Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-08-2022

TUESDAY 9th August, 2022

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VAT INCLUSIVE

$44.8B supplementary 03 budget approved

No.106809

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— as Gov’t moves to further accelerate its major developmental initiatives countrywide

National Assembly endorses LCDS 02 2030

Children with disabilities to receive $100,000 grant next week 02 PAGE

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Students to be equipped with job-ready skills 11 PAGE

Relief for miners: Bill approved for removal of Tributor’s Tax 03 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Children with disabilities to receive $100,000 grant next week

By Tamica Garnett

DISTRIBUTION of the $100,000 cash grant for children living with disabilities is expected to begin next week, said Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud.

Minister Persaud made the declaration while speaking in the National Assembly.

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry had requested $700 million, a request that was part of the $44 billion supplementary

budget that was approved by the House on Monday.

“I’m happy to say that the distribution process will commence next week and we will be going to every region. It’s an inclusive distribution. It’s one that caters to the needs of our children who are living with disability and provides necessary relief to the parents who are the caregivers and provides the level of care needed,” the minister said.

The ministry had opened registration for eligible persons in June. Children under the age of 18 were required to register with the National

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindyha Persaud

Commission on Disability (NCD) in order to receive

the grant.

It was in early June that

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had announced a one-off $100,000 cash grant for children living with disabilities during a meeting hosted at State House, Main Street, where persons living with disabilities and their caregivers were present.

The government has allocated $200 million in this year’s budget to offer direct support to persons living with disabilities. From the allocation, new and improved healthcare facilities will be constructed to assist persons living with disabilities, among other things.

Minister Persaud said that since the government took office in 2020, catering to the needs of the country’s disabled population has been a primary focuses.

“The PPP/C Government with laser focus has addressed many concerns of persons living with disabilities (PWDs) from the time we got into office.

From then to now a number of programmes and initiatives have been started to cater for some of the specific needs of PWDs, both in the adult and child category,” the minister said.

Updated LCDS 2030 gets ‘green light’ — paves way for investment of revenue from forest carbon markets — lauded for wide public consultation, including in Amerindian communities

By Shamar Meusa THE National Assembly, on Monday, officially welcomed the tabling of the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, paving the way for Guyana to advance with investing its revenue from forest carbon markets.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, moved the motion to table the updated strategy which went through many rounds of public consultations since late 2021.

Monday was the 49th Sitting of the National Assembly of the Twelfth Parliament.

The draft version of the LCDS 2030 was launched in October 2021. It was built from the 2009 version of the strategy, which was also updated in 2013.

The LCDS subsequently underwent months of national consultation during which community-level consultations took place along with engagements with national stakeholders.

During the presentation of the motion, the minister of finance said that in the initial stages of the 2009 LCDS, substantial amounts of resources were mobilised, and further facilitated investment in a number of projects to push Guyana’s move to a low carbon state.

“The original LCDS not only mobilized a substantial amount of resources but

Senior Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh

Deputy Speaker Lenox Shuman

also facilitated [the] investment of those resources in a number of very important projects,” Dr. Singh said.

At that time, he added, Guyana was well-positioned as a global leader on the subject of low carbon development just prior to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) demitting office in 2015.

Minister Singh said that all of the work initially completed for the 2009 LCDS was brought to a crashing halt as the globally-focused strategy was abandoned, and Guyana ceased to earn revenue from it.

Specifically, the Finance Minister revealed that all of the projects that were intended to benefit the people of Guyana were shelved, including the Amerindian Land Titling Project, the Hinterland Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Project, among others.

Instead of using the work

that had already been done to advance national development, the then David Granger-led coalition government developed their own “Green State Development Strategy” which, Dr. Singh added, was not indigenous to Guyana.

The 2009 LCDS was, however, an indigenous strategy as it was completely local and ensured that Guyanese were consulted in the process.

“When it comes to the issue of low carbon development, the 2015 to 2020 years can be characterized as lost years,” said Dr. Singh, adding that the PPP/C gave its commitment while in opposition to rework and prepare the updated LCDS for it to reflect new realities.

Much has changed since then as it was related that Guyana became an oil-producing nation and that needed to be taken into account.

What has not changed, however, is the government’s

commitment to accelerated development in Guyana along a low carbon path, Dr. Singh noted.

He stressed that as Guyana is now an oil and gas producing country, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration feels even more strongly about the importance of maintaining Guyana’s low carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, during the debates and presentation of the motion, the majority opposition, APNU+AFC, was not present.

Deputy Speaker and Opposition member, Lenox Shuman, rose in the House as the lone member on the Opposition benches, but voiced his support for LCDS

2030.

During his presentation, he lauded the extensive consultations that were held by the current government, specifically with the indigenous communities.

Contrasting the consultation processes of the LCDS 2030 compared to the APNU+AFC Green State Development Strategy, Shuman told the House that no line of communication was sent to the then National Toshaos Council during the APNU+AFC government.

He said also that indigenous people continued to demand that their voices be reflected in the APNU+AFC’s strategy.

He indicated that when

indigenous communities were consulted for LCDS 2030, what they have seen thus far in the published document is a lot of what was contributed by the indigenous community.

“I’m happy to say that I see a lot of what we contributed in the Low Carbon Development Strategy. We talk about responsible mining in rivers and forests, developing a larger framework for legislation, and how we deal with overlapping land titles and a series of things,” Shuman expressed.

The reality, Minister Singh added, is that forests are an extremely valuable part and one of the most effective mechanisms in global climate solutions.

With that, Dr. Singh noted that the LCDS 2030 takes Guyana forward and creates a new stream of revenue for investment in low carbon.

It will also ensure that the country maintains its position as a net-zero country.

LCDS 2030 will be accompanied by an investment plan that will outline the main programme areas for each sector within the LCDS. The Investment Plan 2030 will identify project-based initiatives that will be undertaken. The document will also identify budget and financing options.

This plan is expected to be reviewed every three years, for update if necessary.

$44.8B supplementary budget approved 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

— as government moves to further accelerate its major developmental initiatives countrywide

THE government has been granted an additional $44.8 billion in capital and current expenditure with the passage of a supplementary budget geared at advancing the government’s development agenda.

The budget, Financial Paper No 1 of 2022, includes an allocation of $21.050 billion for the Housing and Water Ministry, the largest provision in the supplementary funding.

This money allocated covers various projects, including $250 million for the completion of water supply interventions in hinterland areas and $4.231 billion for additional resources to increase treated water coverage.

Responding to questions under the allocation, Housing and Water Minister, Colin Croal noted that the expenditure will include spending for the establishment of an additional seven water treatment plants, as the government continues to push towards at least 90 per cent coverage of treated water on the coast.

Additionally, the government is also rehabilitating a number of existing facilities, including replacement of the aged transmission network in the City.

“Now more than ever than any other previous tenure we see a commitment of resources placed in the trust for the Guyana Water Inc to deliver on their mandate and that is to ensure we have expanded delivery of water across the country and for us to also improve on the quality and level of service being delivered to households,” Minister Croal commented during remarks before the Assembly on Monday.

The supplementary budget also includes a $5.489 billion under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and $4.439 billion for the Ministry of Public Works, of which some $3 billion is to support additional resources to facilitate the upgrading of roads and drains in various communities.

Under the MoA, the sum requested includes $40 million to promote the country’s food security

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

agenda, $2 billion for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), $1.278 billion for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), $44.142 million for the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) and $218.8 million for the MMA/ADA. The capital expenditure also includes $1.431 billion in additional resources to support the sugar industry and $300 million for additional resources to promote initiatives such as support for fisherfolk.

Addressing the National Assembly, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha noted that over 8,000 fisher-

folk have thus far registered for the $150,000 cash grant that the government has pledged to distribute to each fisherfolk.

FINAL LIST “Hopefully by the end of this week we can have a final list to send to the Minister of Finance for the money to be paid to the fisherfolk,” the minister said.

He said the $300 million will also go towards rehabilitation of a number of landing sites across the country where fisherfolk dock their boats and offload their catch.

“We have 72 landing sites in the country and many of those landing sites

need a lot of work to be done, for example, lights proper, wharfage and other infrastructure. So what we will be doing at all the 72 landing sites around the country we will be installing lights. We will be installing proper walkways; we will be installing better condition so our fishing folk can have easier access to when they come out there they can take out their catch. This money here will rehabilitate and improve these landing sites around the country,” he said.

Under the Ministry of Public Works, the supplementary request includes some $233 million for the Demerara Harbour Bridge, $525 million for the East Coast to East Bank Demerara road linkage, $550 million for sea defence and $131 million for the rehabilitation of ferry vessels.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill explained that the supplementary provisions for the Harbour Bridge and ferry vessels are due largely in part to the lack of proper maintenance of equipment over the five years under the previous

government.

Under the Ministry of Finance, $4 billion has been allocated for payment of electricity arrears to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) as well as another $2.059 billion to fund the census activities of the Bureau of Statistics.

