Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-11-2022

WEDNESDAY 9th NOVEMBER, 2022

$100

Improved access to lifesaving treatment expected

No. 106901

— with new pharmaceutical transatlantic bridge between Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that the launch of the Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health is a manifestation of actionable

South-South cooperation.

He said that it is a model through which the countries of the south could assume greater responsibility for responding to health

and other challenges.

The Head of State made this point while delivering remarks virtually on the margin of COP 27 to discuss the furthering of

pharmaceutical equity for global public health with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; Chair of the African Union Commission,

Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The panel also includ-

ed the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, and the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

(Full story on page 3)

Minister Teixeira: Norton averse Charity to logic, spreads misinformation cameraman SEE PAGE

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MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, on Tuesday said that Leader of the opposition, Aubrey Norton, is averse to logic and is bent on sharing misinformation as it relates to his party’s calls for a “clean voters’ list.”

The minister’s remarks were a direct response to claims made by the opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), concerning a “motion” which Norton attempted to table in the National Assembly on Monday.

Teixeira outlined specifically why the motion brought by the Opposition Leader was disallowed by the Speaker and noted that the said motion was not seen by anyone from the government’s side of the House.

(Full story on page 5)

drowns after boat capsizes in Pomeroon River

Parliament removes jail time for up to 30 grams marijuana CoI hears…

Myers was seen with former APNU+AFC minister’s phone 04

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Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party Lenox Shuman

‘Become active participants in the oil and gas sector’ — PM Phillips urges Guyanese at inaugural Guyana Supplier Forum

President Ali announces: Charity squatters to become legal land owners

AG’s report: APNU+AFC administration spent hundreds of millions on aircraft deemed unserviceable

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

‘Become active participants in oil — PM Phillips urges Guyanese at and gas sector’ inaugural Guyana Supplier Forum

By Clestine Juan

SAYING that the Guyana Supplier Forum could be a “stepping stone” for partnerships, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, said that local businesses and citizens must rise to the challenge and play an active role in the future government is trying to build.

Minister Phillips, who has responsibility for energy and information and communications technology (ICT), officially opened the two-day event at the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara, on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said that the event is another development that the government is happy to celebrate, as it is a show of confidence in the capabilities of potential suppliers in Region Three.

“It is also a commitment to ensuring that Guyanese from various parts of the country can benefit from potential business and networking opportunities within the growing sector. During the next two days, you will be exposed to significant engagement opportunities through booth displays and informative presentations,” the PM told the gathering.

He further explained that

recruitment agencies will be at the event to provide access to employment opportunities.

“Guyana Supplier Forum is a hub of potential for persons genuinely interested in becoming involved in the oil and gas industry,” he said, as he urged attendees to take full advantage of the event.

In his address, he said that Guyana is currently at the forefront of many lists for business and investment opportunities due to its emerging oil and gas sector and the country’s subsequent potential for exponential economic growth.

As the industry continues to grow, the Prime Minister said, there will be greater demand for goods, services, investments, and skilled labour.

“As a country, we must ensure that our local businesses are ready to meet these demands.

Therefore, our responsibility as a government is to create a clean, competitive and conducive business environment for all stakeholders,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government came into power in 2020, they have been working assiduously to guarantee a fair share of accom-

plishments for Guyana.

One of these accomplishments is the gas-to-energy project, at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The gas will be transported to facilities at Wales through a pipeline from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

“We have started working with ExxonMobil to bring gas to shore for cheaper power. We have made requirements to oil companies to adopt the latest, cutting-edge technologies to reduce the impact of operations on the environment. We have been working on new-model oil contracts to increase benefits to Guyanese. We have committed to using oil revenues to strengthen non-oil sectors.

We have contracted cost-recovery audits to maximise Guyana’s profits, and we have legislated a new and improved Natural Resource Fund for the transparent management of oil funds, among many other initiatives,” the Prime Minister said.

He disclosed that other efforts have also included major considerations to manage our environment and operations responsibly as part of Guyana’s low-carbon development strategy.

On the business front, the

Prime Minister said that the government has made every effort possible to ensure that the oil and gas sector is one that is operated with much efficiency, where investors can benefit and where there are optimum safety and environmental considerations in place.

LOCAL CONTENT He pointed out that the government’s “major asset” is its local content development.

“Our speedy establishment of the Local Content Act and Local Content Secretariat was one of the first and most significant steps that guarantee the consideration and prioritisation of our people.

We must work to secure the sustainable economic development of Guyana, and within the oil and gas industry. That means we must provide an opportunity for our local businesses and our people, as a whole, to develop and thrive. For our local content to truly benefit from the promising future ahead, we must put in place adequate development, employment and training of the local workforce,” he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that tangible investments must be made in suppliers’ development so that they can meet the demand for procuring supplies and services locally.

He pointed out that the Supplier Forum is a true testament to such an investment.

According to the Prime Minister, one of the main advantages of the emerging oil and gas sector is that its operations are at an international standard, with stringent and high-level operating requirements.

As such, working within the industry, whether as a partner or an employee, calls for requirements that will ensure our local businesses rise to that level as well.

As such, events such as the Supplier Forum creates a platform for people to find out what they need and how they can achieve those requirements.

He pointed out that such initiatives also help to realise the importance of another aspect of what is unfolding in Guyana’s oil and gas industry, that is, the power of partnerships.

“We have continually seen the successes of joint ventures between foreign companies and locals in developing local capabilities to honour the demands of various parts of the supply chain. This forum could also be a steppingstone for forming such partnerships,” he added.

CREATING A PROSPEROUS COUNTRY According to PM Phillips, the government has made a commitment to the nation to create a prosperous country where every Guyanese must have a full and successful life through quality education, access to good-paying jobs, opportunities for entrepreneurship, home ownership and economic stability.

“Our oil and gas sector will encourage us to achieve this goal through a strengthened economy, allowing us to recommit to and invest in our other sectors to build a holistic economy, where all sectors contribute to the country’s development. But for these realities to come to fruition, we must ensure that our people can actively participate in the future that we are building,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the head of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab, disclosed that the body has managed to achieve its annual target within the first few months of its establishment The historic Local Content Act, which was enacted in December 2021, paved the way for establishment of the secretariat, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The secretariat is responsible for developing and maintaining measures for the effective implementation of local content by contractors, sub-contractors and licensees.

The secretariat is required

to ensure the development and implementation of strategies that give preferences to, or ensure equal treatment of Guyanese nationals and companies, conduct market analysis, make recommendations to the minister, develop formats for local content plans and reporting, develop guidelines – including those for local content reporting, procurement, big evaluation, training, research and development, partnership and joint ventures, and financial and insurance services.

Pertab in his remarks said that more than 350 local content certificates have been issued to locals. He anticipates that by yearend, this number will exceed 500.

He added that of the 1,125 new jobs created this year, 858 went to locals.

Recently, the secretariat announced that local content earnings have topped GY$129 billion for this year. This represents 23 per cent of Guyana’s GY$552.9 billion budget for 2022 – the largest recorded budget in the nation’s history.

Also speaking was ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge.

He said that the company is dedicated to working toward helping develop a “sustainable, prosperous future” for Guyana.

“This is Guyana’s resource, and we are here as guests. We take it very seriously, our responsibility, with not just what we do, but also how we do it,” Routledge said.

He explained that some of the progress includes the gas-to-shore project, and the two floating production facilities in the Stabroek Block, which collectively produce approximately 360,000 barrels of oil per day.

Routledge told the forum that the project, “will half [sic] the cost of generating electricity.

It will reduce emissions in the process because burning gas produces lower emissions than burning fuel.”

The forum concludes today, and is open to the public.

71 per cent of textbooks requested by schools not supplied from 2017–2019 — 2021 Auditor General Report shows DESPITE the former APNU+AFC government spending over $989 million on textbooks from January 2017 to December 2018, several schools suffered shortages of textbooks due to the Ministry of Education failing to supply 71 per cent of the reading materials requested by schools in several regions.

Although this was the case, many schools having shortages of textbooks, 17 schools had over 5,000 in excess, unused units of the same textbooks stored. Several cases of textbooks were also found to be inappropriately stored, resulting in damage and contamination by rodents and other pests.

Books inappropriately stored at Charity and Peters Hall Primary between 2017 and 2019 (Audit Office of Guyana photo)

This was revealed in a Performance Audit conducted by the Audit Office on the “Receipt, Storage, Allocation and Distribution of Textbooks to Schools”

for the period January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

“Rats and termites-damaged textbooks were stored at schools.

Continued on page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Improved access to lifesaving treatment expected

— with new pharmaceutical transatlantic bridge between Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that the launch of the Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health is a manifestation of actionable South-South cooperation.

He said that it is a model through which the countries of the south could assume greater responsibility for responding to health and other challenges.

The Head of State made this point while delivering remarks virtually on the margin of COP 27 to discuss the furthering of pharmaceutical equity for global public health with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; Chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The panel also included the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, and the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

President Ali said that if it is truly believed that public health is a global public good, then all should be compelled to accept that suitable healthcare should be available to all people, regardless of which part of the world they reside or the social classes to which they belong.

Realising the ideal of public health as a global public

good requires greater equality in access to health facilities, technologies, treatments, preventions, and medicines, President Ali said.

UNEVEN GLOBAL HEALTH LANDSCAPE He, however, said: “Unfortunately, the global health landscape is far from even.

Health disparities between developed and developing and high-income and low-income countries are striking.”

He outlined striking statistics that point to the disparity, including the fact that 61 babies die for every 1,000 live births in developing countries, compared to eight per every 1,000 live births in developed countries.

He added that more than one-third of all child deaths under the age of five occur in developing countries; less than 25 per cent of persons in developing countries live to the age of 70. Additionally, he noted that, in 2021, 69 per cent of all new tuberculosis cases occurred in South East Asia and Africa; 70 per cent of the 10 million cancer deaths in 2020 were in low- and middle-income countries and that most of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies originate in the developed world.

“With prevention and the right treatment, most of the

deaths in developing countries can be avoided. Yet, access by these countries to life-saving medicines is being constrained by patent monopolies and overpriced medicines,” Dr. Ali said.

The fault lines of global health disparities, President Ali stressed, were “exemplified starkly” during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when “the rich developed countries placed orders for and stockpiled vaccines in excess of their needs while millions in poor developing countries remained unprotected.”

According to the World

ney that we travelled to arrive where we have arrived today has not been an easy one. We believe in a process that is as consultative as possible and on an issue like this which has a history of being controversial where you have different segments of our society, all who are entitled to equal treatment, all of whom who are entitled to fair treatment […] a responsible government therefore has to therefore skillfully navigate these competing interests in an effort to find that delicate, acceptable equilibrium in order to satisfy,” Nandlall said.

The legislation was first presented to the National Assembly by the Attorney General on January 28, 2021 and was forwarded to a Special Select Committee to conduct widespread consultations. The committee comprised three government and four opposi-

tion members.

However, the APNU+AFC opposition did not participate in the consultation process.

“The Opposition, as is their norm, hardly attended the meetings, […] we had to issue public statements criticising them for non-attendance and it is reflected in the report and when they attended, they did not have much constructive contributions to make…. As we are trying to navigate these difficult questions, we are not getting any help from the opposition but they will be the first to condemn…”

Deputy Speaker Lennox Shuman commended the government for tabling the piece of legislation and expressed full support to the amendments.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control (Amendment) Bill was also supported by the Minister

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Health Organization, in March of this year, 74 per cent of the population in high-income countries had been vaccinated, as compared to a mere 12 per cent in low-income countries.

“As I have said before, the developing world must never again find itself waiting in line for life-saving treatments, including vaccines. We must never again, in the midst of any future global health crisis, be forced into extreme reliance on the rich countries for life-saving vaccines and medicines,” the Head of State said.

