Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-08-2023

Guyana, Dominican Republic advance discussions on greater partnerships

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali and a high - level Government of Guyana delegation held bilateral discussions Tuesday afternoon with the Dominican Republic ’ s

President Luis Abinader and members of his cabinet at the National Palace in Santo Domingo.

Discussions focused on several areas of co-op-

eration President Ali is on a two-day official visit to the Dominican Republic

Along with the government - to - government meetings , a number of

private sector representatives from Guyana have also travelled to engage their counterparts from the Spanish-speaking nation on investment opportunities

President Ali was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism , Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud; Chief of Staff

of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan; Commissioner of Police ( ag ), Clifton Hicken and other government representatives.

Dominican Republic signs preliminary pact to explore building refinery in Guyana

( Reuters ) GUYANA and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate on recruiting companies to build a 50,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Guyana that would tap the nation’s burgeoning oil wealth Any project would be

at least 51% owned by the Dominican Republic government, according to the terms of the preliminary agreement , which was seen by Reuters The pact was signed by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader during Ali’s trip to Santo Domingo

The Guyanese government has expressed no interest in participating as a shareholder

Prices for the supply of crude oil to the refinery would be negotiated by the project’s parties under a 30-year contract, according to the agreement

As domestic oil out-

put expands rapidly in the South American country with the target of reaching 1.2 million barrels per day ( bpd ) by 2027 , the Guyanese government is trying to attract investors for facilities capable of securing stable fuel supply domestically , while reducing dependence on imports

The nation is now wholly reliant on imported fuel for motor vehicles and power generation

The potential alliance with the Dominican Republic is for a second refinery project in Guyana

Authorities are reviewing bids from four contenders for a separate 30,000

bpd

modular refinery

For both refineries, crude is expected to come from Guyana ’ s share of oil produced by a consortium led by Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) that has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil at the Stabroek offshore block

President, Dr Irfaan Ali is flanked by his delegation at the National Palace in Santo Domingo

Cuban Medical Brigades’ 60-year legacy…

Ambassador highlights pledge to International Healthcare Cooperation

CUBA has partnered with 165 nations for 60 years of medical cooperation, and has achieved remarkable success in saving lives, and eradicating diseases through the efforts of over 605,000 health professionals and technicians.

This is according to Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis, who recently underscored Cuba’s momentous achieve-

ments in celebrating 60 years of unwavering commitment to global medical cooperation. In an interview with this publication, the Cuban Ambassador noted that over the span of six decades, Cuba's medical brigades have collaborated with 165 nations, deploying over 605,000 dedicated healthcare professionals and technicians to safeguard lives and combat various diseases.

Highlighting the astounding impact of this humanitarian initiative, Ambassador Soberón Luis emphasised that the project continues to thrive, with 57 Cuban Medical Brigades currently operating across 57 countries on all the continents. This expansive effort involves a total of 22,632 highly-skilled medical personnel extending a helping hand to nations facing healthcare challenges.

He explained that the roots of this remarkable journey can be traced back to 1960, when a modest team of Cuban doctors embarked on a

mission to assist Chile in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. This initial endeavour marked the genesis of a legacy that has since flourished. In May 1963, Cuba dispatched its first medical brigade to Algeria, solidifying its commitment to international medical assistance.

Further, the envoy disclosed that the Cuban Medical Brigades, in conjunction with the Henry Reeve International Contingent, specialists in disaster situations and serious epidemics, have risen to the occasion during times of conflict and catastrophe. These

skilled professionals have offered their expertise to countries ravaged by war, hurricanes, earthquakes, and outbreaks of deadly diseases such as Ebola, Cholera, and COVID-19.

One notable example of Cuba's enduring support can be observed in its unwavering assistance to the people of Haiti.

Over a span of 25 years, he noted, the Cuban medical teams have been a constant presence in Haiti, offering vital aid in the face of natural disasters, epidemics, and socio-political turmoil. Even during the most challenging of moments, Cuban doctors have remained steadfast in their commitment to the people of Haiti.

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuban diplomat said, Cuba’s dedication to international healthcare took center stage. A total of 58 Cuban

medical brigades were dispatched to 42 nations to combat the spread of the virus, showcasing Cuba's unwavering solidarity in times of crisis.

Furthermore, Ambassador Soberón Luis revealed that even developed nations like Italy and Portugal have sought assistance from Cuban Medical Brigades, indicating the global recognition of Cuba's expertise in the medical field.

As Cuba commemorates this remarkable milestone of 60 years of medical cooperation, the nation stands as a shining example of international collaboration and humanitarianism. The legacy of the Cuban Medical Brigades serves as a testament to the power of compassion and expertise, bridging nations, and transcending borders to make the world a healthier and safer place for all.

Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis

Linden youth enjoying ‘Right Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Camp’

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with Republic Bank Guyana Limited , launched its ‘Right Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Camp’ to nurture the musical talents of the nation’s youth

This endeavour consists of six camps in Regions

Two ( Pomeroon - Supe -

Aden Adams , who welcomes the exposure to music

“It teaches me a whole other level of music , and because I have a big band of friends, they can help me learn new notes and new stuff. I feel happy, because, if my brother and I were not here , Amar and me would’ve been just stuck at

ness Because, I am pretty sure that most people don’t know about steelpan, and I am really glad to see that we have a lot of people here , just having fun and playing together I would like to thank the instructor; he was patient with us, and he just always there to help us.”

Eleven-year-old Renola

naam ), Three ( Essequibo Islands - West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Six ( East Berbice - Corentyne ), Seven ( CuyuniMazaruni), and Ten (Upper Demerara - Berbice ). Each camp can facilitate up to 35 participants

The Department of Public Information (DPI) ventured to Linden to experience the musical renditions by the budding artists

The youngest in the programme is eight - year - old

home, doing nothing So I am happy that it is here, so we all could play steelpan,”

Aden said

Fourteen-year-old Akira Campbell related, “I wanted to come to this programme, because I get to broaden my horizons Because, as you know, there is different pans ; I wanted to try something new, and share my passion with others This is a great initiative of the government, because it will basically spread aware-

Jeffery said, “Growing up, I always had a passion for music , and I always watched on television people playing steelpan So now, this is my first time getting a chance to play the steelpan.”

With its rich cultural roots embedded in the Caribbean region, the steelpan is an iconic musical instrument that has captivated

audiences worldwide

Through this programme , the ministry aspires to instill a love for the distinctive art, and create a platform for the next generation of steelpan players

The training provides a

stepping stone for budding musicians , offering them the opportunity to learn the art of playing the steelpan, and grasping the essential elements of music theory The camp will conclude on August 11.

Linden youths playing the steelpan

Young Lindeners at the ‘Right Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Camp’

A Fresh Approach To Governance

PRESIDENT , Dr Mohamed Irfaan

Ali has urged elected officials to work collaboratively to improve services to communities regardless of their political affiliations

In highlighting the significance of local governance, President Ali reaffirmed his administration’s commitment and readiness to partner with all elected officials across the political spectrum on the basis of mutual respect , accountability and inclusivity.

This assurance was also echoed by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo who said earlier that regardless of the outcome of the local government and municipal elections, all promises made by the PPP/C will be honoured

According to President Ali , a fresh approach to governance is essential, ‘one that is aligned to the needs of modern times, financial accountability, diligence in revenue collection, protection and preservation of public assets, timely and efficient services, greater responsiveness to citizens and an end to internal discord.’

This is indeed a mouthful , but cumulatively it touches at the very core of

effective and good governance In the final analysis, it is the extent to which the people’s business is being effectively addressed that ultimately matter

The electorate, both at local and national elections, vote for parties and candidates whom they feel can best represent their interests

Elected leaders are therefore expected to serve the interests of their respective constituencies to the best of their abilities and within the parameters of the resources available to them

Unfortunately , this was not always the case

There were instances when elected members of the opposition political parties deliberately stood in the way of development in those regions where they have political control out of a politically jaundiced view that it will make the governing PPP/C administration look good Such an approach is both shortsighted and certainly not in the best interest of citizens

The ruling PPP/C administration, to its credit, has been largely successful in mobilizing financial resources to improve the quality of life of citizens, both at the

local and national levels Resources, it must be said, can never be enough to meet all community needs

This is why it is so important for stakeholders from all parties and groups to work collaboratively to optimize available resources in the public’s interest

In the recent swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected mayors and deputy mayors of the 10 municipalities at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali urged the leaders to work together with central government to foster development and progress in the respective constituencies

He emphasized the importance of municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to become fully aligned to the developmental aspirations of central government According to President Ali: “We are building a foundation and setting the framework for a country 2030 and beyond, that will advance development not only for those living here, but will also advance development for this entire region.”

The fact is that there is a dialectical relationship between community development and national development, as there is

between national development and regional development

The global environment is increasingly interdependent and interconnected It is not possible to speak of community development in an environment of negative growth and economic retrogression, as happened under the previous PNC regime

Thankfully, we are now living in a new era of accelerated growth and development, thanks to good governance and visionary leadership by the ruling PPP/C administration

Guyana with its newly found oil and gas resources is well positioned to play a lead role in regional development, especially in the critical areas of food and energy security and climate change

Development, however, is all about people and it is the collective efforts of all Guyanese both at the local and national levels that make development happen

The swearing in of new leaders by President Ali at the local and municipal levels, hopefully, will bring about a reinvigorated sense of developmental energy, so necessary to accelerate the growth momentum.

Brackish water shrimp generates $764M from Jan-July 2023

THE increase in production of brackish - water shrimp to 448,250 kilograms has generated some $764 million in revenue as of July 2023

According to a post on Facebook by President Dr Irfaan Ali, the figure at reference reflects a 19 per cent increase in production when compared to what obtained the same period last year “ This success is as a result of the government’s investment of over $ 400 million in the industry since 2021,” the president said in his post Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha was quoted in May this year as saying that the production of brackish - water shrimp had increased significantly when compared to the corresponding period in 2022

“For this year, our farmers were able to produce 182.89 tonnes (182,890 kilograms ) of black - water shrimp in the first quarter,

earning over $274 million

When we look at the production figures for the first quarter of 2022 , we are seeing an increase of almost 50 per cent,” Minister Mustapha said, adding:

“This is in keeping with our goals for the industry, and a testament to the government ’ s commitment to increasing local production, lowering the food import bill , and increasing both our production and export capacities

We are working towards producing 1.5 million kilograms annually by the year 2025.”

He ’ d also said back then that with the successes they’d seen so far, the ministry was working to have the programme replicated in other regions

“So far,” he said, “we’ve assisted farmers with constructing ponds in Region Six, and we’ve started preliminary works in Region Five We ’ re also looking

at other places like Region Two and so on In the first few months of the project, we were able to increase production by 203 per cent and those levels have continued to increase over the years.”

Minister Mustapha had also reported that some 37 farms in Region Six (East Berbice - Corentyne ) have been developed , bringing the total number of ponds

–– reflects 19% increase compared to same period in 2022

to 133

He added : “ Before we started this project in July 2021, farmers were producing just about 10,000 kilograms monthly; just about 120,000 kilograms annually

We announced that this was the direction we wanted to take, and that farmers would be given the support to expand. To date, we’ve been able to construct 133 ponds, and this has contrib-

uted to us exceeding initial production figures.”