The budget also includes the much anticipated $3.116 billion to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, which will be used to provide for additional resources to support development in Amerindian communities.

This provision stems from initiatives that came out of the recent National Toshao Council (NTC) Conference.

Other agencies covered in the supplementary funding include the Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sports, Public Service, Human Services and Social Security, and Local Government and Regional Development.

Also included is the Office of the Prime Minister, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Regions One, Two and Nine.

Relief for miners: Bill approved for removal of Tributor’s Tax

MINERS are expected to experience tax relief with the National Assembly’s approval last evening of the Fiscal Enactment Amendment Bill No. 2 of 2022, which was successfully piloted and debated

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

Absent from the National Assembly were the members of the main opposition - A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (AP-

NU+AFC).

Dr. Singh emphasised that the bill primarily gives legislative effect to the commitments made by government to the mining community during a meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre last May. During the debate, the Finance Minister reminded the National Assembly that, “It was in fact our predecessors in office-the APNU+AFC who in the first instance doubled the Tributor’s tax from 10

to 20 per cent and then only when the People’s Progressive Party then in Opposition, highlighted the devastating impact that this increase would have on the gold mining industry that they eventually relented and reverted in 2018 from 20 back to 10. We are seeking now to remove that 10 per cent tax altogether. And I say this because this was a measure amongst the several punitive measures implemented by the APNU+AFC with no concern

whatsoever for the impact that such measures would have on the industry, on production and on the people.”

On May 31 last, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), following which, government announced a number of measures that would be taken to provide relief for miners as well as in fulfillment of the Peo-

ple’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) promises to miners as outlined in its manifesto.

The measures include the reduction of final tax from a maximum of 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent which would result in an estimated $1.4 billion being returned to the mining industry, and the removal of the 10 per cent Tributors’ Tax that would benefit thousands of workers in the industry with $300 million expected to be returned to those who were

paying this tax.

Further, during the previous Sitting of the National Assembly, Minister Singh had also presented Value-Added Tax (No.3) Order 2022, which was Gazetted earlier in July, removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on lubricating oil, a key input in not only the mining industry, but almost all the productive sectors.

In total, all measures allow for the return of a total of $1.9 billion to the mining industry. (Ministry of Finance)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Woman dies after stabbing; police on the hunt for her husband

By Nafeeza Yahya

THE hunt is on for a suspect who allegedly stabbed his wife, fatally, on Monday morning at Number 47 Village, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The suspect, Suraj Ganpat of Cumberland, East Canje, reportedly committed the act against the now deceased woman, Cindy Ramchandar, 24, and then fled the scene in a silver-grey motorcar with registration number PAB 4372.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that approximately two months ago, Ramchandar left the marital home and returned to her parents’ home at Number 47 Village, claiming abuse at the hands of her husband.

It is reported that the deceased woman’s husband had threatened her.

The woman reportedly told her mother that as a result of the treatment against her, she would not

DECEASED: Cindy Ramchandar

return to the home where Ganpat lived.

Reports indicate that on Monday, at around 08:30 hrs, Ramchandar left her parents’ home to visit a relative just a short distance away.

It was, however, reported that upon arrival at her destination, Ganpat confronted her with a knife and dealt her several stabs. Ramchandar reportedly collapsed on the bridge in front of her cousin’s home.

Speaking with the media, Anita Tribhowan, an aunt of the deceased, said

Suraj Ganpat

that there was a similar attack two months ago, whereby the suspect attacked her niece with a knife.

At the time of the previous attack, Ramchandar reportedly raised an alarm and defended herself. In the process, she reportedly sustained injuries.

After that ordeal, it was also reported that the police were notified.

The aunt, who said she was in a state of shock, went on to say that since her niece left the marital home, she has been living with her sister at the

Family members gathered at the home of the young woman as they mourn and comfort each other

parents’ home, and hardly goes out on her own.

Talking about her niece, Tribhowan said, “She don’t [sic] go anywhere; nowhere by herself. And if she had to go [to] buy anything at the shop, someone [would]

go with her.”

Meanwhile, the aunt is of the belief that the act was planned, and that her niece’s location may have been communicated to the suspect by someone close.

According to one account, the suspect reportedly rented a car and drove to Number 47 Village.

As the investigation continued throughout the day on Monday, reports are that the police recov-

ered what is believed to have been the getaway vehicle on the Palmyra Public Road.

The deceased, who is described as quiet and caring, leaves to mourn her parents and a younger sister. Her untimely demise has left her family in a state of despair ,and the quiet community in disbelief.

The search for the suspect is still ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Richest nations locked down in logjam between inflation and recession

Part 2: Profits and Poverty IT used to be that the chieftains of capitalism would confidently preach that the ‘trickle- down effect’ was the best way to keep everyone happy: enable investors to make more money so they can spend more and employ more, their wealth -- that way -- trickling-down to the poor.

But history has shown and taught the exact opposite: the richer the rich get, the poorer the poor also get, resulting in the widening of the wealth gap to the current state where the world’s richest one percent are wealthier than 95 per cent of the remaining 99 per cent.

Indeed, Profit and Poverty live side-by-side, the former feeding on the latter while both grow together, but disproportionately and in diametrically opposite directions.

For example: Food, energy and house rent prices are at their highest and continue to climb everywhere while driving more people out of their breadline – so, more British citizens have had to rely on food donations and soup kitchens this year, while BP (British Petroleum) registered over US $14 billion in the first six months.

More proof: The minimum net worth of the world’s top one per cent is roughly US $11.1 million, meaning any person anywhere would need to earn an average of US $823,763 per year to join the ‘Top One Percent’ club.

Noting that the ma-

jor oil companies earned over US $100 billion thus far this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week accused oil and gas companies of making “excessive” profits from the energy crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, calling it “immoral” and urging governments to tax the companies’ earnings.

With the rise in oil and gas prices and the enormous profits reported by BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell in the second quarter, the UN chief said, between now and the end of this year, 345 million people will be “acutely food insecure” or “at a high risk of food insecurity” in 82 countries, an increase of 47 million due to the impact of the war in Ukraine.

Guterres also warned that “many developing countries are drowning in debt, without access to finance, and struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and could go over the brink.”

“We are already seeing the warning signs of a wave of economic, social and political upheaval that would leave no country untouched,” he said.

Guterres’ language left no room for misinterpretation as he silently condemned the effects of the capitalist system that drives Free Enterprise, making the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Yet the richest are paying top-dollar fees to lawyers and finance experts to

search for and find legal ways for their companies not to pay taxes on their profits.

And the richest companies continue to show, everywhere, that in their world, the race is always for the swiftest – and not necessarily those that endure the most.

Even the Free Enterprise system has so changed that it’s less-free now than ever: where family-owned companies used to remain in family hands over generations, today any competitor can challenge and even takeover a family brand through the market manipulation, or by engaging anti-monopoly law and mechanisms.

Market manipulation needs versus supplies to influence prices, as with the price rises that followed the Supply Chain crisis that preceded the Ukraine war, shipping prices and other costs being passedon to consumers down the line, in ways that either drain their pockets or make the products unaffordable.

Same with the ongoing wheat crisis that started with the supply chain problem and worsened after Ukraine’s sanctions and transport blockages: the scores of millions of tonnes waiting to be shipped out (and just starting from Ukraine and Russia) will undoubtedly lead to phenomenal price rises on the free market that will continue to freely raise wheat product prices out of the range and reach of the poor and poorest.

Here again, is also used to be said that ‘When the middle class does well, so does everyone else…’ but the reality of three past decades has been that middle classes are being made poorer by the same prices increases that have already locked-out the poor.

The simple reality is that the world’s longest-surviving economic system is no longer seen as a perfect model, as it’s now yielding more crises than profits in most cases, as traditionally-safe investments become more problematic and success depends in many ways on creation of artificial demands or commodity gluts, as in the case of the ‘military industrial complex’ that President Eisenhower warned about so many decades ago.

It’s not for nothing that big powers always seem willing to fan wars because the weapons producers always have permanent lobbyists (in and out of governments) paid to fan the flames of war to create the need for weapons – and in many cases, the same companies and complexes supply to both or all of the warring parties.

Take the current boil-

ing crises in Ukraine and around Taiwan: the weapons manufacturers are fishing deep for contracts to supply the billions of dollars’ worth of arms approved and to be supplied through the military assistance programs by NATO allies, especially the USA, which has altogether topped US $100 Billion; and likewise, the multinational arms manufacturers to profit from arming Taiwan against China and boosting the defenses of neighboring Western military allies are busy fanning similar flames and narratives supporting confrontation.

Profits and Poverty have always existed side-

by-side and in the current prevailing economic system, nothing like Poverty Eradication is possible, which is why the goals had to be reduced to “Poverty Alleviation’ and ‘Poverty Reduction’ – where possible and sustainable.

