Guyana Chronicle News 08-08-2021

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8th August, 2021

No.106447

Stricter COVID-19 measures for arriving passengers at ports of entry

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Over $500M spent to 03 upgrade East Coast roads PAGE

––650 roads to be constructed in various regions by year end

Centenarian, Bibi Jaitoon Mohameed

Leguan centenarian still dancing her way through life 13 PAGE

In addition to the new infrastructural initiatives, the government is also executing upgrades and routine maintenance of structures countrywide (Adrian Narine photo)

Education grants: 3,300 more 12 Army to deploy first contingent of 02 public school entrants to benefit female soldiers to border locations PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Army to deploy first contingent of female soldiers to border locations

–– following conclusion of ‘historic’ Women, Peace and Security Workshop THE role of women in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will become even greater in the near future, as the army is preparing to deploy its first batch of female soldiers to border locations.

Women have been “shattering the glass ceiling” in every sphere of life, making strides and positioning themselves to take on roles and tasks that were once practically foreign to them because of oppressive cultures and other restrictive factors.

It has been no different in Guyana, where women

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch (seated fourth from left) and Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess (seated at centre) with the participants and facilitators of the Women, Peace and Security Workshop are establishing themselves as powerhouses in the political arena, business, engineering, and now, even national security.

Speaking at the end of a two-day Women, Peace and Security Workshop organised by the GDF and the Florida National Guard through the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess said: “As Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Joint Services, I pledge to embrace initiatives that seeks to propose the platform from which our sisters in arms are assessed, tasked or deployed and trained.

“It is against this backdrop that the Guyana Defence Force is preparing to deploy its first contingent of females to perform task in support of their male counterparts at the border locations.”

Brigadier Bess went on to say: “In this contemporary environment where daily roles are being changed as it regards to what is considered a female task or male-only mission, I am excited at the prospects of interactions such as these and is confident that it will reap great rewards. Guyana and the GDF will stand committed with the USA and SOUTHCOM in promoting

meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention, management and resolution.”

The two-day, female-oriented workshop consisted of participants from the Florida National Guard (Facilitators), GDF, the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service.

The workshop was designed to help identify challenges and barriers, and present ways women can garner support and make meaningful changes in their respective field of service.

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, in her address to the participants, said that the SOUTHCOM women, peace and security programme recognises the diverse roles women play as agents of change in preventing and resolving conflict, countering terrorism and violent extremism, as well as building post-conflict peace and stability in this hemisphere.

The programme is centred on four pillars: participation, prevention, protection and relief and recovery.

“This foundation provides unique engagement opportunities to strengthen bilateral relationships with regional partners through collective efforts that rein-

force women empowerment, meaningful participation and decision-making, protection from violence and access to resources,” Ambassador Lynch said.

Further, she noted: “Inclusiveness increases mission effectiveness and drives positive outcomes, with women making up over fifty per cent of the population, they bring unique and necessary skills to security forces.”

Statistics show that when there is an investment in a woman, she changes not only her life but also that of her family and her community. Add that to a key institution such as the military, and she will change that institution and her country.

“While structural adjustments to recruitment, training and promotion systems are critical, we must also acknowledge the contributions of talented women across the security sector,” Ambassador Lynch posited.

To this end, Brigadier Bess said that the GDF will welcome other capacity-building initiatives for the Woman Army Corps and recommended that the other branches of the joint services adapt to the “change concept” of promoting and supporting “female diversification.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Over $500M spent to upgrade East Coast roads –– 650 roads to be constructed in various regions by year end

IN less than a year, the Ministry of Public Works has expended some $543.6 million to build several roads in a number of communities along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor.

This is according to information released by the government, which specified that a total of 27 roads valued at $458.6 million were built in the Better Hope/La Bonne Intention Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) area alone.

Added to that, it was reported by the Department of Public Information (DPI)

ment has plans to expend some $172.4 billion, or 45 per cent of its $383.1 billion budget, on education, public infrastructure and healthcare. Of this sum, $58.2 billion worth of planned expenditure on public infrastructure is the second largest component of the government’s fiscal programme.

On the capital side, the budget for infrastructure is $32.9 billion, or 32 per cent of the total allocation for 2021. The country’s aggregate capital provision for this year is $103 billion.

The article quoted Leleita Ram, a resident of Vryheid’s Lust for over 30 years, as saying that she is incredibly pleased with the outcome of the road project.

“I think the road did very well, you know; I think it’s a second time since I’ve lived here. You know, the first time whoever did it… it was not a good job,” Ram related.

She added: “Definitely, this is now a good job. We are well pleased about it, and you could see it really well done. And we are really happy in order to get a new

road, and at least we’ll try to keep it good for a long time.”

Another resident, Edward Dhampaul expressed satisfaction with the completion of the upgraded road.

“I am pleased; this is a good job, considering we suffer for so long with a lot of craters,” Dhampaul said.

Meanwhile, Minister Indar used the occasion to encourage residents of both communities to be vigilant, and prevent persons from damaging the roads.

He also emphasised the need for per-

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar looks on as former Public Works Minister, Harrypersaud Nokta cuts the traditional ribbon to declare open Market Street, Industry that another $88 million was spent to repair roads in the area governed by the Plaisance/Industry NDC. It noted, too, that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government is constructing 650 roads, in toto, in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In addition to providing improved road facilities, the ongoing works have also added to the creation of thousands of jobs, bringing the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration closer to delivering on its promise to create at least 50,000 jobs within the next five years.

During this year alone, the govern-

The foregoing investments, according to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in its message following the announcement of Budget 2021, provide the financial grounding for the ‘build-out’ of the country’s infrastructure, and the basis for re-starting economic growth, which would have been hindered by a protracted electoral process and the pervasive COVID-19 pandemic.

It was only on Friday that Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar commissioned several roads in the communities of Industry and Vryheid’s Lust, both on the ECD. According to an article released by the DPI, the contract to complete 892 meters of road was executed by R&B Investments Incorporated, to the tune of $41.650M.

sons to cultivate community pride, and take ownership of their community’s infrastructure.

“This is your road; if anybody is to park a truck or move a machine that digs it up and destroys it, you must stop them,” Minister Indar said, adding: “You must stop them, because they are destroying the road that you guys paid for. This is taxpayers’ money, and we cannot allow persons to break new infrastructure that we put up.”

He was further quoted by the DPI as saying: “Too many times I have seen, and had to respond to people with large trucks and machines and bulldozers with the iron track moving Leleita Ram, a resident of Vryheid’s Lust (DPI Photos)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Argentina partially reopens as it approaches 5M COVID-19 cases (Reuters) - Argentina will relax coronavirus restrictions as infection and mortality rates fall, the government announced on Friday, even as the South American nation approached 5 million cases with more than 107,000 deaths.

The government said its plan includes an increase in the number of people who can meet in person, the re-opening of schools and an increase in the number of people allowed to enter the country

to 1,700 per day from the current 1,000.

“The more we vaccinate and take care of ourselves, the more we can sustain these achievements and advance in sustained and progressive openings,” President Alberto Fernandez said in a recorded TV message.

Vaccinations have increased in recent days after a surge in virus transmission last month, in the dead of the Southern Hemisphere winter when more people were tempted

to socialize indoors, away from the icy winds coming up from the Antarctic.

Argentina, with a population of 45 million, adopted the plan after 10 consecutive weeks of lower case numbers and eight weeks of decreasing deaths.

However, medical experts cautioned against changes that gave the impression the pandemic was over.

The more contagious Delta variant was likely to be spreading within communities already, neurologist Conrado Estol told Reuters, while also highlighting low levels of COVID-19 testing and double-vaccination rates.

Infectious disease specialist and scientist, Jorge Geffner, based in Argentina, said some reopening People wearing face masks walk their dog at a park during a national holiday as the number of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections decreases, in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sunday August 8, 2021 04:00hrs - 05:30hrs

measures were “irrational.” “There are many statements emanating from the political sphere that give the impression we are post-pandemic, and we are not.”

A second stage of reopening, depending on infection rates, would include greater capacity for closed-door gatherings, unlimited attendance at open-air events, group trips for those who are fully vaccinated and the reopening of borders to receive vaccinated foreigners.

The programme would eventually include reopening outdoor sporting events, of great importance in a nation of football fans. But that will only happen if caseloads continue to fall, Fernandez said.

In news that may con-

vey optimism ahead of November congressional elections, Fernandez said he expects the economy to grow seven per cent this year after a three-year recession severely exacerbated by the pandemic in 2020.

“The vaccine is the best economic policy.

Thanks to vaccination we are recovering,” he said.

Shortages of second doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, the jab most frequently administered in the country, has prompted Argentina to offer a second dose of the Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines (read more).

Around 25.84 million people have so far received a first dose, but only 7.98 million a second, according to official data

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

No bail for woman accused of wounding SVG Prime Minister (Loop News) A woman from the town of Layou, located to the northwest of here, was, on Friday night, charged with wounding in connection to the injury that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves received during a protest outside Parliament on Thursday evening.

Annamay Lewis is expected to appear in the Kingstown Magistrate’s

Court on Monday to answer the charge of wounding.

Lewis is accused of throwing a stone at the prime minister, which resulted in him receiving a severe head wound, during an opposition-organised protest against the government’s moves to impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Vaccine hesitancy is high in St

Vincent and the Grenadines as just over 9 per cent of the adult population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Gonsalves underwent medical treatment in Barbados where it was confirmed that he suffered a concussion.

He was expected to return home on Saturday.

Annamay Lewis

Dominica goes into lockdown due to COVID-19 (Loop News) As coronavirus cases in Dominica continue to spike, the government has imposed a weekend lockdown to curb new infections.

The island recorded 29 new infections in 407 rapid antigen tests carried out over the last few days.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the nation last evening when he stated that the President has approved an amendment to the Emergency Powers Order to impose a curfew from 6 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday.

Only essential workers, taxi drivers, people seeking medical attention and persons travelling in and out of the country are free to operate during curfew ours.

Gas stations at High Street, Portsmouth, Canfield and Marigot are open, until 1:00 pm.

Only taxi operators and essential workers will be served.

Pharmacies are opened from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Supermarkets and shops open from

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit 10:00am to 1:00pm.

But the government has urged Dominicans to “only shop where you reside.”

The prime minister

placed the blame for the spike in cases squarely on the shoulders of people who refused to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions.

“We as a country let our guard down. Some people came in illegally; we dropped our guard with the parties, fetes, limes; too many of us have not been wearing our masks and too many of us are not vaccinated,” he stated.

Skerrit appealed to unvaccinated Dominicans to take a jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Sinopharm vaccines available on the island.

“Vaccination reduces

the likelihood of contracting and transmitting the virus; and also reduces the likelihood of becoming seriously ill, if you become infected with the virus,” he said.

Around 14,000 COVID-19 antigen test kits will be imported into Dominica to test the population to determine virus spread.

Testing will continue over the weekend at the following locations: 1. The Windsor Park Sports Stadium on Saturday, August 7, 2021 and

Sunday August 8, 2021 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm for people in the Roseau Health District.

2. Esprit Murphy Health and Wellness Centre in Mahaut on Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 9:30 am.

3. Morne Prosper Health Centre on Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 1:00 pm.

4. Pointe Michel Health Centre on Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

5. Campbell Health Centre on Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

6. Wotten Waven/ Trafalgar on Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Preserving our national heritage

THE Government of Guyana is likely to commence restoration works on City Hall, undoubtedly one of the most magnificent and iconic structure in the country, and the region as a whole.

According to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, rehabilitation works are expected to commence this year. The minister highlighted that preliminary studies into the restoration project have already been completed which allowed for the commencement of the restoration works. This project, he said, is part of a broader commitment by the PPP/C Government to restore the City of Georgetown to its former glory as the ‘Garden City’. In fact, a sum of $100 million has already been allocated for the restoration of the City Hall building. An inter-ministerial committee was set up by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to oversee the

works, in light of the heritage value of the building.

And even though the responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the structure is the responsibility of the City Council, the President has decided that it would be better for government to commence the restoration drive due to administrative and financial mismanagement by the Council.

The restoration of the City Hall, as pointed out by the minister, is no ordinary project and its complete restoration will require a fair amount of time to ensure that the correct procedures are followed and works are done in keeping with the right specifications to reflect its current architectural design.