In an effort to boost productivity, the Government of Guyana has partnered with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to conduct a study and gather information for the piloting and implementation of a strategy to enhance shrimp production in Guyana and several other Caribbean

states

The ministry also received three manuals that were developed, collaboratively, by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Wildlife Fund –Guianas (WWF-Guianas), and the ministry ’ s Fisheries Department, one of which will be used to guide brackish - water shrimp production in Guyana.

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Brackish-water shrimp (Office of the President photos)

Indigenous Peoples Day and the truth behind the big Columbus lie!

TODAY, August 9, is being observed regionally and worldwide as International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, in honour of the first people who inhabited the Caribbean and The Americas

The gateway to Europe’s destruction of indigenous civilisations and introduction of slavery was fatefully opened by Christopher Columbus in 1492, when he first set eyes on Hispaniola (the island that’s today home to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

The navigator, seeking new worlds to conquer Europe, was searching for India by secretly following maps drawn by African and Chinese predecessors, thus his and the European description of the islands he saw and landed on as the ‘West Indies’.

After the islands, the European invaders conquered ‘The Americas ’, where the First Peoples and their ancient civilisations (like the Mayas and Aztecs) were destroyed through an organised process of persistent native genocide, which qualifies as what I like to describe as ‘The Greatest Crime Against Humanity Before Trans-Atlantic Slavery.’

It’s precisely because of their recognition of those two historic Crimes Against Humanity in our part of the world that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments ten years ago launched their quest for Reparations from the UK and Europe for ‘Slavery and Native Genocide’.

Unfortunately , CARICOM ’ s emphasis continues to be more on the Reparations for Slavery than for Native Genocide, with more being taught, learned and shared about the former than the wiping-out of the First People across CARICOM and The Americas (North, Central and South).

We learned at school that ‘Caribs and Arawaks’ were warlike and peaceful, the former being ‘cannibals’ who ate their victims

Likewise, ‘Amerindians’ are still spoken of by some fellow Guyanese as lesser human beings who collaborated with the Europeans to introduce slavery and their over 200 hinterland communities are still also being regarded

as less worthy of sharing the national spoils from oil & gas through sale of carbon credits

It all stems from The Big Columbus Lie about Europeans having ‘discovered’ Guyana and other CARICOM member states and all of The Americas

After all, the First Peoples in the lands they invaded and conquered through mass murder already had their more advanced indigenous, home-grown civilisations when the likes of Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci and other European conquistadors arrived

The lost story of our First Peoples is still just waiting to be found and shared

In Saint Lucia, the island’s National Trust and local archaeologists took steps in 2020 and 2021 to help expose, identify, preserve and protect the latest Amerindian sites unearthed at the Canadian-owned private Cabot Golf Course north of Cap Estate

The disclosures and exposure led to protests and advocacy events before the last General Elections and the bones and other remains are keys to the puzzles about the who the island’s first people were, how they lived and survived, how they lived with Nature –and what can be learned today from their own experiences in living, in natural sustainability, across climates and environments, over centuries

The island’s latest ‘Environment vs Development’ spats regarding construction at the base of The Pitons (by a Canadian citizen) also opens the way for introduction of the indigenous aspects – and not only the petroglyphs and other landmarks scattered on and between the twin-peaks, but also the role the Sulphur Springs played in use of astrology to accurately tell time across the island region back then, as documented by local historian

Robert Devaux

“The ancestors are speaking to us,” said Ricardo Bharath Hernandez, the current Chair of the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous People (COIP), about the continuous findings of indigenous burial sites across the region’s islands today

August 9 is also wrongly called “Columbus Day”, especially in places where Columbus’ big lie continues to hide the inescapable truth that he opened the way for Native Genocide, Slavery and the Indentureship that followed

The COIP, established in 1987, is supportive of CARICOM’s call for Reparations for both Slavery and Native Genocide and Chief Hernandez will join Dominica’s Minister for Kalinago Affairs Cozier Frederick (among others) this evening, to participate in a related online regional discussion

The panel – part of Saint Lucia’s second annual National Emancipation Month calendar -- will discuss the theme of ‘Why Reparations for Native Genocide’.

Panelists will examine why CARICOM governments have -- for the past decade -- also been calling for Reparations for both Native Genocide and examining what can or should be done to encourage a greater level of visibility, understanding and appreciation of why related emphases should be equal

Native Genocide opened the way for Slavery to generate the profits that built Europe’s ‘Empires’ and industrial revolutions, using iron and steel methods they learned in Jamaica

First Peoples everywhere preceded the biblical age of Adam and Eve and most were forcibly ‘ Christianised’ after conquest by conversion them to the European norms that

still dominate Caribbean and South (‘Latin’) American societies to this day

Under the theme ‘Enkindling Our Consciousness’, Saint Lucia’s Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), with a Stakeholder Committee that includes the National Reparations Committee (NRC), Folk Research Center (FRC) and others, have organised the month of related Emancipation Month activities throughout August

The aim is to help better understand who we are, where we came from and why we have to take forever-serious the call by Bob Marley in his ‘Redemption Song’ to ‘Emancipate ourselves from mental slavery…’

This year’s theme for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is ‘Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination’.

Unlike Guyana and Suriname , not all CARICOM member-states will have groups of indigenous youth to pursue the UN’s 2023 theme, but all the ingredients exist everywhere for continuous exploration and discovery, through an ongoing teaching, learning and sharing process this year, starting to focus (continuously) on youth and students

Saturday, August 12 is International Youth Day, and it opens the way for the message from the Caribbean region ’ s Indigenous Peoples to be shared by indigenous youth and students with their peers across the Caribbean

Gov’t eyeing black-eye peas production in Region One

IN an effort to increase food security, Guyana is planning to cultivate blackeye peas on 1,000 acres of land in Region One (Barima-Waini) to eventually serve the CARICOM market.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha made the disclosure on Monday on the sidelines of the handing over of inputs to farmers at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). This, he said, aligns with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s vision of positioning Guyana as a hub for food production and reclaiming its title as the bread basket of the Caribbean region

“We can produce all the needs for the Caribbean [and so] we are looking to start some cultivation First of all, we’ll look at the areas in Region One We are looking to build facilities in Region One as long as the soil type is good there and hopefully, we can start large-scale production of blackeye peas, coming out of Region One,” the

minister informed media operatives

According to the minister, Guyanese investors have already signalled interest in making investments in this large-scale production

Additionally, with the newly commissioned $1.2 billion MV MA Lisha now traversing the Georgetown to Region One route, Minister Mustapha noted that exporting crops from the region to the Caribbean will be made easier

“We have enough transportation that can bring out crops to Georgetown Of course, from Region One to Trinidad also, it’s very close and we can get transportation from Region One to Trinidad to export crops from Region One,” Minister Mustapha explained.

The ministry is also looking to ramp up spice production in the Barima- Waini region by providing technical support to

farmers

“ Already , NAREI would have started out there We had technical teams in that region, they have been working with farmers in this region, we have been providing planting materials The last time we donated $20 million of ginger-planting material to the farmers in Region One,” he disclosed

Government is making major investments in large-scale agricultural production so that Guyana and the Caribbean can produce its own food and reduce the large food-importation bill by 25 per cent by 2025

The administration led by President Ali is also pumping investments into high-value crops such as broccoli, cauliflower as well as non-traditional crops such as corn and soya, and wheat, among others

President Ali meets affected boat operators to discuss support after fire

discuss possible assistance. Following the discussions with the operators, it was agreed that Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, along with representatives of the local banking and insurance sectors will meet with operators in the coming week to explore support options.

Several boat operators, on August 1, 2023, were affected by an early morning fire at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling which involved 19 vessels, 13 of which were destroyed and six damaged. Earlier reports noted the Guyana Fire Service received a call at around 01:49 hours alerting them to the fire.

According to initial investigations, the fire reportedly started from the rear end of a vessel that was docked at the southern side of the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling which quickly erupted and spread to other nearby vessels, thus destroying same.

Monday’s meeting with the Head of State was also attended by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud.

BOAT operators and owners, whose boats were de-

stroyed at Vreed-en-Hoop stelling earlier this month, met with President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Monday, to

Additionally, during the meeting, it was noted that the Finance Minister and the representatives from the banking and insurance sectors will meet with those persons who were affected by the Parika Market fire which occurred in February of this year.

Rice production expanding in Region Nine - Agri. minister

— more villages to be engaged

THE government's top priority is to expand rice production in Region Nine's vast savannahs, as it aims to diversify the agriculture sector and increase crop production.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, in a recent interview with the Department of Public Information said, “Places like Kumu, Moco Moco and Deep South – those areas started the production of rice. At Moco Moco they have over 10 acres of rice that is being planted there.”

Under the supervision of

Some of the boat operators and owners present at the meeting with President Ali on Monday

President Dr Irfaan Ali (second from left) along with Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh (first from left), Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud (second from right) and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar (first from right)

China’s Premier 134th Canton Fair Set to open on October 15

THE 134th Canton Fair will open in Guangzhou, China , on October 15 and provide services for exhibitors and buyers through its online plat-

form.

It plays a key role in advancing the development of China ’ s foreign trade and the economic and trade exchanges be -

tween China and the rest of the world And it is renowned as “China’s No 1 Fair”. Please plan your trip according to the exhibition sections

You may find information needed and make registration on website: http:// www cantonfair org cn

The schedule of the onsite exhibition of the

134th Canton Fair: Phase 1: October15-19, 2023;

Phase 2 : October 2327, 2023; Phase 3: October 31 - November 4 , 2023 ; The intervals : October

20-22 and October 28-30, 2023

The online platform will be open for half a year : September 16 , 2023- March 15, 2024.

FISU Games conclude, yet friendship and solidarity continue among youth

Chengdu showcases openness, inclusiveness and vitality of China today

THE 31st FISU World University Games, after offering exciting competitions and diverse cultural exposure , concluded on Tuesday in Southwest China’s Chengdu with a splendid ceremony that wrapped up shining moments during the Games and delivered wishes for a happier and brighter future.

The Chengdu FISU Games were not only a gathering for sports, but also a gathering to enhance mutual understanding and make friends , and the friendship will pass on among youth from all over the world with their traits of openness, inclusiveness , solidarity and vitality, analysts said

The appearance of delegations features the process of a dove tree ’ s growing from root to giant plant with lush branches and leaves The dove - like flowers , a symbol of peace, then start to bloom

The dove tree is a species indigenous to China which survived the ice age and its flower resembles a flying dove with two snow-white bracts The ceremony incorporates the elements of the dove tree and its flowers to stress the resilience of life and the hope for everlasting peace

Chinese State Councilor

Shen Yiqin and FISU acting president Leonz Eder attended the ceremony

The ceremony stage was designed based on a “cellphone ” and captured the concept of livestreaming

Through the camera of a “livestreamer,” young people from all over the world were able to be part of the FISU

Games

The master display presented 3D visual effects with naked - eye 3D technology , offering novel, amazing, special and delicate spectating experience

After lowering the FISU flag along the playing of the FISU anthem, the flag was handed over to Rhine-Ruhr, host city of next FISU Games in 2025

The FISU Games ran from July 28 to August 8 and featured 269 events across 18 sports The Chinese delegation participated in all 18 sports of the games and claimed 103 gold medals , 40 silvers and 35 bronzes in total, ranking on top of the medal tally

Besides performance on the competition ground, China ’ s performance in terms of hosting this international event is also well recognized

“ The preparations and setup of the venues are just unbelievable Everything has been running smoothly and

the competitions are going very well

We can only praise the organizing committee for the great work it’s done,” Eder said in an earlier exclusive interview with the Global Times.

