Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-07-2021

FRIDAY 9thJuly, 2021

' No.106416

U.S. commended for re-joining Paris Agreement on Climate Change –– President Ali says nations share common goals, and a strong, healthy relationship

SEE PAGE 03

Health 02 Ministry to get US$1.8M to boost ICUs PAGE

Duo to be charged for fire at GECOM’s 02 Linden office –– claims they were paid $150,000 PAGE

PM reaffirms 13 Guyana’s commitment to partnership with France PAGE

HERE’S TO PARTNERSHIPS! President Dr. Irfaan Ali and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch share a toast to the 245th Anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the strong, healthy and prosperous advancement of both nations (Office of the President photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Health Ministry to get US$1.8M to boost ICUs

By Jared Liddell

THE Ministry of Health is set to receive a US$1.8M grant from the Global Fund to enhance Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the country, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has disclosed.

Speaking during his COVID-19 update on Thursday, the minister said that the Global Fund is an international organisation that supports programmes run by local experts to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics. Noting the effects of the COVIID-19 pandemic, the Global Fund in 2020 made available applications for grants to aid in the fight against the deadly disease.

Minister Anthony noted that government having collaborated with the organisation in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, applied for funding about a month ago and recently received confirmation of the grant which will be used to compliment the resources at the regional health facilities across the country.

“As of this year the Global Fund opened a special window where countries can apply

for a specific COVID-19 grant and we started that application about a month ago and we have put it in an some two days ago. Guyana has been very successful, they have written to us acknowledging that our proposal had been successful and so they will be funding us for the things that we have requested,” he stated.

He explained that one of the major undertakings from the grant will be the procurement of ventilators and monitors to ensure that all ICU patients have the necessary resources to recover from the virus.

At July 07, 2021, the Health Ministry indicated that 15 persons were receiving treatment at the ICU at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, for COVID-19.

Minister Anthony noted the necessity of ICUs when treating patients who are experiencing severe symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, especially those who are experiencing respiratory issues and would need the aid of respirators to strengthen their breathing.

He noted that already the Health Ministry has expanded the ICU at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater

Georgetown to accommodate 10 more beds.

The hospital currently has 25 beds.

Minister Anthony said that while government hopes that the time would never come where all the units have to be filled, it is still pertinent to be prepared for any potential surge that may occur.

Minister Anthony further noted that it is along these lines of increased capacity that the ministry had applied for the grant, to compliment the resources currently in the hospitals.

He highlighted that not all of the patients could be brought from their regions to the National Infectious Diseases Hospital in Region Four, and as such, strategic steps have been taken to ensure that adequate resources are provided to the regional health centres.

“One of the things we have asked the Global Fund for are resources to ensure that in all our regional hospitals that we enhance our ICU capability.

It would assist us in procuring monitors and ventilators and create a space in each one of the regional hospitals so that we could manage patients with severe

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony COVID so we are expecting US$1.8M over the next couple of months to be able to do these activities,” the Health Minister stated.

Duo to be charged for fire at GECOM’s Linden office –– claims they were paid $150,000

THE Guyana Police Force on Thursday made a breakthrough in its investigations surrounding the setting of a fire at the Guyana Elections Commission ( GECOM) building at Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden, on July 14, 2020.

According to the police, Teon February, called “Nut”, a 23-year-old labourer of Canvas City, Wismar, and Marlon Hunter, called “Bushy”, a 21-year-old of Silver Town, Wismar were arrested in relation to the said matter and others. Both February and Hunter will be charged for the arson.

The police release further stated in a release that February, during a video interview conducted on July 7, 2020 at about 18:00 hours, admitted his involvement in the setting of the fire, in that he reported-

ly said that he was contacted by a resident of Wismar on the night of July 13, 2020 regarding the burning of the building.

The suspect allegedly said that he asked Hunter, who’s his cousin, to join him, and on the night in question, sometime after 22:00 hours, the Wismar resident picked them up in a silver Toyota Note motorcar and took them to Burnham Drive where the building was pointed out.

The police in its release said that February claimed that the Wismar resident told him that he wanted the building set on fire the same night, and that they would receive $150,000 on completion of the task.

The Wismar resident reportedly gave the cousins a yellow five-gallon bottle of gasoline, which he had in his

car trunk at the time and left.

February allegedly said they hid the ‘gas’ in some nearby bushes a short distance from the GECOM building and went home.

He said that at around midnight on July 14, 2020, he and his cousin returned to the location on foot and retrieved the ‘gas’, and thereafter, entered the compound from a side gate and later gained access to the GECOM building from the back door.

February allegedly told the police that once inside the building, he and his cousin went to what appeared to be a storeroom in the upper flat of the building, and that after throwing the gas around the room and lighting a fire, there was an explosion, which caused them to receive burns to their feet.

February said they escaped the scene, and went home, using the same route they took to get to the building. On their arrival home, three relatives were there, and they were informed about what had transpired. One family member assisted them with tending to the burns. The same night, the Wismar resident reportedly went to the cousins’ home where $75,000 was handed to February, who later gave the money to Hunter.

The following morning, the Wismar resident reportedly handed over the remaining $75,000. After that date, February said he saw the man several times, but he did not say anything about the incident. He added that the man told him that the reason for burning the building was because GECOM was taking too

Teon February, called ‘Nut’

long to swear in Mr. David Granger.

Marlon Hunter was next interviewed on camera, and he supported the story told by February. Investigations are in progress.

The man who hired them was arrested on Thursday,

Marlon Hunter, called ‘Bushy’

and is assisting the police with their investigation.

The police indicated in the release that investigators are also pursuing an official in Linden, who is said to be the intellectual author behind the burning of the building.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

U.S. commended for re-joining Paris Agreement on Climate Change –– President Ali says nations share common goals, and a strong, healthy relationship

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has issued commendations to his United States (U.S.) counterpart, Joe Biden, for the country’s decision to re-join the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and for committing to the reduction of greenhouse emissions by 50 per cent by the year 2030.

Dr. Ali was at the time addressing a function hosted to commemorate ‘Fourth of July,’ an iconic celebration that marks the 245th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

“Guyana looks forward to working closely with the Government of the United States, to build a more resilient and sustainable postCOVID-19 future and to combat and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change,” the Head of State told those gathered at the official residence of Sarah-Ann Lynch, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana.

In November 2020, under the Donald Trump administration, the U.S. had become the first nation in the world to formally withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement which was crafted in 2015, with the commitment of over 200 countries to tackle global warming and significantly cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

According to a press statement issued by the Office of the President, Dr. Ali also utilised the forum to acknowledge the role that the U.S. had played in safeguarding Guyana’s democracy during the infamous 2020 General and Regional Elections.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali share a moment with his wife, Mrs. Arya Ali and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch (left) The Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces also expressed his gratitude for the North American nation’s support in safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity. He drew specific reference to Guyana being host to Operations Tradewinds 2021, a collaborative effort between Guyana, the U.S. and several other nations across the region.

The 36th iteration of Tradewinds, a 13-country, three-week tactical training, saw the participation of 350 ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force

(GDF) who benefitted from training in various military skills, including close-quarters combat.

Local ranks were also trained in marksmanship; emergency medical evacuation; search-andrescue and recovery responses and mechanical and engineering repairs for both air and water transportation, among other areas.

Dr. Ali was quoted as saying that the tactical exercise was a demonstration of the shared commitment between Guyana and the U.S. to partner in the face of shared challenges, and in pursuit of common

goals.

“That is what Guyana and the United States share, a strong, healthy, respectful and valuable relationship,” President Ali posited, as he credited the U.S. Ambassador for her “veracity and impartiality.”

“We must celebrate the relationship between the United States Embassy here in Guyana led so well by Ambassador Sarah Ann-Lynch and the Government and people of Guyana.

We want to thank you for your strong, resilient and faithful leadership…one in which you have led with great

integrity,” President Ali posited.

The Head of State also used the occasion to highlight some of the many achievements by the Guyanese Diaspora in the U.S., pointing to the fact that their contributions have added to the overall development of the North American nation.

“The recent co-naming of the corner of Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard of Liberty Avenue in Queens, New York to ‘Little Guyana,’ is both recognition and an acknowledgement of the contributions which Guyanese have made to

the development of the State of New York,” President Ali said.

He noted too that Guyanese have also distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the City of New York. President Ali said that the relationship between Guyana and the U.S. has been strong and valuable, pointing to greater partnerships between the two nations moving forward.

President Ali was also joined by his wife, Mrs. Arya Ali; Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Two Haitian-Americans in custody after president’s killing

–– minister says

HAITIAN police killed four suspects in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and arrested six more, including two Haitian-Americans, a minister said on Thursday, as authorities sought the masterminds behind the killing that stunned the impoverished Caribbean nation.

Moise, 53, was shot dead early on Wednesday at his home by what officials said was a commando of apparently foreign, trained killers, pitching the poorest country in the Americas deeper into turmoil amidst political divisions, hunger, and widespread gang violence.

Police Chief Leon Charles said in a televised briefing on Thursday that authorities had tracked down the suspected assassins to a house near the scene of the crime in Pétion-Ville, a northern, hillside suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

A fierce gunfight lasted late into the night on Wednesday, and six suspects were taken into custody, while four corpses were retrieved, authorities said.

People walk past a wall with a mural depicting Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse, after he was shot dead by unidentified attackers in his private residence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (REUTERS/Robenson Sanon) Officers were heavily pa- authorities, to discuss how ities apprehend the killers. trolling the area from early the United States could pro- But interim Prime Minister on Thursday. vide assistance. A State De- Claude Joseph said on Thurs“We have the physical partment spokesman, how- day it was time for the econauthors; now we are looking ever, could not confirm if a omy to reopen, and that he for the intellectual authors,” U.S. citizen was among those had given instructions for the Charles said. detained. airport to restart operations.

Two Haitian-Americans Officials in mostly Officials have not given were among those detained, French and Creole-speaking a motive for the killing so Haiti’s Minister of Elections Haiti had said on Wednesday far. Since he took office and Interparty Relations, that the assassins appeared to in 2017, Moïse had faced Mathias Pierre told Reuters. have spoken in English and mass protests against his He identified one of them as Spanish. rule, first over corruption James Solages, a U.S. citizen A crowd of locals gath- allegations and his manageof Haitian descent, but did ered on Thursday morning ment of the economy, then not name the other. to watch the police operation over his increasing grip on The U.S. State Depart- unfold, with some setting power. ment said it was in regular fire to the suspects’ cars, and contact with Haitian offi- the house where they had VACUUM OF POWER cials, including investigative hunkered down. Bullets were Moïse’s death has genstrewn in the street. erated confusion about who “Burn them!” shouted is the legitimate leader of some of the hundreds of the country of 11 million people who gathered outside people, which shares the the police station where the island of Hispaniola with suspects were being held. the Dominican Republic.

Charles said the local That does not bode well population had helped police in a nation that has struggled track down the suspects, but to achieve stability since the he implored residents in the fall of the Duvalier dynastic sprawling seafront city of dictatorship in 1986, grapone million people not to pling with a series of coups take justice into their own and foreign interventions. hands.

A U.N. peacekeeping A 15-day state of emer- mission, meant to restore orgency was declared on der after a rebellion toppled Wednesday, to help author- then-President Jean-Bertrand

Friday July 9, 2021 –– 03:30hrs - 05:00hrs

Aristide in 2004, ended in 2019 with the country still in disarray.

“I can picture a scenario under which there are issues regarding to whom the armed forces and national police are loyal, in the case there are rival claims to being placeholder president of the country,” Ryan Berg, an analyst with the Center for Strategic & International Studies, said.

Haiti’s 1987 Constitution stipulates that the head of the supreme court should take over. But amendments that are not unanimously recognised state that it be the Prime Minister, or, in the last year of a president’s mandate, like in the case of Moïse, the parliament should elect a president.

Brian Concannon, an executive director at Project Blueprint, a collaboration of human rights experts, said Moïse’s government had left Haiti’s democratic institutions weakened before the current crisis struck.

