Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-10-2022

$1.8B more in relief for old-age pensioners

–– with one-off $28,000 cash grant

By Tamica Garnett

OLD-age pensioners will be re ceiving a one-off grant of $28,000 from the government, as part of a new welfare measure that will put an additional $1.8 billion into the pockets of this vulnerable group.

This was announced by Presi

dent, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, in a video message broadcast on his official Facebook page.

President Ali said that since being elected to office in 2020, his government has been placing emphasis on ensuring the lives of all Guyanese are improved, with a particular focus on the most vul

nerable groups in society

“Among these, we have focused on our senior citizens, recognising that they have served our country and the society within which they live for decades,” the President said.

He went on to say: “I am pleased, this evening, to announce the pay ment of an additional one-off grants of $28,000 to be paid to each and

every single old-age pensioner be fore the end of 2022. This new an nouncement of this one-off grant will provide an additional $1.8 billion of disposable income to our pensioners.

In addition, our seniors con tinue to benefit from acrossthe-board investments that my government is making in areas that improve the public health care system.”

see full story on page 3

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

A section of the Linden “Blue Lake”. The tremendous tourism potential of this area will be explored and developed, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali (Photo sourced from President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s official Facebook Page)

$1.8B more in relief for old-age pensioners

–– with one-off $28,000 cash grant

By Tamica Garnett

OLD-age pensioners will be receiving a one-off grant of $28,000 from the govern ment, as part of a new welfare measure that will put an additional $1.8 billion into the pockets of this vulnerable group.

This was announced by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, in a video message broadcast on his official Facebook page.

President Ali said that since being elected to office in 2020, his government has been placing emphasis on ensuring the lives of all Guyanese are improved, with a particular fo cus on the most vulnerable groups in society

“Among these, we have focused on our senior citizens, recognising that they have served our country and the society within which they live for decades,” the President said.

He went on to say: “I am pleased, this eve ning, to announce the payment of an addition al one-off grants of $28,000 to be paid to each and every single old-age pensioner before the end of 2022. This new announcement of this one-off grant will provide an additional $1.8 billion of disposable income to our pension ers. In addition, our seniors continue to benefit from across-the-board investments that my

government is making in areas that improve the public healthcare system.”

The $28,000 grant will be the second oneoff grant that pensioners will be receiving. Old-age pensioners had received a one-off grant of $25,000 in 2021; this had placed an additional $1.6 billion of disposable income in the hands of that section of the population.

The grants are among a number of mea sures that the government has been imple menting since 2020 to improve the lives of pensioners across the country.

Prime among those measures is the in crease in the old-age pension from $20,500 in 2020 to $28,000 in 2022, reflecting a 36 per cent increase which has placed a total of approximately $22 billion more in the hands of old-age pensioners, annually.

Aside from direct cash transfers, other measures that senior citizens have benefited from, since 2020, include the reintroduction of water subsidy to old-age pensioners; this has benefited over 27,000 pensioners and pro vided them with additional disposable income of $200 million per annum

The government has also made it easier for pensioners to access their monthly pension through alternative payment methods such as direct bank payments, as well as direct pay

ment to shut-in pensioners including persons living with disabilities and persons who do not have access to a post office.

“For our senior citizen, I wish to say the government will continue to honour and re spect the service you’ve given to our countries over the years, as we continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that the quality of life you enjoy continue to improve in every regard,” President Ali said.

While old-age pensioners comprise one vulnerable group that the government has placed immense focus on, persons living with a disabilities (PWD) have also seen them selves on the receiving end of government provisions.

Those persons also received a one-off $25,000 cash grant, while parents of children living with disabilities received one-off cash grants of $100,000 per child with disability.

Additionally, the government reinstated the “Because We Care” cash grant and school uniform cash grant which stand at $30,000 per child in both public and private schools

Every household in the hinterland will re ceive a $25,000 one-off cash grant; fisherfolks have started receiving a one-off $150,000 grant; farmers will receive $1 billion in fer tiliser support, and there were and are many other initiatives geared at addressing the ris ing cost of living induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently commended the Government of Guyana for implementing effective policies to

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

cushion the burden of high global commodity prices.

In a report documenting the conclu sions of its Article IV Consultation with local authorities, the IMF said: “Staff broadly supported the authorities’ mea sures to temporarily ease the burden of higher global commodity prices on the most vulnerable groups of society, given the absence of adequate safety nets.”

SOL ordered to pay GRA

$2.7B in owed taxes

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently obtained a judge ment against SOL Guyana Inc for the payment of $2,713,212,251 in owed corporation tax.

This is according to a press re lease from the GRA, which said that the company will also have to pay penalties and interest until the date of payment.

Further, on September 30, 2022, a High Court judge refused an applica

tion made by SOL Guyana Inc for an order seeking an extension of time to file a Corporate Tax Appeal against the GRA in relation to several years of assessment that were raised and main tained pursuant to the provisions of the Income and Corporation Tax Acts.

“The court ruled that Sol Guyana Inc failed to satisfy the precondition for a tax appeal as set out by [Sec tion] 98 of the Income Tax Act. The Revenue Authority argued that the

company has no right of appeal under [Section] 86 of the said Act and that no extension of time beyond the lapse of the statutory period could be consid ered, where there is no right of appeal, among other things,” the release said.

According to the release, the court also ruled that “the full payment of disputed taxes or the lodging of a bond or a guarantee to the satisfaction of the commissioner-general is a precondi tion before the right of appeal against

an assessment under the Income Tax Act can be exercised.”

The court further ruled that SOL’s failure to secure and place a bond before the commissioner-gen eral for him to determine whether or not it is to his satisfaction pur suant to Section 98, at the time they requested one to be lodged has frustrated the company’s right of appeal in the circumstances, the release added.

APNU+AFC assertions nothing more than a smokescreen

THE Leader of the Opposi tion, Aubrey Norton, and the APNU+AFC continue to resort to a rhetoric of ethnic discrimination, to overshadow and distract Guyanese from the coalition’s lack of any alternative policy or response to the government’s existing comprehensive policy agenda, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with respon sibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh has said.

Dr. Singh, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), related that the coalition’s claims of the government practising ethnic discrimination are baseless and without evidence.

He related that the Opposi tion’s assertions are nothing more than a “smokescreen,” which could be easily dismissed by the evidence of the sys tematic approach taken by the government to ensure that “all Guyanese” benefit from public resources.

“Since the PPP/C [Peo ple’s Progressive Party/Civic) formed the government, if you look at our successive budgets you would see a consistent

pattern of policy positions that promote improving the lives of all Guyanese. Creating an environment for job creation, for income generation, and for improved well-being,” Dr. Singh said.

He added: “In response to which the APNU+AFC re ally has no answer. And so their recourse is this ethnic boogey man, and baseless statements being made about discrimina tion. It is reflective of the fact that the APNU+AFC has no sensible response to the com prehensive agenda that is being implemented by President [Dr. Irfaan] Ali’s People’s Progres sive Party government.”

The PPP/C Government has introduced a plethora of welfare measures that have benefitted many Guyanese regardless of their race, creed, religion and any other individual charac teristic.

The latest of those meas ures is a one-off cash grant of $28,000 for all pensioners, announced by President Ali on Thursday. This newest measure provided an additional $1.8 billion in disposable income to persons receiving old-age

pension.

In addition to making provi sions for pensioners, the gov ernment reinstated the “Be cause We Care” cash grant and school uniform cash grant which stands at $30,000 per child in both public and private schools.

Every household in the hin terland will receive a $25,000 one-off cash grant; fisherfolk have started receiving a one-off $150,000 grant; farmers will receive $1 billion in fertiliser support, and there were and are many other initiatives geared at addressing the rising cost of living induced by the COV ID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The government also returned the tax-free one-month bonus to members of the joint services.

Dr. Singh pointed to the indiscriminate distribution of those welfare measures, noting that each measure is testament to the government’s unbiased approach to development.

“These statements being made by the APNU+AFC and in particular Opposition Leader, what it says more than anything else is that they are unable to

articulate a credible criticism of [our] policies, they are unable to put forth alternative policy posi tion of any sort on any issue.

“If you think about it and listen to their constant commen tary you don’t hear anything about the alternative option and alternative policy. The ac cusations of discrimination are reflective of an intellectually bankrupt APNU+AFC that has nothing to offer Guyana except inciting discontent and hostil ity,” Dr. Singh posited.

The PPP/C on the other hand has been indiscriminate in its distribution of house lots, and allocation of scholar ships under the Guyana Online Learning Academy (GOAL) programme, which pledges to see 20,000 scholarships allo cated in five years.

EVERY GUYANESE

“When you apply for a house lot you have people of every background, people of almost every region, throughout the length and breadth of the coast and even in some of the hinterland regions. This housing programme benefits Guyanese of every background. Guya nese of every background now

once again have the capacity to become the owner of a plot of land in their own country,” Dr. Singh noted.

In addition to reinvigorating the housing industry through increased allocations, the gov ernment has also worked along with the lending agencies to reduce lending rates, and has increased the mortgage interest ceiling to $30 million.

“The cost of lending for home ownership is at an all-

time low and that is a benefit enjoyed by all Guyanese,” Dr. Singh related. .

According to the minister, several of the measures im plemented by the government, particularly in the case of tax reversals, were necessary to reverse several draconian meas ures that had previously been instituted by the APNU+AFC during their time in government from 2015 - 2020.

According to Dr. Singh, during that five-year period, the APNU+AFC articulated no vision or policy in relation to growth of the economy, particu larly in promoting diversifica tion of the economy.

“Their strategy was simply to wait for oil to come in. We saw agricul ture completely decimated, we saw the services sector completely decimated, and this was even before the no-confidence motion. And subsequently with the pas sage of the no-confidence motion, we saw a political behaviour and policy pos ture that led essentially to the economy grinding to a halt,” Dr. Singh said.

TTCSI distances self from Leladharsingh’s comments on Guyana’s local content legislation

THE Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Indus tries (TTCSI) has distanced itself from comments by one of its director, Jaishima Lelad harsingh, who said, “TT com panies will move to Suriname if Ramps doesn’t get local content certificate”.

“I do not agree with the legislation of local content; I do not believe that that encourages investment. In my opinion, it is a big deterrent to business. We are observing what’s happening with Ramps in Trinidad, and I am seeing it clear here that if Ramps does not get its Local Content [Certificate] approved, a lot of Trinidad companies will go to Suriname. I suggest that they have a rethink of that policy; it is not in keeping with the [CARICOM Single Market and Economy] CSME spirit, and it is not going to encourage investment,” Leladharsingh told the Guyana Basins Summit (GBS) on Thursday.