MAKING FRIENDS

For the participants , from athletes and coaches to staff and volunteers , the past weeks have made Chengdu , known for its tasty cuisines , adorable pandas and a leisure lifestyle , an unforgettable place where they ’ve shed sweat and tears, challenged themselves and make breakthroughs, and more importantly, make friends beyond borders , analysts said.

One touching moment which can elucidate the sportsmanship of the youth event happened on Friday When Uganda’s badminton player Amos Muyanja broke his racket without a replace-

ment , his competitor from China Wang Zhengxing offered Muyanja a backup racket

The FISU Games organizer wrote on Twitter that “we unite to push our limits and inspire each other We wish all the participants not only to take home victories but also friendship and cherished memories!”

Azerbaijan badminton player Agil Gabilov told the Global Times on Tuesday that Chengdu has been a great experience for him He made friends with athletes and volunteers and was impressed by the friendliness he received

Brazilian swimmer Fernanda Gomes Celidonio said that volunteers at the Chengdu Games made her feel “at home.”

Athletes including German volleyball player Yann Bohme got a birthday surprise as after a match, the cheering squad and mascot Rongbao wished him happy

birthday and the audience sang in chorus the birthday melody for him

Athletes also received special gifts , including 3D-printed figurine and local artifacts such as palm fiber weavings and embroidery badges, according to media reports

The Games also provide a great platform for cultural exchanges other than competition , which Zambian tennis player Esther Sakala appreciated a lot

Sakala, as a lover of art and an artist herself , was excited to meet those crafty and talented people and see their skills She had a chance to paint a cup which was later given as a gift and Sakala said she “Loved it so much.”

A range of Chinese cultural elements , from handicraft to musical instruments, have intrigued FISU Game participants at a culture fair held next to the Games Village

YOUTH SPIRIT

On and off the competition ground, youth across the world are demonstrating the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and solidarity, igniting a world of division and turbulence, analysts noted.

The Chengdu FISU Games were postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and this successful holding marked the resumption of face - to - face communication and exchanges among youth via sports and can leverage more interactions in other fields, such as culture, they said.

Li Haidong , a profes -

sor with the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that sport can be an easy bridge to connect people from different countries and regions and help them build friendships

The FISU World University Games in Chengdu are a precious opportunity for athletes and people from all around the world to deepen mutual understanding and trust, which will also lay the foundation for closer cooperation and solidarity, Li noted FISU Universiade was first held during the Cold War in 1959

It not only encourages young people to adopt a healthy lifestyle , but also seeks to promote young people communicating across cultural , political and religious barriers through sports, Ren Hai, a professor at the Olympic Research Center of Beijing Sports University , told the Global Times

When the world is experiencing uncertainty and turbulence, China hopes to deliver a message of peace, communication and cooperation through this gathering of young people, who represent hope and the future, analysts said

Eder, the acting president of the FISU, has visited China more than 20 times and observed the country’s fast economic development , as well as its increased confidence and openness

“I can feel the country’s readiness to cooperate with many countries whether they come from the East, West , North , or South ,” Eder said

Diplomacy on climate spurs unity, actions

Xi leads policy coordination aimed at promoting global green governance

SENIOR officials and observers from around the world have been impressed by China’s enterprising diplomatic efforts in recent months in engaging wealthy nations as well as the most vulnerable countries in tackling the increasingly challenging global problem of climate change.

The climate-themed diplomacy, led by President Xi Jinping, illustrates the evolving Chinese solution and the fair, responsible approach sought by Beijing for dealing with the growing deficit of global governance, they said

With July having been the hottest month ever recorded, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on July 27 that “the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable”, and “leaders must lead” with dramatic, immediate climate action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 C above preindustrial levels

At bilateral meetings with visiting foreign leaders and at some major international events last month, Xi said that China understands the severe challenges facing vulnerable nations such as Pacific Island countries, and he vowed further action to ensure that global unity and efforts focusing on climate change do not lose steam.

Speaking with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on July 10, Xi said that China “stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with island countries in meteorological services, disaster prevention and reduction, clean energy and

other fields”.

In a meeting on July 28 with Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of the Caribbean country of Guyana, Xi also touched on dealing with climate change

Xi called on countries to “ join hands to tackle global challenges such as climate change”, when delivering a toast at the welcoming banquet of the opening ceremony of the ongoing Chengdu FISU World University Games

In addition , the past month witnessed senior Chinese officials ’ dialogues with dignitaries of leading economies and major sources of carbon emissions in the world — such as the United States and the European Union, observers noted.

In July, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry visited China

Premier Li Qiang told Kerry that all parties should “ abide by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in addressing climate change”, developed countries should take the lead in reducing emissions and fulfil their financial commitments, and developing countries should make contributions within their capacity

Also in Beijing , Vice - Premier Ding Xuexiang and European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans co-chaired the fourth EU-China High-Level Dialogue on Environment and Climate on July 4 and reached extensive common understandings.

The dialogue with the EU “sent a positive

signal of China and the EU working together on climate change, biodiversity loss and other global challenges”, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning

Leila Benali , Morocco ’ s minister of energy transition and sustainable development, said China has rich experience and achievements in energy transformation and sustainable development

Morocco looks forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with China in relevant fields and jointly taking the road of green, low-carbon and sustainable development , she told Chinese Ambassador to Morocco Li Changlin last month

Wang Wen, executive dean of Renmin University of China’s Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, said China’s climate change -oriented green economy is developing at a rapid speed and “China is one of the few major countries that are faithfully committed to realizing the Paris Agreement on climate change”.

“For example, China’s total output of hydropower accounts for 29 percent of the global total output And over the past few years, there has been growing awareness among the Chinese public about the great significance and implication of tackling climate change and seeking green development,” he said Chinese diplomats have continued reaching out to foreign parties to advance the bilateral and multilateral agenda on tackling climate change.

On Friday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi

told United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan by phone that Beijing supports Dubai in hosting the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP 28, and is willing to strengthen strategic cooperation with the UAE in the international arena Projects and cooperative programmes for energy saving and improving the climate have played a key part in major visions proposed by Beijing, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, and have drawn widespread acclaim from countries around the globe, observers noted

Wang Yiwei , a professor at Renmin University of China’s School of International Studies and director of the university’s Institute of International Affairs, said the China-proposed programmes “possess both high standards and great feasibility”, helping introduce environmentally friendly projects to developing countries such as Kenya Furthermore, “by technological upgrade and renovation , Chinese investors transformed some steel factories in Europe to make sure they meet standards of both the EU and China, while securing jobs for local workers and furthering tax contribution to local authorities”, he said

It is no wonder that over 150 countries have actively subscribed to the BRI, including the projects seeking green transformation, he added

Opposition leader’s silence amplifies speculation on PNC/R's financial crisis

— Norton dismisses questions on financial management

DESPITE other executive members releasing information on the PNC/R's declining status, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has remained silent on the issue as reports continue to surface with damning revelations about the party's financial status.

According to a recent Demerara Waves report, several Opposition members said that the party is ‘cash-strapped’ and is unable to fund its General Council meeting, which is overdue.

The report further held that the PNC/R, which is the main parliamentary opposition, has been waiting a full year to convene its second-highest decision-making body. And according to reliable sources, this meeting is heavily dependent on funds.

Adding to this, earlier this year Norton told media operatives that his party was unable to participate in all of the Local Authority Areas (LAAs) for the 2023 Local Government Elections (LGEs) because of insufficient funding.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted Norton for a comment on the speculations and public concern, he immediately shut down the reporter and dismissed any further questions.

A dismissive Norton said: “Chronicle doesn’t have the authority to ask me

to comment.”

Furthermore, with the party being allegedly ‘cashstrapped,’ the executives of They Break News (TBN) Inc., on Tuesday, wrote a cheque offering the Opposition $3M in order for them to undertake their democratic duties as the main political opposition.

The entity posted the cheque and within a detailed post, they wrote: “The executives of They Break News (TBN) Inc. after reading a Demerara Waves article which suggested that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)’s efforts to act in a democratic manner were being stymied due to the organisation being cash-strapped, have decided, in the interest of seeing Guyana move forward, to provide the much needed funding – if the party accepts it - to see the PNCR hold their General Council meeting.”

Additionally, the post read that the news entity recognised the financial plight that the PNC/R, which was the majority holder in the previous coalition government administration from 2015 to 2020, has found itself in, just three years after becoming the main opposition, and decided to offer $3 million, as opposed to the $2.4 million that was suggested in the Demerara Waves article.

“The only condition that TBN requires to be fulfilled, once the offer is accepted, is for a date to be announced. The cheque can then be picked up at TBN’s Queenstown office at 126 Laluni Street Queenstown, from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm,” the post concluded.

Members of the Opposition, including the leader, Norton, are yet to respond.

Rice production expanding in...

From page 8

officials from the Guyana Rice Development Board, large-scale rice cultivation has taken flight in the Rupununi.

The agriculture ministry will also ensure that rice is planted in other villages like Karasabai, Quarrie and other areas that have suitable soil type for rice cultivation.

“There are a number of other villages that have embarked on rice production in the Region Nine area, so the

future is looking very bright because people in the region are looking forward to even growing their own rice,” the agriculture minister noted. The ministry has been supporting these villages’ efforts by providing the rice seeds, a rice mill and a combine, among other farming equipment. However, to facilitate the expansion of rice production in the Rupununi, Minister Mustapha is currently sourcing portable rice mills for the villages.

“We could get it for like about $5 million. So, if we could get it into Guyana, we will give it to the villages so that they can have their own portable mill to process the paddy.”

Only in July, farmers from Region Nine engaged their Brazilian counterparts to discuss better agriculture techniques, suitable to the Rupununi.

Since then, Guyana has pledged to adopt some of those advanced techniques.

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Region Three: Bids opened for drainage projects

IN Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), various developmental projects are underway, including significant infrastructural projects to improve drainage and irrigation.

The ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), recently issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) seeking eligible bidders to undertake the $28.4M rehabilitation of D3 drainage structure and revetment at Maria’s Lodge Area, West Coast Demerara and the construction of aqueduct at Sarah, Wakenaam Island,

which is estimated to be $42.6M.

Bids for the project are to be submitted by August 22, 2023, at the office of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

Bidders must submit one hard copy and two electronic copies of the tenders.

According to the IFB, bidding will be conducted through the National Committee Bidding (NCB) procedures, as specified in the Procurement Act 2003 and Regulations 2004.

Bidders are asked to adhere to all of the nec -

essary requests for information found in the tender documents, and valid certificates of compliance from the Guyana Revenue Authority and the National

Insurance Scheme must accompany the standard bidding documents.

With Guyana’s agricultural sector being positioned for massive growth,

as billions of dollars are being pumped into it, the 2023 National Budget aimed to reclaim its title as the breadbasket of the Caribbean.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, when he presented the national budget at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in January, disclosed that some $19.7 billion had been allocated for the upgrade of drainage and irrigation networks across the country.

Dr Singh, during his presentation to the national

assembly, stated that the government was conscious of the importance of having adequate, effective and reliable drainage infrastructure for the safety and security of its people.