“There has been no parliament for 17 months. The judiciary is effectively neutralized; the police force is politicised and divided, all local elected positions are vacant. Journalists and civil society actors feel intimidated,” he said.

Adding further complications, the head of the supreme court died last month, due to COVID-19, amid a surge in infections in one of the few countries yet to start a vaccination campaign.

There is no sitting parliament, as legislative elections scheduled for late 2019 were postponed amid political unrest. And Moïse had just this week appointed a new Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, to take over from Joseph, although he had yet to be sworn in when the president

was killed.

Joseph appeared on Wednesday to take charge of the situation, running the government’s response to the assassination, appealing to foreign governments for support, and declaring a state of emergency.

Henry, who is considered more favourably by the opposition, told the Haitian newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, that he did not consider Joseph the legitimate Prime Minister anymore, and he should revert to the role of Foreign Minister.

“I think we need to speak.

Claude was supposed to stay in the government I was going to have,” Henry was quoted as saying.

The United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti on Thursday said Joseph would remain leader until an election was held, urging all parties to set aside their differences.

Moïse, backed by the international community, had been pushing to hold both elections and a constitutional referendum in September, efforts that were vehemently opposed by Haitian civil society.

Civil society actors said elections under his one-man rule, amid so much gang violence, could not be free and fair. They had pushed instead for a transitional government, and denounced Moïse’s constitutional reform as part of a power grab.

“There are many unknowns about what happens next,” said Jake Johnston, a senior research associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington.

“But it is important to remember that that was also the case before the assassination of Moïse.”

(Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

30 adolescent mothers graduate from re-integration programme in Region One

SOME 30 adolescent mothers in Region One (Barima–Waini) are now equipped with skills in cookery to gain employment or to become entrepreneurs in the field.

This was made possible through the Re-integration of Adolescent Mothers into the Education System programme executed by the Ministry of Education.

The programme was coordinated by the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Unit of the ministry and the Carnegie School of Home Economics. It began on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, and concluded on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Speaking during Thursday’s virtual graduation ceremony, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson said that following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the closure of schools across Guyana, the Ministry of Education was cognisant that the education system will lose some students.

He said that, on the guidance of the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, the ministry began looking

for those students with the view to offering them an opportunity that will positively impact their lives.

Dr. Hutson said that re-integrating adolescent mothers into the education system was important since education and training will allow them to enjoy some degree of social mobility.

The CEO extended congratulations to all the students who completed the programme and said that the achievement meant that they have placed themselves on the market for employment.

He reminded the young women that their lives were not determined by the beginnings but by how they take advantage of the opportunities given to advance their development.

According to Dr. Hutson, the programme could not have been possible without properly strategising.

He said that its execution involved the efforts of the Assistant Chief Educaion Officer (HFLE), Carol Benn; National HFLE Coordinator, Colleen King-Cameron; Chief Schools’ Welfare Officer, Gillian Vyphuis and the Carnegie School of Home

The graduates share a moment with National HFLE Coordinator, Colleen King-Cameron; Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley; Regional Executive Officer, Teka Bissessar and Headteacher of the Northwest Secondary School, Corletta Nurse (seated from left to right) Economics through its Principal, Sharmaine Marshall, and Penelope Harris and team.

Dr. Hutson told the 30 mothers that Thursday’s event must serve as a reminder that they were valuable and the achievement must be seen as a testimony that they can be whatever they want to be.

The Regional Chairman of Region One, Brentnol Ashley applauded the programme and said that it aligned with the vision of the Government of Guyana.

Nephew kills uncle, allegedly over plantains A 27-year-old man is now in police custody after he allegedly bludgeoned his 51-year-old uncle, Aubrey Jonas, to death on Wednesday evening.

According to the police, Melroy Moore brutally attacked Jonas following an argument purportedly over the reaping of plantains.

In a recount of what transpired, Jonas’ 23-yearold niece said that the argument started after the suspect entered Jonas’ farmland at Phoenix, Leguan, and reaped the plantains without being granted permission.

The victim’s niece said that after Moore left the farm, Jonas went after him with a cutlass and engaged him.

Jonas reportedly asked the suspect who gave him permission to pick his plantains, to which Moore responded: “You touch dem plantain and yuh gon see whuh gon happen to you!”

At that, the men reportedly get into a heated but short-lived argument which ended with each going their separate ways.

It however transpired that Moore armed himself with a knife and went to the Phoenix Koker and sat,

and as Jonas was walking past him, heading into the village, they started arguing again.

It is alleged that Jonas lashed the suspect with the cutlass he was carrying, which resulted in the suspect going into his mother’s yard, and arming himself with a piece of wood, used it to clobber his uncle in the head. After committing the act, the suspect reportedly made good his escape on foot, while Jonas was picked up by his niece, who had video recorded the incident, and rushed to the

Leguan Cottage Hospital where he succumbed at 16:00hrs while being treated for his injuries.

At around 17:00hrs, the police, acting on information received, located the suspect in an abandoned house in Phoenix, Leguan, and apprehended him after outlining the allegations.

The body of the deceased is presently lying at the Leguan Cottage Hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination. Further police investigations are underway.

He said that the government had committed to providing opportunities to all Guyanese, especially the young population.

“You are given this opportunity of a second chance to better equip yourself not only for motherhood but to be an instrumental and vital player in the country’s development,” the Regional Chairman told the graduates.

He said that following the programme, he hoped the graduates could be role models in their communities

for others to look up to and from whom they could learn.

Marshall said that the graduates have completed 20 hours of training. She said that the CSHE was honoured to be working in partnership with the ministry and looked forward to future collaboration to positively impact the lives of Guyanese.

She told the graduates to be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise and that in whatever they did, they should stay

positive on the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Three of the graduates, Shivonne Nunes, Suda Thomas and Bibi Khan spoke of their experiences during the programme.

They said that it allowed them to sharpen their skills, learn new techniques and make great friends. Each of the 30 graduates received a start-up kit complete with items that will allow them to begin a career in cookery.

They also received a care package.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Political Assassination

THE assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise has sent shockwaves throughout the Caribbean and the world at large.

According to media reports, the President was killed in an attack on his Port-auPrince home in the early hours of Wednesday, July 7, 2001. His wife, First Lady Martine Moise was also seriously injured in the attack and is currently receiving medical attention in the United States.

This is indeed sad news and even though the motive for the killing is still to be fully determined, it is widely believed to be the work of highly trained and armed mercenaries.

Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali has strongly condemned the assassination which he described as ‘a horrific act and a tragedy for Haiti and the Caribbean region as a whole.’ Several other world leaders have condemned the killing, including

United States President Joe Biden, who described the killing as ‘henious and worrisome.’

The brutal and cold-blooded assassination of the late President can only be described as cowardly and must be condemned by all. Such actions have no place in civilised and law-governed societies and no effort should be spared to bring those responsible to justice. So far, security forces in the country have shot dead four suspected killers and captured two others.

Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph described the killing as a hateful, inhumane and barbaric act, and pledged to do everything possible to maintain law and order. He blamed the killing on heavily trained and armed individuals and pledged to do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.

Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Community, having been admitted as the

15th member state on July 2, 2002. It got its independence from France on January 1, 1804, but remains one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. As a country it has experienced over the decades, more than its fair share of political and constitutional trauma. President Moise himself in recent months faced massive and violent protests over his plans to hold a constitutional referendum aimed at strengthening his presidency.

As noted by President Ali, the killing compounded the disquieting political and constitutional crisis in the country and will in no way help to find a solution to the current political impasse in the country. Such murderous actions, he said, are repugnant to the values of the regional integration movement and incompatible with the democratic values and constitutional rule.

The Caribbean, it should be noted, does not have a culture of political assassinations

and regime change through undemocratic and unconstitutional means. Except for a few dark spots, the region by and large has an entrenched culture of democratic rule and political stability. The assassinations of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop of Grenada in 1983 and Dr. Walter Rodney of Guyana under the Forbes Burnham presidency in 1980 continue to remain lasting stains on an otherwise stable and democratic architecture of the Region.

This latest assassination of President Moise will certainly go down as yet another shameful and disgraceful episode in our Caribbean political landscape and, regrettably, another setback for political stability in Haiti.

This is an assault not only on the foundations of democratic and constitutional rule in Haiti, but in the entire Region and must not be allowed to take root.

Guyanese saddened by Dilip Kumar’s death Dear Editor, THE death of Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar is the talk among Indo-Guyanese in the diaspora.

They are very saddened with his passing. He was one of the brightest stars of Indian cinema. He was popular during the 1950s through 1970s along with such actors as Pradeep Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Sunil Dutt, among others. He was taken over by newer actors Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Sanjay Khan and Feroze Khan, among others. His role faded as new and younger stars came into existence.

He began playing father roles in films during the 1980s and 1990s. Guyanese showered accolades on his performance.

He received India’s highest honours and countless awards for his acting, including best film actor award.

The iconic actor passed away on Wednesday at age 98 and was buried the same day

according to Islamic rites. He was undoubtedly the most popular actor in India and in the Indian diaspora. In fact, he was referred to by his fellow actors as “The Actor.” Almost every Bollywood actor (actresses), including the Big B (Amitabh Bachchan), Dharmednra, Hema, Jeetendra, Anil Kapoor, SRK, went on social media paying tribute to him. Politicians (including PM Modi) and cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar showered accolades on the great actor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that “he was a ‘cinematic legend’, blessed with unparalleled brilliance, by which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers.”

He had shared the screen space with countless celebrities during his career spanning over five decades. He was an institution in Bollywood. Everyone who knows of him says his death is heartbreaking.

Guyanese were not left out, with almost

every Guyanese who was born before the 1990s expressing appreciation for his acting skills. He acted in over 100 films, many of which were big hits. Anyone who grew up in an Indian village in Guyana or Trinidad or Suriname or any other diaspora country would be exposed to a staple of Bollywood hits.

Almost every Indian village in Guyana had a cinema showing Indian films. Dilip Kumar was a favourite. Cinemas were usually packed when movies were shown with popular stars like Dilip Kumar. He put in breathtaking performances in movies, according to Guyanese.

And he was held in awe by every film critic.

He was born Yusuf Khan, a Muslim, in Peshawar, Pakistan in 1922 and moved to Mumbai before the division of British India, becoming an actor in the 1940s. He married Saira Bhanu, who acted opposite him in several films. She was a legend in her own right, also a favourite classical dancer among fans.

Kumar, his stage name, remained in India post- division and rose to great heights in

the film industry. Though a Muslim, he was enormously popular among Hindus and film attendees of other faiths. Almost all of his films were Hindu-oriented.

Most Guyanese I spoke with expressed sadness over his passing. They consider him as the greatest actor of all time who appeared on the screen long before Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, and other legends. In fact, he tutored those actors. I remember Dilip Kumar as a child growing up going to repeatedly watch his film “Ram Aur Shyam” in which he played a double role. That film was one of the all-time hits in Guyana, watched multiple times by film enthusiasts.

As Guyanese Bollywood fans noted, he is irreplaceable on the screen. It is the end of an Era in Bollywood.

They will miss him. He will continue to live in their hearts.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Minister Edghill responds to Christopher Jones

I STUMBLED on a social media post purportedly by the Opposition Chief Whip Mr Christopher Jones, alleging “Full Foolishness on Mandela Road Project.”

For the record, the PPP/C Government inherited a failed, mismanaged, non-implementing project when it came to office in August 2020. We re-revived, re-energised and remo-

bilised the contractor, and it’s obvious for all to see the inconveniences that motorists are currently experiencing that work is moving at a pace. I thank Mr Jones for highlighting progress and admiring the successes of the PPP/C in getting this project delivered to the Guyanese people.

A four-lane road must have medians. A

median is intended to provide a uniform barrier to the unsafe openings and is non-discriminatory in nature. All properties, businesses, religious and recreational facilities are treated in the same manner with the installation of the median. They are no exceptions, given that safety to all road users is our number one (1) priority. The online video alleges that there is

some intent to kill the business of Mr James’s Rubis Gas Station.

