Guyana chronicle e paper 07 30 2017

SEE INSIDE

See inside:

Melieka Crawford and her battle with blindness XX ► Page

The expansion of M&M Snackette ► Page

IX

The Church boasts an impressive architectural structure of concrete and wood

Keeping a legacy alive! ► Page

III

– St Bartholomew Anglican Church Queenstown, Essequibo

Engaging youth in African drumming

16 inmates shot ► Page

II

Drumming is an integral aspect of African culture worldwide

No. 104989

SUNDAY JULY 30, 2017

Price: $140

(VAT Inclusive)

...as joint services move to quell disorder at Lusignan

Page 8

Teen allegedly strangled by boyfriend Page 8

Wanted man Stafrei Alexander recaptured Page 13

Jagdeo ‘press freedom’ comments baseless

– he has no moral authority to lecture anyone, says Nagamootoo ■ Page 3

Strengthened disciplinary and accounting regimes to keep attorneys in check – AG Page 7

Page 11

Heat is on for Emancipation Day

Investors express full confidence in Guyana 2

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

– during meeting with President Granger Georgetown, Guyana – PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday received a courtesy call from Director of the Princess International Group, Mr. Mehmet Hamdi Karagozoglu at State House, who expressed full confidence in the company’s investments in Guyana’s economy, noting that it was quite pleased with the level of success being recorded.

Mr. Karagozoglu said that his company and its subsidiaries will continue to invest as opportunities become available over the next few years.

“We will keep coming with our investments to Guyana. It is a positive time here

in Guyana and all over the world people are talking about Guyana and I think the coming years bring more opportunities for Guyana. We are very confident in Guyana.

We are quite positive and we have a friendly government who are opened to helping investors and we are looking forward to more opportunities,” he said.

President Granger, in his remarks, said that the Government is focused on creating a diverse, robust economy and is always open to receiving investors in all areas of trade and investment.

As the country continues to make strides in its pursuit of a ‘green’ economy, President Granger told the investor that

the tourism industry and hotel operators are poised to reap great benefits.

“There are many opportunities for the people and businesses in the days to come. Things may seem a little slow, but there are opportunities for us to take advantage of. We will always welcome investors here to Guyana. We are a part of the Guiana Shield and part of the lungs of the earth and we are taking this seriously. The hotel industry is well placed for the years to come. We are pleased with your contributions and we see you as our long-term partners,” he said.

Mr. Eray Kanmaz, General Manager of the Ramada Princess Casino Guyana, who

From left: Ms. Hande Mutlu, Princess International Architect and Designer; Director of the Princess International Group, Mr. Mehmet Hamdi Karagozoglu; President David Granger and Mr. Eray Kanmaz, General Manager, Princess Casino Guyana

was also present at the meeting echoed Mr. Karagozoglu’s sentiments, noting that Guyana has great investment benefits and potential.

“We are quite pleased with the response and busi-

ness right now. We can see the rating of the hotel has improved. We are seeing it differently from people on the streets and we are very happy,” he said.

The company has com-

mitted to further supporting President Granger’s ‘Boats, Buses and Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books’ or ‘Five Bs’ initiative. Last year, it donated a bus and 50 bicycles.

Improvised weapons removed from NA Prison COPS have unearthed several cellphones and improvised weapons at the New Amsterdam Prison during a search there on Friday.

The search was carried out by members of the Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Fire Service based on information received, said ‘B’ Division Commander Paul Williams.

According to Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels, the search unearthed 15 cellular phones, most of which were smart phones and 15 improvised weapons, made from spoons and other metal objects that were sharpened.

In light of the recent unrest, fire and prison breaks, many have been accusing prison officers of colluding with inmates by taking in contraband, especially cellular phones.

This enables the prisoners to make contact with accomplices outside and hatch various schemes to create disruption and by extension to escape.

As a result, Commander Williams told reporters after the search that he had reliable intelligence that prisoners in New Amsterdam were in possession of prohibited items that may cause a disturbance in the prison.

The commander said he immediately summoned the prison authorities,the Fire Service and the Guyana Defence Force and held a meeting, where he disclosed the information to them and a decision was taken to conduct the search immediately.

He noted that while the prison authorities conduct regular searches, they did not want to sit on the information and decided to act on it im-

Cops unearthed several cellphones and improvised weapons at the New Amsterdam Prison during a search there on Friday

mediately.

As a result, a Joint Services team was mobilised and conducted a thorough search.

“We want to ensure that whatever is the plan, we want to divert such persons or the items from within the jurisdiction of the prison and also to ensure that there is no such opportunity creating

itself to what has happened in Georgetown.”

Williams added that in light of the information received, security in and around the prison will be heightened and more unannounced searches will be conducted.

Commander Williams recently took over the helm

of the division from Ian Amsterdam, who recently went on pre-retirement leave.

He is asking residents to cooperate with him and his team as he settles in, noting that sometimes the actions of the police may cause some discomfort to residents, but it is done in good faith as matters of national security.

“Whatever may be a little disruption from the normal day-to-day activities, we are just asking them to bear with us and comply.

We will ensure that during this process, discomfort will not be caused or any abusive approach by ranks that may ultimately cause problems,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Jagdeo ‘press freedom’ comments baseless

– he has no moral authority to lecture anyone, says Nagamootoo PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has dismissed criticisms levelled at government by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo about the regulations proposed for the Amended Broadcast Act as totally baseless.

The prime minister, in a Department of Public Information (DPI) interview, on Saturday, stated that the regulations were done in accordance with the law.

On July 27, the prime minister read the legislation, for the first time before the National Assembly.

“In politics, all noise and no purpose is not an option.

All noise and protest without unity is not an option, so I am no longer surprised that the leader of the opposition would find fault.”

Nagamootoo recalled that when he recently sent the proposed Code of Conduct for minister and public officials to Jagdeo, he derided the proposals as “crap,” “ but did not suggest any change to the code that I sent to him.”

To the claims about the regulations “being the end

of press freedom,” the prime minister said, “No one should take him seriously. It’s just a cacophony of noises, because at no time has the press in Guyana been freer.”

He reminded, “There is no censorship. There is no attempt to shut down newspapers or throw out reporters from press conferences.

There has been no withholding of advertisements from newspapers to strangle them economically. There have been no threats to invade printing presses and bump off reporters and press people in a newspaper that could have been critical of government.

There are no more denunciations and what Guyanese know as the cuss-down of reporters, describing them as vultures and carrion crows.”

The fact that the former President had shared out licences “willy-nilly to friends, cronies, family and political associates” was also noted by the prime minister.

“Basically, this gentleman has absolutely no credibility to be lecturing anyone, more so the government, as to the issue of press free-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

dom.”

WILD WEST The Broadcast Act, the prime minister stated, had its genesis decades ago. He noted that immediately after the former government gained office in 1992, an international expert shared his views on the local broadcast landscape and described it as “being akin to the Wild West.”

Over the following years, several efforts were made to implement and regulate the sector, he said, which had

now grown to include two dozens of television and radio stations.

The initial Broadcasting Act was deficient, the prime minister noted, “from the point of view that it didn’t spell out what was expected of people who operate radio or television, frequencies or stations.”

He recalled: “There was literally a one-sentence regulation that was passed in 2014 that said you shall pay a fee, for the right to broadcast, which was very shameful. That is all you could require a broadcaster to pay a fee and not whether the broadcaster should confine himself or herself to certain standards of good broadcasting, healthy content or educational, or also to ensure that you do not broadcast hate speeches, appeals to racism, or the kind of ethnic divisions that we had experienced in this country decades ago, or to advocate acts of terrorism.”

It was in light of this that government saw the need for a relevant and contemporaneous law that would address

some of these issues, the prime minister revealed, adding that consultations were also held with the Frequency Management Unit to guide government.

LIMITED The fact that the broadcast spectrum is a limited, finite resource, means that it must be managed properly,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the prime minister explained.

This move would not be dissimilar to that of the petroleum sector which has seen several investors being granted licences, he said,

adding: “You don’t own this forever. It is given to you for a certain limited time and you have obligations, like receiving a licence to drive a motor car. It tells you that you must drive on the left- hand side of the road. What happens if you drive on the right? For every licence to use a national resource, it carries responsibilities,” Nagamootoo said.

The requirement, which was criticised by the opposition leader, makes it mandatory that all stations air “public service programmes” for up to 60 minutes a day, free of cost, between 06:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs.

The bill defines such broadcasts as “programmes produced for the purpose of informing and educating the public and promoting policies and activities of the government that benefit the public as a whole,” was merely something expected by the population of a responsible government, the prime minister explained.

“It is not too much to ask a broadcaster to do these things out of a national obligation,” he said.

Magistrate cleared to file appeal in Jagdeo race-baiting case THE Court of Appeal last Friday granted an application by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga to extend the time to file an appeal in the Bharrat Jagdeo alleged race-baiting case.

Friday’s decision follows a motion filed by the magistrate in March which called on the Court of Appeal to grant her an extension of time to file a Notice of Appeal out of time in the case against the opposition leader.

In her Affidavit in Support of Motion, Artiga said she believes that it was the result of an error in the drafting in the Notice of Appeal which resulted in the Court of Appeal striking out the said appeal by the attorney general on January 18.

She said too that as a result of that decision, she has filed the motion seeking an extension in time for her to file her appeal out of time.

In January, the Court of Appeal had thrown out an

appeal against the decision of the High Court in 2015 to dismiss the race-baiting charge against Jagdeo, a former president. The appeal was dismissed on the ground that the attorney general was not the proper party to be named in the case as Magistrate Artiga was the named respondent in the prerogative writ.

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, who read the ruling of the court said the then Deputy Solicitor-General, Prithima Kissoon, who filed the appeal on behalf of the AG, had conceded that Williams wasn’t a proper party to the matter.

According to Justice Singh, the fact that Kissoon had conceded to Jagdeo’s lawyer Mursaline Bacchus’s contention that the AG was not a proper party to the proceeding was sufficient to have the case dismissed.

Approximately six months prior to the chan-

cellor’s ruling, Kissoon was reportedly required to file an affidavit in response to Bacchus’s contention against the attorney general being named in the matter along with adding Magistrate Charlyn Artiga’s name to the appeal; this was not done.

Justice Singh in his ruling said he found the concession by the deputy solicitor-general to be of “great significance” and ruled that the appeal filed was null.

The former chancellor had also ruled that without any particulars, a race or ethnicity offence could not be attributed to the “opposition,” much less a race or ethnicity from “coolie people.”

He said too that “even if a specific race or ethnicity of the ‘opposition’ can be established by evidence, which is doubtful, that would not change the fact that the charge would be defective with respect to this statement [Jagdeo’s], since it does not

disclose any facts that establish that second element… it is clear that…even if what is alleged in the particulars of the offence is proved that there cannot be no resulting connection since no criminal offence is disclosed.”

On March 8, 2015, while at a public meeting held at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice, it is alleged that Jagdeo made statements which amounted to racial incitement.

“The opposition consistently shout about racism of the PPP, but they practise racism…The opposition beat drums at six in the morning and say let us throw out these coolie people,” the former president said.

The charge of racial incitement was laid against the former President at the Whim Magistrate’s Court in Berbice and was filed by Chartered Accountant and Attorney, Christopher Ram. Ram had filed the matter in

April, 2015 and argued that the words uttered by Jagdeo amounted to racial or ethnic hatred, contrary to Section 139 D (1) (a) of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03.

Section 139D (1) (a) of the Representation of the People Act, CAP 1:03 of the Laws of Guyana, provides that any person who makes or publishes any statement which results or can result in racial or ethnic hatred among the people shall be liable to conviction.

However, Jagdeo through his attorney described the charge as lacking merit, malicious and concocted.

Meanwhile, on Friday,Solicitor-General Kim Kyte told the court that the application was made pursuant to Order 11 Rule 3(5) of the Court of appeal Rules Chapter 3:01 applied for an enlargement of time for the time of appealing.

Kyte in her arguments

said that the High Court ruling of Justice Navindra Singh to dismiss charges against Jagdeo, because the particulars of the offence failed to disclose an offence listed in law, was erroneous.

The solicitor-general said too that the reason for the delay in the affidavit filed was indeed a mistake by the attorney in adding the wrong party as the appellant in the case. She stressed that though the delay was due to the fault of the attorney, the fact that the appellant’s intent to appeal has demonstrated the delay can be deemed excusable.

Kyte contended that Artiga was not responsible for her counsel’s error and relied on her attorney to file the correct appeal.