“Since returning to office, our government has resumed giving the sector the attention it deserves, focusing on its restoration and enhancement with strong, decisive leadership at both national and regional levels to mould a robust agricultural sector that will transform lives, livelihoods and landscapes,” the Finance Minister said.

The MCC’s dislike for Indians deepened after 2011

eral elections, the Prime Ministerial candidate should rotate between Moses Nagamootoo and Ramjattan.

In that interview with the Guyana Times, Trotman brought his Freudian notebook to the surface. And he was simply echo-

ing what the MCC inside the PNC thought.

One would believe that David Granger and Raphael Trotman during their Nassau rendezvous never could have imagined not only an Indian leadership in the AFC but a Hindu leader at that.

This was at the centre of the internecine quarrel between the PNC and the AFC inside the new government from 2015-2020. Next- the MCC versus the Indians inside the corridors of power2015 to 2020.

THIS is yet another article in my ongoing series on the political evolution of the Mulatto/Creole class which started in May, shortly after I became a Guyana Chronicle columnist. My last installment was the analysis titled, “Raphael, this is Nassau,” of July 11, 2023.

In that piece, I took the analysis up to 2011 when the MCC insisted that Raphael Trotman be the presidential candidate for the Alliance For Change (AFC) second time after the 2006 general poll rather than rotate with Khemraj Ramjattan.

Space would not allow for a repetition of the main points in the July 11 article. So we continue from the July 11 article.

A huge fight broke out between Trotman and Ramjattan over the 2011 presidential candidacy but, by 2011, the AFC was no longer a pure MCC entity. As I argued in my July 11 analysis, Ramjattan had brought into the AFC a huge number of Indians, many of whom were closely aligned with the party Ravi Dev founded named ROAR.

Some of them were wealthy people who began pouring money into the AFC. The MCC couldn’t stop this because the MCC personalities who were behind the formation of AFC didn’t have the kind of resources that a large party like the AFC needed even though the party was formed in Mr. Christopher Ram’s office with the support of

a very wealthy business family.

When the fight between Trotman and Ramjattan broke out, the MCC faced a nightmare. The AFC was to be the resurrection of the National Democratic Party, the child of the League of Coloured People, but in 2011, a substantial amount of Hindus and Muslims and darkskinned Indians were in the midst of the AFC.

For example, at the time of his ascent in the AFC, Ramjattan was the chairperson of Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO). He celebrated his birthday in 2014 in Hindu rites at the GYO and none of the top MCC personalities came except two.

As the fight grew larger for the 2011 presidential slot, a big battle broke out between Trotman and former ROAR member Dr. Somar from the Indian diaspora. You have to read the exchange which I have in front of me and which I kept in my email all these years. You read the exchange and you see graphically in front your eyes, Indians felt that they will not give up their place in politics.

Trotman lost out to Ramjattan in 2011 and from thereon, the MCC personalities who helped formed the AFC but were not inside the MCC, drifted away from the organisation they helped to birth.

By the time of the 2015 election, the MCC was more into assisting David Granger rather than the AFC. In the 2015

campaign, Trotman was based exclusively at the PNC campaign office in Queenstown.

All Guyanese in and out of the country by now know from Raphael Trotman’s March 2023 book that the AFC did not appoint him and two other MCC founders of the AFC as ministers after the 2015 victory. For more on this, see my column of Saturday, July 29, 2023 “Trotman and Ramjattan: What is truth?”

The MCC’s crossover to David Granger was concretised when in Bartica at the local government election in 2016, Trotman delivered an ocean of panegyrics of Granger in which he mentioned the “Nassau covenant” he and Granger had in the Bahamas about the need for the PNC to reach out to the MCC.

In the form of Granger, the PNC did reach out to the MCC and with the alienation of the MCC from the AFC, the MCC had found a resting place.

The story of the APNU+AFC government of 2015-2020 was the tale of a battle between the MCC and the now Indianised AFC.

This war began from the very time the APNU+AFC regime was born. The lowest point in the strained relation came in February 2019 at the Georgetown Club after the AFC concluded one of its statutory executive meetings.

In an interview with the Guyana Times, Trotman said that he does not believe for the 2020 gen-

Mahdia dormitory fire: Health Minister visits survivor at Staten Island University Hospital’s burn unit

JUST two months following the tragic Mahdia dormitory fire, Minister of Health

Dr. Frank Anthony visited one of the most critically injured patients in the Regional Burn Centre at Staten Island University Hospital in the United States.

The 12-year-old girl with severe burns to more than 40 per cent of her body was taken for life-saving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital but was subsequently flown to the United States to receive comprehensive burn care at Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH).

According to a release from the Public Relations, Hospital and Community Relations department of the Staten Island University

Hospital, director of SIUH, Michael Cooper, MD, noted that, “The patient suffered second and third degree burns to approximately 40 per cent of her body… Her injuries required extensive skin-graft surgeries, 24/7 pain management, physical therapy and counselling.”

Minister Anthony visited the patient and her care team to discuss her ongoing treatment and prognosis. In addition to Dr. Cooper, the minister spoke to Eric Cioe Peña, MD, vice president of Northwell Health’s Centre for Global Health, and Kimlyn Long, MD, associate director of the Regional Burn Centre at SIUH, the release stated.

“To see her smile is emotional. The physical recov-

ery is the first part, but the psychological recovery is so important and can be even harder with emotional scars.

“This child’s recovery is a sign of hope for Guyana and, God willing, will help the healing process for the country,” Dr. Peña stated.

The release further stated that the patient has begun to walk about 10 to 15 feet, but doctors would like to get her to around 40 before discharging her, which will likely be in a few weeks. In preparation for returning to Guyana, the team discussed the next steps in transition of care and their commitment to making the integration as seamless as possible between the two institutions.

According to Minister Anthony, “We had a national tragedy, but I was glad to see her today. When she left Guyana, she was unconscious, and today she is smiling. Over the last couple

of weeks, she has made significant progress.

“I am grateful to the staff at Northwell for the care, experience and ex -

pertise they have put in to make sure she is getting the best outcome. We’re excited to bring her home!”

(Extreme left) Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony along with other officials at the Regional Burn Centre at Staten Island University Hospital

IDB-funded agricultural boost: $3.3 Million in inputs distributed to 30 Region Four farmers

THIRTY small and medium-scale farmers from Region Four (Demerara –Mahaica) received inputs worth $3.3 million on Monday to improve their production, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

This was made possible through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under Component Two of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Development Programme (SADP).

Under Component Two of the SADP Project, funding was allocated for strengthening of the ministry’s extension system. This included training of both staff and farmers and the establishment of research and demonstration plots.

To assist with the adoption of the new technology promoted by the ministry, a grant incentive programme (non-cash) was also designed to support small and medium-scale farmers.

Last June, during a simple handing-over exercise at the ministry’s Regent Street office, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha received the items on behalf of the Government of Guyana from the IDB’s Country Representative to Guyana Ms. Solór-

zano Salazar. Farmers also received some of the inputs procured under the project during that exercise.

Through the initiative, some 6,000 farmers from across the coast will benefit from US$3 million worth of inputs and technical assistance as part of the government’s efforts to boost Guyana’s agricultural sector.

While offering remarks at the exercise, Minister Mustapha said while CARICOM is looking to Guyana to play the leading role as it pertains to agriculture and food production, the government has been working to ensure that farmers are equipped to improve and increase production.

“Countries in the Caribbean are looking to Guyana to play that leading role as it relates to agricultural development. As a government, we have to ensure our farmers are equipped with the necessary tools and equipment so that they can produce. Our farmers are very important because they are the ones who will drive the sector. This is why we are making these contributions so that you have the necessary inputs to ramp up production. Our goal is to ensure Guyana becomes a

hub for food production and a country capable of producing most, if not all of the crops and commodities we import in CARICOM. This is why we’ve been expending large sums of money to develop both our traditional and non-traditional sectors,” he explained.

Minister Mustapha also said that the government was also working to expand the cultivation of commodities such as corn, soya, high-value crops, black-eyed peas, and spices such as ginger.

“We’ve also been expending large sums of money to develop new crops. Things like corn, soya,[and] high-value crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. We are also working to commence large-scale beans production and supply the Caribbean with black-eyed peas. In Region One we are working to ramp up production of spices like ginger and black pepper,” he added.

Both crops and livestock farmers received items which included small land tillers, breeding animals inclusive of cattle, swine, small ruminants, and black giant birds, improved planting materials, farrowing crates, water pumps, nipple drinks, and water systems, drip systems (both tape and hose), pasture fence materials inclusive of wire and posts, shadehouse materials inclusive of mesh, plastic, and building materials, milking machines, threshing machines, plucking machines, plastic mulch, building materials for pen upgrades, weeding machines, incubators, mist blowers, grass chippers, and gestation crates.

Minister Mustapha with some of the farmers of Region Four who benefitted from the inputs

GWI to construct $540M corporate complex at Houston

GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) will soon build a $540 million state-of-the-art corpo -

rate complex at Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Tender is already out for the building of the new three-storey corporate office, which when completed will house the Hinterland Department; the Human Resource Department; the Climate Change and Adaptation Unit; the Projects Department; Corporate Services; the Audit Department; the CEO’s Secretariat; the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; the Communication Unit and the Business Development Unit of the water utility.

According to the company, some of the features will include elevators for easy commute around the building, a modern training or conference room, printer room and kitchens, all designed to enable an environment that is conducive to work.

The building will cover a space of some 20, 410 square feet and will be the place of employment for 111 staff. The land space that will house the new corporate office covers some 43, 442 square feet and will include a parking lot that will accommodate more than 50 vehicles.

GWI has been making significant progress in improving access to and the quality of water despite the geographical challenges faced in Guyana, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh, who said this when the company celebrated its 21 years of serving the nation, in May 2023.

Baksh, who signed the vesting order establishing GWI 21 years ago during his tenure as Housing and Water Minister, acknowledged that there is still much work to be done.

He emphasised GWI’s commitment to aggressively enhance the level and quality of service pro-

vided to customers.

Over the next two to three years, GWI aims to ensure widely available access to treated water. The government has already invested $14.5 billion this year to enhance and expand water services.

Guyana is actively working towards providing 90 per cent of its population with access to potable water by 2025. As part of this effort, 13 new treatment plants will be constructed across the country, and an additional 12 existing plants will be upgraded.

“We kindly request the understanding of the population as we actively strive to meet their need for clean, safe water,” Baksh stated, emphasising the focus on improving water quality and service in both coastal and hinterland regions.

The hinterland regions are served through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project, which provides residents with access to safe water and hygiene facilities.

GWI’s commitment to enhancing access to water and delivering quality customer service has been reinforced over the years through collaboration with local and international partners.

In addition to improving water access and quality for customers, GWI is also prioritising the improvement of working conditions for its employees, recognising their vital role in the organisation’s advancement.

Efforts are underway to secure further funding for professional development, and new buildings have been constructed for staffers in Regions Five and Nine, with offices in Regions Two, 10, and on the East Bank of Demerara being refurbished and equipped.

A design plan for the $540 million GWI headquarters expected to be built at Houston

‘Oil boom’ takes Guyana to ‘unimaginable’ level

— foreign analysts say country has appealing investment basin — references openness to investors, government’s efforts to monetise resources to give back to citizens

of a sudden, it's up to 400,000 barrels per day, and the projection is that by 2027, we're going to be at 1.2 million barrels per day of production. So, it's really kind of exploded onto the oil scene,” he said while speaking on the

oil boom in Guyana.