Mr James wrote the ministry requesting a review of an opening to facilitate his business and users of the post office.

He was engaged by the Ministry of Public Continued on page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Leadership crisis in PNC driving away members

Dear Sir,

WITHIN recent times, we have witnessed not exactly an exodus but a noticeable movement of individuals away from the APNU+AFC Coalition.

And while there may be diverse views and opinions among political scholars and pundits about the reason or cause of these departures from that party, it seems clear to me that certain determinants appear to have influenced and are influencing what is essentially a subtle but direct and deep change in the form and substance of politics in the coalition, in general, and the PNC/R, in particular.

These include: leadership; a new and awakening political consciousness among party members, the push, by some members, for greater internal democracy in the PNC/Coalition; dissatisfaction, on the part of members, about representation by the opposition at the national level; fear of the unknown, and the political strategy of the ruling party, PPP/C. A random search for the key determinants among the aforementioned factors would probably select any one of those elements as a key factor depending on focus of writer. Still, careful examination of them would bring to the fore, leadership, a new and awakening consciousness, and the strategy of the ruling PPP/C for consideration. I would therefore confine my comments to those three factors.

Leadership: Of all the factors that are essential for the growth and development of an organisation, leadership enjoys a prominent position. In fact, there are certain necessary governing rules for effective leadership.

These include availability, influence, vision, visioning, navigation, respect, timing, connection, sacrifice, empowerment and legacy.

In essence, it is the foundation upon which every other part of an organisation rest and the centre of attraction around which all other things revolve; effective leadership could be the difference between defeat and victory.

Without it there can be no coherence, no force. Often, the cultures of political organisations are shaped by the personalities of their leaders. However, in the case of the coalition, there does appear to be a challenge with leadership. My view is based on a number of indicators-- two in particular: Public utterances: Almost everyone and anyone associated with the coalition believes that they have the right to make public statements and judgements about internal and national political and other issues, even when such issues do not warrant attention or comment, call people (including ministers and

state officials) out of their names, and make wild, reckless and irresponsible utterances about anything and everything, sometimes, without first finding out the facts. Some of their remarks have serious consequences for the coalition itself and the progress of our nation. But they do it anyway without let or hinderance and without the thought that they could be sanctioned.

It can be easily argued that an organisation’s communication channel is its critical vulnerability. No effective political leadership would accept a situation in which everyone is saying whatsoever he or she very well pleased. Every word spoken on behalf of the party has to be in sync with the general philosophy, message and thrust of the party.

And, as a matter of course, the party assigns speaking roles to specific individuals under clear guidance and instructions from its leadership. This is so important because if it is found that people who are publicly commenting on events are short on facts then it affects public trust -- a value vital for political success.

Again, the idiom: “Loose lips sink ships” is true. What is also true is loose lips erode public trust and confidence and engender suspicion, mistrust and resentment. Anything less than a well- structured communication plan with all of its components working in the best interest of the party and the people will result in a political jamboree with individuals wrestling one another for media spotlight and personal glory.

No platform for conversation and accurate information for members: Then, there is the undue delay of the party’s congress. It is as if there is a delay and avoidance strategy with this event. One year after national and regional elections, in Guyana, there has been no congress to facilitate retrospection, introspection, mobilisation, vision, visioning, guidance, navigation (charting a new course) encouragement and hope. Congress would provide a platform for members to get answers to questions and to access accurate information about new political realities and their roles and involvement in the new political environment.

How is it possible for this situation to prevail in the face of all that is happening in our country, including the COVID-19 pandemic and its multidimensional impact on the national economy, and adverse weather conditions resulting in flooding in some regions.

The lives and livelihoods of thousands of citizens have been and continue to be severely affected by this flooding.

A deeper more critical problem with this absence of that platform for internal conversation and information is the one on democracy and political ethics. Members are obligated to give the party a new leadership or the old/ new leadership a new mandate. In turn the leaders have the responsibility to adequately represent its people; finding a seat at the national economic table not as spectators or the meal to be consumed, but as purposeful participators.

But if there is no congress then that cannot happen. In the circumstance, internal party democracy is fettered because members are unable to elect leaders of their choice according to their will. It would therefore be hypocritical for those involved to talk about national democracy when it is not practised in the internal affairs of the party. The corollary to that is no one will take the leadership serious if they do not practise with strong conviction the democracy they so fervently preach. In fact, public comments on national issues, even non-political issues, would be of very little effect if the leaders do not settle the internal affairs of the party. And in terms of the wider membership, no information is information; the rumour mill will work overtime and people will act according to their own best interests, based on gossip. This would be inimical to the broader interests of the party.

This crisis in leadership has facilitated a new and awakening consciousness among party members, especially the youths, some of whom have, not a little influence, among the young people in local communities. This consciousness is driving an intense need for change. It is giving people the boldness to express their displeasure on the posture of the leadership of the party and to walk away from what they see as an organisation that is caught in a maze, with, apparently, no immediate plan to find a clear path to vision and success.

My final point is this: part of this new and awakening consciousness, especially among young people, is directly aided by the deliberate political strategy of the ruling party, PPP/C, that includes: changing old political guards, reworking its public relations including message and messaging, and remaking the image of the party. Whatever one says about that party one must admit, even if grudgingly, that not only it is a good strategy but it is being properly executed.

Overall, the PPP/C’s strategy appears to be not formulistic but positioning and repositioning, depending on changes in international and nation political and economic

circumstances- a good level of flexibility that helps it to skilfully manoeuvre its special advantages to achieve its goals.

Consider this: the leadership of that party, the PPP/C, worked hard and got Mr. Irfaan Ali elected as the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; a remarkable play. Then the party appointed a number of young people as ministers of the government. Of course, they are being guided by seniors in the party in the background as well as party policies, goals and objectives; nothing is wrong with that; that’s politics. One of the advantages of having an assembly of young ministers is that they have high energy, enthusiasm and new and fresh ideas. Almost every day, ministers can be seen in different parts of the country meeting and discussing projects or events with people. Another advantage is that, in this robotic age where advances in artificial intelligence and different technologies are becoming the new normal, they gel well with the young population. According to a population survey in 2010, the proportion of people between the 15 and 65 years of age was 62.1 per cent of Guyana’s total population. This is an important point because it means that at the end of their first term, most of them would still be relatively young with energy and experience. More, if the current Cabinet of ministers serve well, then they will not only set themselves a good track record and build their political credentials but also would easily facilitate the re-election of their party.

Now, imagine the effect the PPP/C strategy is having on the thinking of youths in the other main political party. Quite frankly, whatever the effect, it appears to be increasing a desire for political reform and show of initiative, among those youths and the belief, not unjustified, that they can do better than some of their seniors, on the local political stage. Simultaneously, it is reducing their tolerance level to be brushed aside or to be contented with the current political status or/and performance of the PNC/R and Coalition. As it is now, they are bored and uninterested. Therefore, many would either publicly walk away or just gradually quietly disappear from active service in the party.

In this way, the party is being forced to change and to play a different kind of politics. One that includes its young people in the upper echelon of its leadership not cosmetically, but in a meaningful way.

Yours truly, Anthony Subner

Minister Edghill responds to Christopher...

From page 6

Works; a site visit was conducted and he was satisfied with the outcomes.

For the record, had the APNU+AFC remained in office, the design of the median and the safe opening with traffic lights would have been exactly what is taking place since there were no changes to the design since the PPP/C took office. For Mr Jones to cry foolishness, he is clearly highlighting his displeasure with the mismanagement of the APNU+AFC while they were in office.

Public consultations on the project design and road changes were made, including the main consultation at the North Ruimveldt

Multilateral School. The entire project was drawn and posted on the auditorium walls.

Both ministry officials and consultants were present to address any concerns or comments from stakeholders, but this was 2013, a period when the PPP/C governed and engaged in stakeholder consultation rather than pandering to the elite and privileged few, as we see with the several changes made during the APNU+AFC tenure to accommodate special interests.

In every part of the world, medians are desirable and are used on highways carrying four or more lanes and safe openings regu-

lated by traffic lights to facilitate the flow of traffic. In Guyana, it is no different. Check all the highways that we built, four-lanes, and they all have medians. The APNU+AFC’s spokesman is looking to steal headlines and acquire some amount of relevance.

This silliness and attempt to agitate the residents of South Georgetown must be seen for what it is, shameless and vulgar.

The four-lane coming from Diamond connecting at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School turn will be accommodated by a roundabout, providing residents of South Georgetown with better access, more

connections, and safer use of our roadways.

When there is development they are always changes.

The PPP/C commits to the development of Guyana in a non-discriminatory people-centred and engaging manner.

Is this entire episode based on self-interest?

Is Mr. Jones not a resident in the Tucville area?

Yours sincerely, Hon. Bishop Juan A. Edghill, Minister of Public Works

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Nabaclis group gets tractor-driven pump –– as ‘Agri’ Ministry works to resuscitate agriculture production

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha on Thursday handed over a $1.1M tractor-driven pump to the Nabaclis Water Users Association (WUA) to assist

with boosting agriculture production in the village.

During a visit to the village last November, Minister Mustapha had committed to assisting farmers with resus-

citating agriculture in the villages of Nabaclis, Victoria, and Golden Grove. Farmers who attended the initial meeting told the minister that the area was once known for its

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha at the handing over of the tractor-driven pump to the farmers agriculture production, and ing with you,” Minister Mu- for improved infrastructure.

Pig farmer, Tavel Accra, sought his assistance with stapha said, adding: “The NDIA has also done sought the assistance of the returning to the land.

After listening to those a number of works to have minister for the rehabilitation requests, Minister Musta- drains cleaned, and now I am of the middle walk, and a pha told the farmers that he here again to hand over this bridge that connects the resiwould make the necessary tractor-driven pump to fur- dential area to the backlands.

“I think this bridge is resources available to assist ther assist you with your prothem with stimulating farm- duction. As a government, very important. As a farmwe have a responsibility to er, I buy like 200 bags of ing in the villages.

On Thursday, the min- work with all citizens, and I feed. When the truck came ister made good on that want to assure you that com- the other day, it had to turn promise when he returned to munities like yours will not back, because it can’t come the village to hand over the be left out of development.” in this part, and the bridge He also told residents that cannot take the weight of the equipment.

While offering com- Guyana is once again seeing truck,” Accra said. “So, its ments during a simple hand- an upsurge in agriculture-re- production cost going up as a farmer. We’d also like for ing-over exercise, Minis- lated activities.

“My objective as Min- the machine to keep helping ter Mustapha told residents that his ministry has been ister of Agriculture is to us with the land clearing beworking to fulfill all of the improve agriculture in this cause we have farmers who’d country. When farmers pro- like to expand,” he added. requests made by farmers.

Godfrey Henry, another “When farmers make duce, the entire country benrequests for works to be efits from your production. farmer, said he was happy done, whether it be the clear- Today, we are seeing an that the minister kept his ing of drains and canals, upsurge in agriculture-related promise of assisting farmers the rehabilitation of critical activities across the country, in the area. He also appealed structures, or the installation and in years to come, your to the minister to have the of tubes or pumps, I try my farmlands will once again be Nabaclis pump restored.

“Minister, I’m very hapbest to have those requests able to make their contribusatisfied. After becoming tion to the development of py. During the last meeting when I made my presentaMinister of Agriculture, I this country.

“Over the last five years, tion, I asked the Minister, on visited the area, and farmers made several requests. To- we’ve seen a rapid decline in his next visit, he must come day, I want to tell you that agriculture across the coun- to the back dam. Mr. Miniswe’ve been working with the try because the necessary ter, I’m happy to see that you farmers, and those requests infrastructure was not put in fulfilled that commitment.