Poverty and Profits continue to coexist everywhere on Planet Earth today, only at different levels in different places, depending on different and common factors, with more people existing on the periphery of persistent poverty today than ever before --and the richest nations also facing inflation and recession like never before.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Indigenous Peoples have endured ALL of 530 years after Christopher Columbus opened the way for Europe’s mass decimation of the Caribbean’s and the Americas’ indigenous people, theft of their lands and plunder of their resources, the world’s indigenous populations are still knocking on global doors, both gently and loudly, demanding due respect for who they are and what they mean to our world.

The United Nations and many global, regional and national entities have ensured the world has recognised their existence, but gaining the respect they should never have had to ask for will remain a bad dream and distant reality, unless more is done now – today and tomorrow – to address fundamental issues like land rights ands titles, respect for indigenous traditions and

cultures and recognising the quiet positive influence the world’s First People and their descendants have had (and continue to have) on maintaining the balance between humankind and nature, between their communities and the environment.

Guyana has a long history of respecting, promoting and defending its indigenous people, all governments since independence taking steps – small, medium and big – that have affected the First People nations, now an annual institutionalised mechanism through the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conferences bringing governments and indigenous leaders to address common approaches to issues in indigenous communities.

The maps of British Guiana erased the tra-

ditional boundaries and forced First People into domiciled existence on the margins of society while their lands were appropriated by European settlers, leaving them seeking more than just recognition of their existence. Land titling is a regional and universal matter affecting most (if not all) indigenous societies globally and until and unless workable solutions can be found that will honestly address and redress related wrongs, the struggles for related justice will continue and intensify.

National governments have prime responsibility to address outstanding issues their indigenous people have lived with for centuries, and in this regard the demarcation project under way in Guyana is an important first step towards a satisfactory solution.

Successive governments have also respected preservation of the culture of Guyana’s indigenous people, who have long come out of the dark and can see a lighted path to their future.

Another sore point around the world has been a general lack of sufficient recognition of indigenous people’s contributions to a cleaner, greener and sustainable planet. They have forever lived with nature and their resistance to assimilation by hostile cultures is based on their generational construct as people who live on and on with full respect for and defense of the environment with all its flora and fauna, birds and animals, trees and flowers and traditional medicines that have forever stood all tests of time.

Like with the struggles

for world peace and peace in the Middle East, not every phase is achieved with the speed necessary to galvanise more change, but in the case of the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean and The Americas, five centuries is too long a time to have had to wait.

CARICOM is pursuing Reparations from Europe for Slavery and Native Genocide and Guyana and Belize have started a cooperative approach to common issues affecting their indigenous peoples, but ways must be found to also continue to engage Caribbean organisations of indigenous people in deeper and more engaging ways in the search for solutions. Guyana has such an established mechanism and it would do well for other CARICOM states that haven’t moved in that direction to take a page

from Guyana and turn a new leaf for their First People.

First People don’t have to be reminded they are part of a society they were the first inhabitants, protectors and defenders of and when they do, it’s usually because they have been made to feel like they never existed. That’s not the case in Guyana and it must remain that way, only improving with time and expanding in scope.

Meanwhile, as the world observes Indigenous People’s Day today, here’s to Guyana’s indigenous people and their counterparts around the Caribbean, The Americas and the rest of the whole wide world, with sincere best hopes and wishes that the world’s indigenous populations get their respect due, sooner than later.

A victory, albeit modest, for diplomacy Dear Editor, AMIDST the growing tension in the global environment following the invasion of Ukraine

by Russia and the visit

by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, there is one small glimmer of hope. Ukraine has recommenced shipments of grain from its ports in the Black Sea which had stopped since the

February 20 Russian invasion.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the price of grain on the world market has already declined by nine per cent in July following the resumption of grain exports.

This is a small but welcome development brokered by the United Nations and the Turkish government which al-

lowed for the safe passage of cargo vessels by both Russia and Ukraine.

This is a victory, albeit modest, for diplomacy and showed that the United Nations can play a role in conflict resolutions.

Could this be the beginning of the end of the war in Ukraine, as hinted by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder who met with Russian President, Vladimir Putin,

during his recent visit to Russia? One can only hope that such is the case.

The war so far has not shown any sign of easing up with no clear ‘winners’ in sight. Both sides have experienced significant losses both in terms of military personnel and military hardware, not to mention civilian deaths and destruction of property.

I believe that some

amount of ‘war fatigue’ is already stepping in on both sides which could very well lay the basis for a negotiated agreement between Russia and Ukraine. This, hopefully, could be brokered by the BRICS countries, mainly China and India which so far have not displayed any hostility nor support for any of the two warring sides. Brazil, South Africa and, more particularly,

Turkey can also play a supporting role.

It is time for saner heads to prevail with a view to bringing this war, now in its sixth month, to an end. The whole of humanity is affected by this senseless war especially the Ukrainian people.

Yours sincerely, Hydar Ally

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

OP-ED:

By Jean-Paul NGOME ABIAGA, Ph.D Programme Coordinator, UNESCO Office in Kingston, Jamaica MORE than two decades ago, in 1999, the Indigenous communities of Guyana held their first National Toshaos Conference to discuss contemporary challenges and formulate a common position on critical issues that have devastating effects on livelihoods, environmental and natural resources sustainability and the well-being of Indigenous peoples. This conference has evolved into becoming an annual gathering, and today provides a vision of unity to many Indigenous peoples all around the world.

After an interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference resumed functioning in mid-July 2022. It brought together Toshaos from over 212 indigenous communities, working with the administration to develop strategies and guidelines, as well as to elect a new executive committee of the Toshaos Council. From this policy dialogue comes the promise of a flourishing Amerindian Heritage Month in September of this year. The month will focus on Indigenous knowledge and languages, cultural expressions, intangible heritage, and the unique indigenous life and cosmogonic vision of Toshaos.

On the 9th of August, between the Toshaos Conference and the Amerindian Heritage Month, will be the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, where the United Nations will seize the opportunity to raise global awareness of Indigenous peoples and their knowledge systems.

It will also promote Indigenous culture, languages and traditions, essential towards fostering sustainable and resilient societies, fostering global understanding and building peace among humans and

‘Rallying Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems towards sustainable development pathways’

with nature. Indigenous peoples are guardians of 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and ecosystems, which they often manage based on culturally specific world views, caring for the health of the environment and on reciprocal responsibility[1]. If the deforestation rate of Guyana is under one per cent per year – remaining one of the most preserved and pristine rainforests in the world – it is largely due to the stewardship of indigenous communities who inhabit and protect this vast green cover.

The theme of this year’s International Day is “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge”.

Indeed, Indigenous women play a vital role in their communities as knowledge holders on cultural norms and traditions, community histories, medical services and agriculture systems, while being agents of conflict prevention and resolution through community order and indigenous justice.

Jessica George-Joseph is from the Macushi Nation from the village of Moco Moco in the region of Central Rupununi in Guyana. She describes the role of Indigenous women in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge as irreplaceable.

“As women, we work and observe what goes on around us and for us to pass this knowledge we need to be empowered to first believe in our worth, to be proud of who we are. When we as women realise our worth, we will then know the power of our actions and words.”

She further addresses the need for Guyanese to value the natural beauty of their country and stop its destruction to create a balance. “We need to be more responsible and respect each other and each other’s space,” urged Jessica George-Joseph.

Indigenous women also are the educators in many

of their peoples, transmitting knowledge on the sustainable management of natural resources, cultural heritage and the languages.

Language is a key element when implementing literacy programmes or designing educational curricula.

We need to understand

and expand our education system to include more Indigenous knowledge that cares for the planet.

We also need to invest more in the education of Indigenous communities by developing appropriate curricula and inclusive teaching meth-

odologies that meet their specific needs. Indeed, there is a general lack of disaggregated data, admittedly, indigenous peoples, especially women, suffer the highest illiteracy rate[2] in the population.

This has dramatic consequences, leading to a

Jean-Paul NGOME ABIAGA, PhD Programme Coordinator, UNESCO Office in Kingston, Jamaica

lack of opportunities in the labour market, limited personal development possibilities, and high levels of rural-urban shift, where Continued on page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Better access to financing for firms could drive growth, jobs in Caribbean

— says IDB in latest report A NEW report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and IDB Invest has recommended that Caribbean countries focus on overcoming obstacles to financial access and inclusion for businesses, because having more developed and

inclusive financial systems could increase growth and reduce poverty and income inequality.

The report ‘Finance for Firms: Options for Improving Access and Inclusion’, emphasised the important link between deeper and more

accessible financial systems, and faster and more inclusive economic development.

According to a release, the publication compares financial systems of six Caribbean countries—The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago—to others from across the world. It also assesses results of enterprise

surveys in 2014 and 2020 to identify key financing challenges faced by firms, including small enterprises, and those that are owned or operated by women.

“The report finds that firms across the Caribbean face outsized challenges, particularly when compared to global peers. It also finds that the COVID-19 crisis appears to have further constrained access to financing, that smaller firms seem to face more significant hurdles than larger ones, and that businesses owned and/or operated by women face more severe challenges than others.

These challenges companies encounter include high borrowing costs, burdensome collateral requirements, inadequate funding mechanisms, and complex application pro-

cedures,” the release noted.