STRENGTH IN SOUTHSOUTH COOPERATION

On this note, Dr. Ali emphasised that the global South is far from helpless. In fact, the region has the knowledge and the capabilities to develop medicines to prevent and treat health threats.

“The Republic of Cuba has developed its own COVID-19 vaccines. I have called before for South-South cooperation to allow us to combine our experience and expertise and mobilise the necessary financial resources to address our health threats,” Dr. Ali said.

The President affirmed Guyana’s support for the Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health initiative and to improve global public health equity.

This meeting marks the initiation of open-ended pre-contractual proceedings – initially among Barbados, Guyana, and Rwanda with an invitation to interested countries in the LAC Region and in Africa to join with the common aim to boost pharmaceutical equity in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

“Today [Monday] is a truly historic moment as with a great sense of urgency and understanding, South-South Cooperation rose to the fore to address matters of global public health,” Prime Minister Mottley said.

She added: “I want to dearly thank President, Dr.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President Paul Kagame and President von der Leyen for recognising the importance of this venture and congratulate all stakeholders who have been instrumental in developing this pharmaceutical transatlantic bridge between Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean.”

President von der Leyen said too: “Health is a top priority for citizens, wherever they live. The EU is committed to supporting our African and Latin American and Caribbean partners in boosting their own capacity to produce vaccines, medicines, and health technologies. This will increase the resilience of their health systems and contribute to economic growth.

Thanks to close cooperation between all the necessary actors, the public authorities, the scientific community and the private sector, we will get there quicker”.

President Kagame of Rwanda concluded: “The progress we have made toward pharmaceutical equity in Africa is a result of partnership both within our continent, and beyond.

We would like to see more of this kind of practical cooperation between the Caribbean and Africa, and look forward to supporting this endeavour.”

Parliament removes jail time for up to 30 grams marijuana

AMENDMENTS to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control (Amendment) Bill of 2021 were passed on Monday evening in the National Assembly, paving the way for the removal of custodial sentencing for persons in possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, who moved the bill to be read for the second time, informed the National Assembly that the amendment is a commitment made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government in its manifesto.

The Attorney General, however, made it clear that a promise was never made to decriminalise marijuana in Guyana.

“Today we are delivering on that promise but the jour-

of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. Minister Ramson said, “If we are to protect young people, we cannot punish young people by putting them in prison for a joint.”

This sentiment was also expressed by Member of Parliament Sanjeev Datadin.

“The focus of imprisonment is reduced, exposure to jail sentences is reduced, the opportunity for help is advanced and helping young people is perhaps the best and most responsible way to steer them in the right direction,” Datadin stated.

Although custodial sentences will be removed, persons found with one to 15 grammes of cannabis will be required to undergo mandatory counselling while persons found with one to 30 grammes

of cannabis will be subjected to community service under the Extra-Mural Work Act for a period not exceeding six months.

The Act will see an offender who breaches the mandatory counselling and community service paying a fine of $250,000.

The amendments intend to reduce recidivism, prison overcrowdings and the burden on the criminal justice system, save state funds, and

ultimately rebuild lives, families and communities affected and disadvantaged by the fining and incarceration of persons, especially youths, for the possession and use of small amounts of cannabis (marijuana).

This forms part of government’s commitment to reducing overcrowding of prisons by alternative sentencing for offences. (DPI)

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Charity squatters to become legal land owners

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

— President Ali announces

P E R S O N S w h o a re squatting at Charity, Region Two, breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday when President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that they will be getting legal documents for the lands they occupy.

The President, as part of his visit to Charity, met with the squatters.

He was accompanied

by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

During the meeting, the squatters complained that to date they have no legal documents although they have been living on the land for almost 15 years.

After listening to their concerns, he told them that the Ministers of Housing and Water will visit them on Wednesday to commence the regularisation process.

Myers was seen with former APNU+AFC minister’s phone

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party Lenox Shuman

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali engages squatters at Charity

Many of them told President Ali that the absence of a legal document has prevented them from accessing bank loans.

They used the opportunity to call for the construction of a road and the improvement of the infrastructure in the area.

In response, President

Ali said that if the road is to be constructed, their full co-operation will be needed.

He informed that some squatters will have to be relocated to facilitate infrastructural upgrades.

“We happy to hear this. This is something we want hear. Government after government, officials promising, and we hope this time it fix,”

Loreal Gonsalves said.

One resident related that the access dam is in very bad state and is difficult for pregnant mothers to use.

The squatter also mentioned that the area has high bushes.

President Ali assured the squatters that their concerns will be addressed through the Ministry of Housing.

MORE evidence has emerged from the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 General and Regional Elections that point to a cozy relationship between senior staffers of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the former APNU+AFC administration.

It has been the long-held view that GECOM officials acted in concert with the APNU+AFC to divert votes to the coalition, in a clumsy attempt before agents of political parties, accredited observers, members of the diplomatic corps and the media.

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party, Lenox Shuman, took the stand on Tuesday to provide evidence to the commission on the third day of hearings.

Shuman painted a picture of a close relationship that was enjoyed by APNU+AFC politicians and GECOM staffers.

For example, he said that when former APNU+AFC Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karen Cummings, threatened foreign observers, she was accompanied by GECOM’s Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, who even had possession of Cummings’ cellphone.

Myers was also accused of trying to get party officials not affiliated with APNU+AFC to leave the building.

Shuman recalled that Myers videoed persons, but restricted observers and party reps from taking photos.

This occurred at the GECOM building in Kingston, where persons tried to take a photo of the “bedsheet” which was set up to display the Region Four results.

Shuman recalled that party agents and observers were told to move from the Ashmin building and reconvene at GECOM, Kingston. The key officials at the location were Myers and District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo.

“When we arrived there was a projector, a cardboard box with a bedsheet and some chairs for party observers to sit…they started to place the Statements of Polls under the projector for it to be projected on the bedsheet,” he said.

Again, party supporters protested because persons were unable to see the figures. Shuman said that Myers was walking around taking pictures of people in the vicinity. He recalled he was against having his photo taken, but was told to leave if he couldn’t comply.

Hearings of the COI continue today.

‘Norton averse to logic, spreads misinformation’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, on Tuesday said that Leader of the opposition, Aubrey Norton, is averse to logic and is bent on sharing misinformation as it relates to his party’s calls for a “clean voters’ list.”

The minister ’s remarks were a direct response to claims made by the opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), concerning a “motion” which Norton attempted to table in the National Assembly on Monday.

Teixeira outlined specifically why the motion brought by the Opposition Leader was disallowed by the Speaker and noted that the said motion was not seen by anyone from the government’s side of the House.

“The normal procedure when you ask for an adjournment to allow for debate… on an urgent public matter, requires that the mover brings a motion, which I said we never saw. We can only judge by what Mr Norton

said on the floor,” she said.

On the matter of a “clean voters’ list,” which the opposition has been unjustifiably calling for, Minister Teixeira said that this issue has been dealt with by Guyana’s courts.

At that time, it was ruled that there was no residency clause in the legislation, so anyone, as long as they are registered and emigrated, is allowed to vote in the election.

“There is no provision in the constitution to remove anybody based on the residency clause as there was none,” she said.

She went on to add that it seems that Norton’s objective to “clean the voters’ list” is truly about removing migrants from the list.

This fixation on removing migrants, Teixeira said, would seem to mean in Norton’s mind, that all persons living abroad would vote for the PPP/C; this is likely not true.

According to Minister Teixeira, as the opposition continues their call for the removal of migrants, the residency issue

— Minister Teixeira says

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira

remains constitutional.

She said that this will have to come up during the process of constitutional reform and if the opposition feels that the matter is one of great urgency, she assumes that they will lead the battle in this matter.

The Opposition Leader, on Tuesday, told reporters at a news conference that the Preliminary List of Electors (PLEs) that has been released for the upcoming Local Government Elections

(LGEs) has denied voters’ information as it relates to their respective constituencies The Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister said that this is false, adding that the PLE for LGEs does not usually contain constituencies, but is, however, separated into divisions before it becomes the Official List of Electors.

This PLE, she said, is the final list for voters to check to ensure that all information is accurate

and go through a claims and objections exercise.

“Mr. Norton has got it all wrong again. The PLE does not include constituencies for the purpose of Local Government Elections. Once the process has gone through the final correction, reviewed by the voters and it turns into the Official List of Electors, the constituencies will then be reflected,” Minister Teixeira explained.

PLAY YOUR PART With several amendments being made to the electoral laws, Teixeira pointed out that the opposition has had several opportunities to play its part and express concerns or bring forward amendments that they would like to see.

A process of consultations, she added, was held recently and this provided opportunities for civil society bodies, political parties and the country at large to bring forward proposed changes to the electoral laws.

“The APNU+AFC has never used the opportunity to table amendments, it is all about fluff and talk and creating these images… it is not about constructive engagement.

If they feel strongly about these issues, they have a right to engage on them,” Minister Teixeira said.

To t h i s e n d , s h e said only time will tell whether the opposition will bring amendments to the House during debates on the electoral reform bill.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Politics of Confrontation

THE APNU+AFC, from all indications, seems bent on pursuing a confrontational path of politics in the country. What is even more disturbing is the fact that such a form of politics is based on lies, deception and half-truths, which bear little, if any, semblance to objective reality.

After having failed to return itself to power by undemocratic means in the 2020 General and Regional Elections, it is continuing to peddle a false narrative of being “cheated” out of office despite the fact that all local and international observers including CARICOM observers, have pronounced that the elections were free, fair and credible.

Based on such an approach, the APNU+AFC is finding fault with ev-

eryone and everything that is opposed to its baseless and preposterous claims. No one is spared the “wrath” of the APNU+AFC coalition. The Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Judge, Justice Claudette Singh, is now the subject of daily protest actions and there are calls for her to go, even though she was appointed by former APNU+AFC President, David Granger.

It would seem that insofar as the APNU+AFC is concerned, the only acceptable way is its way or, the proverbial highway. Needless to state, such an attitude makes it difficult for any form of meaningful engagement with the political opposition. Its recent walk-out from parliament after a motion on the voters’ list

was disallowed by the Speaker is yet another testimony of such disruptive political behaviour.

Such behaviour is certainly unwarranted and also not in the best interest of the people whom the coalition purportedly claims to represent in the National Assembly. This is, in effect, an important abdication of its duty as important bills were slated for discussion, including constitutioal reform, suicide prevention and criminal justice reform bills.

The opposition, according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Ms Gail Teixeira, is becoming more and more irrelevant.

“Walking out of parliament when these major issues are before the House is indicative they really more and more are

becoming irrelevant, in that they are not prepared to stand up in the House and be able to defend their positions” Ms Teixeira lamented.

Politics, it is said, is the art of the possible.

What the APNU+AFC is attempting to do is to seek to bend the arc of parliamentary norms and procedures to facilitate a process of partisan self-interest and one that seemingly fits into its false narrative of a “bloated voters’ list.”

The fact that the list is being updated on a regular basis through the continuous registration mechanism appears to be of no consequence to the political opposition.

The APNU+AFC coalition appears incapable of coming to terms with a basic reality, namely, that it is no longer possible to obtain power by

undemocratic means as it did for 28 years during the 1968-1992 period.

It is simply not helping its own by its refusal to participate in the work of important bodies, including that of the National Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body in the country.

Meanwhile, the PPP/C administration is pushing ahead with the issue of constitutional reform and the House, at its most recent sitting, has given the green light with passage of the Constitution Reform Commission Bill, 2022.

The political opposition, true to form, has failed to offer any contribution to the Bill, both at the parliamentary committee level and during the debate on the Bill, as the entire main opposition walked out of the National Assembly before

the Bill was debated.

