Guyana chronicle e paper 07 23 2017

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No contradiction Teen basketball Phenom Jada Mohan

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No. 104982

SUNDAY JULY 23, 2017

Price: $140

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…President says comments complement CJ’s ruling in GECOM matter

Shun sensational reporting

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– Chancellor tells GPA dinner

Guyana Chronicle winners at the GPA Media Awards held at Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose Street, Georgetown, Saturday night. From left: Rabindra Rooplall, Samuel Maughn, Vanessa Braithwaite, Navendra Seoraj, Board Director Ruel Johnson, Tajeram Mohabir, Rawl Toney, Ravin Singh (Overall winner of the GPA awards), and Stephan Sookram (Delano Williams)

$632M drug purchase…

GPHC board says CEO ‘acted recklessly’ ■ Page 13

Abide by chief Look out for APNU sets justice’s plastic rice, sights on 2020 ruling – GBA urges cabbage victory Page 14

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

CoI into President’s assassination plot hears

Commotion erupted at CID – after informer allegedly threatened plotter’s brother

By Ariana Gordon A COMMOTION had ensued at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters on March 29, the same day when Nazim Khan, the man accused of plotting to kill President David Granger was arrested at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

Corporal Jermain Laundry who has been serving at CID and the Major Crime Unit for just over a year, told commissioner of the CoI into the alleged plot to

assassinate President David Granger, retired Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe, that after his job had been completed, he left for home just after 18:00hrs.

He along with Detective Sergeant Komal Petamber and Corporal Deonarine were part of the investigating team which visited Khan’s home and subsequently arrested him.

The policeman said after he had completed his tasks that evening, he left for home but was called to return to CID headquarters.

Laundry said he received

a call from Inspector Narine, indicating that there was a situation at the office.

It took him a little over an hour to return to the CID. Upon his return, he saw Nazim Khan and his brother Imran Khan at the station.

The police corporal said he did not observe “a situation” upon his arrival.

“When I reach, I didn’t see no situation, but I heard Imran wanted to make a report, saying Andrif Gillard threatened him,” said Laundry.

Earlier this year, Andrif Gillard had alleged that Ni-

CoI Commissioner Paul Slowe pays keen attention to the proceedings on Friday

zam Khan asked him to kill President Granger sometime in 2015, an allegation Khan has denied. According to Giffard, who testified on Thursday before the commission, he had approached Khan to loan him $6M, but Khan instead offered him $7M, noting that he would not have to repay the money if he killed the President.

The corporal said that he was informed by his colleagues that the threat occurred on the stairway of CID headquarters. The policeman noted that he was instructed to “pass through” Imran Khan’s firearm and he did same without questions.

The man’s firearm was reportedly seized by Constable Benjamin, Laundry recounted. He said he was unclear why he was recalled to the office.

GUN RELEASED However, some 10 min-

utes after the firearm was “passed through,” it was released to the owner.

“I don’t know which inspector signed… but Inspector Narine told me to give back the gun,” the constable added.

The corporal, who served in Berbice among other locations before being transferred to CID Headquarters, told the commission that the firearm was lodged for “safe-keeping,” but Slowe quickly disputed his statement.

“It cannot be for safe-keeping… some explanation must have been given as to why the firearm was being lodged… it was not really lodged… it was passed through,” said Slowe.

Meanwhile, Corporal Laundry said he was familiar with the Khan brothers because earlier in his career, he was stationed at the Grove Police Station.

“Do you know of any close relationship of either one or both with anyone in the force? You have not seen them anywhere together?”

Slowe asked to which Laundry replied in the negative.

But interestingly, Laundry could not tell the commission if Nazim Khan was detained (locked up) after his arrest.

The policeman recounted a confrontation with one Leon Baldeo and Gillard.

Baldeo contended that Giffard offered him $50,000 to say he was present when Khan told him of the assassination plot.

However, the process was not an easy one as Laundry explained Giffard was contacted on April 7 in relation to an allegation made

against him by Baldeo.

Gillard promised to report to CID on April 12 at 09:00 hrs but did not.

“I made subsequent contact with him …I called him after 9am passed and he told me he was heading to the interior. I called again and checked at his home… but I got on to him on April 19 but he didn’t go to CID. I tried calling again and he told me he was not coming anywhere,” Laundry recounted.

He added: “As such he [laundry] involved Inspector Narine who called Gillard and tried to reason with him, but Gillard was not interested.”

He said he did not care who Narine was; he was not going, said the corporal, who noted that confrontation eventually occurred on April 25.

Retired Justice Chang, who is representing the interest of the police, questioned whether the statement by Baldeo was communicated to Gillard before the confrontation between the duo.

Laundry denied telling Gillard the details of Baldeo’s statement.

Attorney Christopher Ram followed suit and questioned Corporal Laundry about the police system for the seizure of firearms from licensed holders.

Hearings will continue on Monday at 09:00 hrs, and will see Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, Commander Clifton Hickens and Leon Baldeo, among others testifying before the commission.

Commissioner Slowe has up to August 18 to submit his report to President David Granger.

Look out for plastic rice, cabbage ON Friday, pictures surfaced on social media of plastic rice which was allegedly bought at an East Coast Demerara supermarket.

When contacted for a comment on Saturday, Director of the Government-Food and Drug Analyst Department, Marlan Cole, reserved his comments on the presence of plastic rice here.

He noted however that he

was not aware of any samples being taken to the unit, adding that there is no standard or specification to determine if rice is made of plastic.

In May, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) noted with great concern the presence of video recordings being circulated of plastic rice and clarified that there has been no confirmation of plastic rice on the Guyanese market.

The homemade video recordings which were posted on social media, alleging to be plastic rice is labelled as “Product of Guyana”. The case involved a video recording emanating from Trinidad and Tobago of packaged rice labelled “Product of Guyana,” packaged for Naisa Brand Products Ltd. Trinidad.”

The GRDB stated cateTurn to page 11 ►

No contradiction 3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

…President says comments complement CJ’s ruling in GECOM matter AMID a firestorm over his comments regarding the court ruling in the Guyana Elections Commission case, President David Granger has refuted any assertion that he had rejected the ruling of acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire and asserted that any commentary that is contrary is clearly a deliberate misinterpretation.

Several commentators have commented on the President’s remarks, deeming it a rejection, but in a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency Saturday evening, President Granger said, there is no indication that he has ‘dismissed’ the chief justice’s ruling, nor that he does not observe the separation of powers between the Executive Branch of Government and the Judiciary. “In fact, what President Granger ac-

tually said is that he will continue to act according to the requirements of the Constitution,” the statement read.

Speaking to members of the media last Wednesday, the Head of State said, “I will continue to act within my perception of the Constitution; that is to say, that I will not appoint somebody that I do not consider ‘fit and proper’.”

The court case was brought against the Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams,

by Mr. Marcel Gaskin, a private citizen, who had asked the High Court to provide an interpretation of the Constitution as it relates to the selection of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The statement said that the words ‘fit and proper’ are taken directly from Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana

President David Granger

and are an iteration of what the acting chief justice is reported to have said in her ruling, based on her perception of that Article. “While the President believes that

the Constitution was crafted the way it was to give preference to the appointment of ‘a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge’, he has never disagreed with [the] acting chief justice’s ruling in that the Constitution clearly states that ‘any other fit and proper person’ can be appointed. President Granger’s comments complement and do not contradict that ruling.”

The ministry reminded that as early as January 2017, during the recording of The Public Interest, the President had said that he believes that what the drafters of the Constitution had in mind was

someone who had arrived at the position of a judge, as it is expected that person would have been someone, who possesses the qualities of impartiality, integrity and intelligence. The President added that any ‘fit or proper person’ must approximate those qualities that characterise what is expected of a judge.

President Granger went on to tell media operatives that he remains committed to the spirit of the Constitution. “I do not believe that anything that the Honourable Chief Justice said has diminished my regard for the word or the spirit of the Constitution. I do believe that the person must be independent, must be impartial and I am looking for that independence and that impartiality,” he said.

Further, any report or

APNU sets sights on 2020 victory THE Executive Council of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) met on Saturday when it recommitted itself to forging stronger ties as a coalition grouping, as it sets its eyes on re-election in 2020.

The meeting on Saturday had come following complaints by the Working People’s Alliance over the reassignment of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine from Minister of Education to Minister of the Public Service. In a statement issued following their

meeting, APNU, the larger grouping in the coalition government, said its Chairman, President David Granger in his opening remarks, emphasised the importance of keeping the partnership strong.

“The chairman referred the members to the Statement of Principles that guided the formation and the vision of the APNU,” the coalition said. At the meeting, the Executive examined a report which was commissioned by the chairman of APNU. According to the statement, the

report presented the views, emanating from consultations with each of the parties, on the future development of the APNU. Each member-party was invited to comment on its details and agreed that the report faithfully reflected their views.

The Executive also discussed strategic issues relevant for the future of the partnership and the coalition.

The meeting also discussed matters of concern raised by the executive of the WPA; Amerindian land- titling;

the upcoming 2018 Local Government Elections, the frequency of Executive meetings and other critical issues.

The current and future policy positions and requirements for the APNU to satisfy the developmental needs of Guyana were considered by the Executive, the release stated, adding that the chairman proposed that for the future functioning of APNU’s Executive, its detailed activities should be dealt with by the formation of five commissions, which

suggestion that the President does not observe the separation of powers is blatantly dishonest and mischievous. In fact, during his remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of four new Puisne judges and a Justice of Appeal, the President reiterated the importance of an independent judiciary. “The Executive Branch of Government has no interest in interfering in the adjudicatory role of the judiciary, nor will it condone any interference in the work of the judiciary.

Threats to the independence of the judiciary must be repelled… Judges are expected to be exemplars of high moral standards and personal propriety,” the President said. The ministry said the Head of State remains committed to that separation and nothing in his word or actions have demonstrated anything otherwise.

…recommits to strong, successful coalition

would be responsible for, Administration, Communities, Education, Elections

and Finance.

“Members of the Execu-

Turn to page 11 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Trump insists he has ‘complete power’ to pardon U.S. PRESIDENT Donald Trump has insisted he has the “complete power” to pardon people, amid reports he is considering presidential pardons for family members, aides and even himself.

A Democratic Party spokesman has called the reports “extremely disturbing”.

The U.S. authorities are probing possible collusion between the Trump team and Russia. Intelligence agencies

think Russia tried to help Mr Trump to power. Russia denies this, and the president says there was no collusion.

The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Mr Trump and his team were looking at ways to pardon people close to him.

Presidents can pardon people before guilt is established, or even before the person is charged with a crime.

Describing the reports

as disturbing, Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, said “Pardoning any individuals who may have been involved would be crossing a fundamental line.”

O n S a t u r d a y, M r Trump tweeted: “While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us. FAKE NEWS.” Mr Trump also attacked “illegal leaks” following reports his attorney-general discussed campaign-related matters with a Russian envoy.

T h e Wa s h i n g t o n Post gave an account of meetings Attorney-General Jeff Sessions held with the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak. The newspaper quoted current and former US officials who cited intelligence intercepts of Mr Kislyak’s version of the encounter to his superiors.

One of those quoted said Mr Kislyak spoke to Mr Sessions about key campaign issues, including Mr Trump’s positions on policies significant to Russia.

During his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Mr Sessions said he had no contact with Russians during the election campaign. When it later emerged he had, he said the campaign was not discussed at the meetings.

An official confirmed to Reuters the detail of the intercepts, but there has been no independent corroboration.

The officials spoken to by the Post said that Mr Kislyak could have exaggerated the account, and cited a Justice Department spokesperson who repeated that Mr Sessions did not discuss interference in the election.

But the Post’s story was the focus of one of many tweets the US president fired off on Saturday morning.

“A new INTELLIGENCE LEAK from the Amazon Washington Post, this time against A.G. Jeff Sessions. These illegal leaks, like Comey’s, must stop!”

Mr Trump said.

U.S. President Donald Trump

The Washington Post is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who has been an occasional sparring partner for Mr Trump. “Comey” refers to James Comey, the former FBI boss Mr Trump fired.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump told the New York Times he regretted hiring Mr Sessions because he had stepped away from overseeing an inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

Mr Sessions recused himself in March amid pressure over his meetings with Mr Kislyak. He says he plans to continue in his role as attorney-general.

Several other regular targets for Mr Trump featured in his series of tweets.

He accused the “failing” New York Times of foiling

an attempt to assassinate the leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

It is not clear what Mr Trump was referring to, but on Saturday, a US general complained on Fox News that a “good lead” on Baghdadi was leaked to a national newspaper in 2015.

A New York Times report at the time revealed that valuable information had been extracted from a raid, but the paper stressed on Saturday that no-one had taken issue with their reporting until now.

And Mr Trump again urged Republicans to “step up to the plate” and repeal and replace President Obama’s healthcare reforms, a key campaign pledge of his that has collapsed in Congress. (BBC)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Shun sensational reporting – Chancellor tells GPA dinner

By Vishani Ragobeer ACTING Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards on Saturday evening urged media operatives to shun sensational reporting and that they should understand the critical role they play in the development of this country.

She was at the time speaking at the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Awards Ceremony and Dinner held at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queentown, Georgetown.

Justice Cummings-Edwards stressed the importance of the media in ensuring inclusivity, transparency and accountability and justice. Moreover, the Chancellor highlighted that in addition to the executive, legislative and the judicial pillars of democracy, the media function as the fourth pillar of democracy, due to its myriad functions. “A democracy without media has been described as a vehicle without wheels,” she said.

Cummings-Edwards stressed that journalists should not take their roles lightly and always ensure that whatever stories they tell are always factual, since the media are pivotal in shaping society. Additionally, she posited that sensational reporting should be stamped out and objective reporting should always be done.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle swept the awards collecting 14 awards across 10 categories. Guyana Chronicle Senior Reporter, Ravin Singh picked up six of the 14 awards and earned the title of the Young Journalist of the year after his submissions in this category were deemed to be of the highest calibre. He also scored in the categories of Investigative Journalism, Parliament and Local Government, Environment and Science, Human Rights issues and Business and Finance.

During his brief remarks, Singh stressed, “Being outstanding or being great is not an esoteric feature that is lim-

Acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards delivering the featured address at the GPA 2017 media awards (Delano Williams)

ited to just a few people.” He continued by saying, “It is not limited to a group, or a few people, you can all be great in whatever capacity you serve and you just have to put your mind to your work [and] apply yourself.” He reflected upon the contributions of all of his colleagues towards the development of Guyana, and underscored that his success would not be possible without

the contributions of those who helped him along the way.