The TTCSI, in a statement soon after Leladharsingh’s com ments, made it clear that Lelad harsingh spoke in his personal capacity, and as such, “the state ments made are not— and do not— represent the views of the TTCSI”.

The TTCSI, the national umbrella body for services asso ciations in Trinidad and Tobago, said the twin island republic has been pursuing the introduction of local content and participa tion legislation, and continues to be supportive of this process.

“Six energy services com panies that recently completed TTCSI’s Gateway to Trade Export Accelerator Programme 2021/2022: Damus Limited, North West Marine Limited, Kronus Geological Services Limited, Epic Maintenance Limited, Weldfab Limited and Phillips General Contracting Limited, are in Guyana attend ing the GBS. TTCSI is pleased that accomplished presenters have been scheduled to address various options for investment opportunities that may be of benefit to the above-referenced companies, and areas in which they can participate in neigh bouring Guyana,” the statement said.

It also noted that several of the firms on the mission have indicated that the summit provided an excellent forum for networking and engagement, and presented opportunities for integration between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

“The TTCSI commends the organisers of the Guyana Basin Summit for a strong agenda, and one that is well placed to achieve excellent results,” the statement noted.

The Guyana Revenue Au thority (GRA), on Wednesday, instituted 10 charges against Ramps Logistics Guyana Inc. following the conclusion of recent investigations.

The GRA, in a press release, said that following recentlycompleted investigations carried out by the Law Enforcement and

Investigations Division of GRA, 10 charges have been instituted at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court against the company.

The charges are said to be in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.

According to the GRA, the investigations have revealed

that during the period of 2021 to 2022, the company made several untrue declarations to it.

The release said that the GRA, as it continues to oper ate within its mandate to allow for a levelled playing field for legitimate businesses and the collection of revenue, is encour aging individuals and businesses

involved in any illicit activities to cease and desist from flouting the laws.

The Authority further urged these businesses to

bring their operations into compliance with Guyana’s tax, trade and border laws. The specifics of the case have not been made public.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

A Perfect Mix-and-Match

GUYANESE at home and abroad and Caribbean and international visitors who shared the experience of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Final and Cricket Carnival events hosted here from September 16 to October 2 under the “One Guyana” theme are still talking about the suc cess of the widely-supported event, which, as the Chronicle reported on Thursday, also ‘generated significant income opportunities for thousands of Guyanese across the board.

The first Cricket Carnival was co ordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, whose subject minister Oneidge Walrond had earlier explained the main aim of the events was “to put Guyana on show for all to see our authentic experiences, whether it is immersing yourself in the rich and diverse cultures, getting in tune with nature in our remote regions or explor ing the built heritage or city vibes here in the coast.”

The first of three successive similar sparkling annual sporting events in Guyana’s bag treated thousands of vis itors to a wide range of entertainment and recreational choices, including international-grade musical concerts and competitions, cultural performanc es, regional food festivals, scheduled tours and the popular Road Parade, plus more.

Participation through the presence of President Dr Irfaan Ali also did much to show visitors and Guyanese visiting from the diaspora just how ‘down-toearth” the Head of State is, always mak ing time – despite his obviously busy schedule -- to mix and mingle with cit izens and visitors alike, whether at the Rupununi Rodeo or Cricket Carnival.

The CPL Cricket Carnival event was of the type that brought welcome relief to all at a time when everyone is also more concerned than ever about survival in the face of changing times globally and the effects on Guyana and

all developing nations (most of all) by way of price increases for everything from food to fuel.

And as also reported here, vendors and persons providing daily food and drink services, cultural and touristic items, as well as bars and restaurants, taxis and minibuses, all went home with smiles at the end of each day with more than small change in their pockets or wallets.

Guyanese old enough recalled the birth of the GuyExpo event in the 1990s, which exhibited all types of Guyanese products over an entire weekend, but the Cricket Carnival event was a marrying of sports and culture in a field of play that benefitted more than just players and spectators, but went on to benefit the entire nation and all its citizens.

As noted by many, it didn’t matter if Guyana lost or won because the entire country won the benefit of the success of another unique event that gave cit izens and visitors alike another real

chance to put life’s new norms on hold and let some sunshine into their hearts, if only for a defined period.

Activities such as these also go a long way to demonstrate local capacity to organise world-class events and pro vide a platform for regional inter-cul tural mixes that allow more people to better understand why we are One Guyana that’s part of One Caribbean.

The players and spectators, citizens and visitors, CPL officials and carnival planners, government and sporting bod ies, all deserve high praise for making the event the success it was.

The 2022 CPL Final and Cricket Carnival didn’t bowl or blow our problems away, but it certainly stumped the cynics and hit the crit ics beyond the boundaries, as it did for Guyana much more than would have been expected by the few who didn’t see the perfect mix and match between Cricket and Carnival – and there are still two to come.

Only road for AFC and APNU is the way out of government forever

Dear Editor,

IT’s sometimes invaluable for one to reflect on what ‘hypocrisy’ is.

It can be defined as the state of pre tending to have beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually have.

On reading the AFC’s statement and that of the Leader of the Opposition on salary increases for teachers, I felt com pelled to vent my repugnance to these hypocritical utterings. It would seem that Mr Norton now realised that the mental well-being of teachers should be a priority.

I must draw Messrs Ramjattan and Norton’s attention to some of what they promised the people of Guyana, such as ‘significant salary increases’ to the public servants; ‘20% increase across the board’ to sugar workers; no closure of any sugar estate; ‘$9,000 per bag of paddy,’ etcetera.

In the Kaieteur News of October 6, 2022, the headline blasts “AFC proposes $100,000 pay hikes for teachers.” Sounds

goods, but what has the AFC ever done for teachers when they were in government?

It was a then AFC Minister who in 2015 said the 50 per cent hike in salaries and benefits for minister was ‘fair’ and ‘necessary’ and the people of Guyana must ‘trust’ them, but in the same breath refused to pay the teachers at the bottom of the scale in 2015 a cent over $50,000. Now these snake-oil sales persons in the AFC are coming with their crocodile tears, demanding $100,000 for the teachers when they refused to do anything good for those in the education and the other sectors when they were in power during the period 2015-2020.

What did they give the teachers in 2015, a measly five per cent? What did the Ramjattan cabal give themselves? Ten times that rate (50 per cent). To compound the deception and disingenuousness, in the same year 2015, it was none other than the man in charge – Mr. Joseph Harmon who said ‘he would make no apologies for the 50 per cent salary increase to

Cabinet ministers,’ arguing it was well deserved. Well, the pertinent question is: Was $100,000 per month for the teachers not well deserved in 2015 too under these APNU+AFC chatterers?

The PPP/C government is cognisant of the needs of all Guyanese and will give increases at the right time to ensure that the inflation rate is kept in check and we all know once the budget allows it, Presi dent Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Bharat Jagdeo, who both came from humble beginnings, will do all in their power to give the best to all workers, especially the teachers. The government does not need the deceptive cries of the hypocrites to be a reminder of the needs of working-class Guyanese.

For those who do not know, His Ex cellency the President grew up in a home that is headed by a mother and a father who were dedicated teachers and thus he intimately knows of the challenges of the teaching profession. So Mr Ramjattan can stop clutching at the straws and deal first

with the mutiny in the AFC against him and address his record of poor leadership while in government and seek to temper his wild talk that is full of hot air. The more he speaks, the more his political platform crumbles, because the people continue to see him for who he really is. It is these people in the AFC and the APNU who eliminated some 7,000 jobs in the sugar industry and then refused to pay the people their severance pay. It took a court ruling to force them to settle with the workers.

Today, these people suddenly want to champion the cause of the teachers and by extension the very people they kicked out of jobs? Shame on them! The people know and the evidence will clearly demonstrate in 2025 that there is only one road for Mr Ramjattan, his AFC acolytes and the APNU: that is the way out of government forever.

Extortion, as I understand the concept, is an extraditable offence

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to your recent news re port on an alleged extor tion plot unearthed by police and the arrest of the culprits and involve ment of a Guyanese American operating out of Brooklyn.

Extortion, or shake down as it is called in the USA, is a serious crim inal offence. The public should report extortionists to the police for investi gation and prosecution. Politicians in the United States of America and elsewhere should and must dissociate them selves with extortionists.

I read reports in the Guyana papers as well as on social media of an ex pose of an extortion plot involving a couple of lo cal Guyanese and one in dividual based in Brook lyn, USA. They allegedly sought to shake down a businessman threatening to publish defamatory materials that would have had a negative impact on his business. The news reports stated that two

local Guyanese have been arrested and charged for extortion and placed on bail. They have linked their scam to that Brook lyn-based Guyanese.

A wanted bulletin is issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the Brooklyn-based Guy anese because of his al leged link to the extortion plot. This is the second time a wanted bulletin was put out by GPF for that individual. Coinci dentally, the Brooklynite is noted for his race-hate utterances.

In Guyana, as I expe rienced travelling around and as related to me by individuals I interviewed for a survey, substan tial work is being or has been done by the govern ment, under a visionary President in particular, to bring people together. In opposition to bringing a divided nation together is the activities of the Brooklyn-based individ ual who makes incredible unsubstantiated allega tions. He comes across as a rabble rouser. He is en gaged in ranting and rav

ing, making unsupported specious claims without meaningful purpose and any workable solution to address problems.

The Brooklynite en gages in what political analysts and sociologists refer to as demagoguery rather than constructive critiques of governance. And now his action, as reported by Guyana po lice, seemingly transcends language in a purport ed criminal act of extor tion. If indeed the rabble rouser is involved in ex tortion, then he has taken his mischief-making to a higher level beyond words, and the law should take its course.

What is ironic about the Brooklyn-based dem agogue is that he presents himself as a champion or crusader of democracy in Guyana. But is he? Al leged extortion is against democratic concepts and the act is criminal. It is corruption and is against good governance. Ex tortionists must be con demned and politicians and the public should dissociate from such char

acters. Whoever engages in and those who condone or support or encourage extortion for money is no democrat, and they must be condemned in the strongest words possible.