The refusal of the APNU+AFC to participate in discussions on the way forward as it pertains to the issue of constitutional reform speaks to a degree of political immaturity and their commitment to the important task of governance in the country.

What the country needs now more than ever at this conjuncture in time is the politics of consensus and reconciliation along the lines of the One Guyana vision as articulated by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The current mode of adversarial politics practised by the APNU +AFC coalition is not only unfortunate but dysfunctional to the process of national unity and reconciliation set in motion by the PPP/C administration.

Land was never sold or leased to Alerio Gold Corp

Dear Editor,

MY attention was adverted to an article in the Kaieteur News edition of November 6, 2022, titled, “As another foreign company boasts of “gold fever in Guyana,’” in which certain representations were attributed to a company, Alerio Gold Corp.

The representations

suggest, inter alia, that the said Alerio Gold Corp “entered into a property purchase agreement to acquire a 100 per cent interest in five gold prospecting licences in Guyana, known as the Puruni Gold Property.”

Research conducted reveals that the said information was replicated from articles posted on the company’s website,

www.aleriogold.com, which details the properties as follows: Mining Permits: 1. A-14/MP/000, 2. A-14/MP/001, 3.

A-14/MP/002, 4. K-11MP/000, 5. K-7-MP/000 Prospecting Permit Medium Scale: 1. 574/2003 (File No. A298/001) Inquiries at the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission have re-

vealed that the said properties are still held

by Henry Alphonso, who is a Guyanese miner involved in the extractive industry for over two decades.

I am adamant that I have not sold, leased or in any other way alienated my rights, titles and interests held under the permits aforesaid.

In this regard, I retained GUNRAJ &

CO., Attorneys-at-Law, which has been instructed to take all necessary steps, including but not limited to, the following:

agencies, including the Canadian National Stock Exchange on which the company is listed 3. Explore litigation and alternative rem1 . C o m m u n i c a t e edies against Alerio these developments Gold Corp, in respect to the local regulato- of the said representary agencies, including tions. the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission Yours respectfully, 2. Communicate Henry Alphonso these developments to the Canadian regulatory

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Guyana, EU forest partnership MoU timely — President Ali says

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has said that the forest partnership between Guyana and the European Union (EU) is timely and underscores the strong commitment to continuing the bold, ambitious, and innovative programme on climate, the environment, and forests.

The Head of State made this assertion at State House on Monday, during a virtual address, following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Forest Partnership between the EU and Guyana.

The activity was held on

the sidelines of COP 27 in Egypt.

“This MoU demonstrates our shared values of sustainable forest management and the protection of the environment. It furthers the process of promoting the trade in legally produced timber and timber products,” President Ali said.

This collaboration culminated with the signing of the Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding, between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Government of Guyana.

The MoU, which under-

Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, signed the MoU on behalf of President, Dr Irfaan Ali

lines the genuine partnership between Guyana and the EU, focuses on long-term sustainability and reflects the unwavering commitment of Guyana to protect its unique rainforest.

With an initial €5 million grant from the EU, immediate results are expected in supporting indigenous peoples and local communities, supporting small-scale producers, promoting sustainable trade in forest and agriculture commodities, and building capacity to drive behaviour change. Youth and women are expected to play important roles in the planning and implementation of activities

Continued on page 8

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Guyana, EU forest...

From page 7

related to the partnership.

The President reminded of the “long and fruitful” cooperation between the EU and Guyana in advancing work on shared priorities in programmes on the environment, sustainability, and forest governance.

The signing, he added, is a continuation of this longstanding collaboration.

TIMELY INTERVENTION President Ali said too that the partnership comes at a time when the world is concerned about the continuing adverse and devastating impacts of climate change and the alarming loss of biodiversity.

“It is fitting that this MoU is being signed during the hosting of the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27). The Forest Partnership is underpinned by the recognition of the role of Guyana’s pristine forest, to the health and well-being of the global environment,” the Head of State said.

He pointed to the local, re-

gional and global importance of Guyana’s forests, while outlining that the country has one of the world’s highest rates of forest cover. This, he stressed, is a result of sustainable management.

“Guyana’s forests also provide critical environmental services, including carbon sequestration. They are mainly responsible for Guyana being among the handful of countries that are rated as net carbon sinks, with an estimated storage of 19.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.

The economic value of the ecosystem services which our forests alone provide has been estimated at between US$40 billion-US$54 billion annually,” Dr. Ali said.

GUYANA’S STRONG STEWARDSHIP He pointed to Guyana’s “visionary” Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which he said, is reflective of the country’s continuous strong stewardship on forests, climate, and the environment.

“This ‘strategy’ details how our forests and biodiversity can be maintained whilst the country expands green jobs, transitions the domestic

energy supply to clean and renewable energy sources, and adapts to the impact of climate change,” Dr. Ali said.

He added that Guyana’s LCDS 2030 commits Guyana, among other objectives, to complete and implement a Voluntary Partnership Agreement under the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Government and Trade process that would permit the trade in legally forested and certified timber, with European Union members; implement an assurance system for the certification of forest products; maintain low levels of deforestation; expand Guyana’s mangrove forests and Protected Areas System and enhance watershed protection, while ensuring stakeholder participation in forest governance, and mainstream environmental policies in forest management.

“Guyana, therefore, welcomes this Forest Partnership.

It is an integral aspect of our national plans to secure our patrimony, protect our environment and promote sustainable forest management and enhanced livelihoods of our people. Together we can, together we will, and together we must,” Dr Ali said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Guyana, along with Mongolia, The Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Zambia, and the EU signed the Forest Partnerships, providing new, holistic cooperation frameworks for joint work on forests and the activities and communities they harbour.

These partnerships aim to enhance the socio-economic role of forests and their ongoing contribution to climate and biodiversity protection. Forest Partnerships contribute to the EU’s Global Gateway that works to protect people and the planet.

The MoU has four main objectives: increasing the area of protected, restored or sustainably managed forests, including mangroves; increasing the number of forest-related jobs; maintaining the closeto-zero annual rate of deforestation of natural forests and looking for ways to facilitate investment and trade in legal and sustainable wood products between Guyana and the EU. According to EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes, Guyana is unique in that it is one of the few countries in the world that has a negative carbon footprint.

Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, signed the MoU on behalf of President, Dr Irfaan Ali (Office of the President photo)

71 per cent of textbooks...

From page 2

Suddie, Soesdyke and New Amsterdam Primary Schools had textbooks that were damaged by termites and rodents and exposed to rodents’ faeces. This is a health hazard to learners and teachers who may come into contact with the damaged and faeces-infected textbooks,” the audit noted.

The audit sought to determine whether the then Education Ministry and its Book Distribution Unit, Regional Departments of Education and schools managed the textbooks process sufficiently to meet the needs of learners in an efficient and timely manner, and in compliance with the ministry’s book policy, relevant laws and regulations.

“We examined the needs requests presented by Regions Two, Four, Six and Seven to determine the number of textbooks needed by each region. The total needs amounted to 303,422. We found that 215,381, or 71 per cent of the books, were not given to the regions,” the report stated.

“The Book Distribution did not meet the needs of Aurora, Three Miles, and Bartica Secondary Schools for 2017 and 2018. These schools needed almost 3,000 core textbooks for English Language and Mathematics. The unit’s denial of each school’s requests could have negatively impacted the learners,” the report revealed.

In Regions Two, Four, Six and Seven, textbooks were physically counted and compared to the number of learners enrolled in Grades One, Two and Four for primary schools and Grades Seven, Nine, and 10 for secondary schools, with the findings showing that a combined number of textbooks available for the core subjects in each grade was insufficient to distribute to each learner.

Some 25 primary schools and 16 secondary schools had a shortage of books for all the grades examined.

The ministry’s Book Distribution Unit is responsible for receiving, storing and distributing books to public schools across Guyana, under the book policy. The regional departments of education which fall under the ambit of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), distribute textbooks to schools in the regions.

The audit looked at textbooks distributed to 590 schools across the 11 school districts, of which 473 primary schools and 117 secondary schools.

The Audit Office made 16 recommendations to management of the Book Distribution Unit for improvements.

Through the full implementation of the recommendations, textbooks allocation will be better managed to meet the needs of schools.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Video evidence implicates GECOM employees with tampering with election materials

THE General and Regional Elections of March, 2020, fell victim to a devious scheme that benefitted from the involvement of staffers of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at all levels.

This was the picture painted by Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, when he took the stand to present evidence on the third day of hearings in the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Shuman’s account implicated GECOM’s employees at the very top, like Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, and Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, just as much as it implicated “low-ranking” employees; some of whom were caught on video tampering with elections materials.

As is common in other testimonies thus far, Shuman’s story also featured IT technician Enrique Livan.

Shuman told the commission that he turned up at GECOM’s District Four Command Centre (the Ashmin building) on March 4, 2020, at the point when GECOM officials were seeking to halt the tabulation process until the following morning.

The reason given was that employees were tired. He said that he approached Lowenfield and expressed total dissatisfaction with the state of affairs.

Shuman said he reminded the CEO that he had 18 months and ample financial resources to adequately prepare for the elections. Therefore, episodes such as those that played out should have been nonexistent.

Shuman said that his concerns were met by little to no response from Lowenfield. According to Shuman, Lowenfield bowed his head, sometimes sat “as if he were in profound thought,” but said nothing in response to the concerns raised.

Shuman recalled that after two female employees insisted that they were too tired to continue, Livan took over.

Livan started calling inaccurate figures and then eventually said that he too was tired and could have no longer continued. Shuman said that Livan’s intention to stop the process was met with protest by party agents, but that did not stop him.

“He picked up the laptop, unplugged it folded it, walked out the room and turned left into another room where only GECOM staffers were allowed,” Shuman recalled.

Shuman testified that he soon heard a “commotion.”

He recalled that someone

were seen carefully removing the seals from brown envelopes and others were seen, in the same video, resealing those envelopes.

Shuman said that he forwarded the video to Lowenfield and said, “Look what your staff is doing, this should not be happening.”

Shuman said that the CEO responded: “I will deal with it.” The video was presented

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Lenox Shuman

shouted that Livan was “doing something” on the computer.

“I ran out of the tabulation room. I ran to the door of the room in which he was sitting with the computer open,” he said.

The politician noted that when the computer left the room it was without a flash drive, but he then noticed that one was subsequently inserted.

Shuman said that at that point, party agents began yelling that Livan was tampering with the numbers.

Some documents were also being printed. Shuman said that he took those documents and later handed them over to the police.

He further testified that when Livan eventually returned to the tabulation room, he accidentally opened a prepopulated spreadsheet. Shuman said that he was sure that that was not the spreadsheet they were working on before the computer was taken.

He added that Livan made efforts to quickly close that spreadsheet but took some time “probably because he panicked.”

Shuman said that after an uproar, that prepopulated spreadsheet was closed and “we got back to the right spreadsheet.”

Shuman told the commission that at one point, CEO Lowenfield acknowledged some of what was going wrong, including inaccurate numbers that were presented.

Lowenfield blamed the error on the staffers being tired and committed to have them corrected.

Shuman said that one of the party agents requested the prepopulated file but was not given same.

In the midst of all that occurring, Shuman said that he was in receipt of information that even more mischief was afoot. He said that while he was at the Ashmin building, he received a video.

Watching that video, persons clad in GECOM uniform

to the commission and taken into evidence.

But the struggles endured

by Shuman, in his first election as a politician, did not end there. The LJP leader said that on March 5, after having much difficulties accessing the Ashmin building, he was met with more disappointment.

He said that despite many concerns raised and despite the fact that the tabulation and

verification processes were not completed, District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo attempted to make a declaration of the Region Four results.