In addition, Assistant Editor of the Guyana Chronicle Tajeram Mohabir raked in three awards for his pieces in the categories of Parliament and Local Government, Investigative Journalism and Science and the Environment.

Chronicle journalists Stephan Sookram, Samuel Maughn, Rabindra Rooplall, Vanessa

A section of the gathering at the GPA 2017 media awards ceremony (Delano Williams)

Guyana Chronicle Senior Reporter Ravin Singh, the overall winner of the GPA 2017 media awards addresses the gathering at Herdmanston Lodge, Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, Georgetown (Delano Williams)

Braithwaite and Navendra Seoraj also scored awards at the ceremony. Additionally, former Newsroom reporter, Rawle Toney, who now works with the Guyana Chronicle copped two awards.

Cultural Policy Advisor to the Minister of Education and board member of the Guyana Chronicle, Ruel Johnson, lauded the performance of the Guyana Chronicle journalists.

“It is an objective measure of the quality of journalism that vindicates that the state media can be involved in high-quality, meaningful journalism.”

He related also that while the performance of the Guyana Chronicle staffers was incredibly remarkable, it is his staunch belief that the newspapers reporters could perform even better by honing their skills in future, especially through the young and upcoming batch of journalists.

Several other journalists from different media houses were awarded for their contributions within the field. This award ceremony has returned after a hiatus of several odd years. This year’s panel of judges included: Reuters Senior Correspondent, Girish Gupta; Reuters Swiss/American journalist, Alexandra Ulmer; internationally recognised News Anchor and Environmental Producer and Presenter, Ugochi Oluigbo; Multimedia journalist and communications professional, Rahul Venkit; Zimbabwean journalist, author and editor, Robert Mukandiwa; Jamiacian journalist, Andrea Downer; Dutch Caribbean journalist, Alita Singh; Philippine journalist, Imelda Abano and President of the Association of Caribbean Media workers, Wesley Gibbings.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Take action!

Inspire change

IN November 2009, the United Nations (UN), by resolution, dedicated 18th July “Nelson Mandela International Day.” This day, which honours his birthday, calls on citizens and governments around the world to engage in some activity consistent with what he stood for.

The year’s theme is “Take action! Inspire change.”

Known for devoting his life to the service of humanity as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa, any aspect of his life’s work, should it be practiced, is bound to bring about positive change. Friends or foes, supporters of the ideology of the West, East or Non-aligned, his ability to break down barriers and stand resolutely for what he believed in earned him the respect of all.

Mandela did not only create history, but he helped to shape it, bending the arc of justice to the marginalised, deprived, discriminated against and downtrodden. In every exercise and success in struggles and public life, it requires the strength and tenacity of a leader who is determined to bring about change. His challenge to the white, racist system of apartheid led to 27 years behind bars, but his resoluteness and struggle not only bore fruits for South Africa, but the

world at large.

Here in Guyana, successive PNC Governments, under whose period Mandela was incarcerated, took action, locally and internationally, to topple the apartheid system and free Mandela, even at times when such action was questioned and received criticisms from within. Anything that furthers the legacy of Mandela, given the active role the Government of Guyana played in his and Southern African liberation, there should be no hesitation to continue his work for change.

In December 2015, two years after his demise, the UN General Assembly decided to extend the scope of the International Day to also be utilised in order to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, to raise awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society and to value the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance.

It is instructive this year as the Day was being marked, that Guyana was experiencing one of its most tumultuous periods in our prison system. Two Sundays ago, the overcrowded Camp Street prison was set ablaze by the inmates, who not only overpowered the prison guards, killed one and injured others, but their riotous acts saw the destruction of prison properties. Though the loss is yet to be quantified and estimated, it

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

may very well be in the ball park of billions.

It is no secret that Guyana’s prison system is less than what is desired by international standards. It follows that such would adversely impact the conditions of the prisoners’ lives and those under which the prison employees are expected to work. Taking action requires recognition to address the necessity to change the system from punitive to rehabilitative.

Prisoners are foremost human beings, though engaged in unlawful acts and deserving of the period of incarceration, such should not condemn them to a life of failure or pariah status. Rehabilitative justice creates opportunities for second chance through development and/or acquiring of skills and reformed behaviours.

Humanity also requires physical living conditions conforming to international standards on prisoners’ rights. Cruel, inhumane and degrading conditions are considered unrelated within modern prison systems.

There continues to be international crusades against violence, overcrowding, sexual abuse, and other conditions that pose grave risks to prisoners’ health and safety. Mistreatment based on race, sex, gender identity, or disability has too been decried.

Of his own experience, Mandela noted that outside of inhumane conditions and mistreatment of prisoners, the racial dis-

Editorial

crimination he fought against on the outside followed him in the inside. He recounted that he and other African (Black) prisoners were given shorts to wear, while Ahmed Kathrada, the only Asian among the group of African National Congress leaders who arrived on Robben Island together, received long trousers. According to him, Africans also had a worse diet than Asian or mixed inmates.

This is a lesson for us as Guyanese still dealing with mistrust and inequality sowed over centuries, but which require determined efforts to uproot and change. And where it is recognised, like Mandela “racism is a blight on the human conscience. The idea that any people can be inferior to another, to the point where those who consider themselves superior define and treat the rest as inferior, denies the humanity even of those who elevate themselves to the status of gods,” things could change for the better.

Taking action on prison reform cannot come without attention being paid to the prison employees being equipped with the requisite skills, remuneration and tools, in an appropriate environment to perform. Where the UN has decided to focus attention to improving conditions of the prison system as fitting homage to Mandela’s life’s work, Guyana must too proceed on this journey.

Sleep Inn Hotel and the casino licence Dear Editor I AM a firm believer that the private sector in every country must be the engine of growth and development and this must be facilitated by an enabling environment created for the most part by governments. Guyana is no exception.

I am currently in Guyana and was given a tour of the Sleep Inn hotel and casino on Church Street on Saturday by Mr. Clifton Bacchus, the owner. I had never met Mr. Bacchus before nor was I aware of the principal(s)

in the Sleep Inn investment.

However, during the tour, Mr. Bacchus lamented the fact that he has been waiting almost a year for the casino licence for which he has applied, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) he signed with the Government of Guyana, prior to May 2015.

According to Mr. Bacchus, U.S. $18 million has been invested in the Church Street hotel and casino. The tour revealed to me some 150 nicely appointed rooms, some elegant suites with contemporary upscale furnishing and a

state-of-the-art casino with facilities for top-class restaurants, a gift shop and a stage for nightly entertainment.

Most important, in my view, is that when operational, the casino and its attendant facilities will create employment for some 300 people, 80 of which are currently on the payroll having undergone specialised training for employment in a casino.

These workers are being paid although the casino is not open for business, because the training is expensive and Mr. Bacchus does not want to have to retrain new people,

if he lets go of the current crop of trained workers. But for how much longer can he sustain this not having the slightest clue when, if at all, his company will be granted a licence?

He says his first application was turned down on the basis of some financial requirements, which have since been met and a second application submitted last October. Bacchus’s business partner in the casino, a foreign national, is contemplating removing the state-ofthe art casino machines and equipment since he is unsure

if and when a licence will be granted. In the meantime however, Bacchus is moving ahead with upgrades to the hotel and casino complex, currently installing some 300 solar panels that will eventually supply electricity to the complex. I saw some of the panels. He indicated that he had just paid $279,000 in duty to access the panels from the wharf. I thought investment in Guyana, whether local or foreign, attracted duty-free concessions, especially when it comes to “greening” the economy.

Most countries offer incen-

tives such as duty-free concessions and tax holidays for genuine, job- creating investments.

Against the backdrop of the above-mentioned, I am perplexed as to why Mr. Bacchus has not been told, having submitted his application over eight months now, whether a licence will be granted, and if so when, or whether there are still other criteria he is required to meet. This is a major investment by a Guyanese.

Why is it taking so long to See page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

AG’s submissions in ‘GECOM chairperson’ court case

THIS is the first part of the submission of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams in response to Businessman Marcel Gaskin’s proceedings in the High Court seeking an interpretation of Article 161(2) of the Constitution of the Guyana.

Last week Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire made her ruling in the case.

In Gordon v Minister of Finance and Others (1968) 12 WIR 416, Bishop J., at page 419: It seems clear to me from a consideration of these subsections that, firstly, it is not just any person who makes an allegation of a contravention of the Constitution of the State who has the right of application to the High Court. This right is specifically conferred upon a person with a relevant interest-- not just an interest, but a relevant interest. Further, a person is to be considered as having a relevant interest if the contravention which he alleges, is a contravention that affects his interests. (It is not his interest in or concern over the matter.)

It has not been disputed, and I share the view, that the onus rests on the applicant to establish to the satisfaction of the court that he is a person who is qualified under the subsection, and unless he proves his qualification then his complaint cannot be entertained by the court.

In other words, the applicant

must prove that such contravention of the Constitution as he alleges, is one which affects his interests.(emphasis added) In the case of Hughes et al v the Attorney General of Guyana [2001] LRG 87 it was held that: The current proceedings concern the Plaintiffs’ contention that their fundamental right to be heard was violated. It is a matter between them and the State, to which the intervention of the Applicant is neither necessary nor instrumental.

The Applicant instituted proceedings for Declaratory Orders NOT as a person who has and direct personal interest in the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, but merely as a citizen of Guyana, as such the Applicant may be regarded as a meddlesome Busy Body and not a public benefactor. The Applicant has not established sufficient direct interest in the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

It is submitted that the remedy in this claim does not lie ex debito justitiae, as such, the Court ought not to grant the reliefs sought by the Applicant. Further, it is the respectful submission of the Respondent that the Applicant has failed to establish that he has the requisite locus standi to bring such an application before this Honourable Court and this application ought to be

struck out as such.

Interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Article 161(1), (2), (3) and (4) talks about the conditions under which the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM), should be appointed. These conditions have clearly been stipulated under the provisions in the Constitution.

Under Article 161(2) the conditions are in two categories:i. Mandatory qualifications, that is to say, the candidate for the Chair must be either a sitting Judge or a person who held the office of Judge of the High Court or a person who qualifies to be appointed as a Judge. ii Optional qualifications, that is to say, that for a candidate to be appointed under this optional choice of the President, that person should be a fit and proper person or his or her nomination would be unacceptable to the President.

It is important to note that, in ordinary language definition, “or” is a conjunction/disjunction used to connect alternative terms for the same thing, i.e. it is normally used to connect words, phrases, or clauses reprinting alternatives.

This meaning is in line with Section 5 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, Chapter2:01 which provides;-“or”, “other”, and “otherwise” shall be con-

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams strued disjunctively and not a simplying similarity, unless the expression “similar”, or some equivalent expression, is added; Where the List of the Candidates submitted by the opposition leader contains a sitting or a former Judge, it was mandatory to consider those two nominees first before considering the others.

Thus, it is respectfully submitted that under Article 161(2) of the Constitution, it is mandatory for the President when appointing Chairman of the Elections Commission to first consider a person who holds office of the Judge , i.e. a sitting Judge. However, if he cannot get a sitting Judge, it is mandatory for him to consider the second option, that is to say; a person who has held office as a Judge, i.e. former

Sleep Inn Hotel and the casino ...

From page 6

give the man an answer?

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are encouraging him to invest in those countries. In fact, I was at the opening of the new airport in St. Vincent on Valentine’s Day when Prime Minister Gonsalves mentioned Sleep Inn of Guyana as a potential investor.

I asked Mr. Bacchus what he thought was causing the delay. He claimed not to know. “Are you a drug dealer?” I asked. He said no. “Are you a criminal? I asked next

and the answer was again no. Are you among those denied a U.S. visa? Again the answer was no. So why is such a huge investment in the Guyana economy being made to eventually fail? That is the purpose of this letter. I hope the relevant authority would publicly advise what are the factors delaying a response to this application.

If there are legitimate reasons for delaying or even denying the licence, then let the man know. And having invested so much into this project, on the basis of an MoU with the Government of Guyana, and

given that 300-plus jobs will be generated, I can see no reason for denying a licence, although there may be other requirements that need to be met before a licence is granted.

At the end of the tour, someone whispered to me that Bacchus is a good friend of former President Donald Ramotar and that could be the reason for the frustration Bacchus is being made to endure.

I would hate to believe that this is the reason. The APNU+AFC coalition government promised good

governance and this would certainly be evidence to the contrary, if this were true. I hold no brief for Bacchus, I just met the man on Saturday. But his licence application deserves a response and favourable consideration once he has met all the requirements.

Three hundred jobs should not be denied young Guyanese. I hope the relevant authority will respond to my letter.

Sincerely WESLEY KIRTON

Judge.

Any other Fit and Proper Person Further, where the President is unable to find any candidate from the mandatory two options, above, by the use of “or” in the beginning of the last six lines of sub article (2), he can use his discretion to determine who is fit and proper to qualified to be appointed the Chairman Elections Commission.

It is pivotal to note that the President can exercise his unfettered discretion to determine who is fit and proper in the list to appoint.

It is respectfully submitted that where the Executive President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana determines that no listed person is fit and proper to appoint, his discretion cannot be challenged.

It is a cardinal principle of interpretation of statute that where a provision contains mandatory and alternative conditions, the mandatory conditions must be considered and satisfied first. In this instance therefore, it is imperative that the President first considers and applies the mandatory qualifications in selecting the Chair of the Commission.

Where the President has studied the list sent to him by the Opposition Leader and noticed that no single nominee on the list has satisfied the requirement of mandatory qualification, he can resort to the alternative qualifications which gives

him very wide discretionary powers in considering the list. These very wide discretionary powers include the power to reject the list in its entirety.

In Law, the meaning of the phrase “fit and proper person” is subjective. It is therefore the right of the appointing authority to utilize the provisions under Article 161(2) to determine who is a fit and proper person to be appointed. In this case the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is the authority who has the right to determine who is fit and proper.

Furthermore, the words “not acceptable to the President” affirm the President’s right to determine who is a fit and proper person and not the Opposition Leader. It is respectfully submitted that where the Leader of the Opposition had considered the mandatory requirements of Article 161(2) and included three or more or less sitting or past Judges in his list, the President would be bound to first consider any of these sitting or past Judges (being the mandatory requirement before considering the other nominees). Hence, in conclusion, in view of the above-mentioned facts, the President has a complete and wide discretion to reject the nominations for the Chairman of GECOM on the grounds that they are not fit and proper persons and are unacceptable.