Extortionists must be brought to police atten tion. The Guyanese me dia recently reported that Vice- President Jagdeo re cently called in the police to investigate a purported middle man for using his (Jagdeo) name to extort business people. The VP did right as did the busi nessman who reported the two local Guyanese who tried to extort money from him for some defamatory posting as reported by the media. A media operator must not use a publication, even if is social media, to extort or shake down peo ple for cash with threats. The state must not allow an extortion industry to develop in Guyana. Al leged extortionists must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Related ly, American politicians, Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, in par ticular, should condemn

extortion and dissociate himself from that Brook lyn-based individual im plicated in that alleged extortion scheme. Mr Jef fries should state unequiv ocally where he stands on this issue. His Guyanese constituents and other Guyanese-Americans, in cluding his many support ers, would like to know his position on this serious criminal allegation. The American Black Caucus should also dissociate themselves from such a character and anyone who engages in such indictable criminal offence.

I note from media reports that the Attor ney-General in Guyana recently met with some of the highest law enforce ment and judicial officials of the USA including from the Central Author ity of the Department of Justice, representatives of the FBI, and Ameri can Marshalls who are

involved in extradition of wanted criminals engaged in criminal acts in Ameri ca. The two countries are co-operating to root out criminals who engage in unlawful conduct in and seek shelter in each oth er’s territory. Criminals, including extortionists, will not be able to seek or obtain refuge in America or Guyana. Law enforce ment officials will pursue them.

They will not have a hiding hole. Extortion, as I understand the con cept, is an extraditable offence. Extortionists and those who engage in criminal offences out side of Guyanese bound aries should be mindful of their unlawful activ ities including spewing race hate.

Yours Truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram (PhD)

Brazil bracing for bellyaching ballot

– between Bolsonaro and Lula!

By Earl Bousquet

GUYANA, Suriname and the rest of CARICOM are keeping eyes and ears peeled on Brazil, where 156 million voters in South America’s largest nation will get a last chance, on October 30, to vote for regime change, or to main tain the status quo; to keep incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, or return Luiz Ignacio ‘Lula’ da Silva to the presidency he was forced out of in 2010 on corruption convictions overturned by Brazil’s Supreme Court last year.

Bordering Guyana, Suri name, Venezuela and many other South American na tions, Brazil is home to the largest parts of The Amazon, a member of the BRICS

grouping representing the majority of humanity (Bra zil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), and a key player in literally everything continental in The Americas.

The October 30 elections are drawing regional and international attention for many reasons, including the direction the country will go, whichever of the two candidates, with near-equal support, wins.

Bolsonaro is a rightwing ex-army captain, and Lula is an established left politi cian with a long trade union background, and revered at home and abroad for im plementation of socialist policies during his seven years in office (2003-2010) that saw millions of poor Brazilians enter the middle class, as the country became

Chronicles of a Chronic Guyana Chronicler

By Earl Bousquet

the first in The Americas to eradicate poverty, by United Nations (UN) standards.

Lula won the first round of the two-stage contest last Sunday with 48.4 per cent to Bolsonaro’s 43.2 per cent, the incumbent defying polls that mistakenly gave Lula a double-digit lead.

Bolsonaro, an eternally stern critic of the media and the electronic voting system who opposes gun control, and claims to have the pow erful national army behind him, raised anxieties and fears during the campaign by saying, ahead of the poll, that he wouldn’t accept the

results if he lost.

But after doing well, his new message is that Brazil’s biggest risk is that a Lula victory would return the country to the ever-present continental left fold that today includes Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Honduras, alongside Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Eleven candidates con tested last Sunday’s first round, with Lula and Bol sonaro attracting 90 per cent of the votes between them and the remaining 10 per cent shared among the nine smaller parties, undecid ed voters and 16 million evangelical voters in a na tion with 30 million facing hunger.

The tale-of-the-tapes re veal quite a lot about why global attention is focused on the final month-end poll, as the two candidates are diametrically opposite in everything, from ideology to administration to interpreta tion of rights and values.

Bolsonaro said nothing during the campaign to dis suade fears about violence if he lost, and his victory has so emboldened his worst supporters that some paraded in the streets of Rio, fantasis ing that “The beautiful blood of leftists and gays will flow in our streets…”

But LGBT groups, wom en, trade unions, supporters of Indigenous Amazon tribes and others want Lula to win to restore and protect rights lost or suppressed under Bolsonaro, whose supporters see same-sex marriage as a “mortal sin” worthy of pun ishment by Christians and President Bolsonaro himself.

The election also includ ed much drama.

Bolsonaro, who was

stabbed during a national ly-televised campaign rally as he sought to unseat Lula’s successor, Dilma Roussef in 2018, thinks and acts much like ex-US President Donald Trump.

He’ s also a Cli mate denier, as well as a COVID-skeptic who didn’t support vaccination, and is now being blamed for hundreds of thousands of deaths that could have been prevented.

Lula’s insufficient vic tory drew both cheers and tears from supporters, who are understandably nervous about Bolsonaro’s surpris ingly good performance, despite Lula leading by over six million votes -- a small amount nationally -- and since Bolsonaro’s party now controls the Congress.

The two men started their campaigns at strategic loca tions: Bolsonaro returned to where he was stabbed four years ago, and Lula returned to where he launched his trade union base.

Bolsonaro insists it’s a fight of ‘Good vs Evil’, while Lula says it’s a matter of ‘Policies over Personal ities’. But, in the coming three weeks, the two will each work to keep their reg istered levels of support from the first round; Bol sonaro fishing for the six per cent, or seven million more votes he’ll need to win; Lula digging deep for six million more, and the winning six per cent lead.

Once upon a time, Guya nese heard more news about complaints of illegal in cursions by individual and groups of Brazilian min ers entering Guyana to dig for gold and diamonds, or the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) reporting successful

interceptions.

But closer ties have long been facilitated by and be tween successive govern ments on both sides of the long border that have also led to stronger levels of public and private sector co operation, before and since the COVID Crisis and the Ukraine War.

The two neighbours share The Amazon, and have many similar inter ests, including in petroleum development, and they’re also home to several similar natural resources, leading to more trade and cross-border transactions of all types in the past two decades.

Brazil, Guyana and Suri name just recently engaged, at the government level, on energy matters, including CARICOM.

Careful commentators on both and all sides will say that no matter who wins, Guyana-Brazil ties will con tinue, the pace of which, un der Bolsonaro having been seen for the past four years, while ties with Rio under Lula also lasted seven years.

Current global circum stances make it impossible to directly predict what either candidate will do after win ning, but while both predict victory, the extremely close results of the first round actually confounded both, leaving wide open the strong chances that either will do all he can, by any means deemed necessary, to be reelected to the Presidency on October 30.

Lula is seeking an an ti-Bolsonaro alliance, while the incumbent is hoping to encourage undecided vot ers to stay home. But who was listened to most won’t be known until the evening of October 30.

11 orphanages receive support

By Shamar Meusa

THE Office of the First Lady, on Thurs day, officially launched phase two of her “Adopt-An-Orphan age” initiative, through which some 11 homes in Guyana will receive support from local busi nesses for approximate ly six to 12 months.

The programme was launched at the Hope

The Adopt-An- Or phanage initiative was launched to connect homes with corporate sponsors who would pro vide financial support.

During the pro gramme’s first phase, Mrs Ali noted that eight orphanages were adopt ed and provided with much-needed support.

According to the First Lady, the number has increased this year be

–– through second phase of First Lady’s enhanced ‘Adopt-An-Orphanage’ initiative

personal one-on-one time with the children, and medical care inclusive of dental and eye testing services.

She added that spon sors will also provide tutoring services to those who need it, and take the children on field trips, picnics and to the movies, so that they could experi ence a “normal life.”

In addition, the First Lady said that her office

in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Ser vices and Social Securi ty, will be examining a robust transition plan for teenaged orphans who are stepping into adulthood.

The Office of the First Lady will also be engag ing corporate Guyana to provide employment opportunities for those persons, while also seek ing to make training and other opportunities avail

able to foster their pro fessional development.

The 11 orphanag es set to benefit from this phase of the pro gramme are Joshua House Children Centre, Bless the Children’s Home, Ruimveldt Chil dren’s Home, St. John

Bosco Orphanage, Sha heed’s Boys Orphan age, Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage, St. Ann’s Orphanage, Prabhu Sharan Orphanage, Hope Children’s Home, Red Cross Convales cence and Canaan Chil dren’s Home.

Children’s Home on the East Coast of Demerara, on Thursday morning.

First Lady Arya Ali, in her address at the launch, said that over a year ago, her office recognised that local orphanages were, in some cases, struggling to cover basic overhead expenses and provide for the children.

She added that many of those homes were merely surviving off of the generosity of kind-hearted citizens and occasional sponsors.

“And so, I made a de cision to change that by introducing a programme which guarantees support in a sustainable way,” the First Lady said.

cause of the support from sponsors like the Embas sy of the People’s Re public of China, Guyana Shore Base Inc., Demer ara Bank, Go Logistics, China Trading, Vitality, Optique Ninon and Pre mier Construction.

“In this phase, it is not just about providing financial support to these orphanages. This pro gramme is being expand ed to include a number of specialised services and activities which support the holistic development of our children,” the First Lady said.

Further, Mrs. Ali re lated that this phase will include visitation to the homes, officials spending

First Lady Arya Ali (Elvin Carl Croker Photo)

First Lady Arya Ali with the sponsors of phase two of the Adopt-An-Orphanage programme, on Thursday (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Representatives of the 11 orphanages with First Lady Arya Ali (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Legislation to be introduced to develop Early Warning Systems

PROVISIONS will soon be made in Guyana’s legisla tion to allow for the devel opment of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) here.

The MHEWS could ad dress several hazards and/

or impacts of a similar or different type in situations where hazardous events may occur alone, simultaneously, cascading, or cumulatively over time. It also takes into account the potential interre lated effects.

These developments will be made possible through targetted investments by the government to improve early-warning systems in Guyana.

Addressing partici pants and officials at the

opening of the Improving Multi-Hazard Early Warn ing Systems’ Governance Consultation with National Disaster Risk Management Offices in the Caribbean workshop, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phil lips said the consultation is an important one for the country.

“The importance of Multi-Hazard Early Warn ing Systems for national and local government cannot be underemphasised. It is important that we have this consultation on a regular basis, so that a country like Guyana could update and improve on what we are doing in the areas of early warning, because, as you heard before, early warning

forts at improving Informa tion and Communication Technology (ICT) will allow us to transition to a better system of what is termed impact-based forecasting.

“Our plans to ensure that Multi-Hazard Early Warn ing Systems, however, will be based on sound scientific and technical approaches that are centred around those in our society who are most at risk or most vulnera

natural disaster.

Guyana’s goal is to have a robust and comprehensive system of hazard monitoring that will enable individuals, communities, the govern ment, and the business sec tor in Guyana to take timely action to reduce disaster risk.