“It is respectfully submitted that a denial of the application would result in a grave miscarriage of justice, since the matter herein is of Turn to page 9 ►

4

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Trump replaces chief of staff Priebus with retired General Kelly PRESIDENT Donald Trump replaced his beleaguered White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, after only six months on the job on Friday, installing retired General John Kelly in his place in a major shake-up of his top team.

Trump announced the move in a tweet a day after his new communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, accused Priebus of leaking information to reporters in a profanity-laced tirade.

Kelly, 67, a retired four-star Marine Corps general, is currently secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and will assume the chief of staff post on Monday. He

was hired with the goal of bringing more discipline to the White House, a senior White House official said.

Trump issued his decision just as he landed aboard Air Force One after a visit to Long Island and hours after Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare failed in the Senate.

Priebus was on the plane with the Republican president and made no comment. Reporters had noticed no sign of stress from Priebus during the day. Priebus told CNN he had been talking to Trump for some time about exiting the White House, and is the latest in a long line of officials to leave or not take a job at the White House.

“The president has a right to hit a reset button.

I think it’s time to hit the reset button,” Priebus said in a televised interview from the White House. “He intuitively determined that it was time to do something different, and I think he’s right.”

Trump had lost confidence in Priebus, privately questioning his competence after major legislative items failed to pass the U.S. Congress, a Trump confidant said.

A source close to Priebus said the former Republican National Committee chairman turned in his resignation on Thursday night, after Scaramucci’s rant against him was published by the New Yorker magazine.

A senior White House official said Trump had informed Priebus two weeks ago that he would be replacing him and that the move had no connection to Scaramucci, whose hiring a week ago prompted Sean Spicer, a Priebus ally, to

abruptly resign as press secretary.

After frequent conversations with Kelly, Trump recently warmed up to the idea of naming Kelly chief of staff to more effectively manage personnel and offered it to him earlier this week, a senior White House official said.

KELLY ‘A STAR’ Carrying an umbrella, Trump approached reporters as he stepped off Air Force One, with rain storming down.

“Reince is a good man.

John Kelly will do a fantastic job. General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. He’s a great, great American. Reince is a good man,” Trump said.

Priebus’ 189-day tenure was the shortest in modern history for a White House chief of staff. He had hoped to stay on at least a year but struggled to manage his unpredictable boss and was unable to get a handle on conflicting factions in

the White House who have frequently squabbled.

In a statement, Priebus said it had been one of the great honors of his life to serve Trump and the country.

“I will continue to serve as a strong supporter of the president’s agenda and policies. I can’t think of a better person than General John Kelly to succeed me and I wish him God’s blessings and great success,” he said.

Trump loyalists had chafed at Priebus, feeling he had installed his RNC allies at the White House and overlooked the people close to Trump who helped get him elected president in November.

But Priebus allies felt he was an important link to establishment Republicans in Washington as the capital attempted to adjust to the anti-establishment style of the president.

“He has served the president and the American people capably and passionately,” House of

Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said of his close friend in a statement. “He has achieved so much, and he has done it all with class. I could not be more proud to call Reince a dear friend.”

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she did not think Priebus’ exit would affect the White House’s relationship with the Republican Party.

“I think we’ve still got a good relationship. We’re going to continue working with the party and doing what we came here to do,” she said.

Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke will become the acting chief of the department on Monday, DHS said in a statement.

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, is among those being considered for Homeland Security secretary, a DHS official said. (Reuters)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Rio begins deploying 10,000 troops THE Brazilian armed forces have begun deploying 10,000 troops in the state of Rio de Janeiro

to help the fight against organised crime.

On Friday trucks rolled through Rio as 8,500 sol-

diers were mobilised. They will be joined by police and highway patrol officers.

Violence has been on

Soldiers are being deployed in Rio to deal with a violent crime surge (photo from 2016)

On Sunday police officers’ relatives protested over the many deaths of police officers

the rise in Rio since the end of the Olympics nearly a year ago.

More than 90 police officers have been killed in Rio state so far this year.

Last Sunday, hundreds of relatives of police officers gathered at the seafront in Copacabana to protest against the deaths and de-

mand more support.

The defence minister said that the troops are carrying out intelligence operations and are preparing a number of operations against criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking, cargo theft and other activities.

A decree signed by Pres-

ident Michel Temer allows the troops to stay in Rio until the end of the year.

An average of three people were killed each day by stray bullets in the first six months of this year in Rio, many of them during shootouts between police and drug traffickers. (BBC)

Colombia will not accept Venezuela vote

COLOMBIA’S President Juan Manuel Santos says his country will not recognise the result of Sunday’s vote in neighbouring Venezuela to elect a new assembly with power to rewrite the Constitution.

“The constituent assembly lacks legitimacy and because of that we cannot accept the result,” he said.

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro called the vote as protests against his

government gained momentum in May. The opposition sees it as a move towards dictatorship.

The new constituent assembly, comprising 545 members, will rival the National Assembly, currently controlled by the opposition.

“We insist on a peaceful solution for the country’s situation,” said President Santos.

Earlier on Friday, police in the Venezuelan capital

Caracas fired tear gas and rubber bullets against opposition activists who blocked roads. At least two people were injured.

Venezuela has banned protests that could “disturb or affect” the vote.

Prison terms of between five and 10 years could be imposed on those contravening the ban, Interior Minister Néstor Reverol said on Thursday.

The ban on activity will

remain in force until Tuesday.

More than 100 people have been killed in protest-related violence since April.

The situation has worsened to the point that the United States has ordered family members living at the embassy in Caracas to evacuate the country. It also authorised its staff members to leave if they desire.

Maduro said his opponents should “abandon the road to insurrection” and add-

ed that he would be willing to begin a “roundtable dialogue in the next few hours”.

On Wednesday, the US imposed sanctions on 13 senior Venezuelan officials, including Reverol.

The sanctions freeze the US assets of those targeted and stop American entities from doing business with them.

President Donald Trump promised “strong and swift economic actions” if the poll

goes ahead.

Maduro responded by describing the US as imperialists bent on ruling the world and called the sanctions “illegal, insolent and unprecedented”. (BBC)

6

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Slothfulness in budgetary spending THE revelation by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan last week at the opening of the Budget 2018 Preparation and Sensitisation Training Workshop that there is tardiness in spending budgetary allocations is disturbing and has to be corrected as a matter of national priority.

According to the minister, at the end of June, less than 30 percent of the public sector investment programme was expended, prompting him to question “what is the reason for this continued sloth in the implementation of the PSIP, at a time when it was touted as a boost to spending in the economy?”

Undoubtedly, this is not healthy for governance or the economy, given that government is the nation’s single largest spender. Business, the workforce, all and sundry rely on such spending to ensure employment, economic opportunities, and cash flow to purchase goods and services. As the minister appropriately noted, “Where is the benefit from early budget presentation when, for example, we still have budget agencies, in June, figuring out specifications of items to be purchased; we have awarded only 53 percent of the PSIP and expend-

ed a mere 28 percent on maintenance of infrastructure within the recurrent budget.”

The inter-relationship among government, business/organisation and citizens in stimulating the economy when interrupted is not only a drag on the department not spending the money, the mood of the people, but also government’s return on its investment via developmental projects and increase in revenue flow through business and consumer spending. The average Guyanese, before any release of statistical data, could tell when money is not circulating.

The private sector for some time has also been saying that business is bad.

To the extent where such may be the result of government’s efforts to curb the underground economy, estimated to be approximately 40-60 percent of the economy, the risk-averse nature of the private sector, or allegations of spending or withholding under which government, any withholding of state spending will have some impact on this sector. It was the minister’s recall that government’s policies, programmes, reforms and measures envisaged in the

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

2016 budget were designed to stimulate the economy to achieve higher growth rates.

But in August 2016, Minister Jordan had cause to express similar concern of slothful budgetary spending. In a report carried by this newspaper, he noted the “unfavourable” scenario, given that nine months into the 2016 budget less than 50 percent was spent. And whereas in 2016 the minister explained that such spending, among other things, had to do with surprise by agencies of an early budget, in the said year it was made known that the 2017 budget would have been prepared early. This would draw attention as to what could be responsible for the slothfulness in 2017. Since the productive days of the Economic Recovery Programme/Structural Adjustment Programme, launched in mid1988, which delivered consecutive growth into the mid-1990s, society has come to accept tepid growth, even when better could have been done, and the so-called negative growth and underground economy projecting falsified growth.

Government has given expressions to various new areas of economic opportunities it is placing interest on.

The sense that new avenues are being

Editorial

explored concomitantly will carry spending.

Sitting on money budgeted for projects does not help the nation and society and the department that are engaging in such acts should recognise the impact indecision and deleterious decision-making can have on the society. During the PPP/C administration, regional and local democratic councils and some state-funded agencies concern was the late release of money by central government that prevented them from spending within the stipulated time, which had to be returned.

The scenario as obtained now is different and the minister’s perplexity should not be ignored. And while it is important not to waste money, in order to address the stated concern, the tardy agencies cannot ignore the importance of having competent personnel in place to conceptualise, develop and execute projects in a timely manner.

It may also be worthy of consideration on the government’s part to see if slothful spending is the result of manpower deficiency and move with deliberative judgment to address it, if such be the case.

Don’t hide behind the UN

Dear Editor

THIS government must not use the United Nations (UN) name to front any non-constitutional act.

If it wants to be involved in any such act in pursuit of constitutional reform, the actors must be bold enough to come out and not hide behind the UN. I’m in possession of a copy of the UN Report on the study for constitutional reform and having read it, the estab-

lishment of any commission for the process of reforming the Guyana Constitution has not been mentioned, explicit or implicit.

What the report noted is that reform, following a process of inclusivity and public education, can help advance cohesion in the society. In fact, this recognition is, expressly and implicitly, required of us according to the Constitution.

Government’s attention is being drawn to Article

119A which expressly says, “The National Assembly shall establish a Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform for the purpose of continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution and making periodic reports thereon to the Assembly, with proposals for reform as necessary.”

This is the only authoritative body that can recommend to the House, after a process

of review, any idea/s for reform. The establishment of any Bill for reform without recommendation from this Standing Committee is subverting the Constitution and disregarding the rule of law.

The government had appointed a committee hiding behind Article 119 when Article 119A specifically speaks to the process by which reform shall be done. For clarity, Article 119 was there from the inception of the Constitution,

while Article 119A was enacted in 2001 out of the people’s desire to engage in continual review as against waiting for the establishment of a reform commission, as was done in 1999, to do so and act on.

To the best of the nation’s knowledge, the Standing Committee, in this and the last parliament, never made any report or submission to the Assembly to commence any action on reform. The Constitutional

Reform Bill this government has before the House to engage in such action has not followed the process outlined in the Constitution.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee must be allowed to function and the prime minister and others must respect the constitutional requirement and process on proceeding with any effort at reform.

LINCOLN LEWIS

7

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Strengthened disciplinary and accounting regimes to keep attorneys in check – AG

ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams believes that Legal Profession Legislation will serve to strengthen the disciplinary and accounting regimes, thereby keeping attorneys in check.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting of the Business Names Legislation and Legal Profession Legislation Committees of the Canadian government-funded Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) project here on Wednesday, Williams noted that the project was beneficial not only to Guyana but to the the Region also.

According to Williams, the drafting of a gender-sensitive model Legal Profession Act with a revised Code of Ethics, disciplinary and accounting procedures and provisions for continuing legal professional development is important.

He said the fact that legal minds across the Region were being sensitised about the benefits of continuing

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams “A strengthened disciplinary and accounting regime will act as a check on attorneys and ensure that the services that attorneys are providing to persons are fair, efficient and in the best interest of clients,” said the attorney general.

He said too that capacity-building was critical and would see the growth and development of the legal fraternity across the Region.

Additionally, he stressed

so as to improve our services,” he remarked, while noting that capacity-building of legal professionals was paramount to the growth and development of improved legal services.

Business Names and Trademarks Legislation Meanwhile, with respect to the Business Names and Trademarks Legislation in the Region, the attorney general said the intention was to have the Region’s

A section of the audience gathered at the IMPACT Justice Committee meetings on Business Names Legislation and Legal Profession Legislation held at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana. legal professional development, is a step in the right direction, while noting that the legislation is designed to strengthen the disciplinary procedure and accounting regimes of the legal profession.

The specific project, he noted, was geared at helping governments inform policy-making.

