Guyana chronicle e paper 07 02 2017

SEE INSIDE

Keisha Edwards takes her final walk at the end of her showing of Synesthesia

Synesthesia ShaSha Designs

Bridging education gaps takes bold, new step with launch of newest collection ► Page

II

No. 104961

SUNDAY JULY 2, 2017

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

– greater focus to be placed on equitable delivery of quality education, says Min. Henry

Page 3

Dr. Singh must appear before SOCU

Guyana to build embassy in Brazil

Page 13

Page 9

Efficiency of several kokers compromised Page 15

Guyana can draw from Canada’s experiences Page 17

Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, turned the sod on Wednesday last to mark the construction of a permanent building for the Guyana Embassy in Brazil

Page 9

2

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Agriculture looking at new line – to battle projected impact of fingerlings of climate change THE adverse effects climate change has been posing to the livelihoods of the fishing industry was among the concerns raised by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder during Fisherfolk 2017 activities.

This year’s event, which is being held under the theme, “Climate Change Adaptation to the Fisheries Sector,” was held at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground.

“Our oceans and aquatic ecosystems are key to regulating our world’s climate, as it is the largest natural carbon sink. However, the ocean is currently absorbing carbon at an alarming rate, and the result leads to its acidification, which in turn transforms the aquatic ecosystem,” he said.

This, according to the Agriculture Minister, can have a negative impact on the industry and echoed a called for all the players to work together in the best interest

of the industry.

By 2050, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates the catch of main fish species to decline by some 40 per cent.

“As a result, the fisheries sector can be impacted by a decline in the production and ecology of our fish stock, which will negatively affect production and yield,” the minister stated.

To address this, the Fisheries Department is currently looking for the introduction of a new line of fingerlings which can withstand the projected changes in local waters. Once successful, this will be a significant boost to the fishing industry.

The minister proposed a number of measures which can be implemented, working in tandem with the local fishing industry.

Among those are the establishment of marine and coastal protected areas

es, which will involve local communities in the protection and conservation of fish stock.

“These are some of the initiatives [on which] we will be embarking to ensure that not only are [sic] there more responsible fishing, but also guarantee that marine resources will [be] accessible for a long time,” the minister added.

The issue of piracy was also addressed by the subject minister, who lauded the efAgriculture Minister Noel Holder

through management and planning for the protection of breeding grounds for fish stock; increased access for fishers to technical, financial and material resources to assist where necessary; and the development and implementation of management systems for marine resourc-

forts of fisherfolk in plying their trade, despite the dangers which may exist.

The agriculture minister in underscoring the importance of the industry, stated that the efforts of fisherfolk must be recognised, as they continue to make a meaningful contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The issue of licensing of vessels was also addressed

by Chief Fisheries Officer, Denzil Roberts, who reminded the gathering of not only

its importance, but the fact that fishing licences will be denied trawlers which are not equipped with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Guyana has recently signed onto the Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) by taking a global response to eliminating illegal fishing. This has seen a number of measures being taken by the Fisheries Department in ensuring that illegal fishing becomes a thing of the past.

PM attends FetNA convention PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday took part in symbolic drumming to mark the opening of FetNA Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. He had delivered the keynote address earlier in the morning and said that

culture is a vehicle for social change, and should not be used to promote division or conflicts. “Our literature, poetry, songs and dance are expressions of a people’s soul, and cannot be suppressed,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said. In his address, he noted that Tamil

is an ancient and rich language, and invited FetNA to work with social groups in Guyana to teach Tamil.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo also highlighted progress made by the coalition Government to achieve inclusivity and social cohesion.

Land of Canaan businessman busted with ammo in Port Kaituma

A forty-four-year-old miner /businessman of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara was on Friday night arrested after police in Region One ( Barima-Waini) found on his person, two and a half dozens of live 9mm ammunition.

Police in a release said, acting on intelligence, about 21:00h, the lawmen went to the Port Kaituma waterfront where the suspect who goes by the alias “Soldier” was contacted and a search of his person revealed the ammunition.

He is being processed for court.

3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Bridging education gaps – greater focus to be placed on equitable delivery of quality education, says Henry

By Ariana Gordon EFFORTS are continually being made by the Education Ministry to remove what has been considered to be high levels of disparities between coastland and hinterland (rural) schools.

Minister with the portfolio, Nicolette Henry, on Friday accepted that the existing disparities contribute significantly to the state of the country’s education sector.

She noted that many students who hail from hinterland communities, in particular, have been struggling to attain suitable marks for entry into secondary schools after completing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Notwithstanding this challenge, the minister assured that her Ministry’s responsibility is to ensure that the disparity which existed prior to her administration taking office is reduced.

“We have worked on an intervention at the primary level to address the gross disparities that we recognised existed in the system for a number of years,” the minister said.

An analysis and disaggregation of data relative to the NGSA results for 2016 showed that the hinterland regions performed poorly at the examinations, and this, in addition to other factors prompted the two- year-old APNU+AFC administration to call for an emergency intervention in the area of mathematics.

But while the intervention targetted mathematics specifically, it should be

noted that additional focus was placed on the other core areas: English, Science and Social Studies.

The study conducted will serve as a baseline and once proven effective would be expanded and replicated across the country with the hope of bridging the existing gap.

“I am happy to report that the intervention bore fruit,” the minister said, and cited Region Eight ( Potaro-Siparuni) as an example of a hinterland region where there was need for deep intervention.

She explained that the problems facing the hinterland and other rural communities have to be looked at from a broad perspective where the community, parents, teachers, students and the Ministry of Education are involved, given the different levels of responsibilities.

“It wasn’t just a Ministry of Education issue; it was an issue that affected us on several levels,” Henry told Guyana Chronicle at her Main Street office.

PARENTAL INTERVENTIONS “One of the things that we did, parental interventions, met with parents and determined what support they needed in order to be optimally involved in their children’s education. We met with teachers to determine what level of support they also needed at optimum performance in the classroom and the administrative arm which provides support to make all of this happen.”

As a result of the ministerial intervention, both

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry

teachers and monitors have been recruited by the ministry with the aim of alleviating the challenges facing students and teachers in the non-coastal regions of the country.

“We recognised that a lot of time the contact hours in the classroom in the rural communities was less than that in the urban setting, and so that in itself can create disparities because of course, if you’re having lesser hours, you’re having less quality that speaks to the issue of teacher accommodation, using aids such as radios and the methodology,” the minister noted.

Given the findings, Minister Henry said a comprehensive programme was created to address the issues identified in Region Eight.

She lamented that the situation was so poor that no male student passed mathematics; something she identified as a red flag.

“We went in, we worked with them, spent time on the ground resolving issues, fixing management and operations and technical issues

so that we can reduce the disparities. Based on the lessons learned from that intervention, we would be in a good position to expand and replicate in all of the hinterland regions, but more particularly, we now have data which can inform our programme planning,” the Education Minister added.

Meanwhile, when asked about the limitations faced by teachers across the country and the effects same has on the existing level of disparities the minister said, “It is a problem and it is a problem that has to be addressed at several levels.”

However, she noted that the placement of more trained teachers within the hinterland and rural communities will not solve the existing problems.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION “Just putting more trained teachers cannot be the solution; a big part of the solution lies with the monitoring and evaluation and also the assessment of the delivery of the content, and that is why the monitors have a critical role to play because you may be a trained teacher but the way in which you deliver your content may not yield optimal result,” she stated.

Additionally, some hinterland communities, in particular Indigenous communities, speak traditional languages and often time there are language barriers which may prevent either the students or teachers (coastal) from understanding.

So while some communities may speak English as

their first language their dialect at home may also pose challenges.

“It has to be dealt with at all those levels; it can’t just be dealt with by putting a well -trained person to go,” said Henry, who noted that the other challenges faced by her sector is the lack of trained teachers in hinterland locations.

However, last year, the ministry engaged the administration of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), and discussions are continuing, on having more persons trained as teachers in

the hinterland regions.

“It may not be the most feasible thing to take a coastlander, train them and think that they have to perform.

“We have to have the people from the community trained. So CPCE will be conducting training in those rural communities so that people from the communities can be trained in their environment and remain there because we are more likely to have people stay there, if they are from there and more importantly if we don’t remove them from that environment.”

Turn to page 9 ►

4

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Trump slams states withholding voter data

PRESIDENT Donald Trump lashed out on Saturday at the growing number of states refusing to give voters’ names, addresses and sensitive personal information to a

commission he created to investigate alleged voter fraud.

“Numerous states are refusing to give information to the very distinguished VOTER FRAUD PANEL,” he wrote on Twitter. “What are they trying to hide?”

More than 20 states, including Virginia, Kentucky, California, New York and Massachusetts, have declined to provide some or all of the information, saying it was unnecessary and violated privacy.

“This commission was formed to try to find basis for the lie that President Trump put forward that has no foundation,” Kentucky

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes told Reuters previously in an interview.

The Republican president has made unsubstantiated claims that millions of people voted illegally for his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in last November’s election.

Trump’s Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, created in May, sent a letter to 50 states asking them to turn over voter information including names, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates, political affiliations, felony convictions and voting histories.

The request from commission Vice Chairman Kris Kobach has caused a backlash from state election of-

ficials.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson said in a statement on Friday that while certain voter information is available to the public, the media, and any other person who requests the information, “the information is restricted to name, address and congressional district assignment.”

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann had said in a statement that he did not see the letter but would rebuff the commission.

“They can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico, and Mississippi is a great state to launch from,” he said.

Trump won the White House through victory in the Electoral College, which tallies wins in

US President Donald Trump states, but he lost the popular vote to Clinton by some three million votes.

He has claimed he would have won the popular vote had it not been for voter fraud.

Civil rights activists say the commission will encourage voter suppression by justifying new barriers to voting, such as requiring identity cards to vote.

(Reuters)

Sunday July 2, 2017 - 11:30 hrs Monday July 3, 1:00 - 13:00 hrs Tuesday July 4, 2:00 - 14:00 hrs

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 1/07/2017 26/11/2016 1/07/2017

03 14 01 12 07 13 18 14 19 19 26 26 02 N A 11

06 10 13 11

14 16

21 18

24 21

26/11/2016 1/07/2017

04 4

07 2

03 0

26/11/2016 1/07/2017

05 8

04 3

01 8

26/11/2016 1/07/2017 02 04

09 07

10 09

11 10 13 15 14 17

18 18

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

5

6

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Mixed news for sugar’s future

THE EU Ambassador Jernej Videti? at a press conference on Thursday last advised that there is no more funds available from the Sugar Protocol Guyana once enjoyed and that “this is it” after September 2017.

Such news, though not surprising for watchers of global trade and preferential treatment, would have nonetheless caught some offguard and to others would have come as a blow. The ruling by the World Trade Organisation that preferential treatment, as Guyana received under the European Union (EU) sugar deal, violates free-trade rules, with time granted to phase out such condition, was bound to impact the country’s ability to continue to enjoy such treatment.

Guyana’s sugar would now have to compete in an open market. And in light of the aforesaid, it is reasonable for society to ask why did previous PPP/C governments, who would have been aware since 2006, fail to prepare for what could be a very heavy landing for sugar workers, their communities, and ultimately the society, if not properly managed. Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at a rally held at Enmore on 14th June 2016, said that sugar can be saved.

During 2006 to 2017, the EU provided a total of GYD$348.5 billion in budgetary support to compensate for the 36 percent cut in the preferential market price. In 2013 Komal Chand, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, who represents most of the sugar workers, said he would like to see the money given

by EU being spent to make the industry competitive. Aside from the money-bleeding ineffective U.S. $200M put into the Skeldon Factory, there was no worthwhile investment in the industry.

In 2003, the La Bonne Intention Estate was closed. In 2011, Diamond Estate was closed and then President Jagdeo said this was part of restructuring of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Some of the best- yielding sugar lands were sold to investors to construct housing projects and there is nothing to show as benefit to the industry and for the sugar workers.

These acts could further raise the spectre of concern that in spite of a known timetable, the PPP/C government opted to do nothing, somehow hoping GuySuCo could have ridden it out or plainly didn’t know what to do.

Where in our society sugar and politics are deeply intertwined and at times such

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

relationship has had conflicting impact on the national body politic, in the presence of this reality it requires careful handling not to ignite a potentially flammable situation.

Where in this environment at times the truth is not told or partially told, very often it affects those whose livelihoods are directly impacted. How as a country we got to this stage where GuySuCo in spite of preferential treatment continues to face a dire future will be subject to debates and counter debates, finger pointing, accusations, and denials for years to come.

Suffice to say a future lay before the country and the decisions made can have deleterious impact, cushion the inevitable blow, or create new vistas for development.

The harsh fact is GuySuCo is presently selling sugar at an estimated 12.66 U.S. cents per pound and producing at 30 U.S. cents.

This figure is not only bad from a business perspective, but where the corporation remains reliant on its basic sustenance from the Consolidated Fund, not only exemplifies bad management, but would raise concerns as to what the future may have in store.

The APNU+AFC Government has made several commitments of its intent to save sugar. This includes a restruc-

Editorial

turing programme that would see some estates being closed. It is further advised that Government is also looking at the possibility of securing foreign investment in building a sugar refinery or takeover of the corporation. In the global market refined sugar is in demand.

Should this be made possible, Guyana would be in position to compete in this market.

At a psychosocial level, the angst and uncertainty facing sugar workers and their families would be hard to ignore. GuySuCo and government may be doing what they think are their part to inspire hope and confidence in the future for sugar. The sugar unions too having being burnt in the past by the PPP/C government, come across as suspecting of government and unsure about the future of the industry and workers. The PPP/C has found a voice to tell these workers that the Government does not care.

These competing interests would make it difficult to find common ground, talking past each other rather than talking with each other. The market for diversifying the industry and adding value to raw sugar may suggest that all is not lost for GuySuCo.

No such thing as ‘inclusionary democracy’

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to Henry Jeffrey’s contention, “Lincoln Lewis: reasoning away structures” (SN 28/6/2017).