All of the above is most respectfully submitted.

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

By Dr. Ken Danns

Come-back-fuh-go-back Guyanese …the Guyanese diaspora as strangers THE Come-back-fuh-goback Guyanese are persons of Guyanese heritage who live abroad , more or less permanently, but return to Guyana for business, pleasure or family engagements. Their navel strings were buried in Guyanese soil and they are periodically pulled back to their origins to re-absorb the culture, cuisine and company. They return to breathe identity. “Ah going home,” they would say nostalgically.

They return to the country to tarry rather than stay, knowing that there is a life abroad that they have built or imagined -- a life based on better employment, educational and health opportunities and the need to be with their family members and close friends who have also migrated. They return knowing that they must balance the cultural, emotional and spiritual security of being in Guyana with the material and physical security of living abroad in the diaspora. The Come-back-fuh-go-back or diaspora Guyanese is a perennial stranger possessing a double consciousness and experiencing double marginality. They are culturally grounded in the country of their birth, yet live as a stranger to it. They inhabit the diaspora, but in reality do not belong to it. They are compellingly conscious of their Guyanese identity and heritage, yet model the consciousness of the diaspora they inhabit. Their double marginality is highlighted in a contest of belonging between their nation of origin and the nation in which they make their lives.

The Guyanese diaspora refers to Guyanese who have migrated abroad and are scattered across many foreign countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, the Caribbean, South American and

other countries across the globe. Guyanese are more or less living all over the planet. According to the World Bank, Guyana’s emigration rate is among the highest in the world with 56.6 percent of its citizens estimated to be living abroad in 2010.

It is these Guyanese that comprise the diaspora and they are among our brightest and best. Many occupy top management and leadership positions abroad. A U.S. Government source reported that 80 percent of Guyanese with tertiary education have migrated from the country.

This brain drain has negatively impacted the country’s development. These include highly skilled persons such as nurses, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, managers, lawyers, doctors, farmers and artisans. Entire families have migrated, leaving some to suggest that they are likely more Guyanese living abroad than are currently living in the country.

The population growth in Guyana has been anaemic for over four decades, manifesting either a negative growth rate or less than one or two percent. In 2016, estimated population growth rate was 0.17 percent. Because of emigration, Guyana’s population has never reached one million and currently stands at an estimated 735, 909. Bank of Guyana Senior Economist Debra Roberts stated that at the end of 2005, Guyanese migrants to the more developed economies numbered more than 500,000 with more than 200,000 reportedly living in the United States and 84,000 living in Canada.

The acute haemorrhaging of population from Guyana is one of the primary reasons for its persistent underdevelopment. The University of Guyana and other Guyanese educational institutions, heavily subsidised with public funds, produced graduates who were then constrained to

migrate overseas in search of a better life. This brain drain is a serious problem and unless it can be arrested, efforts to develop Guyana would prove futile.

The Guyanese diaspora have left but never turned their backs on the country.

Guyana is reported to be one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean countries. Remittances have proven vital in supporting the Guyanese people during the decades of prolonged economic crises.

Remittances in 2006 were reported to be US$286.9 million, representing some 24.6 percent of GDP. By 2013, remittances had increased to US$413 million according to an Inter-American Development Bank report. Economist Debra Roberts found from a survey that remittances to Guyana are being spent on: food - 27 percent, clothing - 20 percent, real estate - 16 percent, savings - 14 percent, and business - 8 percent.

Guyanese families abroad as well as overseas Guyanese associations have traditionally and tangibly supported their relatives, their schools, churches, hospitals and communities in the homeland.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) found that the diaspora is a crucial agent of economic and social development, but that governments often lack the knowledge or capacity to engage them effectively.

The new APNU+AFC Coalition Government is seemingly taking an enlightened approach to engaging the diaspora as yet another core strategy to promote the country’s development.

The APNU+AFC Coalition Government has been calling on Guyanese in the diaspora to invest in Guyana. No less than President Granger himself along with Vice-President, Carl Greenidge, has been leading

this charge in what is evolving as a cornerstone government policy. Several forums have been organised in the diaspora and locally. The Guyana Diaspora Project is a partnership between the Government and the International Organization for Migration to collect data on skills and resources which will be used as a guide to a more effective engagement policy. A ‘Go See Visit Project 2017’ forum was held in Guyana in May 2017 and business proposals in the areas of information technology, agro-processing, financial services, tourism and customer services, renewable energy and health services were touted by Guyanese investors living abroad.

A Diaspora Unit has been created within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen relations with overseas-based Guyanese, while encouraging trade, investment and other contributions.

The reality is that while there is a strong need for entrepreneurs from the diaspora to invest, there is also a dire need for skilled and trained Guyanese to return to help spearhead the country’s new development thrust. There is a growing campaign to have the Come-back-fuh-go-back Guyanese come back. At the University of Guyana, for example, too many key academic administrative positions are being held by colleagues with only bachelor’s degrees because of the inability of the institution to attract and retain better qualified faculty.

It is not that these colleagues are not bright and committed.

It is rather that they are not adequately trained for the responsibilities with which they are tasked. Vacancies for skilled and professional jobs in Guyana should be advertised on Government websites and social media if this is not already being done.

Salaries and benefits can over time be made attractive in order to lure Guyanese from the diaspora to return and serve their country. Minister within the President’s Office

and Cabinet Secretary, Joe Harmon, puts it best when he reiterated the Coalition Government’s intention to “tap up and tap into” human and financial resources of the Guyanese diaspora.

The University of Guyana is hosting a major Diaspora Conference from July 23 – 28. As Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ivelaw Griffith puts it: “This conference—and the centre to be established—reflect our university’s willingness to help address the shorehome engagement gap, to help enable our nation to move beyond Dreaming Diaspora Engagement to Doing Diaspora Engagement, and to do so mindful of our racial, political, demographic, and socio-economic realities at home and abroad.” This conference of Come-backfuh-go-back Guyanese will undoubtedly discuss what the diaspora is doing, can do and is willing to do. Importantly, it is hoped that the Diaspora Conference would also highlight the obstacles in the path of a return and re-engagement of Guyanese who have become essentially strangers to their own land. The University of Guyana’s Centre for Diaspora Engagement can provide empirical and conceptual grist for facilitating diaspora engagement for the country’s development.

The Come-back-fuh-goback Guyanese may however encounter obstacles that can discourage resettlement. The crime situation, chaotic traffic, poor infrastructure and inadequate health facilities are some of the more common problems faced by all Guyanese and that can only be overcome with time and serious policy interventions.

The Come-back-fuh-goback Guyanese is both admired and envied and is an individual that is accorded a high status because of his/ her professional standing, presumed economic assets or the fact of having lived abroad. He or she is treated like a stranger, either experiencing the best of Guyanese

hospitality or seen as a gravy train to be exploited. In trying to do business they may experience resentment, being pushed around and frustrated trying to get things done.

Many Guyanese from the diaspora have complained about being asked for bribes and having to provide “a small piece” or a “big raise” to accomplish routine and fundamental things. Providing duck curry and rum were in the past required appetisers before serious monetary bribes had to be given for investments to be facilitated or contracts awarded. The Come-back-fuh-go-back Guyanese is often seen and treated as a threat to the jobs and positions of those compatriots who remained in the country and bore the brunt of everything. Consequently, they tend to be negatively judged and discouraged, because of their perceived values and expectations. Of course, some Come-backfuh-go-back Guyanese display arrogance and are judgmental of their stay-at-home counterparts treating them as lesser beings. It is imperative that this symbolic divide between the two types of Guyanese be acknowledged and overcome if diaspora engagement as a development strategy is to succeed.

Guyanese in the diaspora have also been pushed to migrate by the negative practices of authoritarian and corrupt past governments. They loved Guyana, but hated the government of the day, withdrawing to an exiled existence elsewhere. The new APNU+AFC Coalition Government has a lot of ground work to do in the diaspora to persuade the exiled that “This land is your land”-- and to convert the Come-back-fuh-go-back Guyanese into a “Come backee.” The discovery of large deposits of oil and the optimism of a green economy can go a far way towards successful engagement with the diaspora.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

TIME FOR REFORMS “IT is time.” Those were the three words that summed up the expectations of the Guyanese people in the run-up to the 2015 elections. The change came.

That was an historic change in government for only a second time in 50 years.

Guyana had made its own silent, “Golden Jubilee” revolution!

But over the past two years, the criticism has been that that change did not transform our society. One of the areas that elicited varied responses, mostly negative, is the over-crowding in our prisons.

But experience has shown that there is need for a different cure for some of the old diseases that have been festering in this nation for too long. “Time for Reforms” are the three new words that summarise a fresh approach to the challenges such as over-crowding of our prisons and the demobilisation of many of our young people.

PRISON REVOLTS We can now look back at the prison revolts of 2002, 2016 and, again, in 2017 as a direct consequence of the left-over problem of overcrowding and the conditions in prison which, at different times, have assumed terrify-

ing images. One such image is that of the bullet-riddled, mangled bodies of boys who had joined one of the gangs of escaped criminals; the other, the charred remains of prisoners who perished in a fire that they had ignited in prison. In 2017, except for the murder of one prison warder, the heroic Odinga Wickham, surprisingly, no one died in the inferno that razed six wooden prison-blocks on July 9.

But prison break-outs would create a clanking ring long after the escape. I can still hear the voice of the former Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, as he was reading in the National Assembly the names of some of the 2002 prison escapees. With cold finality, he intoned the status of each name with: “Shot and killed”.

DEADLY DANGEROUS The aftermath of the July escape is that there are four prisoners at large, at least two being considered “deadly dangerous.” There are in addition, some 90 prisoners among those at the Lusignan “holding” prison who are also considered dangerous – “Bad Johns,” as they were referred to in press reports. The initial process of “sanitising” the relocated prisoners resulted in

an arsenal of weapons being retrieved.

While a definitive end is yet to be put to this deadly saga, and the placement of prisoners in safe and secured locations is a far-off prospect, I wish to take the liberty of saying that the situation has also occasioned the display of leadership at the levels of government, the fire, prison, police, army and other security apparata.

President David Granger led from the front and defined the strategic responses that would be needed even as the fires were raging at the Camp Street location. National Security Minister, Vice-President Khemraj Ramjattan and Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, provided round-the-clock support and logistics that saw the speedy erection of alternative shelters for hundreds of prisoners at Lusignan, and the dispatch of many to more secured locations.

In the midst of an almost crisis situation, the judiciary responded creatively. Magistrates were dispatched to the ‘holding’ prison and other locations to re-assess bail for prisoners on remand, resulting in the number of inmates arraigned on petty charges being reduced. They were either granted bail, in

cases of possession of small quantities of marijuana, or sent off on self-bail. Simultaneously, prisoners who had served their terms and were scheduled for early release, were granted remission by a full month and released.

FAR-REACHING REFORMS Those innovations, though taken in an abnormal situation, would point to the need for far-reaching reforms to our justice system, which should include review of anti-narcotics laws, and the over-haul of sentencing guidelines.

Since the March 2016 prison fires, our Government has been moving in this direction, perhaps too haltingly. Immediately after that incident, I represented the Executive at a meeting with the then Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Magistrate, and measures were adopted to tackle the problem of over-crowding at our prisons. The State

Miss World Guyana creates stir during Rose Hall visit HUNDREDS of residents of Guyana’s smallest township, Rose Hall Town, were thrilled on Friday last when Miss World Guyana, Vena Mookram, paid an official visit to the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. The Queen, accompanied by an official team from the local organising Miss World Committee, used the opportunity to meet residents of the township who waited for hours to meet her at the Independence Arch Square.

Mookram, who would be representing Guyana at the Ms World Contest in China later in the year, was delighted by the warm welcome she received from residents especially the little children, a release from the club stated. She assisted in the distribution of 1,000 ‘Say No to Suicide exercise books to schoolchildren and also was involved in sharing out snacks prepared with Namilco products. The queen spent a great amount of time advising youths to ‘Say No to Drugs, Crime,

Miss World Guyana Vena Mookram, handing out exercise books with RHTYSC Vice-President Mark Papannah

Suicide, Alcohol’ and spoke on the importance of staying in school to complete their education. She also advised residents to eat healthily and to exercise regularly, so that they can enjoy stressfree and healthy lifestyles.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the National Milling Co. Ltd for sponsoring the visit of the Queen, who was the official representative of the company at the launching of a RHTYSC,MS/Namilco

Say No/Say Yes Exercise Books Programme. RHTYSC Vice-President Mark Papannah, wished the queen future success at the international level and expressed confidence that she would be an outstanding representative of our country.

The release said too that residents of the township expressed gratitude to the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, and Namilco for arranging the visit-- the first of its kind to the small

township. Many residents took the opportunity to take photographs with the beauty and to offer words of encouragement.

Mookram was hosted by the eight cricket clubs of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club during her visit-- Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division.

offered some $60 million for the appointment of temporary magistrates and for the re-introduction of Night Courts.

Simultaneously, accommodation at every police lock-ups has been upgraded, and the overflow from Camp Street was diverted to Mazaruni, Timehri and New Amsterdam. Construction of new prison blocks was started.

The Night Courts assisted somewhat to ease the numbers on remand, but the numbers were getting bigger, since the police were cracking more crimes, resulting in prosecution and imprisonment. The campaign against illicit drugs saw more arrests and successful prosecutions, as well as the drive against trafficking against persons and illegal immigrants. Several “cold cases” were also solved.

LIBERALISATION OF LAWS I will like to see a robust debate on the liberalisation of some of our laws, espe-

9

cially those that provide mandatory prison terms for certain offences, including for small quantities of marijuana. There may be sense for review or reversal of “special reasons” to be established for bail in narcotics cases.

Many years ago, I used to enjoy looking at the local experts playing dominoes at the NAACIE Club.

One player who referred to himself as Budhram, in slamming a domino piece on the table, would shout, “Malik, talk to Budhram.”

“Talk” was his way of teasing his opponent, whether he was named Malik or not, to respond. And, then, when Budhram countered, he would shout, “Talk to me properly, Malik.”

This is the time for “proper talk,” not just back-stabbing and condemnation, on how to reform our penal system, and to free up our jails from the unacceptable status of over-crowding.

Speaker hails Rose Hall club as shining light SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland on Friday last congratulated the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, on its success since its formation in 1990 and urged the club to share with other organisations the secrets of its success.