Shuman said that Mingo’s attempts were interrupted by boisterous protest.

“We found that it was completely and absolutely premature to make such a declaration without complet-

ing the process,” Shuman told the CoI. Mingo then left the room, went upstairs and again attempted to make a declaration.

Shuman presented a video recording of this.

Persons were heard chanting: “No, no; unacceptable; not one ounce of integrity.”

Because of that ruckus, Mingo’s efforts were thwarted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

COP27 seeks unity in tackling global climate crisis (Xinhua) The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) started on November 6 in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh, with countries jointly seeking to combat the global climate crisis.

In the past year, in addition to climate change and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been battered by multiple crises such as geopolitical conflicts, higher energy and food prices, increasing inflation, and frequent extreme weather events.

Under such circumstances, the convening of the climate conference appears all the more important. Collective, complementary and collaborative actions by countries around the world to adapt to the effects

of climate change, mitigate its negative repercussions, and provide climate finance have become the focus of this year’s conference agenda.

URGENT NEED FOR CLIMATE ACTIONS Since the beginning of 2022, heatwaves, torrential rains, floods, droughts and other natural disasters occurred one after another around the world.

Europe has experienced unprecedented, high temperatures and heatwaves not seen in centuries, as well as frequent droughts and wildfires. One third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by historic flooding. Powerful hurricanes have made thousands of families homeless in the United States.

Yet, Robert Stefanski, the World Meteorological Organization’s chief of Applied Cli-

mate Services, said 2022 may be the year with the best climate from now on. He warned that if the world does not take urgent actions, extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and floods may become the “new norm” in the world.

Should global warming reach three degrees Celsius by 2100, according to a UN report, drought losses could be five times higher than they are today, with the largest increase in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic regions of Europe.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that by 2030 Africa will lose two-thirds of its arable land if the march of desertification -- the spread of arid, desert-like areas of land -- is not stopped.

Since the beginning of this year, many African countries are facing the risk of food shortag-

es or supply interruption, even in countries with rich water resources.

The loss and damage caused by global climate change have

become one of the top issues, said Egypt’s chief climate negotiator Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, adding that “the international response is still not up to

the challenge of the impacts.”

COP27 will hold a roundtable summit on climate change

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

COP27 seeks unity in tackling global...

From page 11 and food security, during which initiatives on agriculture, food security and nutrition will be proposed, and agricultural solutions under climate change will be a priority in multilateral negotiations, the ambassador said.

“We have witnessed during this year painful events in Pakistan, the African continent and various parts of Europe and America. All these events and the destruction and impact represent a lesson to be learned and alarm all over the planet ... to more precaution, and to act quickly to take all necessary measures as per our commitments and pledges,” Egyptian Foreign Minister and COP27 President Sameh Shoukry said at the opening ceremony of COP27.

“Dealing with climate change problems is obligatory, not a choice,” said Egyptian climate and environment expert Magdy Allam. Under the slogan of COP27 -- Together for implementation -- the host country Egypt calls on coun-

CLIMATE DEBT OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES “We know that we have reached a point where finance makes or breaks the progress of the programme ahead of us,” Alok Sharma, president of COP26 hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, said Sunday during the opening ceremony of COP27, highlighting the important role finance plays in this conference.

However, since the 2009 climate change conference in Copenhagen (COP15), developed countries have not been able to fully deliver on their commitment of providing 100 billion U.S. dollars of climate finance per year to developing countries.

“Parties enjoy getting into the process of planning all the time. But nothing is happening on the ground,” Nasr said: “Who will be paying the price?”

“Climate change-related efforts over the past decades were

remarkably polarized, which has slowed down progress of the negotiations,” Shoukry said Sunday, adding the pledge to mobilize 100 billion dollars per year has not yet been honoured.

Although the contribution of African countries to global warming is far less than that of developed countries, the poorest continent on Earth is far more vulnerable than developed countries in terms of climate change.

Yasmine Fouad, Egypt’s environment minister and ministerial coordinator and envoy for COP27, noted that Africa accounts for four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but suffers the most from them, and that 20 per cent of the continent’s population live in countries that are in the top 10 most vulnerable to climate change.

As such, a significant step for the world to jointly address climate issues is that developed countries provide adaptation funds for developing countries, and the amount of the funds needs to be constantly increased, said Allam. “When soft

tries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative posted robust year-on-year growth, with both exports and imports jumping over 20 percent.

In terms of specific trade goods, mechanical and electrical products, and labor-intensive products, continued to be popular exports, with the former making up 57.1 per cent of the total exports value.

China's exports of automobiles surged 72 per cent year on year, while exports of cellphones ticked up 8.7 per cent over one year ago.

During the first 10 months, the country's imports of iron ore, crude oil, coal, natural gas, and soybeans shrank.

China's foreign trade companies expressed stronger confidence and maintained higher expectations regarding trade prospects for the entire year during the third quarter, revealed a survey conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

Some 30.31 per cent of the surveyed firms said they expect to achieve year-onyear growth in annual trade volumes, up 4.09 percentage points from the second quarter.

Many surveyed firms voiced their appreciation of the country's string of trade-facilitating steps, such as tax and fee cuts, export tax rebates, and cross-border RMB transactions.

The Chinese vast community of private firms registered rapid trade growth during the Jan.-Oct. period. Their trade volume expanded 14.4 per cent to reach 17.44 trillion yuan, accounting for 50.4 per cent of China's total foreign trade, 2.2 percentage points higher than the same period last year.

To further boost imports, China announced last week that 29 more national demonstration zones for import promotion and innovation will be set up, bringing the total number of such demonstration zones to 43 across the country.

China's foreign trade has displayed strong resilience despite global headwinds, said Zhou Jinzhu, an associate researcher with the Academy of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, a think tank.

With supportive policies continuing to play their roles in the fourth quarter, China's trade is expected to nail positive growth for 2022, Zhou estimated.

tries across the globe to convert their previous commitments on climate change from lip service to action, he said.

loans and aid to poor countries increase, this will reduce these countries’ share in chopping and burning forest trees which are the lungs of the globe,” he said.

“The countries of the African continent have shown their willingness to confront climate change, but they need support,” Shoukry said.

Apart from urging developed countries to honour their pledge on current climate funding which focuses on cutting carbon emissions to prevent climate change in the future, this year’s conference also introduced the loss and damage funding into the agenda to compensate countries that cannot avoid or “adapt” to the changes that have already happened.

GREEN DEVELOPMENT AS COMMON PURSUIT Since the United States and the EU have imposed an embargo on Russian oil and gas after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the current energy crisis in Europe has forced many countries to fall back to traditional energy

sources such as coal. At the same time, explosions in the Nord Stream pipelines have released a large amount of natural gas into the atmosphere, putting global emission reduction achievements in jeopardy.

“Now Europe, after the Russian gas was cut, tends to use any kind of fuel and escaped its climate change obligation,” Allam said, adding: “the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows the world that we should search for alternatives, turn to the green economy and change our concepts of consuming energy.”

While the developed world has suffered setbacks, many developing countries have maintained an ardent and persistent desire for green development despite challenges.

China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Xie Zhenhua, said Sunday at a side event of COP27 that China has been actively creating a green and low-carbon atmosphere for years, encouraging the public to participate in carbon emissions reduction, and exploring to establish a

pluralistic mechanism of social participation.

Under the principles of openness and transparency, broad participation, consensus and party-driven, China will work with all parties to promote the success of COP27 and contribute its wisdom and strength to building a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system, Xie said.

“Green development is not an alternative, but an irreplaceable way for the world to limit carbon emissions and protect the environment,” said Waleed Gaballah, professor of financial and economic jurisdictions at Cairo University.

Countries need to show faith in multilateralism as they negotiate to deliver on the goals of the UN Climate Convention and the Paris Agreement, Shoukry said.

“No one can be a mere passenger on this journey,” UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said Sunday at the opening ceremony of COP27.

Economic Watch: China sees steady foreign trade growth in first 10 months

(Xinhua) China's trade in goods logged steady expansion in the first 10 months of this year as supportive policies, and enterprising trade firms contributed to the market's resilience.

The country's foreign trade of goods climbed 9.5 per cent year on year to 34.62 trillion yuan (about 4.79 trillion U.S. dollars) during the Jan.-Oct. period, data from the General Administration of Customs showed Monday.

Exports rose 13 per cent year on year to 19.71 trillion yuan, while imports increased 5.2 per cent from a year ago to 14.91 trillion yuan.

In October, the country's trade in goods totaled 3.55 trillion yuan, up 6.9 per cent over one year ago. Exports and imports rose seven per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.

In the first 10 months of 2022, ASEAN was China's largest trading partner, whose trade volume with China accounted for 15.2 per cent of the country's total foreign trade.

The European Union and the United States were China's second-largest and third-largest trading partners during the period, respectively.

China's trade with coun-

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Hindu Guyanese observe Teerath in New York

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

By Vishnu Bisram

GUYANESE Hindus and others in New York City observed the annual festival of Kartik Purnima (also known as Tirth or Teerath in Guyana) by fasting and performing special prayers on Monday during the day. They were joined by pandits who presided over services.

Teerath or Kartik involves taking a bath in the open water or symbolically washing one’s body. Some Guyanese also did aartee in the evening at home or the mandirs. The temples in New York also held special services in the evening.

Hundreds performed puja at Rockaway Beach and hundreds more gathered at other waterways in New York on a very warm day, unusual for this time of the year. The thousands of Guyanese and thousands more of other nationalities came to the waterways to perform special Ganga puja on the full moon, the first after Diwali which is observed on the darkest night of the year.

Teerath is celebrated on the last day in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar and is normally celebrated with a bath in the ocean or river or waterways.

The month normally falls in November in the western calendar, and the day usually coincides with the full moon. In India, tens of mil-

vant Hindus. The series of observances are directed towards the goal of “moksha” or liberation of the soul.

In the festival, the Mother of the Sea, Goddess Ganga, is asked to protect her devotees and provide them with whatever they wished and to protect them from floods and destruction by waterways.

The holy river “Ganges” or “Ganga Mai” is the main deity worshipped at the festival. It is believed that the Goddess of Water, Ganga Mai, came unto the earth on that day and so Hindus seek her blessings by performing special prayers devoted to her and taking a dip in the sea believing that the Ganges water is mixed with the rest of the bodies of water.

Kartik is a time to cleanse oneself and to ensure that something is given back to the Goddess of the Sea. It is the general belief that one’s sins or bad karmas are washed away or forgiven when performing this ritual. The pandits explain that during Kartik

Karthik puja in New York

lions took to the waterways.

The observance of Kartik is important, especially at a time when the sea is rising threatening to swallow up lands and houses, reclaiming land from devel-

opment.

Kartik or Teerath is an observance to mark the culmination of a series of sacred purification rites, for the year. It concludes a long period of fasting for obser-

something is given back to the Goddess of the Ocean with offerings and protecting the environment from degradation.

Some Guyanese in NY mixed Ganges water in a bucket of water and took a bath with it on the full moon morning. Many Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbeans and nationals from India thronged to various water outlets in the city, where they immersed their legs in the water and prayed and chanted special mantras, sang bhajans and made offerings as part of Kartik celebrations. The cold water made it difficult to wade in the ocean, as is common in Guyana. Pandit Mochan, formerly of Guyana, based in Brooklyn, led puja services at Rockaway.

Pandit Mochan began with purification of the ground, invocation of the deities, cleansing the environment with mantras, made offerings to the Goddess, and performed aartee that culminated the services. Devotees made

offerings of prasad, food, clothing, flowers, and burned incense. Other offerings included rice, perfume, and several other paraphernalia. The significance of the ritual is that the devotee is feeding the earth back everything that comes from it.