In 2020, it said that 76 per cent of firms in Suriname and 72 per cent of firms in Barbados reported that issues such as significant collateral requirements posed major or very severe obstacles to their performance and ability to do business, up from 22 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, in 2014.

Meanwhile, in 2020, small firms in five of the six economies surveyed reported high financing costs as a more significant barrier to business than larger firms.

The release noted, too, that surveys also suggest that women-owned or -operated firms (WOFs) face more significant financial constraints than other firms, with an average of about two-thirds of these enterprises reporting

access to financing as a major or severe obstacle.

“It is key for the public and private sector in Caribbean countries to collaborate so entrepreneurs can better finance their ambitions to grow their businesses,” said David Rosenblatt, Regional Economic Advisor for the IDB’s Caribbean Department. “This is important for strengthening the ongoing economic recovery, in the near-term and improving growth prospects for the future,” he said.

The authors proposed several priorities, including ensuring macroeconomic stability and policy prudence, improving the availability of credit information, and promoting credit sector competition, among others, the release noted.

From page 7

ESCO is also committed to supporting indigenous youth, as exemplified by the indigenous drive launched by the Village Council of St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri Village in Guyana. Indigenous youth are featured in this informative and educational parade supported

by UNESCO, the United Nations in Guyana and the Canadian High Commission to highlight the indigenous cultural heritage and engage Guyanese decision-makers in the protection of indigenous peoples’ heritage. Finally, it commemorates the milestone of the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.

The link among Indigenous knowledge systems, natural sciences and social sciences, and policy making, is a key priority for UNESCO in Guyana, Suriname, Belize, and in the Caribbean’s indigenous people’s landscape.

At UNESCO, we believe it is a driver for leveraging the value of indigenous knowledge in addressing environmental and societal issues, and in complementing the traditional scientific knowledge system.

In Guyana, biodiversity

and the related ecosystem services are important catalyzers for climate adaptation and regulation, land and forest preservation, provisioning of freshwater resources, disaster risk resilience and community-based sustainable green and blue economies in the hinterland and in the coastal areas. It is in this context that UNESCO and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Guyana are developing a trialogue series to mobilise all relevant stakeholders and expand the Indigenous Knowledge-Environmental Sciences-Policy Making interface in the country.

Indigenous peoples’ issues are an integral part of global concerns. Therefore, we must rally as one humanity for the full participation and enjoyment of Indigenous peoples’ rights, their knowledge systems, languages and cultural riches in the global endeavor to find sustainable pathways for the living world, for society and for humanity as a whole.

‘Rallying Indigenous Peoples’... they face low wages and discrimination.

One of the biggest challenges for indigenous communities is the migration of youth from communities to cities in search of work, said Jessica George-Joseph. “After completing secondary education, there are no jobs for the youth to stay in the communities.”

In most cases, indigenous women are the primary conduit through which the younger generation learns and perpetuates indigenous languages. Despite accounting for only 6.2 per cent of the world’s population, indigenous peoples are the custodians of 4,000 languages. These languages are part of our common human heritage, which we must preserve and cherish. This is why UNESCO, as the lead agency of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which runs from 2022 to 2032, is working to address the critical status of many indigenous languages around the world, and encouraging their preservation, revitalisation, transmission and promotion, among youth.

On this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, UN-

[1] IPBES Global Report on Biodiversity [2] https://unesdoc. unesco.org/ark:/48223/ pf0000146004/PDF/146004eng.pdf.multi

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

The claim that I have not been in Guyana in recent years is not true

Dear Editor,

ANY good, decent, and respectable journalists would investigate, research and contact persons before writing erroneously about them.

Journalists should be honest and accurate on facts and their information should be factual and not conjure up things in their heads/ minds and write disparagingly about people with the belief that they are correct. Reckless, false/fabricated, and mediocre journalism has no place in today’s modern society to say the least. So let me rebutt the claim Freddie Kissoon wrote about me in Kaieteur News on August 5. He said “Mr. Nohar’s project has four interviewers – Mr. Charles Sugrim, Paul Tennassee, Dr. Asquith Rose, and Mr. Vishnu Bisram, all of whom do not live in Guyana and haven’t been in Guyana in recent years.”

I do not know about the travelling schedule of the other names he mentioned, but for Mr. Kissoon to say that I have not been in Guyana in recent years is not only ridiculous and silly, and it shows clearly that he is presumptuous, snobbish, and snooty. Mr. Kissoon does not know anything about me much less my travel plans which I will explain later.

So let me upbraid this Kaieteur News columnist who thinks he alone knows all about the politics, economics and history of Guyana and is the only one who has a panacea for all of Guyana’s socio-economic and geo-politics problems. He has the temerity to say that Guyanese who reside in the Diaspora should not write or discuss anything about the issues in Guyana

because according to him, they have abandoned the country when things were ‘ruff’. He has relegated Guyanese in the Diaspora as second-class citizens while he has not said anything negative about non-Guyanese coming to Guyana. Also, he has no clue that remittances from the Diaspora have contributed to more than 30 per cent [of] Guyana’s GDP. However, Mr Kissoon does not live in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, or Latin America, or any country except for Guyana, yet he writes about those countries. By now, Mr. Kissoon should know that there is a new marvel known as SOCIAL MEDIA which he has stated that he is not familiar with because he does not have a smart phone. If he has any knowledge about SOCIAL MEDIA, he will refrain from writing such things about Guyanese in the diaspora. The social media has turned the world into a small village. Based on his ill-thoughts and poor logic, only those who live in Ukraine should write about the war currently taking place in that country with Russia.

I am pleased to inform Mr. Kissoon that I was in Guyana in 2021, from May 14 to October 28 due to the COVID pandemic which allows me to do my job virtually. I returned to Guyana on December 13, 2021, and departed on March 8, 2022, because I had to be on site for my job due to the lifting of COVID restrictions imposed by the authorities.

I returned to Guyana on May 17, 2022, and after two and a half months, I am still here. During my five and a half months in Guyana in 2021, and my two and a half months this year and now another two and a half months, I have travelled extensively the length and breadth of the country from the Rupununi districts to the Brazilian and Venezuelan borders, to Molson Creek and to Orealla, including all the towns including Linden, Mahdia and Lethem etc. and the districts and villages. The reason for my lengthy visits is based solely on my interests, but I was not stuck-up in Georgetown, walking my dog on the seawalls, or going to Giftland mall, or Survival supermarket.

Instead, I visited both the high and low-end restaurants, clubs, bars in the city and elsewhere to meet with people.

S o , M r. K i s s o o n , please do not write anything about me period because it will be false.

And for you to say that I have not visited Guyana in recent times without even contacting me is not only poor journalism but is also a fiction.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Asquith Rose.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

August 23 set for ruling on APNU+AFC challenge to constitutional bodies

By Shamar Meusa

CHIEF Justice (ag.) Roxane George will deliver her ruling in the opposition, APNU+AFC’s legal chal-

lenges to the appointment of Patrick Findlay as Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, as well as the appointment of members of the Integrity Commission.

During a virtual hearing on Monday, the Chief Justice concluded by hearing oral submissions from Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.,

and the applicant’s attorney, Roysdale Forde, S.C. The case was later adjourned to August 23 for ruling.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton had moved to the High Court seeking to quash the appointment of the PSC Chairman, claiming that it was “illegal, null, void and of no legal effect.”

Patrick Findlay currently sits as Chairman of the reconstituted PSC which also includes Attorney-at-Law Mark Conway, and businessmen Ernesto Choo-a-Fat, and Hakeem Mohammed.

As it relates to the Integrity Commissioners, Norton, in his challenge, is contending that President, Dr Irfaan Ali did not afford him “a reasonable opportunity to express a considered opinion on the subject of the consultation.”

He maintained that this is a breach of the Integrity Commission Act. The Integrity Commission comprises Demerara Bank Corporate Secretary, Chandra Gajraj as Chairperson, along with attorney Mohamed Haniff, and former Solicitor General Kim Kyte-Thomas.

Hardesh Tiwari and Chris Wayne Bowman are also members.

The issue at hand is the appointment of current Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, to act in that capacity, which requires by law, consultation between the President and the Police Service Commission Chairman.

The Opposition Leader is, however, arguing that any consultation between the President and Findlay on the subject of the appointment of a Commissioner of Police of Guyana is unconstitutional, null, void, and of no legal effect.

Norton had also filed a Notice of Application (NoA), requesting a conservatory order to halt the consultation process between him and the President until the substantive matter has been completed.

AG Nandlall, in his sub-

missions, contended that “undisputed evidence” reveals that Norton was informed in writing that Mr. Findlay was the President’s nominee for PSC Chairman.

According to Nandlall, Norton himself, on April 13, voted in the National Assembly in support of the Official Report of the Appointments Committee that recommended Findlay as a member of the PSC. Norton had claimed that Findlay is politically tainted since he is a “known and public supporter of the PPP/C and was a candidate for the PPP/C [in the] 2015 general and regional elections.”