Delivering the feature address at a presentation ceremony at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Hall, the Speaker noted that Guyana needs more organisations like the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, as the country strives to develop and noted that it would be a blessing if the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, can share its formula of success with every organisation in Guyana.

Dr. Scotland was at the time addressing a capacity audience of hundreds as the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club held its presentation ceremony for its Patron Fund, Gregory Gaskin Memorial Berbice Sports Award, Ansa McAl Award

of Excellence, 27th Annual Cricket Academy, Dolphin Award of Excellence and Top Ten Grade 6 Outstanding Students. The Club also during the ceremony handed over 13 000 exercise books as part of a massive Say No to Suicide Campaign with the National Milling Company (Namilco).

The Speaker also spoke widely on the linkage between youth and sports, while urging the attentive audience which included hundreds of youths to use education as the route to success. The highly respected Attorney-at-Law and former diplomat also used the opportunity to inform the audience of the work of the National Assembly in the development of Guyana, while several schools in Berbice received information packages on Parliament.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in response to Dr. Scotland, stated that there was no secret to the club’s success, but there was a Turn to page 12 ►

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

The APNU+AFC and 2020 THERE is growing dispiritedness in society, among persons in strategic positions, in and out of government, and man in the street, primarily those who supported this government in the last elections, about its performance in governance, responding to the people’s cries and the bettering of its constituents’ well-being.

Speaking with many placed in technical positions, the impression they convey is that of resignation that a new government will be in place in 2020.

Having reached this point, some are beginning to look for other employment opportunities, are ambivalent as to what they will do in their current job, or say they are trying to avoid any incident that could be questioned and cause them to lose their jobs when a new government comes into office. There is a perception among the technical people that there exist fights between the APNU and the AFC ministers as to who

must be seen as the shining star, and as such, it stymies the implementation of programmes which should be the primary focus.

In the APNU and AFC support base there is growing discontent among its supporters that the coalition government is failing to engage with them and for this reason their programmes are not people-centred. This group strongly believes that being discriminated against by the PPP/C government in areas such as jobs, acquisition of lands for housing and agriculture and contracts, the government they voted for would move to create equality in the system.

The position by the government that it will train thousands to become entrepreneurs is being questioned by the small man, who feels this programme is not well thought out and properly coordinated. There is a perception on the ground that small-business production in the absence of a proper

Sunday, July 23, 2017 - 04:30 hrs Monday, July 24, 2017 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, July 25, 2017 - 05:00 hrs

marketing programme and strategy will be putting labour and money in a business that is bound to fail.

As this government speaks about the new economy in information technology (IT) and oil and gas, persons become wary of the call for training in IT when thousands, who were trained, are yet to be given the opportunity to utilise the skills acquired over the years, starting from the Bharrat Jagdeo government that had instituted a similar programme. The State has in its possession three buildings -- in West Demerara, Enmore and Linden -- that are designed to be Call Centres, which are not being utilised. It may be a good idea for government to establish an agency that looks specifically at having these buildings utilised to bring about employment in this sector.

As it relates to oil and gas, the emphasis and importance placed on them by the government as an industry that will need national monitoring, and given its benefits to the

nation the citizens, inclusive of the Opposition parliamentarians, are being treated like spectators, looking on as decisions are being made about resources that equally belong to them.

Even the Bill to establish a Petroleum Commission, government seems to want to give the ministers the authority to do everything, though the parties campaigned on respecting inclusionary democracy as constitutionally required under Article 13. Oil and gas is a new industry vital to the citizens and needs to be treated differently from the way many things were done in the past. It is best for the nation’s interest to have a commission, members of which must be appointed by the National Assembly with at least atwo-thirds majority, which will necessitate acts of inclusionary democracy.

Alienating stakeholders in the management and decision-making processes of the State on issues that impact their well-being is bound to carry dire consequences.

The WPA, while it is being

believed the party is involved in its own machinations, its leaders are out there speaking about marginalisation in the government’s decision-making processes, and a blind eye will not be turned on this.

A similar claim of marginalisation has been made by the business sector on playing a role in the economy.

In the trade union community, there is attestation to first-hand experiences to the level of marginalisation being visited on us by the Government. In the PPP/ C’s era, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) was marginalized, while FITUG was engaged. Today the APNU+AFC government continues to marginalise both federations. This alienation comes notwithstanding the fact that the Guyana Constitution has tasked the trade union with the responsibility to be involved in the management of the State and economy.

On Labour Day in 2015, the GTUC called on workers -- past, present and potential -- to fire the PPP/C given its track record and based on what the APNU+AFC promised the society, which was a step in the right direction to putting this country back on a path of law and order, prudent governance, international respectability, and guaranteeing the equality of all Guyanese.

The question today that needs to be answered is, “Can the independent trade union be a credible voice in saying to the workers in 2020 that they must rehire this government?”

Last Tuesday, the people of Linden/Region 10 marked five years since police shot into a peaceful assembly, murdering three (Ron Somerset, Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis) and injuring others. The 21st August 2012 Agreement between the PPP/C Government and the Regional Democratic Council was sealed with the sweat, blood, anguish and determination of these people. The

APNU+AFC campaigned on commitment to honour the Agreement, but more than two years in office has nothing, even though that region gave it the highest percentage turnout in 2015 and pushed them to victory.

As Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, who is also Chairman of the PNCR, proudly proclaimed at this year’s commemorative event that the Region 10 struggle broke the PPP/C’s back, he needs not forget non-implementation can similarly break their backs in 2020.

Bauxite workers employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) still await Government’s forceful decision to ensure respect for the laws, sovereignty of the citizens, and integrity of this country by ensuring the management and workers’ representativesresolve their grievances as outlined in the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. There are many other instances where hope lied that under an APNU+AFC administration, outstanding issues would have been addressed and change would have come.

Elections are about numbers. You can win or lose the Executive and Legislature by one vote.

The last two elections have shown that it requires less than 5000 votes to swing the results either way. With a government not acting in concert with what it had campaigned and promised, ministers shadowing and even outdoing the arrogance and opulence of the PPP/C, marginalisation of stakeholders, instances of contempt for the rule of law, and the absence of an overarching national development strategy, who holds the Executive in 2020, the view in 2017 is that the APNU+AFC does not stand a chance if it continues along this path.

‘It’s not worth the risk’ 11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

– Minister Broomes tells miners IN the wake of the ruthless killing of three Guyanese miners on Venezuela’s soil, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes is calling on members of the mining community to avoid undertaking “risky ventures.”

Minister Broomes, who was a gold miner for approximately 28 years, on Saturday paid a visit to Joel Paton, one of two survivors

of last Thursday’s shooting in the “Imataka Backdam” across the Venezuela border.

Paton, 19, who hails from Supenaam, is currently nursing several gunshot wounds to his hands and legs at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after being transferred there from the Port Kaituma Public Hospital.

On his sick bed, a recovering Paton recalled

how he narrowly escaped death during the harrowing ordeal that led to the brutal murder of his colleagues, Vernon Eudoxie, 63; Cologne Solomon, 23; and Samuel Moses,19.

Reports are that it was around 03:30hrs on Thursday morning when the gunmen, suspected to be Venezuelans, pounced upon the miners while they were asleep in their mining camp in the Imataka Backdam.

The area at reference is located some three hours from the Guyana-Venezuela border by foot, Paton told the Guyana Chronicle.

“About four of them ran in the camp and start shooting up,” he recalled, adding that the men had guns of varying sizes, from 9mm to 32mm.

According to Paton, the ex-policeman, Solomon, was the first to be killed.

“The police boy first get shoot to his head, then they came after me.”

Paton was shot ap-

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, speaking with Joel Paton at the GPHC on Saturday

APNU sets eyes on... tive agreed that there should be greater frequency of meetings, since the value of such an approach was illustrated by the success of today’s Executive Committee meeting. The meeting was conducted in a fraternal manner, but representatives from the parties engaged in a frank exchange of ideas and concerns about the strengths and shortcomings of the APNU. The meeting committed the APNU to a speedy and amicable resolution of the concerns raised and the parties recommitted themselves to the continued success of the coalition government and its re-election in 2020.” The APNU Executive Council

is made up of five political parties, the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the Justice For All Party (JFAP), the National Front Alliance (NFA), the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); all parties were represented at the meeting.

At a meeting in June with the WPA, President Granger had reportedly stressed the need for the government to continue improving its performance, as he expressed concern over some issues, including the coalition’s showing at the March 2016, Local Government Elections (LGE).

Sources had told this

From page 3

newspaper that during the meeting with the executive of the WPA, the head of state spoke also about the state of education in the country, and the relationship between party representatives in Cabinet and their parties, among other issues. The coalition’s performance at the 2016 LGE and its future performance was raised in a broad discourse during the meeting with the WPA. The Guyana Chronicle was told too that the President was concerned about information not being filtered to the executives of parties that form the coalition government.

proximately five times, in the right hand, left leg and thigh, and in the hip.

“When they start shooting at me,” he said, “they aim at my head, but my hand was over my head, so I just jump out of the hammock and lie down on the ground like I dead.”

They next turned their attention on Eudoxie and Moses. The 19-year-old recalled that Moses was trying to run away when he was shot in the back. Another miner who was in the camp, like Paton, played dead.

After the gunmen exited the camp, Paton said, he passed a handgun to the other survivor, who began to shoot at the invaders who ran off without taking anything.

Paton, however, believes that the intention of the Spanish-speaking marauders was to kill them off, and make off with their dredge, tractor and excavators. “They robbed us two times before, and we heard they were coming back to take our dredge and excavators, so we had started to move out the area,” said the teenager, who is scheduled to undergo another surgery on Wednesday.

Shortly after her visit, Minister Broomes told the Guyana Chronicle that she was saddened by the news, and felt compelled to visit Paton. “His mother is overseas, but I am pleased to

know that he has relatives in Georgetown who are taking care of him,” Minister Broomes said.

“I am happy that he is recovering and I must express condolences to the families of the deceased,” she added.

Zeroing in on the wider issue, Minister Broomes said when Guyanese gold miners venture to the border or even into Venezuela to mine for gold, it is always a great risk.

“It is known that going over to Venezuela or even to the border is always risky with miners, even on the Guyana part of it; they are always exposed to those kinds of violence: gun shots and robberies. But I would like to encourage that we don’t allow the gold to take us to our death,” Minister Broomes said, adding: “It is a risk; even if you are paying them a percentage, it is a risk. We have lost several miners between those areas, so it is very risky.”

Minister Broomes emphasised that miners must ask themselves whether such a venture is worth their lives.

“But one would say, ‘There is nowhere else for me to work, so what do I do?’ But is it really worth your life? That is a question that needs to be asked”

Look out for plastic rice... gorically that no rice mill in Guyana produces artificial rice, and expressed grave concern about such rice being labelled “Product of Guyana.”

Last December, after temporarily suspending clearance of rice entering its territory, the Jamaican authorities allowed clearance of the product, but only those shipped from Guyana or Suriname.

According to reports, there is a large-scale production of rice made from plastic that is being shipped worldwide.

In the manufacturing process, the plastic rice is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic. The

rice remains hard, even after being cooked and the soup forms a plastic sheath on its layer.

And with reports emerging in Jamaica, that the product has found its way on shelves in shops and supermarkets, authorities there ceased clearance of all rice.

Meanwhile, a local consumer is concerned about the state of vegetables on the local market after she bought what she initially thought was cabbage.

Last Tuesday, the Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara woman bought the product at the Stabroek Market and when she was preparing the vegetable to be cooked, it was observed to be stretching

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and smelt of plastic.

When placed in a pot, the ‘cabbage’ was in a ‘paste’ state and the woman later threw away the product.

She plans to revisit the vendor and report the matter to the authorities.

The National Herald of India reported earlier this month of a growing scare over plastic food with many social media videos making rounds for the past few years on how ‘plastic rice’, ‘plastic egg’, ‘plastic cabbage’ and several other plastic food items have entered the consumer market.

There are hundreds of videos on YouTube that demonstrate how to identify plastic food items.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

The chief justice has given an opening …the ball is now in the President’s court THE ruling by the chief justice (CJ) on the GECOM stand-off has understandably ignited another round of political debate in Guyana. The chief justice has in effect recognised the President’s constitutional right to ultimately choose the next chair of GECOM. But she differed with the President on the qualification for the job; she interpreted “any other fit and proper person” much broader than the president. Further, she upheld the president’s right to withhold explanation for his rejection of nominees, but ruled than in the spirit of “democracy and good governance,” he should explain.

I think it was a very even-handed ruling that recognises both the letter and the spirit of the constitution.

The political consequence of the ruling is that it gives the political actors an opening to settle the matter. That is why I find the president’s retort that he intends to press on with his reading of the constitution somewhat surprising. I thought he would have used the ruling as a vindication of his position and then proceed to compromise on the question of the

qualification for the job. In other words, I don’t think it is worth risking more political capital on this question of a judge or someone with those qualities being the only qualification. For me the integrity and the perceived impartiality of the person is much more important.

The President has taken a strict, constructivist approach to the matter, whereby he is reading the constitution in its literal sense. To be fair to him, this is a legitimate school of legal thought which reads legal documents as closely as possible to the original intent of the framers.

The “word” of the document is important in this regard.

Many legal scholars have found this strict reading of constitutions to be too narrow, because it does not allow for changing dynamics and it does not take into consideration the broader social and political situation.

A constitution, though written at a particular juncture and within a particular context, has to be a living document if it is to be an effective tool for holding a nation together. In other words, the constitution has to be adaptable. Here is where the judiciary comes in—it has to be able to interpret

the constitution in light of the changing context of the society without, of course, deviating from the fundamental principles underlying the State and society.

The framers of our constitution obviously had good reason to identify a person with a legal background as fit and proper, but they also allowed some elasticity by adding on the words “any other fit and proper person.”

The president is reading those words narrowly, while the chief justice is reading them broadly. I side here with the CJ, because I think her reading and ruling opens the door for compromise, which I think should be embraced by the President.

I am concerned about the

politics of this matter and I think the President should also. One must balance adherence to the letter of the constitution against the possible political consequences.

We are dealing with an opposition which is in the process of compiling a scoresheet of justifications for its narrative that the coalition is trying to rig the next election. This is part of its ethnic appeal to half of the electorate both to excite them to vote for the PPP, but more ominously to put them in a frame of mind to reject the results should the PPP lose the elections.