Guyanese distributed prasad and bhojan or food to visitors and participants of the puja.

Religious leaders feel that the festival of Karthik should be used as an educational lesson in schools and on national PR programmes to do everything to protect and purify the environment and stop polluting (dumping refuse into) various bodies of water. The pollution endangers everyone’s lives.

The puja and bathing in the ocean brought back memories of the celebration growing up in Guyana as a child. In New York, children are robbed of the kind of fun one had in celebrating the festival in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Charity cameraman drowns after boat capsizes in Pomeroon River

A cameraman of Charity Housing Scheme, in Region Two, lost his life on Tuesday after the boat he and media personnel from the Office of the President were in capsized in the Pomeroon River.

Dead is Trevor Patrick, a father of three and a parttime employee at Radio Essequibo 95.5Fm. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Patrick was among those accompanying President Dr. Irfaan Ali to flood-hit communities along the Pomeroon River.

He was in a private boat that was trailing the vessel

Trevor Patrick

transporting President Ali. The president’s communications officer, Dhanash Ramroop, and cameramen Keon Blades and Jose Cheddi, who were injured during

the mishap, were later flown to Georgetown where they received medical attention.

This publication understands that the boat captain was also treated for injuries.

Information revealed that the boat flipped, throwing the passengers into the river.

The occupants of a nearby boat immediately went to their rescue. Everyone except Patrick was pulled from the water. After searching for a few minutes, he was found.

He was rushed to the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity, but despite the best efforts of the medical per-

President Dr. Irfaan Ali comforts Patrick’s relatives

sonnel, he died.

Meanwhile, President Ali visited the hospital where he met Patrick’s wife and children. He offered words of comfort and extended his condolences.

Nirmala Patrick related that she last saw her husband hours earlier when he left

home. She recalled that he told her he was heading to the Pomeroon River with the president’s team.

She told this publication that her husband was a freelancer at Kaieteur News several years ago and since then he has been doing private photography. Nirmala said

that she and Patrick have two children together.

Overcome with emotion, she said she is in disbelief that her husband is no more.

Patrick’s body is currently at the Charity mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

APNU+AFC administration spent hundreds of millions on aircraft now unserviceable

— Auditor General’s 2021 report reveals IN 2018, the APNU+AFC spent US$1.1 million (GUY $246.8 million) on a Skyvan, 8R-GWJ, that flew for less than one month, while another $17.4 million was spent in 2019 on overhauling the engine of an islander that never flew.

According to information from the Auditor General’s 2021 report, both aircraft have since been rendered unserviceable.

The two unserviceable aircraft were bought for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as part of a $484 million supplementary provision that was sought in the National Assembly by the APNU+AFC government in 2018.

Joseph Harmon, who was Minister of State at the

time when the aircraft was purchased, had vouched for the “airworthiness” of the planes, notwithstanding concerns about the airliners.

Harmon had said that the aircraft, which were part of a set of four, were “tried and tested” and in suitable condition for use by the GDF. Although the aircraft were reconditioned, he maintained that they are in “good condition.” The islander was manufactured in 1976, while the Skyvan was manufactured in 1977.

Both models were no longer being manufactured at the time of purchase.

Procurement of the aircraft was to ensure the safe transport of patients and other resources and to be used for conducting search-

and-rescue exercises in the hinterland.

Nonetheless, the Skyvan in question arrived in Guyana on the 28 June, 2019, and last flew on 21 July, 2019, and has been awaiting necessary overseas maintenance ever since.

The Skyvan, a highwing, twin-engine carrier, was dubbed an ideal craft for Guyana given its STOL– Short Takeoff and Landing abilities –which will suit the country’s short interior airstrips. The Short SC7 Skyvan is a British 19-seat twin-turboprop aircraft.

However, the Skyvan’s engines are required, by the manufacturer, to be sent to an approved facility, after completion of speciContinued on page 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

APNU+AFC administration spent hundreds of ...

The Skyvan when it arrived in Guyana in 2019

From page 14 fied flight hours, for specific maintenance actions: 1,800 hours – hot-section inspection and 5,400 hours -- overhaul.

“This involved removing the left engine and shipping it to an overhaul/repair facility in the USA for inspection since this capability is not available locally,” the GDF explained in its response to the Audit Office.

Apparently, when the aircraft was bought by the GDF its left engine had 45 hours until a Hot Section Inspection was due. So, when those hours were expended, the aircraft was hangared for the engine to be sent for Hot Section Inspection, while a “1,200 inspection” commenced on the aircraft.

However, according to the report, during the inspection, components were identified as being worn and in need of replacement, while parts from the Skyvan, were used to maintain another Skyvan bearing registration number 8R- GBW and 8R-GGK, which had to be overhauled due to their flight-hour requirements.

“According to the head of the budget agency at its delivery to GDF, Skyvan 8R-GWJ’s left engine had 45 hours remaining before it was due to be sent for Hot Section Inspection. This requirement was known to the GDF prior to the aircraft’s delivery. These hours were flown and the aircraft was then hangered [sic] for the engine to be removed and to have a 1,200 maintenance inspection completed,” the previous 2020 AG Report had noted.

In its 2020 report, the Audit Office had recommended that the administration of the Defence Force investigate the cir-

cumstances leading to the Skyvan with registration number 8R-GWJ being used for only 45 hours, and subsequently deemed unserviceable, and submit the results for audit Meanwhile, the islander, which had arrived in Guyana in August 2018, was reportedly deemed best suited for Guyana’s rough, mountainous terrain, high altitudes and short hinterland airstrips.

According to reports, there were commitments that the refurbished planes could provide more than 30 years of service to the Air Corps. However, the aircraft did not provide one month of service.

“The sum of $17.4 million was expended in July 2019 on the overhauling of the engine for an islander bearing registration number 8R-GKR. It should be noted that this aircraft has not flown since its arrival to Guyana in August 2018.

However, the aircraft was deemed unserviceable,” the AG 2020 Report noted.

The GDF in a response to the Audit Office, said the aircraft has been awaiting the completion of two structural repairs and the procurement of spares needed to return the aircraft to service.

“The need to effect the repairs was identified during the 1,000-hour maintenance inspection. The inspection also identified components which were worn and have to be replaced,” the defence force said.

However, in 2019, components of this aircraft were also gutted to replace components on another islander 8R-GMN in order to keep that aircraft serviceable.

The Islander when it arrived in Guyana in 2018

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Guyanese among participants in global religious fellowship — champions tolerance as key to peaceful society

By Cindy Parkinson

KAICIID is an organisation that works to foster religious tolerance and culture globally, ensuring that societies and the world at large live in harmony with each other.

Their vision is to see a world where there is respect, understanding and co-operation among people, inclusive of justice, peace and reconciliation and an end to the abuse of religion to justify oppression, violence and conflict.

KAICIID has hosted a fellowship programme for a number of years, but for the first time, it has invited candidates from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Neil Bacchus, secretary of the Muslim Youth League, assistant secretary and treasurer of the inter-religious organisation, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indigenous Peoples Commission of Guyana, benefitted from a fellowship programme into religious dialogue and culture that was offered by KAICIID. Bacchus was the only person from Guyana and the Caribbean that was selected, along with twenty additional persons from Latin America, to participate in the one-year

From left - Harideva Dhanesar, Sandya Praimraj, and Madana Rampersaud (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

MYO’s Neil Bacchus facilitating Monday evening’s session (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

fellowship programme that was held earlier this year in Argentina.

The final training will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, this December. Thus far, dialogue training has been done in re-

gards to religious tolerance.

“During the training, we were given the tools to develop our skills to promote the idea of helping our community, our country, the region and the world as a whole in ensuring that people are not discriminated against,” said Neil.

The outcome of his participation in the final training will determine if Bacchus will graduate in December.

So far, he and his fellow participants from Latin America were tasked with testing the skills that had been taught to them by KAICIID. Bacchus recognised that his colleagues and peers in Latin America and other countries around the world have experienced attacks against religion and religious beliefs within their countries.

“Sitting in my training, I felt very proud to know that Guyana has a high degree of religious tolerance and it is something that we should be proud of, or even make a model out of, so that we can share it with other Caribbean countries, Latin American countries and others,” Bacchus noted.

Following this training, Bacchus will embark on a nation-focused project entitled “Religious Tolerance: A Tool for a Peaceful Society.”

So far, a number of youths as well as a diverse set of individuals from the religious communities were invited to attend a forum at the Muslim Youth Organiza-

tion (MYO)’s Woolford Avenue headquarters on Monday evening.

In attendance were representatives from Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Baha’i, and Rastafarian groups as well as members of the indigenous communities, and agnostics.

Georgetown’s Mayor Ubraj Narine was also present.

The representatives from all the religious communities collectively agreed that religious tolerance can be used as a tool that enables a peaceful society where everyone can co-exist and celebrate diversity.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Madana Rampersaud expressed how happy he was to be at the function, noting that he strongly supports any programme that promotes unity among people, especially the youth of Guyana.

He believes that they are “our future,” and Guyanese should try and support them in a positive way. “I believe that our real challenge is unity… The faith is not what challenges us; we are one people and we can all build a brotherhood with each other, regardless of our religious beliefs.”

Harideva Dhanesar, a youth in attendance, told this newspaper that it is important to understand each other. It is his belief that, at some point in time “we” will all meet somewhere and with that, “we are looking forward to taking our Guyana into the future in the best way possible.

“Guyana belongs to all of us and we should work with each other to ensure that it is better for all of us”. Dhanesar also emphasised the importance of seeing God within each other despite “our” differences.

“There are more similarities than differences; there are so many details that we all get caught up in, but if we can focus on the universal principles of all the religions, that can bring us together,” he continued.

He also asked that persons, especially the young people “get past their phone screen” and pay attention to what is actually in front of them and have an appreciation for that.

The young attendee further encouraged and asked that the elders in society play a leading role in their respective communities so that the youth can follow suit.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, November 9, 2022

‘We must use big data to protect food security and increase climate resilience,’ says Commonwealth Secretary-General at COP27 — Governments can leverage digital tools to revolutionise agricultural sector

THE global threat to food security is one of the major concerns being addressed at COP27 in Egypt this week, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General called on Commonwealth governments to learn from each other and work together to transform Commonwealth nations into a powerhouse to feed the world.

To help governments to build a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, encouraged member countries to use the Commonwealth’s new policy guide for governments: “We must use big data and digital tools to protect food security and increase

Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Patricia Scotland

climate resilience. New technologies and data generation can transform business practices across the agricultural value chain and address bottlenecks in productivity, harvesting, market access, finance, and supply chain management.”

She continued: “We

are releasing this policy guide here today at COP27 because we know how essential food security is to our members and the world. This guide is the first of its kind to assess how digitalisation is impacting the agricultural sector across the Commonwealth. I strongly believe that this is a valuable step, not only for the Commonwealth but for small, developing and middle-income countries globally. It will help policymakers to understand how to target key areas to improve and develop this vital sector and support knowledge exchange between Commonwealth countries.”

Agriculture ensures food security and employment in most Com-

monwealth member countries with over half of the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion people residing in rural areas and engaging in smallholder farming.

Developed by the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, the framework outlined in the ‘The State of Digital Agriculture in the Commonwealth’ policy guide, assesses different regions based on their existing digital innovations, data infrastructure, business development services and enabling environment for digitalisation and suggests strategies for progress.

According to the policy guide, while Commonwealth Africa lacks some vital data infrastructure, significant progress has been made through digital

innovations, technologies and services. In Commonwealth Asia, technologies for agriculture have advanced across the region but affordability for services remains a challenge to the most vulnerable.

According to the Commonwealth, the business development sector, financing and investments are underdeveloped and in need of progress in the Caribbean and Pacific Small Island Developing nations.