He also said that when the next crude, Payara, comes online, which is during the fourth quarter, production will be over 600,000 barrels per day.

Harrington added: “So, one interesting

thing to note is that as Guyana's production really explodes, that crude is coming into the market in the time of flux especially in crude flows into North America.”

GUYANA’S rapid development continues to attract the attention of persons on the world stage, and experts are convinced that the country will continue to grow as the oil and gas sector expands.

In a Platts Oil Markets podcast by S&P Global Commodity Insights, three analysts discussed the oil boom in Guyana, what the development means to the Caribbean region as well as the rest of the world, and the pricing trends and flows for Guyana's top crude grades, Liza and Unity Gold.

Laura Huchzermeyer, manager of the Americas crude pricing team at Platts, which is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, during the podcast, said if ten years ago someone had said Guyana would have been in the big league, one might have called it impossible, but now the country has defied the odds and has become one of the world’s largest oil producers.

“It has been fascinating in the recent years,

to watch as Guyana has really taken off as a prolific oil-producing country,” she underscored, adding that Guyana’s newly-attained status took many by shock, especially since the nation is known for its agricultural products, bountiful rain forests and breath-taking waterfalls.

With all those advancements, Huchzermeyer said positively that development is definitely on Guyana’s horizons.

Starr Spencer, a member of the S&P Global Commodity Insights news team, said that Guyana has numerous remarkable traits, which make it an appealing investment basin.

These include the government welcoming foreign investors and their eagerness to monetise its oil basin in order to give back to the citizens and create other “cottage” industries as well.

“We’ve got two field developments currently producing. A third is going to come on later

this year, Payara, and a fourth will follow in I think it's 2025, Yellowtail. Uaru is the 5th in 2026, and Whiptail, which is sixth, it's on the drawing board right now,” he said, adding that the development plan is expected to be submitted to the government of Guyana later this year.

“In fact, with the finds so far that they've evaluated, the resource potential of the basin is 11 billion barrels of oil, and that's not including some recent finds that have been made, some of which are kind of big.

“So there is a lot, a lot of oil in that basin. And that's even before they've started to redevelop some of the funds…” he further remarked.

Meanwhile, Patrick Harrington, touched on the fact that the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels are currently working above their nameplate capacity.

“It's a country where, in 2019, there was roughly zero barrels per day being produced. All

Building Expo 2023: 70% of booths already booked

By Cindy Parkinson

THE private sector businesses are eagerly anticipating the International Building Expo 2023, with the theme "Building for All: One Guyana, Many Opportunities", scheduled for August 24-27 at the Guyana National Stadium.

On Monday afternoon, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal met with corporate sponsors and some of the participating business representatives at the Guyana National Stadium.

Minister Croal stated in his presentation that payment for more than 70% of booth occupancy has been made, and that while the two main auditoriums still have “some slots” available, there are no more spaces available along the aisle.

While speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the Housing Minister said, “In addition to presenting model homes and numerous family-friendly attractions, the event offers an insight into cutting-ed-

ge building techniques, chances to network with service providers and financial institutions, and educational opportunities. I am encouraging all those who haven’t joined to come on board and do that now; do not wait until the last minute to rush in for a spot. Thousands of people will be here, and you never know who your potential customer or client will be. You have international and local people here; I am hoping that this year, somebody comes up with recommendations on how we can deal with security, by having certain safety areas to exit in the event of a fire. Get away from the grilling! Let’s come up with another way of securing our homes, while we are still in a position to get out quickly if we need to. I am hoping and looking forward to an idea or something like that this year.”

Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle was Ameir Ahmad, proprietor of the largest security firm in Guyana, Sherriff Security, as well the owner of the state-

of-the-art Sherriff Rentals Homes, who was quick to secure his spot in one of the executive booths.

According to Ahmad, “Last year, we were at the building expo, just as Sheriff Security. The public turned out in large numbers at our booth, and that was also where we launched our alarm systems. This year, we have our security firm, as well as our Sherrif Homes, and again, it will be a treat. While that was a success for us last year, one of the main reasons I am going back this year is to meet other businesses. I want to say to my fellow Guyanese in the private sector that while I understand that we have to take calculated risks in whatever we invest in, I also believe that we have to spend money to make money.”

As he went on to say: “Expos such as these are giving us the opportunity to do networking with other businessmen, and I am happy to say that I got clients from last year’s expo. So I know that these events work. I would like to commend

President Ali and his government for these initiatives, where the private sector can have the opportunity, and such a grand platform to showcase what we have to offer, not only for the local markets, but also on the international stage. It is very important and necessary, especially now considering where we are going as a country. I would also like to say to the smaller businessmen to come out, and network; talk with us, so that we can advise or give ideas on how you can grow your businesses.”

A representative from Colin Talbot Contracting Services, along with Ms. Vashti Lall, Secretary of Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works, both explained that they are two construction companies that specialise in the building of roads, culverts and bridges, among other construction projects, as well as machine rentals.

According to them, while both businesses work with their own contracts, sometimes they also join ventures in the construction field.

So, it was a “no brainer,” according to them, to share one booth.

The ladies expressed their delight at being a part of the Guyana building expo, and they are looking forward to meeting with the spectators/customers as well as their fellow businessmen.

The other representatives that were there on Monday shared with the Guyana Chronicle that they were equally “excited” as the other booth owners about showcasing their businesses, and getting the opportunity to showcase their businesses on an “international” stage. They also thanked the government for giving them the space to do that. As one person said, “It will not disappoint.”

Finally, the Marketing Manager of GBTI, Pernell Cummings said, “We are a platinum sponsor for this year’s building expo; we have decided to upgrade our sponsorship package, because we see the direction in which Guyana is going. We really wanted to be a part of the home ownership dream

in Guyana; we see the benefits, and as a financial institution, we want to play our part in building Guyana. We are here to help fulfil the dreams of home ownership, as well as financial freedom. This year, we will also be giving away a brand-new Toyota Raize as part of the building expo. Anyone who gets a mortgage between now and the end of September will stand a chance to win the vehicle.”

Sponsors include Unicomer, GBTI, E-Networks, Torginol, Machine Tech Guyana, GTT, Gafoors, Kee-Chenona Guyana, Republic Bank, Toolsie Persaud Ltd, New Century Developers, South Atlantic Logistic and General Services, R&G Bacchus Mining Inc., Collin Talbot Construction, Puran Brothers, Blockon, and Green Building.

For details about available packages, kindly visit: buildingexpo.gy/packages/. Futher inquiries can be made by calling 6351103 or 635-1104.

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal (Centre) and some of the corporate sponsors of Building Expo 2023

Representative from Colin Talbot Contracting Services, along with Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works are looking forward to meeting with customers, as well as their fellow businesses at the upcoming Building Expo 2023

Four dead in lorry, motorcar collision at Craig

FOUR persons lost their lives on Monday night in a fatal accident that took place on the Craig public road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), which is currently being investigated by the police.

The accident involved

motor lorry with registration GYY 9560, owned by Dexter Bess of Nelson Street Mocha, EBD, and driven at the time by Tyrese Bess, a 21-year-old of the said address, and motor car with registration PPP 3034 owned and driv-

en by Stanley La Cruise, a 57-year-old resident of Mon Repos pasture, East Coast Demerara.

Enquiries disclosed that motor car PPP 3034 was proceeding South along the eastern side of the Craig public road with

La Cruise at the wheel and six others in the vehicle (four adults and two children), namely: Eric Christopher Thomas, age 60 years, Annette Williams, age 56 years, and Lynette Chappelle (age unknown), Ivette Domingo of Mon

Repos East Coast Demerara, and the two children -- ages seven and 13. Most of the occupants of the car are from the Charity Squatting area, Essequibo.

The driver of the car, La Cruise, is alleged to have made a ‘U-Turn’ from the eastern driving lane onto the western driving lane and, in the process, collided with motor lorry GYY 9560, which was proceeding North along the western side of the said road.

As a result of the collision, all of the occupants of the car received injuries on their bodies. They were all taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. They were all seen and examined by a doctor on duty.

Eric Christopher Thomas, Annette Williams, Ivette Domingo and Lynette Chappelle died (the first two died at the scene while Domingo and Chapel died while receiving treatment). Their bodies were later taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for storage, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The two children (ages seven and 13) and the

driver were treated for minor injuries and sent away.

Ivette Domingo of Mon Repos, a mother of four children who recently returned from Venezuela is said to be the wife of the driver and was heading to Grove, EBD when the car was involved in the accident.

Further, Annette Williams was a vendor and she left Region Two Thursday last to attend cricket with her daughter Lynette Chappelle. Chappelle was pregnant at the time of the accident.

The scene was visited by Inspector Ramdas, Sergeant Muhammad and other ranks at about 21:20 hours; statement and measurements were taken.

One eyewitness came forward and gave a statement. Both drivers were administered breathalyzer tests, and no trace of alcohol was detected in their system.

The lorry and the car were lodged at the Police station to be examined. Both drivers are currently in Police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Dead: Lynette Chappelle and Annette Williams (Newsroom photo)

Dead: Ivette Domingo

Guyanese Academic shines: Dr. Alicia Elias appointed to UWI Faculty of Law Deanship

concerns, she highlighted the importance of staying committed to one's goals even in the face of adversity.

“I never gave up,” Elias emphasised, a testament to her resolute spirit. Drawing strength from her late parents' belief that “Education is the key to success,” Elias kept her eyes on her aspirations. She vividly remembers her father's proud moniker for her during her days at Queen’s College –“Doctor Elias.”

IN an era where Guyanese talents continue to make their mark on the academic stage, Dr Alicia Elias stands as a testament to determination, faith, and unwavering perseverance.

Her recent appointment as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine Campus in Trinidad, has brought her accomplishments into the spotlight, showcasing her journey from the roots of the University of Guyana to an esteemed leadership position.

Born in the picturesque town of Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara, Alicia Elias has been a trailblazer in the realm of law and education. Having built her foundations at the University of Guyana, she embarked on a remarkable journey that eventually led her to her current role at UWI St Augustine.

In an exclusive conversation with the Guyana Chronicle, Elias candidly shared the challenges and triumphs that have defined her journey.

“My faith in God and unwavering perseverance have been my guiding lights,” Elias noted as she reflected on the hurdles she had to surmount. Battling through health challenges and even the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Elias remained steadfast in her pursuit of academic excellence.

Recalling a period of medical leave she had to take during her Ph.D. programme due to health

Her academic journey, though marked by its own timeline, was shaped by her unwavering focus and the support of her family. Elias graduated from the University of Guyana before pursuing further studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School and later delving into a master's programme in the United States. Despite facing various delays, including the caregiving responsibilities she took on for her ailing mother, Elias continued to forge ahead with determination.

Elias' impactful journey took a pivotal turn when she played a key role in developing the Oil and Gas Programme in law during her time in Trinidad. Her exposure to government entities, programme facilitators, and Ministry of Energy officials allowed her to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world expertise.

“Experience is paramount,” Elias asserted, highlighting the value of hands-on engagement in shaping meaningful research and study outcomes.

For Elias, the path she chose was not about competition but about personal growth and contribution.