This narrative should not be fed. Hence, the technicality over who is “fit and proper” to be GECOM chair should no longer hold up the process. I don’t think anyone would take the president to court for not choosing a

judge and even if they do, they would lose. In fact, as we have seen, it is easier to take him to court and win over insisting that only a judge can be chosen.

The chief justice’s ruling that the president should explain his rejection of the list, even though he is not legally obligated to do it is significant. The democratic foundation of our society trumps any unilateral authority that may be granted to the executive. Executive authority is subject to the spirit of the constitution that is premised on fairness and democratic theory and practice. And in the final analysis, it is the judiciary that is the final umpire as far as the constitutionality of an action is concerned.

Judicial review is sacred to a democratic praxis. I think the

president knows this. Hence his remarks as reported in the press is somewhat puzzling.

In the final analysis, this GECOM matter should be speedily resolved—it is too risky from the government’s standpoint to further drag it out. My view is that this benefits the PPP’s cause in the end. If there are four people on the list that are fit, that’s wide enough scope to make a choice. The chief justice has given an opening. The ball is now in the President’s court.

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

Some 10,000 benefiting from government’s Public Assistance programme APPROXIMATELY 10,000 persons are currently benefitting from the government’s public assistance programme, Ministry of Social Protection, Director of Services Wenworth Tanner told the Department of Public Information (DPI) in an interview.

Tanner explained that the Ministry of Social Protection’s programme caters for three categories of persons eligible for public assistance; the permanently

disabled, medically unfit or those who are experiencing economic hardships. The unit is working with persons by providing assistance to ensure that their children attend school under this programme. Once persons qualify for the government’s fund, the unit works to ensure that their children attend school regularly; this Tanner explained is because “education is a basis or one of the fundamental reasons why persons are able to climb out of poverty.”

The criteria for qualification is ‘means-tested’ the director explained, meaning a social worker makes a home visit, “We check your source of income and we also require you to get a letter from the school stating that the child has been attending school, or not attending school.” A social investigation is conducted and a report is prepared.

The report then goes before a local board of guardians, which is basically a board made up of

Speaker hails Rose Hall club... simple formula that is followed on a daily basis. The formula consists of sheer hard work, visionary and forward-thinking leadership, investment in young leaders, faith in god, honesty, belief in the work it does and a strong passion to make a difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate. The long-serving Secretary/CEO stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club as a general rule strives to come up with

a new visionary idea every month and then work as a unit to make it into reality.

Its success off the cricket field, he stated, is due to massive investment in every cricketer to make sure that they fulfil their true potential, not only in cricket, but in the classroom as well.

Noting that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is the only youth and sports organisation to have ever received a national award, Foster stated that the club

persons from within the community; they adjudicate on it and the assistance is provided, once the criteria are satisfied.

Effective January 1 2017, The Ministry of Social Protection’s Public Assistance was increased from $6500 to $7500. The Ministry of Social Protection’s social services budget was increased by 50 percent for 2017; this has made it possible to effectively provide aid for more persons, Tanner pointed out. (DPI)

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as a matter of policy assist others as much as possible to fulfil their mandates.

The club, he disclosed, also shares its vast experience with other organisations if asked and would continue to do so in the future. What the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club achieves in one week, Foster stated others do not do in a calendar year.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, up to the 21st July, has successfully completed

394 out of the 500 programmes/activities it had set itself for 2017. With over five months remaining in the year, Foster expressed confidence that the club, its eight cricket teams and Over 35 Group would finish 2017 with close to 700 activities. The Speaker was accompanied by a delegation of 15 staff members, including Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs and the Sergeant at Arms.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

$632M drug purchase…

GPHC board says CEO ‘acted recklessly’ AN inquiry into the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s $632M drug purchase has found that the Public Health Minister was not to be blamed for making such a decision.

What the investigation has in fact found, was that while the ultimate decision to purchase, which constitutes a breach of standard operating procedures, was the minister’s, the then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Mr Allan Johnson, should have known better.

The findings have revealed that after a drug shortage was reported at the medical facility, Minister of Public Health Ms Volda

Lawrence met with management and asked that a plan be devised to alleviate the situation.

Subsequently, a plan of action was developed and presented to the minister by the GPHC’s finance director.

That plan of action included determining the availability of drugs from the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Materials Management Unit (MMU), and local suppliers; obtaining quotations from suppliers; sending an evaluation report to the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) for approval, followed by the award of tender.

What transpired, how-

ever, was that rather than follow the prescribed plan of action to the letter, the CEO, Mr Johnson, wrote NPTAB seeking approval for the contracts after the corporation had begun receiving pharmaceuticals from the suppliers.

The suppliers at reference were ANSA McAL, from which was sourced $605M worth of pharmaceuticals; the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), from which was sourced another $20.8M worth; Health2000 $2.9M; and Chirosyn Discovery $2.1M. Upon learning what had happened, the GPHC Board, which conducted the inquiry, said while it was

Former GPHC CEO, Allan Johnson

“shocked and disappointed” that the GPHC had breached the law, there was

Green project spreads to Regions One, Two AS the green agenda moves apace, more primary school students are set to benefit from the Sanitation Management Unit of the Ministry of Communities ‘Green Generation Guyana Project (3G)’.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the Ministry, Danielle Campbell-Lowe, said the next phase of the project begins in October and will target students in Mabaruma and Anna Regina.

Some $1M is being spent to execute the project “The Green Generation Guyana Project is an awareness project that was developed with the aim of encouraging school-aged children to adopt safe waste management practices. We believe children are one of the main

Public Relations Officer, Danielle Campbell

conduits of lifestyle changes and promote change, hence, the reason why we targeted primary school children,” Campbell-Lowe said.

She explained that the unit would sensitise the children on safe waste management practices and teach them

waste management concepts such as waste separation, reuse, recycle and rethink.

The unit also distributes two colour-coded bins for each school, with organic and inorganic labels.

The project was launched in August 2016 by Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams at three summer camps along the Soesdyke/Linden highway. Since then, over 200 students from 20 primary schools across Guyana have benefitted from the project.

The unit will also host a summer camp which would also fall under the green generation banner. The Green Generation Guyana (3G) camp will be piloted in Region Three, “and we’re hoping that next year and years to come other regions would come on board and would be able to run off their own

camps in the August holiday,” Campbell-Lowe said.

The camp will commence from August 14 to 25 and some 60 students from four schools in Region Three will be targeted.

Additionally, Campbell-Lowe added that it is the Ministry of Communities’ intention to develop a modern waste management system inclusive of recycling and reusing.

“Because we know that Guyana doesn’t have a recycling system as the magnitude of other countries so, we’re hoping to move into that arena and we’re hoping that the agencies can get on board with us in this regard.”

She pointed out that it is the Ministry of Communities’ mandate to promote sustainable communities through a green agenda.

no information to suggest that the minister had given any instructions to bypass any procurement procedures or laws.

The oversight body went on to state that senior staff of the Finance Department had an “ethical and professional” duty to properly advise the then CEO of what the standard procedure was, since the matter was within their realm of expertise.

“Johnson had been known to trust and depend on his officers to do the right thing, and it is regrettable that they failed him in this instance,” the board said in a statement.

Having said that, however, the board did not exactly exonerate Mr Johnson, as it went on to say that ultimately, the power was within his judgment and signature, and that “he acted recklessly.”

Further, it was pointed out that after the board was installed and held its first meeting on February 22, 2017, the then CEO failed to mention this matter to the directors.

The board, however, said that GPHC management and staff have been cooperating fully with the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in their ongoing investigation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Abide by chief justice’s ruling – GBA urges THE Guyana Bar Association said it is hopeful that the State will abide by the declaratory orders made

by Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George on the appointment of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Justice George ruled recently, in an application brought by city businessman Marcel Gaskin, that the position does not have to be occupied by a judge, former judge or person qualified to serve as a judge.

She also ruled that while the President has the ultimate say on who is determined fit and proper to

serve in the post, and could also reject the list of nominees, he should provide reasons as to why specific persons are unsuitable.

The list of nominees is to be submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who has had his first two lists rejected.

Subsequently, at a swearing-in ceremony of judges on July 19, President David Granger said while “the Chief Justice gave an appointment based on her perception of the law I will continue to act based on my perception of the Constitution….”

Further, when asked to

provide reasons for rejecting Jagdeo’s first two lists, the President stated that: “If you can show me the article of the Constitution which requires me to give reasons, I will comply with the Constitution, but I will not do what the Constitution does not require me to do.”

However, the Bar Association on Saturday said that the declaratory orders made by the chief justice were done after she would have applied principles of law.

As such, the legal body believes that the chief justice’s pronouncements are “not interpretations or opinions” like other orders of court, but rather, they are pronouncements of the law made in formal proceedings on a particular legal state of affairs.

Guyana Bar Association President, Kamal Ramkarran

The Bar Association noted that the leading legal treatise on this type of order describes the effect of a declaratory order in the following terms: “…whilst

the defendant is assumed to have respect for the law, justice does not rely on this alone. A declaration by the court is not a mere opinion devoid of legal effect: the

controversy between the parties is determined and is res judicata as a result of the declaration being granted.

Hence, if the defendant acts contrary to the declaration, he will not be able to challenge the unlawfulness of his conduct in subsequent proceedings.”

The body pointed out that this treatise makes it clear that the refusal to abide by a declaratory order may result in an order to enforce the rights established by the declaration.

Having advanced this argument, the association said that it is confident that, like in every other society which respects and safeguards the rule of law, the State will abide by the declaratory orders made by the chief justice.

Capoey students prevail against the odds IT was an uphill task, but Sir Rohan Sukhall was prepared to ensure that his students at the Capoey Primary School

succeed at this year’s National Grade Six Examination (NGSA).

Students at the Region

Two school have underperformed for a number of years at the national exam. In fact, the last time a student of the

Sir Rohan and several of his students who will be attending the Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast from September

school obtained marks to attend the main secondary schools on the Essequibo Coast was in 2002.

According to Sir Rohan, this year 15 students at the school situated on the banks of the lake sat the examination and of that number, four were able to secure passes to attend the Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast.

That school is considered among the top schools in the region, having secured excellent results at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams over the years.

The marks attained by Capoey Primary School students this year ranged between 420 and 455, scores which Sir Rohan attributed to a number of factors.

He said that extra lessons played a major role in the students’ improved performance, noting that one of the areas which the students spent extensive time practising was composition-writing.

According to Sir Rohan,

the students were also exposed to additional practice during the school week in mathematics and he noted that this ensured that they were able to develop their mathematical skills.

This year also, it was the first time he taught at the Grade Six level, noting that there were several workshops which assisted him in his ability to prepare the students.

He said he was exposed to training workshops which were administered by the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) and this he noted assisted the students greatly.

In addition, he noted that the parents were supportive of the students.

At Capoey, not all homes receive electricity. Most persons utilise the services of stand-by generators or solar panels to power their devices and appliances. Some students have been undertaking their studies with the use of lamps.

Sir Rohan noted that there are several ways in which

the authorities can assist the school in ensuring the students perform well in future. One such area is the introduction of a hot meals programme.

The programme is usually administered by the Ministry of Education at schools across the country.

In addition, he said that the parents can play an even better role by ensuring their children attend school regularly. He said too that this parental support can do the school wonders in the future.

This year, Tisha Vancooten emerged the top student with 452 marks. She will be attending the Abram Zuil Secondary in September and her father, Quado Vancooten expressed elation at her performance.

“Sir Quado,” who also teaches on the Essequibo Coast, credited parental involvement in the performance of his daughter. He said that encouragement from parents plays a major role in students’ academic performances.

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Tobacco Bill targets young smokers SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

By Svetlana Marshall

GUYANA’S ability to reduce the number of young people smoking tobacco will determine the impact of the Tobacco Control Bill, PAHO/WHO National Consultant, Attorney-at-Law Kesaundra Alves said as she made a detailed presentation on the proposed legislation.

The Tobacco Control Bill 2017 was read in the National Assembly last June at a time when the public health authorities are faced with the sad reality that more and more young people are engaging in tobacco-smoking.

The bill seeks to adopt and implement tobacco-control policies in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which aims to protect present and future generations from the “devastating harms of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke; to prevent tobacco use by minors; to protect workers and the public from exposure to tobacco smoke.”

In her presentation to a group of media operatives at the Grand Coastal Hotel on the Tobacco Act, Alves said the bill places tremendous emphasis on the prevention of youth initiation.

“The people who are smoking today will most likely continue to smoke tomorrow and the day after, so it will take a while for us to see the impact, but what we can do right now is prevent young people from picking up this habit. That is going to be the greatest impact of the legislation – stopping young people from smoking,” the PAHO/WHO national consultant stated.

Referencing the Guyana 2010 Country Report – Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), Alves pointed out that 11 per cent of the students surveyed were offered a “free” cigarette by a cigarette company.

That report also stated that over half of them (56.8 per cent) were never denied

PAHO/WHO National Consultant Kesaundra Alves

the sale of cigarettes because of their age. However, once the Tobacco Control Bill is passed and implemented, it would be illegal for children under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products.

TIGHT CONTROL The legislation will also pave the way for a ban on the sale of single cigarettes with no less than 20 cigarettes per pack and 20g of smokeless tobacco products per pack.

“Single stick sales make it easier for children to buy tobacco products; and also prevent consumers’ access to health warnings,” Alves explained.

Maintaining that the legislation does not ban tobacco-smoking, but will control the smoking of tobacco products, Alves emphasised that it is in keeping with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which has been signed by 180 states.

She noted that Article 5.3 of the Convention addresses the protection of tobacco control and public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

DEMTOCO Chairman Amanda Cavill de Zavaley, in a 2015 news article had complained that the tobacco company was not included in the series of consultations conducted during the formulation of the bill, but, Alves,

who had been working on the proposed legislation since 2011, said Article 5.3 of the FCTC does not allow for that.

“We could not directly interface with the tobacco Industry, the measures that the tobacco industry wants run counter to public health.

There is no seat for public health and the tobacco interest at the same table,” she told the media operatives.

However, she noted that the Private Sector Commission, the Chambers of Commerce, and businesses within the restaurant and hospitality sector were consulted. According to her, the arguments brought to the table, which were likely influenced by the tobacco industry, were not new.

NOTHING NEW “Same arguments, over and over nothing new, so we know what they were coming with anyways,” she emphasised.

Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) is a subsidiary of the British-American Tobacco Company. It has an annual revenue of US$63 billion.