“The preparation of model legislation is very important,” said Williams, who outlined that he was honoured that IMPACT Justice had taken the lead role.

the importance of continuous legal training, noting that it was necessary to ensure that attorneys were up to date with best practices and knowledgeable in every aspect of the law that was relevant to their practice.

“The law is continuously changing to meet the needs of society and we as lawyers must be abreast with all changes and adapt, so that we may be of better service to society. We must constantly seek to build our capacity within the profession

registries integrated, so that each territory would be able to pull information needed.

He said the legislation sought also to coordinate business activities within CARICOM. “The Model Business Names Bill seeks to replace and harmonise the Business Names Legislation across the Region so as to create a standard system for the registration of business names; a system that is simple and efficient for consumers so as to encourage and foster economic growth.”

Williams said too that the commercial sector contributed greatly to the economy of our countries “and therefore any step that seeks to improve the services that our countries provide to investors, entrepreneurs and any other person using these services is most welcome as this will only spur further economic growth.”

Several other model legislations were drafted by IMPACT Justice for CARICOM member states in the areas of Major Organised Crime, Sexual Harassment, Community Mediation, Model Business Names, and Trademarks, among others.

Representatives of the Attorney General’s Chambers sit on most of these committees established to prepare drafting instructions for the model legislation and according to Williams, “It is a task that is not taken lightly, as we understand the importance of capitalising on the opportunity to take part in the process of enhancing legislation to strengthen our legal framework which is essential, as the stronger our legal framework, the more efficient it will be at addressing the needs of the Caribbean community.”

The Community Mediation Bill was finalised at a committee meeting held in Guyana and in June 2017, and was approved by the Caricom Legal Affairs Committee as a Caricom Model Bill. The Bill will aid in strengthening the legal framework as it relates to mediation services by providing a standard model Bill that member states may utilise to enhance the mediation services provided by their respective countries with a view to enhancing access to justice.

Additionally, the attorney general also highlighted a number of initiatives with which IMPACT Justice has assisted the Region with the aim of improving the justice sector. “Access to justice is paramount to upholding the rule of law,” he said, while emphasising the need for the justice sector to provide fair services that promote access to justice.

“The work of IMPACT Justice is essential to the Region”, Williams added.

Guyana, like other territories has benefitted from legal materials through the project.

Regional Project Director of the IMPACT Justice project, Professor Velma Newton The University of Guyana and the Attorney General’s Chambers have benefitted from the initiative.

Over 244 books were given to the UG library while the AG’s Chambers received books on oil and gas.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Additionally, the attorney general referenced the training of persons in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), while noting that it is one proven method of improving justice, as it is cheaper and faster.

“It is therefore paramount that there be increased training and public awareness of this mechanism so that persons are sensitised to ADR and its benefits, so that its use may be increased,” he said, while adding that IMPACT Justice began training persons for community mediation in October 2016 and has conducted several training sessions with Guyanese from different areas in the justice sector.

Police officers, probation officers, child care protection officers, social services officers and community leaders from the Ministry of Social Protection and from the 10 regions of Guyana were trained to be mediators.

“This training will greatly enhance the quality of services that these professionals offer to the public and with continued training, these professionals will be better equipped to resolve disputes and conflicts.”

Williams thanked the Canadian Government for its assistance with the project as countries such as Guyana are benefitting significantly.

Meanwhile, Jan Sheltin-

ga, Counsellor, Development Cooperation, High Commission of Canada, delivered remarks on behalf of Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana and Suriname Pierre Giroux. She said the Project forms part of a larger framework of the Canadian government’s commitment to fostering socio-economic development of the Caribbean Region.

“This meeting of the committees represents a significant milestone for the project,” she said, while noting that significant progress has been made in relation to the Key Model Legislations.

Sheltinga urged the legal minds gathered to use plain, modern and gender-neutral language in all legislation created.

Meanwhile, Professor Velma Newton, Regional Project Director of the IMPACT Justice project provided a report on the progress of the project.

She noted that the objective of the project is to ensure that women, men, boys and girls in the Caribbean bloc are able to access justice.

She said significant inroads have been made in the process, but noted that more work needs to be done. The three-day meeting has benefitted from the input of representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the University of Guyana, the Guyana Bar Association and attorneys among other stakeholders.

The meeting which concluded on Friday was geared at finalising a Draft Model Business Names Legislation and a Draft Model Legal Profession Legislation for adoption by CARICOM Legal Affairs Committee as CARICOM model Bills.

8

Teen allegedly strangled by boyfriend

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric ROSANNA Lakhpal, 17, was on Saturday found with a gaping wound to the throat and wrapped in a pair of sheets at her Number Two Village home, East Canje, Berbice, minutes after an altercation with her much older boyfriend.

The concealed body of Lakhpal was discovered by Nadia Persaud, 41, who went to the home after responding to an urgent call from her 10- year-old daughter Zailoon, who witnessed the altercation.

Zailoon had moments before ran a few yards away to her mother, clutching her crying two-year-old sister, in arms, to report that “Ryan and Rosanna were fighting.”

It was not an unusual occurrence. They would normally fight, but apparently Rosanna felt that something was amiss as “she had collected my two daughters from my home at Canefield Village, also in East Canje, and brought them to her home, whilst I was working at Classic Car Wash,’’ Persaud said.

She added: “So, whilst I was at work, Zailoon came with the baby and reported the fighting. However, when I got to the scene, I started to call for Rosanna but there

Dead: Rosanna Lakhpal

was no response. I looked around but saw no one. I assumed that the couple had left. So I was about to put my children in a car to send them home when I saw my Rakhi brother ‘Hooke’ coming and he asked what happen. ‘Hooke’ and Rosanna’s mother are in a relationship.

“Consequently, we returned into the lower flat of the two-storey building.

Again we called for Rosanna. At that point we assumed she was hiding from us as she would normally do so.

But after careful checks, we saw her foot protruding from under a sheet and after a closer inspection, we realised that she was wrapped in two sheets. A pillow was close by. It is believed that she was stifled before her throat was slit. She was lifeless and unresponsive,” Persaud said.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Rosanna’s boy-

friend was quarrelling with her over relationships.

At the time of the quarrel, the teen was on the upper flat of the building and the suspect reportedly grabbed her by her hair and pulled her down the inner stairs.

“As he pulled her, the baby fell out of her hands.

I went to pick up the baby, who was then crying. He told me to take my sister and go out of the yard before he hit me. But as I was leaving the kitchen area Rosanna kept calling,’Moma! Moma!

Moma! which is my home name, but I could not help her. I was afraid. I ran to my mother instead,” the eyewitness said.

The suspect in Lakhpal’s killing was reportedly seen walking calmly away from the scene, heading in the direction of the Canje overpass.

He is yet to be arrested as the police continue the investigation.

Following the incident , scores of neighbours and curious personnel gathered at the scene, where persons reminisced on the June murder of fellow villager Mintie Karamchand , aged 40 years who was fatally wounded at her Lot 19 Sheet Anchor Village, by her now deceased husband Goldburn December.

Three suspects to be charged for Uitspa labourer killing THE police have detained three men in connection with the recent murder of Dhanpaul Dookie called “Pauline,” who was murdered on July 24 at his home at Uitspa Village, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

According to police, the 51-year-old labourer was killed during a robbery by career criminals. The three suspects have given investigators incriminating evidence and they are expected to be charged soon.

“The suspects have all been previously

charged: one with murder and his case was discharged, another has an attempted murder charge pending in the High Court and the other was charged with several lesser criminal offences,” Press Officer Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said.

According to a police report, the murder occurred between 20:00 hrs on July 24 and 08:00 hrs on Wednesday at the victim’s address. The body which bore multiple stab wounds was taken to Lyken’s Funeral Home.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Police to probe allegations ...by woman accused of brutality of harbouring escapee Deputy Commander, ‘B’ Division,Senior Superintendent of Police Edmond Cooper, said the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) will investigate the accusations of police brutality made by Tilawattie Singh.

Singh was detained by the police for allegedly aiding prison escapee Stafrei Alexander.

According to Cooper, both he and the commander learnt of the allegations from newspaper reports.

Only recently, they took over the reins from Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam and his deputy, Senior Superintendent Eroll Watts, who have both retired.

Cooper said they are familiarising themselves with some of the ongoing investigations in the region and based on their checks, no official report was made with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) or the Police Complaints

Tilawattie Singh

Authority (PCA).

“Based on our records, we did not see any official reports made to the OPR, but I can assure you that we will make sure the OPR conducts an investigation into the allegations made.

I am also urging the complainant to lodge an official report as soon as possible if she did not do so as yet, because the OPR would need that to proceed.”

He went on to explain that based on experience, many times people would go to the media with their

issues, but neglect to make an official report.

This, he said, leaves the police and the OPR without any official statement to work with and when approached, the complainants would change their minds or withdraw their complaints.

He is urging persons to desist from this practice.

Cooper assured this publication that he will do everything within his power to see an investigation launched, since Singh made some serious allegations.

Singh, 38 and a mother of three of Trainline Dam, Ankerville, Port Mourant, was detained by the police on July 18 for three days.

She had accused the police of brutality while in their custody.

The woman told reporters she was punched, gun-butted and choked by ranks, who alleged that she cooked and supplied food to prison escapee Stafrei Alexander.

16 inmates shot ...as joint services move to quell disorder at Lusignan SIXTEEN prisoners at the asphalted holding facility at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, were shot when inmates tried to resist a routine search exercise by prison officers Saturday afternoon.

Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels confirmed that the prisoners behaved aggressively during the search, resulting in disorder.

According to reports, the inmates used improvised weapons to attack the officers, and in an effort to restore order, the officers resorted to the use of force, including firearms.

Reports confirmed that three of the shot prisoners received medical treatment: one for a gunshot wound and the other two for injuries received in a fight among themselves.

The one with the gunshot wound was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), while the other two were treated and sent away.

The others were being treated on site at the Lusignan Prison Infirmary.

“The Guyana Prison Service regrets that this course of action had to be

Some of the items prisoners broke from their sleeping area to pelt the prison staff (Photo by the Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels)

taken, but was left with no other option given the extreme disorder which broke out in the holding area and the refusal of the prisoners to heed the commands of the officers to desist,” the prisons director said.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the area on Saturday evening, Joint Services ranks confirmed that the situation was under control.

One of the officers said inmates usually act up during the search exercises, but they were more aggressive this time.

“They got a new facility but they still behaving badly. I really don’t know what these people want,” said a female officer, who added that she was scared for her life because of the way the prisoners behaved.

9

Efforts on the way to improve land management SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has met with representatives of Ordnance Survey International (OSI) and Trimble Incorporated, two companies from the United Kingdom which specialise in land management and mapping.

The representatives are here in Guyana to collaborate with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to improve efficiency in land management, through the transfer of technology.

The meeting, which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency, was attended by Trevor Benn, Commissioner of the GLSC; Malcolm Havercroft, Director of Oper-

ations of OSI; Peter Hedlund, Managing Director, also of OSI; and Jill Urban-Karr, Executive Director of Trimble.

Minister Harmon said the Government welcomes the collaboration and looks forward to a long-term relationship, noting that there is much that needs to be done in Guyana in the area of land management.

“The quality of mapping in this country leaves much to be desired. Land is a scarce and limited resource. We have all of these pressures on land, where several communities are looking to establish protected areas; challenges as far as mining and extractive industries are concerned, ag-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

riculture and of course human settlement. So all of these are factors [that] push and pull on how best to utilise the stock of land that you have,” he said.

Benn, in an invited comment after the courtesy call, said the partnership was born out of a recent overseas conference he attended.

He noted that it is his expectation that the collaboration will not only improve the efficiency of the commission, but will also help to generate revenue, which can improve the organisation’s services.

“The intention is to be able to get as much support of the work we are doing.

We are experiencing a lot

of backlogs in our system, particularly the lease management system and our equipment and tools we use and this opportunity is for us to benefit from the expertise they can bring to Guyana. It is my hope that we can sign onto a long-term partnership with the OSI to enable us to rise to the 21st century organisation that the country requires; and so this is the first step we are taking here,” he said.

Hedlund, also in an invited comment, said that the OSI is willing and ready to offer its expertise to the commission.

He said companies are even more heartened by the

willingness and eagerness of the persons involved, particularly at the governmental level.

“We have been very impressed with the messages from the minister. There is [sic] good grounds and will from the people and we definitely see opportunities where we can collaborate. It is a programme for four years and we are looking to see how best we can transfer knowledge. We stand ready to assist and the benefits would be a more effective lands and surveys department, but real benefits come from a nation that has modern, up-to-date information,” he said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

UG launches Diaspora Engagement Centre

By Ravin Singh THE University of Guyana (UG) on Friday launched the Diaspora Engagement Centre aimed at integrating regional and overseas institutions while promoting increased opportunities for locals.