However, in his submissions, Nandlall said, “Significantly, it has already been made painfully clear that no such allegation was made at the Appointments Committee or in the National Assembly when the report from that committee was unanimously approved containing the names of the persons to be appointed by the President to the PSC.” He further asserted that Norton wrote a total of four of those letters in the exchange and attended one in-person meeting.

“In the entirety of those engagements he offered no nominees of his own, neither did he offer any objection of any type whatsoever to Mr. Findlay, either in a letter or in the in-person meeting,” AG Nandlall said.

The President, after consultation with Findlay, officially nominated Hicken to act in the position of Police Commissioner.

In a letter dated June 29, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, outlined to Norton the reasons why Hicken was appointed back in March.

This letter also invited Norton to give his opinion on the subject.

In this correspondence, it was noted that former Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie proceeded on pre-re-

tirement leave on March 30.

And at the time, there was no constituted Police Service Commission, nor was there a person holding the post of Leader of the Opposition.

It further stated that having regard to a number of factors, including “the preservation of law and order, the preservation of peace, and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations within Guyana, in the nation’s best interest and in the interest of national security,” President Ali opted to make the appointment rather than leave a vacuum in command and superintendence of the force.

Following consultations with Findlay, the President sought to engage Norton in “meaningful consultation”, Teixeira added in her letter.

Norton was given up to July 19 to give his opinion on the matter in writing. However, on July 15, his response was “put on hold” pending the outcome of the legal challenge.

Additionally, Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones had filed a constitutional challenge against Hicken’s appointment as acting ‘Top Cop’.

In his Fixed Date Application (FDA), Jones sought to overturn Hicken’s appointment which he claims is “unreasonable, ultra vires the Constitution, common law and is illegal, null, void and of no legal effect.”

He also sought a declaration that the President’s decision to appoint Hicken violates Articles 211 (1) and 211 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. Jones claimed that there were no consultations between the President and the Leader of the Opposition as required by the Constitution prior to Hicken’s appointment.

This matter, separate from the challenge of Norton to the appointment of the constitutional office holders, is also before the Chief Justice, who is set to rule on it on August 11.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Students to be equipped with job-ready skills

By Naomi Parris

STUDENTS will soon be exposed to job-ready, technical and vocational skills and certification as the Ministry of Education is forging ahead with plans to advance the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) countrywide.

This is according to Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson, who was at the time speaking at a Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) TVET stakeholder meeting at the Umana Yana on Monday.

“The Ministry of Education is mandated to ensure that Guyanese children are offered secondary education that will make them academically and economically viable. No child must be at risk of completing the secondary school cycle and not being gainfully employed or able to advance their studies,” Hutson said.

He explained that TVET is a crucial factor for lifelong learning.

“The Ministry of Education, after a deliberate review of its secondary education programme, is determined to ensure that all Guyanese exit their education cycle with some form of certification. Economies will advance when the role and positioning of TVET are well integrated within the education system,” he said.

The aim, he noted is to see 60 per cent of graduates from TVET institutions gaining employment within six months of graduation.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, w i t h Guyana on the road to becoming one of the world’s largest oil producers, he said the education system must be refined to produce graduates who meet the demand of the local job market.

“We have the oil and gas sector and, by extension, a supportive local content policy; therefore, it is important that we generate people to advance this nation,” he said.

Some nine secondary schools across the coun-

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson

try have already been approved to offer Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programmes and the ministry is seeking to have 34 more schools added to the list.

“The facility, audit, rehabilitating and retooling workshops, labs are significant. It is a significant activity in the process; these workshops are targetted in the first phase for rehabilitation, renovation and retooling to bring them to the state of compliance.”

A CXC-led team will be conducting a series of dialogues, workshops, programmes and pre-auditing for the implementation of the CVQ programmes in those 34 secondary schools across the country.

While giving brief remarks at the stakeholder meeting, CXC’s registrar, Wayne Wesley, said the workshops and pre-auditing exercises will see the better positioning of Guyana in implementing the CVQ programmes.

“A robust dialogue and engagement and exchange during this very important pre-audit period will definitely enhance the ministry and schools to be in the position to offer the Caribbean vocational qualification. It is very important then that this period will be conducted in a manner that will allow for this robust engagement,” Wesley said, adding: “I look forward to an agreed consensus and the preparation of the implementation of the CVQ, certainly the CXC team will be at hand to facilitate any query or any concern you might have.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Damaged Mora Bridge repaired

THE Mora Bridge, located in the vicinity of Toka village and Yakarinta in the North Rupununi Wetlands, has been repaired and is

again usable, following emergency works on the substructure.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), repairs

became necessary, following major damage to the bridge by a Brazilian truck laden with corn, which broke a beam and fell off the bridge while

The Mora Bridge that has been repaired (DPI photo)

attempting to cross.

L a t e r, t w o o t h e r trucks caused more damage which eventually rendered the bride impassable. The Min-

istry of Public Works awarded a $12,000,000 contract to Lumber King Enterprises which began work on August 5, 2022. The repairs en-

tailed replacing all the damaged beams and installing new deck plans and running boards, DPI said.

The damaged Mora Bridge in the vicinity of Toka village and Yakarinta in the North Rupununi Wetlands (DPI photo)

Mother demands justice for son found dead in E’bo River POLICE have made a pronouncement on the circumstances surrounding the death of Romeo “Fine Boy” Randolph, a 35-yearold farmer and speed boat operator, whose body was found on Sunday in the Essequibo River.

The law enforcement agency, on Monday, said the farmer’s death was caused by “suffocation compounded by blunt trauma to the head” based on a post-mortem examination conducted on Monday. The procedure was conducted by government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh.

Around 08:00 hrs on Sunday, fishermen made the discovery. Persaud, of Hogg Island, was reported missing since August 5.

Police have not made any arrests. Relatives of the deceased are calling for anyone with information to come forward. There is speculation that the boat operator was murdered, and his body dumped in the river.

DECEASED: Romeo “Fine Man” Persaud

Holiwattie Randolph, the mother of the deceased, said the body was found with hands and feet bound with yellow rope, and his face covered with a black plastic bag which was duct taped. A 115 horsepower (HP) engine, belonging to the deceased, was tied to his body.

The tearful mother said that she last heard from her son on Friday at midday after

he left the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) to go home to clean his house.

She said her son’s body was discovered on his birth anniversary.

Persaud’s mother said her son would visit his wife and two children on Fridays. She also reported that he returned home after visiting them.

When Randolph was told that her son’s boat was found drifting in the river, it was by neighbours. Worried, she made several calls which went unanswered. A missing person’s report was filed at the Parika Police Station.

“We want justice!” the deceased man’s mother told the Guyana Chronicle. “My son’s life was snatched away and how he died was cruel.

I am so devastated and we want justice” Randolph said, crying.

Persaud was described as a loving father. His body will be handed over to the relatives for cremation at a later date.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

English Racing Tips Nottingham 09:15 hrs Explicit 09:45 hrs Roll It In Glitter 10:15 hrs Myboymax 10:50 hrs Korker 11:25 hrs Cooperation 12:00 hrs Thunder Flash Chelmsford City 11:45 hrs Comedian Leader 12:20 hrs Imperial Khan 12:55 hrs Quantico 13:30 hrs Diffident Spirit 14:05 hrs Brute Force 14:40 hrs Company Minx 15:15 hrs Snap Ambush Lingfield 08:30 hrs Tulane 09:00 hrs Lady Jane Grey 09:30 hrs Al Algaila 10:00 hrs Healing Power 10:30 hrs Outside World 11:05 hrs Glenister American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Just Stay Home Race 2 Holy Cowboy Race 3 Big Cyn Race 4 Investment Grade Race 5 Wickosity Race 6 Draw Off Race 7 Interstate Race 8 Live In Five South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:00 hrs Tuscan Winter 08:40 hrs Don’t Hurt Me 09:10 hrs Banha Bridge 09:40 hrs High Moon 10:10 hrs Duke Of Sussex 10:40 hrs Thambi Canadian Racing Tips Fort Erie Race 1 Wonnefral Race 2 Shanghai Kimmy Race 3 Gizmos Princess

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Mumbai Indians owner served conflict-of-interest notice over BCCI ethics officer has given her until September 2 to respond IPL rights …The MUMBAIi Indians owner Nita Ambani has been asked by the BCCI ethics officer Vineet Saran to respond to a conflict-of-interest complaint filed against her.

The complaint was made by former Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) member Sanjeev Gupta, who raised the issue that Ambani, the owner of the Mumbai franchise in the IPL, is also a director at Reliance Industries (RIL), whose subsidiary Viacom 18 bought broadcast rights for the IPL from 2023 to 2027 for a sum of INR 23,758 crore (US$ 3 billion approx).

Viacom 18 secured the digital rights to stream the IPL in India, and also the media rights (both TV and digital) for Australia and

New Zealand, the UK, and South Africa, at the e-auction* conducted by the BCCI in June.