The said article sought to deal with my known contention that persons, most notably politicians, are making statements about the Guyana Constitution and calling for reform without taking the time to know the instrument and putting mechanisms in place to make it work. In the particular instance the issue dealt with

was the WPA’s call for reform and a promise in the APNU+AFC Manifesto to reform what already exists (the so-called Bill of Rights), an absence of understanding of the role and function of the president and people in our society (GC 25/6/2017-Hold politicians accountable).

The analogy made between me and a social theorist who in 1817 expounded some view which is claimed to have structural difficulty, resulting in it being deemed utopian, has no nexus to the position being advanced.

He spoke from an aspirational standpoint absent an existing structure.

The premise from which I speak is based on an established structure that awaits life from the people it was designed to benefit.

Unlike Jeffrey, I do not see deformities as in the structure, but in the refusal of persons to comply with the structure.

Let me make it very clear, no structure/system is perfect and finite as evident in provisions ensconced for amendment and reform, which too must be followed. This

also recognises the importance of knowing and understanding the system and giving it a chance to work, which is not being done. The Constitution is blatantly being violated in areas that are straightforward, cherry picked to suit those in office who seem more interested in being “rulers” rather than governing as the people’s representatives as required by this instrument. There remains no evident interest by the politicians to deepen and strengthen articles to advance and protect the people’s well-being.

There is disagreement with the view that progress and “unity” are possible only when Indians and Africans -- the PNC, PPP and other political parties -- are in the Cabinet in some shared government formula. This runs contrary to the structure and its required function. Elections are meant to secure the trust and confidence of the people in a competitive environment of ideas, achievements, and promises.

Article 149 protects every Guyanese from being discriminated

against on the ground of race and 147 protects the right to freedom of association. It is racist in thinking and will be worse in action to consider the other races not deserving to be treated equally and that the two races have the God-given right to determine for others. This anti-constitutional thinking also ignores that conflict is a part of human behaviour which requires structure to manage and resolve, and to protect the weak from being abused by the See page 7

7

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

GAWU will continue to express its views on sugar Dear Editor, THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to respond to a letter from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) titled, “Sugar workers have rights and the right to be responsible,” that was published on June 29, 2017 by Kaieteur News and authored by the corporation’s Senior Communications Officer, Ms. Audreyanna Thomas.

Through this letter, GuySuCo continues its relentless campaign of peddling falsehoods which have so far failed to gain any traction with the sugar workers and many Guyanese.

We again wish to advise Ms. Thomas and GuySuCo that we are very much aware of our responsibility to our members and under no circumstance will we shirk from our legal responsibility. It is the pursuance of our legal and moral obligations that has caused, no doubt, the corporation to become irked and its resort to lashing out like a spoilt child. We also recognise that a successful, viable sugar industry is in the interest of the workers and the nation.

It is against that backdrop that we have been strong and consistent in

our view that the decisions that are being taken for the industry will not lend to the success and viability that all Guyanese desire and want for the sugar industry. The GAWU will continue to express its views with respect to the decisions on sugar.

The corporation’s officer then goes on to say that GAWU’s behaviour would be different had GuySuCo been a private entity. For Ms. Thomas’s information, GAWU also represents workers in the private sector and unlike GuySuCo, those employers treat their workers and the union with respect. Our relations with the private sector employers have generally been amicable and we hardly, if at all, encounter anti-worker or anti-union expressions in our negotiations with them.

We seek similar relations with GuySuCo, but in the corporation’s eyes, for reasons best known to itself we have seemingly been deemed persona non grata in the last two (2) years.

The union is being accused of not educating workers to their responsibilities. This, Ms Thomas, is furthest from the truth as one could be.

GAWU through its education programme has been informing workers of both their rights and responsibilities. In fact, GuySuCo

has always been invited by GAWU to send its personnel to a number of previous five-day training courses sessions that have been organised for sugar workers.

It was fertile ground for the corporation’s representatives to lecture the workers about matters in the company’s interests.

But now, unfortunately, that worthwhile endeavour has been undermined by the corporation’s actions in denying workers paid-release to attend those courses, which are provided for in the extant collective labour agreement. We hasten to point out that the corporation’s decision runs counter to that legally binding agreement and it is another attack on the workers and union.

The corporation, once again, speaks to the refusal of cane planters of Enmore/ LBI Estate to undertake cane-cutting tasks in the first crop 2017. On several occasions, we have painfully pointed out that the corporation’s request of the planters was contrary to the established agreement and long-standing practices. That is why the workers in the first place refused to undertake cane-cutting tasks. We felt by now that the corporation would have stopped flogging that dead

horse.

We also wish to advise Ms. Thomas, if she isn’t aware, it is as a result of our union’s proactive involvement that the cane-cutters of Enmore/LBI returned to work on May 26, 2017, following a meeting between the central officers of the union and GuySuCo the day before.

The corporation should also advise the nation why is it that despite Enmore/ LBI Estate cultivation being conducive to mechanised cane harvesting, that the operation wasn’t pursued at the estate during the first crop, especially in view of its enhanced productivity and cost-effectiveness and more so, given that Skeldon’s entire fleet of harvesters were not utilised in the absence of a crop at that estate.

We are once again criticised for advising the Wales cane-cutters and cane-transport operators of their rights.

Our union, Ms. Thomas, is duty-bound in this regard.

The workers obviously having heard from the union would have rationally considered their options. This is borne out in the June 19, 2017 Stabroek News, in which former worker – Eion Fernandes – in reference to the workers’ demand for severance is quoted to have said:- “We put our matter to

GAWU that we don’t want to go and they are just supporting us.”

GuySuCo also calls attention to the workers’ protest at Rose Hall on May 12, 2017. May we remind GuySuCo, that the workers like all Guyanese, have a constitutional right to protest? While the corporation advised that the some number of workers should have been cooperative, GuySuCo fails to recognise that its un-cooperative approach with the workers and the union certainly would not yield the kind of attitude it desires.

The corporation then talks about its management being ‘good stewards’. Their stewardship has seen production moving from 231,000 tonnes sugar in 2015 to a miserable 183,000 tonnes in 2016 and below 50,000 tonnes in the first crop 2017. Their stewardship has seen the displacement of hundreds of workers at Wales furthering poverty, criminality, depravity and other social issues in the communities linked to the estate. Their stewardship is seeing plans furthered to close estates and push onto the breadline thousands and in that process destroy the social fabric of many communities.

Their stewardship has

seen the laws of the country, agreements, international conventions, long-standing principles, time-honoured traditions and practices being openly disrespected and flouted. The GAWU is at a loss to see the ‘good stewards’ Ms. Thomas speaks so highly about.

We are also told by Ms. Thomas that she wishes to see GAWU advising workers on the opportunities which are available and would emerge from GuySuCo’s re-organisation.

But we ask, what are the opportunities? At Wales, besides rice which has limited involvement of the Wales workers, there is no other opportunity unless Ms. Thomas meant to say there is an increased opportunity for the people of Wales to slide into poverty, depravity and suffering.

Our union which has been singled out for consistent attack by the sugar corporation and its apologists, will not be daunted by the ever-expanding web of half-truths and untruths. GAWU has a proud record of standing in the workers’ corner and will remain so.

boards based on their electoral mandate, but given a From chance to do differently, page 6 they are behaving like the PPP/C government; ii) the regions, NDCs and towns where the PPP/C won this bound to pursue mean- government does not want ingful engagement with to respect the will of the the Opposition Leader. people, but when in opThis is not a structural position cried foul when problem, but refusal of similar treatment was metthe politicians to obey ed out to them; iii) the the structure.

APNU and AFC decried The political system the absence of consultamandates “inclusionary tion on issues of national democracy” (Article 13) character, but in office are but there is no regard or doing exactly what they interest in giving meaning condemned. These issues to this declaration of intent are not structural probby fortifying its structure. lems, but non-compliance.

When in opposition the Right now there exists politicians seek to practise a coalition government and call for it, but when which, following those in office, they trample it. who seek the non-conThree instances can be stitutional, shared govsighted:- i) the APNU and ernment formula should AFC lambasted the PPP/C have seen the promised government for not allow- love and unity. Instead, ing them seats on state this thing is becoming

a hustle for self-serving interests and ganging up against the masses.

This new hustle does not require of any party, outside of the main party, to have constituents.

Anybody can now create a party or say they have a party and seek to cash in and further abuse the people and their resources.

With the record of the APNU+AFC and PPP/C putting them together as one government, we the people would catch hell, including rank- and-file Africans and Indians, those who maintain their independence and hold government to account.

Let them be separate as required by the constitution/structure and serve as checks and balances to each other. What we are certain of, given what is taking place, is that since

“thief man doesn’t like see he mattie thief man with bag,” they will scream on each other and help us to keep them in check.

The reference of “we the people” standing up and holding politicians accountable is driven by the consciousness that within our midst, persons are unafraid to stand up to their race or party when a wrong is being committed and injustice is being meted out to another. Similar human decency was seen by whites during the oppressive, whiterun systems of slavery, indentureship and colonialism that helped the oppressed struggles in toppling them and improving their conditions of work and living.

No such thing as ... strong. There remains absence of interest and legislation to give life to Articles 147 and 149.

Opportunities for peaceful co-existence in the constitutional model of power-sharing through Proportional Representation where based on the votes garnered, seats are assigned or the executive secured can be assured when there resides respect for Articles 13, 38, 147, 149 and 149C. Since 1992, the people’s choice and will at the voting booths have become more pronounced, but continue to be ignored by the politicians after they have gotten into office. Look at

the Executive in the national, regional and local governments; and seats in the Legislature.

The Leader of the Opposition, according to the Constitution, is also part of the Executive (Articles 110 and 184). The economic and political independence of the regions and local government authorities are assured in Chapter 7.

Outside of PNC Minister Jeffrey Thomas in the 1990s, the politicians have brought no bill to the National Assembly to provide for local government autonomy, and the presidency behaves as though not duty

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General-Secretary GAWU

LINCOLN LEWIS

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

No overnight capping of CSEC subjects

– Education Minister Nicolette Henry

By Vishani Ragobeer

EDUCATION Minister Nicolette Henry has said any cap on subjects written at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) must be subject to wide consultation and due diligence.

“The ministry will engage the public to inform its decision at policy level. They will have to use the data we are generating, not only from public consultations but also from the school system,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

She noted that the ministry is mandated to ensure students matriculated in the education system are comparable to other citizens in the region, and this bears with it myriad responsibilities.

Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector and former Chief Educational Officer (CEO), Ed Caesar, had earlier told the Guyana Chronicle that any cap on subjects students are allowed to sit at CSEC must be guided by research.

Henry pointed out that

the proposed policy decision that speaks to capping, also spoke of circumstances regarding students with exceptional ability.

“While you have general rules which apply to everything we do in life, there are always exceptions and so we make provision for those exceptions but that cannot be the norm,” she said.

However, the Education Ministry’s circular on the subject did not speak to exceptional students.

Rather, it stated that out of the maximum of 10 subjects, students’ performance at the National Grade Nine Assessment and/or the Annual Grade 10 examinations would determine how many of the 10 subjects they are allowed to write.

Weighing in on the debate, Mohalani Chatterdeo (now Chatterdeo-Persaud), the first Guyanese to cop the Regional Top Performer Award at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC)

contended that the proposed policy is ill-informed.

Chatterdeo-Persaud, a former Queen’s College student, topped the Caribbean in 1997, some 20 years ago when she secured nine grade ones and one grade two at CSEC. In fact, during her time, she was only supposed to write eight subjects, but defied the limit set and wrote 10.

SCHOLARSHIPS Speaking at Queen’s College graduation last Thursday, held on June 29, the former top student said there are many reasons students would choose to sit many subjects, pointing out that chief among them is the availability or lack thereof of scholarships.

She stressed that there should be no cap on CSEC subjects, students should write unless CXC makes such a decision and suggested that a system monitoring how students cope psychologically with many subjects would help with the

regulation.

“Those who have been allowed to do it [write more than 10 CSEC subjects], I urge you to let your voices be heard because the future of our country depends on people like you who can speak up,” she said, adding: “Whatever works for you, let it continue to work for you.”

Queen’s College head teacher, Jackie Benn-Ralph told the Guyana Chronicle the country’s premier secondary school is opposed to the proposed policy.

“I must inform you that Queen’s College, as the top secondary school in Guyana and the Caribbean, should be given an opportunity to have its students write the number of subjects they are capable of writing,” she underscored.

She related that the culture of Queen’s College, like other secondary schools, is one where focus is given to both academics and extra-curricular activities.

Buttressing her position, Benn-Ralph said students have represented the school

and the country overseas in extra-curricular activities, from the Barbados Relay Fair (athletics) to cricket as well as science fairs.

At the next headteachers’ meeting, the school will be presenting its arguments and justifications why the proposed policy is ill-informed.

“We will be able to bring our arguments and together with other secondary schools, we will ensure that our students have access to what they deserve,” the Queen’s College head said.

Some have deemed the proposed policy controversial and Minister Henry said the views of the public cannot be ignored.

“We certainly welcome suggestions and inputs from the public to refine and continue improving on what we do but more importantly as a Ministry, we want to be able to ensure that the service we provide to our students is resulting in the greater benefit and good for the majority,” she told this publication.

Guyana Shore Base Inc. offers job opportunities GUYANA SHORE BASE INC., a joint venture entity has advertised for a number of positions here to be filled.

The company, which is based at Houston, East Bank Demerara, is recruiting operational and administrative

personnel to support an expanded shore base operations in the offshore oil and gas sector.

Noting that experience in the oil and gas industry would be a major asset, the company says it is recruiting persons to fill the positions

of accountants, directors, as well as office staff.

The company said it requires operational staff such as foremen, security staff, machine operators as well as labourers.

As time ticks towards first oil in 2020, interest has grown from local and overseas entities in the country’s petroleum sector.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Natural Resources approved the ExxonMobil Liza Phase 1 development plan and issued a production licence to the American oil giant for the Liza field.