In the Commonwealth across Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, mobile applications are common and smart farming technologies are widely used; therefore, the policy guide encourages other regions to learn from best practices and

innovations from these regions to assist them in making rapid and valuable progress.

Whilst speaking on a COP27 panel focussed on ‘Commonwealth Countries Growing Together for Climate Resilience and Food and Nutrition Security’, Secretary-General Scotland stressed that efforts must be made by both the public and private sectors to realise the full potential of digital solutions for the agricultural sector. She went on to encourage policymakers to take advantage of the Commonwealth’s new guide, and the technical expertise and assistance offered by the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda programme.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 9, 2022

Weather hurts Red Force quest for... (From page 33) tended his healthy form with an unbeaten 43 from 59 balls, adding 62 for the first wicket with Test gloveman Joshua Da Silva (22) and a further 35 in an unbroken second-wicket stand with Jason Mohammed (23 not out).

Ottley punched five fours in a knock which pushed his tally for the tournament 193 runs at an impressive average of 48.

Sent in at Queen’s Park Oval earlier, CCC rallied to 200 all out off exactly 50 overs with Kirstan Kallicharan (37), Odain McCatty (28) and Matthew Forde (25) leading the batting effort.

A few small partnerships kept the CCC going, even as leg-spinner Imran Khan, with four for 53, along with seamer Terrance Hinds (2-18), off-spinner Jason Mohammed (2-19) and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah (2-37), battered the innings.

Kallicharan struck five fours in a 56-ball knock, posting 33 for the first wicket with Kyle Roopchand (14) and a further 37 for the second with Navin Bidaisee (18).

When two wickets fell

for two runs in the space of eight balls, Zavier Burton (23) and captain Denesh Ramdin (12) combined in a 35-run, fourth-wicket stand, before Forde and McCatty carved out 55 for the sixth wicket in the best stand of the innings.

English Racing Tips Ayr 09:15 hrs Sam’s Choice 09:50 hrs Gege Ville 10:25 hrs Green Vault 10:55 hrs Grand Voyage 11:25 hrs Hard Iron 11:55 hrs Charm Offensive Bangor-On-Dee 08:50 hrs Yggdrasil 09:25 hrs Found On 10:00 hrs Le Milos 10:35 hrs Our Follet 11:05 hrs Lady Adare 11:35 hrs Riskintheground 12:05 hrs Maxilian Kempton 12:30 hrs Oh So Charming 13:00 hrs Decoration 13:30 hrs Zouzanna 14:00 hrs Garden Route 14:30 hrs Ring Of Light 15:00 hrs Tenjin 15:30 hrs Sundayinmay 16:00 hrs Dream Composer 16:30 hrs Bascule Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 09:40 hrs Aljady 10:15 hrs El Tesoro 10:45 hrs Oh Cleo 11:15 hrs Linus Larrabee 11:45 hrs Finke River 12:15 hrs Instrumental 12:45 hrs Je Tai Porte 13:15 hrs Virtual Hug American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Beach Boy Al Race 2 Special Assistant Race 3 Waheel Race 4 Gonna Be Dancing Race 5 Resemption Road Race 6 Shane’s Risk Race 7 Zircon Race 8 He Is Bonafide South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:20 hrs Electric Surge 08:55 hrs Exceeder 09:30 hrs Queue Wing 10:05 hrs Eddie The Mover 10:40 hrs Shipholia

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 9, 2022

GCB congratulates Shivnarine Chanderpaul on induction into ICC Hall of Fame THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) congratulates Shivnarine Chanderpaul on being inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul made his First-Class debut for Guyana against the Leeward Islands at GCC, Bourda in the 1991-1992 Red Stripe Cup. In his 385 First-Class matches he accumulated 27 545 runs at an average of 53.17 with the highest score of 303 not out against Jamaica at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. He played 423 List A matches aggregating 13 439 runs at an average of 41.99, with

the highest score of 150.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who most will agree batted courageously and defiantly throughout his career, amassed 11 867 runs from 164 Test matches at an astonishing average of 51.37 with the highest score of 203 not out against South Africa at GCC, Bourda.

He hit 30 centuries in his Test career and registered two double-centuries. He played 268 One Day Internationals (ODIs) aggregating 8 778 runs at an average of 41.41, and a strike rate of 70.74 with the highest score of 150 against South Africa in the 1998 West Indies Tour of South Africa.

Additionally, Shivnarine Chanderpaul recorded strike rates of 98.85 in 22 T20 Internationals and 80.65 from three IPL matches. He was occasionally used for his leg-spin to break partnerships and this enabled him to collect 9 Test wickets and 14 ODI wickets.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is familiarly called ‘Tiger’, is the father of Tagenarine Chanderpaul known as ‘Cub’ who recently gained selection to the West Indies Test Squad for the 2022 Tour of Australia.

The President and Executive members of the GCB would like to extend the heartiest congratula-

Chanderpaul among newest inductees to...

(From back page)

to date,” said CWI president Ricky Skerritt.

“Shiv’s story exemplifies all that is good about him and the game of cricket – his hard work, commitment, adaptability and his resulting growth and achievements on and off the field.

“His love for the game is unmatched, and he demonstrated throughout his two decades on the field that he was the man for all seasons.”

He continued: “From the early days in the Under-19 set-up in Guyana, Shiv showcased his immense batting talent. He honed his skills

and worked tirelessly to become the number 1 ranked batsman in the world.

“He embodied the statement ‘heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight’.

Shiv toiled hard to improve and at every stage was able to re-invent his game to meet the demands.

“We salute Shiv for his immense contribution to West Indies cricket and world cricket.”

ICC chief executive, Geoff Allardice said Chanderpaul, along with Edwards and Qadir, were great “am-

bassadors” of the game.

“The ICC Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the iconic individuals that have shaped the history of cricket,” he noted.

“Only the very best are honoured in this way and it is wonderful to commemorate the lasting contributions of Shivnarine, Charlotte and Abdul.

“These three ambassadors of our great game enjoyed tremendous success on the international stage and are richly deserving of their status as ICC Hall of Famers.”

Qatar is a mistake, says... (From back page) the four votes of Platini and his (UEFA) team, the World Cup went to Qatar rather than the United States. It's the truth."

Blatter also said FIFA

had adjusted the criteria used to select host countries in 2012 after concerns were raised about the treatment of migrant workers building World Cup stadiums in

Qatar.

"Since then, social considerations and human rights are taken into account," he added (BBC Sport)

Persaud to replace... (From back page) currently top of the points table in Zone A with twelve (12) points, followed by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force with 10 points, Windward Islands Volcanoes with eight (8) points, and Combined Campuses and Col-

leges with two (2) points.

Zone A matches are played in Trinidad and Tobago, whereas, Zone B matches are played in Antigua.

After three rounds of action in Zone B, Leeward Islands lead the points table

with 10 points, followed

by Barbados Pride with six points, and Jamaica Scorpions with four points based on a superior net run rate over the West Indies Academy whose points also stand at four.

tions to Shivnarine Chanderpaul for this prestigious induction into the ICC Hall of Fame and

look forward to his continued contribution to the development of cricket across the West Indian

region and beyond.

(This is an Official Press Release of the Guyana Cricket Board)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 9, 2022

Aussie coach reflects on 'failed' Cup campaign AUSTRALIA men's team coach, Andrew McDonald, has labelled his team's World Cup defence a "failed campaign" but noted he and his fellow selectors have time to reflect on potential personnel changes given their next T20 international assignment is nine months away.

The reigning champions’ hopes of sneaking through to the finals of this tournament vapourised on Saturday night when England claimed a last-over win against Sri Lanka, ensuring the host nation finished third in their group.

As the players flew out of Adelaide Monday morning, McDonald claimed the squad had been left "feeling a little numb" about the events of the preceding 24 hours and added the team was bitterly disappointed about their inability to reach the playoff games.

And he said that, in ad-

dition to the heavy first-up loss to New Zealand that inflicted mortal damage to their net run rate, it was late innings hitting by Ireland's Lorcan Tucker and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan in the final Super 12s matches that further hampered Australia's hopes While scrutiny has fallen on several selection decisions, most notably the call to drop pace bowler Mitchell Starc in favour of fellow seamer Kane Richardson for Friday's match against Afghanistan, McDonald reiterated it was a tactical decision based on Richardson's death-bowling credentials.

"We were looking to reinforce the back end with Kane Richardson, so we put a premium on death bowling – that was the decision in a nutshell really," McDonald said today.

"And any time you leave out a player the stature of Mitchell Starc it's always

going to create significant attention to that selection.

"The reality is we've got 15 players that arguably could be in the eleven, and those that miss out are going to be genuinely stiff."

He also said the decision to go with essentially a Test fast bowling attack in T20 cricket was based on knowledge of home conditions in which this World Cup is being played, and indicated that thinking might change with the next tournament to be played on vastly different surfaces.

Leg spinner Adam Zampa and seamer Josh Hazlewood finished the Super 12s phase as Australia's most successful bowlers with five wickets apiece, while Test spearheads Starc and Cummins ended up with three each In the batting, Marcus Stoinis was the most productive with 126 runs from his four games followed

by fellow allrounder Glenn Maxwell (118) and skipper Aaron Finch (107).

"For this World Cup, we felt those three bowlers – Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – were the best suited to be part of the squad to navigate through the World Cup," McDonald said.

"I think it will be case by case (in the future).

"We've seen Nathan Ellis build in some depth. He was really impressive in the leadin and Kane Richardson has been impressive in his own right.

"Riley Meredith is another one who's been exposed a couple of years back now in New Zealand, so we feel as though we're building some depth to that bowling department.

"It's just who we choose for what conditions and when.

McDonald dismissed suggestions Australia's elongated lead-in to the tournament had left players feeling fatigued, which had been cited as a possible reason for their poor start to the tournament with an 89-run loss to New Zealand.

In the wake of Friday night's loss to Afghanistan, Maxwell cited the schedule of 10 preparatory matches across the month prior to the NZ game as "probably the longest lead-in we've ever had" and added players breathed a sigh of relief when they were finished and the tournament proper began.

But McDonald claimed the lengthy preparation gave Australia a chance to get some game time into players who were returning from injury, and felt it provided "some positives" for trialling different playing combinations and scenarios.

"I think the scheduling is always a debate and a question, but that's no excuse for our performance throughout the World Cup," he said.

"I look at the positive around those games, that allowed some people to get up to speed, that were coming off injuries … and we played different structures at different times.

McDonald indicated the Australia T20 squad – essentially the same outfit that secured the trophy in the UAE last year, with the addition of power hitter Tim David for leg spinner Mitch-

ell Swepson – would likely undergo significant change for next T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024.

Of the current line-up, it is unclear whether Finch (aged 35), David Warner (35) and Matthew Wade (34) will be part of the set-up, while both Stoinis and Maxwell will be aged 34 and 35 respectively when the next World Cup gets underway.

But as McDonald observed, there is no pressing rush to reshuffle Australia's T20 player pool given there is no international 20-over cricket on the team's horizon until a scheduled series against South Africa in August next year.

"The short turnaround (from last year's World Cup) lent itself to a similar squad," McDonald said.

"We saw Tim David come in for Mitch Swepson – we felt that was the right play coming into the tournament and as I sit here right now, I still think it was the right play.

"But we'll go through what that looks like in terms of building towards the World Cup in 2024.

"There will be some natural turnover because of the gap, and also the age profile of our team so there will be some people who get their opportunities albeit next August when we play our next T20 game."

Finch's future as captain and opener is part of that potential turnover given he was unavailable for Australia's crucial final game with an injured hamstring, and has already called time on his career in the ODI format.