Even though DEMTOCO ceased production in Guyana in 1997, it still markets and distributes widely in Guyana. The tobacco company continues to make a profit with the increase in tobacco sales over the years at an

average yearly rate of 18 per cent.

Article 6 deals with price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, Alves said, while noting that although the current bill does not address this particular issue, it will be addressed soon.

“We intentionally didn’t touch on taxation in our Tobacco Control Bill. We wanted everything in that bill to be within the mandate of the Ministry and the Minister of Public Health, taxation was/is a finance issue,” the PAHO/WHO national consultant explained.

Increased taxation on tobacco products has proven to be an effective way of discouraging the use of such products.

Like Article 8 of the Convention, the bill speaks to the protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in workplaces, public transport and indoor public places, among other public places.

Once implemented, the law will allow for a comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorship in keeping with Article 13.

Alves said this move was critical to block the loophole that the local tobacco industry may want to use to its advantage.

“The tobacco epidemic is one that is not spread by infection, but by promotion and advertisement. Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS) glamorises tobacco use by asso-

ciating the use of tobacco products with positive social and personal images.”

It was emphasised that stamping out all forms of TAPS is the only way to eliminate the tobacco epidemic.

Public Health Ministry’s head of public relations Terrence Esseboom said the problem of smoking has not escaped regional attention, pointing out that in 2007, CARICOM member states were spurred into legislative action to become WHO FCTC-compliant. Guyana, he noted, however, has been behind.

“As a consequence, Trinidad and Tobago passed its Tobacco Control Act in 2009. In 2010, Barbados passed its Health Services (Prohibition of Tobacco Smoking in Public Places) Regulations banning smok-

ing in public places. Suriname followed suit in 2013, banning smoking in public places and all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship,” he said.

Esseboom added: “In that same year (2013) also, Jamaica passed the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations banning smoking in indoor public places and specified outdoor places (including bus stops and sports stadiums) and five metres therefrom. Jamaica also requires that 60 per cent of all tobacco product packages bear health warnings and graphic images,” he added.

In associate member state, The Cayman Islands, smoking is banned in public places under their Tobacco Law 2008 and Regulations 2010 giving teeth to the measure.

Nine months for stealing cigarettes ROHAN Chand was sentenced to nine months in prison, when he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday,charged with stealing 17 cartons of cigarettes.

It is alleged that Chand on July 17, 2017, Chand broke and entered the Charlestown, Georgetown home of Rondel Hunt and stole

the items valued at $61,600.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Reports are that on July 17, 2017, at about 00:45 hrs, Hunt secured his shop and went home but was later informed that Chan had stolen the cigarettes.

Chand was arrested and subsequently charged for stealing.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Riding around the world – raising HIV/AIDS awareness from country to country

By Navendra Seoraj DESPITE being beaten, robbed and held captive for days by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Somen Debnath is still riding his bicycle to countries across the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Debnath, who started his journey on May 27, 2004 from his native India by bicycle, has so far visited, and shared his knowledge, with persons in over 132 countries. Through his “World Bicycle Tour,” he has covered 148,000 kilometres.

His ultimate objective, he told the Guyana Chronicle, is to educate people of various strata of society on the vagaries of HIV/AIDS by talking primarily to youngsters at both the primary and secondary school levels, as well as those in colleges and universities, and to also encourage those institutions to begin a chapter on the sensitisation programme on HIV/AIDS. He also plans encouraging non-governmental organi-

sations (NGOs) in countries around the world to do likewise.

Debnath holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Calcutta and has also obtained a Visharad Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Sarbabhartiya, in Calcutta.

After qualifying himself, the cyclist has reportedly comducted a number of awareness programmes in his hometown, The Sundarbans, reputedly the world’s largest forest reserve which stradles both Bangladesh and West Bengal in India.

His HIV/AIDS awareness programmes were taken to NGOs, schools, colleges, universities and red-light areas, as well as numerous restaurants.

Today, his achievement, which started at home, has evolved and he was able to share his knowledge with some 120 Indian high commissioners and ambassadors, six kings, 38 presidents, 64 prime ministers, and 380 ministers of the government and other officials from different

countries. His desire is to visit around 191 countries by the end of 2020.

FRAUGHT WITH DIFFICULTY Achieving those goals did not come without its fair share of difficulties, he said, as he was held captive for 24 days by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

He was also robbed some six times in Central Asia; weathered temperatures of -35 °C in the former Czech Republic; been beaten some eight times

by Russian ‘skinheads’; lived in the wilderness with wild animals such as rhinos, elephants, cheetahs and pythons for company; and spent some 20 days with the Jarawas, one of the most ancient tribes in India.

Asked what’s the thing that’s kept him going the most, Debnath said he always kept his initial inspiration in mind which he attained at the age of 14 when he read an article entitled, “AIDS is more deadly than cancer.”

The person referred to in the said article was homeless,

and was sitting in front of the Medical College of Calcutta, where he was left abandoned by family to die alone.

“The article had a great impact on me,” Debnath said, adding: “And then I began to ask my teachers at school about HIV/AIDS, but they could not give me any satisfactory answer.

“As a result, two years later, I decided to get specialised training in WBSACS (Society of West Bengal State AIDS Control) and started awareness campaign on HIV/ AIDS, education from my own school.”

GLOBAL VILLAGE His training and expertise have gotten him to where he is currently, said Debnath. And, his vision is to use his knowledge to build a Global Village.

“So far, I have collected soil from every country I went to and sent it back to my homeland,” Debnath said, adding: “The soil is the foundation for the Global Village.

Debnath during one of his trips

I would like to invite all my friends and families around the world that I have been meeting during my trip to support my global village. They will all be lifelong members.”

The campaign will be built on funds collected from worldwide programmes and personal donations.

Debnath, who’s here now, said he will be in Guy-

ana for 10 days to conduct workshops on HIV/AIDS and peace and humanity in colleges, schools and health centres, and will also be meeting with NGOs, social organisations and other institutions which are interested in his services. He can be contacted through the Indian High Commission of Guyana.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

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Pakistanis head to the Caribbean for CPL PAKISTAN all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and teammate, paceman, Hassan Ali, are headed to the Caribbean this August.

The two will join Sohail Tanvir, Shadab Khan, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Imad

Wasim and Wahab Riaz, who are Pakistanis all playing in this season’s edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Hafeez and Ali will be playing with an ever-increasingly powerful St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Franchise.

The Patriots boast, Chris Gayle, former captain of the Jamaica Tallawahs, South African Chris Morris, Ben Cutting, Kieran Powell, Jonathon Carter, Mohammad Babi, and Samuel Badree.

Hafeez and Ali will play against Shadab when he turns out for the Trinbago Knight Riders, while Akmal will face the duo when he turns in his shift for the St Lucia Stars.

Wasim and Sami are wearing the colours of the defending champions, Jamaica Tallawahs, while Khan plays against the Barbados Tridents.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:35 hrs Fortissimus 09:10 hrs Master Commander 09:40 hrs Heir Line 10:10 hrs Peggy’s Dream 10:45 hrs High Altar IRISH RACING TIPS Fairyhouse 08:55 hrs Blue Uluru 09:25 hrs Boragh Steps 09:55 hrs Tom Dooley 10:25 hrs Palavicini Run 10:55 hrs Barca 11:25 hrs Landsman 11:55 hrs Daybreak Boy ENGLISH RACING TIPS Stratford 09:10 hrs Mister Universal 09:40 hrs Cliffside Park 10:10 hrs Red Riverman 10:40 hrs Lillian 11:10 hrs Skilled 11:40 hrs Wynford 12:10 hrs Nicely Done NEWTON ABBOT 09:20 hrs Knight Commander 09:50 hrs Horse Force One 10:20 hrs Bagdad Bihoue 10:50 hrs Phoenix Dawn 11:20 hrs Patricktom Boru 11:50 hrs Theo 12:20 hrs Sam Noir REDCAR 09:00 hrs Arbalet 09:30 hrs Molly Mayhem 10:00 hrs Kensington Palace 10:30 hrs Clear As A Bell 11:00 hrs Attain 11:30 hrs Muscika 12:00 hrs Flourishing 12:30 hrs Ominotago

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Froome on brink of fourth Tour de France triumph MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - Chris Froome all but wrapped up a third consecutive Tour de France triumph as he outpaced his rivals in the penultimate-day time trial won

by Maciej Bodnar on Saturday.

Last to go, the Team Sky rider was the third quickest of the 167 to tackle the 22.5-km course that started and finished in Marseille’s Velodrome soccer stadium -- extending his lead to 54 seconds going into Sunday’s ceremonial ride into Paris.

Providing Froome avoids any calamities on the 103-km trek from Mont-

CHRIS FROOME geron to the capital he will take his Tour haul to four in the last five years -- one behind cycling greats Miguel Indurain of Spain, Belgian’s Eddy Merckx and

Frenchmen Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil.

Froome, 32, goes on to the Tour honour roll as the first person to win three times in a row since Indurain who was unbeatable between 1991-95.

American Lance Armstrong won seven Tour titles from 1999-2005 but was later stripped of them for doping.

After surviving this week’s Alpine stages Froome arrived in the historic French port with a slender 23-second lead over France’s Romain Bardet but with perfect weather conditions there were no scares as he produced a scorching ride to finish only six seconds behind Pole Bodnar.

Michal Kwiatkowski of Team Sky was second, one second behind his fellow Pole.

Bardet was roared on by huge crowds on a course that looped around the Vieux Port but he struggled terribly on the steep hill towards the Basilica Notre-Dame and was almost caught by a charging Froome despite the Briton starting two minutes later.

Bardet was only 52nd quickest in the time trial but remained one second ahead of Spain’s Mikel Landa in third place in the overall standings. Colombian Rigoberto Uran hit a barrier but moved above Bardet into second place.

Confident India will offer hosts England stern test in Women’s final

(REUTERS) - England start as favourites to lift t h e i r f o u r t h Wo m e n ’s World Cup title at Lord’s on Sunday, but face an Indian side high on confidence after knocking out defending champions Australia in the semi-finals.

Indian middle order batsman Harmanpreet Kaur took centre stage with an unbeaten 171 and was backed by a disciplined performance by her bowlers as India pulled off a 36-run upset win over six-time world champions Australia.

England, captained by Heather Knight, edged out South Africa by two wickets in the other semi-final,

and hold the head-to-head advantage over India in the 50-over format at World Cups, with six wins to the visitors’ four.

But the Indian squad’s ability to grind out results under pressure will not have gone unnoticed, least of all by the English, who were beaten by India by 35 runs in their first match of the tournament.

Since that defeat the hosts have won seven matches in a row to reach the final.

Knight and opening batsman Tammy Beaumont have been consistent at the top of the order, scoring 750 runs in the tournament so far, while the reliable Natalie Sciver

at number four is the only player to have recorded two centuries.

India, skippered by Mithali Raj, are chasing their first World Cup title and are known for their strong batting lineup, but it is their spin bowling trio that has wreaked the most havoc during the tournament.

Off-spinner Deepti Sharma has been the key to their success in the middle overs, picking up 12 wickets on her World Cup debut.

Sharma has been backed by leg-spinner Poonam Yadav and left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht, who decimated Pakistan with a five-wicket haul earlier in the tourna-

ment.

Raj and veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami are the only two members from the last Indian side that reached a World Cup final -- when they lost to Australia in 2005.

“It seems like it’s going back to 2005, and I am just too happy that the girls have given us an opportunity to be a part of World Cup finals again,” Raj said after the semi-final victory.

“They have performed well throughout the tournament in the run-up to the finals. Playing the hosts is going to be a challenge but, having said that, this unit is up for it.”

CPL tickets on sale in Berbice from tomorrow TICKETS for the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League for the Guyana leg will be on sale tomorrow in Berbice.

According to CPL Guyana, the ticket office in Berbice is located at Mr Vijai Ramdhan’s office, Number 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, Queenstown, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Tickets cost $5 000 for the Red and Green Stands; $3 000 for the Orange Stand and $2 500 for the Grass Mound, and, according to Khan, there is no restriction on the amount of tickets patrons wish to purchase.

Meanwhile, car pass for each match day cost $1500 for inside the stadium tarmac, while parking between the stadium and Ramada Hotel will cost $500.

Patrons can purchase their tickets or car pass from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs, Mondays to Fridays, 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturdays.

The host team (Guyana Amazon Warriors) take on the Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17 from 20:00hrs; Trinbago Knight Riders on August 19 from 12:00hrs; Barbados Tridents on August 20 from 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars on August 22 from 18:00hrs.

For further information on obtaining your tickets from the Berbice location, please feel free to contact Mr Vijai (Paras) Ramdhan on 622- 0982 or 333-5981 or the CPL Guyana office on telephone numbers 2315344, 231-2035 or 225-5840 and on e-mail – cplguyana@gmail.com.

Arjoon retains ...

From back page and men’s category of the competition.

Ashley’s lost would be avenged by her sibling Jason Ray-Khalil, when Fernandes next played him in a men’s plate match. Jason Ray won

the match in four sets with margins of 11 – 4, 10 – 12, 11 – 7, 11 – 6.

Winners in the various categories received their prizes at a presentation ceremony shortly after the matches last night.

OSCL Jaguars cart off winning ...

From page 25 trophy and another gift.

Apart from taking away trophies, all members of the winning and losing teams as well as umpires and officials were presented with medals.

Meanwhile, in a Soccer game played, after battling to an exciting 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time, Guy-

ana All Stars outshot Ghetto Youth United 5-4 on penalty kicks to emerge winners of the soccer tournament, organized by Mark Fanfair.

Former Guyana national player Konata Mannings excelled for the victorious team, thereby claiming the Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize.

Dexter Chichester received the Caribbean Airlines prize of a return ticket to Guyana for his outstanding contribution to soccer in the Guyanese community.

Consul General (acting) Candida Daniels, in greeting the teams and officials before the start of proceedings, urged all to enjoy the

day in full Guyanese style while Consul Mishelle Butters, who was also present throughout, assisted in the distribution of the prizes.

The day’s events were also witnessed by former Consul General Sattie Sawh and former Guyana government minister, Edith Bynoe, among others.

Executing game plans, eliminating ... from back page

chemistry; and you can only be successful once you work as a team”.

This year the Warriors have retained Pakistani all-rounder, Sohail Tanvir; New Zealand’s opener’ Martin Guptill; Australia middle-order batsman, Chris Lynn; Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder, Rayad Emrit; Trinidad and Tobago batsman, Jason Mohammed; the Guyanese trio of Veerasammy Permaul,

Assad Fudadin and Steven Jacobs, and Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/batsman Steven Katwaroo.