The centre was created just prior to the conclusion of the Diaspora Engagement Conference organised by the university. That conference, which lasted one week, attracted 243 participants from more than 12 countries.

At a media briefing Friday morning, UG Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Ivelaw Griffith said there is need for

institutionalisation of ideas and agreement birthed out of the conference.

He said as a result, it was agreed that the centre would be formed, although it is yet to have headquarters.

“We did not want to wait until everything was settled to get going. One of my commitments is that what we discussed this week should not stay there only. And so we needed a mechanism to institutionalise, going forward. The centre will be that mechanism.”

The centre is expected to host the meeting of the Diaspora Conference once every two years. And according to Professor Griffith, one of its

objectives would be to find a way to establish and manage a talent database.

He said the database will contain information about who in the diaspora has what interest or skill, who wants to contribute and will provide facilitation of those contributions.

“We plan not only to say we’re interested in diaspora, we plan to demonstrate by having a work programme that takes this conference into the future, going from strength to strength,” he added.

The VC explained that a team is in the process of working to develop an implementation project plan

Magistrate cleared to... grave national importance and significant public interest and should be permitted to be ventilated in a higher court on its merits, as opposed to being disposed of by a mere technicality,” said the solicitor-general.

On April 20, 2015, Jagdeo’s attorneys had made submissions before Magistrate Artiga. The magistrate on May 25 overruled the

submissions, released him on self-bail and adjourned the case. On June 26, 2015, Jagdeo filed an ex parte Notice of Motion for an order Nisi of certiorari to quash the magistrate’s said decision and for an order Nisi of Prohibition to prevent the said magistrate from taking any further steps in the said proceedings.

Justice William

From page 3

Ramlal on the said day granted the said orders, unless the magistrate showed cause why they should not be made absolute. Meanwhile, the hearing for Magistrate Charlyn Artiga to show cause why the said orders Nisi should not be made absolute was heard by Justice Navindra Singh.

Justice Singh on December 11, 2015, made absolute the orders Nisi made on June

for the centre. He did not say when this plan was likely to be presented, nor how much

the overall project is likely to cost.

Rather, he offered that UG has some preliminary figures and the institution will be looking to have a number of partners involved, including the Caribbean Development Bank.

He pointed out too, that efforts to advance the work of the centre will be intensified, due to the level of interest and energy shown at the conference, and due to the fact that the centre will have an impact on regional institutions – both academic and non-academic institutions.

The centre will seek to integrate and foster mutually beneficial relationships

with government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and other agencies across the Region.

With regard to headquarters, Professor Griffith said the organising team is working to identify an appropriate place to have it housed.

He explained that UG has “significant space challenges” and as such, efforts are being made to rent a location off campus. He added too that funding for the rental will be drawn from a funding source or several sources. However, he chose not to name any of the potential funding sources.

26 by Justice Ramlal who quashed Artiga’s decision on the ground that it was irrational, unreasonable, and erroneous in law, null, void and of no legal effect.

Additionally, Justice Singh prevented Artiga from proceeding with the case on the ground that she had no jurisdiction to inquire into the charge, which was fundamentally defective and legally unsound.

As a result of that ruling, an appeal was filed by the AG’s Chambers which

contended that there were areas of substantial and grave misdirection of law and fact.

Kyte in her submission maintained that the grounds of Appeal in the Notice of Appeal serve to elucidate that Justice Singh’s findings on issues of fact and law were incorrect.

She contended that it is only the Court of Appeal that can deliberate on the findings of fact and law made by Justice Singh and ultimately rule on the findings and or conclusions made by the trial

judge.

“It is respectfully submitted that the findings and or conclusions on factual and legal issues by the Honourable Mr. Justice Navindra Singh are wrong, substantial and grave and there is a high likelihood that upon appeal, the said finding and or conclusions would be set aside.

It is respectfully submitted that the applicant has shown to the court that there is every reasonable prospect of success in the appeal,” said Kyte.

UG Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire is on to something right….society must pay heed THE more conversations around the ruling handed down by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, Senior Counsel, on the criteria for selection of a GECOM chairman, the more society stands to benefit. Evidently, ignorance of the law though no excuse, has to a great extent stymied proper management of the nation and its resources and the treatment of its citizens.

Public conversations on the Guyana Constitution with regard to the ruling is in itself an exercise in public education.

First, let the mis-impression be gotten out of the way: a constitution was not made for interpretation by lawyers, it was made for citizens whose conduct will be bound by it and it is in their interest to know what are the rights, civic duty and responsibilities therein.

Second, its conceptualisation and passage were from citizens with an array of disciplines and interests. In short, the Constitution was

made for the people arising out of their beliefs systems, dreams and aspirations.

The level of ignorance, including in high places, regarding this instrument should not have been, were we as a people prepared to accept it as the instrument that lays the foundation and pillars for the laws to manage ours and the nation’s affairs. Had time been taken to get past the hatred for the person--Forbes Burnham--under whose leadership it was constructed and the propaganda that demonised it, and seek to understand its spirit and intent, the society could have been further along the developmental continuum.

Article 182, which grants the president immunity from civil and criminal proceedings in the exercise of his duty, has through ignorance and propaganda, come to define all that is evil with the Constitution, given that persons have associated it with the office-holder being above the law. It continues to defy

Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire

logic how the president, having sworn to an oath to uphold the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, can be above it; yet this narrative continues to dominate the day. In so doing, it not only accepts carte blanche authority for the president to violate the laws of the land, plunder the resources of the state, and trample the rights of citizens, but shaping acceptance of the constitution allows such action.

The ruthless, lawless and self-serving have capitalised on society’s ignorance, and some have chosen to demonstrate similar atti-

Police corporal crashes mini-bus, one hospitalised A MINI-BUS driven by a police corporal on Friday night toppled on the Letter ‘T’ Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), resulting in one person being hospitalised.

Reports indicate that one of two male relatives he was transporting was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a stable condition.

The person admitted

is Gregory Halley, 33, of Zeskendren, Mahaicony, ECD, while the other was identified as Prince Harte,62, of Paradise, ECD. Police said that the officer and the other relative were treated for minor injuries at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital and sent away.

A breathalyzer test was administered to the driver and no alcohol was detected

on his breath.

The driver, according to police, alleged that about 20:30hrs, he was proceeding west along the road in mini-bus BRR 249, when he was suddenly blinded by a bright light of a vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction, forcing him to swerve farther south and in the process the vehicle toppled.

tudes by not seeking to be au fait with, or accepting proper advice on its interpretation. A constitution is designed to be a living document and can only have life when activated by the people. Justice George-Wiltshire who in 2011 ruled in the Twyon Thomas case two Mondays ago, did just that on the GECOM ruling. The Thomas’ case was that of the 14-year-old whose genital area was mutilated and burnt by the police while in the protection of the State at the Leonora Police Station.

In that ruling, in awarding the $6.5M the Justice noted her “view that this global or total award reflects that there is a need for the realisation and understanding that respect for the fundamental rights provisions of the Constitution and respect for the human rights of persons requires [sic] vigilance and carries with it tremendous responsibility.”

The ruling gives meaning to Article 39(2) in the constitution that allows for the court to dispense justice consistent with international laws, conventions, covenants and charters bearing on human rights. What this is also saying to us is that the framers also recognised in our human frailty where we can be brutish/unkind to each other, justice and fair play can be secured based on universally acceptable principles.

Those following the issue of the qualification to become chairman of GECOM will observe from careful reading of the Constitution that the categories stipulated for con-

sideration are given equal weight. There has been no preference given to one over the other. It is about competence and confidence, for while the Constitution has identified a judge with practice within a specific jurisdiction or person who can become a judge, it also places within this category “any other” person considered “fit and proper” for the job. My position from day one, which was made public, is that the Constitution gives equal weight to the categories.

In treating with the people’s business precedents are important, because these help to shape society and in this specific case, the precedence cannot be thrown overboard. On this issue, the framers conceptualised and applied it in a specific way, and it cannot be changed by the stroke of another’s interpretation, where no solid argument has been advanced for destruction of the precedence.

The draftpersons for the present constitution, who are the ones that captured the intent of this instrument, are Alice Downes-Amsterdam, Cecil Dhurjon CCH, SC, Roxane George- Wiltshire SC, Justice Oswell Legall, Professor Keith Massiah, OR, SC, and Zehar Singh Negi. This society is fortunate to have the benefit and inputs of these persons and we do disservice to ourselves and the nation’s development by ignoring their contributions while they are alive, or leaving them on the sidelines as the nation grapples with understanding this instrument.

While there’s respect for Marcel Gaskin’s right to proceed with any further litigation legally permissible on the GECOM ruling, it does not absolve from questioning the wisdom of what he is seeking to do.

Reading of the Constitution shows that articles are not standing alone and on many occasions they are linked to other articles in arriving at informed positions or the totality of the issue. It is my opinion that the chief justice’s ruling dealt with the totality of the issue as it relates to the chairman and the players involved.

On the issue of her counsel on the President’s engagement with the leader of the opposition, though not expressly written in the Constitution, it captured the spirit and intent of the instrument to ensure civility in the nation’s body politic and public discourse in arriving at an amicable settlement.

The Constitution talks about forging a nation of one out of diversity and respecting such a process and also the role of the opposition in the process. This is classic inclusionary democracy and consensus-building which should not be dismissed.

There may not be agreement with all of the Justice’s rulings, but it cannot be denied in the cited two instances, which dealt with serious matters of national import and the treatment of citizens, her progressive thinking in using the law in shaping behaviour and governance augurs well for the nation and its people’s development.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Heat is on for Emancipation Day TUESDAY, August 1, is Emancipation Day, 2017.

And with just the two days remaining before that big day, there is a hive of activity in and around the city as shoppers rush to and fro in their bid to zero in and select from the wide range of African attire, specifically designed for the occasion.

The two big events on the card leading up to the traditional Emancipation Day activities at the National Park are: “Guyana/All Nations Night” on Sunday and the “Candlelight Procession/Folk Night” on Monday.

Then comes the traditional and eagerly-anticipated Emancipation Day celebration at the National Park, which usually attracts tens of thousands of people from all walks of life – Guyanese residing at home and abroad, as well as the steady flow of tourists.

The African Street Theatre, along the Main Street Avenue, continues to prove a ready and reliable source of such clothing and accessories and will continue with these offers until July 31. Dresses may either be purchased off the stands or be custom-made

by some designers.

The dresses on display are complemented with exquisite designs of matching accessories. Meanwhile, also offering African clothing for the occasion are the many emerging boutiques along Bourda Street, along Regent Street and in municipal markets as well, where prices seem affordable.

Yesterday, hordes of shoppers combed shopping centres downtown Georgetown in search of the best in line of African wear and were surprised at the treasures they were able to come up with.

Meanwhile, items you did not get before Emancipation Day can still be sourced at the many booths on display in the Emancipation Village at the National Park.

So don’t be left out. Cash in on these bargains, dress to impress and head down to the National Park where there will be lots of fun and excitement for adults as well as the children.

The first item on the programme for Tuesday, August 1, is the Sunrise Service which commences at 05:30 hrs at the National Park.

Gates will be open to the public at 10:00 hrs, signalling the start of a flood of activities.

There you will find the best in the line of African dishes including methemgee, cook-up rice, conkie, mauby, cassava pone and lots more.

International and Regional performances include: from Etana; Everton Blender; Surinamese cultural presentation –‘fire eating’; Brazil-

ian Cultural Presentation; Nigerian cultural presentation.

Local performers include: Big Red, Charmaine Blackman-Alves; First Born, X-Factor, Divine Stars, Mystique, Flame of the Hearts; Young Bill Rogers and more.

Educational Booths * Educational booths include: African-Guyanese Shapers and History * African Village Move-

ment; African Hairstyles * African History * African Music * African Names * African Inventions and * World of Africa Booths.

Children’s Centre Fun includes: Folk games, face-painting, story-telling; colouring and Bouncy Castles. Also on the cards will be a Children’s Parade and Fun Centre Activities such as: ‘Hello Africa’

(Children’s Parade); Most Creative Costume/Float; Best Dressed Children’s competition; Best Costume Display competition.

There will also be fashion competitions; Music, Dance, Poetry and Food Competitions, such as Cook-Up competition and Cassava pone-eating competition.