The outcomes of the workshops will be incor porated into the framework to improve governance as

saves lives, and if we can forecast and we can warn people at an early time of any upcoming disaster, it can also minimise the dam age that people suffer during times of disaster,” he said.

The Prime Minister not ed that Guyana’s vulnerabil ity to multi-hazards, specif ically floods and droughts, has been further exacerbat ed by climate change. So, the development of early warning systems that are end-to-end and people-cen tred is critical at this time.

“The government is committed to ensuring these provisions in our legislation to support the Early Warn ing Systems. Guyana’s ef

ble,” Prime Minister Phillips related, adding that there are plans to improve and digitise risk data across all sectors.

“We are committed to ensuring that all our efforts are aligned with Guyana’s country work programme, our Low Carbon Develop ment Strategy 2030, CDE MA’s Comprehensive Di saster Management Strategy, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduc tion,” he said.

Prime Minister Phillips said lessons learnt from previous disasters in Guy ana and around the region will be incorporated into the government’s approach to mitigating the impact of

it pertains to disaster risk reduction in Guyana.

The two-day workshop aims to revise existing gov ernance mechanisms in the Caribbean region to identify good practices and recom mendations to monitor and manage multi-hazard early warning systems.

Participants include representatives from the World Bank, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Ca ribbean Disaster Emergen cy Management Agency (CDEMA) and the World Meteorological Organisa tion (WMO). (DPI)

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (centre) and other stakeholders at the MHEWS workshop on Thursday

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

$700M to be invested into cement, steel initiative by year-end

PERSONS constructing homes costing up to $25 million will soon be able to benefit from cement and steel as part of the gov ernment’s homebuilders support initiative.

Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Au thority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves, said the govern ment is expected to invest approximately $700 million into the programme by the end of the year.

In July, President, Dr Irfaan Ali announced that persons constructing homes costing $6 million or less, will be given the steel need ed and one sling of cement for construction of the foundation. For home build ers spending $6 million to $25 million, the gov ernment will provide two slings of cement

Greaves said that the modalities of the pro gramme have been worked out and the ministry is now moving to the tendering stage, where it will be seek ing out suppliers to provide the materials to qualified

persons.

“We want to make this process as transpar ent as possible, so we are moving to a process of tendering. But, most importantly, we want to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance and so we will go all across the re gions,” the CEO said in a comment on the sidelines of the launch of the Barti ca, Region Seven, housing programme, on Tuesday.

He added: “And so, let’s say for example as we are in Region Seven here today, we want all the suppliers of cement and steel in Re

gion Seven to be given a chance to tender for this programme.”

Greaves pointed out that once a person owns land and has a housing plan, and approached the bank for a loan to commence construc tion, they will be supplied with the materials.

Qualified persons will be issued with a voucher to purchase the materials at selected merchants.

“Persons must be aware that we will have officers following up to ensure that they receive what they are supposed to receive and they utilise it to the full est,” the CEO said.

Greaves related that the programme is ongoing, so those persons who are yet to approach the banks for loans or are still waiting to identify their lands will ben efit from the programme.

The initiative adds to the host of measures al ready implemented by the PPP/C government to en sure citizens are allowed to achieve homeownership in keeping with its mani festo promise. (DPI)

Truck driver in Mandela Avenue fatal accident gets five years

TRUCK driver Aalom Masood, was, on Thursday, sentenced to five years in prison for the fatal accident on Nelson Mandela Ave nue and Vlissengen Road, which claimed the life of 45 year old businessman Nigel Cush.

Masood of Supply, Ma haica, East Coast Demerara appeared before Chief Mag istrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates ’ Court

The unrepresented man admitted that on Septem ber 9, he drove motor lorry GYY 5875 in a dangerous manner resulting in the death of Cush

Masood asked the court to have compassion and mer cy on him He also asked Cush’s family members for forgiveness

The Chief Magistrate said that Masood’s driving on the day of the incident was way below that of a careful driver She added that it was because

of the manner in which he drove the vehicle that Cush was hit

She then sentenced him to five years behind bars

According to police re ports, on the day in question, around 01:30 hours, Masood was proceeding east along the northern carriageway on Mandela Avenue

As he approached the stop light at Vlissengen Road and Nelson Mandela Av enue which was “ showing green”, he continued driving

and collided with Cush who was driving motorcar PVV 7062 south along Vlissengen Road

As a result of the col lision , Cush ’ s motor car , slammed into a lamp pole situated in the centre of the median

He received injuries to his body and was taken out of the vehicle in an uncon scious state He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pro nounced dead on arrival.

AILED: Aalom Masood

DEAD: Nigel Cush

CEO of CH&PA Sherwyn Greaves

modalities for project finalised; Housing Ministry moves to tender

Election fraud case adjourned to November 17

THE electoral fraud case involving former District Four (Demerara-Ma haica) Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; former People’s National Congress/Reform Chairperson, Vol da Lawrence; PNC/R activist, Carol Smith-Joseph and four others, has been adjourned to November 17.

The trio, along with Guyana Elec tions Commission (GECOM) employ ees Sherfern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Bobb-Cummings and Michelle Miller, are before the Georgetown Mag istrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding the electors of Guyana by declaring a false account of votes for the 2020 elections.

On Thursday, the case was called

It is further alleged that on March 13, 2020, Mingo and Smith-Joseph uttered a forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the March 2 elections, knowing that said report was forged.

It is also alleged that, on the said date, Smith-Joseph conspired with Mingo and others to declare a fraudulent count of votes for District Four.

Mingo, Lawrence and Smith-Joseph were each released on $100,000 bail.

Additionally, it is alleged that be tween March 2 and August 2, 2020, at Georgetown, Mingo, conspired with Lawrence, Smith- Joseph, February, Livan, Bobb-Cummings, Miller and others to defraud the electors of Guyana

before Chief Magistrate Ann McLen nan for report. However, it was later adjourned.

A team of special prosecutors com prising attorneys-at-law Darshan Ram dhani, QC; Glenn Hanoman, Mark Con way, Ganesh Hira, Arudranauth Gossai, and George Thomas are on record for the state.

Attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes, Eusi Anderson, Ronald Daniels and Konyo Sandiford are on record for the defendants.

In October 2021, the state handed over certified copies of Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) to the seven accused who are facing multiple charges.

According to particulars of the first charge, it is alleged that on March 5, 2020, with intent to defraud, Lawrence and Mingo uttered a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections (GREs), knowing same to be forged.

by declaring a false account of votes for the elections.

In August 2021, Mingo, along with Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowen field and his deputy, Roxanne Myers, had their employment terminated by the commission. Lowenfield and Myers have also been charged with electoral fraud and are also before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that they inflated or facil itated the inflation of results for Region Four, the country’s largest voting dis trict, to give the APNU+AFC Coalition a majority win at the polls when, in fact, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had won by 15,000 votes.

Those who rejected the results filed several legal challenges which ended up before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s highest appeal court.

A lengthy recount of the votes eventually declared victory in favour of the PPP/C, and Dr. Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the President of Guyana on August 2, 2020.

PNC/R activist Carol Smith-Joseph; former PNC/R chairperson, Volda Lawrence; and former GECOM Returning Officer for District Four, Clairmont Mingo

Breakfast programme launched for Grade Six pupils in Region Two

AS part of the govern ment’s efforts to ensure children eat healthy, hundreds of Grade Six pupils in Region Two on Monday began re ceiving a morning meal under the Ministry of Education’s breakfast programme.

The programme was officially launched on Thursday at the Taymouth Manor Primary School by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand.

While delivering the feature address, Minister Manickchand said that for the first time, every primary school on the Es sequibo Coast that was not benefitting from the pro gramme will now do so..

“I want to say that this is the first time the Esse quibo Coast is benefit ting from the breakfast programme. When Presi dent Jagdeo was President and in office, we started the school feeding pro gramme from nursery to Grade Two… The biscuit and juice were given to every single child; then President Jagdeo added that all hinterland and riverine communities will also benefit from the hot meal,” Minister Manick chand said.

She added that since the launch of the pro gramme, there has been a significant increase in the attendance and enrollment rate in schools across the country.

Additionally, the pro gramme will guarantee the employment of 15 women.

The minister said that the meal will include a pack of cereal that is pro

duced by the cereal plant in Anna Regina.

“Of the 15 schools on the coast that are benefit ting from it, 15 women will be service providers; we asked for persons that we thought we can boost with employment. So, this programme gives your children a breakfast; it has re-opened an entire busi ness at the Anna Regina Cereal Plant,” she added.

Region Two Chair person Vilma De Silva said that the launch of the programme is proof that education is the Govern ment of Guyana’s number one priority.

De Silva said that pu pils will now be “filled”, and can focus more while at school.

She added that the re gional administration is focusing its attention on improving the environ ment at all schools.

Headmistress of Tay mouth Manor Primary School Christine Carter said she is very happy that the school was selected for the launch of the pro gramme.

She extended gratitude on behalf of the school’s PTA and pupils for the breakfast that is being provided. She said the pu pils are very excited, and many of them are coming early to receive the meal.

This year, the Minis try of Education will be spending $267 million on the breakfast programme, which targets every Grade Six pupil in Guyana.

Those living in the hinterland regions are already benefitting from a separate feeding pro gramme.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand sits with pupils of the Taymouth Manor Primary School at the launch of the school feeding programme. Also pictured is Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva

German’s expands to third location in Guyana

GERMAN’S, a sec ond-generation family restaurant, on Thurs day, opened a new lo

restaurant which was started in the 1960s by his father, Hubert Urling, became very popular for

and the country, and Ger man’s became immensely popular.

So much so that they, in 1970, had to expand to another location that could have over 100 customers at a time in Robb Street, Georgetown.

By the 1980s, Ger man’s was already es tablished as a household name where persons from all walks of life would fre quent the restaurant.

In 1999, Clinton’s fa ther passed away but he and his brother contin ued the restaurant’s leg acy. In 2018, the restau rant opened a location in Brooklyn, New York City (NYC) in the United States of America (USA).

cation at the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, Great er Georgetown, mak ing this the restaurant’s third location in Guy ana.

Business co-own er Clinton Urling, at the opening, said that the

its cowheel soup.

Clinton said that his father learned the recipes from his grandmother.

He related that when they started in the area of Georgetown known as ‘Tiger Bay’, word spread around the capital city

“That branch is still going strong. This loca tion now represents our third location [in Guy ana],” Clinton said.

He related that Gift land has done a tremen dous job in the area in terms of attraction and

creating demand.