According to Gupta, Ambani's positions as a team owner in the IPL and as a director in the company that owns the subsidiary that has acquired IPL broadcast rights, represents a conflict of interest.

"It is submitted that RIL website states that Viacom 18 is a subsidiary company of RIL," Mr. Gupta wrote in his complaint about the alleged conflict of interest, according to PTI. Saran, a former Supreme Court judge, has given Ambani until September 2 to file a written response to the complaint.

"You are hereby informed that a complaint has

been received by the Ethics Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India under rule 39(b) of the rules and regulations of BCCI, regarding certain acts, allegedly constituting 'conflict of interest' on your part," Saran wrote in his notice to Ambani. "You are directed to file your written response to the accompanying complaint on or before 2-9-2022."

Gupta, the person who filed the complaint, has a history of raising conflict-of-interest issues in Indian cricket. In the past, he has filed such complaints against Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni and BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla among others.

(Cricinfo)

Amazing closing ceremony... ing run in the Women's Singles, where she reached the Round-of-16.

In the Doubles, Cummings paired with Chelsea Edghill, while Shemar Britton partnered with Christopher Franklin to also reach the Round-of-16.

Coached by Linden Johnson and Idi Lewis, the country's females, in the Teams’ event, the country finished fifth behind Singapore (Gold), Malaysia (Silver), Australia (Bronze), Wales, Canada and England.

TRACK & FIELD At the 2018 games in Australia, Track and Field provided the country’s lone medal when Troy Doris won gold in the Men’s triple jump.

Four years later, however, things aren’t the same.

The highlight of the team’s participation at the Commonwealth Games was the relay team of Arinze Chance, Akeem Stewart, Noelex Holder and Emanuel Archibald finishing fourth in the Men’s4X100m finals.

It was the first time Guyana had entered a relay team at the Commonwealth Games.

Archibald (Long Jump) joined Chantoba Bright (Triple Jump) as the only athletes to feature in the finals in an

individual event.

Kenisha Phillips reached the semi-finals of the women’s 200m, while Aliyah Abrams and her sister Jasmine competed in the 400m and 100m semi-finals respectively.

The other athletes, Arinze Chance (400m/200m), Quamel Prince (800m), Joana Archer (800m), Holder (100m/200m) and Stewart (100m/200m) all exited in the first round despite creditable performances.

BOXING Desmond Amsterdam (Middleweight) and Keevin Allicock (Featherweight), came one win away from capturing a medal and breaking the country’s 32-year jinx.

Both boxers had a questionable ending to their bouts, with many still wondering how come.

Amsterdam had his bout stopped in the second round, while Allicock was on the negative side of a split decision against his Canadian opponent.

BADMINTON Badminton siblings, Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani had a commendable showing in the women’s and men’s singles, as well as the

(From back page)

Mixed Doubles but it didn’t translate to wins.

Narayan was competing at his second Commonwealth Games, making his debut in 2018, while his sister, Priyanna, was having her first taste of competition.

SWIMMING Coach Sean Baksh arrived in Birmingham with high expectations of his swimmers at the Commonwealth Games.

Guyana's youngest-ever Olympian, Aleka Persaud, added another National record to her increasing list, this time in the women’s 100m butterfly, with a time of one minute, 07.24s (1:07.24s) Patrice and Paul Mahaica, and Sekhel Tzedeq were the other members of the team.

CYCLING Christopher Griffith, the lone cyclist at the games, had a tough first outing competing in the time trials and road race.

Griffith finished down the ladder in the time trial and had a DNF (did not finish) in the road race.

After no podium finishes, the country will have to wait another four years for the games in Victoria, Australia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

KL Rahul return; Bumrah Canada win women’s Kohli, misses out with injury 4x400m relay gold after England gets disqualified

Commonwealth Games - Athletics - Women's 4 x 400m Relay - Medal Ceremony - Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, Britain - Gold medallists Canada's Natassha Mcdonald, Aiyanna Stiverne. Micha Powell, Kyra Constantine celebrate on the podium REUTERS/Phil Noble

(Reuters): Canada claimed the women’s 4x400m Commonwealth Games relay gold on Sunday after England crossed the finish line first but was disqualified for a lane infringement.

With Jessie Knight as anchor, the England team thought they had won by

one-thousandth of a second ahead of Canada’s Kyra Constantine after a photo finish.

Victoria Ohuruogu, Jodie Williams and Ama Pipi celebrated along with Knight at the Alexander Stadium, believing England had clinched their eighth athletics gold of

this Games.

However, the judges later spotted that Williams’ foot had strayed over the lane on the first changeover with Ohuruogu and disqualified the team.

Canada was promoted to gold while Jamaica took silver and Scotland bronze.

NEW DELHI: India have named a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup to be captained by Rohit Sharma.

Virat Kohli has returned to the setup as has KL Rahul but Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel miss out with injury (rib).

Kohli, who was rested from the tour of West Indies and will skip the ODIs in Zimbabwe, is expected to straight away return to the fold against Pakistan - the opener for the Indian team on 28 August. Kohli's last assignment was the series against England where he picked up a niggle.

KL Rahul has recovered from an injury and COVID-19 related illness to become available. He is also named as the vice-captain for the side.

Rahul has been out of action since the end of the Indian Premier League in May. His string of issues since then include a groin injury, surgery for sports hernia and just as he regained fitness, the 30-year-old tested COVID positive.

Bumrah did not travel with the rest to the West Indies after the tour of England, and he had also been rested from the upcoming ODI series in Zimbabwe. As per a BCCI source, Bumrah has a back injury that hasn't

Virat Kohli is back in India's T20I set-up after a long break (Getty Images)

recovered fully.

BCCI have named three standbys for the tournament: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel and Deepak Chahar. Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav and Sanju Samson, who were part of the T20I series in the West Indies, have been left out. Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan and Deepak Hooda have kept their places.

The Asia Cup, played in a T20I format, gets underway on 27 August with Sri Lanka facing Afghanistan. India are the defending continental champions, last played in 2018 in an ODI format.

India, Pakistan and the team that wins the qualifying tournament comprise Group A, while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are in Group B. Ten games will take place in Dubai and three in Sharjah.

India squad for 2022 Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (v/c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Deepak Hooda, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

Aussies bask in golden glow of cricket's new 'trifecta'

The 2022 Commonwealth Games cricket medal winners (Getty)

By Laura Jolly at Edgbaston MEGAN Schutt ranks Australia's Commonwealth Games gold-winning victory as one of the best of her career, saying the reality of what the team had achieved at Edgbaston was only just starting to sink in.

Australia's cricketers narrowly missed out on the honour of claiming the country's 1000th Games gold – that moment went to the netball Diamonds a little over an hour later – but win No.999 was just as satisfying

for Meg Lanning's team which can now lay claim to women's cricket's new 'trifecta', as holders of both the ODI and T20 World Cups and now, Commonwealth Games gold medallists.

"It's absolutely special," Schutt told reporters after Australia sealed the thrilling final-over victory over a gallant India.

"It means a lot more than what I thought it would before these Commonwealth Games.

"Being a part of them has been much more uplifting than what I thought and to have the medal ceremony

at the end there, it's a completely different feeling to a World Cup and one that I'll hold forever."

The manner in which Australia were forced to fend off India, whose charge towards Australia's total of 8-161 was led by Harmanpreet Kaur's swashbuckling 65, made the win particularly satisfying for Schutt.

India continued to take it up to Australia even after the captain's dismissal in the 16th over, and needed 11 from the last before Jess Jonassen claimed the final wicket to bowl them out with three deliveries remaining.

"That was absolutely crazy. One of the best games I've been a part of by far," Schutt said.

"The way we scrapped at the end there, that definitely that wasn't our best game.

"We didn't field the best, we didn't bowl the best and we scrapped with the bat but we fight, that's what we do and once we got Kaur (out), we knew we were a hot shot, so that was a fantastic game of cricket."

A unique aspect of cricket at the Commonwealth Games was the awarding of a bronze medal, which was claimed by New Zealand

when they thrashed England by eight wickets on Sunday morning.

They won that match despite a 12-hour turnaround from their semi-final loss to Australia the previous evening, and had to wait until after the evening final to receive their medals.

The toll of a largely sleepless night was obvious when television cameras captured Amelia Kerr and Fran Jonas snoozing in the very rowdy Edgbaston crowd during India's chase.

For Schutt, having the White Ferns present alongside Australia on the podi-

um, particularly her close friends and former Adelaide Strikers teammates Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, made the moment even sweeter. "(That was) really special," she said.

"We do have a tight bond with them and to see them on the podium was absolutely beautiful.

"I obviously have a soft spot for a few of them in their team but I think the whole team is beautiful, their culture is beautiful and they represent everything that's good about cricket." (Cricket.com. au)

Commonwealth Games Four South American countries England secure record haul of 176 medals submit joint bid for at Birmingham 2022 2030 World Cup ARGENTINA, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay have submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Uruguay hosted the competition’s first ever tournament in 1930 and say they want to bring the World Cup “home” when it celebrates its centenary.