Her journey exemplifies that success is not solely about the destination but the resilience, passion, and tenacity that one exhibits along the way. As she takes on her new role as Dean, Alicia Elias stands as an inspiring figure, a beacon of hope for those navigating their own academic aspirations, and a living embodiment of the limitless potential of Guyanese talent on the global stage.

Newly appointed Dean, Faculty of Law, UWI St Augustine Campus, Dr Alicia Elias

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday, August 09, 2023)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Evin Lewis - 100 (Lauderhill, 2016)

(2) K L Rahul-110* (Lauderhill, 2016)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many T20 International runs Kieron Pollard has made against India?

(2) How many Chris Gayle has made?

Answers

RACING TIPS

12:20

14:10 hrs Uncle Albert

14:40 hrs Jackie Brown

15:10 hrs Folly Beach

American Racing Tips Saratoga

Race 1 Cibolian Race 2 Pillbox

Race 3 Tricky Temper Race 4 Tide Of The Sea

Race 5 Shimmering Allure

Race 6 Buttercream Babe

Race 7 Asymmetric

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville

Shariff wins Diamond Insurance Women's Chess Championship Qualifiers

SASHA Shariff has emerged victorious in the Diamond Insurance Women's Chess Championship Qualifiers, finishing with 6.5 points after seven rounds of play. She is one of ten players who will now advance to the Nationals to pursue the coveted title of National Women's Champion.

Shariff is the lone player heading into Nationals who has held the title before. She reigned as National Women's Champion from 2020 to 2022, until current champion Pooja Lam usurped her last year. With Lam unable to defend her title this year due to com-

mitments in her academic studies, Shariff is now the player to beat when the round-robin Women's Nationals commences to -

morrow at School of the Nations.

The 19-year-old Shariff is by far one of the most seasoned competitors in the

India keep series alive with...

From page 36

and a six and added 43 with Skipper Hardik Pandya who hit a four and a six to end the match unbeaten 20.

Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with 2-26.

On a day which commenced in sweltering heat before becoming overcast, there was less Indian flags and more support for the home team by the fair-sized gathering after Sunday’s result.

West Indies opted to bat on a fairly good track and lightning-fast outfield and Mayers and King, who at times tried to hit the ball too hard, gave the hosts a good start.

Both batters looked to play their shots as the left-handed Mayers greeted leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal with a pick-up shot for six while the third ball from Kuldeep Yadav sailed over long-off for six off the blade of King as the pair continued to bat with plenty of intensity to post the 50 in 42 balls.

Mayers, looking set for a big score, swept Axar Patel to deep backward square leg at 55-1 to bring Johnson Charles to the crease to join

King but after sweeping a six, Charles was befuddled by Yadav and was LBW for 12 with a six and a four at 75-2 in the 11th over.

The in-form Pooran made his intentions known from the inception by using his feet to Yadav to deposit him over long-on for six.

Pooran, arguably the best batter in the team, played an epic reverse slog over cover for four as boundaries were scored at a rapid rate to the delight of those in the stand, including Guyana’s National U-15 and U-17 teams.

But Pooran was soon stumped as Yadav struck a crucial blow at 105-3 after the 100 was posted in 82 balls while a run later King was caught and bowled by Yadav.

Shimron Hetmyer, woefully short of runs, got going with a boundary before lofting Mukesh Kumar to longoff after making nine from eight balls and West Indies were 123-5.

Powell went after the bowlers with all guns blazing and blasted Kumar for six to post the 150 in the final over as he and Romario Shepherd (2) shared in an unfinished 36-run stand in three overs as 13 fours and nine sixes were

event. She holds the title of UG Chess Queen - the top female player at the University of Guyana. She has represented Guyana at the Batumi Olympiad in 2018, the Chennai Olympiad in 2022, and many other international chess competitions.

Coming in second in the qualifying event is National Under-16 Champion Anaya Lall. As is usually the case for Lall, she is the only deaf chess player competing. And once again, it has not swayed her on her steadfast path to victory. She finished the tournament with 5 points, her only loss being her match against Waveney

Johnson.

She drew her games with Aditi Joshi and Italy Ton Chung. Lall has also graced the international stage for Guyana in the International Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities and in the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai. She is definitely a player to watch in the Nationals, having come in 5th in the last year’s Nationals.

Third place went to former under-14 Champion, Ciel Clement, also on 5 points but ranking lower than Lall through the Sonneborn–Berger tiebreak employed in GCF Swiss-system tournaments.

Waveney Johnson is fourth with 4.5 points after losing against eventual champion Shariff, stalemating a winning end-game position against Vienna Bharosay and drawing her games with Jessica Callender and Aniyah Couchman. Adia Alphonso and Couchman ranked fifth and sixth with 4.5 points each. Callender, Aditi Joshi and Chelsea Harrison all finished on 4 points to take seventh, eighth and ninth positions and will advance to the Nationals. The final qualifying spot went to Italy Ton Chung with 3 points.

hit in the innings.

When India began their run chase, 21-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal, in his T20I debut, made one before ‘skying’ Obed McCoy high to mid-on at 6-1.

Shubman Gill (6) was beaten for pace and lobbed a catch to short mid-wicket at 32-4 as Joseph struck.

Yadav pulled McCoy for a pugnacious six to post the 50 from 34 before hammering the pacer for two more boundaries in an over that cost 17.

The left-handed Varma got off the mark with a glorious cover drive for four before riding a short ball from the lively Joseph to third man for consecutive fours.

Yadav reached his 14th T20I fifty from 23 balls with seven fours and two sixes before he executed an imperious scoop off Shepherd for before falling on his back and stroking the Guyanese pacer back past his ankles for four.

But when 17 short of what would have been his fourth century at this level, Yadav was removed by Joseph at 121-3 in the 13th over.

Pandya and Varma then added 43 in quick time to finish to game.

The top 10 players advancing to the women's championship

Women’s World Cup

France end Morocco dream to cruise into quarters

EUGENIE Le Sommer scored twice as France cruised into the Women's World Cup quarter-finals, thrashing Morocco to end the African side's dream run.

Goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Le Sommer put France 3-0 ahead at half-time in Adelaide, with Le Sommer adding her second after 70 minutes.

France will now face Australia in the last eight in Brisbane on Saturday.

Morocco had been hoping to become the first African side to win a knockout match at the Women's World Cup.

Clinical France maximise attack in ruthless win

Herve Renard's France stand 67 places above Morocco in Fifa's world rankings and their superior quality was evident in the first half, with Dianni nodding them in front after a neat cross from Sakina Karchaoui as she scored her fourth goal in the competition.

In the 20th minute Dianni turned provider, cutting the ball back to Aston Villa's Dali who struck a low shot into the corner.

And with less than a quarter of the match gone the tie was wrapped up when Morocco's Nesryne El Chad slammed a

Morocco's defence tiring, Le Sommer added a fourth, heading in Vicki Becho's deep cross.

France's best result at a World Cup finals is fourth in 2011, and they have now reached the last eight in each of the last four editions.

With top-10 ranked teams the United States, Germany, Brazil and Canada all eliminated, the French will now fancy their chances of going all the way in the tournament.

Morocco's dream run ends

Morocco - the first Arab nation to compete at the finalsclaimed a shock second place in Group H ahead of two-time win-

ners Germany, who had beaten them 6-0 in their opening game. A second upset against unbeaten France though was a step too far.

The team fell apart defensively as the more experienced side scored their first three goals across eight first-half minutes. Morocco's best chance fell just after the restart when Ibtissam Jraidi motored through on goal, but she was quickly smothered by France stopper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. (BBC Sport)

Stokes may regret attacking Ashes approach, says England great Gower

Ben Stokes may regret his attacking approach to the Ashes after what England great David Gower sees as a missed opportunity.

England have transformed their red-ball fortunes under captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, winning 13 of their 18 Tests after embracing a free-flowing, attacking mentality in the longest format.

An Ashes series victory proved a challenge too great, though, with England recovering from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 – a result that saw Australia retain the urn.

Stokes' tactics have come into question, with England's insistence on attacking sometimes their downfall, and Gower believes the all-rounder may look back with slight regret.

Gower told Stats Perform: "Stokes says that he doesn't want to worry about hindsight, which doesn't win you any games and all the rest of it.

"But there will be thoughts along those lines, because when

they look at it next year, it says 2-2 and you were part of that team that could have regained The Ashes.

"Stokes could have been At The Oval, with that little urn in his hand saying I have regained the Ashes or you better say 'we' with this team ethic.

"That would be there again for all to see for the rest of history. But I'm afraid it’s not quite the case."

While Gower suggested Stokes may reconsider his plans at a future date, the former England captain still hailed the new approach against the red ball.

He added: "My view is a mixture of old and new. I love the new approach, especially the culture that Stokes and McCullum have bred in the team since that partnership came together last year.

"I'd imagine that playing in that dressing room must be an enormous pleasure because it takes the pressure off a bad day, takes the pressure off failure, and it encourages people to look

ahead.

"The one thing that could have made this series different is being slightly more match aware, slightly smarter at key moments.

"England could have made more runs in the second innings at Edgbaston, put themselves further ahead, played Australia a little bit further out of the game made it harder for them to win the game. In the end, Australia win the game.(Sportsmax)

"England could have batted like Stokes did at Lord's when the bouncer barrage was coming, Stokes took the blows to the body, and others played shots that got them out.

"There was a collapse from 180 for none, as it were, suddenly were 200 for plenty. And things like that change games in Test cricket.

"Five-day cricket is all about sustaining the effort and the quality throughout, but a bad

hour or a bad session can cost you games and that's what happened at Lord's."

A high-quality Ashes series was likely only robbed of a winner due to the rain at Old Trafford, where the fourth Test was washed out on the weekend with England in the ascendancy.

Australia return Down Under with the urn but Gower believes – despite the thrilling encounters – both sides may look back with some sense of a missed opportunity.

He continued: "I think for both teams, at the end of the series, Australia looked a bit muted, because although they retained the Ashes, they struggled in the last three games.

"Australia would have rued the fact they let things slide a little bit, at the same time I'd give all the credit to England, for the way they played their cricket to put the pressure back on Australia.

"It was interesting to watch the Australians, they had a very brief celebration in front of the

crowd at The Oval but it wasn't sort of leaping up and down saying we've held the Ashes.

"You don't do laps of honour when you've drawn a series, you do laps of honour at the MCG when you have won The Ashes Down Under. Graeme Swann and the sprinkler and all the rest of it.

"It was probably almost a feeling of, actually, we've put everything on the field. They put everything into that series, both sides.

"At the end of it, not so much a relief but a sort of acknowledgement, that 2-2 is probably fair. You sit down and you feel relief, it's a shame that it's all over.

"People would have loved to see this thing, carry on almost you play 10 Tests, keep up the intensity, keep up the rivalry. But there's also a sort of sense of well, it's over now.

"You cast your mind back to all the ups and downs of six, seven weeks of high-pressure cricket."(Sportsmax)

Colombia set up England match by beating Jamaica

COLOMBIA set up a Women's World Cup quarter-final against England with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Jamaica.

Catalina Usme, who captained Colombia in Melbourne, curled home the decisive strike in the 51st minute.

It was the first goal Jamaica had conceded at the tournament after 321 minutes of play, but they could not find a response.

This is the first time Colombia have reached the last eight of the Women's World Cup.