“We thought it was an opportunity to bring our brand to our customers. It [Giftland Mall] has also become one of those spots where every tourist wants to visit in Guyana,” he said.

Noting that once they saw the demand and traf fic that came with the lo cation, they thought their

restaurant would have been considered the ideal fit in terms of their soup brands being unique on the food court.

“Guyana is on an up ward trajectory; we will be guided by that growth in terms of economy, lo cations and areas,” he said.

Clinton added: “We

are currently exploring another branch, maybe in Queens, NYC, once we can secure a location.”

He shared that the new branch created a total of ten additional employee spaces, all of which are filled, and the intention is to have more branches to create more jobs.

Co-owner, Clinton Urling of German’s Restaurant

Teachers and learners of Hidden Treasures Academy, on Thursday, as they walked through George town’s streets in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The marching team also sought to celebrate survivors of not just breast cancer but cancers of all types.

Men jailed for 2015 murder of Linden businessman

MASTERMIND Stafrei Alexander was on Tuesday sentenced to life in prison, while his co-accused Owen Belfield was sentenced to 14 years for their roles in the 2015 murder of Linden businessman Richard Remington.

Justice Brassington Reynolds handed down the sentences at the De merara High Court.

Justice Reynold sen tenced Alexander to life in prison with the pos sibility of parole after 25 years. Meanwhile, Belfield was sentenced to 14 years from which the prison is to deduct the time he has already

spent in pretrial custody.

In April, Alexander and Belfield were found guilty by a jury of the capital offence of mur der.

The men had pleaded not guilty to the joint indictment, which stat ed that they murdered 44-year-old Remington between February 8 and 12, 2015, in the county of Demerara.

Following deliberations on April 1, a 12-member mixed jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for both men.

On February 12,2015, Remington’s decomposed body was found in a clump of bushes along a track in the vicinity of Matthews Lane in the Christiansburg/ Cholmondeley Hill area. He had been shot three times, including once to the head.

Alexander, who was among the high-profile prisoners who broke out of the Camp Street Prison in 2017, is currently serving a life sentence for the attempted murder of Curtis Thom.

Much-needed help

IN observance of Fire Prevention Week, Digicel Guyana made a donation to the Guyana Fire Ser vice. In photo, Cadet Officer, Javid Mohamed, of the Guyana Fire Service, receives the cheque from Digicel’s Marketing Manager, Ramesh Rupchand. Officer Mohamed says the fire service will ensure that the money will be used to help those in need and affected by fire.

Owen Belfield

Stafrei Alexander

By Shamar Meusa

THE name Randy Ma dray has become synony mous in Guyana and the Caribbean region with beautiful pageantry and costume designs.

More than 100 pageant queens have been crowned, draped in his gowns. He has insisted that he has no plans to stop doing what he loves to do and what he is clearly good at doing.

The 29-year-old Guya nese designer who recently spoke with the Buzz, re vealed that he is happy to see a return to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted every aspect of everyday

After outfitting over 100 queens, Randy Madray still has more to give

life.

Now, he is able to, once again, showcase his cre ativity and talent to the world.

Madray did not ex clusively design any of the costumes worn in the Carnival Parade last Sun day. However, he had his hands in the production of costumes for the Genesis Band.

He revealed that, in preparation for the 2020 carnival, he had designed a section called India un der the Genesis X Utopia brand; however, that car nival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madray stated that he was excited about the de sign that his brand put for ward which got amazing reviews and many persons were excited to take part. However, no one had con trol over what was taking place in the world during that time.

In 2022, when the world

returned to normalcy in many aspects, he was elat ed to be back to designing full-time.

Madray made a glori ous return to the pageantry scene in Guyana with de signs for the Miss Jam zone Pageant and the Miss Cricket Carnival Pageant, which were held weeks apart.

“It was truly an honour to work with the girls from Miss Jamzone. We worked with the second runnerup Omaiah Hall and we worked with the queen Amel Griffith,” an excited Madray said.

He added that those two young women are dear to his heart as he would have worked with them before in previous pageants.

The talented designer told the Buzz that he was excited to have them both place in the competition while wearing his designs.

He noted that he also worked beyond his capac

ity as a designer as he also coached and chaperoned.

“It really was a process and to reap the rewards of it was definitely excit ing and this applies to any pageant,” he said of the experience.

As Madray moved on to designing for the Miss Cricket Carnival Pageant, he noted that the idea be hind the costume Griffith wore on stage and later on the road during the Carni val Parade, was for them to be colourful and celebra tory.

He said that the del egates were tasked with portraying a costume that represented the carnival culture in their country.

“I think our carnival culture from day one has been vibrant and exciting and embodied the essence of Soca, and at the same time, the spirit of Guyanese people and all that Guyana has to offer, the excitement

Randy Madray (Photo courtesy of Randy Madray)

A 2020 Carnival design (Photo courtesy of Randy Madray)

‘Win or not, use opportunity to help others through your platform’

Heritage Pageant, but she has definitely made full use of the opportunity to grow in her confidence and form new friendships with the other amazing young women who par ticipated.

It all started four years ago when Monica entered her first pageant in school, “Miss Aishalton” and se cured the first runner-up position.

“I went to school there, but I grew up in St. Igna tius. After the first pageant, I knew that this was some thing I would always want to do, so I entered another ‘Miss Aishalton’ and got queen,” she recently told the Buzz.

Monica on stage during the pageant

to meet and interact with many interesting people.

TWENTY-ONE-YEAROLD Monica Rose Jo seph of St. Ignatius Vil lage, Lethem, may not have won the recently held Miss Amerindian

An accounts clerk at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Monica also spends her time meet ing with children from the community, and studying for her bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development.

On the pageant side of things, though, she finds that participating builds her confidence and allows her

Getting to know the other delegates, for example, is one of the most interesting experiences.

“I wasn’t sure about leaving here to go and par ticipate but I got to know the girls and they were super nice. We bonded. My roommate was the queen from Region Seven,” Mon ica, who won the Best Tra ditional Wear and the Best

Evening Gown, shared, be fore adding, “Being honest, I was a little disappointed at not reaching in the top five even though I won these segments. I knew that I deserved a place in the top five but I was happy for the girls.”

Notwithstanding, Mon ica couldn’t be happier that the pageant provided further opportunities for her. “I want to be a model also, and I was really sur

prised that people came up to me and offered me the opportunity to be a model,” she said.

Hence, she is still able to be closer to her goals de spite not getting the crown.

“I focus mostly on the journey and meeting the girls. Parting with them was hard because we got a really nice bond over the weeks, we were together.”

Monica’s platform was “Domestic violence against women in the Rupununi” and her dance was based on protecting the animals and the forest.

She chose domestic violence after listening to some of the stories of the young men in her com munity.

“I want to create safe spaces for victims and help them speak out and also help to educate young males on how to love and respect women and how domestic violence can af fect their lives.”

Offering a word of ad vice to those who may not always win, she shared: “It’s not about the crown or the title; it’s about

Monica in her traditional wear at the recently held Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant. In addition to the Best Traditional Wear award, she also won Best Evening Gown

the journey. Win or not, you will still have the opportunity to speak out on your platform, help people through it and showcase your culture and talent.”

After outfitting over 100 queens, Randy Madray...

and partying and being all festive. So, I wanted the costume to showcase that,” Madray said.

With the new branded

Cricket Carnival, he men tioned that the costume also featured details including the cricket bat, and the Caribbean Premier League trophy along with a repre

sentation of Guyana’s own El Dorado Rum.

Madray told the Buzz, “It’s been 13 plus years working in the industry and I am always elated to boast

that our brand, we would have had over 100 queens crowned in Randy Madray Brand and counting. I’m most grateful for God and the support and love from

family and friends,” he said.

The designer stated that he strongly believes that his God-given talent and love and passion for pageantry and design is what has got

him to the stage that he is at today.

He signals that lots more is in store for the future of the Randy Ma dray brand.

Monica Rose Joseph (Photos compliments of Monica Joseph)

‘Toro the Bull’ banks on Guyanese connection, Cricket Carnival

- to help push solo comeback on Soca scene

HE may be a long way from home, but he has two new pieces he’s been

longing to run by Soca fans wherever in the world they might hap

pen to be.

And, where better to do it than here in Guyana,

arguably the place to be at this time of year, with the just-concluded Cricket Carnival still in the air, as evidenced by the pres ence of a fraction of the promised thousands of ardent cricket enthusiasts, to whom sweet Caribbean music is all part and parcel of the allure.

Seasoned campaigner that he is, Arturo ‘Toro the Bull’ George is not about to let a little thing like homesickness deter him from achieving his goal, for, as one of three for mer front-men of the now defunct ‘Elvis White’, the crossover group that helped catapult his na

tive British Virgin Islands (BVI) to international fame, he knows only too well what it takes to be on top of one’s game in the cutthroat business of entertainment.

By the same token, he’s also comfortable with performing before huge, live audiences, having done so many times over in places like Belgium, France and Germany to name a few of the many countries the group had toured during its heyday back in the early to mid2000s with other notable international acts like the legendary Fugees.

As for the two new

compositions at reference, ‘Love can make you cra zy’ and ‘Let’s Dance’, suf fice it to say that they are both beginning to appeal to YouTube audiences that can relate to the nu ances of Caribbean music, and are enjoying quality airtime as well as writeups around Africa, where ‘Toro’ has managed to land himself a sweet little deal with popular Ugan dan radio and television personality, DJ Bantam.

After listening to ‘Love can make you crazy’, one cannot help but conclude that the pull factor is no doubt in the haunting lyrics and catchy rhythm, as the subject matter is something that most people, young and old, can relate to, particu larly where it says:

“…You’re missing me, I’m missing you, you’re always on my mind Love can make you crazy, love can make you blind

And if you really care, boy, you can lose your mind. “

Then again, it may very well be that some thing about this number says it’s closer to home than ‘Toro’ might be let ting on.

Whatever it is, the real draw, it would seem, is the accompanying video, as, shot entirely on Virgin Gorda, one of the 50-plus islands that make up the BVI, it features the azure blue skies and matching waters such destinations are famous for, as well as some elements of tropical vegetation and a smatter ing of flora, not to men tion the proverbial white sandy beaches and swel tering sun.

As one YouTube view er observed: “Really nice; I love the lyrics and the beat!!!Nice song!”

Another wrote: “OMG, beautiful video; sweet lyr

Arturo ‘Toro the Bull’ George (Photo courtesy of Arturo George)

Nicki Minaj ‘taps’ dancehall females, among others, for new Likkle Miss remix

Spice; soca artistes Patrice Roberts and Destra Gar cia; Bronx rapper London Hill and British rapper of Kittitian heritage, Lady Leshurr, are all featured on a new remix of Likkle Miss by Nicki Minaj.