“This is the dream of a continent,” said Alejandro Dominguez, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

Spain and Portugal have also announced a bid to be joint hosts.

Uruguay beat Argentina in the final to win the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and Dominguez was speaking at the scene of that win – Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium.

“There will be more

World Cups, but the cup only turns 100 one time, and it needs to come home,” added Dominguez.

Chile hosted the World Cup in 1962, while the tournament was held in Argentina in 1978.

“It’s right for the World Cup to be hosted where it all began, 100 years later,” said Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association.

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar while Canada, Mexico and the USA will be joint hosts in 2026.

FIFA plans to select the 2030 host in 2024.

The UK and Republic of Ireland football associations agreed in February not to bid for the 2030 World Cup and instead focus on a joint attempt to host Euro 2028. (BBC)

ENGLAND are celebrating a record haul of 176 medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

It passed the mark of 174 from Glasgow 2014, with 57 golds in Birmingham one behind the tally from eight years ago.

Team England chef de mission Mark England said Birmingham people had "come out in bucket-loads and supported the team".

"They've pushed us to the greatest ever medal return and we couldn't be more proud of the athletes."

Scotland finished with a haul of 51 medals - just two short of the record tally achieved at Glasgow 2014, when they finished fourth.

Northern Ireland secured a record medal tally of 18 including a best-ever seven golds - having won a total of

12 at both the 2018 and 2014 Games.

Meanwhile, Wales finished on 28 this time, having earned 36 medals at each of the previous two Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham provided something 'unique' Chef de mission England added the people of Birmingham and volunteers "created a carnival atmosphere that the athletes have absolutely loved".

All events were staged

in the West Midlands, apart from the track cycling which took place in the Lee Valley VeloPark in London.

"I think what Birmingham has done has presented something different and unique in a way that perhaps other cities may not have thought possible," continued England.

"You don't actually need to build a new velodrome and track cycling venue.

It's provided an opportunity to present the Games in a

slightly different way."

In July, Birmingham 2022 announced more than 1.3 million tickets had been sold, making it the most attended Games hosted in Britain.

More than 500,000 tickets had been bought by people living in the West Midlands.

"We've almost built a new aquatics centre in the middle of a residential area," said England. "[For the people of Birmingham] there is an opportunity to swim in the same pool as Adam Peaty, the opportunity to dive in the same pool as Jack Laugher and all the other top divers have done.

"Birmingham has done very well to showcase the city globally, I absolutely believe this is just the start." (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

CWI hails Dottin for her ‘valuable contribution’ ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies director of cricket Jimmy Adams and West Indies Women’s head coach Courtney Walsh hailed Deandra Dottin on Monday for her “valuable contributions and numerous outstanding performances” during her 14year international career.

The dynamic Barbados and West Indies Women’s all-rounder stunned the world when she announced her retirement from international cricket last week, citing she was no longer able to “adhere to the team culture and environment”.

Dottin is the most capped West Indies Women’s international, having played 143

One-day Internationals and 124 Twenty20 Internationals after making her debut in June 2008 in Ireland.

“On behalf of all here at CWI, I want to congratulate Deandra on what has been an outstanding career covering almost a decade-and-a-half, during which time she has contributed immensely to Barbados and West Indies cricket,” Adams said in a CWI media release.

“Her outstanding achievements on the field of play are a testament to her dedication, commitment, and hard work, which were the hallmark of her approach to the game. We wish her all the success possible in her future endeavours.”

In ODIs, Dottin made 3

Deandra Dottin is the most capped West Indies Women’s international

727 runs – including three hundreds – at an average of 30.54 with a top score of 150

not out against South Africa Women in January this year in Johannesburg and took 72 wickets at 27.19 apiece with best figures of 5-34 against the South Africans six years ago in East London.

In T20Is, she scored 2 697 runs – including two memorable hundreds – at an average of 25.68 and took 62 wickets with best figures of 5-5 against Bangladesh Women four years ago in Guyana.

“Deandra is one of the most athletic and dynamic players in the history of women’s cricket, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate her on what has been 14 years of performance excellence for the West Indies,” Walsh added

Simmons says search for consistency continues for Windies batsmen LAUDERHILL, Florida, (CMC) – West Indies head coach Phil Simmons said the main lesson for his side coming out of their limited-overs series against India is learning to value their wicket more.

West Indies were swept in their series of three Oneday Internationals against the Indians, and crumbled to a 1-4 loss against the same opponents in a series of five Twenty20 Internationals that ended last Saturday and Sunday with heavy defeats at the Central Broward Regional Park in this American city.

“We give away our

wickets too cheaply,” Simmons said. “We have been there. We have been up with the run rate, but we keep losing too many wickets, and that’s the main lesson we can learn from this series.

“The main thing is that we have to bat in a format … but we need to learn to stop losing wickets. If we learn to stop losing wickets, we will make big totals because we have all the players.”

Simmons added: “(Shimron) Hetmyer has shown he is back, we have Rovman (Powell), we have (Nicholas) Pooran, but nobody has been consistent throughout the series, and that’s what

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday August 9, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (4/9, Colombo, 2021) (2) 6 times Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent T20 International series between WI & IND? (2) Who was declared Man of the Series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons

we need now.

“We need consistency, but understanding the situation in each game, and knowing how we play that moment is important.”

Simmons said his side showed “glimpses” of what they were capable against the No. 1 side in the world, but they never put it altogether to push the visitors.

“It’s always going to be difficult playing against India because they are the best T20I team in the world, man for man,” he said.

“But I think we showed in glimpses that we are capable of competing with them, sometimes with the ball, sometimes with the bat…

“The lesson we must take from this series is that we have to put everything together on the day to beat the top teams.”

Simmons comments came after the fifth and final T20I in which West Indies failed to bat the maximum 20 overs, were bowled out for exactly 100, and lost by 88 runs.

They start a series of three T20Is against New Zealand on Wednesday at Sabina Park in Jamaica during which Simmons said he and the selection panel, led by former West Indies opener, Desmond Haynes will hope to firmly identify a core of players to form the squad for the ICC T20I World Cup later this year in Australia.

“It’s difficult, but we have three more matches, and we will sit down after that and make decisions about who fits into the way we want to play,” Simmons said.

“I think the three matches will be important for a lot of players and some players will be rested, but in general after that we will definitely have to make a decision.”

West Indies have won only six of their 16 T20Is this year, and have won only three of their 16 T20Is against New Zealand.

in the media release.

“During my time as head coach, I have been able to see her brilliance up close on the field, and she always gave it everything.”

Dottin announced her retirement after she was a part of the Barbados Women’s side that beat Pakistan Women in their opening match of the Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston.

“There have been many obstacles during my cricket career that I have had to overcome however, the current climate and team environment has been non-conductive to my ability to thrive and reignite my passion,” Dottin stated on Twitter, where she shared a copy of the letter she sent

to CWI. “With much sadness, but without regret, I realise that I am no longer able to adhere to team culture and team environment as it has undermined my ability to perform excellently.”

Dottin was catapulted to stardom when she cracked 112 not out off 45 balls against South Africa in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2010 in St. Kitts – at the time it was the fastest T20I hundred by either a woman or a man in the sport.

Her finest hour career came when she was part of the West Indies team which defeated Australia to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title six years ago in India.

Win for Drayton, draws for Khan, Lall and Shariff in Round Nine of Chess Olympiad TEAM Guyana registered points against Suriname and the Micronesian island of Guam in Round Nine on Sunday at the ongoing FIDE Chess Olympiad, which is currently underway in Chennai, India.

Fide Master (FM) Anthony Drayton (1928 rating) led the charge with a victory against Candidate Master (CM) Romario Sanches (2066) to earn a point for the Open team, in their battle against Suriname.

CM Taffin Khan drew his match with Surinamese FM Viresh Giasi in that battle, which earned Guyana’s Open team a total of 1.5 points.

Khan and Drayton, the two top players in the squad, are tied on 3.5 points each.

On the women’s side, 12-year-old Anaya Lall drew her match with Guam’s Jasmine Ramas, earning her half-of-a-point after a fivehour battle, while Sasha Shariff battled back from a losing position during the endgame to force a draw against Ruth Nacario.

Shariff, Lall, Pooja Lam and Jessica Callender were scheduled to play against Timor-Leste, while the Open

Anthony Drayton in action (Khushal Lam photo)

team players were carded to face Burundi.

Meanwhile, two of Guyana’s top female players, Shariff and Callender, have earned their Women Candidate Master’s titles.

Callender earned hers on Friday, during Round Seven of the event, while Shariff earned hers on Saturday.

The WCM titles will be added to their names once they achieve rating points over 1800.

Prior to the Olympiad, Shariff’s rating was at 1183 and Callender 1295.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 9, 2022

T&T 4x400m relay team wins gold at Commonwealth Games JEREEM Richards won his second gold medal in two days at the Commonwealth Games as he anchored the T&T men's 4x400m relay team to gold on Sunday in Birmingham.