Production is expected to begin in 2020. Following the approval of the production licence and environmental permit, it is expected that ExxonMobil and co-venturers Nexen and Hess will make a final investment decision on the Liza Phase 1 Turn to page 15 ►

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Guyana to build embassy in Brazil

By Svetlana Marshall

Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson turned the sod Wednesday last to mark the construction of a permanent building for the Guyana Embassy in Brazil.

According to a press statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday, work on the new building is expected to commence soon in Brasilia. Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1968.

Bilateral relations between the two countries have developed through mutual

understanding and trust, including cooperation in the technical and military areas.

In addition to the turning of the sod, Guyana and Brazil held bilateral discussions on a range of issues including the construction of the Linden to Lethem road, linking the two South American nations.

During the deliberations with the Guyanese ministers and Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Aloysio Nunes, the importance of infrastructural links with regard to the promotion of trade and investment was underscored.

Moreover, in the area of infrastructure, focus was placed on steps to be taken

jointly to advance the paving of the Linden to Lethem Road as a complement to the work already initiated covering the Linden to Mabura Hill segment and the bridging of the Essequibo River at Kurupukari.

While in Brasilia, Minister Greenidge and Minister Patterson used the opportunity to meet with members of the Guyanese community living in Brazil to update them on developments in Guyana and the prospects for the future.

Next year will mark 50 years since the two South American neighbours established diplomatic relations.

Fish vendor bailed on armed robbery charge A 28-YEAR-OLD fish vendor was on Friday released on $80,000 by City Magistrate Leron Daly on an armed robbery charge.

It is alleged that Afiba Yankana of Hadfield Street, Wortmanville on June 17, robbed Sookram Singh of a cellphone, sliver chain, a Cayenne belt and other items totaling $80,000.

Yankana, who was allegedly armed with

a knife on the day in question, denied the allegation.

Police prosecutor Tracy-Ann Gittens made no objections to bail but requested that reporting conditions be attached. As such, the magistrate ordered that the accused report to the Brickdam Police Station every Monday.

The matter has been adjourned until July 14.

Bridging...

Moreover, the minister said when examining sustainability of programmes, broad factors have to be examined.

She disclosed that in keeping with the government’s intention to reduce disparities in the sector, during the July-August school break, CPCE will be providing technical support in hinterland regions, with specific emphasis on Region Eight, a region which she said needs lots of work and support.

Meanwhile, the education minister has lauded the concept first advanced by President David Granger which speaks to teachers being university graduates.

QUALITY EDUCATION Just after taking office in May 2015, the President said school children must be guaranteed inclusive quality education, and for that to happen, the head-of-state made it clear

From page 3

that “It is necessary to have properly educated teachers to ensure that our children have access to quality education.”

During the Ministry of Education’s awards ceremony, the President committed to placing great emphasis on teachers’ education. “We would like to ensure that, over the next 15 years, all teachers in our school system are university graduates so that our children can benefit from this education.”

In like vein, Minister Henry noted that a policy decision in this regard would only yield positive results.

She said from a technical perspective, she believes that there is value in having academic degrees as CPCE prepares teachers for delivery “but you have to have the content to deliver”.

“So if you are a mathematician and a trained teacher, the chances of you delivering are much higher than if you

are just a trained teacher. So it just makes sense.”

She said too that the concept would be pushed but was careful to point out that “like any other intervention that is strategic, it needs processing”.

Minister Henry noted too, that before such a policy comes into effect, criteria have to be properly thought out and then set to ensure that all parties are comfortable.

“The process will take time, because you don’t get a degree in a year or two, so we have to determine how we will be sending off and what criteria we select etc. It is a policy I believe will be very beneficial– that can boost the education sector once promptly thought out and rolled out. But I think by looking at it from any perspective, we would recognise there is value in that,” Minister Henry posited.

Health and Wellness Organisation launched A SMALL group of young professionals are on a mission to promote a healthier and more progressive nation through their organisation – LiveProActive.

LiveProActive facilitates a holistic process of behavioural transformation and empowerment through mentoring. On Saturday, the organisation was officially launched at Umana Yana with a thought-provoking message from Dr. Surendra Persaud.

LiveProActive Co-Founder, Keiba Murray said the organisation is strategically designed to equip persons with the requisite knowledge and skills needed to ‘LiveProActive.’

“We are trying to encourage people to have healthier lifestyles,” she said. Murray said some persons view their health and well-being in isolation while failing to take into consideration the other contributing factors. Hence, the multi-dimensional organisation addresses core areas through seven life clubs.

Murray explained that in addition to LiveProActive’s one-off workshops, the organization offers mentorship in Psychological and Social Wellness, Physical Wellness, Life Skills, and Sustainability and Security Skills.

It was further explained that the Psychological and Social Wellness Life Club, which is facilitated by a certified social worker, promotes effective communication skills, emotional intelligence and personality development, while the Physical Wellness Life Club addresses nutrition, exercise and hygiene.

The Life Skills Club covers a wide range of areas from Financial Literacy, Creative Classes, First Aid and CPR, Yoga, Basic Law to Business Tools. Self Defence training, Conflict Resolution and Eco-Friendly Solutions are among areas covered in the Sustainability and Security Skills Life Club.

The first step starts with consultation, Murray said while noting that it is critical to set clear goals. “We will help you to look at your individual specific goals,” she said while adding that with the help of a Club Facilitator, the client would develop an Action Plan for execution.

Upon completion, she said an evaluation will be carried out to determine the amount of process made in the selective Life Club.

Meanwhile, Dr. Persaud, in his address, said Suicide and Motor Vehicle/Boat Accidents are two of the leading causes of death in Guyana.

He said some people are

unable to cope with their unfortunate circumstances.

Dr. Persaud said while some people do not believe in Mental Health Illness, it exists, and as such persons should pay attention to the signs of depression. “There are going to be very subtle signs that somebody is about to fall off the cliff. You need to detect those signs,” he emphasized.

Turning his attention to accidents, Dr. Persaud said it all lies with “you.”

“We all have a moral responsibility when we are with our friends, designate a driver. It is morally irresponsible of us to allow our friends to drive under the influence. It is ridiculous and it is the number two cause of death in this country,” he emphasized.

Generally, he said Guyanese need to eat healthier and take their health seriously.

Dr. Persaud noted that some persons would ignore various signs and wait until their health deteriorates before seeking medical attention.

“Take your health seriously,” he pleaded with those present.

LiveProActive one-off workshop investments vary from $5,000 to $15, 000 per person while the prices for the Life Clubs vary from $7,000 to $10, 000 per month, per person.

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

The politics of big numbers and containment of the WPA

THE political temperature in Guyana has risen to high levels since the reassignment of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine to another ministry. This is not the first reassignment of a minister by the current government—there have been at least four such changes. So, one must ask why this one has generated such sharp debate to the point where there is speculation about the future of the governing coalition as a cohesive force. The answer is simple, though not obvious to most of the members of the current political class and opinion shapers.

The Roopnaraine removal from the Ministry of Education raises anew old questions of governance and political praxis in Guyana.

The most important question, in this regard, has to do with the management of political power—how leaders treat with the enormous power vested in them by the constitution and by the votes of their supporters.

One of the persistent failures of our independence has been the unwillingness and perhaps inability of our political leaderships to adhere to and sustain a democratic approach to governance.

The consequence has been disastrous for our country— our persistent economic underdevelopment and brutal politics are largely grounded in this national impediment.

There are several reasons for this failure at democratic practice, but the one that I want to zero in on in this column is our collective construction of a narrow politics of electoral arithmetic. How many times have we heard the mantra of big parties and small parties based exclusively on the number of votes garnered at elections?

Political usefulness and relevance are calculated based on the number of votes a

party could get at elections.

True, a party’s electoral strength is a big part of its influence, but the mistake we make in Guyana is to believe that it is the only measure of influence and strength.

That narrow definition of political strength has led us down a slippery slope.

We know from experience in Guyana that parties with big numbers are small in terms of integrity, vision and adherence to democratic norms. It is not that these parties are inherently incapable of these qualities, but there is no incentive for them to do so. After all, they have the numbers and we tell them in our commentaries and analyses and in our collective defence of their vices that they are big and that that is all that matters.

How many times have we complained of the demerits of our big parties? It is our big parties which have individually and together held our country back, taken it to the brink of disaster after disaster and made us the socio-economic and political basket-case that we are.

These parties have continued to facilitate our underdevelopment, precisely because we empower them to do so with our narrow definition of what political strength and influence are and they in turn have come to believe that that is natural law.

In the big-party scenario, small parties are rendered useless and irrelevant—they are pushed to the sidelines. If they persist, their obituaries are written every day. In Guyana over the years, we have seen may small parties come and go. That reinforces the theory and practice of the two-big party system. Such a scenario makes political commentary and analyses easy—everything is reduced to PPP vs PNC. There is no need to dig deeper to answer challenging questions about

our politics and society—just explain it as PPP and PNC. That is the reason we often hear the silly and simplistic solution to Guyana’s political problems—get rid of the PPP and the PNC. When the WPA rose to prominence in 1979, it disturbed the big-numbers theory. Suddenly, a party without numbers was shaking the foundations of the status quo. The very people who voted just a few years before for the big-numbers parties were listening and endorsing a small-numbers party. The top rulers of the day took the decision to assassinate the person they estimated was the top leader of the WPA. In the wake of that unpardonable act that would forever haunt our political soul, the WPA became a full-fledged political party by building party groups and party structures and continuing the struggle to remove the dictatorship of the day. Yet, if you listen to the scribes and political high-priests, the WPA died when Rodney died. That narrative ignores the fact that when Rodney was killed the WPA was not a well-organised party.

But to say that the WPA died with Rodney allows us to continue to advance the big-numbers theory.

Almost 40 years later, the WPA is still here—its structures are much weaker and its membership much smaller, but it retains a voice that refuses to go away. Of the Anglophone Caribbean left- wing radical party which emerged in the 1970s, it is the only one that still exists. It took the controversial decision in 2011 to enter a coalition with the PNC in the face of the fast deterioration of the country into a criminalised state. It was an integral part of the APNU partnership that contested the elections of that year. It brought political integrity

and enormous skill to the partnership in every area of political preparation and work. Rupert Roopnaraine was the platform mobiliser-in-chief, using his oratorical skills and appeal to rally the base and beyond.

In the end, the APNU got 41% of the popular vote which was 7% more than the PNC got at the previous election. One will never know which party brought that extra 7% of the vote, but one thing is certain -- the voters voted for the APNU of which the WPA was a part. The 2015 results followed the pattern of the 2011 election with 4,000 votes flipping to the coalition which enabled it to win the presidency. There is speculation that the AFC core ethnic constituency of 2011 declined in 2015, but that was offset by an increase in APNU votes. It is my view that what the AFC lost in numbers, it made up for by its contribution to the sense of optimism that drove APNU voters to the poll.

My point is that there is more to our politics than numbers. The PNC is the big-numbers party in the coalition, but it is safe to say that, for ethnic and other political reasons, it cannot win a majority on its own.

As we saw in 2006, the PNC even lost approximately 15% of its electoral support and it took the APNU to recapture those votes. As a coalition, the parties are not fighting one another for votes, they are pooling their strengths to maximise the electoral strength of the collective.

While we can count votes, we are not able to quantify what it takes to get those voters to the polls—the rhetoric, the vision, the platform, the emotional connection, the optimism, the hope, the intellectual capital, the reasoning, the credibility, the messaging and the integrity.

What does all of this have to do with Dr. Roopnaraine’s removal from the Education Ministry? It is my considered view that the lack of consultation with the WPA on the matter arose out of the big-party mindset.

I refuse to believe that the shift of Cathy Hughes to her present ministry was not discussed with the AFC beforehand. Of course, the AFC is protected by the Cummingsburg Accord. I refuse to believe that the removal of Dr. George Norton from the Ministry of Public Health was not discussed with the PNC hierarchy beforehand.

So why the different approach when it comes to Roopnaraine and the WPA? In the wake of President Burnham’s death, the new PNC leader, former President Hoyte, signalled his party’s approach to the WPA by declaring that the WPA must be contained. It was a shift from the Burnhamist approach of elimination to one of containment. Containment in politics means keeping an adversary deemed to be harmful and hostile under control or within limits I think the present leadership of the PNC has invoked the theory of containment as far as dealing with the WPA

is concerned. My view is that there is an acknowledgement that the WPA is needed for respectability, the appearance and reality of unity which is essential to holding the base together and its intellectual energy, which still holds currency in our politics. But, given the WPA’s tradition of radicalism and independent action, they must be contained—they cannot be allowed to radicalise power, gain influence among the traditional PNC base and upstage the PNC. On that score, the PNC and AFC find common ground as the AFC is hostile to radical politics. Hence the sidelining of the WPA. And the big-numbers theory is central to that sidelining. Ironically, the WPA’s caution, its political maturity and its fear of being blamed for the failure of the coalition may have facilitated its containment in the first two years of the government.

More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@ aol.com

Former Police Sergeant charged with rape, granted bail A FORMER Police Sergeant, who is alleged to have sodomised a recruit of the Guyana Police Force in 2011, was on Friday charged and released on $70,000 bail when he appeared before City Magistrate Leron Daly.

It is alleged that Dexter Clementson, the Police Sergeant, who was attached to the Tactical Service Unit (TUS) at Eve Leary, Georgetown, on March 3, 2011 at TSU, Eve Leary engaged in sexual penetration

of a 20-year-old male police recruit.

Clementson of Versailles Line Top, West Bank Demerara was represented by attorney Patrice Henry.

Reports indicate that prior to the incident; the accused had been pressured by Clementson, who was responsible for the training of recruits, to enter a relationship with him. When the recruit refused, he was allegedly victimised and subsequently raped.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Prevalence of youth-smoking – country lacks adequate resources on the rise to monitor tobacco use THE Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) has revealed that the occurrence of smoking among youths is increasing in Guyana and it is projected that this will translate to higher prevalence in adulthood.

A statement from the Ministry of Public Health pointed out that numerous studies have shown that if a child does not initiate smoking before the age of 15 years, they will most likely never develop the habit throughout the course of their lives.