“I’d made a request, and have been met and satisfied. place. As a government, we Our officers from NAREI understand the importance of I’m happy to remind you. and GLDA have been work- having a thriving agriculture I’m happy that we got the sector so we will do what pump. It is going to be used is necessary to support the to do whatever it can. I’m farmers and boost the sec- asking that in your 2022 budtor,” the minister related. get, kindly give us back the Chairman of the Nabaclis Nabaclis pump. That pump, WUA, Kenrick Wickum, which is on the east sideline while appealing to farmers dam, was the major pump for their continued support, that drained this entire area,” said he hopes to see the vil- Henry said. lages of Victoria, Nabaclis, Residents also asked the and Golden Grove back on minister to engage the Mintheir feet. ister of Public Works, Juna “The farmers said that Edghill and have him conwe needed to develop and duct a site visit to assess the improve. I must say thanks state of the roads in the area. to the minister for what his After listening to the ministry has done so far. I in- farmers’ requests, Mintend to see Nabaclis, Golden ister Mustapha invited Grove, and Victoria back on them to visit his office their feet again. I remember to discuss all the agriculas a child, my grandparents ture needs in the comused to feed me and my munity so that a work parents through farming. If programme can be deit was so then, we can do it veloped. again through the help and He also told residents support of the government that he was committed to and the Minister,” Wickum working with the various said. interest groups in the vilFarmers present also ap- lages to improve their agripealed to Minister Mustapha culture economy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Guyana committed to strengthening ties with South American nations –– President Ali tells MERCOSUR

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has told the South American trade block, MERCOSUR, that Guyana is committed to the pursuit of regional economic integration and to enhanced political, social and economic ties with its South American neighbours.

The Head of State said that the aim is to ensure that there is a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all citizens of the continent.

President Ali said this during an address to the Summit of Heads of State of MERCOSUR, held virtually on Thursday.

The meeting saw in attendance Heads of State and representatives from founding members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and from associated states Guyana, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Suriname. MERCOSUR was established by the Treaty of Asunción in 1991.

President Ali related

that Guyana strongly shares the values that define the MERCOSUR project, including democracy, the rule of law, the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He also pointed to the respect for international law, for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

In this regard, the Head of State said: “These are all fundamental to ensuring that our region remains a zone of peace and development, where the aspirations of our peoples can be realised in full freedom.”

He told the auspicious gathering that since Guyana became an associate member of MERCOSUR in 2013, it has had the privilege of strengthening its engagement with the group, as well as its continental counterparts.

“We have benefitted from the wealth of knowledge and experiences exchanged with our regional neighbours,” the President

related.

Further, he said that the group has demonstrated the effectiveness of regional integration, which has now become imperative in a more technologically connected world. He added that as South American nations, it is imperative to strive for closer ties, and build an economic block that is dynamic and self-sustaining.

The President pointed to cooperation on infrastructural projects between Guyana and Brazil and Guyana and Suriname, which include the Guyana to Brazil road link that is set to commence next year; the installation of a fibre-optic link between Georgetown and Boa Vista; the conclusion of an agreement to link Suriname and Guyana with a bridge across the Corentyne River; and the possibility of an energy corridor linking the three neighbouring countries.

FORTIFYING NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEMS The Head of State also noted that there is a need for the fortification of national health systems, and the strengthening of international cooperation and multilateral action on health. The President said that this deficit was revealed by the pandemic.

“We are grateful for the support received from continental partners in this regard.

We must all learn from our experiences, and strengthen systems to prevent, contain and manage the spread of COVID-19 and any other infections that may arise in the future,” President Ali said.

CLIMATE CHANGE The Head of State also posited that Guyana is prepared to explore regional cooperation initiatives that will help to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters, and to build a safe, more resilient and sustainable South America.

The President said that if not adequately addressed, climate change has the potential to destabilise recovering economies and hinder development agendas.

President Ali also related that Guyana will continue to seek the support of the international community and MERCOSUR in its quest to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity.

9

President Dr. Irfaan Ali “We take this opportunity to reiterate our strong adherence to the principles of respect for treaties and international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, rejecting entirely the threat or use of force, and mutual cooperation for peaceful coexistence among states,” the Head of State said.

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Decomposed body of Corentyne tailor found in backlands

THE badly decomposed body of a Corentyne tailor was discovered aback of Epsom Village, East Berbice-Corentyne, on Thursday morning.

The dead man has been identified as 58-year-old Floyd Austin.

The discovery was made by a fellow villager who had gone into the area to farm. The farmer was alerted by a foul scent and upon investigating he stumbled upon the remains.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Patranella Austin recalled that her father was last seen on July 3, when he left home to return to his farm to retrieve a bag he had forgotten.

She said he went to his farm early the morning and she later took food for him before returning home to complete household chores.

At around 11:00 hrs her father returned to the house but left shortly after indicating that he had forgotten his bag.

After he failed to show up several hours later, she became alarmed and went to search

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

The body being transported out of the backlands

DEAD: Floyd Austin

for him. However, he was nowhere in sight.

“The phone rang around 2:32 [pm] and we missed the call… [father was calling] but when I call back it was ringing out. While we were searching someone said they see him go down the dam at around 3 o’clock the afternoon.”

She noted that over the past days, a search party was formed but to no avail.

Due to the state of the access dam, the

body had to be brought out with a tractor and then transferred to a hearse.

A number of villagers gathered at the scene and expressed shock over the incident.

The body was taken to the Skeldon Hospital.

Austin was a well-known tailor in the community and was described as a hardworking and kind person.

An investigation is in progress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Bartica logging company actively addressing OSH violations

AFTER being flagged in March by the Ministry of Labour for breaching a number of labour laws, the management of Vaitarna Private Holdings Incorporated (VPHI), located at Wineperu, Bartica, has since commenced upgrades to improve the working conditions there.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle during a recent visit to the company, Operations Manager Shaheed Mohammed said the management team is currently taking a “one step at a time” approach to enforce all the labour laws and upgrade the living conditions of its employees.

Representatives of the ministry during a visit to the company in March this year, discovered a number of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) violations.

These included exposed electrical wires in water, little or no COVID-19 protocols in place and unsuitable living conditions for employees.

Subsequently, a meeting was held with the managers of the company in Georgetown, where it was agreed that the company would be

given three months to address the issues.

“From then to now, we start improving and we will continue to improve. One of it was the COVID restriction, the health and safety [and] also the living quarters for workers…so all of those we start elevating and raising to the standard that is required,” Mohammed said.

According to him, the breaches were a result of setbacks and breakdowns in the management system. He assured that they are now being corrected.

He noted too that general cleaning and excavation works were also being done at the worksite in keeping with OSH guidelines. Electrical rewiring, instillation of COVID-19 protocols and upgrades to workers’ living quarters were also made.

The issue of overtime payment has also been corrected.

However, Mohammed said that additional works are required to improve the lives of workers. “We are working to upgrade the living conditions; firstly the general working environment, we still have a lot more work

to do to get everything up to standard.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, commended the company for their efforts in refining the work environment.

“The same way I lambasted this company, I would like to start out by saying compliments to what they have done. The last three months they paid attention to the officer’s guidance regarding occupational safety and health,” the minister said.

He added: “People were working here daily and they were more dead than alive so to speak. What I noticed today is that wires are rerouted overhead, fire extinguishers are hung, the place is clean.”

Making a call for both local and foreign companies to respect and uphold the country’s labour laws, the minister said: “Let me say this to companies, and I will keep saying this to people, you have two options: either you obey the law and comply, or I call press conferences and let them see how this works out.”

He added that failure to comply will result in compa-

Operations Manager of Vaitarna Private Holdings Incorporated (VPHI), Shaheed Mohammed, and Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton in discussion during an inspection of the company’s worksite (Samuel Maughn photo) nies being called out publicly for breaching the labour laws.

“All companies you

obey and comply. You refuse to do that I will assemble the media and attempt to publicly shame you. That

is the bottom line, whether you be a local company or overseas company,” Hamilton asserted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Cyclist killed in Corentyne accident

A TAXI driver remains in police custody following the death of a pedal cyclist on Wednesday morning.

The fatal accident occurred at around 07:45 hrs on the Albion Public

Road in East BerbiceCorentyne.

Dead is Senarace Mackoon, a labourer of Kilcoy/Chesney North, Corentyne.

According to the police, the pedal cyclist was

proceeding east along the road in the vicinity of Cropper School Street when he proceeded to cross the road from north to south, and was hit by motorcar HB 4053 which was proceeding west. As

a result, the pedal cyclist was thrown onto the left side front windshield before landing on the road surface. He received injuries to his head and body.

Mackoon was picked up by the driver in an unconscious condition and taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival.

Thirty-five--year-old Linden Smartt who was a passenger in the motorcar also received injuries above his left eye. He was

treated at the hospital and sent away. A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver of the motorcar recorded a zero reading.

A post mortem examination performed on the body determined that Mackoon died as a result of multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, Joseph Seechan, a relative of the deceased said the man was on his way to work at the NDC office at Albion when he became involved in the accident.

He noted that the news of Mackoon’s death has left the family saddened and

DEAD: Senarace Mackoon in mourning.

The father of five was described as a jovial and caring individual.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

PM reaffirms Guyana’s commitment to partnership with France

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a sustained relationship between Guyana and France during a meeting with Non-Resident Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Antoine Joly.

The two officials met at a reception held at Cara Lodge in Georgetown in honour of the upcoming French National Day (Bastille Day), which is formally observed

and develop their well-established relationship, through many shared areas of mutual interests.

“As we celebrate your country’s National Day, it is appropriate for Guyana and France to recommit to working together for the well-being and prosperity of our peoples,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

Guyana and France established diplomatic relations on June 22, 1967, and according to the prime minister, to sus-

security, saying: “The recent signature of the Letter of Intent on cooperation in the field of defence will provide impetus for enhanced security cooperation.”

The French military only recently participated in Operation Tradewinds 2021, a multilateral military exercise hosted in Guyana last month.

Ambassador Joly also spoke of partnerships, and pointed out that since France, through French Guiana, shares the Guiana Shield with

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (right), with Non-Resident Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana, Antoine Joly, at the reception in honour of the upcoming French National Day (Bastille Day) (Office of the Prime Minister photo) on July 14.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira were also present at the reception.

The Prime Minister, who hailed the relationship between the two countries, said that it is imperative that they both continue to embrace

tain and expand the existing relationship, there are mutual plans for collaboration on sustainable development and clean renewable energy development. He said, too, that the two nations could collaborate in ICT, agriculture, mining, and hydro-power electricity.

The Prime Minister further related that he is also looking forward to increased cooperation in the area of

Guyana, there are many areas of mutual interests.

“The wish of French Guiana to be more present and involved in the region will not be at the expense of your other strategic partners, but complementary, based on our comparative advantages. We are neighbours confronted with the same challenges; we share the Guiana Shield, and just like you, we value it, and want to protect it,” Ambassa-

dor Joly said.

According to the French Ambassador, he decided to cancel the French National Day celebrations in Guyana in 2019, after the previous administration had hesitated to acknowledge the ‘No-Con-

fidence Motion’ against them, and subsequently in 2020, due to the difficulty of obtaining the results of the national elections.

“This year, despite the COVID-19 situation, which explains the limited format,

I’m happy to celebrate with you the return of Guyana in the rule of law and democracy, principles that join those of our national day of freedom, equality and brotherhood,” Ambassador Joly said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Two more ‘COVID’ deaths in 24 hours take toll to 486

THE Ministry of Health, on Thursday, confirmed two more COVID-19 deaths for the month of July, 2021, taking the death toll for that month to 10, and the overall toll to 486.

The latest fatalities are two females, a 47-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and a 68-year-old from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who both died while receiving care at Ministry of Health facilities.

The Health Ministry has also recorded 112 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,807 tests carried out for July 7, 2021.

Of these, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded three; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

one; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 10; Region Four, 76; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), three; Region Six, 13; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), two; and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), four.

The newly-infected persons were 51 males and 61 females. As it is now, 13 persons occupy the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 90 are institutionally isolated, and 1,373 are isolated at home.

Of Guyana’s 20,757 confirmed cases since the detection of COVID-19 here, 1,476 are active, while 148 of Guyana’s 18,795 recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours.

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 i s d is p l a y i n g a n y o f the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health. gov.gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Randy Shepherd, six, meets President, Foreign Minister RANDY Emmanuel Junior Shepherd knew before the 2020 elections that Dr. Irfaan Ali was going to be President.