The remix dubbed, ‘The Fine Nine’, was released on Wednesday, October 5.

Jamaican born Lisa Mercedez, who is based in

me and asked me to do a verse. Right now, I am just ecstatic”, Lisa told OBSERVER ONLINE on Thursday, October 6.

In a post on her Insta gram page, London Hill wrote “A blessing! God don’t miss. NOT EVEN A LIKKLE. Thank you so much QUEEN! The Queen. Queen. Queen. NICKI MI NAJ. THE QUEEN OF HIP

leased on August 28 and was added to Nicki’s hits compilation Queen Radio: Vol 1 which was initially released on August 26 via Young Money/Republic Records.

Minaj has had a love for Jamaican music for years. She has also col laborated with the likes of Gyptian, Mavado, Stylo G and Sean Kingston.

‘Toro the Bull’ banks...

ics!” while yet another, a ‘Trini’by the sound of it, exclaimed: “No mamaguy; the tune nice!”

NO STRANGER TO GUYANA

Born and raised in the BVI, ‘Toro’, now 47, is no stranger to Guyana, having been coming here for the last 14 or so years to recruit skilled workers for his thriving construc tion business back home in the BVI.

“When I want top-ofthe-line skills, Guyana is one of the places I come to source them,” he told the Buzz a few weeks ago while here to promote his music. Another place he goes is the Philippines.

By top-of-the-line, he means skilled tradesmen like carpenters and ma sons.

And, like his maternal grandfather, who’s Vin centian by birth, the father of two has also started a

family here.

“That connection,” he said, “is what caused me to pay greater attention to what’s going on here, and to strategically align myself with the country. Guyana has great poten tial, in terms of another ten plus years of phenomenal growth…”

In order to take ad vantage of that development, he’s already had his company registered here.

(Jamaica Observer) –DANCEHALL artistes Lisa Mercedez, Dovey Magnum, Pamputtae and

Greater London, said Minaj contacted her via social me dia to be a part of the remix. “She (Nicki) messaged

HOP.”

The first remix of Lik kle Miss, featuring dance hall artiste Skeng, was re

Nicki Minaj (Jamaica Observer photo)

Shane Watson wants Australia to stay loyal with T20 World Cup selection

Similarly, Watson has de clared Finch’s role in the current side as being just as important and says the out of form opener must be persisted with, despite a recent glut of low scores.

TWO-time ICC World Cup-winner Shane Watson is adamant Australia must stick with Aaron Finch as their captain for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and believes young all-rounder Cameron Green should only feature at the tournament if an injury occurs to a key player.

Watson is renowned as one of Australia’s best whiteball players of all time and the 41-year-old famously helped his country to success at the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies and then again eight years later on home soil.

The Australian star was led by some legendary captains during his illustrious interna tional career, with fellow greats Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in charge of those two World Cup triumphs and also playing a key role in the overall success of the team.

Finch has managed just two T20I innings of greater than 50 since last year’s ICC T20 World Cup and recently stepped down from his position as ODI captain and retired from the format in order to concentrate on the up coming T20 tournament.

But Watson believes Finch’s value to the team extends way beyond his runs at the top of the order and he thinks the veteran right-hander must remain in Australia’s first choice XI.

“Finch is such an incredibly important part of this Australian team being the captain,” Watson told host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.

“He has been given the full support of the selectors and coach as well. So for me, every one’s got their fingers crossed that it’s all able to click for him during this T20 World Cup because, firstly, it is such an im portant role that he plays in the Powerplay opening the batting and, secondly, as a leader, as the captain making decisions under pressure.

“It’s very important that there is no innuendo or pres sure around him in terms of his position in the team … from an Australian point of view, I’ve got my fingers crossed that he will be fit and firing.”.

Teams have up until Octo ber 9 to tinker with their final squads for the upcoming tour nament and Australia take on the West Indies in a two-match series in Queensland prior to that final cut-off date.

Finch will get the opportu nity to find some form during those two matches, while Cam eron Green may also get an other opportunity to show his wares at the top of the order, after he was included in Aus tralia’s 16-player squad to face the Caribbean side.

Watson is a huge fan of Green and has admired the emerging all-rounder for some time, but believes the 23-yearold should only feature at the T20 World Cup if injury strikes a key player prior to or during the event.

“The only time I think he should be coming into the squad is if someone gets in jured or they don’t recover from their injury,” Watson noted.

“Marcus Stoinis, if he

Matthews fifty in vain as...

FROM

port.

In reply, New Zealand Women started wel l when Devine posted 25 for the first wicket with Bates (13) before three wickets fell for 17 runs in the space of 20

balls.

However, Green came to her side’s rescue, putting on 37 for the fourth wicket with Kerr to repair the damage.

In the end, the tar get should have been a straightforward one with

New Zealand Women need ing eight runs from the last two overs but off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond sent down an excellent penulti mate over which cost only three runs, setting up a nervy final over.

doesn’t recover fully from his injury or Mitchell Marsh for example, if they don’t recover from their niggles that they’ve had in the lead-up to this T20 World Cup, then absolutely (Green is) the first one picked.”

Watson thinks the players that did such a good job in delivering Australia their first T20 World Cup title in Dubai last year deserve the chance to

defend the trophy they won on home soil.

“The way the squad per formed so well in the last T20 World Cup, there’s no weak links,” he said.

“You have to give the play ers who were so dominant in the last T20 World Cup the first opportunity to be able to play in this T20 World Cup at home.

“It’s unfortunate from

Cam Green’s perspective because he is certainly good enough to be given a chance to play in that Australian team, but I’d definitely give the players who did a great job in the last T20 World Cup the first opportunity and the opportunity to play this World Cup at home, because there’s no weak links in that Aussie team.” (ICC Media)

Brazil extend lead in world rankings, Spain drop below Italy

(REUTERS) - In the last change to the FIFA World Rankings before the World Cup starts next month, Bra zil increased their lead at the top and Spain dropped below Italy.

Brazil, the only team to have competed in every World Cup finals, will go into next month's tournament in Qatar seeking a record-extending

sixth crown.

They will do so with a big ger lead at the top of the rank ings after friendly wins over Ghana and Tunisia widened the gap on second-placed Belgium who lost to the Netherlands in the Nations League.

Brazil's great rivals Argen tina remained third, with world champions France fourth and Euro 2020 runners-up England

fifth.

There was good news for Italy, who failed to qualify for the World Cup finals again, as they climbed above Spain into sixth place.

Other World Cup-bound teams climbing the rankings were Croatia, up three places to 12th, Iran up two spots to 20th and Serbia who rose to 21st.

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Region Nine’s Archery Guyana Competition

Immense natural talent displayed at first-ever Re-curve Archery shoot

ARCHERY Guyana’s (AG) Region 9 Competition 2022, sponsored by Oasis Wa ters/Guyana Beverages Inc., an overseas-based group, Friends of Old, was complet ed on the September 26.

The presentation of the medals was done at the open ing of the Region 9 Heritage celebrations at the St Ignatius Village. The medals were pre sented by Prime Minister Mark Phillips, the Prime Minister’s wife Mignon Bowen-Phillips, Regional Executive Officer Karl Singh, Mayor of Let hem Mr John Macedo and the Toshao of St Ignatius, Quarrie and Kumu Villages, Mr Wilson Laurentino.

The archery competition

began on September 24 at St Ignatius Village’s Wilson Laurentino Sports Ground. The ranking produced a match play whereby both Jad and Ju nior got byes to the semifinals while elimination match 1 was between Octavious and Ryan with Octavious getting ahead of Ryan.

The second elimination match between John and Ted resulted in John getting ahead of Ted. The first semi-finals between Jad and Octavious was a nail-biter with both archers achieving 5 set points.

In the decider of a one-ar row shoot-off Jad got ahead of Octavious, placing Jad in the finals. Junior bulldozed John out of the second semifinal

with 6 set points to zero.

This win placed him in the finals against Jad. John and Octavious then competed for the bronze medal with John getting the better of Octavious. The highly anticipated and closely contested final be tween Junior and Jad resulted in Junior winning the gold and Jad the silver.

The match seesawed be tween the two archers with Jad scoring the first 2 set points, after which Junior won 4 straight set points. Jad came back to even the score at 4 set points. Junior, however, went on to score the next 2 set points, bringing him to the winning total of 6 set points.

The medals were awarded at the prestigious opening ceremony of the Region 9 Heritage Celebrations of 2022. This event was attended by high-ranking government, regional and village officials and administrators.

The audience also included

cultural representatives and many fans from the surround ing villages. National coach Robert Singh made opening remarks which included point ing out the similarities and differences between Tradition al Archery and the Olympic Recurve Archery.

He noted that the prin ciples are the same but the Olympic Style allowed for specialised equipment and the use of skilled biomechan ics that allowed the archer to shoot at longer distances with more consistency and accuracy.

Singh also included a plea for financial support at the government, regional, village and general public levels to develop archery within the region, to produce champions that can represent Guyana at a National, International and ultimately at the prestigious Olympic Games levels.

In the words of coach Rob ert Singh, “The residents of

Region 9 are born with archery skills, it is in their blood, it is in their DNA.”

The 5 Cadet archers com peting were: Chris DaSil va, Kevin DaSilva, Fernando Adrian, Roland Gomes and Ezra Hamilton.

The competition was a 10-metre ranking round con sisting of 5 ends of 6 arrows. Results were: Ezra Hamilton – gold, Kevin Da Silva – silver, Ro land Gomes - bronze

The Men’s competition finals: 1. Ryan Gittens, 2. Oc tavious Hendricks, 3. Jad Juan, 4. Ted Juan, 5. Junior Martin, 6. John Yow.

The rankings, eliminations and finals were all keenly con tested. Out of a possible 300 points, the results for the high scoring and closely contested rankings were: 1. Jad Juan 203 points – gold, 2. Junior Martin 203 points – silver 3. Octavia Hendricks 198 points – bronze

Cornwall blasts unbeaten 205 off 77 balls

RAHKEEM Cornwall, the West Indies cricketer, achieved one of the rarest feats as he slammed a double-century in a T20 game in the USA. Cornwall blasted 22 massive sixes to remain unbeaten on 205 off just 77 balls while playing for Atlanta Fire in a tournament called Atlanta Open T20 Cricket Tournament.