In 2000, Guyana conducted its first round of the GYTS, which was the first nationally representative study on tobacco use among adolescents. Guyana is reportedly one of only a few countries in the Americas to have completed four rounds of the GYTS. “Tobacco monitoring in Guyana however dates back to more than 20 years, when its early tobacco control legislation included tobacco use surveillance and reporting provisions for second-hand smoke exposure,” stated the ministry in its press statement.

Reporting of second-hand smoke exposure has been required since the implementation of the Sanitation and Safety Acts No. 1 1996 and No. 32 1997, which both mandated quarterly reporting on second-hand smoke expo-

sure in workplaces.

LACKING RESOURCES Guyana nonetheless continues to experience challenges in finding adequate resources for tobacco-use monitoring. According to the press statement, most tobacco- surveillance data are currently collected through surveys, which are costly and difficult to sustain.

In 2016, the country however received support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) through the Step Wise approach to Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance (STEPS), which was conducted for the first time in Guyana and included a component on tobacco control.

It was stated that the survey sought to generate data on NCD risk factors and for the first time present data on tobacco use among adults aged 18-69 years. A full report on the findings of this survey is expected to be available by September 2017.

Although it is a major plus for Guyana, the Ministry of Public Health said, it only serves to highlight the importance in implementing tobacco control regulations quickly.

Guyana was amongst the first to ratify the WHO –Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), to date, the revised legislation

is still pending passage in the National Assembly.

“The findings of the national tobacco surveillance efforts in Guyana have implored policy-makers and other stakeholders to use the findings and advocate for stronger action in tobacco control measures, such as ensuring the passage of the Tobacco Control Act,” stated the ministry.

It is recommended that the country ensure periodic implementation of surveys, under the Global Tobacco Surveillance System, is conducted and that the data for key tobacco use indicators are included in the country’s national surveillance database.

Tobacco remains the single legal leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for more than 6 million deaths annually, of which 600,000 are from second and third-hand smoking.

The lack of a comprehensive national cancer prevention and control plan in Guyana would suggest that policy-makers seek alternative cost-effective methods in reducing the burden that tobacco places on the health care sector. Moreover, cancer is the fourth leading cause of premature mortality in Guyana, with lung cancer sitting at fourth position among the leading types of cancers.

Gifts for seniors IN YET another humanitarian gesture, God’s Cathedral of Praise, located at Lamaha Park, East La Penitence, last Tuesday made a presentation of medical equipment and supplies to Uncle Eddie’s Home, Jackson Street, TucVille, East La Penitence.

The items were handed over to the institution’s Administrator, Ms. Bonita Moore by Bishop Timothy Norton, accompanied

by Elders Lloyd Pinder and Joycelyn Jaccobs and witnessed by some of the beneficiaries.

The gift package which included two wheelchairs, one three-wheel walker; one bath safety shower chair, and one commode were donated with the compliments of Pastors Dennis and Joseph Norton of Agape House of Prayer, Praise and Worship, Brooklyn, New York.

The items, in addition to

Bishop Timothy Norton ( centre) presents the medical supplies to Administrator of Uncle Eddies’s Home, Ms. Bonita Moore. Looking on are Elders Lloyd Pinder and Joycelyn Jaccobs

providing assistance to seniors who have difficulty in tight spaces such as bathrooms, allows the shut-ins to live life to the fullest by actively participating and handling their daily needs. Essentially, the bath-

room supplies and equipment restore their dignity, allowing them to personally take care of their hygiene needs without depending on others. It also allows them to feel both independent and valued.

Workers of the Ministry of Public Health conducting the Steps survey

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

The right to work, the military and social cohesion THE right to work is guaranteed in the Guyana Constitution (Article 149 A) and this right has its genesis in the covenants of the United Nations (UN). The acts that are committed by national governments and questioned by groups and citizens cannot be allowed to go unnoticed. For where there exists a right it carries corresponding responsibility to make sure that in upholding the rights of an individual or group, the rights of others are not being trampled.

The questions that are being raised that a number of former military officers are being appointed to jobs in the public service and where possible there exists an opportunity for one to earn a dollar through the process of a short- term inquiry, preference is given to this class of citizens cannot be ignored.

This concern has now taken on national political ramifications and a response even sought from the President at one of his recent Public Interest programmes.

The right to work does

not mean denying others the right to equal opportunity.

When Bharrat Jagdeo during the 2015 elections campaign said to the nation that a David Granger administration will see an emergence of militarising of the government, my position was that each has a right to work and if one has the skill, he or she should not be denied the opportunity, and his or her constitutional right must be respected.

This government has publicly proclaimed the greatest resource in the country is the people. There is the recent incident of appointing a hospital administrator for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The health services is a highly specialised arena, deals with life-and-death decisions, and requires requisite skill competencies to make it effective. The decision to place a former military chief of staff to head the hospital absent the requisite training and education is one such instance that gives rise to justifiable concern that military officers are being given pref-

erential treatment, not based on skills, but just by being a member of the fraternity.

The issue of military officers transitioning to civilian work was practised under the PNC and PPP governments.

One such outstanding officer during the PNC administration was Fabian Liverpool, who had transitioned to the Ministry of Home Affairs as permanent secretary. This transition has seen him climbing the civilian ladder to perform duties in the Caribbean Community Secretariat.

So it is not a case where military officers do not have the skills set to function in civilian life, nor have not distinguished themselves when placed in such positions, but what it must not be is that when opportunity presents itself preference is given to them. In the current circumstance, the number of former military officers who are appointed as head of civilian institutions reflect a high distortion in filling jobs to a certain class in society.

There was a time in this society when concern was

expressed that the requirements to fill any vacancy, race and political persuasion were the qualifying factors.

Now the concern is that this preference is being given to military officers. As an aside, I note Sasenarine Singh’s letter that this government has filled the permanent secretaries’ position with Africans. Most of the present PSs have been inherited from the PPP/C. At the same time, government should not ignore this concern, likewise in other areas where it is felt that only one race or class was or is being given preferential treatment.

Profiling was the policy position of the PPP/C government in every sphere.

Roger Luncheon was bold enough to say in the court, under oath, that there was no African-Guyanese that was qualified to become a head of any foreign mission. In fact, when the PPP/C came to power in 1992, Clement Rohee as Minister of Foreign Affairs proceeded with cruel racist precision to remove every African head, and where possible, junior level Afri-

can foreign service officers.

Those who were not removed or dismissed were frustrated out of the system.

If we condemned preferential treatment in the past based on identity and association and not merit, we must condemn it now. Note must be taken that the Constitution protects every citizen from being discriminated against and every public official that has taken the oath to do so has a responsibility to make sure that any and every act that underlines discrimination be resisted and removed in the daily execution of their duties.

One of the government’s signature programmes is that of Social Cohesion and there is need for the government to be reminded that this is much more than establishing harmony villages. It is about putting legislation in place for equal opportunity in all sphere of life, ensuring equal responsibility, and developing programmes that meet the needs of every community. Social cohesion also requires moving to create legislation for equal employment opportunities, where every worker can be guaranteed protection from discrimination, having met the criteria for the job.

Social Cohesion as seen

by the UN “is the glue that holds society together.” Its analysis, seen through three values speaks to: i) social inclusion; ii) social capital; and iii) social mobility. Instead of seeing a national programme being developed along these lines to achieve the stated values, government has put forward a document based on analyses of the thinking of persons who are authorities on the subject.

Programmes have be developed to minimise inequities in the system by bringing about greater opportunities in employment, easier access to financing for the creation of business opportunities for those left behind. Reforming the state’s land system is critical to social cohesion, since it reduces waiting time for acquisition to engage in developmental projects.

There must be some form of affirmative action programme that targets those who were left out of the process in the past, with a view of reducing the disparities in the society. The right to work is not only for a special class or group, it is for every citizen regardless of origin, political persuasion, creed and class.

Social cohesion can move to make this possible.

Scotiabankers donate to Help and Shelter SCOTIABANKERS in the Country Management Office and Operations and Administration Department on Thursday donated US$400 to Help and Shelter at the organisation’s Homestretch Avenue office.

The donation is one in a number of charitable initiatives that Scotiabank employees undertake every year as part of the Bank’s Community Programme, aimed at encouraging staff to be actively involved in philanthropic projects within their communities.

In a release the bank said come July 31, these two departments will be putting on a Zumba dance party ‘Dance for Literacy’ at the Robb Street parking lot to raise funds for school supplies for under-privileged children.

“Volunteering is part of a Scotiabanker’s DNA. We are not only committed to helping our customers become better off, we are also enthusiastic about helping the less fortunate, whether they bank with us or not,” said Jennifer Cipriani, Manager Marketing and Country Champion for the Bank’s Community Programme.

Scotiabank rewards employees for their volunteering efforts through its annual International Philanthropic Awards and by contributing to charities supported by employees. Help and Shelter has received ongoing support from Scotiabank and its staff over the years through clothing drives and monetary donations.

Help and Shelter Director, Niveta Shivjatan, accepts the donation from proud Scotiabankers: Andy Budhu and Natalie Noel

13

Dr. Singh must appear before SOCU – Harmon SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday said that it is in the interest of former Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, to present himself to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and not his attorney.

Harmon was at the time responding to questions posed by the media during his weekly post-cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency. The Minister of State said too that he is unaware of lawyers being able to substitute themselves for clients.

On Thursday, Singh through his attorney Anil Nandlall, notified SOCU of his willingness to cooperate

with the unit and investigators on any impending investigations relative to him.

In the letter addressed to head of SOCU, Sydney James, and copied to Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, Nandlall said, “Although my client is out of the jurisdiction, he always was and remains accessible, ready, able and willing to provide all or any information at his disposal which your unit may require.”

The letter concluded, “In the circumstances, feel free to contact me for any information you may require from, or questions you may wish to ask my client.”

But Minister Harmon said

if SOCU decides to charge Singh, Nandlall cannot stand in the docks in his place. ”I don’t understand the insertion of Mr Nandlall into this process”, Harmon said, noting that the former Attorney General is already before courts for matters being investigated by SOCU. Nandall’s submission to SOCU on behalf of Dr Singh follows, former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) head, Winston Brassington’s letter published in the Stabroek News indicating that he had notified SOCU of his availability and willingness to cooperate fully with any investigation being conducted.

Nursing school gets donation to enhance training THE Georgetown School of Nursing recently benefitted from a third batch of donations made by the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA) of South Florida, United States.

In a presentation on behalf of the GNA of South Florida, Founder of the BSc Nursing Programme University of Guyana, Gwendolin Tross, said the goal of the organisation is to promote health and wellness, and prevention of diseases through education and financial support in the form of scholarships from nurses in Florida.

In a written statement directed to the Georgetown Nursing Students, Former Tutor of Georgetown School of Nursing and Member of GNA of South Florida, Joycelyn Skeete, stated that the association is committed to improving the lives of orphans in Guyana. “You are there to administer to their

needs. I sincerely hope that these gifts can in some way equip you with the knowledge needed to discharge your duties with altruism and professionalism,” Skeete stated.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the Principal of Nursing Tutor, Cleopatra Barkoye, expressed gratitude to the GNA of South Florida for the consistent donations, as she believes it enhances the training sessions of the students. “We are most grateful. We don’t really get the things or the tools we would need as teachers to work with our students, and we have a very large student population.

So every time we get a donation, we are very grateful.

“The good thing of the donation is it’s not things that persons would have used, there are new things and I feel very elated to know that there is another window or door that would have opened,

to allow us as a school to benefit from persons who would have been trained or worked here,” Barkoye said.

Tutor of the Georgetown Nursing Association, Shebrena Wilson, posited, “the items donated will not only enhance the school’s learning lab, but it will also help and benefit the students since it will expose the students to more practical aspects of the teaching; they will have a hands on approach to learning.”

Among the items donated were a microscope, five blood pressure apparatus, some soft pelvis and a sum of new text books.

This is said to be the third batch of items donated to the Georgetown School of Nursing by the GNA of South Florida. Previous items consisted of Two Dummies (Simon and Kerry), which the students operate on a daily basis in the learning lab, a Flat Screen TV and DVD, and text books.

Students of Georgetown Nursing School receiving items from Sister Gwendolin Tross (third from left)

Brassington’s letter was published earlier this week and also follows an article carried by the said newspaper headlined “SOCU actively seeking Brassington, Ashni Singh.’

In his letter, the former NICIL head said he finds it strange that SOCU has made no effort to contact him, while adding that on April 14, 2016, a letter was dispatched to SOCU and the commissioner of police by his attorneys indicating that despite being out of the jurisdiction, he is available to fully cooperate with any investigation, and provide evidence by affidavit or video conference as is necessary to facilitate inquiries.

Nandlall told the Guyana Chronicle that his client resorted to dispatching the missive on behalf of the former finance minister, because of regular media publications, which are believed to paint his client as avoiding investigators.

“It was sent because of

regular media publications, falsely [and] maliciously conveying the impression that my client is evading, eluding and avoiding certain investigators and investigations,” said the attorney.

Both Dr Singh and Brassington were part of management of NICIL under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, in his findings of a forensic audit into the management of NICIL, had said there was the misappropriation of some $26.8B by NICIL between 2002 and 2014.

In the audit report handed over to the APNU +AFC government in October 2015, Goolsarran said the action of the management of NICIL was in violation of Article 216 of the Constitution, which says that all revenues or other moneys raised or received by Guyana (not being revenues or other moneys that are payable, by or under an Act of Parliament, into some

other fund established for any specific purpose or that may, by or under such an Act, be retained by the authority that received them for the purpose of defraying the expenses of that authority) shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Fund.

Goolsarran in the preliminary report recognised that from 1991 to 2001, NICIL transferred $3.415 B to the Consolidated Fund.

NICIL had contested Goolsarran’s recommendation and held that it had “clean” audit opinions from 2002 to 2013, noting that the current auditor general does not deem the entity to be in violation of the aforementioned constitutional provisions.