Several sporting activities will also form part of the programme.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

The meaning of emancipation AS Guyana observes another Emancipation anniversary, it must not only be a moment of celebration, but also a time of deep reflection, especially among African-Guyanese.

There is, of course, much to celebrate. Any people who have been the victims of the most inhumane system in human history and overcame that experience must indeed celebrate that overcoming.

As we reflect on Emancipation, therefore, we must reflect on the memory of the experience of enslavement. Historical memory is important, for it serves as a reminder of a period in human history that should never be repeated. The brutality of the slavery system has no parallel in history.

It reflected an assault on the humanity of the African peoples and inhumanity of the slave-owning classes.

African-Guyanese, therefore, are always in the process of recapturing their humanity. This is no easy task, given the fact that some of the social and power relations that informed the system of slavery are still with us today.

The second area of re-

flection should be on the very overcoming of slavery.

Emancipation among other things, meant overcoming.

In that regard, the resistance ethos is central to an understanding and appreciation of African-Guyanese history, culture and identity. There could be no slave oppression without resistance. The many slave rebellions and other forms of resistance are testimony to this spirit of resistance.

A third area of reflection must be on freedom. Emancipation meant freedom.

The objective of resistance obviously was freedom.

We know that freedom is a process that involves conscious and unconscious interventions by those to whom freedom is denied.

As Brother Bob Marley reminds us, “no chains around my feet, but still I am not free.” The struggle for freedom is always constant and this Emancipation observance must remind us of that continuing journey. It should be noted that when African-Guyanese in 1838 freed themselves, they were ensuring that other groups that subsequently came to Guyana, could come free of chains. The freedom won in

1838 therefore, was freedom not only for African-Guyanese, but for all of Guyana.

A fourth reflection as we observe emancipation must be in the role of the descendants of enslavement in helping to craft a humane society in Guyana. After the end of slavery in 1838, African-Guyanese transformed Guyana from a slave-trading and inhuman space to one that was worthy of human habitation. In pooling their

meagre resources earned during the period of Apprenticeship and buying lands which they turned into villages, they were striking the first major blow for a humane Guyana.

When African-Guyanese created their villages, they were embarking on constructing the country’s modern political economy. They constructed their churches as a reflection of their deep and abiding faith in both their present and future. They created schools next to their churches. Here

were people who could barely read and write, but understood the importance of education. They were investing not only in their education, but the education of future generations. They also set about creating the economy by allocating lands for farming. What we know today as our agriculture sector has its origins in the pioneering work in the village economy. Finally, they created their own form of government in the form of village councils, which were geared at administering the

day-to-day business of the villages.

The Village Movement therefore was the African-Guyanese gift to Guyana and the rest of the world.

It was a unique intervention by people who were barely out of more than two centuries of forced bondage. It reflected a spirit of entrepreneurship and cooperativism.

It therefore pioneered what we know today as the private and cooperative sectors.

This debunks the notion that African-Guyanese have not contributed to the business ethos of Guyana.

A fifth area of reflection should inevitably be a frank, self-assessment of the current African- Guyanese condition. We must ask ourselves as a collective, whether we have remained true to the promise of Emancipation. Are African-Guyanese as committed to the freedom journey that was reflected in 1838? Are African-Guyanese committed to the economic and political empowerment of the group?

Are African-Guyanese committed to the affirmation of Black pride and dignity?

Are we as a people, still committed to the spiritual and educational liberation of our people?

These and other questions should form the basis of a collective self-examination aimed at returning the African-Guyanese nation to its roots. So, as we beat our drums and move our dancing feet and wear our African attire and pray to our gods and ancestors, we must do so in a spirit that is geared towards the renewal of our African identity and reason for being.

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

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Wanted man Stafrei Alexander recaptured AN all-day operation by ranks of ‘B’ division in collaboration with the Joint Services and a team from police headquarters led to the re-capture of Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander called “Mad Dawg” on Saturday.

He was apprehended in Topoo, Albion, East Berbice, Corentyne, around 20:00 hrs, in an un-fenced yard, police sources say.

Four other persons who had information on his whereabouts and reportedly provided support to the wanted man were also arrested.

The Department of Pub-

Ranks disembarking at the Albion Police Station as they successfully completed the operation to re-capture wanted man Stafrei Alexander

religious function when he heard the wanted man was captured in the area and hurriedly left the proceedings for home.

“Me glad them find am, but me still frighten cause

Recaptured: Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander called “Mad Dawg”

lic Information in a release said the wanted man is nursing an injury believed to have been sustained from a previous encounter with police while on the run and is receiving medical attention.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the area, residents were hurriedly closing their gates and doors, peering out as the police vehicles drove through the streets.

Many were in high praise for the police as word spread of the re-capture of the wanted man.

A resident who gave his name as Jainarine, told the Chronicle he was at a

he been hay and we nah know, some a guh home and lock up,” the man said.

His sentiments were echoed by many who were all relieved that the wanted man was re-captured, but were surprised that he was within proximity of their homes.

On July 9, Alexander, along with other prisoners escaped from the Camp Street Prison after it was set afire by inmates. From the initial group, four men are still on the run and his capture brings the number down to three.

Those yet to be captured are Mark Royden Durant,

called “Royden Williams” and ‘Smallie’, Uree Varswyck called “Malcolm Gordon” and Cobena Stephens, called “OJ”.

The police have been tracking Alexander in Berbice and had an encounter with him on July 18. It is believed that he was shot during the encounter at an area aback of Port Mourant.

From that operation, the police managed to recover a

bullet-riddled hammock and a bag containing supplies.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force in a release thanked members of the public who provided information that led to Alexander’s capture and asked that the public continue to provide information which is critical to the re-capture of all the prison escapees. Seven fugitives remain on the run.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Celebration of Guyan PRESIDENT David Granger and First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Friday night attended a cultural celebration entitled, ‘Juliana! A Celebration of Guyanese Culture.’

The event, which was held at the National Cultural Centre, featured a fusion of music and dance representing the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural characteristics of the Guyanese society and its struggles for independence.

The cultural programme produced by Lloyda Garrett and directed by Garrett, Randolph Critchlow and Sonia Yarde, imagines a people who are proud of their patrimony and are prepared to protect and preserve that natural wealth, a people who understand the pivotal role education plays in national development and a people who are working together with a common purpose for the good of Guyana.

The programme’s theme stemmed from the President’s emphasis on ‘the green state’ development, education and social cohesion.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, several Government ministers, members of civil society and the public were in attendance.

Meanwhile, participants included the Bina Hill Institute Choir, Bishops High School, Sophia Training Centre, Tucville Secondary School and West Demerara Secondary School Combined Choir, the Chinese Association of Guyana Lion Dancers, the Free Souls Dance Theatre, the Happy Feet Dance Company, the Indian Cultural Centre Dancers, Music Unlimited, the National Steel Orchestra, Saxophonist Pastor Richard McDonald, Saxophonist Roy Stewart, Success Elementary School and West Demerara Secondary School Combined Choir and the Surama Dancers.

Juliana was written by Garrett and Critchlow, while Yarde was the stage manager and Tashandra Inniss served as production assistant for the programme. Kijana Lewis choreographed the dances, and the set design was done by Maxi Williams and Ansford Patrick. Costumes were designed

by Williams, Mwanza Glenn, and Tonia Stuart.

President David Granger, First Lady Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, applaud the performance of the cast (Delano Williams)

Dancers perform at ‘Juliana’ on Friday at the National Cultural Centre (Delano Williams)

Members of the Happy Feet Dance Group dan to the popular Dave Martins’ ‘Not a blade of g (Delano Williams)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

nese culture at NCC

President David Granger, First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger and Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally, pose for a group photo with the dancers at the end of the show (Ministry of the Presidency)

ncing grass’

Saxophonist, Pastor Richard McDonald from the mining town of Linden playing for the dancers (Ministry of the Presidency)

A male dancer lifts a female dancer on Friday during a passionate performance (Delano Williams)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Bill Cotton \Reform attends the Diaspora Conference

BY John ‘Bill Cotton/ Reform’ Mair THOSE with long memories will remember when Bill resided in this organ some years ago. Now he is back from the ‘dire-spora’ to attend the UG Conference in Providence.

This is the prodigal son returning home. I was brought up on Providence in the 1950s when it was a sugar estate. It was the idyllic colonial life then.

Today, Bill cannot believe his eyes. There has been plenty change.

First, there is this big hotel and casino, now owned by the Turkish. It’s impressive apart from when Bill tried to sneak a kip in a spare room. He was discovered and ejected.

Then there’s that Big stadium. Bill used to think it would be Jagdeo’s white elephant. He was wrong -- it is grey and still in use and looking good, too, thanks to the sterling efforts of Tony Xavier. One thing -- don’t tell anybody -- it is built on the graves of Dutch settlers.

Back to the conference: This is Vice-Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith’s pre-coronation. The man is everywhere chairing every big session in a variety of bow ties. My favourite? The one with the Guyana flag which he wore for the visit of the President. Ivelaw should register the copyright and sell the Ivelaw bowtie selection throughout the Caribbean.

The conference was a melange or a mess (you decide). Was it academic?

Was it a cultural rally? Was it a fund-raiser for UG and Guyana? Bill is a simple soul and he got confused.

Some of the papers sounded as though the writer had swallowed a dictionary or two! Others -- like mine -were slight.

One big point: the conference was far too mono-cultural. Bill was the token white man with maybe 10 maximum brown faces.

This Rainbow nation has a Rainbow diaspora and any institute or policy needs to recognise that.

The President came and went very quickly on

Monday morning. Good to see Colonel Abraham back in the saddle as Head of Protocol. It was his job at 08:30hrs to whisper bad news into Granger’s ear about the Lusignan Great Escape. Granger and gang left quickly for a conflab in private then he returned to deliver his speech in haste before leaving for the National Security Council.

Life never stops if you are the ‘Prezzie.’

Talking of ‘Prezzies’ present and past, Bill paid his ritual visit to Parliament on Thursday afternoon. The best free show in town.

Bharrat was there sulking on the front bench but for only an hour. He left the shop in the hands of Clement Rohee who made a bizarre speech opposing the Tobacco Bill. He said there were no stats to show that Guyanese died of lung cancer thanks to smoking.

Go figure.

Then Clement sought Bill out for a conflab as did the Attorney General (and Minister of Legal Affairs as he reminded me) Basil

Williams, while Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo insisted on taking a selfie with me. Fame at last. But it was good to see some old friends, even if their world and the political merry go round have gone round by 180 degrees.

You’ll recall that Bill is very sociable, so it was to the Everest Cricket Club for a beer in the wind, Bourda for a beer in sad decline, Julian’s for a beer with the new boys on the block, the flat shop for a drink with a wise old man -- the font of so much knowledge.

Back to the conference

again: So the diaspora came to Providence, but did they find salvation?

The trouble with talkfests is that they feauture plenty,er,talk. The Guyanese can surely do that but it is always to the point?

Prolix in print, verbose in person. When will the chair of a meeting have the courage after a couple of minutes to say ‘Just what is your question?’. Shorten the meetings by half, gaffing and ‘bigging’ yourself up are fine, but not in formal sessions, please, my fellow Guyanese learn to precis.

Some of the talk at Ivelaw’s thing was sensible, but some was just bonkers.

One of my favourite features was David Hinds call-

ing for the reintroduction of overseas voting!

So the Ivelaw fest came to an end with a gala concert featuring Keith Waithe plus a galaxy of musical stars. The big dire-spora conference started with a jail break and ended with a jump up. Can you ask for anything more? Well, maybe you could hope for some results after that plethora of hopeful words. Remember Elvis: ’A little less conversation,a little more action.”

Elvis, as ever, the Great Philosopher.

Bill, as ever, lives in hope.

Pip!Pip! (once again mes amis)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

RAN 15s Championship final

Green Machine rally late but fall 23 – 19 to USA Panthers

By Rawle Toney

IN what many are calling

the most exciting International Rugby game ever held in Guyana, the ‘Green Machine’ surged late but time was not on their side as they fell short (23 – 19) against the USA in the finals of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s Championship at the National Park yesterday.

With the Golden Arrow Head and flag of United States of America (USA) fluttering in the air, thanks to the luscious wind from the mighty Atlantic (ocean), the Stars and Stripes and the ‘Green Machine’ gave the scores of Guyanese who turned up yesterday, something to remember.

The Americans would retain the title; one which they lost to the Guyanese in 2014 while Guyana, playing in their sixth final at this level, would have to wait another year before they can make another run for the trophy they believe belongs to the Land of Many Waters.