This is indeed good news. The structure, which is now in an advanced state of decay due to neglect by the Mayor and City Council, had been crying out for attention for several

decades but to no avail. The Council never considered it a priority to do any repairs to the building, despite all the evidence of structural decadence staring it in the face. Even routine maintenance was completely ignored with callous indifference.

Built in the late 19th century in the Gothic Revival style, the building was constructed using local timber, cast iron columns and a hammer-beam roof. It is a major tourist attraction and considered to be one of the best examples of British Victorian design in the Caribbean. The building was completed in June 1889 and was officially declared open by Governor Viscount Gormanston on July 1, 1889.

In 2014, the structure was included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch because of its advanced state of deterioration and an apparent lack of awareness by the City Council regarding its historical significance. Sadly, it still

remains a monument of shame and a testimony to the mismanagement and incompetence on the part of the Mayor and Councillors of the City.

The PPP/C administration, to its credit, had earlier initiated the restoration process by agreeing to cover a part of the costs associated with the preservation work. This was followed, in May 2015, by an injection of financial resources for the development of a conservation plan by the European Union.

A restoration fund was set up by the Mayor and City Council but there is little information by the Council as to the current status of the fund other than the same old cry of the Council not being in a position to meet its operational expenses, both current and capital.

The current government must be commended for coming to the rescue of the City Hall and, for that matter, the citizens of Georgetown.

Get vaccinated and banish COVID-19 from the land Dear Editor,

GLOBALLY, this pandemic has exposed many existing political challenges.

Failure to tackle unemployment, the accumulation of debt and increases in the levels of inequality has and will continue to lead to social unrest with no end in sight to this health crisis. As this third wave moves across this world, national governments are saddled with new kinds of human development challenges that they have never faced before. But what is real today, is that the gap between the rich

and the poor continues to widen in many countries.

What is clear is that the unequal deployment of vaccines is hurting many nations and this does not bode well for all. About 40 per cent of the populations in advanced economies like the USA have been fully vaccinated; while that figure is just averaging around 10 per cent in emerging markets.

Fortunately for Guyana, some 30 per cent of our population is now fully vaccinated thanks to the vision of His Excellency President, Dr. Irfaan Ali.

It takes a real “sanctimonious gangster” to step up to take both the vaccines and then turn around in a whisper campaign and tell his supporters not to take the vaccines? What manner of men will conduct such an atrocity to their support base.

But what is even more baffling is that the supporters compromise their personal health and follow these selfish leaders who continue to protect their inner circle and are willing to throw their supporters by the wayside by exposing them to this deadly pandemic because they remain unvaccinated.

I call on all Guyanese and the 20,000 Venezuelan guests who are living in Guyana to step up and get vaccinated as soon as possible so that we as a collective, who occupy the land of many waters, can banish this plague from our land.

I want to personally thank Dr. Irfaan Ali for his leadership on this issue and for stepping up and purchasing these vaccines so that all of our people can be safer.

Yours sincerely, Sasenarine Singh

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Give consideration to in-person schooling if it is safe Dear Editor,

SCHOOLS have been closed since March of last year. Not much learning takes place virtually or long distance.

Parents and students complain there is not much learning since last April. The fourth and fifth forms were sporadically opened from last September because students were preparing for CXC. Colleges also remained closed with instructions being given virtually. Education has been seriously affected as I found in a study I conducted, and government, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, has been doing her best to prepare for school reopening.

We must seriously think about starting schools next month in areas where the community level of infection is low. In fact, parents and students interviewed for a study I conducted say they long to return to in-person schooling.

Every parent has a fo-

cus on academics and almost all of them want their children to be a doctor, nurse, engineer or computer ‘techie’ – fields with high demand and salary, and therefore a chance of a better life than say studying history or politics or economics or sociology (disciplines that I studied).

But the closure of schools attributed to COVID-19 makes it difficult for students to achieve their full potential to pursue those professions.

There are lasting educational effects from COVID-19. For the last 16 months, students have not been able to meet their classmates or play or met teachers. Most students cannot afford home tutors and as such are deprived of learning skills and knowledge. The cost of isolation is very high as students cannot learn from one another. Students have not been able to learn discipline or the kinds of things they would while being in schools like

wait their turn for service or socialise with others or propose compromises to problems. Also, schools had offered a source of nutrition by giving milk and biscuits.

School closure deprives them of that social programme. Schools are havens for safety in high crime areas. For parents, school closures have added to childcare and teaching duties. But most parents are not capable of instructing their children, especially in the higher grades.

This affects family income as parents have to divert their labour to parenting and babysitting.

Once COVID-19 is not a threat, schools should open in September. Learning will have to occur with adherence to safety protocols such as masking, hand hygiene, and proper ventilation. The ministry needs a study to determine the rate of COVID-19 among kids and adults as well as the incidence of

Sansculotte-Greenidge comments do not reflect UNDP’s position and values Dear Editor,

I AM writing in response to the letter published in your paper on August 6: ‘UNDP Guyana office should state whether its policy adviser was speaking on its behalf and distance itself if he wasn’t.’

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guyana does not share the opinions of the quoted UNDP staff regarding the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. Mr. Sansculotte-Greenidge, who is not an official UNDP spokesperson, made comments that do not reflect the organisation’s position and values. Moreover, the UNDP staff quoted is based in Ethiopia and his functions do not involve the topics discussed in the article.

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We support countries

to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP has been operating in Guyana since 1966, supporting both the Government of Guyana and its people in the pursuit of national goals and objectives, as outlined in its national development plans and strategies.

The organisation has contributed to Guyana’s development priorities; namely, to promote economic development, while at the same time combating climate change.

We are fully committed to ensuring the integrity of our programmes and continuing to work with the Guyanese people and authorities.

Thank you very much.

Jairo Valverde, UNDP Resident Representative

COVID-19 in communities – rural versus urban and hinterland. The government needs to establish a system to track local level of infections as well as among children – have house-to-house surveys done to check into incidences of COVID-19.

The ministry must ensure that support services are in place for school re-opening - staff is ready and vaccinated; buses and taxis are in place to transport kids with drivers vaccinated. Children are at low-risk of COVID-19 infection but they can still get the virus. So it is important they be protected.

Everyone should continue to mask up as vaccination is not fool-proof. In the US, fully vaccinated people, including many Guyanese, have gotten the virus. Those vaccinated have survived with mild symptoms. Those not vaccinated, have greater risk of succumbing to COVID-19. No Guyanese who has had both doses

of the vaccine died from COVID-19. All the deaths of Guyanese - Americans were of those who were not vaccinated.

Preparation is required. The ministry must start planning for re-opening, even if it is not in September.

If COVID-19 increases, September is out.

New York is thinking of re-opening schools in the second week of September. But this could change if the rate of COVID-19 increases and it has been increasing with large numbers of the Delta and Colombian variants.

In-person learning comes with risk. But without risks, there can be no progress. Schools are not 100 per cent safe. One can get the virus in schools.

But the risk can be mitigated with the right strategies of social distancing and disinfecting as happens in schools in America.

Medical assistance must be made available to staff and students to combat the virus. If COVID-19 remains high or increases, the ministry will have to continue with online or long-distance learning.

Every effort should be made to have students access a device for online learning.

Adults need to be fully vaccinated to protect others from getting the virus. If someone is sick, do ensure they stay home and quarantine. Otherwise, they will spread the virus.

Children will take it to schools and infect others.

If 75 per cent of the population is vaccinated, we will reach herd immunity and protection from death by the virus.

Children have been out of schools for too long. We cannot continue to ask whether schools are safe. If parents can take their children for fast foods or in stores or markets, then the threat of in- school learning is not any greater.

The government and public must start acknowledging that in-person schooling is essential for learning and taking measures to safely reopen schools if COVID-19 is under control.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Politics & Society Forum What would it take to have a clean environment?

IF you travel along Guyana’s coastline, you would notice on both sides of the road trash of all sorts: plastic bottles, empty food containers, and so on.

This trash is not there by accident. It is a human creation, albeit for the wrong aim and purpose. People simply buy whatever they need and whenever they are finished with the contents, be it food or otherwise, the trash is dumped out

of moving vehicles. On other occasions, some individuals would stop their vehicles and throw out their trash as if they are at a dumpsite.

I think the dumping of trash by our fellow citizens of a land of many waters and many people, slated to be the most developed country in the Caribbean in a few decades, is a misguided rather than a deliberate behaviour. I say this to provide some hope so

that we can tackle this environmental malaise head on. The fact that individuals are dumping trash away from their own space to “not their environment” demonstrates inadvertently that they believe in cleanliness.

The difference is that they simply do not believe in dumping trash in their own or designated space.

Indeed, Guyanese tend to maintain clean vehicles, homes, and other personal possessions in immacu-

late ways, revealing a sort of Mr. Clean competition.

Yet, this penchant for personal cleanliness is not applied or extended to their surrounding environment. It is a paradox, if not a pity, to see well-kept homes alongside piles of garbage. When asked how come your home is so clean and just outside your yard is so dirty, the response is: that is not my problem. It is a government responsibility to keep the environment clean. To be sure, local administrative units are actively involved in keeping the side of the roads clean, but individuals continue dumping trash.

The challenge then is not that Guyanese do not embrace cleanliness.

Rather, the challenge is how to channel environmental cleanliness to desirous ends, namely, not only how to make Guyanese understand the benefits of a clean environment but also how to fight for a greener future. For this to happen, two actions are required: awareness and application of environmental laws.

Although Guyanese are aware of the importance and significance of a clean environment, more rigorous programmes of awareness should be practised in every urban area and in every village.

There ought to be more environmental leaders in these mentioned communities. Guyanese should be told consistently that a clean environment creates a happy and healthy life, free from contaminants and toxins, because people who live in clean

environments, are most likely not to experience water-borne diseases and respiratory problems. Further, a clean environment builds self-confidence and reduces depression and anxiety, and more poignantly, has a copycat effect insofar as influencing others to strive for a clean environment.

The other requirement is that environmental laws must be practised and obeyed. There is no shortage of laws to protect and respect the environment in Guyana, but they are often not observed and applied. Rarely is anyone in Guyana fined for littering, an unfortunate laxity, which provides fodder for continuous environmental degradation. People engage in certain behaviours simply because they can get away with them. I suggest developing a local environmental force to ensure environmental laws are respected. I remember in the 1970s, the villagers, in desperation to meet the challenges of hardships, turned to the mangroves for firewood.

A local environmental network was developed to curb this problem, and although not one hundred per cent effective, sure sent a message that the mangroves ought to be protected. I am convinced that Guyanese do not understand the full benefits of a clean environment because environmental degradation has been inter-generational.

Guyanese also believe that whatever illness they experience, they are not related to an unhealthy environment.

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine I know what I have said above might be a figment of imagination, given that some Guyanese do not follow environmental rules and regulations. We have seen this behaviour among our political leaders in other domains, and the attempts to not accept the will of the people in the last general election is an example. Unfortunately, such a behaviour reinforces advocacy among citizens to act as their leaders, not to live up to basic responsibility. This is not au fiat.

There is hope even if all that is said above does not materialise. In environmental circles, there is something called Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). Notwithstanding the criticisms of the EKC, the main argument is “pollute first, clean up later”.

While the EKC argument is more related to macro-environmental concerns, it can be applied on a micro-level.

It is believed that the environment will experience rising environmental problems initially, but as the income of countries rises, the environmental problems will be reduced.

People will become more conscious of their environment as other fundamental necessities of life are met. Of course, we cannot wait until Guyana realises its dreams of becoming a developed country. But there is hope.

In the meanwhile, we should do our individual part to respect the environment: do not litter (lomarsh.roopnarine@ jsums.edu).

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Understanding Energy

Regulatory system for oil taking shape OVER the past few months, the government has been working to update Guyana’s oil and gas regulatory framework.

Right now, the focus is on updating the Petroleum Commission Bill and the operating rules for the Petroleum Commission of Guyana by the end of this year.

The Petroleum Commission will act as an overarching regulatory agency to manage, regulate and monitor Guyana’s growing petroleum industry. It will operate autonomously, to help insulate it from political shifts and pressure, and share responsibility with the Guyana Revenue Authority.