The holding company stressed that there is no legal precedent or court ruling that suggests that entity “is obliged to deposit its revenues into the Consolidated Fund or that Articles 216 and 217 are applicable to NICIL.”

14 Alleged assassination plot...

CoI members to be named soon Government will within two weeks announce the persons identified to conduct a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said.

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference, Harmon confirmed that President Granger has ordered a CoI into the matter, and said, “We are going

through the phases of preparations”.

Responding to concerns raised by the Opposition relative to the President’s confidence in the Police Force, the Minister of State stressed that the head-ofstate has every right to determine if a matter requires a deeper level of investigation.

Harmon said too that CoIs are used by the APNU+AFC administration as

a mechanism to ferret out information which would not necessarily be made available during regular investigations.

In April, it was announced that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the police legal advisor were assisting with investigations into an alleged plot to shoot President David Granger while he is on one of his many outreaches.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

GAWU’s CARICOM Day Message 2017 THE GUYANA Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes the opportunity on CARICOM Day to acknowledge the importance of CARICOM to our Caribbean region, especially with respect to unity of our countries.

The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) which now stretches from the Bahamas, in the north, to Guyana and Surname, in the south, and encompassing some 14 million people demonstrates the growth and enduring fraternity we have experienced since its establishment. This Institution now in its forty-fourth (44th) year, in our view, continues to have a relevant role with respect to the integration of the Caribbean and also to confront the several challenges that currently beset our Region and still others that threaten us.

We are also of the view that two (2) of CARICOM’s important pillars – the free

movement of people and unhindered trade among members – at this time require more attention. We do expect that these will be among the issues that will engage the Heads of Government at their meeting in Georgetown, Guyana at this time.

GAWU feels that this day provides Heads of Government another opportunity to express their determination to ensure that the Caribbean must remain a ‘Zone of Peace’. It should be recalled that in 2014 a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), an organisation in which CARICOM nations are members, there was the declaration for Latin America and the Caribbean to be a “Zone of Peace”. In keeping with this sentiment it is implied and expected that disputes should be peacefully resolved and dialogue and negotiations be the preferred tools to arrive

at settlement of disputes between and among nations. In our contemporary complex and complicated international situation, such a resolve becomes increasingly important.

Though we have many serious issues – economic, security, employment, climate, democratic and yet others including our unity – that require our collective attention and co-operation, the GAWU looks at the future of our Region with optimism. Gradually, but surely, we are forging ahead and all the while essentially we have stayed united. The unity established and which has endured for over four (4) decades is itself an achievement. It offers a sound basis by which we can strengthen our co-operation and integration and advance steadily the rights of our people, their prosperity and development of our countries.

Sleeping GWI officers caused water discoloration

– GWI apologises for inconvenience THREE officers of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) were on Friday negligent in their duties to apply chemicals aimed at removing discoloration from water received by City residents.

The entity, on Saturday said the trio was discovered sleeping between 23:00h on Friday and 07:00h on Saturday; the period to which a specific dosage was required to be placed in the water to prevent discoloration.

“Despite information being shared with the three officers by the lab that the colour was deviating from normal, no

action was taken. Hence, residents would have received the discoloured water from 3:00am to 12:00 noon,” a statement issued

by GWI said.

The problem has since been corrected and GWI has since apologised for any inconvenience caused as a result of the negligence of its workers.

“GWI remains committed to providing a service of quality water that is aligned to the standards set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” the statement added.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Efficiency of several kokers compromised – Holder THE time may have come for serious consideration about inland development and relocation from coastal areas, where heavy rainfall usually means extensive flooding and destruction to especially the agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder pointed to the ongoing threat of Climate Change. He told flood-affected farmers in Region Six that even as the government plans to strengthen infrastructure to tackle flooding and rising sea levels, the natural phenomenon is one that continues to create conditions for these unwanted occurrences.

Rice, cattle, cash crop and other farmers were heavily inundated in several parts of the country during last week as persistent rainfall, overflowing of waterways and blocked drains contributed to the situation.

In the East Berbice location, where farmers expressed difficulty with getting water off the land in a timely manner, Minister Holder pointed to the persistent rainfall and the high water levels that prevented the outflow of water through kokers.

The minister reminded that the rising sea levels are not helping the situation, since it becomes difficult for water to get off the land.

“It means the efficiency of our kokers is severely compromised.” The minister explained that while the koker is opened to let water off the land at low tide and closed to

A poultry farmer has to move his chickens to higher pens as the water level rises

keep water out when the tide is high, this is not possible with persistently higher tides due to rising water levels.

This then results in less drainage time, where once water could be let off the land for eight to nine hours that could then be reduced to six hours or less.

Government is working assiduously to employ mitigation strategies to tackle the situation. The Agriculture Minister said he has been informed of increased pumping capacity in a number of highlighted parts of the country. Additionally, another 14 pumps are expected to be in the country from India to add to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) pumping capacity.

Outside of this, the other aspect of mitigation in the face of Climate Change is adaptation, the minister said.

“So as a nation, we have to explore trying to move a

large part of our agricultural base away from the coast to higher ground, as you see it really doesn’t have much of a future… and in the short term, a small country like Guyana doesn’t have much it could do.”

NDIA CEO Fredrick Flatts had stated that traditionally, areas within the East Berbice district would flood on a regular basis and the NDIA’s main defence has been to increase capacity. He said that currently, efforts are being made to access equipment that can help pump increased amounts of water to address the flood situation.

Where equipment is able to pump some 1200gal of water per second, this would significantly improve the situation in affected areas. This is being followed up with the Finance Ministry, the CEO told the residents.

Minister Holder said that in an 83,000 square

Guyana Shore Base... development.

In a separate process, the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) issued the Liza field environmental permit on June 1. The environmental permit ensures that the environment is protected through the lifecycle of the project.

Several weeks ago, the Ministry of Natural Resources released details of the production-sharing agreement

between the Government and ExxonMobil.

The Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of two per cent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 per cent of the profits from the sale of petroleum, once production commences.

The government has also laid a bill in the National Assembly for establishment

From page 8

of a Petroleum Commission to serve as a governing body to guide and give direction to the new oil and gas industry.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and other ministries and agencies are actively pursuing a number of undertakings on the policy, along with the legislative and infrastructural needs of both sides to ensure the country is prepared for oil production in 2020.

mile space, with some 750,000 citizens, 80 percent of them live on the

low-lying coastland in a space of 200 miles long, and 30 miles wide, below

sea level. This, he said, is a huge problem for drainage and irrigation.

16

Training nurses in the ABC of customer care

THE administration of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) sees the delivery of efficient and effective customer care by nurses and doctors at the institution as being key to improving and sustaining the image of the organis (CEO)+ation.

Towards this end, the hospital’s Nursing Services, with the full support of the Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier George Lewis, has already embarked on investing in training of an initial batch of 18 nursing professionals in Customer Care, and is putting systems in place to train a second

batch.

The participants, drawn from diverse departments within the institution, were on Thursday presented with certificates at a ceremony held in the GPH’s Multipurpose Room, after successfully completing the training.

The training was facilitated by Pastor Audrey Hinds whose brainchild the initiative was. Hinds presented the Director (Ag), Nursing Services, Ms. Celeste Gordon with a copy of the course outline and a menu of measures to be implemented at the institution in order to realize improved customer care.

As part of the training,

the nurses were taken on tours around the hospital, where they made observations and put up and recommendations for improvement in three key departments within the GPH, namely – the Accident and Emergency Department’s Triage Unit; the Accident and Emergency Open and the Medical Outpatients Department.

Hinds said she proposed the training for the nurses, since too often, persons have been critical of their performance claiming they need to be trained to deal with patients and the public, but without pointing out culpable ones. This faulty gen-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

eralisation, is unfair to the hard working and dedicated nurses, hence the training.

The Report put up by Facilitator Hinds, assessed critically the Triage Unit of the A&E Unit and made recommendations for improvements.

IMPROVING THE IMAGE Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer congratulated the initiative, saying he considered the training to be very important and much needed for improving the image of the Georgetown Public Hospital. He recalled having discussions with persons

Petal Albert, one of the youngest nurses trained in Customer Care proudly displays her certificate.

GPHC officials pose with the batch of nurses who completed training in Customer Care. Seated from left: Mr. Keith Alonza ADNS; Ms Celeste Gordon, ADNS; Brigadier George Lewis, CEO; Pastor Audrey Hinds, Facilitator. and got the sense that the wider society feels that the GPH does not provide quality health care for persons.

However, since assuming offices at the GPH, he said he has found that there are lots of capable and dedicated professionals within the system, who were performing their duties to the best of their ability.

He admonished the participants to ensure they provide quality service and perform their duties professionally, ensuring that their demeanour, turn- out, bearing, speech and appearance make a positive impact on those seeking service.

Brigadier Lewis presents a certificate to one of the trained nurses.

AVOID ALTERCATIONS The CEO warned against getting into verbal altercations, let alone

physical ones, with any patient.

“So even if their attitude towards you is bad or wrong, you are supposed to be able to lift your selves above that level and handle that situation in a professional manner. If you can’t handle it, then seek the support of your supervisor. But you are NOT supposed to, under any circumstances, get involved in any type of altercation.

Investment in the future The CEO said that exposing the nurses to the training is an investment in their future. “We are doing it because we are working towards the goal of improving the image of the Georgetown Public Hospital,” he declared.

He said they, in turn would be expected to: (1) Share what they learnt with their peers back in their

respective departments; (2) ensure that they utilise the knowledge acquired on the training, in such a way that they would cause improvement in the image of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Meanwhile, Asst. Director (Ag) of Nursing Services, Ms. Celeste Gordon who delivered the Charge to the participants, admonished them that customer Care must meet the needs and desires of those seeking it, for it to be effective.

She urged them to embrace the ABC of Customer Care which speaks to Attitude, Behaviour and Communication.

Others supporting the initiative were: Chairperson, Mr. Owen John, Nursing Education Coordinator; and Asst. Director (Ag) Nursing Services, Mr. Keith Alonza.

17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Guyana can draw from Canada’s experiences as a diverse, inclusive society –– President Granger says at reception to celebrate 150 years of Canada Confederation

PRESIDENT David Granger said that as Guyana works to develop a more socially cohesive society, it looks forward to sharing experiences with Canada, a country that can serve as a model of diversity and inclusion and which is renowned for its openness to immigrants from all around the world.

The Head of State was at the time speaking at a reception hosted by Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Pierre Giroux, at his Bel Air residence to commemorate the 150th

Anniversary of the Canada Confederation.

“Guyana, though considerably smaller in size than Canada, is also a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.

Guyana is pursuing social cohesion so that all of our peoples, cultures and religions can coexist in harmony. Guyana, in this regard, welcomes the sharing of experiences with Canada in protecting its diversity and promoting inclusivity,” the President said.

High Commissioner Giroux echoed the President’s sentiment, noting

that Guyana forms part of Canada’s diversity as tens of thousands of Guyanese have established roots in Canada and have integrated successfully into Canadian life and have contributed significantly to that country’s rich, multi-cultural fabric. President Granger also saluted Canada’s consistent support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the years. He said that this support reflects the two countries’ shared values of respect for international law, international treaties, the peaceful settlement of President David Granger and Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Pierre Giroux share a toast at the reception to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Canada Confederation

President David Granger and Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Pierre Giroux, participate in the ceremonial cake-cutting as Director-General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Audrey Waddell (right), looks on.

A section of the gathering at High Commissioner Giroux’s Bel Air, Georgetown residence.

disputes and the promotion of international peace and security.

He also spoke of the mutually beneficial partnerships between the two countries in terms of trade, investment, technical assistance and social development. “Canada remains the principal source of foreign direct investment in Guyana’s gold-mining sector. Guyana’s National Assembly, security and justice systems have benefitted from Canada’s assistance and support. Guyana values its long-standing

and fruitful friendship with Canada,” he said.

High Commissioner Giroux, whose tour of duty has come to an end, said that the warmth and hospitality, which he and his family have received made his posting in Guyana one of the most successful assignments of his career. Speaking of the long-standing friendship between Canada and Guyana, he said, “As we celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation, Canadians are looking to the future with hope

and optimism. Let us share this hope and optimism with Guyana and work together for a promising future.”

The Confederation of Canada was the process by which four British colonies, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada, merged to become the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Guyana and Canada have shared cordial relations since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on May 26, 1966, the date of Guyana’s independence.

President David Granger chatting with Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Pierre Giroux and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland

18

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

19

20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

21

22

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

23

24

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

25

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

CPL is here again

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE Caribbean Premier League (CPL) enters its fifth year and it has not only continued to grow as a tournament but also continued to contribute significant economic boost, locally as well as across each of the other six host territories - Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago and Lauderhill, Florida.

The world’s fastest growing T20 tournament, dubbed ‘The Biggest Party in Sport’, has contributed over US$,670, 565, according to a survey done at the end of the fourth edition.

To this end, Guyana has gained tremendously as a host country. The Guyanese economy reaped a $15,447,309 windfall from the staging of its four pool matches at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence in 2016, with the total contribution from the Hero CPL amounting to $1,200,408.

The overall visitor spending for the 2016 runners-up was fractionally down by 4 percent to $2,306,392. However, there were gains for the Guyana Tourism Authority whose shirt sponsorship deal has almost tripled its media value since 2014 from $2,123,005 to $5,978,951 in 2016.

Hosting CPLT20 in Guyana created 349 local jobs and filled 2,295 hotel room nights. With a combined TV audience of 9.23 million for the four Guyana Amazon Warriors’ home matches, in all 50 304 fans attended matches at Providence during the 2016 season.

The figures represent some input into the local economy, and with another four games set for this year, the economy will again stand to benefit.

The Hero CPL is set to bowl off on August 4, and the Guyana leg will see the Warriors clash with the defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17, followed

by Trinbago Knight Riders on the 19th. The three-time runners-up Warriors will then oppose Barbados Tridents the following day, after which they play St Lucia Stars on the 22nd.

However, based on the impact the tournament has created, it definitely opened an opportunity for Guyana to create a sustained sports tourism initiative, something that is missing locally.