While videos have been circulating on social media of the innings, the informa tion was confirmed by reputed statistician Mohandas Menon in a tweet. "West Indian Rahkeem Cornwall, while playing for At lanta Fire, blasted an unbeaten 205 in just 77 balls (SR 266.23) that included 22 sixes and 17 fours in an American T20 competition known as the Atlanta Open. A prize money of $75 000 is available to the winning team."

Atlanta Fire posted 326-1 and then re stricted opponents Square Drive to 154/8 to eventually win the match by 172 runs.

Justin Dill picked up 4 wickets for At

lanta Fire. Cornwall, who is a competent spinner as well, did not bowl in the match.

Archers of Region Nine had a fruitful shoot recently

Rakheem Cornwall slammed 205 just off 77 balls

Cariah’s journey from videos of Warne, Lara to the World Cup

YANNIC Cariah looked like he belonged. Thirty years old, on T20I debut, bowling to Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell in Australia for the first time. Picked ahead of Akeal Hosein. Se lected ahead of Fabian Al len and Hayden Walsh.

He bowled like a veteran with impeccable control, forcing a mistake from Max well who can maul inexpe rienced leg-spinners in his sleep.

In just his fifth career T20 game, Cariah took 1-15 from four overs, bowled 13 dot balls and conceded one boundary against the reigning world champions on their home patch.

WAS HE SURPRISED?

“The funny thing about this, when you work your entire life for something, the work you put in, confidence goes within yourself,” Cariah said. “I’m very confident in my ability and what I can do. What I believe in. Nobody can take that away from me.”

Yannic Cariah has spent his entire career hiding in plain sight. It’s all been there for anyone to see yet few seemed to notice.

An unbeaten 110 in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup third-place playoff against Sri Lanka, playing alongside Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder. A member of the famed Queen’s Park Cricket Club in Trinidad, home of some of West Indies’ great est-ever players. Five firstclass centuries for Trinidad and Tobago.

Leading run-scorer in West Indies’ first-class com petition in 2016-17. Two first-class five-wicket hauls.

Captain of the West Indies Emerging Team that won the domestic 50-over competition in 2019-20. An impressive List A bowling record.

Yet he hasn’t played in the CPL since 2016.

“That’s not my fault,” Cariah said. “That’s the peo ple picking the sides. I have no control over that.”

When you meet Cariah, you can see how he might be underestimated and even overlooked. He is very soft-spoken. He doesn’t carry himself with a swagger.

But there is an inner con fidence and belief in his abil ity that only begins to show the longer you speak to him.

It’s a confidence and a belief that shouldn’t surprise anyone given he has learned the game through watching videos of Shane Warne and Brian Lara. But it took a lit tle while after the Under-19 World Cup to find his place in domestic cricket.

“I’m a genuine all-round er,” he said. “But when I started off, I made my Trin idad debut as a leg-spinner. And then I found it difficult to maintain my spot as a leg-spinner because of other bowlers. So I put some more

Six persons facing criminal charges over soccer stampede

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reu ters) - Six persons, including police and match organisers, are facing criminal charges in Indonesia over a stampede at a soccer game at the weekend that killed at least 131 people, the country’s police chief said yesterday.

Saturday’s stampede in the Malang region of East Java was among the world’s worst sporting disasters, as hundreds of soccer fans tried to flee a stadium riot and the firing of tear gas by police, leading to a crush worsened by several locked exits.

Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo told a news conference that organisers and police were among those being investigat ed and more persons may be charged.

They would be charged with criminal negligence causing death, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence if found guilty.

The suspects include three police officers over their use of tear gas, the head of the organ ising committee and the chief security officer of the home club Arema FC.

Police said the club’s of ficials had not complied with

Arema FC supporters pray at a monument as they pay their condolences for the victims of a riot and stampede after a soccer match between Arema vs Persebaya, outside Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java province, Indonesia, October 4, 2022. (REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan)

safety requirements and had allowed a crowd larger than the stadium’s capacity, while stew ards had abandoned exits.

Police have said the ex its where fleeing people es caped were too narrow to pass through, while the country’s soccer association said some exits were locked.

The government had set up a fact-finding team in hopes to

reveal the culprits of the deadly stampede, among the deadliest soccer-related tragedies since the crush in Peru in 1964.

The investigation comes as President Joko Widodo ordered an audit on stadia across the country to make sure security is up to code, adding that “locked doors and steep stairs” were key factors in the incident.

emphasis on my batting. I made my comeback as a bat ter, and then after my batting took off, my bowling was al ways there. I never neglected (either) of them. I just kept getting better and better over a period of time.”

Despite leading the West Indies Emerging Team to their title in 2019-20, Cariah then went two years over the COVID-19 pandemic without playing a single domestic match. But his self-belief never abated during that time.

“I’m blessed with a gift to play cricket,” Cariah said.

“I always believe that I can make it to the top without giv ing up. Once I don’t give up. I guarantee I’m going make it.”

After a two-year absence from domestic cricket, he made 72, 72, 18 and 100 in his first four first-class innings for Trinidad and To bago earlier this year. He also bagged 4-59 against Leeward Islands. After years of no one noticing, someone finally did. West Indies selector Desmond Haynes noticed.

Cariah was picked for West Indies A against Bangla desh A in a first-class match in August and acquitted him self well enough to be called up for his ODI debut against New Zealand, which led to his selection for Australia. Cariah noted the jump in intensity from domestic to international level.

“You have to think a lot faster and have a lot of clar ity in what you’re doing, to execute your skills and be de cisive in what to do,” he said. “Because if you bowl a bad ball it will be put away easily. They ain’t going to miss any bad balls.”

But there were hardly any bad balls on Wednesday. He beat Maxwell and Finch four

times in his first two overs. His length was immaculate, a product of his maturity and his ability to read the condi tions quickly on his first trip to Australia.

“I figured out which lengths were best for me to bowl and my style of bowling and I adapted really, real ly quickly,” he said. “What made it even better for me is Australia bowled first. And

I saw (Adam) Zampa bowl and I saw the lengths he was bowling, so I know with my style of bowling once I hit my areas it’s going to be difficult for anybody to play.”

It’s the type of attitude his hero Warne would have been proud of. Cariah might not have the bluff or bluster or swagger of the late, great leg-spinner, but he has the same mindset.

“Whatever I do, I play to win,” Cariah said. “I don’t play to compete. I play to win.

“I’m a very quiet per son. But if they get to know me, I’m very cool. I do my best in everything I do. Good things happen to me. I have a positive mindset. I’m very confident within myself.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Crucial Super League points for South Africa after win over India

SOUTH Africa grabbed crucial points in the World Cup Super League table after their win over India in the thrilling first ODI in Lucknow.

Put in to bat first in Luc know in a 40-overs game, South Africa were reduced to 71-3 with India striking two quick blows. The wicket of Quinton de Kock further dented the visitors, but the tables turned when Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller joined hands.

The duo put on an un beaten 139-run partnership in 17.4 overs to take South Africa to 249 in 40 overs. Klaasen remained unbeaten on 74 off 65 balls while Mill er, carrying forward his fine recent form, finished on a 63-ball 75 not out.

South Africa pushed their advantage further with the new ball as Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell sent back the India openers inside the first six overs. Keshav Ma haraj then spun a web over India batters with the pitch

taking turn and India were reduced to 51-4.

Shreyas Iyer and San ju Samson resurrected the innings with a half-century stand, but Iyer was dismissed in the 27th over to give South Africa the upper hand. De spite late fireworks from the Samson-Thakur pair, India finished short and South Afri ca earned some much-needed Super League points.

The Cricket World Cup Super League which takes place across two years aims to raise the stakes of bilateral ODIs and help decide which teams feature in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

South Africa, before the start of the ongoing series against India, were languish ing at 11th place with just four wins in 13 matches. 13 teams are taking part in this competition - 12 Full Mem ber nations, along with the Netherlands - and the bottom five teams after the two-year period will play a qualifying tournament, which will also

feature the best teams from the lower rungs of compe tition.

When South Africa for feited the ODI series against Australia in January next year since it clashes with their new franchise competition, they had to give away all 30 ODI World Cup Super League points that were on offer.

Since then, they levelled the series against England in England (1-1), but it hasn't made their position in the standings any better.

The ongoing series against India, the ODIs against England at home and the two games remaining from their suspended home series against the Netherlands are the only ODIs in the Super League remaining for South Africa.

The maximum points South Africa can get if they win all of their remain ing Super League matches might not still be enough for them to automatically qualify for the tournament.

Yannic Cariah (left) receives his T20 cap from fellow spinner Akeal Hosein (Photo: Getty Images)

Messi says 2022 World Cup will ‘surely’ be the last

BUENOS AIRES, Ar gentina (AFP) - Argenti na captain Lionel Messi said yesterday that the 2022 World Cup in Qa tar will "surely" be the last of his career.

"It's my last World Cup, surely. I feel good physically. I was able to do a very good pre-season this year, which I couldn't

do last year. It was essen tial to get to where I am, with a good state of mind and a lot of hope," the 35-year-old told ESPN Argentina.

Messi, who is due to appear in his fifth World Cup, made his interna tional debut in 2005 and has since won 164 caps for Argentina and is the

country's all-time record scorer with 90 goals.

In the interview, which took place in Paris where Messi plays for Paris Saint-Germain, he admit ted he was nervous about the impending tournament in Qatar.

"There is anxiety, nerves about the World Cup," he said. "We can't

LaFleur stars as Melbourne capture T20 crown

who plies his trade in Cana da and hails from Berbice, blasted a fine 65 to ensure Melbourne whip Redemp tion Social and Sports Club by 115 runs at the Centennial ground, Toronto.

LaFleur struck four fours and three sixes as Melbourne reached a challenging 202 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. Jamaican Ricavo Williams supported with a breezy 49. Dwight Wheatley was Melbourne’s best bowler with three for 43 from four overs while Jeffrey Wool cock claimed two for 49.

wait for it to start."

Messi's internation al debut as a substitute against Hungary in 2005 lasted just two minutes before he was sent off but he quickly established himself in the national team set-up and travelled to Germany for his first World Cup in 2006.

He went on to play in the 2010 edition in South Africa, 2014 in Brazil, where Argentina reached the final, and 2018 in Rus sia.

The current side, under the management of Lio nel Scaloni has now gone 35 games without defeat and is likely to figure as

MELBOURNE Sports Club were again indebt ed to another Guyanese player while claiming their second major champion ship in the 2022 Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association of Toronto sea son which climaxed last weekend.

Following on the heroics

of Enterprise, East Coastborn Raja Pooran, who cap tured the man-of-the-match in the Over-40 tournament with a fine bowling perfor mance a few weeks back, it was the turn of former Guyana Under-19 captain Eugene LaFleur to lead Mel bourne to the T20 title.