"I haven't really put much thought or time into that," McDonald said when asked if Finch had potentially played his final game in Australia colours.

"It's still a little bit raw on the back of a World Cup, but he's got some time to think about that.

"The Big Bash will determine probably his future, how he goes there, his performances, how his body is holding up.

"His body has failed him here, in terms of the hamstring strain that put him out of the World Cup and the next game's not until August next year so that gives him a lot of time to repair it if he's willing to go on.

"If not, then I'm sure

over the next couple of weeks he'll have a think about that and call it, a bit similar to what he did with the one-day internationals."

With a replacement opener required at the top of Australia's batting order for the upcoming Dettol ODI Series against England later this month, as focus turns to next year's 50-over World Cup in India, McDonald said Test batter Travis Head is in the frame for that role.

Head dominated at the top of order in Warner's absence during a three-match ODI series in Pakistan earlier this year, and returned to the opening role for South Australia in yesterday's Marsh One Day Cup game against New South Wales where he scored 55 off 62 balls.

"I think Travis Head will get some opportunities with the retirement of Aaron Finch," McDonald said, adding further details will be known when Australia's ODI squad for the England games is named in coming days.

"We're excited to see what he can do in one-day cricket.

"We saw how he went in Pakistan against a worldclass attack, he was able to take them on and his one-day domestic record is second to none.

"He's got big hundreds, and double hundreds."

As white-ball planning now turns to the ICC ODI World Cup next year, McDonald indicated Australia would name a nearfull strength squad for the upcoming England series even though it will be played shortly before the NRMA Insurance Tests against West Indies begin at month's end.

"I think any time you get to play, it's with as fullstrength squad as you can," he said.

"We saw that with the NZ series up north earlier, we were really keen to see what it would look like with as close to full strength as possible.

"We've got a little bit of a gap now because we've obviously exited (the World Cup) early so that allows us to play players that potentially – if we had gone deep into this tournament – we wouldn't have.

"So I think you'll see a very strong side named in the coming days."

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 9, 2022

T20 World Cup:

Williamson hails 'outstanding' Black Caps bowlers ahead of Pakistan semi-final KANE Williamson lavished praise on New Zealand's "outstanding" bowling attack as they prepare to face Pakistan in the first T20 World Cup semi-final today.

The Black Caps qualified for the last four as Group 1 winners, winning three matches and only suffering one defeat against England.

Beaten by Australia in the final in Dubai last year, the consistent Black Caps once again find themselves challenging for another trophy.

New Zealand have never won the T20 World Cup but have a great chance to put the heartbreak of the 2021 final behind them in Australia.

Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi have all shown their quality with the ball for the Black Caps.

Captain Williamson knows he is lucky to have such a strong attack.

He said: "They're experienced players for us.

looked understandably rusty at the start of the Super 12 stage, but played a huge part in seeing Pakistan through by claiming 3-14 in a win over South Africa and 4-22 in the victory over the Tigers.

Afridi takes some stopping when he is at his hostile best and New Zealand's openers will need to try and see him off when he charges in with the new ball.

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi

New Zealand pacer Trent Boult

They've played for us a long time, whether that's taking wickets or, in particular, adjusting to conditions which certainly we need them to come to tournaments, world events, that's a big part of playing.

"So they've been outstanding throughout this tournament. And tomorrow we're at another venue against another opposition,

facing England or India.

"They've got an outstanding pace attack.

They've been playing really good cricket. They've got very experienced players on their side, who are match-winners. So, that's a real strength for them," the batter said.

Pakistan beat New Zealand in a tri-series final last month and have won four

Weather hurts Red Force quest for Super50 points

Opener Kjorn Ottley hit an unbeaten 43 from 59 balls

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Rain then bad light scuppered Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s hopes of a third win in the Super50 Cup, forcing a no-result with minnows Combined Campuses and Colleges here Monday.

There was nothing complicated about the target of 201 but a protracted rain

break at 74 for one after 15 overs resulted in a revised target of 115 from 26 overs.

And when play resumed late in the evening, only another 23 balls were possible before fading light ended the affair, with the reigning champions and Zone A leaders agonisingly close to full points on 97 for one.

Opener Kjorn Ottley ex(Turn to page 30)

and we'll have to make those adjustments again."

Pakistan sneaked into the semi-finals thanks to the Netherlands' shock defeat of South Africa after Babar Azam's side beat Bangladesh.

Williamson knows how dangerous Pakistan can be as they prepare for a showdown at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the winners

of the past five matches between the two sides in the shortest format.

AFRIDI FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS Shaheen Shah Afridi has demonstrated why Pakistan were so eager for him to return to full fitness for this tournament after a spell out with a knee injury.

The left-arm paceman

BABAR DUE TO SHOW HIS BRILLIANCE Pakistan have been able to count on captain Babar time and again with the bat, but he had not reached double figures before making 25 against Bangladesh.

The prolific skipper never tends to go long without a significant score and it would be no surprise if he delivers on the big stage in Sydney. Run-machine Babar averages an impressive 41.39 in T20Is, with a strike rate of 127.98.

(Yahoo Sport)

Eriksen named in Denmark's preliminary 21-man squad MANCHESTERr United midfielder Christian Eriksen has been named in Denmark's preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Eriksen, 30, collapsed during their Euro 2020 game against Finland last year and had life-saving treatment on the pitch.

Denmark have named 21 players of the 26-man squad and will reveal the final five following the last round of European fixtures.

They take on Tunisia on 22 November.

The final squad must be delivered to Fifa by 13 November, before the tournament starts on 20 November.

"Many things can happen," said Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand. "It's unsolvable, but it's the right way to do it - there are two games left for many of our players, and that can easily change things."

"There are 10 or 12

players still in contention for the last five spots."

Following Eriksen's cardiac arrest at the European Championship, the former Tottenham man had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device - a type of pacemaker - fitted.

In January, he said it was "a goal, a dream" to play for his country again in front of their home crowd at Parken Stadium and at this year's World Cup. Eriksen joined Brentford on a six-month deal at the start of the year after agreeing to end his contract with Inter Milan prematurely as players with an ICD cannot play in Serie A. He made his international return in March and scored two minutes after coming on for Denmark in a friendly defeat by the Netherlands, before completing a move to United in the summer on a free transfer.

Other top-flight players given a place in the

Christen Eriksen said it was his "dream" to play for Denmark again following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020

squad include Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen and Eriksen's ex-Brentford team-mate Mathias Jensen.

After facing Tunisia in their opening Group D game, Denmark will play defending champions France on 26 November and Australia on 30 November.

DENMARK PRELIMINARY SQUAD Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Nice), Oliver Christensen (Hertha Berlin).

Defenders: Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Rasmus Kristensen (Leeds United), Jens Stryger Larsen (Trabzonspor), Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray), Daniel Wass (Brondby).

Midfielders: Thomas Delaney (Sevilla), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham).

Forwards: Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Bruges), Jesper Lindstrom (Eintracht Frankfurt), Andreas Cornelius (Copenhagen), Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol), Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford), Jonas Wind (VfL Wolfsburg).

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Head returns to Australia ODI squad; multi-format quicks included

… Pat Cummins will captain his first one-day series against England while Australia's Test squad remains stable

By Andrew McGlashan TRAVIS Head has returned to Australia's ODI squad for the series against England and Marcus Harris has been included as the spare batter for the Test matches against West Indies.

Following the early exit from the T20 World Cup, a full-strength squad has been named for the three games against England in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne which will be Pat Cummins' first series as ODI captain.

Head fills the vacancy created by Aaron Finch's oneday retirement having been unavailable for selection for the early-season series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand due to paternity leave. He has had an excellent 2022 in ODIs with 310 runs at 62 and a strike-rate of 112.72 when he faced Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

In the Pakistan series, where he made 101 and 89 in consecutive matches, Head played in place of David Warner but now will open alongside him.

Our focus is to continue to build a squad with an eye to next year's World Cup under Pat as the new ODI captain, so it's an important series," national selector George Bailey said.

"Travis Head … has demonstrated flexibility in the types of roles he can play in our ODI line-up. Our next opportunity in the ODI for-

Travis Head made three 70-plus scores in six ODIs against Pakistan and Sri Lanka earlier this year (Getty)

mat will be in India next year which will allow us to experience similar conditions as for the World Cup in October."

Sean Abbott misses out from earlier in the season despite a couple of impressive performances against New Zealand as does Josh Inglis.

The multi-format quicks have all been included, along with Cameron Green, and they will then back up into the Test summer which begins in Perth on November 30.

The squad for the two matches against West Indies is very stable with perhaps the only talking point the retention of Harris. After losing his place during the Ashes when Usman Khawaja's prolific form led to a reshuffle of the order, Harris was the reserve batter in Pakistan then part of

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 9, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Imran Tahir (SA) & Ashan Malik (NED)-12 wickets each (2) Rangana Herath-5/3 (SL vs NZ, Chattogram) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper effected most dismissals in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014?

(2) What was the highest partnership in the 2014 tournament for any wicket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

the Australia-A squad in Sri Lanka either side of playing county cricket for Gloucestershire where he made 726 runs at 42.70.

He has made a solid start to the domestic season with 287 runs in three Sheffield Shield matches although it is Victoria team-mate Peter Handscomb who is well ahead at the top with 518 runs.

Scott Boland, who has not yet been able to add to his three Ashes Tests where he took 18 wickets at 9.55, is the extra quick in the squad behind Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. None of that trio will play Shield cricket before the Tests, but that is a preparation that Australia have become comfortable with in recent seasons.

Green's inclusion in the ODI squad means he is unlikely to feature in any Shield cricket this year with the India Test tour due to start in early February.

Australia ODI squad vs England Pat Cummins (capt.), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa Australia Test squad vs West Indies: Pat Cummins (capt.), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner. (Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 9, 2022

Work on MSC could start soon after completion of surveys WORK on the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) could start this week following surveys which were done recently to ensure that the international cricket and football measurements can be accommodated at the iconic Linden sports institution.

Identified as one of three to be funded by the Government of Guyana (the others are in Anna Regina and New Amsterdam), the MSC has been the home of international cricket and football over the years and following confirmation to accommodate ICC and FIFA matches, work should start and be completed

by February next year.

Superior Group Inc., contracting firm out of Trinidad and Tobago, who built the Brian Lara Stadium among others in the Twin Island Republic, will do the ground preparation which includes the laying of pipelines to ensure it is one that will see drainage similar to what obtains at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

The surveying of the MSC ground comes after a Chinese technical team also was in Linden recently to check on the soil at the MSC. It was suggested that the floodlights be disconnected so that work can start im-

mediately but this work was pushed back to last Monday .However, up to Monday the team had not returned. Until the equipment and other materials are cleared after arrival, delay will affect the work which is estimated to be completed by February next year.

For this reason the MSC executive has decided to close the ground and disconnect the floodlights to facilitate the smooth process on the ground as was promised by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport when he met the MSC executives on Tuesday, October 11.

Chandrabali’s Construction to sponsor Albion’s second-division team CHANDRABALI’S Construction of the United States of America has ploughed G$385 000 into the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC), as sponsorship of the Club’s second-division team for the 2022 season, a release from the club indicated.

At a simple launching ceremony held recently at the Albion Community Centre’s Main Hall, Deva Chandrabali, the proprietor of Chandrabali’s Construction, located in New York, USA, disclosed to the audience via a live social media appearance that he was extremely happy to be associated with Albion’s cricket.

“I am from Nigg, I spent a lot of time at the Albion Community Centre in my childhood days and I am delighted to invest in this outstanding Club. It is always a pleasure for me to give back to my people,” said Chandraballi.

President of the ACCCC, Vemen Walter, thanked Chandraballi for the gesture and assured him that his sponsorship of the Club’s Second Division Team will assist tremendously not only towards the development of Albion’s cricket but also cricket in Berbice, Guyana and by extension the West Indies.