Just recently veteran broadcaster Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, had indicated at the Guyana Tourism Authority seminar/workshop on Developing Sport Tourism, held at the Guyana Pegasus, that “Guyana has tremendous possibilities for sports tourism”.

“My own feeling is that Guyana has tremendous possibilities for sport tourism; you are sitting on a volcano of opportunities that you might not be conscious of,” Perreira had said.

He indicated that the “rest of the Caribbean are involved in sports tourism” and believes it is time for Guyana to follow suit.

Meanwhile, the Hero CPL has firmly established itself as the number one sporting event in the Caribbean.

In fact, the 2016 season was the tournament’s biggest yet, with over 134 million viewers tuning in globally to the biggest party in sport, representing a 44 percent increase

from 2015.

Cumulative audience figures have risen steadily since the tournament’s inception from 36 million viewers (in 2013), to 66 million (2014), 93 million (2015) and now to 134 million (2016).

2016 HERO CPL ECONOMIC BREAKDOWN BARBADOS: The total economic benefit for the Barbados economy was the second highest arising from this year’s tournament, with $15,878,628 overall pumped into the island. There was a 22 percent increase by the CPL organisers to $1,709,585 from last year, while the visitor spending was $1,661,382.

The shirt sponsorship deal with Barbados Tourist Board helped the island generate $7,788,308 in media value, marking a considerable 128 percent increase from 2015. With

a TV audience of 13.8 million for Tridents’ home matches, in all 24,730 fans attended matches in the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown during the 2016 season.

JAMAICA: In total, the island of Jamaica benefited to the tune of $11,151,017 from the staging of this year’s Hero CPL pool matches in Sabina Park, Kingston. The total spending by the organisers was $1,661,721, while the visitor spending as a result of fans travelling to and within the island increased by 25 percent this year to $2,984,536. The Tallawahs, led by the charismatic Chris Gayle, regained the title they had previously won in 2013. Hosting CPLT20 in Jamaica

Stadium, in the region of 30,000 fans attended all six matches during the 2016 season.

ST. KITTS & NEVIS: Despite the Patriots’ failure to reach the knockout stages, there were significant economic positives for Hero CPL finals hosts St. Kitts & Nevis.

The cumulative economic benefit to the local economy arising from the staging of the finals amounted to $22,722,350, making it the significantly highest beneficiaries from the 2016 competition. The investment by the CPL amounted to a 22 percent increase to $1,664,540, while the total visitors spending saw a 12 percent increase from the 2015 season to $3,690,911. The media value from the eight combined matches (factoring TV and digital brand exposure, tourism imagery and verbal mentions) jumped by 70 percent to $8,262,632. Hosting CPLT20 in the Federation created 240 local jobs and filled 3,899 hotel room nights. With a combined TV audience of 37 million for the four Patriots’ home matches and the Hero CPL finals, in all 35,124 fans attended matches at Warner Park during the 2016 season.

ST LUCIA: It was a positive year for St Lucia, on and off the field, with the Zouks reaching the Hero CPL finals for the first time. In all, the total economic impact was $10,893,052 with the investment by the tournament organisers amounting to $1,641,143. There was a substantial 36 percent increase on the total visitor spending throughout the island while the media value and tourism board exposure increased by a staggering 107 percent, helped by a shirt sponsorship deal with the St. Lucia Tourist Board.

The CPL games here always Hosting CPLT20 in St. Lucia created 261 local jobs and filled 2,237 hotel room attract sold-out crowds nights. With a combined TV audience of 9.4 million for the four Zouks home created 335 local jobs and filled 3,085 hotel matches, in all 25,962 fans attended matches room nights. With a combined TV audience at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadiof 23 million for the four Tallawahs’ home um during the 2016 season. matches, in all 43,068 fans attended matches TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: The Total at Sabina Park during the 2016 season.

Economic Impact for Trinidad & Tobago LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA: The 2016 in 2016 was $14,034,964. The organisers intournament was a landmark one for the vested $2,616,625, a figure which was down Hero CPL as it embarked on an ambitious by 8 percent, while the total visitor spendinaugural foray into mainland USA. In all, ing was also down 25 percent to $2,915,486 six matches were hosted in Central Broward from the 2015 figure when it hosted the Stadium which generated $12,583,246 into Hero CPL finals. In addition, the total the local economy. The Hero CPL invested media value was down by 46 percent to $1,668,151 with the combined visitor spend- $2,970,740 for the same reason. Hosting ing of $4,751,872 being the highest in this CPLT20 in Port of Spain, Trinidad created year’s tournament overall with in the region 512 local jobs and filled 3,297 hotel room of 30,000 descending on Broward County in- nights. With a combined TV audience of ternationally as well as from as far north New 10.5 million for TKR’s four home matches, York, especially, and as far west as Texas and in all 45,072 fans attended matches at The Los Angeles. With a TV audience of 12.7 Queen’s Park Oval during the 2016 season. million for the matches in Central Broward (cplt20.com)

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Support is vital for boxing development in Linden, says Rogers

By Joe Chapman in Linden Pocket Rockets boxing coach, Orlando Rogers is a man passionate to see the development of boxing, and has always given one hundred per cent of his efforts towards the sport.

No doubt as an amateur and professional boxer, he has had his challenges, but presently he is eager to assist young boxers in the town of Linden.

Recently, he expressed frustration at the current state of the sport in the Mining Town.

“Boxing is the only sport that has given us an Olympic Medal, and I am very frustrated with what is happening to the sport generally.

"I need the Sport Ministry to be more helpful, and open their eyes to boxing in general. It is the only sport that has brought boxing glory to this country,” Rogers stated.

Coach Rogers said the current state of affairs, especially with boxing in Linden, is unacceptable.

"Where we are training at the moment at the Lynden Johnson Community Centre

in Victory Valley, Wismar, is not good for amateur boxing. We don't have a proper punching bag.

In addition, there are no space to fully train the boxers. "We don't have speed ball or dbbin bag. I am in need of boxing gear to carry out the art of coaching the youths in my area," Rogers said.

He added “A few years ago current Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland had donated some boxing gear and United States-based Victory Valley resident Linden Alphonso and Canada-based Lindener, Andrew Grogan also pitched in, while 'Fresh From The West' businessman and Police Superintendent, Calvin Brutus has also given assistance to promote the sport of boxing, but those gear "are falling apart."

Looking at his achievements in boxing, Rogers said "I have produced some of the best amateur boxers in Guyana, and have received approximately seven Best Gym awards", he said proudly.

"So far I have five professional boxers in Richard Williams, who is the reigning Super

Pocket Rockets boxing coach, Orlando Rogers displays some of his boxing accomplishments

Bantamweight and Dereck Richards, Super Middleweight champions" He was Coach for the Contender Series in Jamaica where Williams and Gladwyn Dorway were representatives. His other professional boxers are female, Kelsie George and Keshawn Simon.

With such accomplishments, Rogers feel that the land behind where his boxers now

train in Victory Valley, Wismar is appropriate for him to build his gym, but for such initiative to become a reality, support will be vital.

For these reasons, Rogers wants some attention along with gears in order to sustain his gym and the sport in the Mining Town, as he remains optimistic that the sport definitely has a bright future not only in Linden, but nationally.

Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century'

Messi first met his future bride when he was just five years old

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has married his childhood sweetheart in his hometown in what has been called the "wedding of the century".

A civil ceremony for Messi, 30, and Antonela Roccuzzo, 29, was held at a luxury hotel in the city of Rosario.

Football stars and celebrities were among the 260 guests, with hundreds of police deployed for the event.

Messi, the Argentina and Barcelona forward, met Roccuzzo as a child before he moved to Spain, aged just 13.

Among the guests at Friday's wedding were Messi's Barcelona teammates, Luis Suárez, Neymar, Gerard Piqué and his wife,

Colombia's pop star Shakira. A number of guests flew into Rosario on private jets.

Argentina's Clarín newspaper had variously called the wedding "the wedding of the year" and "the wedding of the century".

Earlier, crowds gathered at the local airport to try to spot some of the famous guests.

A private security firm was working inside the hotel to keep out potential gatecrashers.

About 150 journalists received accreditation to enter a special press area, but were not given full access to the venue, organisers said.

Messi met Roccuzzo when he was just five years old.

Turn to page 27 ►

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Guyana’s Mary Fung-A-Fat is ready to hit the big league

By Tamica Garnette SHE was a terror to her competitors on the Caribbean scene as a Junior squash player, and now Guyana's Mary FungA-Fat is hoping to one day be just as destructive on the international scene as she kick-starts her professional career this year.

Fung-A-Fat was well known on the local and regional squash circuit for her remarkable achievements as a junior, which includ-

years later.

Throughout her stint as a junior, she was under the training of squash coach, Carl Ince, whom Fung-A-Fat credits as the driving force behind her success.

“Coach Carl Ince was an influence in, not only Guyana Squash success over the decade, but my success throughout my entire Junior career. I am a product of his work,” she pointed out.

Her regional Junior success then translated into further success at college.

Mary Fung-A-Fat

“I just graduated from college, and it’s really sad, but what’s exciting is that I’m going on to this new chapter. I couldn’t imagine stopping here (at the college level), with squash; so I’ve decided to go pro. I always knew it in my heart that I wanted to go pro, but the question was just how I was going to do it. So I’m currently looking for some sponsors,” Fung-A-Fat shared.

But, while she is shopping around for sponsors, this go-getter will not sit around and wait. She has already put action to her words, participating in her first two Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour tournaments earlier this year.

Starting her career ranked at 202 in the world, she is currently at 183, and had a season-high of 178 in May. Thanks to the help of fellow Guyanese Ramon Chan-A-Sue, Fung-A-Fat was able to play in the Delaware Open in Wilmington in January, and the Masters School Open in New York in April.

In Delaware, Fung-a-Fat went under against Brazil’s Thaisa Serafini. She lost,

but not without a fight, winning the first game, before eventually going under 12-10, 6-11, 3-11, 5-11. She lost 3-0, against world number 80 Diana Garcia in New York.

Though she did not start off her international run with much of a bang, she was able to take away a lot from the experience about what she needs to work on.

“One thing about professional squash is that these girls are another level up,” said Fung-A-Fat. But, no matter how hard it gets, FungA-Fat is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I love it, I love the feeling of the competition. Competing on this arena, and doing something that I love as a job.

There’s a saying that goes: if you do a job that you love you will never have to work a day in your life. And I feel that way, with squash and if I’m fortunate enough to have the support behind me, I would be forever indebted to the sponsors. It’s my dream. I’m just so excited,” she concluded.

Argentina hosts Lionel...

ed winning titles in all four age categories, both nationally, and at the Caribbean level.

She was an explosive junior from the start, and exited her run at Junior CASA on high notes. Her first Caribbean title came in the first year she participated in Jamaica.

“I was 12 when I competed and won my first Junior CASA in Jamaica. From there the passion just started,” Fung-A-Fat recalls, of her 2006 Girls’ Under-13 title. She won the final against compatriot Victoria Arjoon.

Coincidentally, six years later, back in Jamaica, against another compatriot she closed off her run as a junior player on a high – winning her fourth Caribbean Junior title after defeating Ashley DeGroot.

Her time had included winning the Under-15 title in 2008 and Under-17 title two

Over the last four years she was instrumental in help to build the Drexel University's girls’ squash team - the Drexel Dragons - to an improved ranking in the USA. The team, during that time was coached by former world number one squash player John White.

By the end of the four years at the college, she ended as the Dragon’s all-time career wins leader, with a career-high 46 wins.

Fung-A -Fat had started Drexel in 2013 on scholarship, but since that scholarship came to an end, the 23-year-old just can't picture going after a career without the involvement of the sport.

She’s all ready to follow in the footsteps of Guyana's most accomplished female player to go pro, Nicolette Fernandes.

From page 26

Many of Messi’s former teammates, including Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Carles Puyol attended with their partners

She is the cousin of his best friend, Lucas Scaglia, who also became a professional football player.

Messi accepted an offer to play for Barcelona when he was 13, on condition that they pay for treatment for his growth hormone deficiency.

He has spoken about the difficulties he faced on leaving behind his loved ones and former club.

The couple, who now live in Barcelona, have two sons together.

In May, his appeal against a 21-month jail term for tax evasion in Spain was rejected.

He is unlikely to go to prison as the sentence can be served under probation or possibly avoided by paying a fine.

Roccuzzo, 29, was widely expected to wear a dress by Rosa Clara, a Barcelona-based designer who has dressed actress

Eva Longoria and Spain's Queen Letizia.

Aside from a "sushi station", the menu was a very Argentine affair, including empanadas (traditional pasties) and all parts of the cow, from a casserole of sweetbreads to blood sausage.

Messi invited the Barcelona squad, including Neymar, Luis Suárez and Gerard Piqué, who arrived in Rosario in a private jet with his wife, Colombian pop-star Shakira.

Teammates from Argentina's national team, including Sergio Agüero, were also present.

Clarín reported that Messi did not invite any of his recent coaches, including Pep Guardiola, who is now at Manchester City.

Argentina's other big football legend, Diego Maradona, was also omitted from the list, according to the local press. (BBCSport)

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Federer warns fab four are ready Lights green for to protect Wimbledon domination Race of Champions

By Ian Chadband LONDON-(Reut e r s ) - R o g e r F e d e re r warned on Saturday that he and the rest of the big four of men’s tennis were going to be as tough to beat as ever at Wimbledon this year as they seek to continue their astonishing monopoly of the event.

In the last 14 editions,

urday about who in the game’s young brigade could become the first man outside that quartet to win since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002, the Swiss felt it would be best to keep faith with the usual suspects.

Federer’s rivals have had mixed preparations for Wimbledon. Murray’s harboured hip trouble after an early exit at Queen’s,

30-something luminaries would again be “tough to beat”.

“Depending how fit it is, if he’s anything close to 100 percent physically, I consider him (Murray) one of the big favourites to win the tournament. It’s that simple. It’s the same for Novak and the same for Rafa,” reckoned Federer.