They will face European champions England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday,

kick-off at 11.30 BST.

Colombia's teenage talents shine

This was the final match in Melbourne at this World Cup, and the Rectangular Stadium has claimed many traditional names of women's football as victims.

Olympic champions Canada were eliminated by hosts Australia, Brazil icon Marta saw her World Cup dreams dashed, and the once unbeatable four-time world champions the United States were humbled.

This game was about the new generation, two sides re-writing their football history. Both seemed weighed down

by the opportunity early on, with a first half more about fouls than shots.

The clearest first-half chance came on 38 minutes, as Linda Caicedo shot over on the turn from six yards.

But this young, vibrant Colombia side is near impossible to contain. And, while Caicedo has made the headlines this tournament, it was another 18-year-old who set the winner in motion.

Ana Maria Guzman was making her first World Cup start in place of suspended full-back Manuela Vanegas.

The absence of Vanegas, who scored the winner in the victory

over Germany, was the cause of much pre-match worry among Colombian media.

But they need not have worried as Guzman produced a moment of magic, a brilliant deep cross from the left which Usme brought down and buried in the far corner.

Colombia should have made the game safe but Caicedo was denied by Jamaica keeper Becky Spencer following a counter-attack before Leicy Santos hit the post late on.

But they saw the job through - and face the Lionesses next.

Sturdy Jamaica finally toppled

While much attention has been placed on Colombia and Caicedo and co, Jamaica's impressive World Cup has been built on their watertight defence.

On debut in 2019, they let in 12 goals in three matches. In 2023, they went into this match as the only side yet to concede.

The first Caribbean nation to play in the knock-outs of any Fifa World Cup since Cuba in 1938 and the sole remaining Concacaf representative after the eliminations of Canada and USA, they did not allow Colombia to easily build any attacking tempo.

Drew Spence drew the ire of the partisan Colombia fans, who

made up the vast majority of the crowd in Melbourne, when she threw Caicedo to the ground late in the first half, the former England international getting a yellow card.

But Jamaica struggled to create, with striker Khadija Shaw - scorer of 31 goals in 30 games for Manchester City last seasonfeeding off scraps.

Their best chance came almost immediately after Usme's goal, Jody Brown striking the post with a close-range header. They also came close with eight minutes remaining as Spence headed narrowly wide. (BBC Sport)

clearance against Dianni and the ball fell nicely to Le Sommer who added a third. In the closing stages, with

France are now in their fourth consecutive World Cup quarterfinal

England captain Ben Stokes (left) and Australia captain Pat Cummins

Shields and Dindnauth win LGC Greensome and Barbeque Golf Tournament

FOLLOWING many years of absence, the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) hosted a Greensome and Barbeque last Sunday. The event featured a Better Ball twoman scramble tournament, which saw a total of fifty (52) players turning out and a raffle drawing.

The tournament marks the first of many as the MayJune rainy season had hampered the normal flow of golf. The results for the tournament are as follows:

● 1st: Hilbert Shields and Mohanlall Dindnauth (HC 3, Gross 36, Net 33)

● 2nd: Bholoram Deo and Vijay Deo (HC 3, Gross 36, Net 33)

● 3rd: Anasha Ally and Sam Harry winning via countback (HC 4, Gross 38, Net 34)

Thomas

● Best Dressed Golfers –Troy Cadogan and Ryan Joseph

● Honest Players – Miguel Yunes and Norma Yunes

First place received cellphones, compliments of GTT; second place received gift hampers from Banks DIH, third place received a gift basket from Ansa McAl; Longest Drive and Nearest to pin received gloves while Best Dressed and Honest Players received ball sleeves. At the raffle drawing, some of the winners were Anasha Ally, Jason Clarke, Jason Fraser, Miguel Yunis and Arnol Deo. Some of the sponsored prizes won

were three gift hampers from Banks DIH, three gift baskets from Ansa Mcal, one cellphone from GTT, 5 dinner vouchers for 4 persons at OMG from Banks DIH (one voucher caters for four persons); one gift voucher from Amici restaurant, one gift voucher for four persons from Froggy’s restaurant, one champagne from Oasis Cafe and two tours to the Essequibo River from Odyssey Site Seeing.

Speaking on behalf of the club was PRO Paton George, who noted that, “The Greensome and Barbeque tournament turned out to be everything we would have hoped for. The course is in excellent condition as the guest gave

positive comments. This was made possible by the ground staff who brought the course back after the rainy season. If there is any kind of drought we also have to look at that aspect, so we have our ears to the ground and our eyes open as we are aware of all the elements that can affect the conditions of the golf club.

In addition to the festivities, we had a raffle drawing in which prizes were contributed from many of our major sponsors such as Banks DIH, Froggy’s Restaurant, Ansa McAl, Silvies General Store, GTT, Odessa's Tour, Amici, Oasis Cafe and the members and staff of LGC.”

Hardie, Tanveer bolt into Australia's World Cup plans

…Marnus Labuschagne axed by selectors with rising stars Aaron Hardie and Tanveer Sangha included in extended 18-man ODI World Cup squad

MARNUS Labuschagne's World Cup dream appears shattered after being dropped from Australia's one-day side, while uncapped leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and WA allrounder

Aaron Hardie have bolted into the mix for the tournament to be played in India later this year.

Cricket Australia on Monday named an extended 18-man squad for the ODI World Cup that will later be trimmed to 15, with a fivematch series in South Africa in September the first assignment.

Selectors also named a new-look T20 squad with a strong Big Bash flavour for three matches in South Africa before the ODI World Cup build-up begins, with big names rested from the shortest format ahead of a gruelling one-day campaign.

Labuschagne is the most notable omission from the 50-over squad having played 30 of Australia's 38 matches since his debut in January 2020, with an average of 31.37.

Pat Cummins was revealed to have a fractured wrist that will keep him sidelined for six weeks but will join the ODI squad in South

Africa in preparation for a return to playing in India, where Australia have a threegame series in late September ahead of the World Cup.

Mitchell Starc is also recuperating from a shoulder injury picked up in the Ashes but has been cleared for the South Africa ODIs.

Cummins – Australia's ODI captain – has "an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation," said Australia's selection chair George Bailey.

"We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign.

"There are still a number

of games he could play before the World Cup which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation."

Starc, Cummins to be assessed after Ashes injuries

Selectors have not named a vice-captain for the ODI squad. Hazlewood skippered the team in one match against England last November, while Steve Smith took on the job for a three-match tour of India in March this year.

Sangha's selection is a real bolt from the blue – the 21-year-old has not played any top-level cricket since a one-day domestic practice match in Coffs Harbour last September, after which he

was diagnosed with a back stress fracture that sidelined him for the entire 2022-23 summer.

‘Devastated’ rising star hopes for quick recovery

Sangha had previously toured with Australia's T20 squad to New Zealand in February 2021, and while named in an extended squad for tours of the Caribbean and Bangladesh later that year, he ultimately did not make the touring party.

Glenn Maxwell will miss the ODI leg of the South Africa tour with the 34-year-old expecting the arrival of his first child, and will join the squad in India, where they are scheduled to play a three-

match ODI series between September 22 and 27 with games in Mohali, Indore and Rajkot.

Official warm-up fixtures against yet-to-be-named opponents will follow before Australia will then meet India again in a blockbuster opener to their World Cup campaign proper, in Chennai on October 8.

Aussies to open World Cup with blockbuster India clash

Veteran David Warner and Travis Head look set to form a left-handed opening combination for Australia, although Mitch Marsh may remain an option after dominating as opener in Warner's absence during March's three-game tour of India.

Hardie's inclusion in the extended ODI squad shows how highly rated he is by selectors, having also been included in the T20 squad. While a T20 cap appears certain, the WA product will be vying with Marsh, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott to fill the seam-bowling allrounder spots with three players to be trimmed before the World Cup.

Ashton Agar joins Adam Zampa and Tanveer as spin

bowlers in the squad, while noted death overs specialist Nathan Ellis joins familiar faces Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood as pace bowling options.

Jhye Richardson was not considered as he continues his recovery from a series of hamstring issues that have plagued him, while Lance Morris is on the comeback trail from a back issue.

"This side has been extremely impressive for several years in limited-overs cricket," said Bailey.

"There is an enormous amount of skill and experience in the group, which you need in a World Cup."

Selectors expect to trim the ODI squad to 15 in early September, but can make changes up until September 28, after which any changes require ICC approval.

Australia's ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa. (Cricket.com.au)

● Nearest to pin – Rabindra Persaud ● Longest Drive – Mark

The Winners pose for a photo

Aaron Hardie and Tanveer Sangha

GBA begins registering fighters for Linden’ new gym this weekend

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will commence its official registration drive for the opening of a new gym in the Mining Town of Linden this Saturday at the Mackenzie Car Park from 12:00hrs to 18:00hrs.

The registration period and the eventual opening of the gym, which will be located at the Bayroc A, is part of the GBA’s objective in resuscitating the boxing scene in the Mining Town.

Initially, the GBA had conceptualised two smaller registration periods, which were August 3rd and 4th respectively. However, this major registration drive will now be conducted, which will also feature an exhibition of activities at the Mackenzie Car Park.

Approximately 30 individuals will form the machinery for the registration process and the exhibition exercises. The quartet of Seon Bristol, Lennox Daniels, Lancelot ‘Wild Pine’ Easton, and Cuban nation-

al Francisco Roldan are tasked with supervising the impending cataloging procedure on behalf of the GBA, while 20 fighters from various gyms will be utilised during the exhibition segment.

Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Bristol stated, “The registration drive on Saturday will target all ages. This is just the start because they will be a continuous registration process when the gym becomes operational in

4-6 weeks. Linden doesn’t have an active gym at the moment and that is sad"

According to Bristol, “In addition to the registration process, exhibitions, demonstrations, and training exercises will be staged during this period. We are going to take the ring to Linden and conduct these exhibitions and exercises during the registration period, which will provide a preview of what is to be expected at the gym when it becomes operational. At the official opening of the gym, a national tournament featuring all the major gyms will be staged.”

He further said, “Linden is a very important region in boxing, they have always had world-ranked fighters and many of the top prospects in history have emanated from Linden. They have a strong history of building quality fighters and we cannot ignore that. We cannot afford to forget this region because they have made significant contributions in both the amateur and

professional ranks.”

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle affirmed, “Linden as a community is unquestionably revered in the local sporting landscape. In boxing, their athletic achievements are storied, and this move, which is of developmental enterprise, has the sole objective of resuscitating a sport that produced and unearthed notable talents from that fertile soil.”

“The GBA has a commitment to develop every aspect of the discipline, from its physical structure to its soft infrastructure. That is our mandate. We endeavor to restore prominence to the community that has a storied boxing tradition, which will be to the overall benefit of the discipline and the nation. That is national development!”

Head of the Women in Chess Committee, Marcia Lee, was present to award medals to all ten players advancing to the nationals. Since the Women in Chess

Committee was established under Mrs. Lee’s leadership, the participation of women and girls in competitive events has increased significantly.

More so, creating avenues for community and bonding among female chess players has added value to the local chess community by creating spaces for girls to learn from more senior players and improve their game, narrowing the gender gap in the historically male-dominated game.

This Championship could not have been possible without the generous support of Diamond Fire and General Insurance. As such, the Federation extends its gratitude for acknowledging the value of this tournament and contributing to the advancement of chess for women and girls in Guyana.