As a five-year-old, he’d had lunch with the then PPP presidential candidate, and felt that he had what it took to become a president. He told his father right after the meal that Dr. Ali

would be the next President of Guyana; he was sure of it.

Today, the pair met again when the now six-year-old was invited to visit State House.

A visibly excited Randy was elated to meet Dr. Ali again, but now as the President.

The youngster said that

it felt “really nice” to meet the Head of State, and that he hopes he can meet him many more times in the future.

During their meeting on Thursday, he also led President Ali in a short prayer.

The President was also happy to see the youngster, and expressed the hope, too,

Young Randy Emmanuel Junior Shepherd in discussion with Dr. Irfaan Ali and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd on Thursday (Office of the President photo)

of meeting him “many more times” in the future.

Before departing, Randy collected a small gift from the

President.

At State House, Randy also met Minister of Foreign Affairs and International

Cooperation, Hugh Todd, who was at the venue for a meeting. (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Laparkan becomes latest MMG+ biller

CARIBBEAN transportation and logistics company, Laparkan Global Freight and Logistics Solutions is the latest company to register as a biller with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG+).

According to a statement released by MMG+, Laparkan, one of the oldest and largest shipping companies in Guyana, has delivered on their commitment to making

General Manager of Mobile Money Guyana, Bobita Ram it easier for their customers to connect with them.

Customers are now able to pay for Laparkan’s services from any location, without having to travel to any of the company’s physical offices. This is a big step for the shipping company, as it seeks to expand its reach nationwide.

“Our mission at MMG+ is to be the undisputed market leader for payments in Guyana. This is one of the ways in which we enable companies to enhance their operations, and changes the way we as Guyanese conduct payments with large organisations like Laparkan,” General Manager of MMG+, Bobita Ram said, adding: “In keeping with our promise to innovate for all of our country and reliably connect our customers, we are pleased that our service is innovative at its core and helps other businesses to connect to their customers.”

Senior Vice-President of Laparkan Guyana, Chandradat Chintamani noted that as businesses continue to evolve to operate in the digital landscape, Laparkan recognises the need for engagement with

such mechanisms to continue to deliver the highest level of service to their customers.

“As businesses continue

to evolve to operate in this digital landscape, we at Laparkan recognise that we needed to engage with such services

so as to continue. Signing on with MMG+ made sense for us as a payment option since it makes it easier for

our customers to connect and do business with Laparkan,” he said.

Mobile Money Guyana

continues to enable businesses, small and large, to make payment transactions easier for their customers.

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Retrial of 2013 Mash Day murder winding down

AS the retrial of the 2013 Mash Day murder of Enterprise businessman, Kumar Mohabir winds down, the State on Thursday closed its case after presenting a handful of witnesses.

Devon Thomas, 22, and Randy Isaacs, 26, are on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a

mixed 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court.

It is alleged that on February 23, 2013, they murdered Mohabir, called “Dusky” and “Fire Link” at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

After State Prosecutor Lisa Cave closed her case, Thomas and Isaa-

cs led their defence in court. Both men claimed that they are innocent of the charge.

The case has been adjourned until tomorrow for defence witnesses. The men are being represented by attorneys-at-law Ronald Daniels and Narissa Leander.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Devon Thomas

Randy Isaacs

DEAD: Kumar Mohabir

In 2015, the men were first tried at the High Court and found guilty of the offence.

After being sentenced to 75 years in prison, they moved to the Court of Appeal to have their conviction and sentence overturned. Earlier this year, the Appeal Court allowed the appeal and

ordered a retrial.

According to reports, the Mohabir family members were enjoying the Mashramani festivities on Vlissengen Road when a gang of youths attacked Kumar Mohabir and killed him, under the pretext that he had “mashed” the feet of one of them.

Navindra Mohabir went to his brother’s rescue, and was viciously attacked. He suffered five serious incised wounds to his right hand.

The duo, who were known to the victim, were arrested after Navindra pointed them out during an identification parade.

Trial into murder at minibus park to start July 13 THE High Court trial into the murder of 34-year-old Rawle Rodriguez, who was killed during a robbery at the Route 40 minibus park in 2017, is expected to commence before a judge and jury on July 13.

Affiba Yenkana, called

“Dougla”, and Akeem Haymer, called “Curry”, were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence.

The duo denied that on January 20, 2017, at Croal Street, Stabroek, they mur-

dered Rodriguez during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

The indictment was presented by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave. The duo is being represented by attorneys-at-law Lawrence Harris and Rachael Bakker.

A third accused, Wayne Akeem Haymer, called ‘Curry’, (left) and Affiba Yenkana, called ‘Dougla’

Gilbert, who was charged separately, is currently on remand awaiting his trial at the High Court.

According to reports, on the said date, three men attacked and later stabbed Rodriguez in the chest during a robbery.

The men had allegedly trailed him from the Demico Roof Garden, where he was earlier seen consuming alcohol.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Contractors urged to hire from within beneficiary communities

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall has urged contractors to ensure that the majority of their employees come from the communities in which they are executing projects, in order to sustain the local economy.

He was, on Wednesday, speaking to contractors in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in the boardroom of their respective Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).

“When contractors go into different areas, we expect them to source labour from the area, at different levels, whether it is skilled or unskilled or professional services. They must give priority to the area that they are working,” Minister Dharamlall said.

“In that way too, I think that the community itself, having invested in the project, that they will take ownership of it and when there is ownership of projects in communities, there will be sustainable management of those projects,” he added.

He said that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is serious about fulfilling its promise of providing 50,000 jobs in five years, and that the employment of persons in the construction sector will help realise this objective.

However, contractors said that in some areas, persons are not interested in the construction sector, and in other cases those who are employed abandon their jobs.

Minister Dharamlall said the Regional Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are tasked with informing residents of

upcoming works for those interested in seeking employment.

Reports are that some contractors are uplifting the stipulated 15 per cent of their contract fees for mobilisation of assets and are not tendering invoices to collect payments. The minister said contractors are required to send an invoice to the RDC every two weeks for payment.

“If you’re not going to be professional and working with the government to build a better business climate in the country, then I think we have to find new people to get there,” Minister Dharamlall posited.

He further spoke of the need for better communication between the contractors and the RDC. He noted that contract deadlines are constantly missed without any documented reasons.

“Unless there is documented evidence of things that you can’t control that will affect the outcome of your contract, then we will not be subscribing to any extension.

“Then you will be in liquidated damage phase.

So, that is why your contract files are very important. I want to see documentation on every contract.

If it is that rain is affecting you, we want to know the days it rained and it must be documented and how it is affecting you,” Minister Dharamlall said.

The minister urged contractors to take their corporate social responsibility seriously, to which they committed to developing communities.

He also encouraged all contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19. (DPI)

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Guyanese TikTok and my sleep

By Rehana Ahamad

W h e n Ti k To k f i r s t emerged, I learnt about it via Facebook, and as one can imagine, the most ridiculous videos went viral first, so it was quite easy to become unimpressed. I remember making a social media post after seeing multiple videos of Guyanese TikTokers; it basically gave my friends and followers the blessing to disown me if I were to ever join TikTok. Two years would go by and I would come across an oddly satisfying video of an overseas-based Guyanese lip-syncing and dancing to some o f m y f a v o u rite Bollywood songs. Honestly, in a world plagued with a

plague, there have been very limited means of entertainment, so I’m not even embarrassed to say that it caught my attention. I was intrigued and truth be told, I simply wanted more.

Back in February, on one very boring Saturday night, I had just cleaned my room, folded my laundry, and had a long, relaxing shower; safe to s a y, I w a s ready f o r

some funny, fulfilling entertainment. Of course, prior to 2020 that meant going to the movies or grabbing some adulterated grape juice with my friends. Nowadays, however, the novel coronavirus has taken over and social distancing remains the name of the game.

As a result, I mostly stay indoors and latch on to a gripping, bingeworthy Netflix show, but that night, when my television began to buffer and ‘Orange is the new Black’ just would not load, I angrily switched it off and went to bed, except, it was barely 19:00hrs and I could not sleep.

It was then that I made the life-changing decision to visit the AppStore and download the TikTok application; once I was able to quickly set up a very vague profile, the browsing commenced and I could slowly feel myself changing; was I really becoming hooked? Does this mean I’m now a TikToker? My God! The designers of the app were probably out to get unsuspecting people like me because the algorithm they used made it unusually easy for me to abandon one of my most treasured hobbies, sleeping. Before I knew it, it was 04:00hrs and I had gotten no sleep, and had to be at work for 10.

Also, the powerful virtual space that is TikTok caused me to almost completely zone out of my surroundings; I was hooked and ruined, so was the pot that Continued on page 21

Manisha ‘Swaggerherself’ Singh heads the list of Guyanese TikTok influencers with 1.6 million followers

Shawn McAllister satisfies our appetite for local music

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

-with compilation of captivating ‘592’ album

By Naomi Parris

Featuring the very best of Guyanese artistes, the fifth volume of ‘592’ has now been officially released and is ready to be played on radios and stereos throughout Guyana and all across the world.

Curated by producer Shawn McAllister, the album seeks to create a vibrant platform for talented Guyanese artistes to not only showcase and preserve their work, but to also collaborate and grow.

McAllister told the Buzz that the fifth and newest entry to the ‘592’ album is especially notable since it provides the space for an increased number of female singers to be included. This is a major stepContinued on page 22

592 volume five is out now

Guyanese TikTok...

From page 20 I burned the ramen noodles in; I’d allowed TikTok to feed me one fascinating video after the next and before I knew it, I’d completely forgotten about the stove.

By the time I remembered, smoke was already coming from the kitchen, and what was supposed to have been boiled eggs looked like roasted tomatoes fit for baigan choka.

Aside from the dangers of zoning out, I’ve grown to appreciate the creativity that TikTok brings, and I’m glad that at a time when physical interactions are drastically limited, there is a virtual space for us to have fun. Even more interesting is the fact that some of these TikTokers have a mammoth following; a quick google search would show that Manisha Singh, known as ‘swaggerherself ’ (and

one of my favourites) tops the list of Guyanese TikTok influencers with a massive 1.6 million followers; that’s celebrity status, ya’ll!

Nonetheless, at the risk of having my friends disown me, even I am considering making a TikTok video; perhaps the one which shows me what I would look like bald, or the one where my siblings and/or friends and I can do those challenges.

Guyanese TikTokers are becoming influencers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Shawn McAllister...

From page 21 up from the album’s second volume which only featured one female.

In this new and exciting 592 volume five, a total of five female artistes are prominently featured. As a result, McAllister has earned our kudos for his effort to promote gender equality.

He explained that his mission to produce the ‘all local’ ensemble was inspired by the notable need for Guyanese to promote their own, especially across the music industry.

McAllister said that album was created as a means of not only promoting authentic and captivating Guyanese talents, but to also generate linkages and foster strategic connections

with key influencers outside of Guyana, who can help propel Guyanese music to the next level.

“I'm not focused on doing any sort of show until I'm comfortable with the progress of what this project is really about,” McAllister told the Buzz.

He said that goal is to keep promoting Guyanese music,

Producer and Designer, Shawn McAllister

uncovering hidden talents, and more importantly, designing a safe and nurturing environment where local artistes can perfect their craft, especially as it relates to the art of songwriting.

“Every time I do this album, I'm discovering more amazing talent and the crazy part about it, is that they have been there all this time waiting to be heard,” McAllister related.

He believes within the next

two to five years the continued promotion of Guyanese artiste through the ‘592’ franchise will see better opportunities for Guyanese artiste; however, McAllister is hoping to get the support of the radio and television producers, disc jockeys and presenters.

“I'm also hoping for the support of the radio stations to not only play more of the music but to have it structured in a way

where the audience would be more connected instead of playing a song and not giving direction on how to find the artiste,” McAllister posited.

Currently, all five volumes of the 592 albums can be steamed for FREE on audiomack.com. We encourage you to check these out and spread the word! We can only grow if we lift each other up.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

THE REVIEWS ARE IN!

