOUSANDS turned out to Sunday’s ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri.

The event, which commenced at 11:00hrs, saw from rookies to Group Four participating, the latter of which was split evenly with one win apiece between Jamaican Doug Gore (Race1), and Vishok Persaud (Race two).

Team Mohameds dominated the Bike Class with a with a pair of wins for Dan Linfoot in the two races on the day.

Details in tomorrow's edition.

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| MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2023