Special thanks to the School of the Nations for granting the use of their facilities for both the Qualifying event and the National Championship.

Marsh to lead Aussie T20I squad in South Africa

WESTERN Austra -

lian allrounder gets first crack at leading in short-format as selectors name 14-man group containing three uncapped BBL stars

Mitch Marsh will captain Australia's first T20 internationals since Aaron Finch's retirement, leading a squad with a strong Big Bash flavour on the tour of South Africa.

Western Australia's rising star allrounder Aaron Hardie, reigning KFC BBL player of the tournament Matt Short and breakout left-arm firebrand Spencer Johnson are all in line for an international debut during the three-match T20 series.

Five one-day internationals that serve as World Cup preparation follow –

with a provisional 18-man squad for that tournament also named – but the presence of a new generation of stars in the T20 side add an element of intrigue to that leg of the tour.

Just five incumbents – Marsh, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa – from Australia's most recent T20 XI, played last November, included in the 14-player squad.

Marsh has been named as skipper for the South Africa series only, with Cricket Australia yet to commit to a full-time replacement for Finch, who played his final T20 International last October.

The 31-year-old allrounder boasts captaincy experience with Perth Scorchers and Western

Australia, though in recent times those duties have fallen to Ashton Turner, who was backed in some corners as a possible candidate for the position.

"Mitch has long been a senior player within the white-ball structure, with this an opportunity for him to add to his leadership skills at international level," said selection chair George Bailey. "We look forward to him taking that step in South Africa."

Marsh's selection comes off the back of a career revival in the T20 format, which coincided with his elevation to No.3 in the batting order in 2021. After being Australia's best performed batter on tours of West Indies and Bangladesh, he retained the key role for that year's World

Cup and again delivered when it mattered, earning player-of-the-match honours in the final with a game-winning 77no from 50 balls.

The two opening spots meanwhile, are up for grabs, though Smith's stunning late-season BBL|12 cameo in that role with the Sydney Sixers has him well positioned to fill one of those places amid a glut of top-order talent.

Short and Travis Head – who opened for the T20 side in Pakistan last year with Warner out injured –will also vie for top-order spots, as will Josh Inglis who is the sole gloveman in the squad, signalling that Australia has likely moved on from Matthew Wade.

But whether Inglis,

who will not have played an official match in more than five months when the T20 series gets underway, will be asked to reinvent himself as a late-innings finisher in the manner of Wade, or instead push Marsh and other T20 regulars Maxwell, Stoinis and Tim David down a spot remains to be seen

With Australia's leading quicks focusing on October-November's ODI World Cup, it offers the chance for bowlers who could be key for next year's T20 World Cup to gain some valuable experience.

Sean Abbott and Jason Behrendorff – who last played a T20 for Australia in the Caribbean in 2021 –are the most experienced bowlers in the squad with

nine caps apiece to their name.

Renowned death-bowler Nathan Ellis has played five T20Is, while Johnson, who enjoyed a breakout season with the Brisbane Heat before earning an Australia A gig in March, is on a rapid upward trajectory, with Bailey noting the quick's "pace and bounce was highly effective in his first season for the Heat"

Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa. (Cricket.com.au).

Seon Bristol; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the GBA

Green Stand to cater to patrons at Kares One Guyana T10 on August 12

PATRONS attending the finals of the Kares One Guyana T10 Blast are advised that the Green Stand at the National Stadium, Providence, will be the primary stand for seating on Saturday, August 12.

However, should there be an overfill, the Red Stand will be opened to accommodate patrons

Below the Green Stand will be the Corporate Village, a well-stocked bar by Banks DIH, and various food concessions.

Persons are advised that while they can bring small coolers into the venue, they cannot bring glass bottles.

There will be a strict prohibition on the usage of glass bottles on Saturday.

In an aim by the organisers to keep all activities centrally located, the Free Kidz Zone will be at the back of the Green Stand.

The children will enjoy free rides in the child-friendly zone, including a bouncy castle and free ice cream, soda, snacks, and water for the young.

Persons seeking private boots are asked to contact Azad Ibrahim on 624-3362.

The first semi-final pits

the rampant Eccles All-Stars against Team Corruption from 14:00hrs, followed by V-Net Vipers, who ousted favourites Village Rams, against Tarmac Titans from 16:00hrs.

The Charity match will be at 18:00hrs, then the grand final at 20:00hrs.

Admission to the venue is free.

Many players are ecstatic about playing Tapeball at Guyana’s premier sporting facility and under lights. According to the organisers, while they are confident of a thrilling end to the tournament, given the quality of teams present, they are happy to announce numerous fan prizes.

Persons will win CPL

tickets; two persons will win cell phones, compliments of ENet; two will win an overnight stay at Jaigobin Hotel in Essequibo; two gift vouchers from Pressy Gift Store and K-Tronics; and Lunch and Dinner for persons at Heliconia Restaurant.

The first-ever champions will pocket G$1M, while the losing finalist will collect

G$300,000.

The two losing semi-finalists will walk away with G$100,000 each. There will also be prizes for outstanding individual performances.

The tournament's Most Valuable Player will get a motorcycle valued over G$250,000, compliments of Assuria Insurance.

Additionally, there will be a celebrity match before the championship match where the winning side will be rewarded G$200,000, which will be donated to charity.

The competition is sponsored by Kares Engineering Inc, Mohamed’s Enterprise, GT Beer, Rainforest Water, Star Party Rentals, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., ENet, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Trophy Stall, Premier Insurance, Cricket Zone USA, Beacon Café, Continental Transport, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, National Sports Commission, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop, First Change Builder Inc. Impressions Inc., Sicko Mode, 94.1 BOOM FM, Assuria Insurance, Montra Restaurant and Longue, Gafoors and Hard Rock Café.

Finals Schedule

· Match 29 – Eccles AllStars v Team Corruption14:00hrs

· Match 30 – V-Net Vipers v Tarmac Titans- 16:00hrs

· Match 31 – Charity Match- 18:00hrs

· Match 32 – Final20:00hrs.

Shakib among contenders for Bangladesh's ODI captaincy

The BCB will unveil Bangladesh's new ODI captain later this week after the board’s president Nazmul Hassan had spoken to the candidates. Shakib Al Hasan is reportedly the first choice though Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are also contenders.

The board couldn't finalise a name during the emergency meeting on Monday because it wanted to take the candidates' views also into consideration. The squad for the Asia cup has to be announced by August 12, which leaves the BCB only three more days to reach a decision. Shakib is presently in Colombo; Litton has only

just returned to Bangladesh after playing the Global T20 Canada; and Mehidy is in Dhaka.

Hassan had said in a recent briefing that appointing

Shakib as the ODI captain would be an "easy decision", but ESPNcricinfo understands it isn't as straightforward. Shakib is already Bangladesh's Test and T20I

captain, and it is not known whether he wants the leadership in all formats.

"After our emergency meeting today, the board has entrusted the president to discuss the matter with the captaincy candidates by August 12," Jalal Yunus, the BCB's cricket operations chairman, said. "The president will hear about who will lead in which format, and whether that player agrees with it or not. We want to hear it from the candidates what they feel about captaining the red and white-ball teams.

"We want to appoint a captain for the Asia Cup. We have to submit the team for this tournament by August

12. We have time till September 5, which is the deadline for World Cup squad declaration, to talk about the World Cup captain. We need to hear what the new captain will say. We will announce the team in the next couple of days. We will announce the captain too."

Bangladesh are likely to name a 22-member preliminary squad for the World Cup by August 12, which will include all the players going to the Asia Cup, which begins on August 30.

The ODI captaincy remains vacant because Tamim Iqbal resigned on August 3, following his withdrawal from the Asia Cup owing to

a back injury. He hopes to be fit in time for the ODI series against New Zealand that begins on September 21 and the ODI World Cup that follows. His resignation came less than a month after he reversed his emotional decision to retire from international cricket. He had retired on July 6 but the following afternoon, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina requested him to change his decision and he agreed. It was thought at the time that Hassan's comments to a local media outlet, in which he questioned Tamim's professionalism and fitness, had triggered him into retiring hastily.

The Green Stand will be the main seating area for patrons attending the finals of the Kares One Guyana T10 Blast from 14:00hrs on August 12

...The BCB is expected to make the announcement this week, with Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also in the running

Shakib Al Hasan is presently Bangladesh's Test and T20I captain (BCB)

India keep series alive with 7-wicket win against Windies

…Unrelated Yadavs shine with bat and ball at Providence

By Sean Devers

A masterful Man-of-theMatch 83 from 44 balls with 10 fours and four sixes from Suryakumar Yadav and a mesmerising spell of left-arm wrist-spin by Kuldeep Yadav, whose 3-28 included 12 ‘dot’ balls in his four overs spearheaded India to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over West Indies yesterday at Providence.

Yesterday’s victory by the visitors means that the teams depart for Florida today with West Indies leading 2-1 with two matches to play on Saturday and Sunday in the USA.

West Indies made 159-5 in 50 overs with Skipper

Rovman Powell smashing an unbeaten 40 from 19 balls with three sixes and a four while Brandon King made 42 from 42 balls with five fours and six but only Kyle Mayers, who made 25 with three fours and a six from 20 balls of the other batters, reached 25.

Sunday’s hero Nicolas Pooran hit a 12-ball 20 with two fours and a six as Kuldeep Yadav had 3-28 for India, who won with 13 balls to spare after reaching 164-3.

Suryakumar Yadav, who scored the India’s highest score at Providence, received support from Tilak Varma who made an unbeaten 49 from 37 balls with fours

Continued on page 31

Digicel Schools Football tournament 2023…

Semi-finals set for today

Today will be ‘D’ Day for the remaining four teams in the 2023 Digicel Schools Football Championships.

With action set for the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, a spot in the final is what is at stake for today’s winners.

In the first of the two semi-finals, DC Caesar Fox Secondary will have to overcome the challenges of Carmel Secondary school.

That match is set for 17:00hrs.

DC Caesar Fox Second-

ary banked on a pair of braces from Carrington Isaacs and Bevon Jones as well as a single strike from Anthonio Isaacs; the region seven side beating Charlestown 5-0.

On the other hand, Ian Daniels, Marcus Layne and Omar Husbands scored once each to ensure Carmel were into the final four; the winners coasting like a welloiled machine in their 3-1 win over Dolphin.

The other semi-final, which begins at 19:00hrs, will pit Waramuri Top

against St. Ignatius.

The Region Nine champions were victors over Tucville via a 5-1 margin much to the pleasure of those gathered. Romel Ernest’s hat-trick led the way for the out-of-town side, with support from Akon Albert and Morgan Turama, proving invaluable.

They will be hoping for another similar performance from the lads when the action gets going

But their Region One side, Waramuri, are no push-

overs and their 2-1 win over Santa Rosa for the final semi-final place represented their hardest test to date.

Bruce Vincent and Zundel Adams were the quarter-final scorers and they will be looking to showcase their skills again.

The winners will march on to the final while the losing semi-finalists will battle for third place.

This edition of the tournament is organised by the Petra Organisation.

Brandon King top scored for West Indies at Providence

Brandon Man-of-the –Match Suryakuma yadav slammed a brilliant 83 from 44 balls as India beat West Indies by seven wickets (Adrian Narine Photos)