With promising new discoveries, 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable reserves, and nearly US$350 million in the Natural Resources Fund, it is vitally important that Guyana have a stable and capable regulatory system in place to avoid pitfalls of resource development.

Regulatory oversight of the oil and gas sector includes permitting, safety rules and inspections, environmental impact assessments, and monitoring of operations

and production—all of which require specialised professionals who understand the industry.

Stability, accountability, and apolitical decision-making are central to that. Countries that have a system that checks all three boxes, like Norway, have avoided the resource curse. Norway’s regulatory system is intended to be insulated from political party changes and patronage and is staffed with subject matter experts hired based on merit, not connections. It is composed of laws and regulations that are clear, stable, and made in consultation with all stakeholders.

The shared financial responsibility structure between the Petroleum Commission and the Revenue Authority could help clarify separate responsibilities for the governing bodies that will help avoid common resource curse pitfalls. While the Commission will be responsible for the collection of fees, fines, and other charges within the oil and gas industry, the Guyana Revenue Authority will collect all oil production revenues, including royalties and proceeds. This separation aims to

boost transparency.

While the Commission will take on new responsibilities, it will also be the new home for departments that currently help regulate the oil industry. Existing agencies like the Petroleum Department at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will be reclassified under the Petroleum Commission, which will still be housed under the Ministry of Natural Resources. This consolidation will ensure that all oil and gas management stems from the same agency, streamlining regulations and making the overall system more consistent.

The Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill is currently being revised by the Attorney General’s Office and is expected to be re-tabled in Parliament by the end of 2021, according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat. The Bill must then be debated before being passed, after which the government can begin to set up the Petroleum Commission. This may not happen until early next year, but Minister Bharrat has stated, “Guyana can look forward to having a fully functional

Petroleum Commission Bill in place by the end of the year.” As we move into the second half of 2021, it will be important that the government work quickly to meet these goals without jeopardising key regulatory matters already underway like approvals and permitting.

Establishing transparent and accountable institutions that are insulated from political shifts are part of ensuring that new policies and systems align with international best practices. Many elements of a transparent and accountable system are already in place or in progress, but it’s important that they rapidly gain experience and grow their capabilities to match the speed of oil development.

As the oil and gas industry grows to rival the largest producers in the region, it will be even more important that Guyana’s regulatory systems are stable and capable.

Guyana has the opportunity to become an even more attractive investment destination if it continues to take the right steps to strengthen its regulatory institutions.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Patient Compliance

PATIENT compliance is where a patient uses a drug, therapy or medical devise correctly or follows through with the prescribed and dispensed regimen resulting in the therapeutic dosage.

So a patient taking the precise quantity of pills or liquid formulation for the correct duration at the right frequency of administration is key. This terminology is also referred to as “patient adherence” which is considered less judgemental and may lead to more positive participatory attitude in creating a responsible patient.

But why is patient compliance important? This phenomenon is not unique to Guyana. It is a universal challenge with varying estimates for non-compliance. According to the CDC, about fifty per cent of patients do not adhere to their regimen for chronic diseases and the number can escalate to two out of three in other treatment categories, according to the Mayo Clinic. The average wastage in resources is about US$290B annually in the USA. It would be interesting to do a local study to quantify our Guyanese patient non-compliance and hence suggest better strategies to reduce wastage of resources and achieve better health outcomes. If the patient visited a private institution then

the cost savings will be personal, but in the case of public institutions, the government will be able to maximise their resources. It means that persons will be able to recover more quickly, reduce hospital admissions and, in the best case scenario, extend their life if they were to comply with the prescriber’s instructions. An estimated 125,000 preventable deaths annually in the US is due to patient non-compliance.

What are some of the factors contributing to a non-compliant patient?

Some barriers to adherence can be classified into three areas: patient-related, physician-related and health- systems related. However, as a pharmacist, my focus will be on the patient since this is an easier option to make a greater impact. The following discussion demonstrates the patient-related barriers: 1. A private patient socio-economic situation. The patient funds may be exhausted after paying a private health institution for all their tests that no money is left for medication. Other indirect costs such as transportation to the health institution and incidentals, especially for dialysis patients can be a hindrance.

2. A patient’s knowledge, health literacy and psycho-social system play an integral role. So a relative may influence the patient against the treatment due to

their beliefs and the patient’s inability to make comprehensive decisions. Or the patient may not actively disagree or suggest otherwise in the doctor’s office due to a lack of confidence or fear of discrimination. Additionally, information from YouTube on a home remedy may be more convincing, causing the patient to disregard all that took place prior to getting their medication at the pharmacy. Ultimately, the doctor may not have noticed the patient’s attitude towards conventional medications was averse.

3. Poor memory or forgetfulness may cause the person to miss a dose or even misplace their medication.

4. The complexity of the regimen prescribed might just be confusing, especially with respect to polypharmacy in the elderly patients. Older patients with a menu of tablets; one before meals, those after meals, some multiple times in the day and some that just have a bad taste can all lead to non-adherence.

5. Undesirable effects referred to as side effects, for example, head swing, cough and drowsiness can become a burden.

6. The relationship or tension between the physician/nurse/ pharmacist and the patient can impede clear and

concise communication and follow-up.

So some strategies to address these challenges are: A. Analyse the patient literacy level and disposition towards their treatment.

B. Talk about side effects anticipated.

C. Encourage memory aids both manual and electronic.

D. Collaborate and follow up with patients.

E. Consider the patients financial burdens.

F. Reduce the complexity of regimen to fewer pills less often.

In conclusion, encouraging the patient to engage in the decision-making process in a blame-free environment is key.

Trust between the healthcare provider and the patient is important. Let us on both sides of the desk strive for better health outcomes.

For further advice consult the pharmacist at Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets.

If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine.express@gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/burg.

(Tel #225-5142).

No spoilage of Sputnik V vaccines –– Minister of Health says MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has debunked claims that there has been spoilage of a large quantity of the Sputnik V vaccine.

“It’s fake news. We know that we do have some Sputnik V first dose that is available and people are getting it. But for the second dose, we don’t have second dose and that’s why we have quite a number of persons who are waiting on it…

“As soon as those vac-

cines come in, within a day or two, they’re all gone, because people are already waiting on the second dose, so we don’t have any spoilage with Sputnik. That’s obviously fake news from someone or some persons who are trying to undermine the vaccination efforts here,” Dr. Anthony related during Friday’s edition of the COVID-19 update.

Meanwhile, the minister said that the government expects to receive

50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine next week.

Those vaccines are being made available through the COVAX facility, a worldwide initiative directed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups, aimed at ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

“I just want to assure the public that we have enough vaccines for everyone who would like

to get a vaccine. So, we have AstraZeneca vaccines available. We have Sinopharm vaccines that are available. We have Sputnik V vaccine; the first dose is available and we are working to get the second dose.

“These three vaccines are currently available, so you will have a choice.

Next week, we are expecting another 50,000 or so doses from COVAX. So, this would complement what we already have. So,

we have enough vaccines.

Vaccines are not an issue,” Dr. Anthony related.

The Ministry of Health, on Thursday, administered 3,500 first doses, the highest number of first dose vaccines given out in a single day, since the start of the campaign.

To date, 260,403 persons over the age of 18 have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This represents 53.5 per cent of the adult pop-

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony ulation. Some 143,302 persons or 29.4 per cent of adults in Guyana are fully vaccinated against the disease. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Over $500M spent to upgrade...

From page 3

on a newly-built road and destroying it as they go along. We have to put a stop to it; we have to behave differently.

These roads cost money; a lot of it! And we are building because of the need.”

Since being elected to office in August 2020, the government has invested heavily in ensuring that the country has adequate infrastructure to accommodate and even propel Guyana’s intended boom.

RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE Early this year, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had stressed the need for Guyana to have the “right infrastructure”.

“We have to build and modernise, and do what is necessary for growth and development, but there cannot be an overreach and over-spending; critical infrastructural links have to, and will be created,” the Head of State had said.

The government’s total budget for road programmes is $23.7 billion, $7.9 billion of which will go specifically towards the development of community roads.

Of the budgeted sum, $2.1 billion has been set aside for hinterland roads, and the rehabilitation of a number of hinterland airstrips.

“We are doing a lot in terms of infrastructure; we are looking at pavements, parks, and other areas of infrastructure development,” Minister Indar had said previously.

Before 2025, Guyana is hoping to

complete and put in use some massive pieces of infrastructure. These include the bridge across the Corentyne River, connecting Guyana to Suriname; the construction of a spanking new four-lane high-span bridge across the Demerara River; the US$50 million East Coast Demerara to East Bank Demerara four-lane highway; and a ‘super four-lane highway’ from Schoonord, on the West Bank Demerara (WBD), to Parika, on the East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The latter project forms part of a wider initiative to create direct linkage to Bartica, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Minister Indar had also elaborated on the government’s plans to connect Goshen to Monkey Jump, both in Region Ten, and subsequently Monkey Jump to Bartica. Also, there are plans to connect Parika to Timehri, and Timehri, via Mabura, to Monkey Jump.

This will be supplemented by the construction of 125 kilometers of road from Linden to Mabura Hill.

“This a big one; it will cost about US$192 million, and tenders are already out for it,” Minister Indar related.

Additionally, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill had spoken about the government’s intention to pursue infrastructural development in a manner that is climate-resilient. The need for this was compounded by the recent floods, which caused significant damage to roads, bridges and culverts across the 10 administrative regions.

The newly-constructed ‘Middle Street’ at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

3,300 more public school entrants to benefit –– as date to qualify for education cash grant extended

AN additional 3,300 children who have transitioned into the public education system will be able to benefit from the ‘Because We Care’ education cash grant as the Ministry of Education has extended the ‘cut-off’ deadline used to determine the eligibility of new public school entrants to access the grant.

Initially, the ministry had established a ‘cut off’ date set for June 30, 2021, which served as a deadline to determine the number of new public school entrants who would qualify for the grant; the beneficiaries were to be enrolled in a public school before that date.

However, cognisant that some parents and guardians who have missed the June 30 deadline will therefore be ineligible to access the grant, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, on Saturday, announced that the deadline will be extended to

July 31, 2021 to accommodate those persons, enabling some 3,300 more students to benefit.

The Education Minister made the remarks while spearheading the distribution of the $19,000 cash grant at various schools across the East Coast of Demerara on Friday and Saturday last.

During her visits, the minister acknowledged that though the grant cannot cater to all the needs of their children, it is still solid assistance to parents as they invest in the education of their children.

She urged parents and guardians to utilise the grant to fund their children’s educational needs but also noted that the grant may be used to purchase not only strictly educational items but items that serve children and support them as they continue along their academic journey.

Manickchand reminded

that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government, as part of their manifesto, promised to restore the cash grant and that promise is presently being fulfilled.

She also promised that the grant will increase to $50,000 per child within the administration’s first term in in office.

Overall $3.2 billion was set aside for distribution to some 172,000 pupils and students within Guyana’s public school system.

As part of the programme, each child will receive a grant of $15,000, which will be added to the existing School Uniform and Supplies Grant of $4,000, bringing the total to $19,000 per child.

CHALLENGES In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent unprecedented floods, the government had recognised the challeng-

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand with students es and constraints faced BEST WAY will be established as far as by parents and guardians As it relates to the re- is possible to give parents of school-aged children, opening of schools, Man- and teachers the opportunity and wanted to ensure that ickchand said the ministry to be vaccinated; however, struggling families receive is certain that the best it is not a requirement for some needed assistance. way to deliver education is parents to be vaccinated to As a result, the admin- through face-to-face learn- access the grant. istration has moved to re- ing.

Manickchand encourinstate the grant which was The Education Minister aged teachers to go and get initiated by the PPP/C Gov- enlightened that based on the vaccinated while it is free ernment prior to it demitting ministry’s observations as it and available, “because office in 2015. However, relates to the performance of we need to make sure that

Parents at one of the education cash grant distribution exercises when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration assumed leadership of the country, the programme was quashed.

When the PPP/C returned to office in August 2020, the programme was reinstated and the sum allocated to parents also increased.