“I think it’s very even when we put it all out on

Yet the 35-year-old is too old a hand to insist that this is going to be a fourhorse race.

“Yeah, it’s been very dominant by a few players here at Wimbledon.

That’s surprising. It’s like that -- but it can change tomorrow very quickly.”

It is not just the younger guns, headed, he says,

by Milos Raonic, Kei Ni-

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

RAFAEL NADAL

ANDY MURRAY

ROGER FEDERER

one of either Federer, the seven-times champion, double winners Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, or triple victor Novak Djokovic has lifted the men’s singles title at The All England Club.

While reporters quizzed Federer on Sat-

Nadal decided to skip grasscourt warm-ups to rest his body after winning the French Open while Djokovic burst into life earlier on Saturday by winning the Eastbourne title.

Do not be fooled, suggested Federer. All these

IRISH RACING TIPS Curragh 08:45 hrs Would Be King 09:15 hrs Captain Power 09:45 hrs Rattling Jewel 10:15 hrs Air Pilot 10:45 hrs Too Familiar 11:20 hrs Zhukova 11:50 hrs Wicklow Brave 12:25 hrs Breathe Easy

10:40 hrs Chelsea Lad 11:15 hrs Stake Acclaim 11:45 hrs Major Jumbo 12:20 hrs Clovely Bay

the line. Everybody has their own little story right now.

“Queen’s for Andy (where he was knocked out early) doesn’t matter so much because I feel like he’s one of the best players in the first week at Wimbledon, so I don’t worry too much for him there. He can play himself into shape for week two.

“Novak is just coming back from winning Eastbourne now. Rafa is coming in red hot from the clay. So I see it positive for them rather than negative in some shape, which I’m sure people will try to see that way.

“But I see that they are going to be tough to beat here.”

Federer himself seemed to have recaptured a touch of his fantastic early-season spark which saw him down Nadal in an epic Australian Open fiveset final as he lifted his favourite pre-Wimbledon grasscourt title in Halle.

shikori, Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem who “are in a good spot right now where they can go very deep”.

“Then, I do believe the favourites are the other players. I include the likes of (Marin) Cilic into that, Stan (Wawrinka), guys who have done it before,” added the Swiss.

Nobody, of course, has done it before as often as the 18-time grand slam champion Federer himself, who admitted it “hurt” to miss out on competing on the sapping clay of the French Open when he knew he was fit and raring to go.

“No compromise really. I gave myself the best chance for the grass, so I would never look back and have regrets once I came here,” he said.

“Even though I was happy on the clay for a couple days, I just felt like, you know what, anything other than winning there feels like I’m not giving myself the best chance for Wimbledon.”

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Cartmel 09:20 hrs Oh So Gigolo 10:20 hrs Welsh Bard 10:55 hrs Endeavour 11:25 hrs Lofgren 12:00 hrs Omid 12:35 hrs Back To Balloo WINDSOR 09:10 hrs Lahore 09:40 hrs Valcartier 10:10 hrs Whispering Bell

UTTOXETER 09:00 hrs Sweeping Rock 09:30 hrs Havana Beat 10:00 hrs Rasasee 10:30 hrs Optimistic Bias 11:05 hrs Rosetti 11:35 hrs Hammersly Lake 12:10 hrs Pongo Twistleton SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Turffontein 08:40 hrs Wolf Of Wallstreet 09:20 hrs Supergirl Condi 09:55 hrs Bono 10:25 hrs Moshav 11:00 hrs Water Lily Lake

Round two

By Stephan Sookram

THE lights are green for today’s National Race of Champions Round 2 which is being organised by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC).

According to president of the club, Rameez Mohamed, all the preparatory works to the track and the surrounding area have been completed and fans can expect a great day of action packed racing.

“I’m actually up here (South Dakota Circuit) at the moment and we had a few last minute things to do. But all in all the track is ready and the spectator areas are ready and we as a club are ready for this race meet,” he stated.

Pre-empting the competition on race day, the GMR&SC boss said, “We’ve got a lot of guys out here doing last minute testing. I think one of the biggest battles that we will see today will be the return of Mark Vieira against longtime fan favorite Andrew King. That should be an exciting battle.”

“Also the group two guys are going to be going at it again, myself included. I think everyone knows how close this group is but for those newcomers, this group is where so many of the rookies and group one drivers step up their game to reach the real competition,” Mohamed added.

“The superbikes are going to be out as well, the defending CMRC champion Matthew Vieira is expected to be back in action tomorrow (Today) against some old foes like Kevin Persaud and the others, but there is going to be an absolute firecracker of a day.”

He is encouraging fans to get to the venue early in order to secure good viewing spots for the day and advised that both entrances to the track-- the Linden Highway and the Airport Entrances-- have been graded and levelled.

Meanwhile, race time has been set at 08:30hrs.

Among the day’s sponsors are Ansa McAl, Prem’s Electrical, B.M. Soat, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ready Mix, Special Auto, Japarts, Ticket Master, Palm Court, KGM, MAC Batteries, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction, L Mahabir and Sons Cambio and Choke Gas Station.

Master blaster Viv Richards judged best ...

From back page his will. The unvanquished king who never lost a Test series as captain.

“Intuitively he understood Sun Tsu’s Art of War - defeat an opponent mentally then victory will surely follow - and if opponents were not demoralised by the time he had strolled out nonchalantly, never deigning to wear a helmet, they were when he whipped his first ball through mid-wicket for four.”

Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram, who Berry writes is “quite undisputedly” the finest left-arm fast bowler of all time, entered at No.10, with the ‘Prince’ Brian Lara one spot lower at No.9.

South Africa’s premier allrounder Jaques Kallis slotted it at No.8, below Gilchrist and India’s ‘Little Master’, Sachin Tendulkar.

On Tendulkar, Berry believed the Indian had the finest cricket brain of all.

The top five features England’s larger-than-life allrounder Ian Botham, who pipped Tendulkar due to the fact he won more Test series.

At No.4 is Windies champion speedster Malcolm Marshall, followed by Warne and inspirationAL Pakistan captain Imran Khan in second spot.(Cricketcom. au)

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Briton Thomas wins Tour de France opening stage … Chris Froome lays down early marker

By Martyn Herman D U E S S E L D O R F, G e rmany-(Reuters)-Reigning champion Chris Froome wasted no time flexing his muscles at the Tour de France as he powered to sixth place in a treacherous opening time trial won superbly by Team Sky colleague Geraint Thomas on Saturday.

Heavy rain turned what, on paper, had looked like a regulation 14-km circuit

Alejandro Valverde’s Tour is already over after a sickening crash.

Several riders continued after crashing on the greasy roads but there was no getting up for Valverde, third overall in 2015, after he careered into crowd barriers after skidding off before being taken to hospital with leg injuries.

It was heart-breaking for Valverde and also a huge blow for team mate Nairo Quintana who would have been counting on Valverde’s

He displayed brilliant bike-handling to cross the finish line alongside the sprawling Messe Duesseldorf exhibition complex in 16 minutes 04 seconds.

He was five seconds ahead of BMC’s Swiss rider Stefan Kueng, who was two seconds ahead of Kiryienka in third.

Froome, the last rider out, was 12 seconds slower than Thomas, but significantly quicker than all his main General Classification (GC)

Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas of Britain wearing the leader’s yellow jersey celebrates on the podium. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann alongside the Rhine river into an incident-packed Grand Depart that could have major consequences in the threeweek battle for the yellow jersey.

While it was a great start for Team Sky, with Thomas, three-times champion Froome, Vasil Kiryienka and Michal Kwiatkowski all in the top eight of the 198 riders to start, Movistar’s

experience in the mountain stages to come to have a real chance of halting Froome’s bid for a hat-trick.

Welshman Thomas, riding his eighth Tour de France, looked completely at home in the puddles as he became the eighth Briton to wear the yellow jersey -- making up for the disappointment of crashing out of the Giro d’Italia as team leader.

rivals -- 35 seconds ahead of Australian Richie Porte, 36 seconds ahead of Quintana and 42 ahead of Spain’s twice former winner Alberto Contador.

French hopefuls Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet were also off the pace after conservative rides.

HISTORIC DAY Thomas said it had been

an historic day for Welsh sport after Sam Warburton captained the British and Irish Lions to victory over rugby giants the New Zealand All Blacks.

“That inspired me to be honest,” he said. “I didn’t believe I would hang on, felt sure Tony (Martin) or someone would beat my time. This is amazing for me after what happened at the Giro and massive for the team. The jersey is a huge bonus.

“I took the first corner pretty quick and then Nico (Portal, Sky sports director] said, ‘Take it easy’. I didn’t take any big risks. I tried to savour it.”

Martin’s hopes of marking the first German Grand Depart since Berlin in 1987 with victory were dashed as he came fourth.

Froome said he was happy for his team mate and delighted with an incident-free day.

“Really happy with that start and amazing to see Geraint in the yellow jersey,” he said.

While BMC’s Porte will be concerned to be already playing catch-up before the real battles begin, he said at least he had not suffered the same fate as Valverde.

“It wasn’t a day to take risks,” Froome’s former team mate said. “It was just a matter of keeping it rubber side down. I saw my team mate (Nicolas Roche) bin it and I was petrified to be honest. It was such a slippery course.”

It was a sentiment shared by Bardet (AG2R) who finished second behind Froome at last year’s Tour.

“I didn’t take any risks.

I finished in one piece.

There’s still a long way to go,” he said.

Hales breaks Lord’s record in Notts one-day Cup final ALEX Hales’ record-breaking 187 not out guided Nottinghamshire to a four-wicket triumph against Surrey in the OneDay Cup final at Lord’s.

England opener Hales made the highest individual one-day score at Lord’s off just 167 balls as Notts chased 298 to win with 13 balls to spare.

Mark Stoneman had scored an unbeaten 144 off 149 balls in Surrey’s 297-9.

They lost in the final for a third season in a row as Notts won their first trophy since 2013.

Hales, who hit four sixes and 20 fours, and Notts captain Chris Read (58) shared a 137-run partner-

Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales celebrates with the trophy after winning the final Action Images/Paul Childs ship for the sixth wicket early as the first ball of to guide the Outlaws to the match when Surrey’s victory.

Jason Roy, Hales’ openBut it had looked like ing partner for England, being a day to forget as was dropped after edging a

simple chance to Riki Wessels at first slip off Luke Fletcher.

The Outlaws also dropped century-maker Stoneman twice and fielded sloppily before recovering to restrict Surrey to just under 300 from their 50 overs.

While Hales dominated from one end, at 150-5, their run chase looked in jeopardy as the rest of the top order failed to provide support at the other end.

But former England wicket-keeper Read joined Hales and struck a run-aball half-century to play his part in a domestic final victory in his last season before retiring from county cricket.(BBC Sport)

Venus Williams says she is heartbroken by fatal Florida crash (REUTERS)Tennis star Venus Williams said she was heartbroken by the death of a man in a two-car crash in Florida that a police report blamed on her driving, breaking her silence about the fatal accident three weeks after it occurred.

Williams posted the message on her Facebook page on Friday, the day after Palm Beach Gardens police released a preliminary report saying she was the driver at fault in a June 9 accident that left Jerome Barson, a 78-year-old passenger in the other car, with fatal injuries.

“I am devasted (sic) and heartbroken by this accident,” wrote Williams, the world’s former topranked female tennis player. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerome Barson and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”

News of the fatal Venus Williams reacts wreck near her home during her third round in Palm Beach Gar- match against Belgium’s dens surfaced in media Elise Mertens during the accounts on Thurs- French Open at Roland day, days before the Garros stadium in Paris, 37-year-old athlete France June 2, 2017. REUwas planning to compete at Wimbledon, TERS/Christian Hartmann/ which begins in En- File Photo gland next week.

After the crash, Barson was taken to a Florida trauma centre where he died 13 days later, according to the Palm Beach county medical examiner.

The police report estimated Williams was travelling at about 5 miles per hour (8 kph) at the time of impact and was not distracted or suspected of any drug or alcohol use.

Williams’s attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, did not directly address the accident report’s finding that his client was at fault, but said the tennis star was not issued “any citations or traffic violations.”

Williams is currently ranked 11th in the world and seeded 10th at the Wimbledon tournament, which she has won five times.

Her sister Serena, ranked No. 1 in the world earlier this year, is taking a break from tennis while preparing to give birth this fall.

Curry and Warriors agree to richest deal in the sport’s history AFTER helping the Golden State Warriors to a second title in three seasons, Stephen Curry has been rewarded extremely handsomely.

Curry and the Warriors on Friday reportedly agreed to a five-year “supermax” contract worth $201million.

It is the richest deal in NBA history.

Point guard Curry, a twotime league MVP, ceded some of the scoring responsibility this past season with Kevin Durant on board, but still averaged 25.3 points and 6.6 assists per game.

Teams around the league

have been wheeling and dealing this week trying to get a roster somewhat comparable to Golden State’s, but the Warriors will remain heavy favorites to repeat.

The next order of business for Golden State will be securing Durant long term.

The 2017 NBA Finals MVP declined to opt into his contract with the Warriors this week, but is expected to re-sign.

With Curry locked up, and Durant likely soon to follow, Golden State better get used to hanging up banners in Oracle Arena.

(Omnisport)

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

NYSCL Independence/Legend Cup softball tournament …

Relentless Regal Masters and All Stars script victories in NY

By Inderjeet Persaud in Brooklyn, New York DEFENDING champions, Regal Masters and their junior counterparts were in top form on Friday, the opening day of the New York

turned on the heat on South Florida Softball Cricket Club All Stars (SFSCL), trashing them by 106 runs at the picturesque Canarsie Park in Brooklyn.

Asked to bat first, the President’s X1 were bundled

83 in just eight overs for the comfortable victory.

The danger man, Abel stroked seven fours and two sixes in his 42, while Chunilall smashed three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 32.

Regal Masters then

The All Stars team poses for a group picture after their emphatic victories in the two matches played on Friday.

Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence/ Legend Cup softball tournament.