‘In De Backyard’ by Steven Ramphal Former Chutney Monarch, Steven Ramphal is at it again! He recently released a song called ‘In De Backyard’ and we love it! It has a catchy beat, and vibrant Soca feels. The piece was written by Ramphal himself and produced and mixed by keyboard whiz, Avinash Roopchand of the ever-versatile Shakti Strings Band.

The video, filmed by Ramphal’s talented wife, Mrs. Lana Ramphal of SR Photography, also featured the incredibly energetic Michael ‘Credit’ Ignatius, the local comedian who never fails to make us laugh.

Although the quality and direction of ‘In De Backyard’ was quite entertaining, we are hoping that it does not en-

courage Ramphal’s fans and music lovers to violate the national COVID-19 guidelines.

Because if we ever want to return to the glory days of gyrating at actual concerts, it is imperative that maintain these protocols and get vaccinated.

Until then, feel free to host as many virtual parties as you like! We are all for it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Taylor relieved to score her sixth ODI ton after eight years ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies Women captain Stafanie Taylor said she was relieved to finally score her sixth One-Day International hundred, following an eight-year drought.

The right-hander hit a superb unbeaten 105 off 116 deliveries on Wednesday as her side easily chased down a target of 206 to beat Pakistan Women by five wickets at Coolidge Cricket Ground in the opening ODI of the five-match series.

Taylor’s last ODI hundred came back in 2013 against New Zealand Women at Sabina Park in her home town Kingston, and while she entered the 90s five times since, she never managed to reach triple figures.

“It’s a great feeling. I’ve been dreaming of this day, to finally pass that five hundreds and make it six. I’m really happy,” said an elated Taylor who arrived at the crease with West Indies stumbling on 42 for two in the 12th over and guided her side to victory.

“I said to myself that I know that I’m always in

this position (of rescuing the team). I like batting in 50-over games so it’s a matter of getting myself in and I know once I get myself in, and there’s someone else down at the bottom, we should get the runs.”

Sent in, Pakistan Women compiled 205 for nine off their 50 overs with Nida Dar stroking 55 and opener Ayesha Zafar hitting 46 in a 70-run opening stand with Muneeba Ali who stroked 36.

Taylor was the best bowler, finishing with three for 29 from ten overs of off-spin.

And having seen such totals trip her side up in recent series, Taylor said her focus was on making sure West Indies got over the line, with her personal landmark secondary.

“It was more about getting to that target. I think the runs (we were chasing) were on the forefront of my mind, not the hundred but I’m happy to get it in the end,” she noted.

Along the way, Taylor inspired several key partnerships, posting 33 for the third wicket with Kycia Knight (19), 46 for the fourth wicket with Deandra Dottin (9) and a further 46 for the fifth with Chedean Nation (23).

However, it was her 42 off 34 deliveries in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Britney Cooper, which really entertained, as the hosts accelerated the tempo of the run chase.

Though scoring only 17 off 21 deliveries, Cooper looked in great touch and an exquisite inside-out drive over extra cover for one of her three boundaries was one of the shots of the day.

“I just said to her ‘just be calm, believe in yourself and pick your areas,’” Taylor explained. “(I told her) ‘there are plenty gaps. Get yourself in and once you feel good you know that you can blast.’”

The second ODI is scheduled for the same venue today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Tokyo Olympics spectators to face ban after COVID-19 emergency in host city

(REUTERS) - Olympic organisers are set to ban all spectators from the Games, the Asahi daily said yesterday, as Japan prepared to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo that will run through its hosting of the event to curb a new wave of coronavirus infections.

Organisers were set to formally reach the decision on spectators during five-way talks between key parties yesterday, the newspaper said, citing people involved in the Games.

The ban on spectators is the latest blow to the troubled Olympics, already delayed by a year because of the pandemic and plagued by a series of setbacks, including massive budget overruns.

Medical experts have said for weeks that having no spectators at the Games would be the least risky option amid widespread public concern that the influx of thousands of athletes and officials will fuel a fresh wave of infections.

“I, of course, support ‘no spectators’ but concerns will never disappear as long as we have a big event, like the Games, along with holidays and the vacation season,” said Yuki Furuse, a Kyoto University professor working with the government’s coronavirus experts group.

Furuse recently projected that new daily cases in Tokyo could increase to 1 000 in July and 2 000 in August, raising the risk of hospitals in the capital region running out of beds.

Organisers have already banned overseas spectators

and have for now set a cap on domestic viewers at 50% of capacity, up to 10 000 people.

Anyone wanting to support athletes has been told to clap rather than cheer or sing.

Plans for some public viewing sites have been cancelled and companies, wary of public opposition, have been hesitant about advertising linked to the Games, adding to a subdued mood in the Japanese capital.

The talks, scheduled for 20:00hrs. (11:00 GMT) will be chaired by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, who arrived in Tokyo yesterday.

Other participants include the Tokyo and national governments and Paralympic officials.

TOKYO INFECTIONS RISE Japan has not suffered the kind of explosive COVID-19 outbreaks seen in many other countries but has had more than 810 000 cases and 14 900 deaths.

A slow vaccine rollout has meant only a quarter of the population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.

The imposition of a new state of emergency in Tokyo would come as the capital announced 896 new daily infections yesterday, near highs last seen in mid-May. Economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who heads the government’s coronavirus response, said the new restrictions would begin on Monday and run through to

August 22.

The Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8.

Tokyo is under slightly less strict “quasi emergency” curbs. Under the new heightened restrictions, restaurants will be asked to stop serving alcohol, Nishimura said.

Areas neighbouring Tokyo where some Olympic events are due to take place, such as Chiba and Kanagawa, are set to remain under the “quasi emergency” until August 22.

SPECTATORS, SPONSORS Underscoring the last-minute nature of preparations, organisers have presented various spectator scenarios to Olympic sponsors as late as Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Sponsors were told that in the case of no spectators, all sports and opening and closing ceremonies would likely be held without fans, meaning tickets allocated to sponsors could not be used.

The absence of crowds may further strain the Games’ budget here, which has already blown out to an estimated $15.4 billion, with ticket revenues of about $815 million expected to take a big hit.

The organising committee did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Until this week, officials have insisted they could organise the Games safely with some spectators, but a ruling party

Osaka calls for privacy, empathy and personal days NAOMI Osaka has called for “privacy” and “empathy” from the press when she returns to action, saying she never wants her personal medical history to be scrutinised again.

The Japanese player withdrew from May’s French Open after avoiding news conferences to protect her mental health.

“In any other line of work, you would be forgiven for taking a personal day here and there, so long as it’s not habitual,” she wrote in Time magazine.

ATHLETES ARE HUMANS She continued: “You wouldn’t have to divulge your most personal symptoms to your employer; there would likely be HR measures protecting at least some level of privacy.

“Perhaps we should give athletes the right to take a mental break from media scrutiny on a rare occasion without being subject to strict sanctions.”

When Osaka did not fulfil her media commitments at Roland Garros, organisers fined her.

Grand Slam organisers said she could face expulsion from the tournament

should she refuse to take part in media duties.

The four-time Grand Slam champion then withdrew the following day, revealing she had “suffered long bouts of depression” since winning her first major at the 2018 U.S. Open.

“I felt under a great amount of pressure to disclose my symptoms - frankly because the press and the tournament did not believe me,” she said.

“I do not wish that on anyone and hope that we can enact measures to protect athletes, especially the fragile ones.

I also do not want to have to engage in a scrutiny of my personal medical history ever again. So I ask the press for some level of privacy and empathy next time we meet.”

The four Grand Slams later said they wanted to “create meaningful improvements” in supporting players and that they empathised with the pressures players may face.

Osaka has not competed since the French Open but is due to play at her home Olympics in Tokyo later this month. (BBC Sport)

setback in a Tokyo assembly election on Sunday, which some allies of Suga attributed to public anger over the Olympics, had forced the change of

tack, sources said.

Japan will hold a parliamentary election later this year and the government’s insistence that the Games –

postponed last year as the virus spread around the world – should go ahead this year could cost it at the ballot box, they said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

One-off Test in Harare ...

Mahmudullah 150 takes Bangladesh to 468, but Zimbabwe begin strong reply CAREER-BEST scores from Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed, during their 191-run ninth-wicket stand, gave Bangladesh a formidable platform of 468 runs on the second day of the one-off Test in Harare. But Zimbabwe made a superb start in their reply, going to stumps on 114 for 1, batting out 41 overs.

Openers Milton Shumba and debutant Takudzwanashe Kaitano added 61 for the opening stand before captain Brendan Taylor saw off the remaining overs with the debutant Kaitano. Taylor was unbeaten on 37 off 46 balls, while Kaitano was at the other end, solid on 33 off 117 balls.

But the day would be remembered for Mahmudullah and Taskin, who now hold the second-highest ninth-wicket stand in Test history. They broke the Bangladesh record of 184 runs for the ninth wicket between Mahmudullah and Abul Hasan in 2012.

Mahmudullah made 150 off 278 with 17 fours and a six.

Ahmed’s 75 was a bigger surprise, but he played like one of the proper batters, hitting eleven fours in his 134-ball knock.

To their credit, Kaitano and Shumba saw off the new ball threat. They got a couple of boundaries early but when Shumba swept Shakib Al Hasan for two fours in the 13th over, it was the first sign of intent. Kaitano got a four with the sweep too, but he kept himself quiet at the other end. Shumba struck two more fours before one too many sweep attempts brought his end. He fell lbw to Shakib, having made 41 off 83 balls with seven fours.

Taylor kicked off things with a chipped straight drive off Shakib and a slog-sweep of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, using

all of his 17-year experience to stave off any late pressure from the visitors.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh added 174 runs, in 43 overs, to their overnight score of 294 for 8 in 83 overs.

Mahmudullah and Taskin had been batting together since late on the first evening after Donald Tiripano’s two late wickets. Bangladesh would have been happy if they got to 300 runs but by the time the two were separated on the second day, the visitors were sitting on a dominant total.

The turning point was a strange one. Ahmed’s face-toface tangle with Blessing Muzarabani on the second morning sparked him into steadily bringing down the big fast bowler. Ahmed struck seven fours off Muzarabani, taking him for 39 runs off the 50 balls he faced from him.

It was all Mahmudullah needed to bat normally. He latched onto anything short offered by the Zimbabwe bowlers, often dispatching them on the leg-side boundary. With a pair of fours through the covers, Mahmudullah reached his fifth Test century.

Ahmed got to his maiden Test fifty shortly afterwards, taking 69 balls, as Zimbabwe looked out of ideas. Captain Taylor rotated his four-pronged pace attack, but when they couldn’t get him the breakthrough, it was harder for the part-timers like Roy Kaia or Milton Shumba.

Shumba did ironically break the Mahmudullah-Ahmed partnership, but Muzarabani stood out with his four-wicket haul, while Donald Tiripano and Victor Nyauchi took two each. (CRICINFO)

New-look England thrash Pakistan in ODI opener (REUTERS) - England’s makeshift one-day international team put the COVID-19 issues that hit the previous squad behind them to bowl out Pakistan for 141 runs before cruising to a clinical nine-wicket win in the series opener in Cardiff yesterday.

Stand-in skipper Ben Stokes led an entirely fresh England XI, including five debutants, after a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad during the recent series win over Sri Lanka meant all 16 players initially selected had to self-isolate.

But the revamped hosts were on the front foot from the start, with paceman Saqib Mahmood marking his return to the side with four wickets for 42 to help bowl out Pakistan with just under 15 overs to spare.

Chasing 142 for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, England lost Phil Salt in the fifth over before fellow opener Dawid Malan and Zak Crawley steadied the ship.

Malan (68 not out) brought up his second fifty in his fourth ODI appearance and Crawley (58 not out) also scored a half-cen-

tury on his ODI debut as England cruised home in 21.5 overs.

“It was a very clinical performance,” said Stokes after leading the team to victory despite them having spent only one training session together on the eve of the match.

“Not every game of cricket goes that smoothly for us.”