This move was heavily criticised by some members of the main APNU+AFC opposition, who went as far as to host a picketing demonstration outside of the Ministry of Education office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

students at the various levels, it is necessary to reopen schools.

The reopening of schools; however, depends entirely on the country’s COVID-19 vaccination rate which needs to be increased to allow students to re-enter the classrooms, she said.

She told teachers and parents that if they are among those persons who have not yet taken their COVID-19 vaccine, then they are hindering the reopening of schools for in-person learning.

As the distribution of the cash grant continues across Guyana, vaccination stations

we can get back into the classroom because the other types of education, I am warning, I am cautioning, I am inviting you to look at it, are not working. And it is not the teachers that will suffer, it is these children you want to see shine,” she said.

She said that with more persons getting vaccinated, the likelihood of the spread of the virus will significantly reduce.

The minister promised that once schools reopen, parents, teachers and students will see a difference in the way education is delivered.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Leguan centenarian still dancing her way through life

BIBI Jaitoon Mohameed, the latest centenarian, of La Bagatelle, Leguan Island, in the Essequibo River, still sings nursery rhymes for her grand and great-grandchildren and even dances to music.

As she continues to ably and happily navigate the realities that old age brings with it, Mrs. Mohameed is assisted by her granddaughter, Bibi Fareeda, with whom she lives and other family members.

Over 80 years ago, before she married Mr. Ali Mohameed (deceased about 20 years now) and moved to Theriens, Leguan, she lived with her family at Wales, West Bank Demerara, where she had to forego her education to be able to help her parents care for her siblings.

Marriage did not change much for her, though, so far as hard work was concerned as when Mrs. Mohameed moved to the island, she

Mrs Mohameed with loved ones

Centenarian, Bibi Jaitoon Mohameed

shared in planting and cutting rice, feeding the huller (placing wood inside the boiler to assist in the paddy steaming process) and doing domestic work.

Her life has obviously been nothing short of hard work, but today, she continues to enjoy her days with her seven children, 36 grandchildren, 44 great

grandchildren, and 16 great great-grandchildren.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, her granddaughter, with whom she lives, said it’s a pleasure and “blessing” to be able to care for her grandmother at this age. She said Mrs. Mohameed does almost everything for herself.

“She walks and dances

sometimes; she does almost everything for herself while we would just assist. Any music comes up… once its music, she would dance and she still says nursery rhymes for her grands,” the granddaughter related.

Mrs. Mohameed has also been described as an avid Masjid goer. (By Telesha Ramnarine)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

Two females are latest COVID-19 fatalities

TWO more COVID-19 deaths, announced by the Ministry of Health, on Saturday, have taken the death toll to 556.

THE latest fatalities are two females-- one aged 55 years of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and another aged 79 years of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). According to the Ministry of Health, both persons died while receiving medical care at Ministry of Health facilities.

Additionally, the

Health Ministry has recorded 89 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,535 tests carried out on August 6, 2021.

Of those cases, Region Three recorded 11; Region Four, 55; Region Five, three; Region Six, nine; Region Nine, 10 and Region 10, one.

With the new cases, Guyana now has 811 active cases of COVID-19.

And based on information from the Health Ministry, 18 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 90

in institutional isolation, 698 in home isolation, and five in institutional quarantine.

Of Guyana’s 22,932 confirmed cases since the detection of COVID-19 here, some 19,260 persons have recovered.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of

maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly

contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.gy.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Motion to implement recommendations from Rodney CoI set for tomorrow

COME Monday, the National Assembly is slated to hear a motion calling for the adoption and implementation of the recommendations contained in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the assassination of professor and political activist, Dr. Walter Rodney.

According to the Order Paper for 31st Sitting of the 12th Parliament, the motion will be moved by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

The motion, as is to be presented by Teixeira, argues that even though a report from the CoI, which was appointed to enquire and report on the circumstances surrounding Rodney’s death, was handed over to former President David Granger on February 10, 2016, the complete document was never made public.

Five years ago, while Teixeira was an Opposition Member of Parliament, she had tabled a similar motion calling on the then A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government to implement the recommendations of the CoI. Teixeira, in her updated motion, reminded that the then Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs,

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira Basil Williams, presented in order to preserve and Volume One of the CoI re- strengthen the democratic architecture of the state port on May 12, 2016.

She also wants measures Teixeira’s previous motion was debated in the Na- to be taken to ensure that the tional Assembly on August complete report emanating 4, 2016, and amended by the from the CoI is made public government to read: “The and “publicly available elecNational Assembly acknowl- tronically.”

During the course of this edges the report… calls on the government to take mea- year, Teixeira and her colsures to examine the findings leagues in the People’s Proand recommendations con- gressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) tained in the report in order government will be taking to ascertain whether any, and steps to recognise the life’s if so, which are acceptable work and honour the legacy of Dr. Rodney. and implementable.”

In doing so, Dr. Rodney’s “There was no movement on this resolution by the for- gravesite and memorial will mer government,” Teixeira be declared national monuments under the administrasaid in her submission.

By way of the new mo- tion of The National Trust; tion, Teixeira wants her gov- his death certificate, which ernment to take steps to currently described him as implement the recommen- “unemployed” will be cordations of the CoI report rected to read ‘Professor’

and his work be incorporated into the national school syllabus by the Ministry of Education.

Dr. Rodney’s works will also be distributed to pupils and students across the country, and his more iconic works, noteworthy ‘A History of the Guyanese Working People’, ‘Guyanese Sugar Plantations in the late Nineteenth Century’, and ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’, will be made available at the University of Guyana’s library, while the Walter Rodney Chair at the university will be re-established.

Added to that, Dr. Rodney’s death certificate will be amended to replace his cause of death from “misadventure” to “assassination.”

Previously, during the 28th sitting of the National Assembly of the 12th Parliament, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., had said that the measures were being taken as a means of honouring Dr. Rodney’s life and finally setting the public record straight in relation to the circumstances surrounding his death.

The aforementioned measures are also intended to bring closure to the Rodney family, particularly Dr. Rodney’s wife and children.

On June 13, 1980,

The late Dr. Walter Rodney 38-year-old Dr. Rodney was in the front passenger seat of his Mazda Capella motor car bearing registration number PBB2344, in the vicinity of John and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown with his brother Donald Rodney, who was in the driver’s seat, when an explosion occurred, killing Dr. Rodney, and leaving Donald with minor injuries.

Donald was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison on February 26, 1982, for being in possession of the explosive device which killed his brother.

Donald’s conviction was,

however, set aside by the Court of Appeal in April.

Nandlall had previously informed the House that with the Court of Appeal clearing Donald, also a victim of the incident, of the perverse conviction which he carried for 40 years, every effort will be made to “remove and expunge” all public records that intimate any level of guilt or wrongdoing by Dr. Rodney in relation to the incident.

The Attorney-General highlighted that Dr. Rodney’s tragic death sent shock tremors to the conscience of many worldwide and to say that the events ensuing his death were a “horrendous miscarriage of justice”, would be an “appalling understatement”.

“The self-evident truth is that when wrongs of such magnitude occur, they can never really be righted. The least that can be done in this instance is to attempt to grant the wishes of the loved ones of Dr. Rodney and to work with them in bringing these wishes to fruition, as they attempt to forge their own closure in relation to this horrific tragedy,” Nandlall said previously.

Dr. Rodney’s family are said to have been tremendously affected by the mislabelling on his death certificate, as it prevented them from recovering his life insurance policy.

Nandlall had explained that one of the greatest tragedies of Dr. Rodney’s death is the loss of his scholarship to the people of Guyana, and the move to introduce his works into schools flowed therefrom.

Stricter measures for arriving passengers at ports of entry 17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

— breaches of measures to attract penalties

TRAVELLERS to Guyana will have to abide by stricter measures instituted to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. On Saturday, the Government of Guyana released the officially gazetted measures which require all foreign passengers to provide proof of vaccination as well as the certified results of a negative PCR

required to do another molecular biological PCR test upon arrival in Guyana and subject to quarantine until the test results are made available to them,” the gazette noted.

Further, the new measures outline penalties for airline or aircraft operators who fail to verify the authenticity of the negative tests or the validity of proof of vaccination

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill test taken less than 72 hours before entry into Guyana.

As far as the test requirements go, Guyana will not accept results from any rapid tests done, including rapid PCR test and rapid tests using saliva samples. It will also not accept any self-administered tests, or any COVID-19 tests done using home kits.

Persons who have been diagnosed with the virus less than three months before travel will be required to declare a medically certified ‘Certificate of Clearance.’

The measures, signed by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, provides some leverage to persons whose negative tests have expired. “Passengers may, alternatively, be allowed entry into Guyana if they are able to present their proof of vaccination along with a negative molecular biological PCR test result taken within seven days and such passengers shall be

before any passenger boards any flight to Guyana.

“Any aircraft operator who allows a passenger to board an aircraft without proof of vaccination and a negative molecular biological PCR test commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250,000 for each passenger,” the new gazetted measures indicated.

Additionally, as part of the new amended Civil Aviation Health Safety Measures for airports and aircraft during the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft operators will also be required to ensure that each checked baggage is sanitised before being placed in the hold of the aircraft.

Once unloaded from the aircraft, the baggage must also be immediately sanitised before being placed on trollies and in the baggage carousel system at the airport’s arrival terminal. The

The new measures outline penalties for airline or aircraft operators who fail to verify the authenticity of the negative tests or the validity of proof of vaccination before any passenger boards any flight to Guyana

new measures were signed into effect from Friday, August 6, 2021, and it supports the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, while pursuing herd immunity through vac-

cination.

It has been more than a year since the coronavirus pandemic hit Guyana, and within the last few months, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led government has been aggressively

pushing a comprehensive national vaccination programme.

Guyana is also one of the few countries that have managed to secure enough vaccines to inoculate its en-

tire adult population. As it is, Guyana has recorded in excess of 22,000 cases of the coronavirus which has already taken 550 lives since patient zero in March 2020.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

ONE Digicel Guyana customer, Mahendra Samar, of Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD), walked away as the winner of one of the three Toyota Rush sport utility vehicles (SUV), following the first drawing of the company’s massive “Summa Rush” promotion, which took place at MovieTowne Guyana on Saturday.

The heated “Summa Rush” promotion enables Digicel’s prepaid customers to have a chance of driving off with one of the three brand new SUVs, once they top up with $1000 or more (scratch cards or electronically), to collect the letters to spell the word R-U-S-H. Once the top-up is successful, the customer will receive a text message with their electronic letter. Customers can keep track of their letters collected by texting ‘SUMMA’ to shortcode 1441.

Speaking with the

he said.

Samar related that he tops up his phone multiple times during the course of a day; sometimes up to $4,000 and $5,000, consistently and consecutively, since the promotion was launched on July 16.

The refrigeration technician said that he has been using Digicel’s services over 10 years now to facilitate his business.

All five of the customers who were part of the first drawing were also awarded an aggregate

Samar is Digicel’s first ‘Summa Rush’ winner

of $1 million, while Samar walked away with $100,000, in addition to his brand-new Rush.

There are three qualifying periods for the promotion: July 16 – August 5; August 6 – August 19; and August 20 – September 2.

The distribution of the vehicles to the winners will happen on September 4, but Samar is hopeful for the red vehicle, as it is the same colour associated with Digicel Guyana, and he is a proud customer.

Mahendra Samar and his family pose for a photo in front of the three Toyota Rush SUVs that are up for grabs

Guyana Chronicle after the first drawing, an overjoyed Samar said: “I had all the hopes and all the vibes to win this ‘rush’. As soon as this game was out, I was so excited.”

He was one of five qualifying customers who collected all four

of the letters to spell the word RUSH. Overwhelmed by emotion, Samar said that he’s long wanted a new vehicle, but the money was never there. So, the “summa rush” promotion was ideal for Samar, as it opened the doors for him to drive away with a new

vehicle, without spending a cent.

“I said you know what, ‘Digicel give me this opportunity to win a brand-new Rush,’ so I decided to start buying Digicel cards, because I have a Digicel phone.

So I buy Digicel cards, and top up every day,”

The three Toyota Rush SUVs on display at MovieTowne Guyana during the first drawing of the “Summa Rush” promotion (Richard Bhainie photos)

Canje man wanted for Pardessi’s murder

AS investigations continue into the murder of

overseas-based Guyanese, Hemraj Pardessi called

‘Prem’, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has is-

sued a wanted bulletin for a seventh suspect, Jason

Wanted: Jason Isaacs Isaacs.