They have raked in six newcomers to their squad, Jamaican wicket-keeper/batsman, Chadwick Walton; Afghanistan all-rounder, Rashid Khan; ICC Americas opener, Steven Taylor, along with Barbados all-rounder, Roshon Primus and the Guyanese pair, batsman Gajanand Singh and fast bowler, Keon

Joseph.

Joseph was called in as a replacement for the injured Ronsford Beaton in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad in 2013. However, he did not play a match.

The Warriors will begin a one-week training camp on July 26. The squad will depart for Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 2. During the Florida leg, the Warriors will play St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in two games be-

fore returning to the Caribbean.

Games to be hosted by Guyana are billed for August 17, 19, 20 and 22 at the Guyana National Stadium.

The host team (Guyana Amazon Warriors) take on the Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17 from 20:00hrs; Trinbago Knight Riders on August 19 from 12:00hrs; Barbados Tridents on August 20 from 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars on August 22 from 18:00hrs.

Alex Arjoon (left) and Richard Chin during their match last night

23

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

LENDEY ADOLPH – “IF YOU DON’T RESPECT THE GAME, YOU SHOULDN’T PLAY THE GAME”

“I STARTED playing football with bottles as I didn’t really have a ball. On the national camp, everyone has a ball but at my club, we had about seven persons to one ball.”

This is the experience of National U17 Women’s Defender, Lendey Adolph who began playing football approximately two years ago.

The Kwakwani Strikers FC player, who was initially both surprised and excited at her call-up for national duties, fell in love with the beautiful game of football during a visit to Lethem, Region 9. However, it was her brother, David Adolph who thought it was a great form of physical exercise, introduced her to the game and taught her the fundamentals.

Following this initial introduction, she was among

the first three persons to join the first female club in her community and, in turn, invited other girls to become members. She is happy about this decision and the progress made by the club, which is coached by Hubert Williams, and fielded five (5) players in the last national camp (July 2017).

The young footballer who almost once walked away from the game due to indiscipline shown by some persons on the field said “if you don’t respect the game, you shouldn’t play the game.

Football requires discipline.”

The friendly Adolph takes her role as a defender and ambassador very seriously and said being a defender is similar to defending your county: “As a defender, most likely I’ll be the leader. When I’m the field, all I think about is being an ambassador for

Guyana living the true ‘One Team, One Dream’ and being a winner for Guyana.”

This is Adolph’s second national camp participation and said same has not only helped in the development of the technical aspects of her game but aided her holistic development. “It contributes to my personal development.

I got a chance to meet new friends and we get to live the motto of ‘One Team, One Dream’. We work together, we do stuff together such as having lunch. Even if five persons have completed their lunch before the others, we all sit and wait on each other, working towards the ‘One Team, One Dream.”

Her advice to young people? Get involved in the sport of football: “You might not initially understand the game but it helps reduce your stress level, it’s an exercise to the

body. It helps your tourism as you get the chance to see various parts of the world or even places in Guyana you’ve never visited and I’m hoping to travel to those places through football.”

Guyana national U17 women’s team wrapped up encampment on Saturday, July 21 in preparation for their participation in the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s U17 Qualifiers.

This is scheduled for the 9th - 13th August at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora. Guyana will host Group D consisting Barbados and Cuba ADMISSION: FREE GAME TIME: 17:00hrs Listen to the complete interview via https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc/interview-lady-jags-u17-defender-lendey-adolph

NATIONAL U17 WOMEN’S TEAM – DEFENDERS

VEYANSA HOPE KuruKuru Warriors FC ALTHEA AUSTIN Fruta Conquerors FC

CANDAC FRASER KuruKuru Warriors FC

DENISA WILLIAMS Orealla FC

LEAH PERREIRA BARTICA FC

ODESSA SMITH Kwakwani Strikers FC

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

TAMEKA ATKINSON Tagbatinga FC

24

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

CA-ACA MoU compromise falls over

By Daniel Brettig AUSTRALIAN cricket’s pay war has taken another turn for the worse after a compromise deal brokered between the two negotiating teams over the past week fell apart.

Talks involving the CA chief executive, James Sutherland, and his Australian Cricketers’ Association counterpart, Alistair Nicholson, had made slow progress towards middle ground between two wildly divergent positions - namely CA’s intent to end revenue-sharing and the ACA’s desire to keep it.

But ESPNcricinfo understands their tentative proposal has broken down, sending discussions all but back to square one.

A CA spokesman strenuously denied that the deal had been rejected by the board’s nine directors, who have been kept abreast of events via regular teleconferences.

Sutherland and Nicholson have continued talking.

Time is fast running out to avoid major dislocation to the game in Australia. This includes mounting anxiety among both existing and prospective sponsors of CA, including the financial services firm Magellan, which has been in line to sign a deal as backer of the Test team ahead of this summer’s Ashes series but has held off

Cricket Australia chairman David Peever (left) and chief executive James Sutherland at the ICC annual conference IDI/Getty Images signing on the dotted line due to MoU-related uncertainty.

At the same time, CA’s broadcast partners, Channel Nine and the Ten Network, are growing increasingly worried about securing their own advertising deals for the international season and the Twenty20 Big Bash League, respectively.

It is believed that Australian cricket’s intricate web of commercial partnerships and related advertising and promotional campaigns will start to come apart should no agreement be reached by August 15.

That date is significant, too, due to Australia’s looming Test tour of Bangladesh.

Selected players are due to convene in Darwin for a pre-tour camp on August 10 before the squad’s scheduled departure later in the month.

There are mixed messages emerging about the likelihood of the Bangladesh tour going ahead. A customary pre-tour security visit involving representatives from both CA and the ACA will be going ahead as scheduled on July 24.

However, it is believed the BCB has been informed it should be prepared for the possibility of the tour’s cancellation, much like Cricket South Africa were warned about the Australia A tour that floundered either side of the expiry of the previous

MoU. The ACA declined to comment publicly on the state of negotiations on Friday but is believed to be informing players of the fact that discussions may now take considerably longer than previously hoped due to the breakdown. More than 230 players were left out of contract and therefore unemployed when the previous MoU lapsed on July 1.

They have now been joined in limbo by Australia’s women’s team, who were knocked out of the World Cup semi-finals

by India, in England on Thursday, after signing short-term contracts in order to play out the tournament.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Panel to recommend next SA coach misses deadline, given extension CRICKET South Africa have given the five-man panel appointed to recommend a candidate for the position of head coach an extension until the end of the ongoing England tour.

The committee, which includes former national coaches Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons, have “not completed their work” since being tasked with it on May 18 and could not meet Friday’s deadline, according to a CSA release.

As such, no decision on the coach has been made.

That means the South African team go into the final two Tests against England with continued uncertainty over who will take charge

Head coach Russell Domingo’s CSA contract expires after England tour from September. Current coach Russell Domingo’s contract expires at the end of

the England series.

In January, CSA announced they would advertise the post but he could reapply. Initially, Domingo indicated he was unsure if he wanted to continue but confirmed his reapplication in July, ahead of the first Test against England at Lord’s.

Domingo enjoys the support of several senior players including Test and T20 captain Faf du Plessis and ODI captain AB de Villiers, who has indicated his international future depends on who the coach is.

Since team results improved last summer, when South Africa won all eight series’, Domingo was

thought to be the favourite to continue but a wretched Champions Trophy campaign put that in doubt.

Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana is the front-runner to take over.

South Africa’s domestic franchises are currently in pre-season training and if the new coach comes from one of those teams, it will leave them scrambling for a replacement when the new season gets underway.

CSA have not provided reasons for the panel’s delay. After the tour to England, South Africa’s next assignment is a home series against Bangladesh, at the end of September.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Guyana’s Rohan Singh suffers disappointment but still stars with triple WINNIPEG, Manitoba, (CMC) – Guyana’s Rohan Singh landed three winners and missed out on a fourth through disqualification as he took the honours on Friday’s seven-race card at Assiniboia Downs.

Veteran Singh won three on the trot when he clinched race three with favourite Hey Hey Run Away, race four with near favourite Menhal’s Lady and race five with odds-on bet Painted Honey.

His disappointment, however, came in the day’s opener when he carried 2-1 chance Jack’sonaquest to a 2-1/4 length victory over the threeyear-old and upwards, going 7-1/2 furlongs.

Stewards subsequently ruled that Jack’sonaquest had intereferred with second placed Fandango Grin on the final turn. Singh was placed second with Fandango Grin upgraded

Guyana’s Rohan Singh to first.

Unfazed, Singh showed his quality as he then dominated the remainder of the card. His first legitimate win came when he combined with bay filly Hey Hey Run Away to trounce the two-yearold maidens by 2-1/2 lengths with a gate-to-wire effort.

Going 4-1/2 furlongs, the pair sprinted clear of Smokin Bullet, duelled well after being caught in the stretch by the same rival before getting away again.

Singh immediately followed up that victory by producing yet another front-running effort this time with five-year-old bay mare Menhal’s Lady to get the better of the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares by 1-1/2 lengths.

In a six-furlong trip, the duo beat No Name Just Fame and Ellie Mae to the first turn before pulling away to have it all their own way.

There was no such ease in Singh’s final win over six furlongs. Paired with four-year-old bay filly Painted Honey, he was forced to battle with Silver City Ditty throughout before finally getting to the front at the sixteenth pole and taking the wire by 1-3/4 lengths.

25

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

T&T ready to defend Regional Under-17 title ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Fresh from the Under 17 Regional Title, Trinidad and Tobago are ready to defend their title in the U19 three-day tournament, set to start in St Kitts, next Monday (July 24).

Guyana will also defend their 50-over title, with that format beginning on Tuesday, August 15.

The three-day competition will have the teams from the six territories, while in the 50-over competition, the ICC Americas will field a team for a group of seven tournament.

Four venues will be used over the next six weeks by host country St Kitts, to effectively host both formats, with competition scheduled to end, Monday, August 28.

The three-day format of this tournament will see the addition of two rounds for a total of five, as opposed to the three-round format used in previous years.

Following the Windies win We s t I n d i e s Yo u t h in the Under 19 World Cup in Development Officer Bangladesh last year, the team Rawl Lewis is gearing up for the World Cup Championships in New Zealand next year. Rawl Lewis, the officer in charge of youth development at Cricket West Indies notes this tournament as an important part of the calendar of events.

“The Under 19 tournament is an integral part of the development of cricket in the West Indies. It is the final stage before first class cricket and many of our top players hone their skills

here.”

Fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph, one of the young and upcoming players on the Windies senior team is a prime example of this.

Shimron Hetmeyer, former captain of the Under 19 team who secured the championship trophy last year, has also featured at the top of the order for the Windies test team as of late.

Dennis Phillip, president of the St Kitts Cricket Association says that preparations are well underway and venues would have been ready for final inspection yesterday.

MATCH SCHEDULE Three Day ROUND 1 July 24th-26th Trinidad & Tobago v Windward Islands-Conaree Leeward Islands v Guyana-Verchilds Barbados v Jamaica -St. Pauls ROUND 2 July 28th-30th Guyana v Trinidad & Tobago -St. Pauls Jamaica v Windward Islands-Verchilds Leeward Islands v Barbados -Molineux ROUND 3 Aug 01st-03rd Trinidad & Tobago v Jamaica -Molineux Guyana v Barbados -Verchilds Leeward Islands v Windward Islands -St. Pauls ROUND 4 Aug 06th-08th Barbados v Trinidad & Tobago-Molineux Leeward Islands v Jamaica -Warner Park Windward Islands v Guyana -St. Pauls ROUND 5 Aug 10th-12th Leeward Islands v Trinidad & Tobago -Verchilds Barbados v Windward Islands -St. Pauls

Jamaica v Guyana -Conaree ONE- Day ROUND 1 Aug 15th ICC Americas v Guyana -Verchilds Leeward Islands v Trinidad & Tobago -Molineux Windward Islands v Jamaica -Conaree ROUND 2 Aug 17th Barbados v Trinidad & Tobago -Conaree Jamaica v ICC Americas -St. Pauls Leeward Islands v Windward Islands -Molineux ROUND 3 Aug 19th Guyana v Jamaica -Molineux Windward Islands v Barbados -Verchilds Leeward Islands v ICC Americas -Conaree ROUND 4 Aug 22nd Windward Islands v Trinidad & Tobago -Molineux Leeward Islands v Guyana -St. Pauls ICC Americas v Barbados -Conaree ROUND 5 Aug 24th Leeward Islands v Jamaica -Verchilds Trinidad & Tobago v ICC Americas -Molineux Barbados v Guyana -Conaree ROUND 6 Aug 26th ICC Americas v Windward Islands -Molineux Jamaica v Barbados -Warner Park Guyana v Trinidad & Tobago-Conaree ROUND 7 Aug 28th Leeward Islands v Barbados -Conaree Windward Islands v Guyana -Warner Park Trinidad & Tobago v Jamaica -Molineux

Guyana Independence Festival family fun day

OSCL Jaguars cart off winning softball trophy

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada - Jaguars emerged winners of the 2017 Guyana Independence Festival softball tournament, organised by the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and the Guyana Consulate, played last Saturday at Littles Playing Lield, Scarborough.

The eventual winners, who started as firm favourites to win the title, were however made to fight every inch of the way as underdogs,

Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC) put in a dogged performance in a low-scoring affair.

Set a modest 62 for victory, after limiting the OMSCC X1 to 61 for five in the allotted 10 overs, the OSCL Jaguars huffed and puffed their way to 62 for three with a mere three deliveries remaining.

Openers Sheik Khan (23) and Reyaz Prahalad (19) gave the Jaguars a solid but somewhat slow start with the left-handed Khan slamming two sixes and a

four while Prahalad counted two sixes in his knock.

Earlier, OMSCC started ominously as they raced to 42 for one in the first five overs, but their hopes of achieving a huge total slipped in the remaining five overs as they only added a further 19 runs while losing four further wickets.

Zakir Khan and his Caribbean Sensation teammate Anil Samuel not only restricted the middle-order but claimed two wickets each.

Khan claimed two for 10 from his two overs while

The victorious OSCL Jaguars celebrate their win. Nazie Mohamed, Caribbean Airlines Sales executive, Canada, hands over the return ticket to MVP Zakir Khan.

The victorious GT All Stars soccer team following their victory.