Thanks to conversations from Wayne Chermely and Hein Eramus and a conversion from Zach Miller, the USA ended the first half leading 13 - 0.

However, in the second half, despite Miller scoring another penalty to give the Americans a 16 – 0 lead, Guyana, backed by a vocif-

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Pontefract 09:30 hrs Regal Mirage 10:00 hrs Near Kettering 10:30 hrs Gabrial 11:00 hrs Avon Breeze 11:30 hrs Sharja Bridge 12:00 hrs Oriental Splendour UTTOXETER 09:15 hrs Listen To The Man 09:45 hrs City Dreamer 10:15 hrs Fort Gabriel 10:45 hrs Luccombe Down 11:15 hrs Solatentif 11:45 hrs Gentleman Jon 12:15 hrs Knight Commander SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:25 hrs Celestina 09:00 hrs Folk Dance 09:40 hrs Ancestry 10:20 hrs Royal Badge 11:00 hrs Al Mariachi 11:40 hrs The Great One 12:15 hrs Chrome Blue TURFFONTEIN 08:45 hrs Artemisia 09:20 hrs Sari 09:55 hrs Penultimate

Amhad Issacs powering his way in the clash between Guyana and the USA. erous crowd at the National Park, rebounded well to give their supporters some glimmer of hope.

Avery Corbin scored a try and Allen Crawford scored a conversion to put scores 16 – 7 in favour of the Americans, but Jordon Gunderson would score for the visitors and Miller made good a conversion to hand the USA team a 23 – 7 lead.

With Guyana controlling the defensive end, Osie McKenzie scored two tries;

the first in the 77th minute and the other three minutes later, but Lancelot Adonis would miss a conversion, while Godfrey Broomes sink the other, with time expiring on the Guyanese side.

The ‘Green Machine’ received thunderous applause from the crowd in attendance, who chanted their name in showing appreciation for their effort, while the USA side were also appreciated for their rugged style of play.

Three matches in Hamilton Green Cup K.O. football tournament slated for today THE Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara will come alive this evening as three matches in the Hamilton Green Knock-Out Football tournament will be played from 16:00hrs.

According to the fixtures, Mahaicony will come up against Grove Hi-Tech in the opening game from 16:00hrs, while from 18:00hrs, Mahaica will take on Riddim Squad and from 20:00hrs, Ann’s Grove will do battle with Pele.

The tournament, after several false starts, finally got underway on Friday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground with a triple-header and this was followed by another triple-header last evening at the Victoria ground.

According to tournament coordinator, Lennox Arthur, a former national player/coach, inclement weather and the unavailability of venues were the main reasons the tournament had to be rescheduled continuously, but promises that the 16 teams contesting the tournament will provide fans and supporters with lots of exciting and entertaining football throughout the duration of the tournament which is scheduled to conclude on September 3 at the Leonora Sports Facility, West Coast Demerara.

Last evening, Plaisance was down to face Cougars of Berbice, while Golden Grove took on Golden Warriors in game two. And in the feature encounter, Bakewell Buxton will face Pouderoyen.

The winning team will receive $500,000 and the Minister of Citizenship trophy, while the runner-up team will earn $250,000 and the Busta Beverages trophy.

The team placing third will receive $150,000 and the John Fernandes Limited trophy and the fourth place finisher will take home $100,000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Dominant India crush Sri Lanka to take series lead in Galle

GALLE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared six wickets to help India to a thumping 304-run win against Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test on Saturday for a 1-0 lead in the series.

The hosts, chasing a mammoth 550 for victory, only managed 245 runs before their second innings folded in the final session of the penultimate day, after opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne had been dismissed for 97.

Asela Gunaratne, who had fractured his thumb and was ruled out of the series, and stand-in captain Rangana Herath, who suffered a hand injury on Friday, did not bat for Sri Lanka in the second innings. “(I’m) Really happy with the way things went in this particular game,” India captain Virat Kohli said at the presentation. “All bases were covered nicely and the guys stood up when it was needed most.

“The surface didn’t offer much. That’s why the win is more special because the bowlers had to work hard.”

India, the world’s top-

Virat Kohli set Sri Lanka a target of 550, soon after brining up his 17th Test hundred ©

ranked Test side, declared their second innings closed on 240 for three after Kohli completed his 17th Test hundred.

The right-handed batsman, who resumed the day on 76, remained unbeaten on 103 after reaching the milestone with a single off spinner Dilruwan Perera.

Burdened with an improbable target, Sri Lanka needed a solid opening stand but their hopes were dashed when Mohammed Shami bowled Upul Tharanga for 10, a relief for

Kohli who had dropped the batsman at second slip in the same over.

Debutant Danushka Gunathilaka did not last long either and was out for two, hitting Umesh Yadav straight into the hands of Cheteshwar Pujara at square leg.

Sri Lanka were 29-2 at that stage and needed a solid 79-run stand between Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis to settle things down.

India came back strongly after lunch with two quick wickets from left-arm spin-

ner Ravindra Jadeja, ranked number one in the world in the longest format.

Mendis, who made 36, was given not out on a caught behind appeal but India successfully overturned the umpire’s decision on review. Former captain Angelo Mathews fell soon afterwards, mis-hitting Jadeja to get caught by Hardik Pandya.

Mathews’ dismissal brought Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella together and the pair added 101 for the fifth wicket, before Dickwella was caught by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to become Ashwin’s first victim of the innings.

Karunaratne dragged the off-spinner, playing his 50th test match, back onto his stumps while playing a sweep shot and fell perilously close to his sixth test hundred.

Ashwin, who took 3-65, also dismissed Nuwan Pradeep without scoring before Jadeja (3-71) wrapped things up when Lahiru Kumara skied an attempted slog to become the last man to fall for the hosts.

“All credit goes to the India team,” Herath said. “We need to improve ourselves in

all three departments.”

The second Test will be

played from Thursday in Colombo.

Scoreboard INDIA 1st innings 600 (S. Dhawan 190, C. Pujara 153, A. Rahane 57, H. Pandya 50; N. Pradeep 6-132) Sri Lanka 1st innings 291 (D. Perera 92no, A. Mathews 83, U. Tharanga 64) India 2nd innings (Overnight: 189-3) S. Dhawan c Gunathilaka b D. Perera 14 A. Mukund lbw b Gunathilaka 81 C. Pujara c K. Mendis b Kumara 15 V. Kohli not out 103 A. Rahane not out 23 Extras (lb-1 nb-1 w-2) 4 Total (for 3 wickets declared, 53 overs) 240 Fall of wickets: 1-19 S. Dhawan,2-56 C. Pujara,3-189 A. Mukund Did not bat: H. Pandya, W. Saha, M. Shami, U. Yadav, R. Jadeja, R. Ashwin Bowling: Nuwan Pradeep 12 - 2 - 63 - 0(nb-1), Dilruwan Perera 15 - 0 - 67 - 1 Lahiru Kumara 12 - 1 - 59 - 1(w-2),Rangana Herath 9 - 0 - 34 – 0, Danushka Gunathilaka 5 - 0 - 16 - 1 SRI LANKA 2nd innings (Target: 550 runs) Dimuth Karunaratne b R. Ashwin 97 Upul Tharanga b Shami 10 Danushka Gunathilaka c Pujara b U. Yadav 2 Kusal Mendis c Saha b Jadeja 36 Angelo Mathews c H. Pandya b Jadeja 2 Niroshan Dickwella c Saha b R. Ashwin 67 Dilruwan Perera not out 21 Nuwan Pradeep c Kohli b R. Ashwin 0 Lahiru Kumara c Shami b Jadeja 0 Rangana Herath retired hurt 0 Asela Gunaratne retired hurt 0 Extras (lb-3 w-7) 10 Total (all out, 76.5 overs) 245 Fall of wickets: 1-22 U. Tharanga,2-29 D. Gunathilaka,3-108 K. Mendis,4-116 A. Mathews,5-217 N. Dickwella,6-240 D. Karunaratne,7-240 N. Pradeep,8-245 L. Kumara To bat: Bowling: M. Shami 9 - 0 - 43 - 1(w-5), U. Yadav 9 - 0 - 42 – 1, R. Jadeja 24.5 - 4 - 71 – 3, R. Ashwin 7 - 4 - 65 – 3, H. Pandya 7 - 0 - 21 - 0(w-2).

England thwarted by rain after Roland-Jones dream debut of 5-57 (REUTERS) - Toby Roland-Jones saw his dream debut continue as he completed a five-wicket haul to end South Africa’s belated resistance and ensure England maintained their domination of the third test at The Oval on Saturday.

Yet the home side’s push for victory to move 2-1 ahead in the four-Test series was threatened by the south London weather as afternoon rain ended up wiping out half the day’s play with England on 74-1 in their second innings, 252 runs ahead.

Roland-Jones had spearheaded the dismissal of South Africa for 175 on the third morning of the 100th Oval Test to give England a 178-run first innings lead before another newcomer Tom Westley then helped hammer home the advantage.

The Essex new boy Westley, just as in his first innings 25, looked perfectly at home on 28 not out as he and Keaton Jennings, who rode his luck to reach 34, both fought impressively to secure their England futures before the

Roland-Jones became the first England fast bowler to take a five-for on debut since 2009 © rain came.

Earlier, Temba Bavuma’s fine half-century had led a spirited rearguard action from the South African tail, but Roland-Jones eventually dismissed him for 52 to finish off the innings and boast remarkable debut figures of 5-57 off 16.4 overs.

Roland-Jones, the 29-year-old Middlesex seamer who had ripped through the

Proteas’ top four on Friday in his first 33 balls, became the first England bowler since Graham Onions against West Indies at Lord’s in 2009 to take a five-wicket haul in a test debut first innings.

Little Bavuma, who came in with the South Africans in disarray at 47-4 on Friday, demonstrated considerable calmness and real spirit to ensure they made a decent re-

covery from their worst plight when 61-7 on Friday evening.

He was given support from Morne Morkel, with a stubborn 39-ball 17, and last man Vernon Philander, fit to bat after being discharged from hospital following tests for the stomach ailment that had kept him off the field for much of the first two days.

Bavuma, who ensured the follow-on was avoided with a lovely cover driven four, survived a tough chance on 40 off Stuart Broad when Ben Stokes could not hold on to his flying one-handed attempt in the gully.

Otherwise, Bavuma always seemed in control, going past 1,000 runs in tests before fighting on to his half-century off 111 balls with eight boundaries.

James Anderson eked out Morkel, caught at slip, before Roland-Jones, who had earlier been given the first crack at landing his ‘five for’ by captain Joe Root, was recalled for a second spell and had Bavuma caught behind

by Jonny Bairstow.

When England batted

again, Jennings, on six, was dropped by Dean Elgar in the gully off Philander just before rain brought an early lunch and on the resumption, Morkel worked over Alastair Cook before bowling him for seven.

Jennings was given out, either lbw or for a catch, by umpire Joel Wilson on 33 only to survive on review

but Westley looked confident, striking six boundaries in his 38-ball stay.

With two days still to play, South Africa’s main concern remained with Philander, who was reported to be still vomiting and suffering abdominal pain from his viral infection and had to leave the field again after his sixth over.

Scoreboard ENGLAND 1st innings 353 (B. Stokes 112, A. Cook 88) South Africa 1st innings D. Elgar c Bairstow b Roland-Jones 8 H. Kuhn lbw b Roland-Jones 15 H. Amla c Bairstow b Roland-Jones 6 Q. de Kock c Stokes b Roland-Jones 17 F. du Plessis lbw b Anderson 1 T. Bavuma c Bairstow b Roland-Jones 52 C. Morris c&b Anderson 2 K. Maharaj c Cook b Stokes 5 K. Rabada b Broad 30 M. Morkel c Cook b Anderson 17 V. Philander not out 10 Extras (b-4 lb-5 nb-3) 12 Total (all out, 58.4 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-18 D. Elgar,2-23 H. Kuhn,3-30 H. Amla,4-47 Q. de Kock,5-47 F. du Plessis,6-51 C. Morris,7-61 K. Maharaj,8-114 K. Rabada,9-161 M. Morkel,10-175 T. Bavuma Bowling:J. Anderson 13 - 6 - 25 – 3, S. Broad 15 - 5 - 44 - 1(nb-1), T. Roland-Jones 16.4 - 4 - 57 – 5, B. Stokes 7 - 1 - 26 - 1(nb-2), J. Root 2 - 0 - 5 – 0, M. Ali 5 - 1 - 9 – 0.

ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Cook b M. Morkel 7 K. Jennings not out 34 T. Westley not out 28 Extras (lb-5) 5 Total (for 1 wickets, 21.2 overs) 74 Fall of wickets: 1-30 A. Cook To bat: S. Broad, J. Anderson, J. Bairstow, T. Roland-Jones, M. Ali, J. Root, D. Malan, B. Stokes Bowling: M. Morkel 9 - 3 - 20 – 1, V. Philander 6 - 0 - 30 – 0, K. Rabada 4.2 - 3 - 9 – 0, C. Morris 2 - 0 - 10 – 0.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

NATIONAL U17 WOMEN’S TEAM FORWARDS AND MIDFIELDERS The National U17 Women’s team is preparing for the CONCACAF Caribbean U17 Women’s Qualifiers scheduled for the 9th - 13th August, 2017 at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora. Guyana plays their first game on the 9th August, 2017 SHIRIN JAMES FORWARD TABATINGA FC

ADMISSION: FREE

AMANDA MC KENZIE FORWARD FRUTA CONQUERORS FC

SHENIKA ATKINS FORWARD TABATINGA FC

ASHANA WILLIAMS MIDFIELDER KWAKWANI STRIKERS FC

EMELY LEWIS MIDFIELDER OREALLA FC

MATCH TIME:17:00Hrs

SASHA RODRIGUES FORWARD GLADIATORS FC

RASHANA EDWARDS FORWARD OREALLA FC

JALADE TRIM FORWARD KWAKWANI STRIKERS FC

LATESHA SUTHERLAND MIDFIELDER FRUTA CONQUERORS FC

SHAMIN PABLO MIDFIELDER OREALLA FC

TIANDI SMITH MIDFIELDER FOXY LADIES FC

SHONTEL GREEN MIDFIELDER FOXY LADIES FC

SIACY ADAMS MIDFIELDER FOXY LADIES 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_

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Entries for the Four Horsemen seven-race Emancipation meet close today –– more sponsors on board

TODAY is the closing day for horse owners/trainers to register their horses for participation in the Four Horsemen Emancipation seven-race meet scheduled for Tuesday at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice.

The event has attracted the attention of Top Branzs Distributors who will sponsor the feature event as well as another with each race carrying a sizeable first place prize and trophy.

The company, which is the distributor of Corona Beer, among other items, will sponsor the feature event for horses classified `E3’ and non-winners for 2016/17. It also caters for horses classified `F’ and `G’ non-earners of $500,000 for 2017, and will be run over a distance of 1300 metres. At stake is $350,000 and a trophy for the winner.

Registered already for this particular event are: the in-form Witchy Poo who will battle alongside Storm Bird, Media Day, Climate Change, It’s My Turn, Bridal Stone Corner, Cat Messiah, Because I Say So, Super Bowl and Midnight. The distance is 1300M. The Corona Beer Distributing Company will also sponsor a 1300m event for three-year-old horses, which has so far attracted the likes of Puppy Tail, King Stanley, Seven Dust, De Rock, Govenia Ground Gal, Fresh Dancer, Supreme Cat and Natural Beauty. The winner will earn $300,000 and the Corona Beer trophy.

Other races on the day’s card include a 1200-metre event for animals classified `H 3’ and Lower which has at stake $300,000 and a trophy for the winner.

Two-year-old Guyana Bred horses will battle over a 900-metre trip and will be eyeing the $250,000 first prize money along with a trophy.

The `I3’ and Lower horses will be competing over 1200 metres for $200,000 first prize money and a trophy.

Horses four years old as well as `J3’ and Lower and `K’ Class will contest an 1100-metre trip for the $15,000 first prize money, while the `L’ Class non-winners of $150,000 in 2017 will have an opportunity to run in a 1200-metre event for a first prize of $120,000.

Interested owners and trainers can make contact with Bobby Vaughn (624-6788 or 223-5097).

Meanwhile, other sponsors on board include Delmur Company Limited, Toolsie Persaud Limited, Cummings Electrical, Attorney-at-law R.N. Poonai, Fazal Habibulla of Hablan Meat Centre and Rising Sun cattle Ranch, Assuria Insurance Incorporated, Sankar Auto Works, Fix It Hardware and Brothers Incorporated, among others.

Regional Under-19 cricket

Barbados whip Leewards in two days

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Barbados exacted the frustration of their opening round loss on Leeward Islands here Saturday, beating them by seven wickets inside two days to revive their Regional Under-19 Championship campaign.

Starting the day at Molineaux on 91 for two in their first innings, still 39 runs behind the Leewards’ 130, Barbados were dismissed for 183 to take a slim lead of 53 runs.

However, they quickly bundled out the Leewards for a paltry 65 in their second innings before knocking off the 13 runs required for victory to take the points from the second round encounter.

The victory atoned for the heart-breaking loss in the first round earlier in the week when they were beaten by Jamaica in a close encounter.

They suffered an early disappointment when Marc Cyrus failed to add to his over-

night 39 but Kilano Brathwaite struck 27 and Shem Watson, 26, in a 44-run fifth wicket stand to ensure Barbados eked out a crucial lead.

Jerome Thomas ended with four for 24 while Kian Pemberton claimed two for 28.

In their second turn at the crease, the Leewards suffered a terrible collapse as off-spinner Dane Niles ripped through the innings with five for 16 while leftarm spinner Camarie Boyce supported with two for 12 to complete a 10-wicket match haul.

Only Dimitri Adams with 20 showed any resistance as only one other batsman – Zawandi White with 18 – reached double figures, the entire innings lasting just under two hours.

Some of the shine was taken off Barbados’ win, however, as they lost three wickets in reaching their target as Pemberton snapped up two cheap wickets.

Despite lone medal, Guyanese did well at Commonwealth Youth Games

By Tamica Garnett DESPITE Guyana only landing one medal, won in boxing, at the recently concluded Commonwealth Youth Games, the other Guyanese participants who did not medal also attained various levels of accomplishments at the event.

Notwithstanding not medaling, other athletes were able to achieve new personal best times, and reportedly, for the first time at an international event Guyana had two female athletes in a finals, while other performances saw Guyanese participants being approached for scholarship opportunities.

This was related Friday at a press briefing held at Olympic House, where the coaches of the varying represented sporting disciplines spoke of the respective athletes achievements. The presser was chaired by the contingent’s Chef-de-Mission, Karen Pilgrim.

Guyana was represented in four of the nine sporting disciplines contested at this year’s Games, which was held in The Bahamas from July 18 – 23. With five participants, athletics had the biggest number of athletes.

There were also two swimmers, two boxers and a judoka, representing Guyana.

In another case of Guyanese boxers standing out, young pugilist Keevin Allicock was the team’s only medalist, landing silver in the boys’ flyweight (52kg)

The head table at Friday’s press conference division. Coach for the box- had no medal, the athletes her being approached by a ing team, Sebert Blake, used performed well. In particu- number of scouts, offering this recent win as a platform lar, sprinter Onasha Rogers scholarships. However, Rogto once again throw out an achieved a new personal ers is already in the process appeal for support for young best in the Girls’ 200m, with of taking up a scholarship at a time of 24.33 seconds.

Monroe College in the USA. athletes.

Rogers was also fourth in “[Buchanan] showed imBlake noted that Allicock’s win was actually a the 100m, where both herself provement. This is the second result of returns on an in- and Kenisha Phillips made it [international] outing for him, vestment, as an entity had into the finals, after getting last time he went to Azerbairecently began supporting pass the heats and semifinals jan [ at the Islamic Solidarity round.

Games], and he didn’t do so young Allicock.

The girls had to contest well but this time he showed “One of the supporters of Keevin Allicock invested all the 100m races on the some improvement.

At the present moment in food and accommoda- same day, and this eventution and everything that he ally proved to be too much in the Bahamas, they’re ofneeded. Today we’re able to for Phillips who suffered a fering judo scholarships, and achieve this medal. So if we hamstring injury and had to because of our performance they offered us four scholaras a country invest in these pull out of the 200m.

“This is the first time in the ships to 4 judokas. So judo is athletes, so that they don’t have to study where their next history of athletics in Guyana going somewhere in Guyana,” meal is coming from or where that at a major event, we had Archer said.

In swimming, each of they are going to rest their two females in the 100m finals, head, and can really focus which is great. Canada would the swimmers were able on the game itself, I think we have been the only other country to achieve at least one new can achieve that elusive gold that had two finalist in the event. personal best in their events. medal, whether in boxing or It means good for Guyana, it Daniel Scott achieved a shows that sprinting in Guyana new PB in the boys’ 200m something else,” Blake said.

As the other coaches is definitely on the rise. All in all freestyle where he clocked outlined what their teams I think the athletic team did their 2:09.90s, while Kenita Mahaica had a new PB in the achieved, athletic coach best,” Edmonds opined.

He pointed out that Rog- 50m backstroke, where she Julian Edmonds pointed out that while that sport ers’ performance also saw clocked 34.23 seconds.

Twenty-six graduate from NSC/KNVB workshop TWENTY-SIX persons were yesterday certified and equipped with the knowledge needed to be more efficient football officials, when they graduated from a five-day course at the National Racquet Centre.

The course, which featured both practical and theoretical sessions, was part of a joint partnership between the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

During yesterday’s closing ceremony, NSC Director of Sport Christopher Jones stated that events like these are testimony to government’s commitment to moving sport forward.

According to Jones, “We want to provide every opportunity for you to excel.

Provide you with training;

provide you with certification of participation. That is why when the opportunity presented itself, we were only too excited.”

“I want to say to you now that this is not a one and lapse, it is essentially the beginning of many more to come,” Jones added, saying that those coaches under the NSC’s ambit must be a part of courses that will enhance their particular discipline.

The course was conduct-

Andre Simmelink, who works with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) in the Netherlands and Surinamese Mr Kenneth Jaliens joined Sport Director Christopher Jones and the participants of the five-day workshop for a photo.

ed by Andre Simmelink, who works with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) in the Netherlands as a football coach instructor and Surinamese Mr Kenneth Jaliens.

The participants comprised football coaches, physical education teachers as well as representatives from various youth and sport organisations.

Before the conclusion of yesterday’s ceremony, Director of Sport presented the two instructors with tokens of appreciation - medals and specially engraved pens while the students handed over a framed copy of their first group picture.

In response, Simmelink contended that he hopes they take the training received and advance themselves and rather than seeing it as the end of a workshop, they see it as a new avenue through which to blossom.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Scotiabank continues support for youth rugby

SCOTIABANK Guyana, a longtime supporter of youth Rugby development, on Friday demonstrated their continued support with a cheque for an undisclosed amount to Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) to run their youth programme for a year.

The funds will go toward the local rugby governing bodies weekend youth programme as the GRFU seeks to build their nursery for the sustained and continued success of the country’s Rugby team.

Brian Hackett, Robb Street Branch Manager, stated that the Bank recognises that Rugby is not heavily funded, hence they saw the need to help to maintain the country’s success in the sport by powering the players of tomorrow.

According to Hackett, “We (Scotiabank) trust that we will continue to support them, we love the idea of working with kids and ensure they have the ability to develop them-

GRFU’s Development Officer, Troy Yhip, receives the sponsor’s cheque from Scotiabank’s Robb Street Branch Manager, Brian Hackett. selves and this sport in general, as this sport has seen very little support generally and we thought it would be a good opportunity to invest our time and money in developing these kids.”

Meanwhile, Troy Yhip, the GRFU’s Development

Officer, thanked Scotiabank for their support over the years, adding “with their generosity, the programme has grown. The summer camp has grown from 50 to 120 children this year because of Scotiabank and we plan to use the money by hosting a

T&T struggling after Guyana dismissed for a solid 257 BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Christian Thurton was holding Trinidad and Tobago together after they lost cheap wickets to find themselves under pressure on the second day of their second round clash in the Regional Under-19 Championship against Guyana here Saturday.

Replying to Guyana’s first innings of 257, the Trinidadians were languishing on 67 for four at the close – still 190 run adrift of their target at St Paul’s.

Thurton was unbeaten on a stubborn 33, having faced 96 deliveries and batted just under 1-3/4 hours to lead his side’s fightback.

With T&T reeling at nine for two, he put on 25 for the third wicket with Sachin Seecharan (17) before adding 35 for the fourth wicket with Saiba Batoosingh who was run out for 10.

Earlier, Guyana had converted their overnight 179 for five into a competitive total with Ramnarine Chatura top-scoring with 67 and Adrian Sukwah getting 46.