Dwight St Hillaire, Asa Guevara, and Machel Cedenio delivered the baton to 200m champion Richards who overcame the spirited Botswana sprinter Bayapo Ndori in the final straight to claim gold for Trinidad and Tobago.

For Richards, who won the 200m on Saturday night, it was his second golden run in successive days.

Trinidad and Tobago won in three minutes 1.29 seconds to win ahead of Botswana, with Kenya in

third place.

Trinidad and Tobago has now won three gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Nicholas Paul cycled to gold in the keirin before taking silver in the sprint and a bronze medal in the kilometer time trial.

Richards took gold in the men's 200m on Saturday before the men's 4x100m relay team won silver on Sunday morning.

A third gold medal for the Trinidad and Tobago team marks the first time since 1966 that the country has won three or more gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

In fact, Trinidad and Tobago won only three

SUPERB RUN: Team TT poses on the podium after winning the gold medal in the Men's 4 x 400 metres relay during the athletics competition in the Alexander Stadium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, on Sunday. - Alastair Grant

gold medals between 1966 and 2018 at the Common-

wealth Games.

Ato Boldon took gold

in the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur before Mi-

chelle-Lee AHye won gold in the women's 100m at Gold Coast 2018.

Richards then took 200m gold at the Gold Coast before successfully defending his title on Saturday in Birmingham.

The 28-year-old sprinter is the only Trinidad and Tobago athlete to successfully defend his title at the Commonwealth Games.

Trinidad and Tobago won three medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, with the country's best performance at the Commonwealth Games coming in 1966.

Trinidad and Tobago won five gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals at the 1966 Games, which were held in Kingston, Jamaica.

Guyana Cup promises fun for all!

Sada Williams wins historic 400m gold as Barbados cops two medals on penultimate day ‒ Millions in prize money to be won SADA Williams created history on Sunday when she became the first Barbadian woman to win a gold medal in the 400m on the penultimate day of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

The 24-year-old Williams, the 2022 World Championships bronze medallist, clocked a championship record of 49.90 to complete a commanding performance.

It was the first time a woman was winning the title in under 50 seconds as Williams shattered the previous championship record of 50.10 set by Botswana’s Amantle Montsho at the 2010 Games in India.

England won the other two medals on offer as Victoria Ohuruogu ran a personal best 50.72 for the silver while her compatriot Jodie Williams ran a season-best 51.26 to claim the bronze medal.

Williams’ gold, was the second medal for Barbados in the 400m as Johnathan Jones ran 44.89 to take the bronze medal in the men’s race that was won by Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, who produced an electrifying run over the final 120m which saw him zip by England’s Matthew Hudson-Smith with less than

15m to go.

The Zambian clocked a personal best of 44.66 with Hudson-Smith the World Championships bronze medalist finishing in 44.81.

Meanwhile, Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas won the silver medal in the 100m hurdles final. The Bahamian clocked 12.58 to finish runner-up to World Champion Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who recovered from an average start to storm to a new championship record of 12.30, to follow up on her world record of 12.12 set at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon last month.

She shaved 0.35 off Brigitte Foster-Hylton’s championship record of 12.65.

England’s Cindy Sember ran 12.59 for the bronze medal.

In the field, Bermuda won their second medal of these Games when Jah-Nhai Perinchief jumped 16.92m to claim the bronze medal in the triple jump.

India’s Eldhose Paul won the gold medal with his jump of 17.03m while his compatriot Abdulla Aboobacker Naragolintevid won the silver with his effort of 17.02m.

(Sportsmax)

By Stephan Sookram THE Stage has been set for the 14th running of the biggest local horse racing event -- the Guyana Cup 2022.

With the days swiftly counting down to the much anticipated event, the organisers -- the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing committee -- have promised a battle of the ages between some of the best local and imported horses.

Speaking at the launch on Sunday at the New Pegasus Hotel and Conference Centre, Head of the committee, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jnr. stated that the event has been months in planning.

He noted too that history was created when the body held its first post drawing for the horses, saying, “This event will mark the seamless transition to change the pace of horse racing in Guyana.”

He went on to say that the sport can grow from strength to strength if all the major stakeholders put their shoulders to the wheel.

Giving the feature address was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr. who touted the

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jnr. delivering the feature address at last Sunday’s launch

fact that the government is keen on getting the horse racing legislation sorted.

“We have started to engage with stakeholders in the move towards the modernization of the sport…that is something very important to regulate the sector, and that is not something for anyone to be worried about. What that will do? It takes us into the modern world as it relates to horse racing.”

Also present was Finance

Minister Dr Ashni Singh who spoke of the tourism value of the event, adding that the event can become the mecca for the Caribbean horse racing.

Banks DIH Limited, sponsors of the feature event, conveyed through Communication Manager Troy Peters, “We are very happy with the growth it has made and we continue to offer the assistance to see horse racing develop and match other events across the world.”

Another of the event’s major sponsors, VALs construction, through their representative, Irshad Mohamed said, “Very pleased to be a part of the 14th running of the Guyana Cup. We look forward to continuing to work with the Guyana cup committee for future events.”

The feature race, the Banks DIH Guyana Cup, over one mile (1600M) and which will go for a purse of USD$35,880 was one of the three races that the post was drawn in the following order (Draw 1-11): Calibouge Sound (Slingerz Racing Stable), Everesting (Master Z racing Stable), Alado (Master Z racing Stable), Memories (Shaun Mohamed), Jessica’s Pride (Night Eyes Racing Stable), Detroit Steel (Simply

Royal Racing Stable), Queen Domina (Slingerz Racing Stable), Our Stuie (Jagdeo Racing Stable), Settling Star (Asif Kahdeer), Vera’s Finally (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable), Wild Texas Tom (Jagdeo Racing Stable).

The undercards were also drawn with the VALS construction Sprint Classic over 1100m for USD 10,765; Looking to Heaven (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable) in the first post ahead of Lady Bird (Ephramins’s Thoroughbred), Early Bird (R&R Syndicate), Signal Note (Rising Sun Stables), Nuclear Fire ( Jadgeo Racing Stable), Regal Intention (Jumbo Jet Racing Stable) and Converter (Slingerz Racing stable).

The Associated Construction Services Derby Stakes One Mile (1600M) for a purse of US$17,940 saw Like a Million (Jumbo Jet Racing Stables) in post one ahead of Irish Princess (N Dookie), Glamorous Star (A Rampersad), Amazing Grace (PHVH) racing Stable, Black Time (Shocking Racing Stable), Heartland (Bronson Cheefoon), Judge Not (Martin Pestano) and Color of Sacrifice (Shaun Mohamed).

Sunday’s race is set for noon at the Rising Sun Turf Club.

The 32 athletes, along with officials at the closing ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Amazing closing ceremony brought end to Commonwealth Games

By Rawle Toney in Birmingham (Team Guyana Press Attaché)

FIREWORKS lit the skies over Birmingham as the host city brought the curtain down on the 22nd Commonwealth Games.

Athletes, coaches and officials from 72 countries gathered in En-

gland’s second-largest city for the July 28-August 8 games which started in 1930.

With live performance by UB40, Jorja Smith, Dexys Midnight Runners and a sequence from the theatre show Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, it was the fitting end to the 11-day

long programme at the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.

SQUASH Thirty-two athletes represented Guyana at the games, formerly known as the British Empire Games, but they will return home

without a podium-finish.

However, the squash team will not return empty handed, since Mary Fung-A-Fat was second in the Women's Singles plate finals, and siblings Jason-Ray and Ashely Khalil were runner-up in the Mixed Doubles Plate finals.

TABLE TENNIS For the country's Table Tennis team, the 2022 Commonwealth Games will go down as their best-ever since Guyana made its debut in the sport at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia.

Natalie Cummings had a history-mak- TURN TO PAGE 19 ►

CWSS stamp authority to win MILO schools Football - Golden Grove take third place

Christianburg /Wismar Secondary pose with their MILO schools football trophy

Linden’s Christianburg /Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) are the champions of the MILO Schools football tournament following a 3-1 win over North Ruimveldt on Sunday evening.

Played under lights at the Ministry of Education ground, the Linden-based side were ruthless in

their quest to the trophy, netting thrice to overcome the opposition.

The first goal came off Ryan Arthur in the 40th minute as the Linden-based side closed the half with a slim advantage over their Georgetown-based opponents.

On the return to the second half, both teams traded run-downs

for the first fifteen minutes before Yannick Norton brought the game back level in the 61st.

This intensified the push for North Ruimveldt to get the go ahead goal as to them, a comefrom -behind victory seemed possible.

They were however stopped in

their tracks by Jamil James in the 75th minute; Linden again taking the lead which would stretch them almost to the finish before Omarian Ramsammy’s 90+1 minute goal.

The third place playoff was a keenly contested affair with only one goal off the boot of Kelvin

Richardson (10th minute) giving Golden Grove the edge.

In attendance was the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde, as well as the Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, both presenting prizes at the end of the evening.

CWI hails Dottin for her ‘valuable contribution’ Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022