“This sponsorship will not only assist the ACCCC but will also contribute towards the development of games in Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies generally. As we all know,

ACCCC president, Vemen Walter (left), receives the sponsorship cheque from a representative of Chandrabali's Construction

Albion is a major player in Berbice, Guyana and West Indies cricket, having been known to produce top-quality cricketers over the years.

Cricket is a very expensive game and I must thank Mr Chandrabali for this sponsorship.”

Walter also took the opportunity to thank Fabian Naiken, who was very instrumental in the development of Albion’s cricket in the early 1990s, before migrating to Canada, for the role he played in securing the sponsorship.

The Albion second-division team for the 2022 season will be known as the “Albion Chandrabali’s Construction Second-Division team.”

Among those present for the launching were Naiken via social media, along

with former Guyana and West Indies opening batter Sewnarine Chattergoon, currently the head coach of Albion, Jonathan Foo and several other members of the club’s First and Second-Division teams.

With the exception of the Albion First Division Team, which is partly sponsored, all of the club’s other teams are now fully sponsored.

The club’s Under-19 Team is sponsored by K.P. Jagdeo General Contracting while Orvin Mangru’s Contracting Services is the Under-17 Team’s sponsor.

Other sponsors are: Permaul’s Trading & Distribution (Under-15), Harichand’s Business Establishment (Under-13) and Cell Towers Builders of the USA (Under-21).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 9, 2022

IBA increases prize pool by 50% ahead of 2023 World Championships … GBA president Steve Ninvalle praises move

IN what can only be described as a monumental and historic day for the sport of boxing, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has increased their prize pool by an enormous 50% for the impending 2023 World Championships scheduled for Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 1 to 14.

This was confirmed by an official release from the local governing authority, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Although several notable initiatives - inclusive of the impending launches of the Global Boxing Forum, and the IBA Development and Training Office in the UAE - were announced by IBA president Umar Kremlev, the most inspired declaration

was the expansion of the prize money for the gold, silver and bronze medal winners.

The gold medallist will be awarded US$200 000, with the silver and bronze medallists bestowed US$100 000, and US$50 000 respectively. In total, a record US$5.2M will be awarded during the tournament, which is a historic feat, and is an increase of approximately 50% to the previous prize pool of US$2.6M. “For the first time in history, we will have a record prize money fund, US$5.2M. For the first place, the award is US$200 000, for the second place US$100 000, and for each bronze medallist US$50 000, Kremlev said.

The prize money marks a 100% increase from the last

GBA president, Steve Ninvalle

IBA president, Umar Kremlev

World Championship where a gold medal was worth US$100 000.

Meanwhile, GBA president Steve Ninvalle, declared that the announcement is nothing short of extraordinary, and emanates on

the heels of fruitful consultation and discourse within the IBA family under the astute leadership of Kremlev.

He stated, “Context is important, what we are witnessing when it is brought into existence is a

game-changing initiative for amateur boxing led by president Kremlev following discussions with all and sundry within the IBA family for the betterment, sustainability and overall viability of the sport. This is a marvellous day for amateur boxing.”

According to Ninvalle, “We are entering a realm where the financial opportunities are endless for amateur boxing.

Perspective is key, this announcement provides the avenue and platform for a life-changing reality for boxers especially those from the Caribbean region and local shores.

Any medallist, especially a gold medal winner, essentially can secure or be on the path of achieving generational wealth, as most

combatants emanate from working class strata.

This announcement cannot be understated, and should be heralded, as it provides the prospect for amateurs to achieve financial and security through sporting accomplishments.”

At present, middleweight ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam, following his exploits at the Commonwealth Games, as well as bronze medal attainments at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championship, and South American Games, is the highest ranked local IBA pugilist at No. 23.

National boxer Keevin Allicock, who also secured a bronze medal at the South American Games, is ranked 54th in the featherweight division.

Bramble shines as Harpy Eagles ‘Arm-Wrestling King’ competition set for November 27 go top with third win TAROUBA, Chanderpaul who Trinidad (CMC) counted two fours.

– Anthony BramGreaves reble’s fifty made moved both in all the difference the space of three in a low-scoring balls in the 18th match as Guyana over leading to a Harpy Eagles won slump which saw their third on the five wickets tumble bounce with a for 44 runs, before comfortable 61Hetmyer and Sinrun victory over clair propped up Windward Isthe innings in a 31lands Volcanoes. run, sixth-wicket The 31-yearpartnership. old struck 60 from Yet again, the 58 deliveries, helpfall of one wicket ing to propel the led to a slide, HetOpener Anthony Bramble smacked 60 from 58 balls new Zone B leaders to myer’s demise in the 190 all out off 43 overs, 36th over one of the set back by three-wicket after they chose to bat last five wickets to go first in the day/night encoun- hauls from medium pacer down for 22 runs. ter at Brian Lara Stadium Sherfane Rutherford (3-25) Volcanoes then had the and left-arm spinner Guda- worst possible start, openers here Monday.

Left-hander Shimron kesh Motie (3-31) and were Johnson Charles (2) and Hetmyer punched 37 from bundled out for 129 off 38 Alick Athanaze (4) perish40 deliveries, Kevin Sinclair overs. ing cheaply to catches at Out-of-favour West In- the wicket, to leave the run chipped in with 36 from 55 balls while left-hander dies stroke-maker Sunil Am- chase in tatters on six for Tagenarine Chanderpaul bris top-scored with 43 from two in the second over. lashed 30 from 49 balls in 53 deliveries while Hodge Ambris, who struck produced a painstaking 38 five fours and Hodge, who support.

F a s t b o w l e r J u s t i n from 97 deliveries but Vol- hit just one, put on 66 Greaves claimed four for canoes never rose to the for the third wicket to 39 to lead Volcanoes’ at- challenge of a modest target stabilise the innings but tack while left-arm spinner and lost wickets in clusters. once Ambris was bowled Bramble gave Harpy Ea- by Rutherford in the 20th Kavem Hodge finished with three for nine from three gles the ideal start, belting over, Volcanoes lost their eight fours and two sixes in last eight wickets for 57 overs.

In reply, Volcanoes were a 92-run opening stand with runs.

Test your might in King Level Fitness Arm Wrestling King competition on November 27 at Tower Suites

KING Level Fitness’ Principal, Tremel King, will be hosting an arm-wrestling competition on Sunday, November 27 at Tower Hotel Suites’ Pool Side.

This competition is open to anyone and will feature two categories, namely the over-200lb and under-200lb. Participants will be vying for a total prize purse of $300 000.

King, who is one of the better Personal Trainers, locally, shared with Chronicle Sport that he believes that a healthy

lifestyle is very important in ensuring the quality of life for an individual, and he decided to host this competition for not only the fitness aficionados but also anyone who would be willing to come out and test their strength.

Apart from CrossFit athletes, bodybuilders and general fitness enthusiasts, a good number of members from the military forces are signing up for the event. To this end, he believes that the normal man would be privileged to go against and get a win

against these perennial favourites.

The cost to enter the competition is currently set at $2 000 but King is working on having that entry fee waived once he attains sponsorship for the event. The first-place prize will be $75 000, second-place $50 000 and third $25 000; for both weight classes.

King mentioned that this competition is just the first of many and going forward there will be special categories for women and youths.

Chanderpaul among newest inductees to ICC Hall-of-Fame

Legendary former West Indies batsman Shiv Chanderpaul

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Legendary left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul has become the latest West Indies player to be inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall-of-Fame.

The 48-year-old was late Monday named by the ICC as inductee 107 and was joined by iconic Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir and

England’s multi-time World Cup winning captain Charlotte Edwards.

A former West Indies captain, Chanderpaul plundered 11 867 runs from 164 Tests with 30 hundreds at an average of 51.37. In One-Day Internationals, he gathered 8 778 runs from 268 matches with 11 centuries at an average of 41.60.

Chanderpaul is second on the

Qatar is a mistake, says former FIFA president Sepp Blatter FORMER FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a "mistake".

Blatter, 86, was president of world football's governing body when Qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010.

The Gulf state has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.

Qatar World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman has said that homosexuality is "damage in the mind".

The former Qatar international told German broadcaster ZDF that LGBTQ+ people attending the tournament should "accept our rules".

There is concern about how LGBTQ+ people are treated in Qatar, where same-sex relationships and the promotion of samesex relationships are criminalised, with punishments ranging from fines to the death

all-time West Indies run-scoring list in Tests and is one of just two players – along with Brian Lara – with over 10 000 runs. The Guyanese lies third on the ODI run-scoring charts behind Chris Gayle and Lara.

“It’s an amazing honour to follow the footsteps of many legends and so many other great cricketers of the past,” said Chanderpaul, who

played his last game for West Indies seven years ago.

“I’m grateful for the recognition and would like to enjoy the moment with family, friends and most importantly the West Indies cricket fans and fans around the world who passionately supported me throughout my career.”

Cricket West Indies on Tuesday

hailed Chanderpaul as “the man for all seasons”, stressing that his “commitment and adaptability” had been two of the qualities behind his outstanding career.

“On behalf of all West Indies cricket stakeholders, I congratulate Shivnarine ‘Shiv’ Chanderpaul for receiving the highest honor of his c a r e e r TURN TO PAGE 31 ►

Persaud to replace Tagenarine Chanderpaul Sepp Blatter was FIFA president in 2010 when the World Cup was awarded to Qatar

sentence.

Blatter said Qatar is "too small of a country" to host the tournament.

"Football and the World Cup are too big for it," he told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger.

The Qatar World Cup, the first to be hosted in the Middle East in the tournament's 92-year-history and the first during the Northern Hemisphere winter, takes place from November 20 to December 18.

FIFA's executive committee voted 14-8 for Qatar to host the tournament ahead of the United States 12 years ago, at the same time Russia was awarded the 2018 event.

Blatter says he voted for the United States and blames then-UEFA president Michel Platini for swinging the vote in Qatar's favour.

"It was a bad choice and I was responsible for that as president at the time," he said. " T h a n k s t o TURN TO PAGE 31 ►

THE Senior National from November 30, 2022, Selectors of the Guyana to December 4, 2022, at Cricket Board (GCB), the Perth Stadium and led by Chairman Ravinthe second from Decemdranauth Seeram, have ber 8, 2022, to December selected Akshaya Per12, 2022, at the Adelaide saud to replace TageOval. narine Chanderpaul Akshaya Persaud made in the Guyana Harpy his first-class debut for Eagles (GHE) Super50 Guyana against Jamaiteam. Tagenarine Chanca in January 2018 and derpaul recently rehis List-A debut for the ceived his maiden call-up Combined Campuses and to the West Indies Test Colleges and against the squad.

Leeward Islands in St. West Indies will begin Kitts in November 2019. their 2022 Test tour of Persaud has so far played Australia with a Threefive First-Class matches Akshaya Persaud will replace Tagenarine Chanderpaul in the Day practice match and eight List-A matches Guyana squad against ACT/NSW, from with the highest score November 17, 2022, at of 55, at an average of St Philips Oval, Canberra. This match will 27.83 and a strike rate of 55.29. be followed by a Day/Night Four-Day pracGHE will play Trinidad and Tobago tice match against the Prime Minister’s X1 on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the which is scheduled to be played at Manuka, Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. In their first Canberra. encounter of the preliminary rounds, GHE These matches will provide useful prac- beat Trinidad and Tobago. tice and game readiness for the two Test After four rounds of the CG United matches with the first scheduled to be played Super50, GHE is TURN TO PAGE 31 ►

GCB congratulates Shivnarine Chanderpaul on induction into ICC Hall of Fame 31 PAGE

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022