England made a rousing start with the ball in hand on a sunny afternoon as Mahmood trapped Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq leg-before with the first delivery of the match.

ond slip.

Mohammad Rizwan was next to be dismissed for 13 before Mahmood trapped Saud Shakeel in front of the stumps to leave Pakistan teetering at 26-4.

Opener Fakhar Zaman, who was making a return to the ground

Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed added 191 for the ninth wicket (Zimbabwe Cricket)

BANGLADESH 1st innings Saif Hassan b Blessing Muzarabani

0 Shadman Islamc Brendan Taylor b Richard Ngarava 23 Nazmul Hossain Shanto c Dion Myers b Blessing Muzarabani 2 Mominul Haque c Dion Myers b Victor Nyauchi 70 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw Blessing Muzarabani 11 Shakib Al Hasan c Regis Chakabva b Victor Nyauchi 3 Liton Das c Victor Nyauchi b Donald Tiripano 95 Mahmudullah not out

150 Mehidy Hasan lbw Donald Tiripano 0 Taskin Ahmed b Milton Shumba 75 Ebadot Hossain lbw Blessing Muzarabani

0 EXTRAS: (b-10, lb-11, nb-16, w-2)

39 TOTAL: (all out, 126.0 overs)

468 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-8, 3-68, 4-106, 5-109, 6-132, 7-270, 8-270, 9-461.

Bowling: Blessing Muzarabani 29-4-94-4, Richard Ngarava 235-83-1 (w-1, nb-7), Donald Tiripano 23-5-58-2 (w-1, nb-7),Victor Nyauchi 17-1-92-2 (nb-2), Milton Shumba 21-4-64-1, Roy Kaia 10-0-43-0.

ZiIMBABWE 1st innings Milton Shumba lbw Shakib Al Hasan 41 Takudzwanashe Kaitano not out

33 Brendan Taylor not out

37 EXTRAS: (lb-3)

3 Total: (one wkt, 41.0 overs) 114 Fall of wickets: 1-61.

Bowling: Taskin Ahmed 10-6-16-0, Ebadot Hossain 9- 2-28-0, Shakib Al Hasan 13-2-43-1, Mehidy Hasan 9-1-24-0.

wicket.

The partnership, however, ended with a farcical run-out when Fakhar called Maqsood for a single and then left him stranded as James Vince flicked the bails.

Pakistan’s hopes of posting a competitive total ended with Zaman (47) miscuing a squarecut straight to point off leg-spinner Matt Parkinson.

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 By The Sey Shore Race 2 Supreme Aura Race 3 Love And Thunder Race 4 Spettro Race 5 Blind Sight Race 6 Principled Stand Race 7 Three Jokers Race 8 Flighty Lady Race 9 Kubie Snacks

Saqib Mahmood struck with two of his first three balls at Cardiff (Getty Images)

“Any time you get the opposition four down early on then you’re massively ahead in the game so that helps -- especially when you’re captain for the first time.

Two balls later, Mahmood picked up his second wicket when Pakistan skipper Babar Azam - the top-ranked ODI batsman - departed for a duck after edging to Crawley at sec-

where he made a fifty in Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy semi-final win over England, offered stiff resistance with Sohaib Maqsood as they added 53 runs for the fifth

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“To be honest we were a bit loose with the bat, and that’s why we didn’t get a big total,” Azam said.

“I don’t think we misread the conditions, but credit to their bowlers.

The momentum they got; and the fact we couldn’t get a big partnership is why we didn’t get a big total.”

The teams now head to Lord’s for the second ODI tomorrow.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

Barty to face Pliskova in Wimbledon final

Nils Politt’s only previous stage win had come at the Deutschland Tour in 2018

By Steve Sutcliffe NILS Politt soloed to victory on stage 12 of the Tour de France as Tadej Pogacar retained the leader’s yellow jersey.

The German broke clear with 12km left on the 159.4km run to Nimes after being involved in a long-range 13-man breakaway.

Pogacar finished safely in the peloton behind Britain’s Mark Cavendish.

“It’s a dream to win a stage in the Tour de France. It’s the biggest win you can have,” Politt said.

Today, the race travels 219.9km from Nimes to Carcassonne.

Politt’s victory came after his Bora-Hansgrohe team-mate and three-time world champion Peter Sagan was forced to withdraw prior to the start in Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux.

But while Sagan, who has won a record seven green jer-

Politt wins stage 12 as Pogacar retains leader’s yellow jersey seys at the Tour, is still feeling the effects of a crash with Caleb Ewan on stage three, Politt showed he was in excellent condition, a day after a punishing double ascent up Mont Ventoux.

He latched on to a strong group of riders containing current world champion Julian Alaphilippe and launched a superb late attack to ride away from Imanol Erviti and Harry Sweeny, who finished second and third.

“I felt good in the last few days, I was trying to do my best today but to come away with aa victory is unbelievable,” he added.

All the pre-stage talk had centred on Mark Cavendish with the flat parcours designed to favour the sprinters.

However, after a 10-minute delay to the start due to the wind, the conditions then contributed to a frenetic start as several early attacks split the peloton.

And it ensured that the Manx sprinter would have to wait for his opportunity to equal Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins. (BBC Sport)

By Christian Radnedge

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former world number one Karolina Pliskova reached her maiden Wimbledon final after coming back from a set down to beat second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 yesterday.

Ashleigh Barty (left) and Karolina Pliskova will contest tomorrow’s Wimbledon final

The Czech goes into tomorrow’s decider looking to capture her first Grand Slam title, having only ever reached one other final when she finished runner-up to Angelique Kerber at the 2016 U.S. Open.

Pliskova will face another Wimbledon final debutant in world number one Ash Barty, who beat Kerber earlier yes-

Keith Aaron was a team player of the first order (Letter to the Sports Editor) IT is good that Keith Aaron’s academic and cricketing attainments were recognised in the article which was published in the June 5 edition of your newspaper and which was written by my friend, Frederick ‘Ginger’ Halley.

Too many of the people who have made a contribution to our society have gone to their graves, unrecognised and unsung. We are manifestly poorer for this.

I want to add a few facts to this excellent article, facts which Mr Halley, being a much younger man than I am, could not have known.

Keith Aaron did not simply move from Central High School to Queen’s College.

In those days one could only get into Queen’s College from another High School if one did well at the GCE Ordinary Level examinations and even with that you had to be considered worthy of acceptance by the QC ad-

ministration. Keith was an excellent student at Central High School and did very well at these examinations.

It was no surprise that he was selected to attend QC. In doing so he was following in the illustrious footsteps of such reputable Central High School Alumni as LFS Burnham and Mushtaq Khan.

Keith Aaron was a competitive individual who seized the opportunity at Queen’s College to demonstrate his intellectual prowess as well as his cricketing skills.

Keith Aaron’s stay at Queen’s College cannot be properly considered without some recognition of the context in which it took place. Professor Seecharran in a most informative publication entitled “Muscular Learning” has pointed out that the British created a number of schools in the Caribbean whose remit was to train young men to develop their intellectual and athletic abilities.

These institutions are

easily recognised from our history: Queen’s Royal College in Trinidad; Queen’s College in British Guiana; and Jamaica College in Jamaica, among others.

This circumstance in British Guiana produced, among others, Bruce Pairaudeau who played for Guyana at 16 years of age and Rupert Roopnaraine, who is one of a few ‘Cambridge Blues in the Caribbean’, and who, had fate been kinder to him, should have played for Guyana. At Queen’s College Keith Aaron’s academic and cricketing abilities flourished as Mr Halley has stated.

Keith Aaron was one of my best friends. We grew up together in Kitty. I knew his parents very well - his father Reginald and his mother who was a fine player of the piano. Keith and I met again at Central High School where we played cricket and interacted a lot as we navigated the road to adolescence and manhood.

And we were both fortunate to play for the first Guyana School Boys cricket team in 1966. In every team in which we were together Keith Aaron was a team player of the first order.

I finish this letter with an incident that captures the essence of Keith’s character. It happened that with the passage of time I had forgotten that he was a member of the team which played against Barbados, the first match in the 1966 series.

When I told Keith that I could not remember him being in the team he was quite upset. He protested in a quiet and refined manner, as he was never loud or aggressive in what he said and did. The silken approach was preferred. Within days I felt the effect of Keith’s diplomacy. I got an irate call from the man who is now Dr Vincent Adams.

How could I forget that Keith, that he and Keith were in the team in Barbados?

Adams said that I had for-

terday.

The 29-year-old Pliskova found it hard going against Sabalenka, the first seeded player she had faced in this year’s tournament, and it showed as she dropped her first set on the only break point she faced with a double fault.

She made inroads on Sabalenka’s booming serve, which reached

gotten because Keith played as a batsman and Stanley Kallicharran kept wicket.

The penny had dropped. I remembered Keith’s presence in the team and made the confession. I thought that was the end of the matter.

Shortly afterwards I made my way to New York. I was staying with my brother when Dr Adams and Keith Aaron turned up.

I was ribbed mercilessly by a voluble Adams and a more gentle and soft-spoken Keith Aaron. Not for the first time in my life I discovered that Keith Aaron, though modest, simple and refined in thought and action, was one of the most tenacious human beings I have known.

I will miss him as I will those members of my generation who are being thinned out by death with a regularity that is frightening as it is ominous.

Yours Sincerely R M Austin Ambassador

speeds of 193 kilometres per hour, to clinch a break to love midway the second set. It was her ninth break point of the match but the first she converted, giving her the confidence to serve out the set and level the score.

The 23-year-old Sabalenka, playing in her first major semi-final, struggled for consistency, sending down 18 aces in the match but making 20 unforced errors including one to give up an early break in the first game of the deciding set.

Although the Belarusian rallied, Pliskova never looked in any danger, rarely breaking a sweat on her own serve as she booked her place in tomorrow’s showpiece with an ace.

“I am in the final so I think it is incredible,” Pliskova said on court. “It was an amazing match from both of us, I got a bit frustrated but she was serving unbelievably - she was in a semi-final so had to play some great tennis. I am supper happy I managed to find a way to win.”

That will to win meant the Czech became the first player in 10 years in the women’s semi-finals to recover from going a set down to win the match.

“It is difficult when you are not doing well to stay positive, but my team is super positive, thanks to them I managed to stay calm and trust in my game,” she added.

“I have had success in the past so it is not like I forgot how to play tennis.”

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

WI Under-19 hopeful Matthew Nandu stars with bat and ball

TAKING a well-earned break from the ‘Rising Stars’ who are currently undergoing COVID-sensitive virtually coordinated training across the region, as part of the preparation system that has been put in place by West Indies Under-19 head coach Floyd Reifer, Matthew Nandu starred with both and ball as cricket finally got underway in Ontario, Canada last weekend.

Picking up from where he left off last year, after a brilliant all-round season in both the Scarborough Cricket Association and the Brampton Etobicoke District League (BEDCL), among others, Nandu stroked a fine 79 on Saturday while representing Tranzac Cricket Club against Mississauga Ramblers in the Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) 50-over tournament.

Nandu, who is vying for a place in the West Indies Under-19 squad for next year’s World Cup to

be staged in the Caribbean, returned the following day to grab four for 19 as his team Kaieteur International B made light work of Palace Panthers in the SCA First Division tournament, played at Ashtonbee number one ground, Scarborough.

left-handed dominated a 70-run opening partnership with Aaron Singh whose contribution was 10.

Ramblers struggled throughout their innings as Garvet Garth (three for 20) and Jonathan Michael (three for 25) kept a tight rein on

West Indies Under-19 hopeful Matthew Nandu

Needing to 142 for victory, after restricting Ramblers to a modest 141 for nine at King City, Tranzac cruised to the required total in 33 overs with Nandu stroking six fours in his 79 off 105 balls. The elegant

proceedings. Despite going wicket-less, Nandu’s 10 overs cost a miserly 21 runs.

On Sunday, Palace Panthers were skittled out for 110 in 34.5 overs with Nandu being the chief wrecker with four for 19 with his

off-spin while there were two wickets each for Trevor Jerrick, Arjuna Sukhu and Jonathan Singh.