Isaacs, 32, of Lot 18 Bristol Street, East Canje, Berbice, is wanted for questioning in the murder of Pardessi.

Based on information received, Isaacs was allegedly entrusted with the loot from the robbery, but he reportedly fled and has been in hiding since.

At around 23:42 hours on Tuesday, the police found Pardessi lying motionless at the bottom of the stairs on the ground floor of his Reliance, East

Canje, residence. He was faced down, duct tape was around his neck, and blood was oozing from his nose.

After following the trail of blood to the second floor, the police found the entire place ransacked.

Following the robbery, police managed to capture one of the main suspects who reportedly confessed and identified his accomplices. Four other persons were subsequently arrested and remain in police custody.

On Friday, a female suspect, who is reportedly the mastermind of the crime, turned herself in for questioning at the Central Police Station.

With six suspects in custody, the police will be intensifying its search for Isaacs as part of the ongoing investigations.

Anyone with information that might lead to the arrest of Isaacs is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-7065, 227-1270, 226-7476, 2267065, 227-9271, 227-1611, 227-1149, 227-1270, 2256940-9, 225-3650, 2261928, 911 or the nearest police station.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

$7.1M for rehabilitation of Monkey Mountain bridge, foot trail

THE deplorable bridge and foot trail to Mountain Foot will soon be rehabilitated to the tune of $7.1 million, affording residents of Monkey Mountain and other communities within Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), easy passage through the area.

A disaggregation of the allotted funds for the project show that $3.9million will be used to rehabilitate the bridge and $3.3 million for the foot trail.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, who was in the community, witnessed the signing of a contract between Toshao of Monkey Mountain, Lincoln Abraham Singh and the regional administration for the impending works.

Minister Dharamlall was joined by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

Minister Dharamlall said the rehabilitation works would not only enhance residents’ lives but create jobs. This is in keeping with the government’s manifesto promise to create employment and boost the local economy.

“Our government has committed to ensuring that we provide better physical development in different areas in every village, which is why these infrastructural works are set to commence soon.

“I can assure you that more resources for development will come to this community, among others in this Region,” the minister said.

With this said, Minister Dharamlall urged the Toshao to ensure that quality work is delivered to the community. He also encouraged the contractor to make use of local materials for the work.

“We expect quality work from you, but I want to also encourage residents to monitor these works, to make sure it is done in a way that you will be satisfied with,” the minister asserted.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall Additionally, Minister Dharamlall committed to employing six more persons as Community Enhancement Workers (CEWs) to ensure that the community’s infrastructure is preserved.

The CEWs work complement’s that of the village council and by extension, the government’s efforts to develop the community and the country as a whole.

The CEWs are managed under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), which began in 2014. The project’s mandate was changed in 2015 to decentralise resources to the Local Democratic Organs.

The CIIP also enables Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to provide services to communities, and to encourage citizens to pay their rates and taxes to facilitate the development. (DPI)

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Toshao of Monkey Mountain, Lincoln Abraham Singh signing the contract for works valued at $7.1 million

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New COVID-19 policy GUYANA has now officially declared war against the COVID-19 pandemic with a new hallmark policy.

There are much stricter sanctions and guidelines this month.

Announcing the policy, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali explained that Guyana is in a war with an un-

seen enemy. He added that Guyana has “no idea when and where that enemy will turn up with lethal force… we must fortify ourselves against penetration”. He reasoned too that the country should build up its strength through vaccinations to repel this foe.

He stated that Guyana must defeat this enemy

and win this battle, and return life to normalcy.

But he warned that to do so, “all must join the battle and all must get inoculated.”

Soon after, the Ali Administration announced new measures that included a limitation on certain social activities, restrictions on public movements

of unvaccinated persons, and shorter opening times for certain businesses.

Similarly, the government ministries announced that they would only allow vaccinated persons to access their services.

This move meant the unvaccinated persons would need to get an appointment beforehand.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

Businesses started to follow suit with private sector businesses adopting parts of the policy guidelines.

This move saw the APNU+AFC Coalition appealing to the Ali-led Government to consult on more ways to fight against vaccine hesitancy. In a media release, it threaded carefully and used its language skillfully to knock the Ali Government. It spoke about safeguarding the right of every citizen and not discriminating against some.

The truth is, the APNU+AFC opposition should not say anything about the issue since they have been part of the problem that led to the levels of vaccine hesitancy in society. Remember the ‘hot air’ and foolish conspiracies spread by the APNU+AFC concerning the inoculation programme and the vaccines.

People are still holding on to what the APNU+AFC said to this day despite the science and medical documentation to prove otherwise.

And taking it further to expose the double standard of the APNU+AFC opposition, it allowed one of many of their parliamentarians to spread misinformation and condemn the vaccination efforts of the administration.

Opposition Parliamentarian, Coretta Mc Donald, like many of the APNU+AFC politicians, is running a whisper cam-

paign against the administration. It occurs whenever they are going to visit communities across the country.

Firstly, what Mc Donald said must be bravely condemned by all responsible Guyanese. She is not a doctor or expert.

Secondly, the AP NU+AFC should know that the policy of making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, to a certain degree, was long in the making. It is a policy that protects the rights of vaccinated and unvaccinated Guyanese. So, it is neither draconian nor authoritative. There were consultations, and the National Task Force against COVID-19 is well aware of the steps to protect every life.

Even the Ministry of Health reported a spike in vaccinations as a direct result of this policy measure.

Thirdly, this COVID-19 policy is long overdue. The government has used every resource available to ensure it protects the people and economy from the disease, and still, as of Friday, 553 deaths were confirmed. Also, on Friday, with 260403 and 143302 persons accessing first, and second-dose shots respectively, Guyana is in a race against COVID-19.

Putting our feet down and supporting this policy can only result in Guyana getting better, not worse.

Get vaccinated today!

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 8, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Chopra wins historic javelin gold for India

By Amy Tennery

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Neeraj Chopra won the men’s javelin yesterday with a best throw of 87.58 metres to claim a historic first Olympic athletics gold medal for India.

The Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch won silver with 86.67 metres and Vitezslav Vesely claimed the bronze with 85.44.

Chopra, the 2018 Commonwealth champion, seized the lead with a throw of 87.03 on his first attempt, a distance no other competi-

tor achieved during the final, winning India’s first gold of the Tokyo Games as his overjoyed team mates and coaches watched from the stands.

With medals assured, Vadlejch and Vesely attempted to reach the top of the podium on their final throws but each fouled.

“It feels unbelievable,” said Chopra. “This is our first Olympic medal for a very long time, and in athletics it is the first time we have gold, so it’s a proud moment for me and my country.”

With a best throw of

Hassan wins...

From page 32

Tokyo.

“I’m so happy and I cried during the medal ceremony,” Hassan said. “I actually realised that I’m done, the Games are over.

“It’s not about how strong I am but how strong are the ladies I challenge. Now I’m happy, I’m done, it’s over.”

B a h r a i n ’s K a l k i d a n Gezahegne clinched the silver medal while Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey taking the

bronze.

The women’s 10,000m was one of the most highly-anticipated events of the Games with the world’s all-time top two athletes Hassan and Gidey - going head-to-head at the Olympic Stadium.

Hassan in June posted a time of 29:06.82 to take more than 10 seconds off the world 10,000m record in Hengelo.

Two days later, however, the 23-year-old Gidey chopped a further five

86.65 in his qualifying round, Chopra knew his Games were on the right track this week but never considered the gold a sure thing.

“In the qualification round I threw very well so I knew I could do better in the final. I didn’t know it would be gold but I am very happy,” he said.

Chopra became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal after Abhinav Bindra won the 10-metre air rifle event at the 2008 Games.

“Your performance has

further elevated what has been evident throughout the Games - that our athletes are not only capable of going toe to toe with the best, but are firmly establishing ourselves as the favourites,” Bindra wrote on Twitter.

“Our first individual gold might have taken over a century to come, but the comparatively miniscule time taken for you to bring home the second is a solid indication that we, as a sporting nation, are on the rise.”

Chopra’s win prompted celebration among his compatriots - including India’s

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“History has been scripted at Tokyo!” Modi wrote on Twitter. “The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well.

He played with remarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit.”

The evening was a disappointment for Germany’s Johannes Vetter, a favourite for the podium as the only competitor in the final to have thrown over 90 metres.

He finished ninth with 82.52.

seconds off the mark when she clocked 29:01.03 on the same track at the Ethiopian trials.

The pair had only clashed once before over the 25-lap race at the 2019 world championships where Hassan beat Gidey to gold.

Gidey, who also holds the world record in 5,000m, came into the race with fresh legs, having decided to only contest the 10,000m in Tokyo.

followed by a pack of three Kenyans and the Ethiopian stayed ahead for most of the last seven kilometres.

Hassan tucked in behind the leaders and with about 3,000m remaining she increased her pace to move into second spot.

Despite running three races in Tokyo’s searing heat and humidity in the last few days, Hassan managed to find an even higher gear before the final turn to surge past Gidey and cross the line in 29:55.32.

“We women are very capable, we are a lot stronger,”

she said. “If you want it, you are strong and you can do it. People can do it. It is for everyone.”

Gezahegne, also Ethiopian-born, held her pace in the closing stages as Gidey faded after trying to make her way past a back-marker.

Gezahegne clinched silver in 29:56.18 with Gidey finishing more than five seconds behind her to take the bronze medal.

“I want to move up to the marathon. At the next Olympics I will grab the gold medal at the marathon,” Gezahegne said.

Japan’s Ririka Hironaka led for the first six laps before Gidey made her move

Eleven medals for Felix as stellar U.S. team take 4x400m glory

By Mitch Phillips

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - The United States powered to their seventh successive victory in the women’s 4x400m relay yesterday as Allyson Felix won gold in the event for the fourth time to extend her Olympic medal haul to a remarkable 11.

Poland continued their impressive relay form in Tokyo, having won the inaugural 4x400 mixed race, with an excellent silver while Jamaica, who had won silver three times in a row, had to settle for bronze.

The U.S. could probably have fielded three squads and swept the podium such is their strength over the distance but their “first team” was dripping with quality.

Alongside Felix they went for Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad, first and second in the 400m hurdles and both inside the

old world record, and Mu Athing, winner of the 800 metres.

As expected, it was an unstoppable combination as their time of 3:16.85 brought them home almost four seconds ahead of the Poles, whose 3:20.53 was a national record.

Felix’s bronze in the 400m on Friday made her the most decorated woman in track and field history and this gold in her fifth Olympics took her tally to 11.

That moved her one ahead of Carl Lewis as the top American in total med-

als and one behind Finnish distance runner Paavo Nurmi from the 1920s as the alltime track and field leader.

“The first was a very, very long time ago (200m silver in Athens 2004) when everything was new,” said Felix, who returned to the sport after having a daughter in 2018.

“This one, everything is different, but in a good way. I am so pleased it was running with these amazing women.

“I think all of us in the team have achieved a lot in the individual events and I wanted to be able to run with

these women and to win gold with them.”

While Felix, at 35, is unlikely to return for a sixth Games, McLaughlin at 22 can look forward to many more golden nights.

“It’s an honour to be able to run with all these women. They are inspiration to me,” said the woman who destroyed her own world record to win the 400m hurdles.

“It’s great to think we will be an inspiration to kids who are looking up to us.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Durant leads U.S. to 16th men’s gold in revenge match against France

By Rocky Swift SAITAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Kevin Durant led Team USA’s victory over France in the men’s basketball final in Tokyo yesterday, avenging a first-round loss and claiming a 16th gold for the country in the sport.

Durant, who in these Games surpassed Carmelo Anthony as the United States’ highest career scorer, led with 29 points in the 87-82 victory at the Saitama Super Arena. “ Yo u r e a l i s e , y o u know, you finish the job, you get the gold medal, you get the trophy, but when you go through that journey it’s just incredible to be a part of something so special,” said the Brooklyn Nets star who has now won three Olympic gold medals.

“I’m bonded to these guys for life.”