Both teams scripted contrasting victories, a clear indication of their continued dominance in the sport.

In their opening game, Regal Masters sent the President’s X1 crashing to a ten-wicket defeat. They then

out for a paltry 79 in 19.3 overs. Parsram Persaud (310), Larry Singh (2-19) and Mahandra Hardyal (2-16), all bowled a tight line and length, which eventually stifled the opposition batting lineup.

In their turn at the crease, openers Eion Abel and Mahash Chunilall then put together an unbroken stand of

amassed a challenging 1755 against the SFSCL. The powerful right-hander Fazleem Mohamed mixed tight defence with raw aggression in scoring 53, with five fours and four sixes, while Chunilall chipped in with 36.

Set 176 for victory, the SFSCL melted like butter as the guile of Hardyal (4-19) proved too hot to handle as

they were sent packing for 69 in 15 overs.

The All Stars also started their defence in grand style with emphatic victories in the two matches they played at Rockaway.

In the first match against Matia All Stars, they slammed 215-5, with skipper Fazal Rafeek stroking 63 and Richard Latiff hammering 57. In reply Matia All Stars were bowled out for 84. In game two, Regal All Stars upstaged New York Muslim Softball League (NYMSL) by 54 runs. Scores in the match: Ragal All Stars 172; NYMSL 118.

The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) also fielded two teams in the tournament, but no results were made available to date.

The tournament continued yesterday, and up to press it was confirmed that Regal Masters And Regal All Stars have quified for the semi-finals..

Twelve teams in each category from around the USA, Canada and Guyana are taking part in the threeday tournament, which will conclude today.

Windies Women seek salvation in third game against Proteas LEICESTER, England, (CMC) – Without a win on tour and with confidence quickly draining, West Indies Women face a massive challenge in turning around their ICC Women’s World Cup fortunes when they face South Africa Women in their third game here today.

The reigning Twenty20 World champions and 2013 50-overs World Cup finalists have been off the boil in the tournament, losing all five warm-up matches along with the first two games of the formal campaign.

And with five games left in the preliminaries, the Caribbean side are well aware that another defeat would seriously put in jeopardy their chances of making the final four of the competition.

Under-pressure captain Stafanie Taylor said Saturday the importance of the South Africa contest at Grace Road was

not lost on her her side.

“We know how important all games are going forward especially starting tomorrow,” the 26-year-old said.

“I think we need to take things in stride and coming tomorrow we will be looking to play hard cricket and fight for this one.”

A source of major concern for West Indies will be the way their batting has crumbled in the series. In the opening game against reigning champions Australia Women, they were 123 for two batting first before collapsing to 204 all out.

And against India Women last Thursday, the Windies appeared in good shape at 69 for one but were held to 183 for eight.

Their batting was also exposed in the official warm-up game against South Africa in Oakham nine days ago when they were bundled out for an embarrassing 63.

Teenaged opener Hayley Matthews has been the best batsman with scores of 46 and 43 but no Windies batsman has managed to pass 50.

However, Taylor said her side were focussing on pulling all facets of their game together and executing on game day.

“We don’t want to think too much about the end result, that will take care of itself. We know how these pitches play, we’ve played here before,” the Jamaican continued.

“All the pitches will play exactly the same because they are good pitches so if we bat first we have to get runs on the board and bowling first we have to bowl them out for a decent target to chase it down.”

Their best showing on tour to date came at the Grace Road venue even though they went down to Pakistan Women by five wickets, 11 days ago.

In that encounter,

they managed to get up to 246 with consistent batting and then pushed the Pakistanis who only got home with 14 balls remaining.

Taylor said it was important to repeat all the positive things from that game if they were to seriously challenge the Proteas.

“We looked in pretty good nick so we could definitely look at the footage and see … the good things that we did so we can come out tomorrow and replicate that and put on a good performance,” she stressed.

“They’re a good team so we expect a good game.

All the teams are not going to roll over and say ‘take it’ so we know we have to play hard cricket.”

West Indies are sixth in the standings without a point while Australia are top with four points, with India second also on four points but with an inferior net run rate.

Thompson remains unbeaten but McLeod stumbles PARIS, (CMC) – Olympic champion Elaine Thompson shrugged off a lethargic start to storm to victory in the 100 metres at the Paris Diamond League here Saturday.

The 25-year-old survived a couple of false starts to clock 10.91 seconds and cross the line first ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou who was timed at 10.96, with Nigerian Blessing Okagbare third in 11.09.

With the win, Thompson remained unbeaten this season and extended her smooth build-up to the IAAF World Championships in London this August.

“The result is not bad especially after two false starts but this was a great preparation for the World

Elaine Thompson Championships,” the Jamaican said afterwards “Coming straight from the Jamaican trials, it was important to get back to blocks, to stay focused and get as much rest as possible. In this moment I am exactly where I want to be, feeling good, feeling excited with one month to go to the world championships.”

Running out of lane four, Thompson was away sluggishly as Murielle Ahouré of Côte d’Ivoire in line five and Ta Lou, in three, sped to the front.

Thompson found her stride at the half-way mark, however, and powered to the front to clinch victory.

There was also success for her fellow Jamaican Novlene Williams-Mills who captured the 400 metres in 51.03 seconds, ahead of American Courtney Akolo in 51.19.

Jamaican Shericka Jackson completed the podium in 51.91.

There was disappointment though for Olympic champion Omar McLeod who seemed to pull up injured at the back of the field as his Jamaican compatriot Richard Levy raced to victory in a personal best 13.05 seconds.

McLeod had won his earlier heat and entered the final as the obvious favourite but despite being in contention early on, faded badly and finished last.

He was seen clutching the back of his knee afterwards.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday July 02, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Holly Huddleston (NZ vs SL) (2) India won by 35 runs

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who has been the WI first opponent in the current Women’s World Cup? (2) What was the result of the game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 2, 2017

Eastman eases past DeNobrega to win Malta Supreme feature 35-lap race TEAM Coco’s Hamza Eastman on Saturday eased past his teammate, Paul DeNobrega to clinch the Banks DIH’s sponsored feature event of the 11-race cycle programmme which was conducted by cycling coach Hassan Mohamed around the inner circuit of the National Park yesterday under the sponsors’ Malta Supreme brand.

Eastman, who is currently based in the United States of America where he is training and competing on the US circuit, returned one hour, 21 minutes in winning the 35-lap race and at the same time won seven of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs. The other prime went to Jamal John who finished third in the event.

Paul DeNobrega placed second in a close finish, while Raul Leaul, Briton John and Silvio Iniss finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

After the fifth lap of the event, Eastman took up the front position and was trailed by DeNobrega, Jamal John, Leaul, Briton John and Iniss in that order and it remained the same for almost the entire race until Jamal John broke from the pack to win the fourth prime prize; this was after Eastman had already won the first three prime prizes.

The leading pack continued to dominate and was never caught.

After the race, Eastman told Chronicle Sport he did not have much competition since most of the top local riders were not a part of the event, which made it easy for him to win.

He said after realizing that there was not any sort of competition, he decided to take a position at the front of the bunch and dominated the event after the sixth lap.

Eastman said his immediate intention is to go back to the USA and improve his bar on that country’s circuit.

Meanwhile, in other results, Nigel Duguid won the 10-

West Indies, India clash in fourth ODI today

Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman (left) finishes ahead of Paul DeNobrega to win the feature 35-lap event yesterday at the National Park (Photos by Delano Williams). lap race for juveniles in 23 minutes 59.53 seconds ahead of Marcus Keiler and Briton John, respectively.

Jonathan Ramsuchit won the three-lap race for boys 12-14 years of age. He was the only competitor.

The five-lap race for veterans under 50 years of age was won by Semin Green. Second was Keith Fernandes while Leer Nunes placed third.

Ryan Canterbury won the five-lap race for mountain bikers ahead of Shewayne Forde. Jared Barrington was the winner of the BMX boys 6-9 years old two-lap event

Prize winners of the various categories of the Malta Supreme cycling programme strike a pose for photographer Delano Williams.

WEST Indies must feel this is just a surreal nightmare.

They are playing in the rainy season and at 9am in front of no crowds to adjust to the opposition’s schedule and to finish at least half the match before the opposition fans go to sleep.

In the first half they try their best, flailing their limbs, trying to wake up from the nightmare, trying to bowl with discipline, and then when seemingly nobody is watching little live crowd, little TV following in India - they slip back to the nightmare, with their inexperienced batting letting them down.

Friday was their best chance to put one past India - they had got the first use of a damp pitch and had taken two early wickets - but they seem almost scared of aiming too high.

If you looked at the fields and the kind of bowling West Indies employed, you wouldn’t guess it was a difficult pitch to bat on.

They have now not won an ODI series in three years, and are playing like it.

India, on the RISHABH PANT other hand, are enjoying a dream.

Pristine islands, no crowd to haunt them for selfies, a small press contingent, an easy opposition, and their internal troubles far far away for the moment. The only dilemma they might be grappling with is when to give Rishabh Pant a go.

They have avoided adventure on the field so far, but if they don’t try out Pant, now that they can’t lose the series, this trip will be wasted. India need to keep giving the youngsters game time to stay prepared for the contingency of realising in early 2019 that one of their two middle-order giants can’t make it to the World Cup. The other, smaller question will be if they should allow Kedar Jadhav more batting responsibility higher up in the order and test him for a bigger role.

It’s like wine, MS Dhoni said, referring to getting better with age, after he had converted a slow start into a near run-aball 78 and had given India a match-winning total. However, he is an uncorked wine; at this age - 35 now, 37 during the next World Cup - Dhoni will know he is as good as his last couple of innings. The good thing is, his keeping has shown no signs of deterioration and he was back to providing running commentary as he kept wicket in the third ODI. He will need all this in the coming two years if he is to make it to the 2019 World Cup. Jason Holder has an unenviable task of leading an inexperienced West Indies side, and he tried to do the noble thing of leading from the front. However, he might perhaps be better off being a little more practical and not bowl himself at the death. In the last two ODIs, he has been targeted by India.

In Port-of-Spain he had to be taken off after he bowled three beamers - one of them was so slow Dhoni pulled it. His 4.5 overs at the death in the last two matches have cost 65 runs.

U.S. qualify for 2019 rugby World Cup with big win over Canada (REUTERS)-The United States punched their ticket to the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a 52-16 victory over Canada in San Diego on Saturday.

The result means the Unit-

ed States will be grouped with England, France, Argentina and a still-to-be-determined Oceania team in Pool C in the tournament in Japan.

Canada must now survive a two-leg playoff

against a resurgent Uruguay to qualify for a spot in Pool D, a group that includes Australia, Wales and Georgia.

Saturday’s game at the University of San Diego fol-

lowed the first leg in Hamilton, Ontario, last Saturday, where the North American rivals played out a draw for only the second time, finishing locked at 28-28.

The Americans dominated

the second leg, however, running in eight tries, including two each to Cam Dolan and Joe Taufete’e. They put the game out of reach with three quick tries while Canada’s Tyler Ardron was in the sin bin.

The result provided a fitting send-off for retiring U.S. captain Todd Clever.

The 34-year-old ends his international career as the Eagles’ most capped senior test player.

Racing will return to the South Dakota Circuit for the Second National Race of Champions today

Lights green for Race of Champions Round two

See story on page 28

O

Master blaster Viv Richards judged best of past 40 years

Viv Richards in his prime, 1980 // Getty

NE of English longest serving cricket writer’s, Scyld Berry, has named West Indies master blaster Viv Richards as the best player he’s witnessed in the past 40 years.

This English summer will mark four decades covering cricket for The Telegraph for Berry, so to commemorate his ruby jubilee, the veteran compiled a list of the best 40 players during his tenure.

The top 10 features two Australians: destructive wicketke eper-batsman Adam Gilchrist at No.7 and the mercurial King of Spin, Shane Warne, at No.3. “(Gilchrist) had the advantage of coming in at num-

ber seven behind one of the strongest line-ups, but he made it count, as when he dismantled England in Perth with a century that took only one ball more than Viv Richards’s 56, the world record at the time, taking away games which had been within the opposition’s grasp,” Berry wrote.

Berry paid tribute to Warne for resurrecting the art of spin bowling in the 1990s from near extinction.

“Pakistan’s Abdul-Qadir had kept alive the flame of spin in general, and wristspin in particular, but nobody else was a role-model - until Warne delivered his first ball of the 1993 series at Old Trafford, that divinely perfect

leg-break,” he wrote.

“He quickly became the greatest post-war spinner, perhaps of all time, his only rival Bill O’Reilly; and when his shoulder injury reduced the fizz of his legbreak, he became the greatest con-man - or magician - who ever bowled spin and took 500 more Test wickets.”

What separated Richards above all else, for Berry, was not just his destructive ability with the bat, but the imposing, intimidating presence he carried. “ K i n g Vi v, ” B e r r y wrote. “The king who subjected every opponent to See page 28

Kristian Jeffrey celebrates his maiden win in the Radical Championships

Jeffrey storms Europe with maiden win in Hungary

By Stephan Sookram

GUYANESE motoracing driver Kristian Jeffrey continued to fly the Golden Arrow Head high in Europe, picking up his maiden SR3 Radical win in Hungary yesterday.

Jeffrey, who is in Hungary under the banner of the Radical Works team picked up his first top step podium finish at the Hungaroring with an enterprising drive.

Jeffrey spoke exclusively to Chronicle Sport, saying, “I had qualified fourth for race 1 with all the guys ahead of full professional driver. However, I had the pace to stay with them while they were battling, which gave me a good feeling.”

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

“The race was an hour long and after the pit stop halfway through, we were able to come out P3. I then pushed and put down some decent times while others pitted to move me up the order to P1,” He added.

“At that point, I had 20 minutes to go to push to the end and bring the car home. We made it happen with consistency and good race pace for my first place finish and a first 1-2 finish for the team.”

He is preparing for two more races today at the same venue and with his confidence high, he is poised to produce one of his strongest weekends thus far in the series; having last weekend picked up a second placed finish.

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2017