Samuels grabbed two wickets for one run in his lone over.

OMSCC earned the r i g h t t o re a c h O S C L Jaguars with a crushing eight-wicket victory over OSCL Kaieteur.

Needing 70 for victory after OSCL Kaieteur were left high and dry at 69 for nine in 10 overs, OMSCC reached the required target in 9.2 overs, losing two wickets in the process. Openers, G. Budhram and Yunis Usuf gave the winners a rousing start with Budhram (27)

slamming a six and a four.

Ravendra Persaud (one for six) and Sheldon Burnett (one for 11) claimed the two wickets to fall.

OSCL were off to a horrendous start, losing their first four wickets with just seven runs on the board, before Burnett with a quickfire 28 with two sixes and a four and Khemraj (19) brought some respectability to the score.

Surendra Beepat (three for 18), Devin Shivrattan (two for 16) and Usuf (two for 11) were the chief de-

stroyers for OMSCC. At the presentation ceremony which followed, Zakir Khan was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the winning team, earning a return ticket to Guyana, compliments of Caribbean Airlines. He was also the recipient of another trophy and a gift from the Consulate. Usuf took the MVP for the losing team and also received a See page 22

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Grenville Felix Memorial cycle road race set for today in Berbice AN action filled race is expected when Guyana’ top riders take to the road today for the much-anticipated Grenville Felix fourth annual Memorial Cycle race in Berbice.

The event is organised by the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of Berbice in collaboration with the Felix Family of Guyana and overseas. The race will cover a grueling distance of 60 miles and the event is opened to riders throughout Guyana.

This event is being held in honour of the late engineer, Grenville Felix, who passed away four years ago at the age of 96. Felix, who was one of Guyana’s first and oldest engineer at the time of his demise, worked with the Bookers and the Guyana Sugar Corporation in Guyana and various parts of the world. This is the sixth cycling event held in his honor.

The first two was held in recognition of his birthday. It was changed to a memorial event after he died.

Last Wednesday, the children and other relatives presented a sizeable cheque to the organisers which will

Relatives of the Felix family is seen handing over the sponsorship cheque to cycling coach, Randolph Roberts. cover the cost of staging the event, to cycling coach and coordinator, Randolph Roberts.

Speaking at the simple ceremony, Claville Francis stated that the family will continue to sponsor the event, since it was something “Uncle Gren” liked, apart from his engineering work and other community activities.

She also expressed confidence in the work of the FACC.

Roberts expressed gratitude to the Felix Family and also showed appreciation for the confidence they have shown in the FACC and assured them that the event will be well organized.

The race will begin at 10:00 hrs in front of Felix’s former residence, Canefield East Canje, Berbice then advance to his former place of employment, Rose Hall Estate, before turning back.

They will then move for-

ward to the No. 51 Police Station and back to the place of origin.

Prizes will be awarded to the the first 10 finishers, first four juveniles, the first three veterans and first three females. Also FACC’s first two club cyclist will also be recognized.

The Grenville Felix Memorial Trophy is a lien trophy and will be given to the first person who gets his name on it three times.

(Colin Bynoe Jnr)

Cornwall ‘conditioning’ should not keep him from Windies squad- Sir Viv WEST Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards has called for the inclusion of Antigua and Barbuda all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall to West Indies the squad, despite concerns raised regarding the player’s physical conditioning.

Cornwall was omitted from the squad selected to tour England, despite a strong run of recent form which many have argued merits his automatic inclusion. Despite Cricket West Indies (CWI) claiming that the player remained on their radar, Cornwall is yet to be selected for the senior squad, choosing instead to list the player in a personal development program.

“Well Rahkeem has other issues with his condi-

Leeward Islands all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall tioning … we are working very hard to get him to the position where if and when he gets into international cricket he could actually

stand up to the rigors,” Browne said on the Good Morning Jojo show.

“I say this to people all the time, the way how cricket

goes, there is always opportunity for players. If a player is not selected now, or a player is not selected 3 months, 6 months or 7 months down the road, there is always opportunity.”

Richards is confident that the time is right for the player to be introduced to the squad and should be given a chance to develop like other players have in the past.

“If you compare ‘Jimbo’ to when Shannon Gabriel first came into the team, Gabriel wasn’t that mobile in the field. He improved as the years went by. ‘Jimbo’ is a good catcher and we all agree that he looks a bit heavy but at the end of the day the guy has performed,” Richards told the Antigua Observer.

Windies Under-19 coach expecting another tough series against Zimbabwe HARARE, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Head coach, Graeme West, is expecting another tough series when the West Indies Under-19s square off against their Zimbabwe counterparts in three Youth One-Day Internationals starting here today.

The Young Windies are fresh from a 3-2 series win over South Africa U19s last week, after pulling off a dramatic two-run victory in Wednesday’s decisive fifth game in Durban.

West said more significant than winning was the chance for the Caribbean lads to continue their build-up towards next January’s Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

“Zimbabwe have played a lot of cricket. They’ve been very active in the last six months,” the Englishman told CMC Sports.

“They’ve played in South Africa and once they play against us I think they’re off to Australia so they will be very tough opponent in their conditions.

“It will be another test but more importantly, another opportunity for the guys to play three more international games of cricket and continue their education.”

The Windies side showed plenty promise on the tour of South Africa where they played brilliantly at key moments of the series.

Kirstan Kallicharan and Keagan Simmons both shone with centuries while Bhaskar Yadram struck two half-centuries in compiling 205 runs to clinch the Manof-the-Series honour.

While there were few stand-outs in the bowling area, West applauded the team effort where everyone was forced to contribute on pitches which offered precious little for the Windies talented frontline spinners.

“Looking at them (pitches)

West Indies Under-19 head coach Graeme West it was very difficult to work out initially how they were going to play because they actually looked quite green but firm,” West explained.

“There was some carry and pace for the quick bowlers early on. [There was] very little for the spinners – very little assistance in all five games so it [wasn’t] easy for spinners to really impose themselves on the matches.”

Conditions here are expected to be different from those in South Africa, posing new challenges for both the batting and bowling units.

However, West said he was encouraged by the players’ ability to adjust, especially having observed Simmons’s hundred in the last match against the Young Proteas.

“Every game is creating lots of learning opportuities,” he pointed out.

“The pleasing thing with Simmons [last Wednesday] and Joshua Persaud at the top of the order is that they both showed progress from previous matches and that’s what we are looking for moving forward.”

The Young Windies face Zimbabwe again on Wednesday before wrapping up the series next Saturday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday July 23, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 2 (Craig Ervine 160; Sikandar Raza 127) (2) 7

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who took most wickets in the recent SL/ZIM one-off Test?

(2) Who took most wickets in the just-concluded ENG/SA second Test?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 23, 2017

Digicel schools football Regional # 6 Final

George’s double strike lifts Vryman’s Erven 3-1 over BEI

By Colin Bynoe

VRYMAN’S Erven Secondary School (VESS) can now be viewed as twotime title holders, lifting the trophy in 2014, and now in 2017 after defeating Berbice Educational Institute, 3-1, to be crowned regional champions.

The exciting finals in the Region # 6 leg of Digicel schools football tournament came to a muddy end Friday afternoon t on a very soggy Burnham Park ground.

The team that seemed hungrier for victory prevailed, as they did in 2014.

Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) fought hard to withstand a tough Vryman’s Erven Secondary School (VESS) throughout the 90 minutes game time. When the whistle blew to begin the action, both teams were in overdrive to pounce early.

The expectations from the supporters were high as they cheered every possession. Both teams traded heavy shots in both halves with VESS the better team in the opening period. Three

BHASKAR YADRAM

A victorious Vryman’s Erven Secondary team with teacher (far left in pink shirt), while a Digicel representative makes a kit presentation to the winners. goals for VESS were scored by halftime; courtesy of Shaquan George, who scored early in the 17th minute while Alex Ogleton booted one of

his own in the 34th minute.

VESS found another opening as they rattled in their third goal of the half, coming off the boot

GCB congratulates young Yadram

THE executive and members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wishes to express its immense appreciation and satisfaction with the performance of Guyanese and West Indies Under-19 star, Bhaskar Yadram.

Yadram was among a 14-member West Indies youth team on the recently-concluded tour to South Africa, where the Caribbean side won the fivematch series, 3-2.

Yardam, the talented all-rounder was fittingly named the Man-of-the-Series, and was the leading run scorer with 205 runs in five innings at an average of 41 and strike rate of 72.69. He made two fifties with a best of 81.

Yadram was one of only three

West Indian players to score a fifty in the series, and the only one to do so twice.

He was also effective with the ball, claiming five wickets at an average of 22.60. He finished with an economy rate of 3.89 and a best of 3-37, which is the best bowling figures by a West Indian in the series.

According to the GCB, they are extremely proud of his indisputable talent and accomplishments and join the entire Guyana in wishing him well in his future exploits on the cricket field.

The GCB also congratulated the entire West Indies Under-19 team and its management for a great series win.

of Shaquan George; giving him his second goal of the match.

The score read 3-0 at the sound of the halftime

whistle.

BEI regrouped during the break and restructured their game plan. As the second half resumed, the energy lev-

el was up with a much more attacking game plan from BEI. They revived themselves with a consolation goal from Dwaine Alleyne in the 67th minute.

By that time the game was clearly in VESS hands. The players ran the field and played with the clock to their advantage.

In the end when the final whistle sounded, it was a fitting final between two teams that were arguably the best in the tournament.

The win has given Vryman’s Erven the prestige opportunity of representing the region in the next round of the tournament.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport after the match, teacher/coach Marlon Daniels confidently mentioned “It was a Good fight, I’m glad and we wanted the win and will represent Region 6 well’. He went on to thank their supporters,teachers and Digicel.

At a simple presentation, VESS received a quantity of new uniforms from Digicel’s representative with which they will ‘suit up’ as they move on in the competition.

100 hurdles gold for Allison at Commonwealth Youth Games

SHANETTE ALLISON

JAMAICA’s Shanette Allison hit the tape in 13.26 seconds to mine gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas on Saturday.

Allison finished ahead off Australia’s Lateisha Willis, who stopped the clock in 13.55 seconds.

Willis only just earned her silver medal, as Canada’s Katarina Vlahovic breathed down her neck to finish in 13.58 seconds.

The two, were as far behind Allison as they were ahead of England’s Philippa Earley, who was fourth in 13.72.

The field stretched out uncharacteristically for a 100-metre hurdles event with South Africa’s Elsabe Atoinet van der Merwe, the 16-year-old clocking 13.80.

Another Australian, Tiana Death, was sixth in 13.98, while Barbados’ Hannah Connell was seventh in 13.99.

Canada’s Tyra Boug was the slowest of the pack in 14.19.

CPL tickets on sale in Berbice from tomorrow

See story on page 22

Digicel Senior National Squash Championships conclude

Arjoon retains men’s title; Khalil goes under to Nicolette Fernandes

Winners in the 2017 Digicel Senior National Championships

By Tamica Garnett IN a closely fought encounter, featuring long rallies and frustrating missed points, defending champion Aex Arjoon retained his men’s open national title after an overwrought battle against Richard Chin in the Digicel Senior National Squash Championships, at the end of which Nicolette Fernandes picked up another women’s open title.

Fernandes dethroned Ashley Khalil in straight sets for her win; but Chin stretched Arjoon out to four games, after he was down two games and fought back to win the third set in the final match of the night to go down at the courts of the Georgetown Club.

The 12 – 10 margin of the first two games exposed just how close Arjoon came to losing out on another title, as he traded points with Chin, before an anticipating and excited crowd.

It was Chin who drew first blood as the action served off, but Arjoon would be the first to 10 points as he sent Chin darting all over the court for several shots he would never reply to.

Both Arjoon and Chin had their fair share of supporters in the crowd rooting for them with every point, but Chin’s fans celebrated the most when he took the third set 11 – 6, breathing new

life into Chin’s chances of an upset, and frustration for Arjoon.

As the players stepped out for the fourth set, the pressure was beginning to get to Arjoon who was even more aggressive and quickly romped to the first four points of the game.

But his frustration would start handing points to Chin. After coming from 3 – 7 down, Chin climbed his way to 7 – 8, with quick comeback moves to strong putaways.

But it was not just Arjoon who was feeling the pressure to seal a win, however, and Chin would never get the edge over Arjoon. He would manage to equalize at 10 – 10 however, after a stroke followed by a missed drop by Arjoon.

However, another two shots to the tin ended it all and handed the match to Arjoon.

The Arjoon/Chin matchup, however, did not reach the intensity of the third place play-off between Nyron Joseph and Kristian Jeffrey. In a tough five-setter, Joseph would prevail 13 – 11, 5 – 11, 10 – 12, 11 – 1, 11 – 4.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, Fernandes defeated Khalil 11 – 9, 11 – 8, 11 – 1. But that was not the only match of the day for Fernandes, who was competing in both the women’s See page 22

RICHARD CHIN

Executing game plans, eliminating mistakes are key factors for Warriors’ success –Khan

By Rajiv Bisnauth OPERATIONS Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan believes that the execution of game plans and the elimination of mistakes during match days will be two key factors if the Warriors is to cross that final hurdle when the fifth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League concludes on September 9.

The Warriors have been the most consistent team in

the history of CPL cricket, but never managed to win a single title after four years.

They reached the final in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and were one of the semifinalists in 2015.

However, cricket enthusiasts may want to blame the captains, coaching staff or even the combination of squads, but Khan is of the opinion that once the Warriors could execute their plans, and at the same time ensure that simple

mistakes are eliminated, the South-America based franchise can easily win its first CPL title this year.

“At the end of the day you can have all the skills, all the talents in the world, but is how you prepare yourself mentally for the big occasions. Finals or semi-finals are obviously big occasions, and it will put some pressure, but at the end of the day you have to ensure that you have all facets of the game in order,” Khan said.

Omar Khan

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He added “The most important aspect of the game is to execute the game plans and eliminate mistakes, and at the same time you need to focus on the day, ensuring that you are mentally prepared and have that belief in yourself to go out there and perform.

“If you check over the years, we played good cricket throughout the tournaments, but it’s just that final few games where we fell through, but once you can put those

factors which I spoke about (execution of plans and eliminate mistakes) together, it could be a different result,” Khan pointed out during an exclusive interview yesterday.

Asked how important are the retained players in the Warriors line-up this year, Khan said “It adds stability to the team and to continued team moral, team togetherness, team See page 22 SUNDAY, JULY, 23 , 2017