The U.S. team had been slow to start in previous matches, but they kept the heat on France consistently this time.

It was 18 turnovers that proved to be the killer for France.

“Details cost us the game for sure,” said French team captain Nicolas Batum. “You can’t turnover that much against that type of

By Simon Evans

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Brazil retained their Olympic football title with substitute Malcom scoring an extra-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Spain in the men’s gold medal match yesterday.

After the game ended 1-1 in normal time, Malcom raced onto a diagonal ball from Antony and got the better of Jesus Vallejo before driving the winner into the far corner in the 108th minute to ensure Brazil repeated their Rio 2016 triumph.

“This was the most important goal of my life,” a beaming Malcom told reporters, “It is such a unique moment”.

Kevin Durant surpassed Carmelo Anthony in these Games as the United States’ highest career-scorer. team.”

France earned their third Olympic silver medal in men’s basketball.

The championship attracted the biggest crowd yet in these Games to the arena north of Tokyo, with the bottom bowl of seats about half full of athletes, officials, media and volunteers in place of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The U.S. men have historically been the team to beat, with 15 gold medals since 1936 going into these Games.

This championship marks their fourth straight gold medal.

But this year’s team proved to be vulnerable,

dropping two straight exhibition games in July and suffering a shock 8376 defeat to France in the preliminary round of the Games, which was their first defeat on the Olympic stage since 2004.

“The first time we played together as a whole roster was France and lost to them,” said Jrue Holiday, who had 11 points for the United States. “So we just felt like it was only right to meet them in gold and to get our win back.”

I n t h e w o m e n ’s bronze-medal match, France beat Serbia 9176. Gabby Williams led the French team with 17 points as the nation claimed their first medal

since winning silver in 2012.

France were beaten in the semi-finals by Japan, who go on to challenge the U.S. women for gold today.

Australia outlasted Slovenia 107-93 in the m e n ’s b r o n z e - m e d a l match. For a nation of just two million people, Slovenia fielded a powerhouse team on their Olympic debut, captained

by Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

Doncic led in points and assists at the Games going into the bronze match. But Australia proved too strong yesterday, lifted by an astonishing 42 points from Patty Mills.

Aussies bounce back to win fourth T20 against Bangladesh (REUTERS) - Australia’s Andrew Tye and Mitchell Swepson delivered a spirited bowling performance as the tourists defeated Bangladesh by three wickets in yesterday’s fourth Twenty20 international to record

Malcom grabs golden glory for Brazil’s footballers

their first win in the fivematch series.

Bangladesh took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with Friday’s 10-run victory in Dhaka. The final match will be played tomorrow at the same venue.

Tye (3-18) and Swep-

son (3-12) restricted Bangladesh to 104-9 as the hosts lost three players, including skipper Mohammad Mahmudullah to a duck, with opener Mohammad Naim top-scoring with 28 runs.

The Bangladesh bowl-

ers fought hard to defend the measly total but Australian Dan Christian’s 15-ball 39 coupled with team mate Ashton Agar’s run-a-ball 27 helped the visitors seal the contest with an over to spare.

Olympic gold medal Brazil footballers celebrate.

Dani Alves, Brazil’s 38-year-old captain, who had led the team as an over-age player in a bid to win a major global tournament with his country, collapsed to his knees at the final whistle and buried his face in his hands.

“My captain Dani, he’s unbelievable, he helps everyone.

He lifts us up, He’s unbelievable, I don’t have words for him,” Brazil’s other goalscorer Matheus Cunha said.

The Brazilian players made up for the absence of 65 000 fans in the Yokohama stadium by going through the full repertoire of celebratory songs after the final whistle.

An Olympic gold in football will never match a World Cup title but for 120 minutes there was no doubt that this match meant plenty to both sides.

Brazil were awarded a penalty in the 39th minute when Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon came out to punch clear a cross but crashed into Cunha, only for Richarlison to blast the spot-kick high over the bar.

The South Americans grabbed the lead on the stroke of halftime, however, when a deep Claudinho cross was hooked back across the area by Dani Alves and Cunha brought the ball down to slot home.

Spain threatened little but got on level terms in the 61st minute when substitute Carlos Soler broke down the right and whipped a cross to the back post where Mikel Oyarzabal connected with a sweet left-foot volley that whistled past Santos.

With Brazil looking to break on the counter and Spain moving the ball well, the game was tightly balanced in the latter stages but the Spaniards came closest to grabbing a win in normal time.

Oscar Gil’s cross shot from the right caught out Santos and struck the top of the bar in the 86th minute and two minutes later Bryan Gil’s thundering shot from outside the box blasted against the bar.

That meant extra-time and the introduction of Malcom by Brazil coach Andre Jardine proved to be crucial, as the Zenit St Petersburg winger wrote his name into Brazilian football folklore.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Sinclair finally Kenya’s Jepchirchir wins women’s claims soccer gold marathon with late burst

By Chris Gallagher

SAPPORO, Japan (Reuters) -Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir won the Olympic women’s marathon in Sapporo yesterday, out-duelling compatriot Brigid Kosgei in the final minutes and claiming her country’s second consecutive gold medal in the event.

Kosgei took silver and Molly Seidel of the United States, competing in just her third marathon after moving up from shorter distances, claimed bronze.

Kenya’s Kosgei, the world record holder, and world champion Ruth Chepngetich had been favourites to win gold yesterday.

But it was two-time world half-marathon champion Jepchirchir who came out on top after breaking out of a virtual tie with Kosgei at the 40km mark where she decided to make her move.

“When I was there I said, wow, I’m going to make it.

So I pushed the pace because I knew I was going to win,” Jepchirchir said.

“I’m so, so happy because we win as Kenya, first

Women’s marathon winners from left: Brigid Kosgei (silver) Peres Jepchirchir (gold) and Molly Seidel (bronze) and second ... I’m happy, for my family, happy for my country Kenya for supporting us.”

Jepchirchir finished with a time of 2:27:20, 16 seconds ahead of Kosgei and 26 seconds in front of Seidel.

Kenya join Japan as the only countries to win backto-back gold medals in the event. Kenya lead all countries with seven medals total since the women’s marathon joined the Olympic programme in 1984.

“I want to say thanks for my colleagues who trained with me, because I bring

silver and my friend brings gold and we are really, really happy,” Kosgei said.

Seidel becomes the third American to medal in the event, after gold medal winner Joan Benoit in 1984 and bronze medallist Deena Kastor in 2004.

“Holy crap, those are women that I had on posters on my wall when I was a kid. It’s just something else,” Seidel said.

“To be able to be placed with them in U.S. history, it’s just an honour.”

Battling hot and humid conditions, Chepngetich

dropped out around the 30km mark, while Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter dropped out at the 38km stage after looking like a strong contender for bronze.

The race was moved to Sapporo from Tokyo ahead of the Games in an effort to beat the sweltering summer heat in the Japanese capital.

But a heat wave has been sweeping the area, and even after rescheduling the race to begin an hour earlier at 06:00hrs, temperatures had climbed from 26 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) at the start of the race to 30 degrees (86 Fahrenheit) by 09:00hrs.

Sally Kipyego of the United States, who was with the leader’s pack at the midway point but finished more than five minutes off the lead, said the heat was “absolutely” a factor.

“I knew that I was really fit coming in, so that performance is nowhere close to my fitness. I know the heat had to play a role and I just thought I was going to cope better and I didn’t,” she said.

Emotional Lasitskene soars to high jump gold

By Amy Tennery

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) Russian Mariya Lasitskene added Olympic gold to her three world titles, winning the women’s high jump at the Tokyo Games with a leap of 2.04 metres yesterday.

Australia’s Nicola McDermott won silver with 2.02 metres and Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh claimed the bronze with 2.00.

An emotional Lasitskene knelt on the track and buried her face in her hands after winning the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team’s first athletics gold medal of the Games.

Lasitskene, the first athlete to win four major international titles in the event, did not compete in Rio due to the ban on Russian athletes following the exposure of widespread doping.

“It was a long wait,” she told reporters via a translator.

“I am immensely happy ... all that came out of me in one go, all my emotions and

Russian Mariya Lasitskene celebrates her high jump gold. the gratitude for what had happened.”

She overcame a leg injury sustained in May after fearing it would become an insurmountable obstacle to competing at her best level in Tokyo.

“I had this fear,” she said.

“But I received a lot of support from my coach, from my family, from my rehabil-

itation physician - all of them believed in me and I did not want to let them down.”

McDermott, 24, produced the best performance of her life as she drew support from her team mates and coaches in the stands, clapping her hands in the air and steeling herself for one last try at 2.04 before failing to clear the bar.

“It’s such a dream really.

I went into this competition at the Olympics thinking that anything is possible, and I had faith enough to go whatever the high jumper, whatever the height,” she said.

“Just (to) keep jumping because I really believed that I was able to be in that top three.”

for Canada

By Philip O’Connor

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) - After two bronze medals in 2012 and 2016, Christine Sinclair finally got her hands on Olympic gold when Canada beat Sweden 3-2 on penalties at the Tokyo Games after Friday’s final ended 1-1 following extra time.

After going a goal down in the first half, the grit of the 38-year-old Sinclair and the Canadians saw them through against a Swedish side that seemed superior until they came undone in the

Canadian women footballers celebrate their gold medal triumph

shoot-out.

“I honestly cannot believe what just happened for the last 40 days. We had a goal coming here to change the colour of the medal and we landed on the top of the podium, just such an honour to be part of this group,” Sinclair told reporters.

“It’s such a special group, we fought through the whole tournament, we fought tonight and managed to find a way to win.”

Playing alongside players who have idolised her since childhood, Sinclair said she no longer felt that being a senior player in the national team was a burden.

“Honestly, that’s something I felt in the past, but not with this group. This group is loaded, and I just know I need to do my job, I need to do whatever I can to help the team win,” she explained.

“In every game that’s different, I don’t have to play out of my skin for us to win. It’s great to be part of that.”

Sinclair, who has made 305 international appearances, did not rule out winning more medals.

“I headed into this tournament knowing I’m not making any decisions out of joy or sadness, depending how the tournament went.

I’ve never done that in my career,” she said, her gold medal glittering around her neck.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Norway’s Ingebrigtsen upsets Cheruiyot to win 1500 metres gold

By Omar Mohammed

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway won gold in the Olympic men’s 1500 metres final yesterday, breaking the Games record to upset world champion Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya who took silver.

Josh Kerr of Britain ran a personal best to claim the bronze medal.

Ingebrigtsen was the first European winner of the event since Spain’s Fermin Cacho in Barcelona in 1992.

The Norwegian started fast and took the lead before Cheruiyot overtook him and dictated the pace for most of the race as Ingebrigtsen tucked in behind.

The 20-year Norwegian sped past Cheruiyot on the last lap, however, to clock a blistering 3:28.32 and claim the gold medal.

The previous mark of 3:31.65 was set by Kenya’s Abel Kipsang in Tokyo during the semi-finals on Thursday. Kipsang finished fourth in the final.

“I’ve been able to do it (win gold) first try and I feel like I am just getting started.

But at the same time, I have

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen broke Games record to upset world champion Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya. been dreaming of this for year’s world leader, could my whole life. It’s great,” not respond to Ingebrigtsen’s late move, settling for silver Ingebrigtsen told reporters.

Crowds in Sandnes, In- and his first Olympic medal gebrigtsen’s hometown on in what has been a challengNorway’s west coast, gath- ing road to Tokyo for the ered outside the stadium Kenyan.

The 25-year-old missed where he has run thousands of laps since he was a boy, the cut to compete in the cheering and screaming with Games after finishing fourth in the Kenyan trials and only joy.

His brother Henrik, a made the team after one of fellow athlete, told local TV the qualified runners was that Ingebrigtsen had run a dropped for not meeting World Athletics anti-doping perfect race.

“The way he did it was testing requirements.

Cheruiyot said he was stunning. He took control pleased about the result, from the start,” he said.

Cheruiyot, the 2019 although he struggled near world champion and this the end.

“My performance was good, well-controlled. We ran good times in an Olympics. And I’m happy about the results of the day,” he said. “In the last 100 metres, I was feeling tired. I was feeling my right hamstring so I didn’t manage to run to the finish line fast.”

He congratulated the victor Ingebrigtsen.