Kaieteur reached the required target in 21 overs with Ravindra Nauth unbeaten on 29 (four fours) while his brother, opener Navin Nauth, struck two fours in 27. Nandu, who looked well set, fell for 23 which contained three fours and a six.

Despite playing only four matches in the SCA 2020 First Division, Nandu, the son of former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 leg-spinner Arjune Nandu, finished the season with the most runs, his 318 being 43 more than his nearest rival who played eight games.

According to reports, Nandu is scheduled to return to Guyana later this month to continue his quest for a place in the regional Under-19 squad for the 2022 World Cup which is being hosted by the Cricket West Indies (CWI). (Frederick Halley)

Umar Akmal issues apology for failing to report fixing approach IT is a known fact that Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is currently facing a ban due to his failure to report a match-fixing approach.

He received the ban of three years in April 2020 when the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel announced him guilty on two separate charges. In the latest turn of events, Akmal has come with an open apology for his actions and was seen issuing the same in a video posted

by PCB. In the video, Akmal could be seen giving his in-

troduction first followed by acceptance of his mistake.

He went on to add a very important point in his apology when he requested the fellow cricketers to report all the suspicious activities timely, so they don’t hamper their career. He added that the time while not playing cricket has been really tough for him and he has had his lessons.

He further apologised for tarnishing the image of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He also said sorry to his family members, fans, and followers around the world. It has to be

noted that Akmal was initially handed a ban of three years before he exercised his right to appeal to Independent Adjudicator in July 2020 and his ban was reduced to 18 months.

Further, The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) reduced his band to 12 months only.

time was really tough for me.

I learned a lot during this time.”

“I admit in front of everyone today that this incident caused damage to Pakistan’s image. I apologise to my family, the PCB, and cricket fans all around

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ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S:

Shiv Chanderpaul (23 Tests) Jacques Kallis & Mark Boucher (24 Tests)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Which WI has scored most Test runs versus SA to date?

Which SA player has made most Test runs against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Pakistam middle-order batsman Umar Akmal

“My name is Umar Akmal. 17 months ago in 2020, I made a mistake that caused damage to both my career and cricket. The mistake happened when some individuals approached me and I could not report it to the anti-corruption unit on time. I had to face a 12-month ban because of this incident. As a cricketer, I could not play cricket. This

the world. I, Umar Akmal, would like to request all of you, as ambassadors of the sport, to stay away from any suspicious activities. If any suspicious individuals approach you, please report it to the anti-corruption unit in a timely manner so that your record and career remain clean,” Akmal concluded. ( )

U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson not in Tokyo 2020 relay team

In April Sha’Carri Richardson became the sixth fastest woman of all-time after running the 100m in 10.72 seconds

SPRINTER Sha’Carri Richardson will not run in the U.S. Olympic 4x100-metre relay team after she accepted a onemonth ban for testing positive for cannabis.

The 21-year-old won the 100m at the U.S. Olympic trials in Oregon in June and earlier this year ran the sixth-fastest time in history.

Supporters of the Texan had hoped she could take part in the relay in Tokyo as the ban expires on July 28.

But US Athletics announced the full squad on Tuesday, without Richardson.

She said she had used cannabis as a way of coping after the death of her biological mother.

“I apologise for the fact that I didn’t even know how to control my emotions or deal with that during that time,” she told a U.S. broadcaster on Friday.

Richardson had already suggested she would not be competing in Tokyo.

“I greatly apologise if I let you guys down -

and I did. This will be the last time the U.S. come home without a gold in the 100m,” she added.

“I’m 21, I’m very young, I have plenty of Games left in me to compete in and plenty of talent that backs me up because everything I do comes naturally to me, no steroids or anything.”

In a statement, USA Track and Field said: “We are incredibly sympathetic toward Sha’Carri Richardson’s extenuating circumstances and strongly applaud her accountability.

“All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances.

“So while our heartfelt understanding lies with Sha’Carri, we must also maintain fairness for all of the athletes who attempted to realise their dreams by securing a place on the US Olympic Track & Field team.”

(BBC Sport)

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 9, 2021

T&T embracing Mexico challenge after successful qualification MIAMI, Florida (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago have been installed in a difficult Group A, following their qualification for the group stages of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but are energised by the prospect of returning to the continental grouping’s top flight.

They beat French Guiana in a thrilling penalty shootout in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, to join Haiti and Guadeloupe in clinching the last remaining spots in the biennial showpiece which kicks off tomorrow.

Haiti trounced Bermuda 4-1 while Guadeloupe also needed a dramatic penalty shootout to edge Guatemala in the 12-team qualifying tournament.

T&T will now line up against reigning champions and continental powerhouse Mexico, along with Central American side El Salvador who are ranked 69th in FIFA and Curaçao, who are ranked

two places lower.

As such, T&T are the lowest-ranked side in the group at 103rd but head coach Angus Eve said the challenge was one his side would be embracing.

“This was our goal coming here because we had a very short space of time to prepare,” said the former national star, who was appointed last month on an interim basis.

“We just came out of a failed World Cup campaign and there are a lot of emotions in our dressing room at this point in time, because we’re doing this for our country and not just for us.

“Of course we’re going (up) against Mexico but that’s where we want to be. We want to be playing against the best teams in the region to keep testing ourselves and proving ourselves.

“This is our rebuilding and we just want to go into that and enjoy the group stage.”

Trinidad will open their campaign against the Mexicans at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas tomorrow,

co to face El Salvador next Wednesday before wrapping up their group stage assignments on July 18 against

tic schedule involved, it was critical T&T prepared themselves properly, especially after the emotional highs of

Trinidad and Tobago celebrate after winning their penalty shootout against French Guiana

meaning the Caribbean side will be playing three games in just nine days.

They will then travel just under an hour to Fris-

Curaçao at the same venue.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Eve said despite the hec-

the qualification tournament in Fort Lauderdale.

“Tournament football is usually four days apart. We just have to pick ourselves up

emotionally,” Eve stressed.

“I think the guys are drained so we’ll just have to give them a bit of relaxation and then move on.”

Meanwhile, Haiti will join Group B and play alongside United States, Canada and fellow French Caribbean side Martinique while Guadeloupe will feature in Group C with Caribbean powerhouses Jamaica, Costa Rica and Suriname.

The Gold Cup wraps up August 1 with the final scheduled for Allegiant Stadium just outside Las Vegas.

GROUPS: GROUP A: Mexico, El Salvador, Curaçao and Trinidad and Tobago GROUP B: USA, Canada, Martinique and Haiti GROUP C: Costa Rica, Jamaica, Suriname and Guadeloupe GROUP D: Honduras, Panama, Grenada and Qatar.

Smalta rolls out ‘Chelsea Edghill selfie’ promotion

By Rawle Toney WHEN Chelsea Edghill was announced as the Brand Ambassador for Smalta in Guyana, Country Manager of Carib Brewery Limited (CBL) Kelvin Singh had highlighted that the strategic partnership with the table tennis star and the company is one which will be beneficial for both.

As Edghill remains focussed on her preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Smalta has rolled-out a promotion at selected stores in the city, which will see part of the proceeds going towards the Guyanese table tennis stalwart.

With the promotion, Smalta is asking customers to take a ‘selfie’ with the ‘Chelsea Edghill Gondola’ in supermarkets, following the purchase of a Smalta Promo Pack, or buy five and get one free.

Customers are then asked to like the CBL Soft Drink Facebook page (facebook.com/CBLsoftdrink), upload their

The Chelsea Edghill/Smalta Gondola set-up in supermarkets

selfie and receipt to the page. The photo with the most likes will win Smalta memorabilia.

According to Singh, “Part of the proceeds from Smalta sales during July and August will go towards Chelsea’s Olympics and World Championship preparation.”

Singh also pointed out that the company’s deal with Edghill will last until 2022 as Smalta aims to foster a significant partnership with the rising star.

Edghill, who is a former Under-21 Caribbean Champion and 2018 National Sports Woman-of-the-Year, realised her Olympic dream by picking the IOC’s lone global universality spot for female players.

Edghill, currently in California fine-tuning her game for the Olympic journey, is the country’s first player, male or female, to represent the Golden Arrowhead at an Olympic Games.

SEE PAGE 27

The state of emergency will last until 22 August

Tokyo Olympics spectators to face ban after COVID-19 emergency in host city Stafanie Taylor celebrates her sixth ODI century at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Wednesday

SEE PAGE 27

Taylor relieved to score her sixth ODI ton after eight years First T20 clash

Osaka calls for privacy, empathy and personal days

SEE PAGE 27

Naomi Osaka has been having a break from tennis since withdrawing from the French Open in May to protect her mental health

Windies wary of ‘world class’ Aussies despite absence of stars

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) – West Indies are leaving nothing to chance against Australia even though the visitors will be missing several of their leading stars for the five-match Twenty20 International series which bowls off here today.

The home side are seeking redemption after suffering a 3-2 series loss to South Africa in Grenada last weekend, and come up against a touring party which will be without the likes of Pat Cummins, David Warner, Glen Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Marcus Stonis and Steve Smith all of whom were late withdrawals.

But captain Kieron Pollard on Thursday was quick to dismiss the notion of a weakened Aussie side, warning the visitors still boasted a strong squad with quality players.

“Once you leave your nation or your country to come and play, you come to represent and you come with a group of professionals so I’m not going to say they’re vulnerable,” Pollard cautioned.

“I’m not going to say it’s a second string team. What I’m going to say is we’re going to play against an Australian cricket team. So it doesn’t matter which team leaves their shores, which personnel [comes], it’s a national team nevertheless.

“They have some world class cricketers in there who have played cricket

around the world.

“You have some experienced guys who have done fantastically well in Test cricket and stuff like that, so we’re coming up against a bunch of passionate guys when they play for their country and hopefully we can come out and give our best.”

West Indies will be smarting from their recent disappointment against South Africa where they won the opener convincingly but then lost the next two matches, before capturing the fourth to level the series.

In the must-win encounter last Saturday, they slumped to a 25-run defeat in pursuit of a modest total, as their batsmen once again struggled.

In all three defeats, West Indies were guilty of conceding too many dot balls – a failure to rotate strike especially in the middle overs – and Pollard said now the matter had been discussed fully, it was time for his players to perform.

“We’ve had discussions about it, we’ve gone through different scenarios each and every time where we would’ve gotten stuck, and guys have a fair idea of what we expect from them,” he explained.

“Let’s see if we’re able to replicate what we’ve spoken about. At the end of the day, you continue to work with individuals.

Some things may take longer than others.

“In some instances it may not happen

instantaneously but everything we do is a work in progress.”

He continued: “In terms of dot balls, we’ve had a high percentage throughout the [South Africa] series and the series prior to that, and it has been spoken about time and time again.

“I can assure you that we try not to leave any stone unturned and we don’t try to take anything for granted, because we have a wealth of experience and a wealth of coaches around who take the time to go into details of where we need to improve as a team.

“As I said before, there are a lot of conversations taking place but we can [converse] but we still need to put it into practice, and some things may just take longer than some but that’s just the nature of life and human beings.”

The series is the second of three five-match T20 affairs in the buildup to the T20 World Cup in October, with the Windies also scheduled to host Pakistan later this month.

And Pollard assured there would be no decrease in intensity from his side as they tried to hit form ahead of the global showpiece.

“Each game is a crunch match for us.

I don’t like to take anything for granted or lightly or plan in a way where this one is

important and that one is not important,” he stressed.

“Each and every [match] is important. Hence the fact we didn’t come out triumphant in the last series, we want to get some wins under our belts [in this series].

“So each and every match becomes important to us and we would like the contribution from every one of our squad members.”

SQUAD: WEST INDIES – Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Sheldon Cottrell, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Akeal Hosein, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh jr, Fabian Allen AUSTRALIA – Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Wes Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Dan Christian, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserves: Nathan Ellils, Tanveer Sangha.

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Opener Evin Lewis bats in a net session ahead of Friday opening T20 International against Australia (Photo courtesy CWI Media) |

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021