Ashmead Nedd chipped in with 28 down the order along with Richie Looknauth who got 21.

Chatura, unbeaten on 46 overnight,

Ramnarine Chatura … top-scored for Guyana with 67. struck four fours and three sixes in an innings lasting 209 deliveries and a shade over four hours.

Sukwah, meanwhile, added just two to his overnight score but Chatura added 34 for the seventh wicket with Looknauth before Nedd joined with Looknauth to put on a further 29 for the eighth wicket, and rally the innings.

Off-spinner Avinash Mahabirsingh finished with three for 52 while Joshua James (2-23) and Jean-Phillipe Barrie (2-36) collected two wickets apiece.

school tournament.”

The GRFU recently concluded their 7th Annual Rugby Camp designed to teach and further enhance the country’s rugby programme. Youths were drawn from ages 5-17, with the majority being relative newcomers.

Barnes hundred drives strong Jamaica reply BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Captain Brad Barnes slammed an attractive hundred as Jamaica made a spirited response to Windward Islands on the second day of their second round Regional Under-19 contest here Saturday.

Replying to a challenging first innings total of 338 made by the Windwards, Jamaica ended on 304 for eight – only 34 runs short of the lead in the Regional Under-19 clash at Verchilds.

The innings was driven

by Barnes’ fluent 106 while opener Darren Small missed out on triple figures with 87.

Shalome Parnell got 24.

Needing a strong batting display to overhaul their target, the Jamaicans found impetus through Barnes and Small both of whom anchored a number of partnerships to keep the innings going.

Small put on 55 for the first wicket with Shavar Christie (16) before adding a further 43 for the second with Andre McCarty (16).

Barnes then joined Small to post an enterprising 85 for the third wicket as Jamaica cruised to 183 for two at one stage.

All told, Barnes struck 10 fours and five sixes in an innings spanning 134 balls

Captain Brad Barnes … struck a fluent 106. and just under 2-1/2 hours.

Small, meanwhile, faced 132 deliveries in 158 minutes and counted 13 fours.

When two wickets fell for 19 runs to leave Jamaica on 202 for four, Barnes combined with Raewin Senior (17) in a 50-run, fifth wicket stand to further energise the innings.

Lee Louisy was the best bowler with three for 90 while Daneal Dupigny (2-16) and Shermill Lewis (2-37) supported with two wickets apiece.

The Windwards had earlier lost their last four wickets for 21 runs after resuming on 317 for six, with McCarty picking up four for 27 and Kishawn Graham, three for 55.

UDFA GT Beer football

Georgetown and West Demerara collide in key clash; Berbice and Bartica seek first win PERCEIVED inter association giants, Georgetown and West Demerara are to collide tonight to jump into the final four from Group B after winning their respective opening matches in this inaugural Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) GT Beer, Super Sunday Night Super Cup football nationwide championship currently being contested at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Georgetown, after thrashing Bartica in their first game of the four team round robin, should find West Demerara a tougher opponent.

West Demerara have opened their account also with a win after they turned back Berbice and a win for either could assure them a place in the final four, where the top two from the two groups will advance to stake a claim on the first prize of $2M. Georgetown has as its technical director, Guyana’s National Head Coach, Wayne Dover and he will be guiding the hands of his two coaches along with manager, Frank Parris .

With a host of top quality players to choose from, Georgetown can however

ill afford to not moving into the semi-final with a loss.

West Demerara also will not want to take any chances in losing this match-up tonight and will go all out knowing that several players from their district would have shown their mettle during the Elite League.

That game is going to be preceded by the first one at 19:00 hrs when Berbice and Bartica clash after suffering defeats in their previous opening games.

This is a toss up Group B clash between two sides hoping that the better among the two will go through; but that would have to be at the expense of either Georgetown or West Demerara. As such the Group B fixture set for tonight should start showing the teams to move through in Group B to cross and play the top two in Group A. Already host side Upper Demerara seems set to advance after securing two wins in their two matches played, and it will be a battle for the other teams from East Bank, East Coast and Essequibo/ Pomeroon to take the other slot. (Joe Chapman).

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 30, 2017

Brilliant Yadram at the fore again as Young Windies seal series win HARARE, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Impressive half-centuries from Keagan Simmons, Emmanuel Stewart and Man-of-the-Match Bhaskar Yadram underlined a strong West Indies Under-19s batting display as they beat Zimbabwe Under-19s by 70 runs to seal a 2-1 series win here Saturday.

Sent in, the Caribbean side marched to a competitive 257 for four off their 50 overs at the Harare Sports Club with opener Simmons top-scoring with 89, captain Stewart getting 76 and Yadram, the other opener, chipping in with 65.

In reply, Zimbabwe U19s slumped to 52 for four in the 13th over thanks to an early burst from speedster Darren Nedd and never really recovered, eventually dismissed for 187 in the 43rd over.

Captain Liam Roche carved out 65 but was the only batsman to show any enterprise as no other batsman passed 20.

Nedd, who grabbed two wickets in his opening spell, finished with four for 33 overall while Yadram collected a brace of wickets with his off-spin.

In an opening five-over spell which cost 22 runs, right-armer Nedd trapped

Man-of-the-Match and Man-ofthe-Series, Bhaskar Yadram … stroked 65 in the Windies U19s win.

Gregory Dollar lbw for 15 in the third over and Ryan Murray for three in the seventh over, to leave the Zimbabweans

rocking at 28 for two.

Yadram then accounted for 16-yearold Milton Shumba (12) and Alistair Frost (11) as the innings lurched further into decline.

Roche arrived to provide some stability, striking four boundaries in an 81-ball knock as he revived the innings in a 48run, fifth wicket with 15-year-old Dion Myers who made 11.

The right-handed Roche also added two successive 30-run stands for the sixth and seventh wickets with Taun Harrison (12) and Wesley Madhevere (11) before perishing at 168 for eight in the 40th over.

Earlier, the Caribbean side flourished courtesy an enterprising opening stand between Simmons and Yadram who put on 113.

Simmons faced 130 balls and struck six fours while Yadram, also voted Manof-the-Series for the second successive tour, counted eight fours in his breezy 75-ball innings.

When Yadram departed in the 25th over, Simmons added a further 111 with Stewart who faced a mere 79 balls and hit six boundaries. Seventeen-year-old seamer Jonathan Connolly was the best bowler with two for 33.

Digicel hosts ‘Big Brother’ programme

By Rajiv Bisnauth DUBBED the ‘Big Brother’ programme, telecommunications service provider Digicel teamed up with members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors yesterday to host a two-hour session, where 24 young aspiring cricketers were taught the rudiments of the game.

The session, which was held at the Guyana National Stadium, is part of the Warriors packed programme before they depart fort lauderdale, Florida.

Rayad Emrit explains to a youngster how to position the seam of the ball.

Head Coach Roger Harper having a chat with the youths before the start of the session.

Prior to the session, where the youngsters were divided into four groups, Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, welcomed the youths, adding that they are fortunate to be a part of such programme.

Meanwhile, Digicel Communications Manager, Vidya Bijlall-Sanichara said the initiative is part of the company’s idea of supporting the sport.

She added “It’s a way to give young people a chance to be exposed to the heart of the game. This is an initiative that Digicel fully subscribe to”.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones was also part of the session.

The local franchise is currently in training ahead of the fifth edition of

the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament, which bowls off on August 4 in St Lucia.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will depart for Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 2.

During the Florida leg, the Warriors will play St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in two matches before returning to the Caribbean.

Guyana’s home games 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.

Veteran Sports Administrator Claude Blackmore honoured with Medal and Diploma by Municipality of Trujillo GUYANA’s Claude Blackmore was recently honoured by the Provincial Municipality of Trujillo (Peru) for his contribution to the development of sports in the America’s and Caribbean.

Blackmore, a former president of the Athletic Association of Guyana, formerly the Amateur Athletic Association, was conferred with a Medal and Diploma of Honour by the Peruvian Municipality (Trujillo) recently and became one of 17 persons conferred with such an Honour.

In conferring the Honour, the Municipality of Trujillo in a detailed letter signed by Mr. Elidio Espinoza Quispe, said it recognizes persons who have contributed to local, regional, national and international development.

“This is how our commune, valuing the trajectory of Claude Blackmore, has just estimated to express its recognition, granting him (Blackmoore) the official distinction of this local government.”

Blackmoore, who now serves as an International Technical Official in South America and the Caribbean under the Pan American Athletic Association (APA) which has 52 affiliated countries, Veteran sports administrator, was one of the many Claude Blackmore proudly displays officials attending his medal the recently concluded XIX Pan American Under-20 Athletic Championships in Peru, held under the auspices of the Peruvian Athletic Federation and the Municipality of Trujillo.

Blackmore expressed his gratitude to the Municipality and people of Provincial Municipality of Trujillo for recognising him and his contributions to the sport of athletics which he has served for decades and continues to serve .

‘Blackie’ as he is fondly known, commenced his administrative career with the AAA in 1963 as a committee member under then club president, Barry Massay.

He then held many positions, including that of Assistant Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer, before ascending to the top position of president which he held for more than a decade.

In 1972, after being one of three persons awarded a Youth and Sports Scholarship by the US Embassy, Blackmoore took a break from athletic administration to take up his Scholarship at the Ohio State University where he spent 18 months. Two other persons who benefited were Hilton Hemmerding and Hermie Johnson.

On his return to the scene, he served as a committee member on the AAA before climbing the ladder.

Blackmore also served on the Guyana Olympic Association as Assistant Secretary General to Ivor O’Brien, before becoming a Vice-President in 1985.

GBA fund raiser next Sunday THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will hold a fund raising Take-Away lunch next Sunday at the Burnham Court on Middle and Carmichael Streets. The activity is being held to acquire enough funds to send a team of boxers to Jamaica in October.

GBA president, Steve Ninvalle disclosed that his association has added Under-16 boxing to the takeaway lunch. “From 18.00hrs

in the evening we will have our Under-16 boxers showcasing their skill. This is a much needed competition and allows the public to get a peep at future Olympians,” the president said.

Guyana has been invited to send a team to Jamaica for a tournament to be held from October 6 to 8. The GBA is planning to send a team of five boxers and one coach.

The victorious USA side after defeating Guyana 23 – 19 in the RAN 15s Championship finals (Delano Williams photos)

RAN 15s Championship final

Green Machine rally late but fall 23 – 19 to USA Panthers

See story on page 22

Guyana’s Avery Corbin bullies his way against a dogged USA defence yesterday at the National Park

Chase Academy, Annai Secondary set up mouth-watering Digicel Schools final tonight

By Rawle Toney ANNAI Secondary, located in a small village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana, is aiming to become the first team from the hinterland area to win the Digicel Schools Football tournament, but, standing in their way will be defending Champions, Chase Academy.

The two schools will collide today from 18.30hrs at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, to see who will win the seventh edition of Guyana’s most prestigious Schools Football tournament.

Chase Academy is the defending champions, while Annai will be playing in the finals for the first time.

In fact, both sides made their way to today’s show-down in dramatic fashion at Thurday’s semi-finals, which were also played at Leonora.

It took Chase Academy a 5-4 ‘Sudden-Death’ penalty-shootout to get over their arch nemesis and four-time champions, Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary (Multi), while Annai had to come from 4 – 0 down to beat Waramadong 7-5 in regular time.

Chase will be playing in their fourth consecutive final, winning once against the Christianburg Wismar

Secondary.

The Linden-based school defeated Chase in the 2015 final, but the city side rebounded last year to beat ‘Multi’ 1 – 0 in the final at the Guyana National Stadium.

Chase’s Captain Jeremy Garrett touted Annai Secondary as one of the most difficult opposition, having faced them last year in the semi-finals.

From the look of things, Garrett will have to play flawless football in order for his team to beat Annai Secondary, since the Region 9 team would’ve proven that no lead is unassailable in their clash with previous finalist, Waramadong.

A strong representation from the Amerindian community is expected today at Leonora, and the two teams are promising the best Digicel Finals to-date.

Meanwhile, the third place game between Christianburg /Wismar Secondary and Waramadong will take things back to the 2013 finals and what started out as one of the top rivalries of the Digicel Schools football tournament.

It will be the first time that ‘Multi’ will not be playing in the finals of the tournament, following their loss to the Government Technical Institute FACE OFF! Chase Academy captain Jeremy Garrett and his rival from (GTI) in the inaugural tournament, and to Chase Academy last year.

Annai Secondary

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SUNDAY, JULY, 30 , 2017