“This is the first time Jakob beat me – in a big event, at the Olympics. I know he was well-prepared and I’m happy for him,” he said.

Edinburgh-born Kerr delivered Britain’s first men’s 1500m Olympic medal in 33 years, shaving almost three seconds off his personal best.

He is now second only to Mo Farah, who won gold in the 5 000m and 10 000m at the 2012 and 2016 Games, in the British all-time rankings, posting a quicker time than the illustrious trio of Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram.

“I’m blown away. This has been a hard championship for me with the first round not going great,” the 23-year-old Kerr said. “I had to go home, recalibrate and come out fighting for every step.”

Paris St-Germain in talks with Argentine Messi after leaving Barcelona

By Simon Stone

PARIS St-Germain (PSG) are in talks with Lionel Messi’s representatives about the Argentina forward joining the Ligue 1 club following his Barcelona exit.

BBC Sport has been told the Messi camp contacted PSG on Thursday once it became clear Barcelona were unable to honour the contract they had agreed.

Further talks are taking place on Saturday amid increasing confidence a deal can be put together.

Barca say Messi will give a news conference on Sunday at 11:00 BST. On Thursday, the Catalan club said Messi, a free agent, would not stay at the club.

They blamed “financial and structural obstacles” for the player leaving after 21 years.

On Friday, Barca president Joan Laporta said keeping Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years.

Messi, 34, has been a free agent since 1 July when his contract expired. He had agreed a new five-year contract on reduced wages - but the club still had to slash their wage bill to afford him, and were unable to do so.

The Argentina captain is Barcelona’s record scorer

Chelsea close to sealing Lukaku deal

CHELSEA are close to sealing a deal to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku for a club-record fee of £97.5m from Inter Milan.

Despite saying earlier in the summer he was happy to stay with the Italian champions, the 28-year-old Belgian reversed his stance this week and told Inter that he wanted to join Chelsea if the right offer was received.

The deal would be just short of the £100m British record that Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish on Thursday.

Some details are still to be resolved, but provided there are no unexpected problems, Lukaku will return to the club where he spent three seasons from 2011, although two of those seasons were spent on loan at West Brom and Everton.

Romelu Lukaku scored 47 goals in 72 Srie A appearances.

A return to Stamford Bridge this summer will come seven years after he left the west London club for Everton on a permanent deal in 2014.

He almost re-joined them again in 2017, but instead opted to sign for Manchester United for an initial £75m.

If Chelsea now pay £97.5m to get him back, that will mean two of the top six fees paid for a player in

British football have been for Lukaku.

Lukaku scored 47 goals in 72 Serie A appearances over two seasons at the San Siro, helping Inter to a first league title since 2010 last term.

He initially moved to Chelsea from Anderlecht as an 18-year-old a decade ago but scored just one goal in 15 games over three seasons before being sold to Everton for £28m.

He scored 53 goals in 110 Premier League appearances for the Toffees after that, with United then making him the second most expensive player in British football history when they signed him in July 2017.

Two years later, having scored 42 goals in 96 games for United, he joined Inter for a club-record £74m.

Lukaku, who is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer with 64 goals, became the third most expensive buy in Italian history and is now poised to be the most expensive player ever sold by a Serie A club.

Chelsea had been heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland earlier in the summer, but the German club ruled out selling the 21-year-old Norwegian this summer.(BBC Sport)

Lionel Messi on holiday this month with PSG’s Neymar, Paredes, Di Maria and VerratiLionel.

with 672 goals and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys, as well as claiming the Ballon d’Or on a record six occasions.

On Saturday Barca boss Ronald Koeman said he wished Messi the best.

Writing on Twitter, Koeman said: “Still hard to understand that you will not play for FC Barcelona anymore.

“Thanks for everything you have done for our club Leo. I really enjoyed the full season we worked together.

“I am impressed with your work ethic and desire to win. It makes you the best player in the world. For now, I wish you and your family the best!”

It is felt Messi is comfortable with the idea of joining PSG, given he knows a number of their players already.

Neymar played at Barcelona from 2013-2017 before his world record £200m move to PSG, and Messi remains close to the Brazilian. (BBC Sport)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Gracious Shelly says Paris 2024 not in her plans

TOKYO, Japan – She is easily one of the most decorated female sprinters in modern history and, for many, must be included in any greatest- of-all-time conversation.

But, like everything in life, there comes an end, and for all intents and purposes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran her last individual race as an Olympian on Tuesday night in the women’s 200m final, where she finished in fourth place and just off the medals podium in a decent 21.94 seconds.

Quizzed about whether she harboured any thoughts of a return to Paris in three years’ time, Fraser-Pryce was emphatic.

“No, I’m not,” she said.

“As I said, God has been good, I’ve had an amazing career and I think, for me, I really hoped that corona [virus pandemic] didn’t happen because this year’s World Championships in Oregon would have been it.

“So, I’m mentally preparing myself to see what next year would bring, because I would definitely love to have my family, all my family, to Portland for the World Championships,” declared Fraser-Pryce during a mixed zone press interview.

And, while disappointed not to have earned a higher place in the final, she was more than gracious in defeat.

“I believe that as athletes our emotions are what make us real and relatable and I think I was disappointed in the 100 mainly because I felt that I didn’t run the best race and that cost me.

“And, as an athlete you want to make sure that every time you step on the line, technically, you are running your best race to give yourself the best chance.

“Whenever I step on the line, always the intention is I’m going to the line for first, and it means you have to execute a certain way to get that and I think, as I said, no excuse, because at the championships you just have to be ready regardless.”

The highly decorated 34-year-old mother explained what happed in the 100m final and what she had hoped for in Tuesday’s longer sprint.

“I don’t know what happened on the first stride and instead of holding my phase, I just rushed through the phase. But, with disappointments come learning lessons, so you take the lesson and you move on.

“I was hoping to come

The highly decorated Shelly –Ann Fraser- Pryce to the 200 and to have a good race, and I think even though I finished outside of the medals and I’m not going to be standing on the podium, I still think I ran a good race and I cannot take that away

from myself. I think I was competitive in the race and I’m proud of that.”

A two-time Olympics gold medallist, four-time Olympics silver medallist, and one-time Olym-

Olympics boxing

pics bronze medallist, Fraser-Pryce, who like Elaine Thompson-Herah, has run six races in the first five days at the Games, wants rest before refreshing herself ahead of contesting the 4x100m relay.

She says unless it’s absolutely unavoidable, she will not participate in Thursday morning’s heat.

“I don’t think so, unless I have to and it’s a situation where there’s nothing else to do, then I’ll find the strength and the guts to do it, but I’ll definitely want to be rested, because that 200, especially that two 200 on one day, was a killer, but I’m hoping that we can get it together for the 4x1, but first we have to qualify for the finals and give ourselves a very good chance because we have a very good chance and then get the baton around in the best possible way and whatever works for us in assembling the team and hoping that everything works out.”

And being as gracious in victory as in defeat, Fraser-Pryce, dubbed Mummy Rocket or Pocket Rocket, spared a thought for her rival’s, Thompson-Herah, successes here.

“That’s impressive, and repeating at any champion-

ships is impressive and to run 21.5 in a finals is also impressive, so hats off to Elaine and the team [coaching staff] for putting together that effort.

“I mean, as I said, I’m not on the podium, but I’m excited that Jamaica got to retain that title once more.”

And just as Shelly-Ann was about to begin her interview with the Jamaican reporter crew here in Tokyo, an excited American female athlete couldn’t resist touching her to get her attention just to say “hi”.

The Jamaican star enjoyed the moment and strongly believes that her resilience and perseverance have indeed transcended Jamaican borders.

“I definitely think it means the world to inspire all athletes, because sooner or later everybody is going to turn 30, somebody is going to be a mother, somebody is going to take a year off and I’m glad that I’m able to show the world that it’s possible to come back and get a medal, run fast, throw far, jump high, so I’m glad that I’m able to give that inspiration to other athletes,” she said. (Jamaica Observer)

Sousa’s last-gasp knockout earns Brazil gold, historic win for Turkey

By Martin Petty

TOKYO (Reuters) - Unheralded Brazilian Hebert Sousa clawed back from an almost certain defeat with a stunning late knockout on Saturday to win an Olympic title, while Busenaz Surmeneli prevailed in a battle of wills to land Turkey’s first-ever boxing gold medal.

With about 90 seconds left in the middleweight final, Sousa made an astonishing split-second turnaround, launching a powerful left that sent world champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak to the floor and sparked wild Brazilian celebrations.

Khyzhniak had a clear advantage with quick and big punches but Sousa, who had no championship titles to his name, fought hard to

stay in the match and was as surprised as anyone when his opponent hit the canvas.

“I got lucky, I connected and it was a knockout,” he said.

“I don’t have that many knockouts, but I train for it a lot.”

Sousa did not wait for the referee’s decision and celebrated immediately, bouncing from corner to corner and screaming down the television cameras after a punch that stunned the Kokugikan arena.

A shaken Khyzhniak got back on his feet, staggering, and did everything to prove he was fit to fight on, his words to the referee drowned out by Brazilian cheers.

“I didn’t understand the decision,” said Khyzhniak, adding the punch was not that hard.

“It’s not that I could have continued - I did continue. I got up right away but it was stopped.”

FRENZIED FIGHT

Gold Medalist Hebert Sousa of Brazil holds up his medal during the Victory Ceremony for the men’s middleweight at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on Saturday.

Tu r k e y ’s S u r m e n e l i trailed in the first round of an exciting women’s welterweight final with China’s Gu Hong but came back strongly in the second, the two embroiled in frenzies of close-range roundhouses and erratic punches.

Surmeneli let out a euphoric yell after a second round she knew she had won, staring down Gu as she headed for her corner before a last round that could have gone either way.

“I am just a pioneer and this medal is for all Turkey,” she said after a win she had promised her late grandfather.

“That’s why I was so

emotional,” she said. “I know that he’s watching me.”

There were dominant displays in the flyweight finals, with Galal Yafai winning Britain’s first boxing gold since London 2012 and Stoyka Zhelyazkova Krasteva becoming the first Bulgarian woman to win an Olympic boxing crown.

Yafai held off tenacious Filipino Carlo Paalam in the men’s match but was always the stronger boxer, fighting on the front foot and combining accuracy and composure to stay on top.

Yafai sent the Filipino to the floor in the first round with a fierce left to the chin that prompted a thunderous roar from the British team, but Paalam recovered fast and fought hard for what could have been the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic boxing gold medal.

“I’m just so determined to win,” said Yafai, whose gold put Britain’s second in the boxing medals table behind powerhouse Cuba on the penultimate day.

“I’ve just got the heart and desire to win and that worked for me.”

A two-times runner-up in world championships, Krasteva, 35, finally got her gold, showing her experience across the three rounds to deny Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu.

Cakiroglu trailed after the first round and switched tactics to try to reverse the advantage but Krasteva, who came out of retirement in 2018, stayed strong to hold her off.

“It was the right decision,” she said of her comeback.

“This is what I have always wanted, an Olympic gold medal.”

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Root’s superb 109, Bumrah’s 5-64 set up intriguing final day at Trent Bridge

JOE Root stroked a century of the highest class to give England hope of beating India in a see-saw first Test at Trent Bridge.

On a compelling, thrilling and competitive fourth day, captain Root was magnificent in making 109.

With Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence chipping in, England - who at one stage looked in danger of being beaten with a day to spare reached 303 in their second innings, setting India 209 to win.

Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah ran through the lower order with the second new ball to take 5-64 and finish with match figures of 9-110.

India were given an hour to bat and looked set to come through unscathed before Stuart Broad had KL Rahul caught behind for 26.

There was still time for Rohit Sharma to survive a tense England review as India closed on 52-1, needing another 157 for victory.

SUPER SATURDAY SETS UP TRENT BRIDGE THRILLER There have been times in this match when England looked floored - when they were bowled out for 183 in the first innings, when India reached 205-5 in response and when England found themselves 46-2 on the fourth morning.

However, thanks to the

hope is that this absorbing contest can be played to a conclusion.