The left-handed LaFleur,

Redemption, in reply, could muster only 87 all out in 19.4 overs with Krishna Graham being the main con tributor with 23. Hafeez Ul lah grabbed three for 14 off four overs while Dharmindra Lildhar and Sherwin Layne took two wickets each.

Apart from LaFleur and Pooran who took two bril liant catches in the game, former Guyana Under-19 player Kevin George is part of the Melbourne side.

LaFleur was deservedly named man-of-the-match.

one of the pre-tournament favourites for the Qatar tournament.

"We have reached a good moment, with a very well-equipped and very strong group, but anything can happen," said Messi.

"All the games are very difficult. The favourites are not always the ones who end up winning or taking the path that one expected.

"Argentina is always a candidate because of its history and what it means. But we are not the only favourites, there are other teams that are above us."

U.S. players ‘angry, exhausted’ after report on abuse, says Rapinoe

By Frank Pingue

(REUTERS) - Megan Rapi noe said yesterday she and her fellow U.S. women's national team members are angry and exhausted in the wake of a scathing report into allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct in the National Women's Soc cer League (NWSL).

The independent investi gation released on Monday revealed player-abuse within women's professional soccer in the United States was systemic and that the NWSL and governing U.S. Soccer body failed to adequately protect players.

"It's really sad to say, but in a way I think we are used to having to deal with one thing or another," Rapinoe said ahead of today’s friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.

"It seems to bring us closer and definitely unify the team and it's just one of those sort of intimate envi ronments that we are in that we're used to taking on a lot and playing in these kind of conditions."

The twice World Cup winner also felt it was im perative to see accountabil ity and singled out Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paul son and Chicago Red Stars

owner Arnim Whisler, who were both named in the re port.

In the aftermath of the report, Paulson removed himself from the team's de cision-making while Whisler was ousted as chairman but neither indicated plans to sell the team.

"I don't think that Merritt Paulson is fit to be the owner of that team. I don't think Arnim is fit to be the owner of Chicago," said Rapinoe.

"We need to see those people gone. So people who are fit and who will take care of the game and respect the game and help the game grow and the best way possi ble can replace them."

While Rapinoe acknowl

edged it has been a diffi cult stretch for members of the national squad, she was thankful to be together with her team mates and is look ing forward to the welcome distraction of being on the field.

"We are angry, exhaust ed, together and unified so it's kind of all of it. But it's nice to be here together as a team," said Rapinoe.

"Being able to be on the field to have not just a head coach, but an entire staff that supports us fully on and off the field where we can step on the field and do our job is something that I think is a safe haven for all of us."

Two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe

The three Guyanese players who are part of Melbourne, from left are: Raja Pooran, Eugene LaFleur and Kevin George

Argentina captain Lionel Messi

GFF signs off on ethics and procurement policies

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has created and approved strict ethics and procure ment policies, sharing the new rules with its membership to improve accountability and trans parency in football as part of the ongoing FIFA reform process.

The documents were signed off by the GFF Council - formerly the GFF Executive Committeebringing the national feder ation and its membership in line with the highest global standards in football.

“The GFF is committed

to managing football in the most professional manner in order to ensure the longterm stability and develop ment of the game and its administration,” said GFF president Wayne Forde.

“It is one of our stra tegic goals to continue to strive for good governance because football cannot thrive and grow without a strong institutional foun dation.”

“We believe these new standards place GFF at the forefront of good gover nance in sports adminis tration in the Caribbean region,” Forde added.

The policies apply to the GFF Council and Gen eral Secretariat, as well as its regional associations,

Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane arrested after rape accusations

michhane was at the Ca ribbean Premier League (CPL).

A day later he tweeted to say he was leaving the CPL and would return to Nepal.

On September 25, he issued a further statement having not returned, and after this Nepalese po lice said they had sought help from Interpol with a "diffusion" notice ask ing member countries for their co-operation in bringing Lamichhane back to the country to face charges.

NEPAL spinner Sand

eep Lamichhane was arrested yesterday al most a month after a court issued a warrant over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl.

Lamichhane, 22, was taken into custody after landing at Kathmandu air port in Nepal, local police told Reuters.

He said on Facebook he was returning to co-op erate with the investiga

tion and has denied any wrongdoing.

Lamichhane is Ne pal's most high-profile cricketer, having played in Australia's Big Bash and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He was suspended as Nepal captain last month following the rape accu sations.

The warrant was is sued by a Nepalese court on September 8 while La

"News of the arrest warrant issued against me made me mentally dis turbed. I could not think what to do and what not to do," Lamichhane said.

"My health condition is gradually improving and I am planning to re turn to Nepal as soon as possible to vehemently fight back (against the allegations)."

He arrived in Kath mandu on a flight from Doha yesterday. (BBC Sport)

member affiliates and member clubs. The full documents can be found online on GFF’s website.

The Ethics, Anti-Brib ery and Anti-Corruption Policy supports GFF’s zero tolerance approach to unethical and illegal behaviour in football, cov ering areas such as gifts, hospitality, facilitation pay ments, kickbacks, employ ee and contractor respon sibilities, record-keeping and conflicts of interests.

It establishes a register of interests for senior officials across the football com munity.

The Procurement Policy outlines rules and thresh olds for tendering goods and services across a range of budgets, from open and restricted tendering to the request for a quotation for GFF and its members.

“All procurement now requires a clear paper trail and an accountable, trans parent process,” Forde said.

“This will ensure the GFF and its members not only adhere to ethical practices, but also ensure that money is well spent through a fair process for service providers.” (GFF release)

Nurse plays key role as India Capitals capture Legends title

JAIPUR, India (CMC) –

Former Barbados and West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse once again made his presence felt with the bat as his India Capitals crushed Bhilwara Kings by 107 runs in the final of the Legends Cricket League.

Playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday, the 33-year-old lashed an exhilarating 19-ball unbeaten 42 as Capitals piled up an impressive 211 for sev en off their 20 overs.

New Zealander Ross Tay lor top-scored with 82 from 41 balls while Australian Mitchell Johnson joined in the runs with 62 from 35 deliveries.

In reply, Kings could muster only 107 in the pen ultimate over, Australian Shane Watson (27) and Jesal Karia (22) the only batters to pass 20.

It was the batting effort from Capitals, however, which laid the groundwork for their victory.

Languishing at 21 for four in the fourth over with former West Indies batsmen Denesh Ramdin (0) and Dwayne Smith (3) among the early casualties, Capitals were pulled around first in a 126-run, fifth-wicket stand between Taylor and Johnson.

Taylor blasted four fours and eight sixes and Johnson,

seven fours and three sixes, the pair quickly turning the tables on the Kings attack.

When Johnson fell in the 15th over, the right-handed Nurse arrived to pummel half-dozen fours and one six, adding a further 27 for the seventh wicket with Taylor and a crucial 37 in an un broken eighth-wicket part nership with Praveen Gupta (four not out).

Kings then slumped to 44 for three in the sixth over be fore being rescued by Watson and Karia who put on 32 for the fourth wicket.

Once they were sepa rated, however, Kings lost their last seven wickets for 31 runs.

GFF president Wayne Forde

Former Barbados and West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse

Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane

Joshua Denny Memorial U20 final set for tonight

… Santos confident of win over GFC

IT IS anticipated that to night's final in the Joshua Denny Memorial Un der-20 football tourna ment will be very strongly contested when Santos FC confront Georgetown Football Club (GFC) at 20:30hrs.

Coach of Santos, Cal vin 'Flu' Allen, while ex pressing confidence in win ning,, cited the 'respect for the family of a very humble and talented footballer, who unfortunately lost his life is of equal importance'.

His opposite Akedo Softley, stated that his players are mentally ready and he expects a solid per formance from them in the feature game of the dou ble-header, set for the Min istry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The spearhead for the

'Bourda Blues' side will be National U-20 Ravi Coates, with main support from Mikkel Mills who missed the opening game.

The powerful Santos lineup will include Junior and Senior National Darren Niles, along with National youth goalkeeper Ronaldo Blair and another former youth national, Solomon Austin.

Preceding the final will be a battle for third- place honours between losers of the first round, Fruta Con querors FC and Camptown FC, beginning at 18:30hrs.

The inaugural competi tion in memory of the late Denny, who was robbed and gunned down a year ago, is organised by the Pe tra Organisation in tandem with,Aferya Denny, mother of the former Camptown

FC and North Georgetown Primary Pee Wee player.

According to Mrs Den ny, 'the objective of the

Brazil extend lead in world rankings, Spain drop below Italy

competition is to sensitise the public and, moreso the youths, about working to achieve their goals instead

says

of crime', while the theme is 'Mothers against Crime'.

In the opening two games played on Septem

Matthews fifty in vain as Windies Women lose finale against NZ

NORTH SOUND, Anti gua,(CMC) – Captain Hay ley Matthews struck her sixth Twenty20 International half-century but that was the only highlight for hapless West Indies Women, as they slumped to a five-wicket de feat off the last delivery of the final T20I against New Zea land Women here Thursday.

In a series which has been littered by tense final-over finishes, the finale at the Viv ian Richards Cricket Ground proved no different, Player-ofthe-Match Maddy Green scam pering a single off the final ball to help her side overhaul a modest target of 102.

The 29-year-old righthander was the hero, top-scor ing with an unbeaten 32 from 29 balls with two fours, while Amelia Kerr chipped in with 25 and veteran captain Sophie Devine, 23.

Matthews had earlier shone with 56 from 54 balls but un fortunately, was the only player to reach double figures as West Indies Women struggled to 101 for eight off their 20 overs after

they were sent in.

The elegant right-hander counted three fours and two sixes, putting on 21 for the first wicket with Aaliyah Alleyne (6) and 29 for the second wick et with Kyshona Knight (8), before she was fifth out in the 17th over with the score on 83.

Veteran fast bowling all-rounder Suzie Bates claimed three for 10 to lead her side’s attack while teenaged left-arm spinner Fran Jonas (2-8) – who bowled the new ball – and 21-year-old off-spinner Eden Carson (2-18), provided sup

World Cup will ‘surely’ be the last

ber 23, Santos swamped Camptown 6-1 and GFC eked out a 2-1 victory over Fruta Conquerors.

Mrs Aferya Denny (left) collecting the challenge trophy from Miss Nareesa Latif of the Petra Organisation

Brazil

team at World Cup in Qatar

Captain Hayley Matthews struck her sixth T20I half-century