Joe Root celebrates his excellent century for England against India at Trent Bridge. (Getty Images)

Jasprit Bumrah ran through England’s lower order with the second new ball to take 5-64. sheer brilliance of Root, they home fans. Curran duelled are still in the contest going with Mohammed Siraj, while into what could be a grand- Kohli went face-to-face with stand final day.

Ollie Robinson.

On top of Root’s knock, As India began their a packed Trent Bridge was chase, the growing gloom treated to the skill of Bumrah added to the drama, play and the shots of Curran and seemingly always on the Bairstow. Even Sibley’s vigil verge of being suspended unwas strangely satisfying. til the sun appeared for Broad There were moments of to remove Rahul. pure theatre. As India burned Rain is forecast for totheir final review in a desper- day, but it was also due to ate bid to remove Root, Virat spoil what turned out to be Kohli was taunted by the a memorable Saturday. The

REMARKABLE ROOT DOES IT AGAIN For much of 2021, Root has almost single-handedly carried England’s flimsy batting. This was more of the same, a captain’s knock that altered their course from defeat to an outside chance of victory.

When Root arrived, England were still 49 behind, yet he instantly changed the tempo with flowing cover drives and urgent running.

He added 89 with Sibley, who twice could have been run-out and overturned an lbw in his 28 from 133 balls. Bairstow, with 30, Lawrence’s 25 and a punchy 32 from Curran provided further support.

When Root drove down the ground to reach his 21st Test century, it sparked prolonged and emotional celebrations, with the Yorkshireman signalling to wife Carrie and beating his chest in the direction of the vocal England fans.

Root fell in Bumrah’s first over with the second new ball, sparking a final England slide of four wickets for 29 runs.

He left to a rapturous ovation, with everyone inside Trent Bridge knowing they had witnessed one great Test innings. (BBC Sport)

Holder embracing the Royals brand (CMC)-Captain Jason Holder says he is keen on ensuring the continued success of Barbados Royals, after the Bridgetown-based Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise was rebranded last week.

The franchise, two-time CPL champions, have been known as Barbados Tridents since the tournament’s inception in 2013.

However, Royals Sports Group which owns Indian Premier League franchise, Rajasthan Royals, have bought a controlling stake in what was formerly Tridents and have rebranded the outfit.

“I’m really excited about the partnership with Royals [and] I’m sure the guys are looking forward to it as well.

We can’t wait to start our campaign in St Kitts,” said Holder, who is currently on West Indies duty against Pakistan.

“The last time we would’ve played there [in St Kitts] as the Barbados Tridents we would’ve been victorious so I’m looking forward to the prospects ahead.”

The United States-based CMG Companies, headed by Manish Patel, led a consortium of local and international investors in the acquisition of Tridents in 2019.

The move followed a turbulent period for the franchise under former Indian billionaire businessman, Vijay Mallya.

And Royals Sports Group chairman, and lead owner

Barbados Royals captain Jason Holder of Rajasthan Royals, Manoj Badale, said the Caribbean franchise would become a key part of the Royals global brand.

“We are delighted to have

signed this deal with Manish Patel, to acquire a majority stake in the Barbados CPL franchise,” Badale said.

“We are extremely grateful to the Barbados government for their continued support, and we look forward to making a positive impact on both cricket and tourism for the country.

“We have ambitious plans for the Royals brand globally, and this is an important strategic step.”

Tridents won their first CPL title in 2014 in a rain-hit final in St Kitts and captured their second crown in 2019 when they again beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final staged in Trinidad and Tobago.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings INDIA 1st innings Rohit Sharma c Sam Curran b Ollie Robinson 36 Lokesh Rahul c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 84 Cheteshwar Pujara c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 4 Virat Kohli c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 0 Ajinkya Rahane run-out Jonny Bairstow 5 Rishabh Pant c Jonny Bairstow b Ollie Robinson 25 Ravindra Jadeja c Stuart Broad b Ollie Robinson 56 Shardul Thakur c Joe Root b James Anderson 0 Mohammed Shami b Ollie Robinson

13 Jasprit Bumrah c Stuart Broad b Ollie Robinson 28 Mohammed Siraj not out 7 Extras: (b-6, lb-6, nb-8) 20 Total: (all out, 84.5 overs) 278 Fall of wickets: 1-97, 2-104, 3-104, 4-112, 5-145, 6-205, 7-205, 8-232, 9-245.

Bowling: James Anderson 23-8-54-4, Stuart Broad 20-3-70-0 (nb-3), Ollie Robinson 26.5-6-85- 5 (nb-3), Sam Curran 15-257-0 (nb-2).

ENGLAND 2nd innings Rory Burns c Rishabh Pant b Mohammed Siraj 18 Dominic Sibley c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 28 Zak Crawley c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 6 Joe Root c Rishabh Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 109 Jonny Bairstow c Ravindra Jadeja b Mohammed Siraj 30 Dan Lawrence lbw Shardul Thakur

25 Jos Buttler b Shardul Thakur 17 Sam Curran c Mohammed Siraj b Jasprit Bumrah 32 Ollie Robinson c Ajinkya Rahane b Mohammed Shami 15 Stuart Broad b Jasprit Bumrah

0 James Anderson not out

0 Extras: (b-5, lb-2, nb-10 w-6) 23 Total: (all out, 85.5 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-46, 3-135, 4-177, 5-211, 6-237, 7-274, 8-295, 9-295.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 19-2-64-5 (w-1, nb-7), Mohammed Siraj 25-3-84-2 (nb-1), Mohammed Shami 15.5-172-1 (w-1), Shardul Thakur 13-1-37-2 (nb-1), Ravindra Jadeja 13-3-39-0 (nb-1)..

INDIA 2nd innings Lokesh Rahul c Jos Buttler b Stuart Broad 26 Rohit Sharma not out 12 Cheteshwar Pujara not out 12 Extras: (lb-1, nb-1) 2 Total: (one wkt, 14.0 overs) 52 Fall of wicket: 1-34.

Bowling: James Anderson 5-1-12-0, Stuart Broad 5-1-18-1, Ollie Robinson 4-0-21-0 (nb-1).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 08, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Desmond Haynes-152* (Bourda, 1989) (2) Virender Sehwag-219 (Indore, 2011)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI bowler has captured most ODI wickets against IND to date?

(2) Which IND player has claimed most ODI wickets against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday, August 8, 2021

Athletes, Associations benefit from NSC support SEVERAL athletes and associations were beneficiaries of the National Sports Commission’s generosity, following a request for funding towards various up-coming competitions and programmes.

Led by Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and Chairman Kashif Muhammad, the NSC made presentations to the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation ($1.6M), Guyana Badminton Association ($900 000), Youth Basketball Guyana ($500 000) and Guyana Table Tennis Association ($1M for Chelsea Edghill).

The GBBFF’s assistance is towards their seven athletes’ participation at the August 11-16 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships, which will be hosted in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Badminton’s request is to assist the Ramdhani siblings, Priyanna and Narayan, in training for future tournaments in Canada.

Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), the organisation that has established itself as the custodian/preserver of Schools basketball, had engaged the NSC for funding towards its return-to-play countrywide programme.

Ninvalle said the NSC, since the installation of the six-member commission by Minister Charles Ramson Jr, has been working hard behind the scenes to meet the needs of several athletes and associations.

However, the recent support, Ninvalle noted, is just the beginning.

“We’ve just started, but

The fight will take place in Yerbossynuly’s home country of Kazakhstan.

Yerbossynuly is the WBC Asian Boxing Council, WBA International and WBO Global Super Middleweight titles holder.

By Sudipto Ganguly and Omar Mohammed TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - The United States men’s team won their first gold on the track at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday, clinching the 4x400 metres relay by a huge margin to end a drought that had sparked fierce criticism back home.

The American men were bidding to avoid the ignominy of not winning a gold on the track for the first time in the Games’ 125-year history - barring their boycott year in 1980 - and they left it to the very last event.

The U.S. team of Michael Cherry, Michael Norman, Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin took the lead early and surged ahead of their challengers to take victory in a season’s best 2:55.70.

Netherlands took the silver medal in a national record time of 2:57.18 and Botswana claimed the bronze.

Ryan Crouser, who retained his shot put title on Thursday, was the only gold medallist for the American men in track and field until yesterday’s race.

The performance by the U.S. men’s track team drew crit-

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, along with the associations and athletes who benefitted there’s a lot more work to do, but we want to make sure that whatever little that we’ve done, we are able to justify why we have been supporting. It is not done by one person, we have a team of people working; so we pool our ideas and we’re also listening to the associations,” Ninvalle said.

According to the Director of Sport, the NSC will not be looking at how things used to be, but rather how they can ensure that sport doesn’t return to a state of despair.

Ninvalle is encouraging all sport associations to reach out to the NSC for a frank discussion on their needs and how the Commission can

play a part in helping to see them forward.

Guyana was represented by seven athletes at the Tokyo Olympics and while their performances didn’t yield any medals or near-podium finishes, Ninvalle said the National Sports Commission was proud of their efforts and was happy to support the realisation of their Olympic dreams.

The country’s Director of Sport said the NSC has taken notice of the various athletes’ reflection of their plight and the need for support.

“This Commission is very cognisant of some of the hardships that the athletes would have gone through. So

this Commission understands what is happening and we would take a collective approach in order to alleviate some of the burdens that the athletes go through,” said Ninvalle He said the NSC will be working with all the various sports associations and advocating groups to help revamp, highlight and advance sports in Guyana.

Prior to the Olympic Games, the athletes representing Guyana each received $200 000 from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport for spending in Tokyo, as well as financial assistance towards their preparation.

Lennox `Too Sharp’ Allen to fight on September 12 GUYANA’S Lennox Allen will face Aidos Yerbossynuly on September 12 for a shot at the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim Super Middleweight World Title.

U.S. men finally end gold drought with 4x 400 metres relay triumph

The 29-year-old is undefeated in 15 outings, with ten of those wins coming by Knockout (KO).

Allen, 36, is a former WBA Super Middleweight gold title-holder, having defeated Derrick Webster in 2019 via Unanimous Decision.

However, the Guyanese had vacated the title last year (2020) for a shot at the WBA

Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen

Super Middleweight World Title against Cuban, David Morrell.

Allen would pick up his first defeat in professional boxing against Morrell after the judges unanimously scored the fight in his opposition’s favour.

In 24 fights, Allen has racked up an impressive 22 wins (15 by KO), one loss and a draw.

USA grab the gold of men’s 4x400 m relay. icism from big names of American athletics, including Carl Lewis, the nine-time Olympic gold medallist, who described some of the performances as “total embarrassment”.

The win yesterday, a season’s best performance, helped to end the barren run as they finished ahead of the Dutch and Botswana who produced an African record to grab bronze, only the country’s second Olympic medal in any sport.

“We ran another national record again today. We gave it all. So I cannot blame the guys, they ran well,” Botswana’s Isaac Makwala told reporters. “We were just good tonight.”

Ramsey Angela of the Netherlands came storming down the home straight to pip Botswana to the silver medal in a national record time.

His compatriot Liemarvin Bonevacia was ecstatic about the Netherlands winning their first Olympic medal in the event.

“This is history. It’s the first time we have made it to the final and to make it onto the podium is amazing,” he said.

“I cannot explain what this means. I was born in Curacao, a really small island in the Caribbean. Now I represent Netherlands and I do that with all my heart.

We were screaming like crazy.”

32 32

GUYANA SUNDAY CHRONICLE, CHRONICLE SATURDAY Sunday, AUGUST August 7, 8, 2021

Chopra wins historic javelin gold for India See page 25

Neeraj Chopra’s best throw of 87.58 metres claimed a historic first Olympic athletics gold medal for India.

Hassan wins 10,000m gold for third Tokyo medal

By Sudipto Ganguly TOKYO (Reuters) -Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan secured a second title and third medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, showing her blistering pace down the home straight to win the women’s 10,000 metres.

The 28-year-old Ethiopian-born Hassan, world champion over 1,500m and 10,000m, won the 5,000m title and picked up bronze in the 1,500m in her bid for an unprecedented treble in Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan secured a second title and third medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Cont’d on page 25

Eleven medals for Felix as stellar U.S. team take 4x400m glory

See page 25

Team USA was dominant in winning the 4x400-meter gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Athletes, Associations benefit from NSC support Printed And Published By Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See page 31

| Sunday, August 8th, 2021